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My housemate is going to EGYPT in 2 days... I have given her cash to buy me a TON of souveniers, exciting.. hoping to go over myself next year, as long as WW3 doesn't break out. fingers crossed, I am determined to go up the great pyramid even if it means spending the night in egyptian jail!

The Japanese tourists have got it down to an artform, here is an interesting account (apologies for the wall of text):

Pyramid climbing had been permissible up to the 1980s until Egyptian authorities forbade it following the deaths of several climbers. Despite the ban, the Great Pyramid is still climbed periodically as author Hancock had done, generally in the dead of night. Sometimes guards are bribed and guides hired to show intrepid climbers the way up. Other climbers prefer to forgo paying unnecessary bribes and find ways of avoiding opportunistic guards.

Interestingly enough, the leading nationality of these thrifty nocturnal climbers are the Japanese. Young Japanese travelers in Egypt have made Pyramid Climbing virtually a profession. They even have a handwritten book about how to do it in one of the hotels in Cairo.

Never Give Up! is the Japanese climber’s motto for surmounting the Pyramid, or as it is written in their book: Never Up Give!

The temptation to climb the Great Pyramid proved too great even for me to ignore despite my academic background in historical preservation and, more importantly, my fear of heights. I had climbed pyramids in Mexico and a minor pyramid or two in Egypt but Cheops just laughed at me. After all, what were these pitiful things compared to the Great Pyramid?

At 450 feet (135 meters), the Great Pyramid is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you’re clinging to the side of it for dear life in the dark, 200 feet up and a sneeze would send you tumbling to the ground in a broken bloody heap.

Before going, I diligently consulted the Japanese book for the necessary information. The book was a compilation of various personal accounts and advice from successful climbers written in both Japanese and English. In addition there were detailed maps on how to sneak into the area and which side to climb.

Around three in the morning, I and another American, Greg, sneaked onto the pyramid grounds. We had both taught English in Egypt for nearly a year and decided we had to climb the pyramid before we left. We went crouching and darting about like ninjas amongst the shadows trying to avoid the guards. We climbed up one of the small pyramids supposedly made for Cheops’ Queens to see where the guards were posted. From there, we watched the guards walk back and forth taking note of their positions before climbing back down. We were prepared to make our ascent but unfortunately, the guards had other plans.

Our ninja skills must have been a wee bit rusty because the guards caught us. They harassed us at first with threats of jail and fines but they soon softened up and asked for a friendly bribe. In the end, they let us go once they realized we didn’t have any money to bribe them with and that arresting us would require them to actually work. The guards weren’t paid enough to do actual work so they escorted us out.

We waved goodbye to them, walked out of sight, then sneaked back in. This time we skirted wide around the Great Pyramid running along the open area between the Sphinx and the Pyramid of Khafre/Khephren. We were horribly exposed but somehow the gods that protect fools were with us and no one saw us.

The Japanese book had listed the southwest corner of the pyramid as the safest place to climb. Here the pyramid resembled a high-stepped staircase of steady, firm blocks. It makes for easy climbing but we made the mistake of scaling straight up the middle of the west side rather than the corner. We didn’t take the corner because we were afraid of being spotted again. Instead we nearly ended up as bloody spots at the bottom of the pyramid.

The west side was steep and crumbly. There was nowhere for us to stop and rest. It was tricky business climbing as our feet kept slipping out from underneath us and our hands kept losing their grip from time to time. Our only comfort was that we had promised each other if one of us should fall to our horrible gory demise, we would not scream out during our death plunge so as to give away the other.

We eventually achieved the summit in about half an hour. At the top of the pyramid was a small flat area the size of a Japanese apartment where several people could sit. It was also large enough for several thousand mosquitoes to gather and dine on weary climbers. I took my shoes and socks off and soon found my feet covered with mosquitoes.

From our vantage point, we could see the lights of Cairo twinkling in the near distance. The city is practically squats at the pyramid’s doorstop like an obstinate Jehovah Witness who refuses to take no for an answer. One day I fear Cairo may completely surround the pyramids and swallow them up whole.

We were not there long when three Japanese climbers suddenly popped up. They had taken the proper route so they were more relaxed both physically and mentally. They had been able to rest along the way and they didn’t have to get reacquainted with their religious faith as we did when we implored what powers that be not to let us fall.

We took each other’s pictures then waited for the sunrise together. Unfortunately my pictures were later stolen along with the camera they were in along with the bag the camera was in by some junky thief in London. But that’s another story.

The pollution of Cairo looked beautiful in the morning light; unfortunately it blocked out any sunrise. The sky just got lighter and lighter but the sun didn’t show till 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and by then we were long gone.

Kheprhen’s Pyramid loomed massively near us while the Sphinx looked like no more than a week-old kitten with a genetic defect resembling an Egyptian Pharoah’s head. Behind us the desert stretched into the nothingness of sand. In front of us the Giza Plain stretched into the Pizza Hut that was directly across the street.

When we decided we had fed the mosquitoes enough, we descended. We got caught again but this is the normal procedure at this stage of the venture. Fortunately it wasn’t the same group as before. That might have damaged the friendly relations, which Greg and I had worked so hard to establish with the first group.

They took us to a guard station and made us sit there for an hour. Eventually the captain came out to question us. He asked me where I heard that I could climb the pyramid. I told him in a book. He asked which book. “Mark Twain’s Innocents Abroad,” I told him. I neglected to inform him the book was over 130 years out of date.

When he asked the Japanese their nationality, I was surprised when they said “Thai.” I later learned that every climber from the “Land of the Rising Sun” goes up the pyramid Japanese, but comes down Thai or some other Asian nationality whose country doesn’t have the economical means to sustain its citizenry in paying off large bribes. Typically, Japanese are favorite targets of Egyptian hustlers, guards, and touts in relieving large amounts of money from them.

Disappointed with the “Thai-ness” of his three Asian detainees, the captain left. After sitting around for another half hour, we finally just got up and left as well. The guards made minimal protests to our departure. They go through this little routine just about every morning so they were not too concerned. We were confidant they wouldn’t shoot us but, just in case, I bravely made sure Greg and the Japanese were blocking me from the guards’ line of fire as we walked away.
http://Luminari.fileave.com/613px-Gi..._(map).svg.png

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Probably BROOK, something to do with the curse of The Mummy - or old King Tut. :original:

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Hey, I need to blow the cobwebs out of my head - so lets get Kenny Ball and his Jazz Band to tell us about the demise of Old Man Moe. :rip_1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=603jGzk41j4

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Oh boy, I'm starting to feel better already - hang on - what's that I hear, it's coming from outside. Sounds like there's some Trad Jazz happening. Let's take a peek, if we're lucky, we might get to see some impulsive dancing. Come on, let's go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKfDK-LZs6o

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Okay - one last spasm. Here's a guy who puts all his incredible energy into his piano playing. Lang Lang is a magnificent pianist and this performance is only a little bit more "over the top" than his normal manner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b85hn8rJvgw

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can you yodel? Check this little girl out! LOL... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDEk2AMJAI

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IZA members seeing her whilst i wuz in SKUNK HOLLAR.:lmao: :lol3:

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I've seen her before eXchanger, she's cute and can sing!
Here's another bad Chinese toy, LOL

Another Recalled Toy From China
http://media.funmansion.com/content/...from_china.jpg

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Me? I wouldn't poke fun at a squeezebox player futureyes. :tongue2: But I've often wondered why Dolly Parton didn't play one. :naughty:

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OUCH! That looks like grate fun. :D

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Oh Brinty you took the words right out of my mouth, grate fun:naughty: Hey does anyone want to play some pool??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DROXU...eature=related

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Or a little snooker??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9xDp...eature=related

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Gosh I have difficulty getting the balls in the pockets playing normally. :mfr_omg:

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Wow judykott, good for him, the guy with no arms, he's not a bad shot!
I once played a guy who had one arm and he beat me 12 games in a row, and I'm an excellent shot and have played in tournaments all over the country and have a closet full of trophies and my own table!
Just goes to show you what you can do regardless of your limitations.

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Mich. baseball park to offer 4,800-calorie burgers,

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Well, at least the salsa is low-cal. The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark.

The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough!

The Grand Rapids Press reports that anyone who eats the entire 4,800-calorie behemoth in one sitting will receive a special T-shirt. Saner fans can divide it up with a pizza cutter and share.

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090325/ca...OIeKETlCdOoQ-- AP – Josh Kowalczyk, an intern with the West Michigan Whitecaps, in Comstock Park, Mich. poses for a photo …

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'Three Stooges' coming together at MGM

Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk.

MGM and the Farrelly brothers are finally slapping together their high-profile cast for "The Three Stooges," a comedy project the filmmakers have been developing for years. Sean Penn is set to play Larry, and Jim Carrey is in negotiations to play Curly. Benicio del Toro is a rumored possibility for the brothers' taciturn leader, Moe.

The studio is looking to start production in the fall for a 2010 release slot.

The project was originally set up at Columbia, which produced the 1930s Stooges shorts. C3 Entertainment Inc., which holds the licensing rights to the Stooges brand, then sold the feature rights to Warner Bros. in 2001 for the Farrellys to write and produce the movie. Eventually, Warner Bros. let the rights lapse and MGM's Mary Parent scooped them up along with the Farrellys' continuing participation.

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/mo/news_threestooges.jpg
(WireImage.com/Sony Pictures)


http://indiefilm.movies.yahoo.com/article-9-/

Hump Day Jam & Comedy
 

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If you are looking for a change of air and are handy with a hammer, and qualify for permanent residency in Australia, why not take advantage of the Australian Government's latest inducement - a grant of $21,000 to build a new home.

Check this out - it's only one of oodles of inexpensive kit homes on the market.

http://www.kitome.com.au/

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eXchanger,

Connie Talbot is such a doll, what a wonderful voice.

The other night on Dancing With The Stars, Jewel sang an enchanting rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". She has a new album coming out with traditional and original lullabies.

To listen go to http://abc.go.com/ click on free episodes (if it's not already up), click on Dancing with the Stars, then click on Week 2, Results. She performs at 17:00.

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Good job on the hump day post p and L.!

Sure is tempting Brinty for the house deal, but I guess I'm staying here.
I've got a brother and three sisters and lots of friends here and Australia is just to far away.

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This

place is the absolute

BEST :thumb_yello::thumb_yello::thumb_yello:

but

and

some ....:trumpet::trumpet::trumpet:.....

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Anyone for pavement art? Check out some of these amazingly realistic looking images.

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?i...%3D20%26um%3D1

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A joke or two:

An elderly lady had two pet monkeys of which she was very fond of.
She was most upset when the male monkey dies, and a few days later, totally beside herself with grief when the female died of a broken heart.
She couldn't bear to be parted from them so she took them to a Taxidermist.
He looked the monkeys over and said, 'Do you want them mounted?'
'Oh no', she replied, 'Just holding hands.'

A little girl came home from school one day with five dollars in her hand and proudly told her mother that she had made it in one week at school.
Her mother was quite intrigued by this and asked how it happened.
'Well mum', said the girl, 'The boys said that if I would climb up a tree at school, they would give me a dollar; so I did it every day this week.'
'You silly girl,' exclaimed the mother, 'all they wanted to do was look at your knickers.'
'That's where I fooled them,' she replied. 'I didn't wear any.'


Love and peace to all.
John
Relayer :D:D:D

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Well, where are you rhythm? I came dashing here, all the way from down under expecting to find you with your purse open shelling out your hard earned for drinks all round and all I see is some drinks sitting on tables, a few drunks sitting at tables. But I don't see anybody under tables. Hmm, must have been a quiet night. :thumbdown:

Let's see if this will waken everybody up and get them jumping and jiving. :trumpet::band: But before we start, set up more drinks all round :partytime2::drinks_wine::drink_nl::cheers: - these ones will be on me 'cos I've just had a big win at the races. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZSG3w3w9PA

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:original:

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:lol3:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hKOdTFZsTY...BA%2BDREAM.jpg
Steely Dan live plays"Don't take me alive"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw843...eature=related


and speaking of dreams :lmfao:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6PdsPkQFSI...old+school.jpg

Steely Dan live plays "My Old School"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpgE8...eature=related

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This is a very interesting site - check it out.

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/WorldClock.php

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http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61QG4QADVBL.gif

Rock and Roll
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYk61XkPyuo


http://www.cvibes.com/images/slade_press.jpg

SLADE - Slade - Gudbuy T'Jane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPnpQZnfx04



http://blog.sailorjerry.com/images/d...icmachine5.jpg

The Music Machine - Talk Talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJR_KGZO4U0


http://www.recordsale.org/cdpix/t/te...ce_in_time.jpg

Ten Years After - I'd Love To Change The World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUokMbJC3P8

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Cool site Brinty! I'd like to know how they keep track of some of that stuff.

Some good tunes gio! I actually have that Ten Years After album!

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