american nerd survey

What's your preferred outdoor activity during the summer-type months?

Dave Indish: I would have to say my favorite outdoor activity is complaining about the weather. I live in Michigan, so I'm offered numerous opportunities to do so on a weekly basis. I also enjoy trying to ignore my idiot neighbor who sits in his driveway, revving his Harley-Davidson for hours at a time, producing an overpowering racket of some several thousand decibels.

Mark Kalar: My preferred activity is running. And I'm going to take it a step further and say that it is not only my personal favorite, but it is THE best summer activity. A great deal of scientific evidence confirms that we (i.e. humans) evolved (or if in rural Kansas: were designed) as running animals. Running therefore fulfills your purpose as a human being. To put it another way: God wants you to run. Are you going to argue with God?

Stephen McClurg: Nude Slip and Slide--preferably with a wine-moistened slide. I project Kenneth Anger films onto everyone and we play Phil Spector records all night long.

Keith Pille: In theory, it's backpacking, which allows me to enjoy my loves of camping, hiking, and sitting around a fire. But I can only swing one or two backpacking trips a year, so I'm going with biking. Nothing beats hopping on the road bike and zipping through Minneapolis, especially going along the Mississippi River on days with light traffic. Even commuting is tolerable if I'm doing it on a bike.

Dave Pizarro: Sitting outside with my feet up, listening to a free jazz and/or blues and/or funk show (anything with horn players) while sipping on whatever alcoholic beverage I've managed to smuggle into the venue.  Much cheaper than narcotics with the same euphoric effects.

Simon Riordan: Canoeing - quite possibly one of the world's most perfect methods of travel.

Jonathan Shipley: Outdoor activity: Camping. The only reason to go camping, to light a campfire. The only reason to light a campfire, to make s'mores. Jesus H., SMORES ARE AWESOME!

Amethyst Vineyard: In the sticky, sticky Mobile summer, I enjoy drinking outdoors, hiking short distances (one has to be careful, or one might lose every ounce of water contained in one's body through one's pores), and running from hurricanes. Can you decide which of your possessions you wouldn't mind seeing destroyed?