Yeah, I thought this was going to be about the dead priest. posted by Krrrlson at 10:10 PM on July 5, 2008
After spilling off some cherry-flavored Kool-Aid that served as ballast, Couch got a push from the ground crew so he could clear light poles and soared over a coffee cart and across U.S. Highway 20 into a bright blue sky.
(PS - if we assume that Father de Carli took his vow of abstinence seriously [and as far as I know, we have no reason not to], this is not, strictly speaking, a case for the Darwin Awards.) posted by Guy Smiley at 11:38 PM on July 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]
Wow! People are really taking the piss out of that priest. Well, people cracked jokes when Bozo died too, maybe it's appropriate. posted by jeffburdges at 3:06 AM on July 6, 2008
I love the fact that the first guy, in '82, used a BB gun to pop the balloons and come down—just as he'd planned it. posted by stargell at 6:44 AM on July 6, 2008
People are really taking the piss out of that priest.
The guy's last message was (I paraphrase) 'can someone quickly teach me how to use this GPS? Otherwise I'm fucked.' Now I'm not prone to mocking the clergy (ok, I am really) but the time to learn how to use your sole piece of lifesaving emergency equipment is NOT at the point at which the emergency actually kicks in. posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:49 AM on July 6, 2008
MetaFilter: We're not prone to mocking the clergy (ok, we are really). posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 6:54 AM on July 6, 2008
I started to wince at the harshness of that article until I read the line about the request for GPS assistance, too. At that stage, he deserves everything he gets. I think it's irrelevant he is 'clergy', the guy was too stupid to be able to learn operate the thing that would have saved his life. posted by Brockles at 7:17 AM on July 6, 2008
The More link leads to quite a collection of disturbing hot-air balloon disaster videos.
And also this very charming hot-air ballon disaster video. posted by rlk at 8:09 AM on July 6, 2008
I like comparing the early articles about the priest Adelir Antonio de Carli, with the later truth. The treasurer of his Sao Cristovao parish, Denise Gallas, said "We are absolutely confident he will be found alive and well, floating somewhere in the ocean." and "He knew what he was doing and was fully prepared for any kind of mishap." Prepared, right. I'm sure he had faith in God that it would work out. I can only imagine the post-demise conversation he'd have with God:
GOD: "Welcome to Heaven, yada yada yada, I'm sure you have a lot of questions about your troubles on earth, uhhh, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
PRIEST: *looks down at the ocean near his corpse* "Uh, God ... there's no footprints."
GOD: "It's the sea, moron."
PRIEST: "Yeah, but what about the walking on water bit?"
GOD: "Okay, one, that was my Son, not me. Two, no footprints - no good press. Three, you want I should be everywhere? Four, that GPS came with instructions, you can maybe crack another book once in a while."
Yeah, it amused me that the only alternative crash site that bothered him was the water, but only because he'd damage his camera.. posted by Brockles at 12:53 PM on July 6, 2008
Cloudhopping, which I'd never heard of before reading the first link, sounds fun as hell.
I'd do that tomorrow if I could. posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:13 PM on July 6, 2008
More and more people are taking to the sky with a cluster of helium balloons and a lawn chair.
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posted by Guy Smiley at 10:05 PM on July 5, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]