The human being has always pushed the envelope into and beyond the realms of danger. This is the eleventh of various weekend postings displaying how restless Man is with the mundane and how he purposely crosses the threshold into danger willingly — and sometimes unwillingly.
In my very callow youth, I climbed what is known as the Walnut Grove tower whilst I worked for radio station KFBK. I only got a portion of the way up the tower, until I began to howl and glow and vibrate with the RF emitted by the tower itself.
Let me be blunt: I have no children. I climbed this tower and also worked security for a nuclear power plant in my 20s. I spread my seed “far and wide,” shall we say, with little if any “protection.”.
In reflection, I’d always wondered if I made myself essentially sterile at a very young age with the various exposures I encountered.
BZ
Can we get the Libbers to climb that tower?? 😕
Look at it this way, Fred —
We may ALL get our wish anyway, it’ll just take much longer.
GOWPs and Leftists are not only refusing to have children, but are insisting upon abortion. This, therefore, reduces THEIR future gene pool.
In that respect: GOOD NEWS.
BZ
After that climb you still have not got to work on the problem yet. I wonder how long it takes to climb up there? No bathroom breaks for you! I wonder if women WANT to do this job to show men up on HOW they can DO IT BETTER?
Maybe this should be summited as a study, steal about half a million by getting a grant for this study. How women are oppressed by men when the woman are not given a chance for this job.
I suspect it’s a guy climbing the tower, but I know female free climbers who climb the granite up near Donner Lake just like the guys. I’m not seeing this as a male/female thing. I’m seeing this as a “I’ve been up a tower like this, ONCE, and that was ENOUGH for me” kind of thing.
Plus, I didn’t get anywhere NEAR the top. Unlike this one, the tower was still emanating RF and it was physically affecting me.
BZ
I got uncomfortable watching the video so….
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that heights bother me more and my legs shake a little more on the way down the ladder. It’s probably a combination of core muscle atrophy, inner ear fluid (balance) decrepitude, and accumulated awareness of the fragility of life in general.
Now as for the rads, (looking beyond Ann Coulter) some comfort here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3642576.stm
As to the other curiosity, well…. we should all have vicarious outlets:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJBZDrUEYYo
Thanks for the linkulus, ∞ ≠ ø !!
BZ
SO now we know how they get up there…I want to know WHY?
How long are they up there and what are they doing up there? Are they fixing something or do they go up every day to do daily stuff?
And ya, the bathroom break thing occurred to me, too!
I wonder if anyone’s ever fallen from those things…………
Z, it’s as simple as having to “fix a bulb.”
Because SOMEONE has to climb up there to do that!
Glad it ain’t still ME.
BZ
Finally: just made me wonder.
What is that guy doing with a METAL WATCH on his left wrist??
I wouldn’t have ONE PIECE of metal on me as I climbed, if I could help it.
BZ
“Why do they do it?”
Because guys like me, flying EMS helicopters at night, depend on ’em that’s why.
I went to provide assistance to SE Texas after hurricane IKE, and we couldn’t fly at night because there were too many unlit towers like the one in the video in the Houston area when the power went out.
I often hear, “I couldn’t do your job because I’m afraid of heights.”
“Fear of heights” is a misnomer. It’s actually a fear of falling from height.
When I’m strapped into my helicopter, I don’t fear falling from it.
I’m with you, BZ. I absolutely COULD NOT do this job.
(I bet they’re paid a FORTUNE for changing that top bulb!
I don’t particularly have a “fear of heights,” per se.
I DO, however, know that I simply don’t have the “chuff” any more to climb all those rungs from the end of the elevator.
I have a funny story for you, that I think you can relate to.
A friend of mine, a number of years ago, flew aboard our first LE helicopter, a Hughes 300. I LOVE flying in helicopters but just don’t much get the opportunity. Matter of fact, I started flight school to become an Observer for my department but, due to personal issues, couldn’t complete the course.
My friend just “froze” during the flight and had a DEATH GRIP on the cushion beneath her butt. Sure, she was belted in, but she told me she crushed the seat cushion because she knew it was securely connected to the cockpit.
Until, after she was down and the blades stopped, I reached into the cockpit and pulled the bottom cushion up with a rip. It was attached with Velcro.
She blanched.
BZ