Wednesday, January 28, 2009

B Is For Bungee

Make Mine A Singapore Slingshot

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sorry, mate, I’m busy today. I only have a day and a half in Singapore and I intend to get around the city on foot and shoot as many photographs as I possibly can. It’s mid-December and the city looks beautiful and the sun is shining and yes, it’s too warm for me, but I’ll turn my collar up, sip iced water and continue walking because each step brings me another image for my camera.

Yes, I’m sure it’s great to do a bungee jump. But I’ve got another international flight to catch tomorrow afternoon, followed by a road trip of several hours on northern Indian highways, then a family reunion and a wedding to attend. Then I’ve got to get into reverse gear and do it all again and get home in just five days. That’s a lot of travel and not a lot of time.

Yes, I do have the spirit of adventure flowing in my veins. Honest, I have. I never blink when I’m faced with a challenge. But next time I’m in Singapore I promise to come straight here, pay my money and do the Xtreme Swing slingshot. No, I won’t go shopping first. No, I won’t even go sightseeing. I’ll get into a cab at Changi airport and tell him to bring me straight here.

No, of course I’m not scared. Mate, did I ever tell you about the time I faced a charging grizzly? I did not flinch. I did not take a backward step. I just stood there, switched on my camera and took a shot of him as he accelerated soundlessly across the dry ground.

Yes, I know the bungee slingshot is safe. But what happens if my wallet falls out of my pocket while I’m doing this caper? Whaddya mean, you’ll take care of my false teeth. I don’t have false teeth. No, I don’t have an artificial leg. Yes, I have normal heartbeat. And yes, of course I have a healthy spine. No, I don’t have a pacemaker.

Let me make a deal with you. Have you ever had a customer who’s done this gig and held onto a camera to shoot photos while he’s strapped in and flailing wildly? No? You haven’t? Okay, I want to be the first. Here’s my down payment. See you next time I’m in Singapore. Don’t forget a special harness to tie my camera to me.

You see, I’m a sucker. You can rope me in to anything. Well, almost anything.


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31 comments:

spacedlaw said...

Oh so you mean you are into bondage?
:)
That contraption looks lethal. Although filming while you are being tossed about might be an interesting experience (although not necessarily for your stomach), I'd happily let someone else take the plunge. Going down once might be okay. Ish. But going around like some type of demented yoyo?
Naaah.
Great B though.

Hilary said...

Ack.. I'm pretty sure I'd rather face the Grizzly!

Jinksy said...

Timely procrastination, there...

Katney said...

Last time we cruised Alaska, my hubby did the zip-line through the rain-forest canopy. (He says he would bungee.) I did the photography hike.

We are booked on another cruise this fall. We were talking about it with dear daughter the manic cruiser. Hubby started out, "When we are in Juneau on our cruise..." and I did not even let him finish.

"NO, I won't go on the zip-line with you. But you are welcome to do so while I go on the photography hike."

He might take a disposable camera this time.

RiverPoet said...

I can't picture myself in a Singapore Sling. I'm terrified of heights and don't have a "healthy spine" (did they tell you that you might not have a healthy spine after the ride??).

You're a brave (and crazy) man, David!

Peace - D

Jazz said...

Damn. To bad you didn't have time for this! I would've loved to see the pics.

squawmama said...

Well David I know your an adveturist but i would have loved the shots of you in that.... and show me the grizzly... I would love that picture... Have a good one mate!

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Dr.John said...

You could have done the thing in the time it took you to tell why you weren't doing it.

Tom said...

I'd have loved to have stood by while others suffered or enjoyed this ride.... I would think some great facial shot are to be had..

Tom


Wiggers World

Countrybelle said...

thanks so much for visiting my blog! bungeeing is on my list of things i would never do, not in a million years, not for any amount of money. you're brave to even consider it!
xx
countrybelle

George said...

I can't imagine myself doing a bungee, but I'm certainly looking forward to the pictures you get while doing it!

aims said...

That pilon looks like it's already coming out of the ground.

Tell you what David. If you go first - I'll - um - go next. Sure - that's the ticket then.

Maggie May said...

Well that's something to look forward to then David. You will have to strap the camera onto your body somehow!
My son, Sam did a bungee jump from a crane over water! He thought it was fantastic, but only did the one jump!
Course you might decide not to go to Singapore ever again, so you don't have to do it!

Unknown said...

Give me the Grisly anyday!

Richard Lawry said...

There is a very similar ride in Branson, Missouri. I watched other people ride it, but I am to tight with my money. Has nothing to do with being scared. :)

An Arkie's Musings

Rune Eide said...

You won't get me into one of those things at gun-point! (But I look forward to Raffles Hotel and the tiger.)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Looks like fun to me, David, but this time, we'll take the pictures you shot instead of a shot of you in that contraption! I've always harbored a desire to skydive, but after falling the other day and coming up badly bruised, I don't know how much older bones would like it. ;-)

Have fun at your wedding and traveling. Be safe...

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

There is no way I would do this even if I did have a good back. LOL I'd like to think of myself as adventurous but not sure about the bungee thing.

Lene said...

Juhuuu!!! I have done it, I have done it. I jumped togehter whith my best friend about ten years ago, and I will do it again sometime. And thakyou for the idea of then bringing my camera ;)

Say hello to the grizley for me ;)

anthonynorth said...

A sensible post, laced with a great sense of fun :-)

Jane Hards Photography said...

My brother has bungeed(is that even a word?). Thrilling he called it, madness I. A wise move on your part.

Anonymous said...

I went on a slingshot in Berlin. It was fantastic fun.

Les Becker said...

Oh my God, that thing looks freaky!

In the spirit of my 2009 "Nothing Scares Me" attitude, should I manage a visit Down Under, and if you haven't done this ride yet, I will talk you into taking me to Singapore and we'll go together.

After you get me good and drunk first.

Buddhist in Training said...

Eeeeek!

Granny Smith said...

If I were you I'd make some excuse to never go to Singapore again. You got enough photos of it. Right? Forget the down payment. You don't want to have prematurely gray hair, do you?

Your photographs in this post are sufficiently scary to chase me away. A long ways away.

Anonymous said...

I surely would like to do bungee, but thinking about it scares me already!

My "B" entry is posted here and here. Hope you'll take a look as well. Thanks!

Dora said...

What a busy schedule! Hope u had a great time in SG. :)

Happy WW.

Tumblewords: said...

Bold feller. I'll read your words and view the photos while I'm swaddled in a fluffy throw and blogging. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Geesh...with my luck the darn thing would snap and I would be shot into space....

Alice (in BC Canada) said...

D is for Diaper.... something you might want to purchase before this 'trip'. Hahaha. I'm glad it's you and not me.

Anonymous said...

This I will want to see!