I have been in some hairy landing situations with crosswinds and puddlejumpers

Never been especially close to death that I know of, but this one time on approach to Charlotte, the puddlejumper got hit with a gust that seemed to flip us up into an awful steep bank for a moment, and really gave me an adrenalin jolt.

Speaking of scary stuff, the IRS wants to allow TurboTax to sell your tax return info. [link]

Friend: I am the awful accident.

Holy cow! I'm glad she was okay!

My fear is getting in front of a big rig and then traffic coming to a standstill on a down slope and the truck not being able to stop in time and accordianing me. So I try my best to put at least one smaller vehicle between me and the big trucks.

I have a fear of slopes. Not of sheer dropoffs. Those makes sense. But slopes are tricky. Maybe you can scrabble up, maybe you can't.

Never actually had an accident or anything on one, so I have no idea where this comes from.

David, your next question better be something like "When have you had the most fun while surrounded by twenty-three adorable puppies?"

Yeah, but the upside is this...

I must mention how delighted I am that all of you survived your close calls. Because really the world is a better place with you in it.

Gratitude! But duly noted. I'll find a cheerier topic. Though I do insist this particular subject has an upside of hope what with the not-death.

It's interesting to see the recurring themes. My closest calls were similar to ones mentioned: riding my bike recklessly during a torrential rainstorm and almost getting hit; spinning out at 80 mph on the freeway after somebody cut me off. No serious illness (knock wood) or water hazards (though growing up in Florida I spent a lot of time in the water). I did have a belligerent drunk point a gun at me in a liquor store parking lot, but the situation defused quickly and I never felt like my life was in jeopardy. There were plenty of stupid driving tricks in the teen years, however.

I want our resident actuaries to let us peek at the tables so I know how to keep Emmett from harm. Bicycles and cars are going to be tricky.

In sum: Don't drive when you're sleepy! Be on guard against attackers always! (It's very disheartening knowing how many women here have been attacked.) Life vests and riptide warnings! Don't be afraid to go to the doctor if your fever is high or your symptoms are weird!

this one time on approach to Charlotte, the puddlejumper got hit with a gust that seemed to flip us up into an awful steep bank for a moment, and really gave me an adrenalin jolt.

Worst turbulence I ever felt was on a puddlejumper flying from Charlotte to Columbia, SC. There was a lady sitting next to me who was flying for the first time and she was all, "Is this normal?!" I told her it just felt worse because we were in a small plane and that it was perfectly normal. But I was freaked. It's easier for me to act calm though if somebody else is outwardly losing it.

But duly noted. I'll find a cheerier topic.

Just don't make it "List Your Top 5 Best Sandwiches Ever"....

My fear is getting in front of a big rig and then traffic coming to a standstill on a down slope and the truck not being able to stop in time and accordianing me. So I try my best to put at least one smaller vehicle between me and the big trucks.

I have a family's worth of distant relatives who died in a box of semis. Once I was between four of them and beeped frantically until they let me out. ::shudder::

I do insist this particular subject has an upside of hope what with the not-death.

Really? Doesn't make you feel like life is fragile and random, and death could be a whisper away at all times?

Yeah, I have to say, these stories just stress me out. Everyone be careful!

How about, "What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?"

My fear is getting in front of a big rig and then traffic coming to a standstill on a down slope and the truck not being able to stop in time and accordianing me. So I try my best to put at least one smaller vehicle between me and the big trucks.

My 80 mph spinout was because a big rig was blocking the view on one of those short on-ramp/exit ramps in Sacramento. The person who cut me off didn't see me, and I didn't see them. It was mostly my fault though because I was going so fast to get in front of the rig to exit, instead of slowing down and going behind the rig.