Earlier today I copied some pictures onto a USB key to take to CostCo for processing some enlargements. Copied the files onto the key, took them in and used one of the store machines to load and crop images – and stuffed the USB key carelessly into the pocket of my board shorts.

Went about a few errands through town and then headed to the beach to check on surf and wind which is huge and marginal respectably. The forecast was calling for surf of sets with 30+ foot faces, although it didn’t quite make it that big at Kanaha (or even Hookipa for that matter). Anyway after hanging around for a while and endless wind deliberations a few of us decided to go out regardless of the light conditions. So off I go into the washing machine with the USB key happily coming along for the ride. Wash, Tumble, rinse, repeat… I took it on the head a few times today and had a few long swims after my gear.

Next as if that wasn’t enough I decided to go to Yoga and sweat in a 105  degree room with 90% humidity for a an hour and half. USB key is still happily along for the ride…

So tonight – sufficiently beat up by the day – I get home sit down at the computer and… remember the USB key. Oh shit. I forgot to take it out before going rinse cycling and pig sweating… after a quick hustle I retrieved the USB key and it had a few pieces of seaweed stuck to it and a little rust mark…

It couldn’t possibly still be working after all that, could it?

So… I plugged it in and – nothing. Ah, too bad. But wait – nope it’s just the lock key that was set by all the rustling. Switch the key and… can you belive it the damn thing still works. Amazing. After having been completely submerged in water for probably 30 minutes + throughout the day, absorbing stinking acrid sweat the thing actually manages to still work…

I wonder if I should try that with the camera next <g>…