Stupid Hurts!

[Bigwolf]

We’ve all heard that comment many times I am sure.  Sometimes we see people prove it.  We may even prove it ourselves if we just have to “be” stupid!

I have been stupid a lot in my lifetime.  My guardian angels have had their hands full and probably several have ended up on Prozac from the PTSD of trying to keep me alive.

When I bought this house 10 years ago, I had no step ladder but acquired one that my ,now bride, Mural had.  It was just a standard “household” ladder built and rated for 200lbs.  I knew that I should not use that ladder!  You see, I weigh 250 completely naked.......with clothes and a few things in my pockets getting close to 260.  Adding to that, I have carried many things up and down that ladder over these 10 years.  Some things not so heavy but some V8 engine heads, other engine parts, etc.  Things like this have a safety margins built in right?  LOL!  Well maybe not that much.

So 2 days ago I get on that ladder to go into the attic of my shed.  I know it is showing some wear.......and I think once again that I should buy a stronger one,........ but those new stronger ones are so expensive,........well it has worked all this time........  I’ll just be careful. 

I got about waist high in the attic when ladder split apart.  As it fell, it took my feet sideways with it and my right hip took the full impact with the floor.  My head managed to almost miss the small workbench.  Still, I was very lucky that I didn’t land on or bang my head on any of the tractor attachments, large tools, or other stuff that could have made things much worse.

The last couple of days I have had aches and pain in joints and muscles I didn’t even know I had!  Stupid hurts!!!!

Tonight, there is a shiny new ladder in the back of my truck.  A couple hundred dollars isn’t so bad for a shiny new heavy duty ladder after all.

Bigwolf

[cookiedough]

been thinking that myself everytime I go up 10 feet onto a 200lb. rated aluminum ladder or my dad's antique wooden dowel rod rung ladder me being 290lbs.   So far has worked fine, but like you,  my luck will run out.

Heck,  I tipped over at 1 mph my ATV this summer and landed on my side (hip) mostly on dirt and felt the bruises from 3-4 feet up fall for 3 weeks later.  Hate to see 10 feet up.  Me being young and stupid I use to in my 20's jump off my house roof is a small ranch home 10 feet up or so is all landing on grass.  NO way would I want to do it now would break something for sure. 

My knees and hips and entire legs are not good anymore but am sure most of that is my excessive weight on them as I age.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Glad it didn’t end up worse Jerry. If it was me, I’d blame it on Mural.  She should have known better than to tempt you with that ladder. 

[Willow]

... rated for 200lbs.  I knew that I should not use that ladder!  You see, I weigh 250 completely naked.......with clothes and a few things in my pockets getting close to 260.  ...

Good warning story but that image of you going up the ladder naked to keep the weight down may have been a bit too much.  

Glad you came through it with manageable injuries.  

[Chrisj CMA]

Yes stupid can be painful. I wish I didn’t know this first hand. Keep moving or you won’t be able to.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry for your troubles Jerry.  I hope you feel better soon.  Heat, cold and whisky. 

I was using an old borrowed 30 foot wood extension ladder to knock some big lower limbs (elevate) a big old oak tree with my chain saw.  I tied it off on top like you're supposed to, and working from the very top, as I cut through a big 18" limb at the trunk, it swung down and knocked the ladder out from under me completely.  So there I was, hanging from one hand on the severed stump on the tree, with a screaming chain saw in the other hand, holding it out away from my leg (the saw was brand new, and I didn't want to break it by dropping it.  I got off the trigger, and the chain stopped).

The wife was around the side of the house and I yelled for assistance.  She comes around and looks up at me hanging up there and says.... What are you doing up there?  That doesn't look very safe to me.

No sh!t Sherlock!!  Whatayasay you pull the ladder back under me and I can come down and we can have the safety discussion afterwards?

I have 2', 4' and 6' stepladders and a 12' extension; all class III aluminums, but my 8' step is a class I fiberglass (spendy).  I use them all the time (just today too)..... unfortunately.

I strap my big Stihl backpack blower on and go up the extension to blow off my roof of tree debris all the time.  

 

[Rams]

... rated for 200lbs.  I knew that I should not use that ladder!  You see, I weigh 250 completely naked.......with clothes and a few things in my pockets getting close to 260.  ...

Good warning story but that image of yiou going uo the ladder naked to keep the weight down may have been a bit too much.  

Glad you came through it with manageable injuries.  

I'm really glad Jerry wasn't seriously hurt, stuff happens and he's right.

I tried to look up Yiou but was unsuccessful.   Please enlighten me.  
Most likely, I noticed Yiou due my "character flaw". 

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

Oh my... you are so like the rest of us! Yeppers, ordinary folks must constantly exercise great caution... even then we're not always protected. Get well, my friend, I may be mobile again one of these days, and it would be nice to share some more wind with you...

DDT

[hubcapsc]

Stupid hurts in the other direction too...

30 years ago I got a nice fiberglass 18 foot extension ladder, the
"good kind"... now, me trying to man-handle that heavy
ladder, especially extended, is... stupid.

My power is buried. It's not like I'm going to get electrocuted
or something. I got a lightweight aluminum extension ladder
last year 

-Mike

[Jack B]

Glad to hear your not hurt too bad, I also have an old 6 ft step ladder that should be in the burn pit.
Hope to see you again at Inzane.

[Hook#3287]

I tied it off on top like you're supposed to

I worked with a crazy Irish Tree Cutter back in the 70's.

He did some amazing crazy stuff cutting down trees in peoples yards.

One thing he would never do is combine a ladder with a chainsaw.

One of his major rules.

[Patrick]

There is a popular comedian that claims that can't be fixed. In your case I think you finally proved him wrong.

[scooperhsd]

When we bought our NC house (that had places on the roof that required a 24 feet ladder to reach) - the first thing we bought was a 24 foot long Little Giant 300 pound rated ladder. Yes, I brought that ladder to KC. Yes, there are places it's length will be needed. My only regret is that it is really unwieldly at full extension.

Edit - I forgot to mention that I also replaced the attic access ladder for a 300 pound rated ladder.

[old2soon]

     Ladders one of dem things that you always believe and you KNOW it ain't Really THAT old! Still good as the day ya got er!  Then when it do quit crap out break and in the process bruise you up a bit the light goes on and it finally registers-Damn-that ladder Is That OLD!  Jerry-glad yer still suckin wind and here amongst us.  I'd go into some of my stupid But this is Your post and well lets say some of em-RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

This is probably why they put so many warnings on ladders now.

If you stop to read them all, you never have any time left to use them.


One thing he would never do is combine a ladder with a chainsaw.

That's probably a pretty good rule.  But I really had no alternative (other than hiring the work done).

Lacking a nice cherry picker or bucket truck, the only other method left would have been to sit on the limb and cut behind me (like in the Roadrunner cartoons). 

Except for simple and low to the ground work, I have hired it all done now for many years.

When I first bought this place, I took down 17 trees (and still have 6 giant oaks, trimmed out 3 times).   


 

[old2soon]

          Jess-All those labels on simple every day "stuff" we use in our daily lives most likely came about due to a company or manufacturer being sued. A bit like the dumb azz that sued cuz the coffee was hot.  Most of the labels are attempting to make "things" stupid proof.  And most of us here Know how well that turned out!  And some folks ARE a stupid magnet. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

Jerry, what can I say but "welcome to the club" since most of us follow the same approach re. ladders, stepstools, spindly kitchen chairs, etc. I had to have my hip surgery delayed a full month for that very same situation...fell and thought I had broken either the wrist or bones in the hand...or both. And I was only on the second rung. Seems we don't bounce as we age! 

[Bigwolf]

Cookie,
It’s your body that is at risk when you do that.  Maybe you can learn from my stupid before you feel the pain yourself.  Then again,......if you like pain.....

Bigwolf

Rob,
Thanks!  I too am glad that I survived that lapse of logical sensible action.  When I told Mural what you said about it being her fault, she said “what!” and gave me that look.......you know, the look that screams “you better drop it right now!”!

Bigwolf

Willow!
Focus man!  Focus on the crashing ladder!.....Not on my yiou!  Honestly, I am going to watch my six around you!

Bigwolf

ChrisJ,
You are correct!  My wife wants me to sit on a heating pad, it does help in short doses on the hip.  However, I believe walking helps much more.  I landed almost vertical and feel the pain throughout my back, neck, and ribs.  Walking is the only thing keeping all of those joints and muscles from freezing up.

Bigwolf

Jess,
Thanks for the comments and that tree trimming story.  That brought back to my mind another not so wise incident I had years ago.  No ladder was involved, but the tree branch I had just cut off was tied to a rope and the guy on the ground was supposed to let go of the rope when the limb got to a certain point in it’s swing from the tree..........he didn’t, that limb came back and smashed me against the main tree trunk.  I had shut the saw off,......but that hurt!  Never again have I even allowed anyone to “help” me unless I am certain that they know and will do what they are supposed to do!.....whatever the job is!

Bigwolf

Ron,
Thanks for the comments.

Bigwolf

Bruce,
You are so right!  I am just as susceptible to lapses of good judgement and regular mistakes as anybody.  I will heal.  I’m looking forward to many more miles of wind with you and some other friends too!

Bigwolf

Mike,
Yes, that is a good point!  Using a sledgehammer to drive tacks is very likely to cause “hurt” just as much as bringing a tool that is too light for the job.  I don’t believe that you put as much stress on a ladder as I do, my lightweight friend.

Bigwolf

Jack,
This is your wake up call!  Put that ladder in the pit and go buy a new one!  
See you at Inzane!

Bigwolf

Hook,
I believe that Irish tree cutter wasn’t all that crazy!  I bet he had about 5 feet of rope securing his chainsaw to his belt too.  I’ve seen some guys like that and they are truly amazing!  The way they take a tree down is truly an art form.

Bigwolf

Patrick,
Stay tuned, I just might prove him right yet!

Bigwolf

Dennis,
Thanks!  Yes, I wonder why it is that I thought I could just get by with that old under rated ladder.

Bigwolf

[Jess from VA]

My wife wants me to sit on a heating pad, it does help in short doses on the hip.  However, I believe walking helps much more.  I landed almost vertical and feel the pain throughout my back, neck, and ribs.  Walking is the only thing keeping all of those joints and muscles from freezing up.

I concur with walking as the best medicine.  My bad (low) back is nearly a thing of the past as I have smartened up on activities that will aggravate it.  Working smarter and not harder.  And just refusing to do certain things (I used to do).

But many times before, I hurt so much I just tried to find a position that hurt the least and stayed in it.  And it would take days and days of pain (and spasm, which sucks hugely) before very slow improvement.

I finally discovered that forcing myself to walk, however slow and awkward (and painful to start), got things warmed up nicely, and I got better faster.  Sometimes when I was really bent up, I'd just go out and do circles around my back yard.   

Pills never did anything to help, other than dull pain and make me irritable and sleepy and constipated.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well, since we are sharing some of our “stupid” stories. We bought this house 20 years ago. We knew it would need a new roof pretty soon. Asphalt shingles don’t hold up well in 120 plus temperatures. Me being a cheap bastard I didn’t want to pay 6 thousand for new asphalt shingles, that were likely to need replacement in 15 years. Metal roofing is pretty common in Alaska, and I had some experience with it. Bought it online and had it delivered to our drive way. Rented a fork lift and put it all up on our roof. Over the next couple weeks my 14 year old son and I installed it. Now to the “stupid”.
 I had a day off while nobody else was home. I decided I’d go up and finish up some of the trim work. Made a few trips up and down the ladder with tools and stuff. Got tired of making so many trips up and down. And decided to haul stuff in both hands. Got up to the top and the weight of the tools put my balance off. Fell back and down 10’ square onto the sidewalk. Knocked the frigging wind out of me, but I luckily didn’t hit my head or get knocked out. Screwed up my back which later resulted in a herniated disc. But the immediate problem was I couldn’t move. I think I laid there for close to an hour on the hot concrete. Finally was able to get up to my hands and knees and crawl into the house. Where I just laid on the floor till my wife came home from work. Everything ended up ok. No broken bones. But man, did I ever have a bruised hip !
 Needless to say, I’ve been a little skittish around ladders since.

[Bigwolf]

My wife wants me to sit on a heating pad, it does help in short doses on the hip.  However, I believe walking helps much more.  I landed almost vertical and feel the pain throughout my back, neck, and ribs.  Walking is the only thing keeping all of those joints and muscles from freezing up.

I concur with walking as the best medicine.  My bad (low) back is nearly a thing of the past as I have smartened up on activities that will aggravate it.  Working smarter and not harder.  And just refusing to do certain things (I used to do).

But many times before, I hurt so much I just tried to find a position that hurt the least and stayed in it.  And it would take days and days of pain (and spasm, which sucks hugely) before very slow improvement.

I finally discovered that forcing myself to walk, however slow and awkward (and painful to start), got things warmed up nicely, and I got better faster.  Sometimes when I was really bent up, I'd just go out and do circles around my back yard.   

Pills never did anything to help, other than dull pain and make me irritable and sleepy and constipated.

 

Bigwolf


Rob,
I am happy that you survived that!  Carrying stuff with both hands while climbing a ladder!   That’s just Sto........well, you probably have that figured out now.

Bigwolf

[cookiedough]

Well, since we are sharing some of our “stupid” stories. We bought this house 20 years ago. We knew it would need a new roof pretty soon. Asphalt shingles don’t hold up well in 120 plus temperatures. Me being a cheap bastard I didn’t want to pay 6 thousand for new asphalt shingles, that were likely to need replacement in 15 years. Metal roofing is pretty common in Alaska, and I had some experience with it. Bought it online and had it delivered to our drive way. Rented a fork lift and put it all up on our roof. Over the next couple weeks my 14 year old son and I installed it. Now to the “stupid”.
 I had a day off while nobody else was home. I decided I’d go up and finish up some of the trim work. Made a few trips up and down the ladder with tools and stuff. Got tired of making so many trips up and down. And decided to haul stuff in both hands. Got up to the top and the weight of the tools put my balance off. Fell back and down 10’ square onto the sidewalk. Knocked the frigging wind out of me, but I luckily didn’t hit my head or get knocked out. Screwed up my back which later resulted in a herniated disc. But the immediate problem was I couldn’t move. I think I laid there for close to an hour on the hot concrete. Finally was able to get up to my hands and knees and crawl into the house. Where I just laid on the floor till my wife came home from work. Everything ended up ok. No broken bones. But man, did I ever have a bruised hip !
 Needless to say, I’ve been a little skittish around ladders since.

yah, I would say you got lucky falling backwards not cracking your head on the concrete driveway.  doing stupid stuff like jumping off roof 10 to 12 feet down onto grass in my 20's was dumb enough.  I felt a few times my spine JAR and compress did not feel good even then.  I think if I did that now my legs would snap and back be paralized. 

Yah,  wife says last time a few years ago when I used at least 50 years old that antique wooden dowel rung step ladder of my dad's to clean mom's eastrophes out about 8 feet up that will break but never did with my weight.  I do not think 1/2 inch dowels made of wood for steps up are capable of supporting near 300lbs.  I did hear them CREAK with agony a few times but did not snap. 

[DarkSideR]

We've all been there.

https://youtu.be/O_FuvavDsO8

[Rams]

... rated for 200lbs.  I knew that I should not use that ladder!  You see, I weigh 250 completely naked.......with clothes and a few things in my pockets getting close to 260.  ...

Good warning story but that image of you going up the ladder naked to keep the weight down may have been a bit too much.  
  

Oh Jeez, 

Carl, I really didn’t need that image in my head! 

Rams