Just One of Those Days
Nov 28th
Hey Team,
The last 24 hours have been pretty uneventful as far as list progress goes, since everything that’s been going on has been behind the scenes, but that’s no reason to keep you folks in the dark.
Today was mostly spent cataloging hours of raw footage that will probably never be used but can’t be thrown away or taped over (Then how would I be able to put together a documentary?) and HAVE to be shipped away. With winter upon us…or at least upon me (In a totally non-sexual way. Perv.) I had to grab some extra clothes, generously donated by the Boston guys, and turns out when you’re carrying more than two t-shirts you have a LOT less space for technology. Sad.
I also spent quite a bit of the day searching for new ways to promote the site and if you have any ideas you want to share or if you just want to take things into your own hands don’t hesitate. Just do it. (Please don’t sue, Mr. Nike.)
That’s about it, these are the kind of days I don’t usually share but since I’ve been doing so much video work I was in the mood to just sit More >
Cranberries and Pennsylvanians [video]
Nov 26th
Hey Team,
I made it to Charlottesville, Virginia this morning safe and sound after driving straight through the night with Ryan, a Mansfield, PA resident, suffering from only very minor exhaustion. (And by minor I mean I only slid into unconsciousness against my will when I was sitting down or standing still, never when I was walking. Of course that made for a pretty embarrassing stretch at a local Starbucks. Lucky for Charley, I don’t drool.)
I was planning on writing up a rundown of my holiday layover spent under the care of the Pennsylvania ladies (Up, down, over, under…geez, I’m clever.) but I had a little extra time this morning and managed to finish up the cranberry podcast.
So, I’ll just say I had a great time with all of Jena and Theresa’s family members over the last few days and I’m a little disappointed I had to say goodbye again. Easily the toughest aspect of this adventure is constantly saying goodbye to all the awesome people I meet.
Okay…let’s get right to more of Brett being a sissy and making a fool of himself.
Leave comments, digg the page and podcast and…enjoy!
Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player. var WT1_1 More >
Fiamingo Family Thanksgiving
Nov 24th
Hey Team,
I’ve had a pretty awesome few days in Nowhere, PA, unfortunately my internet connection has been pretty spotty. So before things cut out again…
Here’s a quick video update.
Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player. var WT2_2 = { params : { wmode : "opaque", allowscriptaccess : "always", allownetworking : "all", allowfullscreen : "true"}, flashvars : { file : "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amtrekker.com%2Findex.php%3Fxspf%3Dtrue%26id%3D36", volume : "80", bufferlength : "5", controlbar : "over", 'logo.hide' : "false", shuffle : "false", playlist : "bottom"}, attr : { id : "WT2", name : "WT2"}, start : function() { swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.amtrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/player.swf", "WT2_2", "437", "522", "9.0.0", false, this.flashvars, this.params , this.attr ); } } WT2_2.start();And I’ll fill you in on the details tomorrow.
Thanks, everyone!
I’m done.
Brett.
Welcome to the wonderful world of kindness to strangers.
Why NOT be a kind stranger?
AKPC_IDS += "126,";
Aggietrekker
Nov 23rd
Hey Team,
I had a fun-filled, turkey-fueled day with the Fiamingo family in Mansfield, PA. Not only did they take me in on what is traditionally more of a family holiday (which frankly, I’ve always thought was strange since basically it was all about taking in people in need when those pilgrims first flunked winter) but they fed me what was (don’t read the next ten words, mom) quite possible the best Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had.
That was followed by a two-hour food coma and dessert was served in the midst of them letting me win at a grueling 24 hour (I’m just going off of how long it felt, I didn’t check the time) Trivial Pursuit game. Which, by the way, makes me 2 for 2 in Trivial Pursuit for this trip. That’s right…Amtrekker’s undefeated. Bring in on people.
Basically it all comes down to this: my gain, your loss. As a result of all the food, folks and fun (please don’t sue me, McDonald’s) I didn’t have much time to get any video work done today and that filthy fun killer tryptophan is doing a number on my ability to stay conscious. (Upon rereading I see it has also More >
Thanks for Giving
Nov 22nd
Hey Team,
I was going to post another video today, (I have two ready, one of my ride to Mansfield, Pennsylvania where I’ll be spending Thanksgiving this year and one of the “Jump the Gun Turkey Run” which was basically this last weekend’s pre-Thanksgiving in Boston.) but somehow neither seemed appropriate enough for this holiday.
This is more of a holiday of introspection and since I’ve had so much time for introspection lately I figure I’m well suited to send some extrospection (There’s about a 98% chance that’s not a word. But the beautiful thing about English is you probably got the point anyway.) your way.
I fully recognize that I’m the smallest piece of the Amtrekker puzzle. Amtrekker would not exist without the help of literally HUNDREDS of people. This has been such a fascinating experience for me (and hopefully for you) because so much of what this trip is about has either nothing to do with me or is completely out of my control. Everyday I’m left dangling at the whim of complete strangers and so far I’ve yet to feel let down or slighted in the least.
Maybe I’m starting to sound like a broken record but I am so More >
#27 Go on a lobster boat [podcast]
Nov 20th
Hey Team,
Thanks so much for the feedback on yesterday’s video. Your comments were overwhelmingly positive and I’m going to do my best to get more of them out there. IN FACT, why don’t you kids feed your eyeballs on this little guy!
Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player. var WT4_4 = { params : { wmode : "opaque", allowscriptaccess : "always", allownetworking : "all", allowfullscreen : "true"}, flashvars : { file : "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amtrekker.com%2Findex.php%3Fxspf%3Dtrue%26id%3D38", volume : "80", bufferlength : "5", controlbar : "over", 'logo.hide' : "false", shuffle : "false", playlist : "bottom"}, attr : { id : "WT4", name : "WT4"}, start : function() { swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.amtrekker.com/wp-content/uploads/player.swf", "WT4_4", "437", "522", "9.0.0", false, this.flashvars, this.params , this.attr ); } } WT4_4.start();I’m done.
Brett.
Kind strangers keep ‘trekkers trekking. I think Mark Twain said that…maybe.
Or was it Steinbeck?
AKPC_IDS += "121,";
Enough Wading Already
Nov 19th
Hey Team,
There’s been a whole lot of wading going on in the last couple days. Most importantly I went wading through a cranberry bog yesterday! Granted, it almost killed me and I’m more than a little surprised I didn’t lose any toes to frostbite but it’s done. And I have to admit it seemed like a much better idea six months ago when it made it on the list and the weather was nice and warm than it did yesterday when I was standing in front of an irrigation canal with my pants around my ankles.
I’ll even admit I may have lost my normally calm and cool composure when I started screaming things like, “NO NOO I CHANGED MY MIND!!!!” and “PLEASE GOD HELP ME GET OUT OF HERE I CAN’T FEEL MY FEET!!!” but all’s well that ends well, right? I can’t wait to get the video up so you guys can see how pathetic I’m capable of being. (Sometimes sarcasm just doesn’t sound right in type.)
Speaking of video, that’s where the rest of the wading comes in, I have a pile of tapes next to me as I type this and it amounts to about five podcasts More >
Give The Little Guy A Chance
Nov 17th
Hey Team,
Here’s what I like about the little guy. (Provided he has the guts to step up.) He tries harder.
What does that mean? Never travel by Greyhound.
As I was trying to find an acceptable way to escape Portland, Maine today I ran across the Greyhound website. Luckily, I learned my lesson after the whole “pedophile debacle” and spent a little more time searching the web before making a decision. That’s when I ran across Concorde Bus Lines, which isn’t necessarily the end all, be all when it comes to mass transit but it turned out to be a considerable step up from the Pedo-wagon.
Not only was it cheaper than Greyhound, it was cleaner and smelled like Pledge furniture cleaner. Greyhound smells like puke after taco night mixed with the feces of an aquatic animal. You know why aquatic animals never bother to properly digest their food? They live in a toilet. Next Question!
Concorde Bus Lines actually staffs a full kitchen staff at their corporate headquarters and ships fresh continental breakfast to every bus, every day. Bananas and yogurt for every one. Well, that’s a lie, but I will consider bus travel from now on every time I travel from Maine to More >
