Since the last issue, we did a little traveling. We spent a few days in Seattle, and while there, took a Since the last issue, we did a little traveling. We spent a few days in Seattle, and while there, took a side trip down to Battle Ground, near the Oregon State line, and visited James Swayze. Readers may remember Swayze as the quadriplegic whose suspension fee was raised on Cryonet by donations.

We found him to be in good spirits, with a positive outlook. His array of communication gear in front of him is impressive, and shows he’s trying to be as self sufficient as he possibly can, considering the circumstances. Read more, with photos on page 24 .

We also went down to Boca Raton, Florida, to see Suspended Animation’s facility. While there we met with Dave Shumaker, Mike Quinn and Chris Dougherty They’re in the process of moving to a larger building about 10 miles north of the present location. They expect to have an open house around the end of the year.

Things are still as wacky as ever in Florida. "The Manatees" a minor league baseball team held a raffle last month. There was no charge to enter, and the prize, valued at $695 was a free cremation! The winner was presented with a certificate that could be used by any member of his or her family. Oh, and it was only good at the Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach!

We had hoped that Ben Best would give us some details about his recent trip to China. But, as he says in the CIYG Digest section, anything he wrote would be more of a travelogue than related to cryonics and that if we want to read about, it we have to go to his website: http://www.benbest.com/travel/China.html

We have to admire Ben though, for his single-minded commitment to cryonics.

Speaking of Ben, we happened to mention to him that some peoples eyes glaze over when they read one of his technical pieces. (see Viability page 13) He gently reminded us that even if only 10 or 20 percent of our readers understand the material, it’s important that the information be disseminated to that minority. He clinched his argument by implying that the quality of our collective suspensions might be improved by this dissemination.

So, since Ben obviously put in quite a bit of time writing it, we read "Viability," and even understood some of it. We urge you other 80% to look it over, and if you happen to talk to Ben at the upcoming annual meeting, or if you speak to him on the phone, tell him you agree that "uncoupling of mitochondrial enzymes and ATP synthesis by chilling has been demonstrated, and coincident with the increased oxidative stress is a reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity due to chilling." We think he’d like that!

We received a note from Fred Chamberlain offering us some cryonics related stories he and his wife, Linda wrote in the 80’s. We thank him for the offer, and, we expect to carry one in the next issue.