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Polar Bear Jump, or How I Spent My New Years |
Hale Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 19, 2004
Posts: 1391
From: Pittsburgh
|  Posted: 2013-01-03 08:59 am Permalink
So, in 2012, I turned 30 years old. I've not accomplished everything I wanted to by then, but a reality show, a cool job, and being in Ripley's Odditoriums is a good start. So, I've got another year to dream big, and do great things. I started with a tattoo to welcome in the new year:
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And the next day, I raised money for Project Bundle Up here in Pittsburgh, PA, which provides winter coats to needy children and seniors, by jumping into the river. It can get below 0 sometimes here in Pittsburgh, so there are a lot of people that need to stay warm for the winter. Often times we have Seniors who freeze to death because they can't afford heat and are unaware of state programs to provide gas/electric heat. The coats are a big help.
And so, New Year's Day, it was a balmy 31 degrees outside. The Monongahela River was a crisp 36 degrees. A few hundred people lined up in everything from cow costumes to bikinis ready to jump in. Myself, I wore an old timey swimsuit:
I jumped in with a good friend of mine that is in the Tiki Group here in Pittsburgh, known to some of you as Pittsburgh Pauly:
http://youtu.be/DIQiXzy8CkU
And after we clawed our way out of the water, we had ourselves some hot buttered rum, invigorated by our jump. (And possibly going into shock.)
It was loads of fun, and I think that I'll be doing it again next year!
You can follow me on instragram at Luckythepainproofman
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6399
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2013-01-03 09:08 am Permalink
Hale, that last pic is great!
Congrats on surviving and on the fund raising success, Happy New Year!
_________________
Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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SandraDee
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 577 | Posted: 2013-01-03 09:15 am Permalink
Really stoked to hear you did this!
I love the old timey bathing suit!
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lunavideogames
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 09, 2012
Posts: 353
From: San Diego
| Posted: 2013-01-03 5:06 pm Permalink
That is very cool of you to do for the cause!
I bet it was COLD!!!!
I saw a bunch of photos on Flickr, looks like a good time 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimkiernan/with/8335796609/#photo_8335796609
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Hale Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 19, 2004
Posts: 1391
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2013-01-03 8:35 pm Permalink
Thanks Luna.
I grew up in the area, and figured 30 years was long enough to wait to do it!
And thanks for the photos, and a bit of inspiration. I think I'll get there early and shoot portraits here in Pittsburgh next year.
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danlovestikis
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 3561 | Posted: 2013-01-05 4:39 pm Permalink
I once jumped in a river (in the summer) where the water came from the snow melt up in the mountains. It really helped to scream at the top of my lungs as I submerged. You are one Lucky the Pain Free Man. I'm so glad to know you, Wendy
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