I used to think the Darwin Awards were pretty funny, until I lost a co-worker to a "Darwin Award" type escapade.

He was a really intelligent, quiet, softspoken guy; less than a week previously, he and I had volunteered at a Stampede breakfast. People who knew him said he was always willing to help out wherever he was needed.

He was really excited because his sister was in town visiting.

Then, on Thursday night, he got drunk with some of his buddies and boasted he could climb down the inside of the garbage chute in his building. He died early Friday morning in hospital.

I don't find the Darwin Awards funny anymore. Nor do I laugh at jokes made at Aron Ralston's expense.