To Plank or Not to Plank

Ever hear of the Planking? You know, this?

No, this man isn't passed out drunk (well, we can't know for certain). He is planking. Planking is literally lying face down on or between objects in random places, and stiffing yourself out like a plank of wood.

Looks stupid, right? Sounds even stupider, right? Well try telling that to Acton Beale of Brisbane, Australia, who died while planking. He was drunk and decided to plank on the balcony of a seven story building, and then fell to his death. Apparently this "planking" is the newest form of extreme sport.

Granted, he was drunk. But like many, my first reaction to hearing this story was, "what a dumbass!" I mean, how stupid do you have to be to hang half of your body off the ledge of a seven story building. Wouldn't you be afraid of falling? Granted, he was drunk, and drunk people tend to do stupid things.

Yes, that's exactly what I thought, that is, until I saw this:

And then I thought, "Holy shit, this is awesome. I have to do this."

Now I understand why poor Acton Beale of Brisbane, Australia wanted to plank off a seven story building. He had a dream, to be the best, the best planker there ever was. And he died doing what he loved. For this I salute him, the martyr of the planking revolution.

My heart and prayers go out to Mr. Beale's family and friends.