[Hat tip — a huge hat tip — to Chris!]

The human being has always pushed the envelope into and beyond the realms of danger.  This is the twelfth of various weekend postings illustrating how restless Man is with the mundane and how he purposely crosses the threshold into danger willingly — and sometimes unwillingly.

So there I was, working on two posts for Monday and one for Sunday — when I’m writing this now.  The internet at my wife’s house had failed miserably until she figured out how to plug the ethernet directly into the Vaio laptop.  I, admittedly, am the House Druid when it comes to anything techno.

Furthermore, I installed a WordPress plug-in about 10 days ago, which caused this blog to disappear entirely from the Blogosphere — much to the thrill of Leftists the world over.  After Bushwack was able to resurrect BZ from its formerly-moribund state (and no, not Fornicalia), I now appear to have issues with some persons visiting via Internet Exploder.  I, myself, use Firefox.

Then, an e-mail to my in-box via one of my EVOC instructors: check out the new Ken Block video.  Ken Block, sponsored by DC shoes, managed to shut down much of downtown San Francisco on a Sunday in order to film Gymkhana 5.  So, Ken Block, take it away (please expand and turn up the sound):

There is no doubt that this man has bushels of talent.  You will note that Ken Block starts on the upper (westbound) deck of the older SF Bay Bridge — which is entirely CLOSED just for this video.

Those familiar with San Francisco will note that he drives up iconic Lombard Street — this is against normal flow.  He also catches sideways air and tags a barrier with his butt.

Above, Ken Block in a scene right out of the 1968 film “Bullitt,” when the Mustang and Charger crash downhill directly past this same wood-paneled home on the right.

Next comes the Travis Pastrana motocross duel, with a brilliant finish on the road to the Mt Sutro overlook.  The flourish on the cargo barge is a nice touch as well, particularly as it nears the Bay Bridge itself.

Technically, Ken Block drove a 2012 Ford Fiesta HFHV with 650 horsepower, capable of 0 to 60 times of 1.8 seconds.  You will note that the black lever closest to him is for manual shifting, and the silver lever locks the rear brakes, allowing him to drift in oversteer.

Block drives for the Monster World Rally Team.

For the rest of my “Pushing The Envelope” series — and they’re all great ones — please go here.

Have a wonderful day.

BZ