The Joy of Life

In the selection Chris is talking about how so many people give up there adventerous side in order to "fit" into society hoping that this will give them peace and joy. When in reality it's taking away there freedom to be able to explore life in completely different ways each day. Alex supertramp is talking about how people do not realize how conforming to society's demands affect them in negative ways rather than help them. I agree with Chris partially because Trying to fit in with everyone In society Will not bring you happiness or joy. I agree that it is indeed the adventure of life and not knowing what's coming tomorrow that brings people joy, happiness and Peace of mind. But sometimes you have to go with the flow and try to be somewhat civil And conservative to get to certain things in life.

Chris embraced and exemplified his beliefs by Being free and outgoing and not conforming to what society see's as right and wrong. He did this by being himself and speaking his mind. He also did not lose his sense of adventure, fun, and freedom. Alex took life day by day with a new start and different attitude everyday. Chris was carefree and it showed because he did what he wanted, went where he wanted, and this made him feel happy, free, and joyful.

My life has been conditioned to conformity and conservatism because I can't say or do whatever I want whenever I want without worrying about who's watching and judging me. I'm unable to do a lot of the things that make me who I am because of the consequences or having to think about what people think of me. Chris would most likely ask me do I enjoy living like this and is this my definition of being free and happy. He would ask me to name three things that I've done recently that I've absolutely enjoyed without worrying. Chris would probably tell me to do something exotic and fun without looking back and questioning myself. He would tell me to be 100% me for once.

Poems for Chris

"You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heath of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one." - Kahlil Gibran in The Prophet  
I think that alex would have enjoyed this poem because he read a lot of books, quotes and poems about life. This poem is talking about the mysteries of life and death and how you have to understand them as a pair before you can try to break them down separately. This reminds me of how alex doesn't have a fear of dying and how he is so brave.

Memories

Delicate things,

Like butterfly wings,

Stir memories of my youth,

And sweet perfume,

From each fragrant bloom,

Carefree days and that’s the truth.

The sound of a bird,

Could always be heard,

Beneath the big old gum trees,

On the bank I lie,

The river nearby,

Feeling the gently blowing breeze.

Lazy days pass,

Lying in the grass,

When there’s no one else around,

Beauty fills my heart,

All nature is art,

Every day it could be found…

{©2008 Jan Brooks}

I think that chris would enjoy this poem because he really liked nature. This poem describes the things that you see, feel, hear, and smell outside and the beauty of it. This reminds me of how chris was constantly in the forests and how he liked nature more than he liked people.

Disasters in heaven

As I pack up what seems like my entire life it feels as If I've fallen short of things that I need. "Clothes, water, weapons, airline ticket check." Four suit cases lie all over my room waiting to be shipped to Victoria falls. Around three o'clock I left For the airport expecting to arrive in Africa at 4 o'clock in the morning the next day. Forgetting all about the guns and knives in my carry on I went through security, only to be locked up for 24 hours and being questioned delaying my flight til the next morning at a completely different airport.

After arriving in Zimbabwe weaponless i picked up my rental car and took a trip to the grocery store picking up all non perishable food items i saw. By this time it was dark and i was completely unprepared to stake out in the forests surrounding victoria falls. Hot, tired, aggravated and already ready to return home i decided to check into a hotel for the night. The next morning was a lot better i was ready to take on the biggest challenge of living in the wild (or so i thought i was).

In Victoria Falls i faced bites from bugs unidentified and sickness on the first day. My body became swollen from unknown reasons. But i knew that this was what i wanted, that this was what was going to either make me or brake me and i came prepared to fight until the end. Night after night i recorded my experiences hoping that i could look back on them one day and smile saying i did it. I began to understand the natural beauties of the world and the way life worked. the way the flowers and trees complemented each other and the way the way the animals depended on these beauties to survive every day.

I stayed in Victoria Falls for 11 months and 3 days having to leave because of a really bad infection i caught. Once i was cleared to go home and doctors told me i would be fine i became sad and depressed that the time had finally come for me to return home. Home in Plainfield i knew that i had to change the way i treated earth and i had to appreciate everything so much more. No more littering and pulling up flowers or leaves off bushes because i wanted to. After Victoria falls there was a new and better me.

Guilty or Innocent?

Audrey's death was indeed a mistake, although it was 100% preventable. Audrey's death was caused by two main factors, her love for Pipin and her Ego. Audrey was determined to find out what her husband was in love with that kept him in the ocean and how the experience was for him. Driven by love and the urge to be there with him 24/7 she became a free diver, falling in love with the sport herself. Audrey soon became a better diver than Pipin and a lot more competitive.

Knowing that she would be able to break her husbands record or come close to it made her feel the need to dive deeper and deeper. Urged on by Pipin but also by her wanting to keep him safe she decided to dive a depth deeper than 500ft. Audrey was what people may considered unprepared or unsafe. she wore no inflatable wet suit and did not take any of the other safety precautions. But still while Audrey was under water she had the option to take air from the tank but SHE decided not to. Which may have saved her life in the end had she chose to use it.