What you're reading

[ChiefD]

I'm an avid reader. I read 2-4 books a week. I like mystery/thriller, sci fi, fantasy, nonfiction, all kinds of stuff. I like discovering new authors too. A couple new authors I read were "Take Your Breath Away" by Linwood Barclay. That was a really good book, read it in a couple of days. I also recently read through The Selection series of books by Kiera Cass. There are five books in the series. I read all five in three days. A good nonfiction book I read was "The Palace Papers" by Tina Brown. An excellent behind the scenes thing regarding the British Royal Family. I like just about anything by Patricial Cornwell, Clive (Dirk) Cussler, Michael Ledwidge, Vince Flynn, James Rollins, and Dean Koontz. 

I've also been reading many books about people either climbing Mount Everest or trekking to Everest Base Camp. Trekking to Everest Base Camp is something I have on my bucket list. I love reading about others climbing mountains, but I have no desire to climb any more mountains. I've only climbed one - Mount Fuji. That was enough for me. Some pending books I may be reading are "The Match" - Harlan Coben, "The Vanity Fair Diaries" - Tina Brown, "The Investigator" - John Sanford, and "Elsewhere" - Dean Koontz.

I only did it once, and found out in that one venture, it is not for me.

Going up was not bad. Coming back down took five times as long, and was scary as hell.

I had no business going up. I was alone in the climb. Had no, I mean zero, climbing experience, and no gear. I didn't even have a phone on me.

Don't say it. I said enough that it is etched in my brain.

"You idiot!"

But I was a fast learner. I learned to not do it again.

I climbed Mount Fuji with a Morale Welfare and Recreation group of other military personnel from Yokosuka Navy Base. I prepared for months beforehand, getting into the best shape I ever was in. I really thought it would be easy. It was anything but. I got altitude sickness, literally barfed all over the place the day I reached the summit. I felt like I was gonna die. Going down was pretty scary too, lots of slipping and sliding on lava rock, felt like I was out of control of my body. Never again. 

Nope, I don't think you were an idiot. Sometimes we just want to do something and do it. If we get out alive, well, there ya go!