Madison.Byfield.123

Madison - my name's Clayton, and I was identified "gifted" when I was 14. Sometimes it sucks to be smart, but you'll appreciate it more and more as you get older, as will your peers. I didn't become "cool" until my mid-20's, when girls began to appreciate a guy with intelligence, and other guys started becoming jealous.

I saw your name in the Project Antarctica page and wanted to welcome you. My grandfather collected books on and by the explorers during the "golden age" of polar exploration, and fancied the South Pole most of all (he was born in Argentina, and eventually emigrated to Canada). I've had the pleasure of reading Apsley Cherry Gerrard ("Worst Journey in the World" - the best of the lot apart form Byrd's "Alone"), Richard E. Byrd (I've always giggled at the Dick E Byrd reading of his name), Nansen, Amundsen, Shakelton (not a good writer), Feines (a decent modern explorer and even better writer), Ross, and others, in the collection my Granpa has left me. I'm pretty sure I'm the largest private owner of original publications on antarctic Exploration in Canada. I hope that you can find as much pleasure as I have in reading these wonderful stories.

With my family now habitating Canada, I've begin researcing and collecting books on the Northwest Passage and North Pole exploration. Pierre Burton's book "The Arctic Grail" is a wonderful book, full of even more tragedy than the Scott saga.

Please read on, and add to your list of things to do before you die to go to at least one Pole. Just remember to get the correct permits and carry your poos with you, as you can't leave anything behind these days.

Kind regards, Shamanchill (talk) 06:41, 15 May 2008 (UTC)