Howdy from the Raisin Capital of the World

**timabababaluka** · 09-12-2010, 00:55

I've been sponging information for the last week or two (so much so, in fact, that the missus and the little ones have been huddled in the far corner of our home as I mumble seemingly random phrases over and over again ("...Attaining suspension and thermal stability is possible--hanging and heat CAN coexist," "...I don't care what people say, the technology for the Whoopie Sling had to have come from outer space, there's just no other way," "...Oh, that Shug--he's a nut, just as nutty as they come," "...How the blazes do you not fall out of a bottom loading hammock!?!" and etc. (I realized that I may have delved too quickly and too deep when I looked up from my mumblings and abstractions to find the family holding hands and staring at me as if I were trying to create a scale model of the Devil's Tower out of mashed potatoes))). But I digress...

My conversion to hanging occurred a month ago in the Sawtooth mountains, and is probably too bizarre (and too long) to place in a thread that was intended to be an opportunity for former lurkers to say "hi and thanks" to all the people who have devoted so much time sharing their knowledge and experiences. With that thought in mind, I'll save the story for another thread and another day, and go to bed before my wife bundles all the children into the van to start a new life with her parents--a life without a hammock obsessed pater familius.

Oh yeah! Hi and, well... thanks!

**Bomber** · 09-12-2010, 01:03

Welcome aboard Timabababaluka

I know the feeling, my wife and kids have allready given up on me, when it comes to HF. It´s as neerdy as it gets

Regarding your first hang; make a trip report and explain

/Bomber

**jungleandy** · 09-12-2010, 01:35

Your story is familiar -- while my sweet wife of 46 years and I live in Houston, my residence is gradually shifting to our little jungle 50mi North. She has put up with a lot over the years, but lately she's getting a little growly about all the new camping gear -- only yesterday I tried to explain, at some length, the wondrous nature of my 1.5L Ghillie Kettle, she murmured lovingly:

"You paid WHAT?$! for a tea kettle that cooks beans and Spam™ at the same time? You IMBECILE!"

It was a trick -- now she'll come along on the next trip to make sure I eat some "healthy" stuff for breakfast. I'll leave her tent and cot at home. I got her a new Claytor Jungle Hammock for her first hang in a few years.

**Poppabear** · 09-12-2010, 08:31

Welcome to the obsession that we call hammock hanging! You describe a common problem that we all face. Our loved ones just do not understand the joys of hummocking and hammock gear acquisition. They think that we are sick and need help. When in truth the are the ones that are not enlightened to the ways of the hammock. Life would be great if I could get the wife to see the light. I can not and must not let her deter me from the pursuit of hammock Nirvana. You will have to excuse me. I feel the need to hang in a hammock.

**slowhike** · 09-12-2010, 08:41

Ha, good to have you here. Talk to us... we understand

**Dutch** · 09-12-2010, 08:47

You are ok as long s you don't start making stuff. That is a bad sign. Welcome to HF

**Bradley** · 09-12-2010, 11:28

Originally Posted by timabababaluka

I've been sponging information . . . But I digress...

After reading your post . . . I looked left . . . and yea . . . just as I figured . . . he's from Cal . . .

Welcome . . . EH! . . .

My conversion to hanging occurred a month ago in the Sawtooth mountains,
and is probably too bizarre (and too long)

I look forward to lengthy hellos . . .

. . . but that's OK . . . yours would have likely been boring . . .

**gunner76** · 09-12-2010, 11:40

Its ok if you talk to yourself. Its only a problem if you don't understand what you are saying.

**lizzie** · 09-12-2010, 11:43

Hey, another one of y'all that are from the gateway to the Sierras - there's a growing number of you on the forum. Welcome! I'm from SoCal.

I can relate to the deluge of information that's on this site

I've been here only a couple of months and every day it's a new question - figure nine? what's that?

**timabababaluka** · 09-12-2010, 17:05

Hey all! Thanks for the support. It's nice to know there are like-minded individuals out there!
@ bomber-- I'm thinking about posting my hammock conversion in the "what got you into hanging?" thread (the trip itself was too tent-laden to respectfully report).

@ jungleandy--funny, we have something in common: "embicile" is my wife's pet name for me.

@ bradley--I appologize for the verbosity. I have been told by those near and dear to me that it will lead to my being on the receiving end of an assault and battery case. Out of deference to you, I have written my reply on a cell phone because it's just too darn hard to make lengthy posts (which, it would appear, I am doing now in spite of being on a cell phone).

Thanks for the replies and the encouragement!