I saw a kid the other day with purple hair, tatoos, baggy pants (the total punk look) he had pins and rings in his ears, nose, lips, tongue and who knows where. I was standing with a friend of mine, who said to the kid "why would you purposely punch that many holes in your self?" The kid lit a cigarette and said he just likes being different "the more holes the better". 

My friend pointed to me and said "as far as holes are concerned this guy has you beat". The kid looks me up and down blows out some smoke and says "yeah right" I held up my index finger which got his attention and said "keep smoking and you may catch up with me" pointing toward my neck. I took off my scarf, and the kid's jaw dropped. I put my scarf back on and said one word "cigarettes", and flagged down a cab.

It began as an innocent trip, a few friends heading up to hike Mount Washington.  Problem is, we never do anything the easy way; whether it's jumping out of a plane or white water rafting, there's always a twist. 

This time, the twist was Bob (he always does things with a twist or is part of the twist).  Climbing up to the top of Mount Washington Peak is no easy task, for anyone.  When we started the climb from base camp up to the summit there were 5 of us.  Three of us had climbed the mountain before, Bob the laryngectomee, neck breather and I had never experienced the task at hand.  Despite not being able to breathe through his nose or mouth, he and I climbed and to the summit at 6,288 feet above sea level.  

He was cold and out of breath through much of the climb and was determined to continue no matter what.  I stayed close to him, usually 10 to 50 feet above and in front.  It was a beautiful sight cresting the mountain and seeing the observatory at the summit.  

His wife had nervously driven to the summit and was there to greet us.  Hot soup awaited us at the top and beer and champagne were enjoyed on the windy steep descent by car a few hours later.  Bob gives me all the credit for getting him to the top, but told him I only stayed with him, I didn't carry him.