Hitchikers on the playa?

[ygmir]

No, but the vending machines kill the fuckwits who tip them. I won't be killed by a vending machine. I'm also highly unlikely to be killed by a shark

academia would be well served, by your presence, Sput.

[mudpuppy000]

That's true, you'll probably die of hypothermia before the sharks start chomping on you.

[gyre]

But its true! Sharks don't really kill that many people worldwide.

Another urban myth in the making.

Tourism hates shark attacks, so if you aren't found... you drowned.

Huge upsurge in croc deaths due to joggers and rubber shoes.
The crocs leave the feet, so no drowning.

The "official" shark death rate defies credulity.
And known attacks too.


I have no speculation on vending machines.

[FaeTora]

Attacks and deaths are different. Just because one bit doesn't mean the person died. Most of them are superficial.

[gyre]

When one single person has recovered more bones than the total "reported" shark deaths for New Zealand, you don't have to be too clever to figure it out.

The disneyfication of sharks is just too ridiculous.

Like I said, if you aren't recovered, you weren't attacked.
Drowned or missing.
$$$$$$

[Bob]

Aren't hitchhiking stories slightly more interesting than shark stories?

[gyre]

Depends on the driver.
I remember when hitchhiking was seemingly safe.
I wonder if the hitchhikers got more dangerous or the drivers?


There is one surviving witness to a jaws style attack, of the type some think has killed many in crowds off beaches off australia and new zealand.
And this includes a prime minister of new zealand, officially "drowned".

The sharks are large, that deliberately hunt humans and dive from underneath, according to theory.
The witness reports almost no sound as the shark closed on the victim and withdrew under the water.
Based on the "bunny hunter" theory of mankind, that hunters go after easy prey, it would be normal for larger sharks to prey on humans.

But even recent reports of protracted battles with smaller sharks gives the lie to the accidental bite story, though it is doubtless true in many cases.

Perhaps the Indianapolis was a delusion?

[Paydirt]

Gyre I hope you don't live near the sea but do watch out for the playa sharks..........

[gyre]

I may soon.
Watch this space.

I like to swim in the ocean at night when the waves are different.
I saw the shark tracking they do of beaches.
In the day, the sharks cruise just outside the areas used by people.
But at night they come in to within a few feet of shore and just skirt the beach, especially tiger sharks.

[Bob]

I think I picked up the most interesting hitchhiker in the world back around 1998, a couple miles out of Gerlach, headed north. Young blond guy, spitting image of Brad Pitt, all his stuff was in a feed sack, and he had a pistol in a duct tape holster strapped on his thigh. Looked like he'd been out in the weather for a while. Said he was a cowboy, headed up to the Soldier Meadow ranch. Didn't say ten words before I dropped him off, but it's an enduring image in my memory.

I saw a shark once. He didn't sound anything like Bobby Darin.

[gyre]

John Waters still hitches.

[C.f.M.]

Vending machine deaths (due to tipping/trying to shake them) are just evolution, not tragic accidents.

[ygmir]

I think I picked up the most interesting hitchhiker in the world back around 1998, a couple miles out of Gerlach, headed north. Young blond guy, spitting image of Brad Pitt, all his stuff was in a feed sack, and he had a pistol in a duct tape holster strapped on his thigh. Looked like he'd been out in the weather for a while. Said he was a cowboy, headed up to the Soldier Meadow ranch. Didn't say ten words before I dropped him off, but it's an enduring image in my memory.

I saw a shark once. He didn't sound anything like Bobby Darin.

were you looking down from water skis?

[Beest]

Hitched out Saturday night right after(an hour or so) the Man burned. Stood at the gate, checked my watch, held up my sign that said "Reno" and eight minutes later I was in a car.

I don't think it'd be terribly challenging to thumb in from Reno late Sunday/early Monday. Just find a good on ramp or supermarket parking lot, make a nice sign, and smile.

[oneeyeddick]

An average of 3 people die every year from placing thier heads in paint can shakers.

[ygmir]

An average of 3 people die every year from placing thier heads in paint can shakers.

I'm glad you're ok then.

[Sail Man]

Then I discovered sailboats.

Ah yes, they can be a wonderful thang

Except for the pirates, and sharks, and hurricanes, and...

Motor that won't start when you want to leave your slip, or return to it. That's how I learned to sail into the slip.

When you need a new main and they cost 1K on up

When a pesky drip drip drip on your forehead at night tells you that you didn't seal the new cleat you installed good enough.



But then theres the plus side. Running downwind in 15 kt winds 2-3' waves with the 150 genoa furled all out and the summer sun beating down on ya, ice cold labatts in the cooler.

Ahhhhhh, is it summer yet?

[Sail Man]

No, but the vending machines kill the fuckwits who tip them. I won't be killed by a vending machine. I'm also highly unlikely to be killed by a shark

academia would be well served, by your presence, Sput.

So would my sailboat

Common Sputnik, me an Dondo can always use another burner on board