Over The Edge!
By Melissa
I know a lot of you have been asking for some linkage on my Special Olympics Over The Edge adventure on Thursday. It's funny--my friends and I are involved in social media and use so much technology, but it was technology that slowed me down this weekend. Sorry this is so late.
If you were watching the live feed, you know that I had a cel phone strapped to my back, streaming live video. Now...this was our first time trying this, so I had no idea what would come out! Also, we didn't know that my body heat would cause the phone to eventually shut off, which then interrupted the feed. We're sorry! We're sorry! Sheesh, we were just experimenting.
So for those of you who wanted to see what it was like, here's how it looked:
No one could take a photo of ME, so I took pictures of Nanea Kalani from Pacific Business News as she went Over The Edge before me. I tell everyone that the scariest part of this whole ordeal is really just getting your leg over that scaffolding at the top of the building.
The first part involves walking down the wall just a few feet, then the wall disappears and you're dangling.
...and there's the view. Don't look down!
Here's a photo of me going Over the Edge, as taken from the ground by Derek Young (@thestuffguy).
My dangling descent. To be honest, it was really fast and at the end, I thought I could have gone faster. Maybe I'll have to try it again next year!
And here's the video as seen from the back of my head! Thanks again to Derek; Russ Sumida (@Parkrat) has also uploaded a recording of the live stream to HawaiiIRL as well. Thanks, guys!
Kudos to Special Olympics Hawaii for putting this event together. About 100 people went Over The Edge of Waikiki on Friday and all the money raised went to this very worthy cause. If this event comes to your city, I highly recommend it!
Urban Mix Plate
November 15th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Wow! That's very impressive. You're setting a great example of how we should all help the community. My hat's off to you.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Thanks, Ed!! Muah!
November 16th, 2009 at 4:02 am
That was cool...I mean hot!!!
Did anyone make jokes about you being "too hot for tv" as the reason for the phone shutting off?
Is there a list of the other folks who participated in the event? What happened to NKHEA and Ynaku, I didn't see them holding the net for you?
November 16th, 2009 at 5:23 am
DiO, You didn't see us under the coconut tree? We figure she can handle that last 3 stories. Then too, we were so awed by her hotness, we figure she get um.
Plus Grace Lee was over there 
Melissa, you da bestest Freelancer I've ever met. Kudos to you and the other media folks who support such worthwhile causes. xoxo
November 16th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Good morning Melissa!
That was awesome! You did a great job!
I'm getting dizzy just looking at the pictures...
November 16th, 2009 at 6:56 am
That looks like soo much fun!! I would have hung in mid air longer just to catch the view
Good job!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:24 am
David, Russ was actually the only one who made a joke about my "hot body" shutting down the camera and for him, it's really a joke because he can barely choke out compliments for me ANY time! But no, I don't know if there is a list of the participants...maybe on the Special Olympics site.
Ynaku, Olena Heu from KHON was also there! Thanks for the kind words, I try to get involved in community events in addition to my freelance work!
Thanks M! Next time you gotta try it, too!
Susie!!! Miss you!! MUAH to you too!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am
You go, Melissa! First, you and Mari go ziplining through African forest canopies, now you go climbing over the safety rails they set up on top of tall, tall buildings for good reason...WHAT NEXT? PLEASE don't go bungee jumping! I'm getting worried!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Oh my goodness, my hands and feet were sweating just watching the video (I'm afraid of heights). You rock. AND you exceeded your funding goal! Woohoo!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Hi Melissa
Wea da bra cam pics
DiO; I forgot to bring the net
like Ynaku said we waz dea, sittin unda the tree havin couple cold ones anyway 
NKHEA.... like try'um next time
November 16th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Wow!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Eureka Gal, I would probably not go bungee jumping as I would like my retinas to stay connected! ha ha But yes, I do have to try everything once! This was kind of like ziplining in Tsetsekamma....
KAN, I'm as afraid of heights as the next person, but something about managing the fear is quite liberating!
NKHEA, the bra cam wouldn't work because my body is too hot! No, really...literally hot! The heat would shut the camera off. ha ha
James, you're next!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Girl... You CLAYZEE!
Nobody going sell you life insurance now! LOL
"Managing the fear is quite liberating"
Right. And so is peeing in your pants.
Nah. Way to go Melissa. All for a good cause.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
That was so cool! The view from your cam just showed off the great view of the ocean and made it look not scary at all-good promo for next time!
November 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Awesome Melissa! I will definitely try this next year!
November 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
NKHEA, the bra cam wouldn't work because my body is too hot! No, really...literally hot! The heat would shut the camera off. ha ha
NKHEA.....*faints*
November 16th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
ha ha Rodney, you gotta try everything at least once in your life! And now I wanna do this again!
Dreamybee, it was a perfect day with a perfect view. I hope it makes all the tourists jealous!
Kaimana, you would be super good!
NKHEA....LOL you gotta faint since Opso doesn't frequent my blog!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for letting me convince you to go "over the edge!" I hope that you'll come back and do it again next year!
PS. Just for your records, we wanted to let you know that the final tally for funds raised from this year’s event was $170,729.72!!
November 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Amazing that you got to experience something like this! All in the name of charity!
Awesome!
November 20th, 2009 at 7:58 am
No way!!!