It’s a big challenge mentally and physically to travel forever. At eight years in the mix, I’d say the best thing is losing the Western mentality that you must make money and have stuff to prove you’ve done something in life. That you must always need more, do more, get more, be more.

I DO settle in places... to remain human and sane, and to train for projects... Maybe someday, I’ll settle down for good — if I find ‘The Island’ for real.

Not climbing means not being. I am a climber — therefore, I must climb. [This] presents all kinds of fundamental questions and challenges me to confront many paradoxical realizations about my life.

Who tricked me into thinking that when I was 26, things would be more modern? It’s 2008, and all I’ve heard of is the massive particle accelerator they built under Geneva and the cursed Internet, which is wireless through the air but never free. Not so inspiring or modern-feeling.

I am quite a victim of in-flight conversation. People always talk my ear off. Good Lord, I just want to listen to music, read books, and focus on being scared of flying. I am a nice guy, though, so I go along with it. I've been reading the same book for six flights now.

I desperately wish to see real robots. I bet they have them in first class.