I'm going Over The Edge!
November 2nd, 2009 by MelissaWhat was I thinking?
I got an email a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to support Special Olympics Hawaii by participating in a media preview for Over the Edge, an extreme fundraising event. The people who are actively raising money for Special Olympics Hawaii will get to (get to?) rappel 31 stories off the side of the Sheraton Waikiki on November 13. As an esteemed member of the Advertiser's blog-o-verse, I will represent the media on November 12.
I don't have a phobia per se, but I think I'm as afraid of heights as most people. Under normal circumstances, I'd say no, but this is for Special Olympics! Here's a video of how they did it in Virginia:
Oh yeah, the video. Since I'm active in the social media community, my geek friends are very excited about strapping their devices to me. I'm going to have a helmet cam, a bra cam, a calf cam, and who knows what else...all streaming LIVE on the internet that day so you can follow me down the side of the Sheraton from different parts of my body.
My Twitter friend Derek Young, a.k.a. @thestuffguy, testing mount options for his helmet cam.
By the way, you don't have to go over the side of a building, but you can still support Special Olympics Hawaii! Donate to my pledge page. And watch this blog...I'll let you know how to watch this live on November 12!
Over The Edge for Special Olympics
Media Preview with Melissa's live cams: November 12 (about noon)
The main event: November 13
Click here for today's Advertiser article
Tags: afraid of heights, Derek Young, Over the Edge, Sheraton Waikiki, Special Olympics Hawaii
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 am
Oh my, You going be FIRST off the side?
But it's all for a good cause. But I know what you mean about heights. I get all jelly legged just peering over the edge. And I used to climb tress like a monkey in my younger days. What a wuss now. But I credit you for your self-sacrificing and courageous attempt in support of such a noble cause.
Did I mention FIRST?
Have a great day.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 am
Good morning Melissa!
That's awesome! You one brave pake! You going down facing down? Take pictues as you descend....
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Hey M. Brave or CRAZY
But that's why we luv her.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hi Melissa
WOW
you got some guts man.....oops girl 
NKHEA....gatta watch dis 1
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 am
Hey NKHEA, we go hold da net under her. Try hold dat side. No!!! Use 2 hands, give me dat beea. Oops, now I get 2 beea, how I going hold da net?
Nah Melissa, only teasing. We so proud of you
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
Oh my!! The Portagee rescue team!! LOL Well, you only live twice. Gotta take these opportunities when they come!
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:59 am
What the heck is a bra cam and why do you need one?
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 am
ha ha SHAWN! You've been missing the Twitter conversations. Thestuffguy wants to strap a camera to my calf. The bra cam is actually on the strap so you can see the descent from my perspective (as well as the helmet cam). Just different angles for the different live/taped feeds.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Melissa, you gonna repel down or just one step at a time?
You have nerves of steel...
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Hi Melissa,
Good for you!!! I work for the Advertiser too (Photographer,Custom Publishing/Dining Out) and I'm going " Over The Edge" on Fri. 13th to raise funds for Special Olympics. I might be there for media day and watch you go over first. If you're around the paper please stop by and say hello. My photo studio is on the 2nd floor,makai side.
Aloha,
Randy
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
OOohhhhhh, I thought the bra cam was to get more pledges by filming you...well, you know...I mean, we all know Melissa's got nice ...er, NEVAH mind.
I guess I got my mind in the gutter instead of on top of her helmet!
You as sooo brave Melissa!!
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
NKHEA, I get um. We tie the net to the hotel and the uddah side to da coconut tree and den we just sit down on our recliner cause I no like my neck get sore from looking up and den we drink da beea. How dat sound? Oh and da poke too.
And we go make shua da bra cam stay face the right way iykwim
Whoo Hoo, I gave my pledge.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Ynaku; wat eva you say
main ting da beea's cold and the poke fresh 
You go make sua da cam stay aiming the rightway 
NKHEA.....jus know dis goin be fun
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Have you been smokin poi?
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Melissa, make sure when they mount the bra cam on you, it's pointing the right way.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hi Randy, Stacy told me you'd be going down!! Good luck to both of us!
M, Lucy, Ynaku, NHKEA,....LOL everyone is obsessed with the bra cam! Will I get more pledges if I point it the way you want? hee heee heeeeee
Hi gyppielou!! Thank you for your pledge!!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Melissa: Wow! That is awesome. I'm beginning to wonder though. First the US Navy thing, now this. Melissa Chang: social diva by day, spy by night?
Eh NKHEA and Ynaku: When you guys tie up the net, make sure you tie em so dat da net stay up above the ground, not down on the ground. Otherwise, dat net not going help.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:51 am
LOL! Now I can totally see the net resting on the ground as they drink beeah and watch!
November 4th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Eh no worries, we save some poke for you.
Come on gang. Melissa gotta hit $1000 in pledges. Eh they took my money already
November 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Melissa, you rock!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
DIO; no worries we stay get'um
right Ynaku 
Ynaku; how much times you tink she goin bounce and how high da first one bounce goin be
NKHEA..... betta buy extra poke
November 4th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
NKHEA, depends how tight we stay hold da net. I say if we hold em REAL tight, she go bounce about 41 - 1/2" plus 3 small lines high
Nah Melissa, we get your back................ errrr bottom.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Ynaku; I ment if neva have 1 net
NKHEA..... jus like see how hi she can bounce
November 6th, 2009 at 8:59 am
holy cow! wow, melissa, that's awesome! i don't know if i could do it, even for special olympics! it's takes some guts!
November 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Hey Melissa,
You put us men to shame. I wouldn't dare. I look down from the fifth floor balcony and my legs start getting weak. You are going over the edge from the the 31st story and rappel down. Oh God! You have nerves of steel!
Get the firemen to join you in this feat. They can wait for you on the ground next to the net. They might as well max out the publicity. I received a call last month from the Hawaii Fighters Association asking for a contribution to Special Olympics.
I am making another one just because of you. What you are doing takes raw courage. You are fearless!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
WOW... a bra cam, love it Melissa!! Great job!
November 6th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
eh snow or no brains
November 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Eh Melissa. You go girl. Today's the day you go over the edge.