ImGunnaJump

OOPS.....hope you have had the happiest of birthdays!

I liked the spiral pinwheel one...it was fun, and a little creepy, to see your skin crawl. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I haven't cared about videos since I don't know when, but this one is riveting...it's so poignant. Good choice. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I'm still here...I'm thinking about Boogie Rum Runners! I don't do the 'arrrgh' pirate talk though...you'll have to get the boys back for that! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

O.K. Rum King, I think that I can safely speak for the Dr. and I...let us know when/where you're serving these concoctions and we'll be there! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

O.K., you're having rum tonight too, aren't you????

yeah...I agree, animals know. Creepy, just too creepy. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I don't think I could ever buy a house knowing that somone died there in a brutal fashion, especially if the crime happened in the recent past...that's too creepy. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Malibu Rum with pineapple and cranberry juice is fantastic! It's also dangerous because you can slurp it down so fast ...before you know it your head is-a-spinnin'! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Congratulations and good luck...we'll be looking forward to your post giving us all the stats!

Glad to hear nothing serious has turned up in the tests so far...prayers sent up. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

I live just outside of Chicago. In the spring and fall we are in prime tornado weather. Around here I never worry about storms until the sky turns green - black skies don't worry me, it's the green ones. When you get a green sky, you KNOW it's time to be on the look out. Glad all is well.

Have the happiest of birthdays! What a year this has been for you, huh???

Absolutely - some of us don't get to travel nearly as much as we'd like to, especially to places like Antarctica, so post away! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

My condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

What a great bit of news...it's so good to hear he's bouncing back a little already - kids have that amazing ability going for them. Continued prayers will be sent up. Hang in there Uncle Chris! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this...it's so distressing to hear when things like this happen to someone so young, and from a family pet. Many prayers of healing will be going up for Ethan. Please give us updates as you can. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

YES...THIS does help! And, yes, I'm jumping in again... just to say thank you for the information. I appreciate that you were willing to see what I was trying to get at, and addressed that, and not get hung up on something else... especially considering you obviously have a lot of experience with climbing, and I don't have any. Thanks again for making the effort Mike, and I wish you great fun and safe climbing in the future!

I hadn't seen it before, and I love it! Thanks for posting it! "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Is he really as short as they say he is?? I love Martina McBride...you picked a good day to hang out there! I'm glad you had fun!

I am going to jump back in for this one response because it does shed some light... Well, this is the kind of answer I was looking for... I suspected that the weather may affect the equipment, I didn't realize just how much...I was thinking the equipment was built to withstand those types of temperatures, but obviously not. O.K. Thanks for the info. Godspeed to the 2 remaining climbers. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

Apparently people are looking for an angle or a sentiment that isn't there. First of all, I have great sympathy for these climbers AND commented that they appeared to be experienced, and had shown good judgement in leaving a note,etc. in my very first post in this thread. But it seems that some of the responses are taking a tone that I'm calling them stupid - that was someone else's description, NOT MINE. Secondly, Douva, I never said the examples I used were "commonplace" - you read that into it,for whatever reason. I have actually seen people do those/say those things since I have been jumping, not often, thankfully, but I have seen it. And so I used those examples as a way to get my point across to an experienced climber who could shed some light on why this situation is unfolding the way it is for these climbers. I am allowed to ask questions, and I'll use whatever form I want to ask them. For you to jump in and hype this up into something that it isn't, is wrong...but, boy, it sure did make you look "cool", didn't it?? Edit to add: I'm done with this discussion. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

*** *** Yeah, I agree with you...it's just a shame it's unfolding the way it is. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

The "cool" question was just one of three in that paragraph, and wasn't asked without sympathy, and I don't think it is a totally invalid question given what I've seen in our sport: -people walk to the plane with their chest straps undone, or even get on, because they think the look/are 'cool'. -some folks don't put on their helmets during take-off because they're too cool to do it. -some jumpers won't wear an A.A.D. because that's for newbies. There could be a subculture of people who climb who choose to not use certain safety precautions for all sorts of reasons, and so I asked just to see if that exists in the sport and to possibly gauge how prevalent it is. To pretend that it couldn't possibly be a factor is naive. Huh??? I may only have a reserve ride once in my lifetime, but I carry the reserve on my back anyway. I would think that being able to be found would be a very compelling reason. I understand the weight issue with climbers. But I would think that the margin of safety using just one of the devices MikeForsythe mentioned is worth it's weight, literally, especially the PLB. I'm hoping they find the two remaining climbers alive and we can find out more information - it may be that they do have these devices and they aren't working due to the weather or something. "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

As a non-climber I have to ask, are these items sort of prohibitively expensive to buy?? I would think that if you enough $ to get adequate climbing gear, you could buy these things too. Or is it more that having these devices is not considered "cool" (some people in our sport don't want A.A.D.'s)? Or it's simply not the norm, yet, to carry them? Do they add to much weight to carry? I'm trying to wrap my mind around why a climber wouldn't have them if they are easily available...your thoughts???? "...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson