I guess it is good to have goals

I think it would be nice to set a record that people would remember me by...maybe the most people helped, the world's funniest stand-up routine, something like that...something that has some sort of value. Or if it could not be that, then at least something meaningful to a great number of people. For example, I love to play poker and, if my ego is not too big, must say I am pretty decent at it. I am currently in 8th place out of about 200 players in our league...not great but certainly not embarrassing. I would love to someday set a record by winning back to back to back WSOP bracelets. Yes, I know my chances of doing that are about the same as the Presidential hopefuls having unanimous views on the immigration reform package, but...whatever. If I could set a record, that would be the one.

Mostly because I cannot hope to match the stupendous achievement of Rod Baber. He is an impressive man. He climbed Mount Everest. This alone is impressive. It is an oft lethal venture full of danger, trials, tribulations, and difficulties. It is an endeavor very few people on earth are equipped to accomplish. And even fewer care about performing this bit of pointlessness. But the absolute pointlessness of the endeavor takes nothing away from Baber's accomplishment.

You know he is intrepid. And, apparently, a little bit stupid. Not only did he accomplish it, he risked his life just to set a record. What record is so awesome, so amazing, so prestigious that someone would be willing to risk their life for it? I can think of a few candidates.

For example, I could understand some thrill seeker who wanted to make the world's longest or fastest snowboard or ski run. Not that I could condone it...but I could at least understand it. Those people do all sorts of crazy things and risk their lives for much lesser thrills.

But Baber had a much more impressive record in mind. He risked his life by removing his oxygen so he could make a phone call from the highest location a call has ever been made.

Well...I guess the record for "Phone call from highest location on earth" no longer belongs to someone calling from an airplane...thanks, Rod. Thanks for nothing.