Naming shots, telling lies: the art of a good story

99% of the memory lies within the story in which it was retold. Therefore many of our fondest memories are some of our rememberances of our friends' more entertaining fabrications. Sometimes a little stretch goes a long way, but other times the end result of the oral word can have a similar result of a group of 7 year olds playing the game telephone. Let's do a brief example showing how to turn an anyways average evening into an epic tale.

"Jon got home from work and hopped in the shower. He stubbed his toe walking down the stairs. He got dressed and went to a friend's apartment. He had a few drinks. He then met up with some work friends at a bar. They ordered rounds, there was a bit of dancing. Jon left the bar and went to bed."

Let's see how to spice this tale up a bit with a few white lies and some hyperboles.
"Jon sped home and cut off 2 semis causing a freeway closing accident. Who cares? It didn't slow him down a bit. He sprinted in the door of his apartment and slammed 6 beers while showering. On the way down the stairs he stumbled and crashed to the floor putting a gaping hole in the drywall. He covered it up with a Bulls poster and had 6 more beers. Jon then drove to a pal's apartment and proceeded to slam a fifth of rumplemintz while socializing with the crowd. He was bored by the scene so he took a cab to a bar. After arguing over the fair Jon went P Kane on the cabbie and feld the scene chuckling as he jogged away. Jon then saw a buddy from work at the bar and they traded off inventing shots with proof well over 120...coming up with names insinuating death or pain: "Flatline, curbstomp, the abortion." A group of pro-life liberals approached the scene after that 3rd round. They were not pleased. Jon punched her in the stomach and called her a hippie and high fived his work friend.
Three girlsfrom across the room had enjoyed the comedy of the scene and approached the boys. They laughed, joked, and drank, then moved the party to the bathroom where they had a 5some no pants dance. After last call Jon walked to a gas station and bought a 5 hour energy and a pack of Marlboro Lights. When he finally walked to his car he drove home and went to bed."

See how just a few exagerations, some small fibs, and a couple of named shots can greatly enhance a story?