A Head For Heights.

by Englishman 4 Replies latest jw friends

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  Englishman

  Do you have a head for heights?

  How do you feel about climbing ladders or looking down from a tall cliff?

  I've been blessed with a head for heights. I only discovered this in 1991 though. Before then I worked as the sales manager of a large national company marketing vinyl windows and fascias. One day I got so sick of the long hours and unhealthy life-style I just stood up at a sales meeting and resigned in front of everyone. (Must have been my narcissistic streak)

  The next week I set up on my own and got my leads from a display stand at car-boot / garage sales. I was lucky enough to get confirmed business straight away, and before I knew it I was climbing ladders and scaffolding faster than a rat up a drainpipe.

  The money was better, I got fitter and to this day have been much happier doing what I do.

  But what I don't understand is why so many of my customers employ me in the first place!

  Some fit and able men in their 20's and 30's, well qualified in skilled carpentry work so they could easily do what I do, seem to get panicky if they stand on a thick carpet! No head for heights at all. Many say they feel physically sick if they see a space between their feet and the ground.

  How very strange!

  Englishman.
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  JH

  I feel safe as long as what's holding me is solid. To go up a ladder when you know the ladder is resting on a sheet of ice below is not too reassuring. I went up the CN tower and found it fun. Up there, there is a glass floor that you can step on and you see down below some 120 storys. That's a good test. Not many people dared to step on that glass. Your mind tells you not to, although you know it's solid.
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  Blue Moon

  wow.. that's interesting.. hope i get to see something like that someday. personally i don't think i have a problem with hights, i've been up on the roof before j/k. but for real i don't think i'd have a problem going up a ladder.. my aunt had this 10 feet ladder (not sure of the hight but it was reeeally high) and i enjoyed climbing it so much.
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  Lady Lee

  I don't have a problem with heights but hubby does.

  I have climbed on the roof and shingled it.

  I have climbed up there to watch the shuttle piggybacked and flown within a short distance over my house.

  I have gone up there to watch the stars and fireworks.

  I actually find it a neat place to be.

  I also used to climb trees as a kid

  naaa stuff like that doesn't scare me. I think the glass floor would be cool too but could never drag hubby onto it. Heck I doubt he would even go that high!
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  gumby

  When I was young, I could hang from a string over Niagra Falls and laugh. I could climb any tree any height, and not be afraid. Then.........at some point in my life.....I got just like my dad but not as bad.......yet! I got scared shitless of climbing a latter after passing about the 8 ft. mark. I can be in tall buildings and I'm OK......just don't ask me to climb one.

  Gumby