Are you a danger mouse?

[Phteven]

In the recent talk about planking here and elsewhere I've noticed that people often seem to mention that it is dangerous as an argument against it. Personally this just makes me think 'so what?'. I dunno...... not only do I have nothing against dangerous pastimes if I'm honest with myself I enjoy danger and adrenaline.
That moment standing at the top of a crazy steep hill that I may or may not have the ability to ski, just before I take that first turn, I feel totally 100% alive. I like it when I'm forced to live in the moment or go splat. It's not just skiing, when I rode I owned horses with a lot of pep and I have been known to drive a little fast on occasion.I've broken into places to go skinny dipping and wasted my time on other foolhardy missions. If I'm on my sofa I enjoy living vicariously by watching or reading about other people pushing their limits or indulging in dare devil antics.

The thought of a world with the danger removed for myself and other people makes me feel bored and depressed.

What about you? Do you thrive on adrenaline? Does danger make you feel alive or would you prefer it if we could just pad the world a little bit?

[Tinks]

No. I am a total wuss I don't go on scary rides and can't even walk down a steep hill let alone ski.

[Phteven]

I love scary rides! It's one of the lamest parts of being a parent - riding in the ****ing pastel teacups while everyone else lives it up in The Claw.

[Tinks]

We have the opposite here. I'm the scardy cat who likes the teacups and DD is the dare devil who went on all of the thrill rides at dreamworld (several times). You need to go to theme parks with her Onyx and I'll take your kids lol

[UsPlus2]

Funny that you mention skiing, I was just reminiscing tonight back to the time I went up my first black run, I still remembering feeling so alive going down that hill, it was such a rush. I miss that rush. Having said that I also think that adrenaline and "rushes" dont always have to be physically demanding actions. I miss the adrenalin of getting off a plane in a country I have never been to or something as small as public speaking. I like pushing my own comfort zone.

For what it is worth I dont think planking is dangerous. Some people have put themselves in dangerous places to get a shot, but tell me how planking on a display table at bunnings is dangerous?

and whilst I'm a fan of pushing my comfort zone, I wish my 2 year old would stop it! I just want to wrap him in cotton wool and keep him there.

[UsPlus2]

I use to operate the rides at Dreamworld! Seriously the BEST job in the world, I loved getting to ride the rides after I finished my shift. The claw was the funniest one, watching all those "brave" people talk it up in the line and leave without their lunch hehehe

[Trillian]

I'm like that. I don't snow ski, but I water ski and it's the same feeling. Being pulled behind a boat going flat out is an awesome feeling. When I was younger we did things that were harmless fun like you did Onyx. There was no greater fun than doing circle work in a V8 ute at a BnS ball, or climbing up on things you probably shouldn't be climbing on or mucking around with firecrackers and potato guns.

ETA - thought I should clarify that playing with firecrackers was never involving people, more along the lines of blowing things up and the circle work was always contained in a designated area for safety.

[Fleur]

I'm a wuss. But I think a bit of an adrenaline rush is healthy however you get it - be it skiing a steep slope or walking down a hill
I wish I was a bit more of a daredevil... I went on a waterslide at whitewater world this summer, I was pretty proud of myself

[Phteven]

I totally agree about travel pushing you out of your comfort zone. It's funny, I though that traveling with children would be less of a thrill because everything has to be more planned but it's still a buzz.
Public speaking..... that might be a bridge too far lol. The last time I did that was at uni.

one of my friends got run over by people doing circle work at a B&S - he lay down in the grass for a breather (no idea why) and someone drove their ute over him. Luckily he only got a fright so it was funny not tragic.

[krystals]

I think the concept of 'perceived' risk is an interesting one. I love to ski, rock climb, mountain bike ride and spend time in white water, but when I see people with no skill or experience doing these things I get scared for them. I work at as an Outdoor Education Teacher and the perceived risk idea comes up especially when we're on the adventure ropes course. People think the 'high' elements would be more dangerous than the 'low' ones, as the high are 10-15m in the air, and the low ones are at knee height. Thing is, on the low elements, you are 100% guaranteed to hit the ground, making yourself more vulnerable to injury, whereas the risk is reduced (significantly!) on the high elements because of the safety and skill involved. I'm a scaredy cat. I won't do anything that's outside my comfort zone, I'll nudge at the edge, so I can improve and travel further, but I like to take baby steps!!!!

The fact that planking (according to those of my friends who are right into it) involves a heavy dose of alcohol as well as the competitive element, makes me think it's a recipe for disaster. Sure, there are the innocuous funny set ups, but all I can see is the future news headlines.

Still, I LOVE watching Warren Miller movies and extreme athletes pushing their boundaries, but this phrase always sticks in my mind:

"There are old climbers, and there are bold climbers, but there are no old, bold climbers".

[Floweryfields]

I don't do anything that moves fast, just cause it makes me ill! I don't mind heights and stuff, but nothing that spins me. I don't have a problem with dangerous stuff as long as it doesn't endanger others in the process.

[RhiChiChi]

I have to say to I fairly conservative but do like the adrenaline rush once 'pushed'. For me, planking wouldn't give me that rush, so I wouldn't do it plus I don't get it... Anyway, I have rockclimbed/absailed (sp?), water skied, canoed gone on scary rides.

[Tinsel]

I'm a fraidy cat and I get very bad motion sickness so fast rides or anything that goes round and round is out for me as is heights and boats and planes. I am very uncoordinated too and had a bad experience snow skiing so won't be doing that again anytime soon. I do like an adrenalin rush but I'm nowhere near a daredevil. Maybe I'm getting more uptight as I'm getting older.

[AnyDream]

No I don't enjoy the feeling of adrenaline at all. I get very strong unpleasant physical sensations and I don't like them at all. Good example is shaking, palpitations and crying that I get from the adrenaline in local anaesthetics. I think I'm wired a bit differently from the next person, as i thrive in other situations that cause people to quake (public speaking, performing, working to a tight deadline, etc) but as for pure physical adrenaline - no thanks.

[Junglemum]

I love it, adrenalin sports, rides, public speaking, the lot.

Although I have never bungy jumped.... Something about that doesn't appeal, but I'd still do it if I found myself in the situation.

Planking doesn't really do it for me though..... I can think of better challenges to get a buzz. I like my adrenalin sober.

I will admit to being slightly more cautious since having babies, not sure if I'm out if practice, lack of opportunity or if it's a mumma thing.

[Mum2SweetCs]

No. I am a total wuss I don't go on scary rides and can't even walk down a steep hill let alone ski.

Another wuss here. Rides make me faint!

Never done anythng scary before, heck I dont even drink!

So yeh my life doesnt sound that exciting hey lol

[Miss.September]

I love the thought of pushing the limits, but mostly I'm scared to do so. Occassionally, I'll push the limit. Riding my horse bareback in a gallop from one end of the paddock to the other, no bridle, no reins, yeah that was a favourite of mine. I've done the upside down rides, the rollercoasters. And the steepest slide at Wet and Wild. But all when I was younger (probably up to early 20's). As I've gotten older, the consequences are firmer in my mind. If I fall off a horse and get hurt, I can't look after my DD. But I do want to be someone who pushes the boundaries, even a little bit. Planking at the moment seems a little pointless. But I guess as it becomes more famed, the challenge of it will get greater and we'll see some insane planks.

[Jakabella]

I dont do some rides but I love getting on my ex race horse and pushing that button and getting into a gallop - that flat out gallop with his ears back and ever muscle rippling... its the "am I going to stay on this time" thoughts that get me going!