30 Ridiculous things TO DO this week

We leave for a 3000 mile road trip across the southern United States in 8 days.

This is my to do list for this week. There is no rhyme, reason, or order to it.

As you will soon see, my life is pretty weird.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Call back local vet dude that is expert on Rwandan Mountain Gorillas

2. Get www.daveforddoesearth.com switched from Blogspot to WordPress so the website can be vastly improved

3. Find guy that will logo the minivan for the cross country trip

4. Get DaveFordDoesEarth logo made (think silhouetted Afroman holding a four color earth in the palm of his hand)

5. Submit article about Ayahuasca in Bolivia to "The Baltimore Sun" travel section

6. Upload all videos to www.lonelyplanet.tv

7. Secure incredible videographer to travel with me to Africa

8. Find funds for incredible videographer to travel with me to Africa

9. Hang out with a very nice girl that I met on a mountain in Peru

10. Hang out and reconnect with the BV show and Dave (ironic as I share a room with the two of them). We have gone through a bit of a rough patch.

11.Work out arrangements with to hang out with my friend(s) Charlie (Nashville), Lisa and Joe (Pagosa Springs, Colorado), and possibly friends of friends Bubbles and Candy (New Orleans) on the cross country trip.

12. Get brakes fixed on 1993 Mini Van

13. Caddy at Bushwood Country club for some loot as I am brokealicious

14. Talk on the phone my my friends Bowdo and Rikki at three o clock in the morning about taking over the blogging world.

15. Make movie about silly tennis tournament that I played in this week

16. Move out of the Betty Ford Clinic "aka my sisters house" where I have been living during weekdays for the last two weeks.

17. Stop and smell the roses! Because damn they smell nice...

18. Help my friend Steve destroy the basement of his new house with sledgehammers

19. Get more people to subscribe to DaveFordDoesEarth.com through the free backpack giveaway. hint, hint....put your email in the white box on the top of the blog

20. Think about getting a haircut then decide not to as to pursue Jon Bon Jovi hair circa 1988.

21. Hang out with the crazies in Fells Point (downtown Baltimore) on Halloween

22. Have dinner with Bob Carter my new web/blog consultant

23. Play Australian rules football and kick two goals

24. Have a budget meeting with my business manager (aka my Mom) where as she will tell me that I am spending too much money.

26. Work on my new Facebook group (daveforddoesearth.com) that already has 126 members.

27. Get together with my friend Dave Hill to see if he has any bright ideas as to how I should execute the video component of my cross country trip. Right now I am a bit stumped.

28. Have internal dialog with myself about whether or not I am crazy for having a to do list like this

29. Start making preparations to move out of Garaj Mahal

30. Get Port o Pot from the "Garaj Mahal Ball" out of the garage because it is starting to stink.

31. Schedule time with my boy Steve Huber to get loads and loads of sweet new music on our iPods for the Roadtrip.

5 Easy Steps to "Quit your Job and Travel the World"

I set out to travel the world in January of 2007 after working 6 years in the radio biz in the Baltimore/Washington DC area of the United States at age 28. For all intents and purposes I had a really good job. I made good money, had a nice house, and had just bought a new car. However, something was missing in my life. At some point in the summer of 2006 I had simply had enough of the "real world" and made up my mind to quit it and travel.

The following are the five steps I took that led to my current life as a world traveler. My path is untraditional for Americans but far from it for Australians, Europeans, and Canadians. Oh yeah, I am loving every second of it. Life is good and I highly recommend doing the same if it is something you have always dreamed of doing.

Step 1: Make up your mind and stick to it.

If you want to quit and travel, then quit and travel. Whether it be for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or five years. DO IT! People from any age and any income bracket can do it. I met families traveling in South America. One Dutch family in particular had three kids (11, 9, 6) on the road with them for a one year trip. The kids were loving it and according to their parents were learning a hell of a lot more than they would be in school.

If you have some cash you will find a new amazing adventure to spend it on every day. If you are scraping by you will find a way to support yourself through work or volunteering. The human soul is resilient. Even in the worst of times or situations you will find a way to push through and people to help you. So, rich or poor decide to make a move and stick to it. You can even crash on peoples couches for free (if you let people crash on your couch). Check out www.globalfreeloaders.com.

Step 2: Take a look at the “dollar dollar bills” and plan accordingly

By and large Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan are the most expensive places to travel. South East Asia, India, Africa, and South America are going to be much cheaper options. Money should not be an issue if you plan to go to the places that match your budget. People of all income levels can do this. Young Israelis right out of their mandatory military service flock to South America, India, and South East Asia with little or no money at all and find a way to live for a year. I took the mixed approach in South America and consistently traveled low budget (hostels, shared rooms) while throwing in a few large splurges (Galapagos Islands, Antarctica) when opportunities arose. My trip was financed by a combination of equity that I pulled out of my house and savings. However, if I would have went to Europe for 8 months I would have been forced to work. Conversely, in South America I was free to travel the whole time. It is all about where you want to go and what you want to see for the money that you have. Furthermore, expensive does not always mean better (don’t tell Paris Hilton). There are companies that will help you match a budget to a particular part of the world. They will even plan a world trip for you. Try www.aussieescape.com

Step 3: Research and figure out where you want to go

Now that you know how much dough you have, get on the Internet and start figuring out where the hell you would like to go. The free resources are endless. I ended up staying at Milhouse hostel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on my first night traveling by a fluke search I made on Google. Ironically, this hostel is where I met my best friend of my South American trip. We ended up traveling together on and off for 4 months. It is a good idea to do as much research as possible. However, do not put together too regimented a plan if you can help it. I did not intend to visit either Bolivia or Colombia and they were my two favorite countries. www.lonelyplanet.com has info about any place you could dream of going. www.travbuddies.com is a social networking site for travelers. You can match up with people of the same age, same interests, and that are planning to go to the same place that you are from all around the world.

Step 4: Give one months notice and QUIT!(this is my favorite)

Now that you know how much cash you have and where you want to go. Just do it. Say those magic words, "I quit"! Or maybe this, "I hate you and this stupid job and you can shove those TPS reports straight up your ass!" Or what about, "Jim, I know you are having an affair with your secretary and I am going to tell your wife if you do not continue to pay me as I travel the world". QUIT! QUIT! QUIT! Giving your employer one month notice is more then enough time to do it the right way. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 employers will be in awe of what you are doing as opposed to angry (Warning:If you decided to blackmail your boss they might be angry). You are now officially living the dream and most will wish they were in a position to do the same. It takes a lot of balls to pack up and leave everything for the unknown. Most people will really respect you for your decision. Others will be jealous but you can deal with that when you get back.

Step 5: Buy a big backpack, shove a bunch of crap you think you will need inside, and get on a plane.

Chances are you will not need half of what you initially pack. Honestly, half of the experience is learning as you go. You will realize very quickly that a hairdryer and a tennis racket are simply not necessary.

Happy Travels! You are going to have the time of your life.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Ford is a freelance writer/video blogger traveling the world. He heads to Africa to travel the “Cairo to Capetown” route in January 2008. In early November 2007 he is embarking on a month road trip though the southern United States. You can read more about his adventures at www.daveforddoesearth.blogspot.com

The Garaj Mahal Ball Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eroLSP8Dg00


Last Friday night we had a bit of an extravaganza at the Garaj. We invited all of our close friends to get a look at the very large, yet very strange space where Dave Binck, the BV show, Phil, and I have been living these last two months. This video will give you an idea of the extent of the madness. It also showcases the performance by Phil and Jordan Caulfield (Guitar). Phil is looking for a gig as a lead singer if anyone knows anybody trying to start up a band in the greater Baltimore area.

Id luck to thank Francis Cabatac for knocking this video straight out of the park. Francis is blessed with a very special talent. Everyone in the DaveFordDoesEarth camp would like to thank him very much for his work. I might have to kidnap Francis and take him to Africa with me for 5 months next year. He is that good.

Francis is a freelance film producer and student. Please check out more of his work though his YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=cabattack. He is available if anyone needs video guy for anything.

Subscribe to DaveFordDoesEarth.com and win a 65 liter backpack

Click here for the new Dave Ford Does Iguazu Falls video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6SC8Q0iHv4

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



DAVE FORD DOES EARTH.com GIANT BACKPACK GIVE AWAY


BANG! The day has arrived. The first Dave Ford Does Earth promotion kicks off today, Monday October 22nd, 2008. We will be giving away a brand spanking new 65 liter "Ocean and Earth" backpack on November 23rd. This is all made possible due to our new partnership with www.Aussieescape.com.

Come on, who does not want or need a giant backpack??? You can use it for your next trip around the world.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How do I enter?" You might be asking yourself.

Well, here are the official rules:

1. All subscribers to DaveFordDoesEarth.com are entered to win the backpack.

2. If you are not a subscriber, then go to daveforddoesearth.com and subscribe. It takes close to 10 seconds. You put your email in the pretty white box and click enter. Then, you have to confirm the subscription through an email you will receive in your inbox. BAM. Done. Finito. Easy.

3. For a second chance to enter go to

http://aussieescape.blogspot.com/2007/10/subscribe-for-free-for-chance-to-win.htmland and subscribe to their blog as well. I am very excited to be the US correspondent on AussieEscape.com. Both sites are giving away the same gigantic, fantastic "Ocean and Earth" backpack.

4. The only rule that I cannot enforce is that all applicants must promise to use this backpack on some "outside of the norm" trip. So, start thinking about whether you would like to get scuba dive certified in Honduras or whether you would like to bus around southern India. Honestly, even if you use it for a weekend in Las Vegas I would be happy. You would just have to promise to stay at "Circus, Circus" and report back about the other hotel guests (Circus, Circus is probably the scummiest hotel in Vegas).



---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jumping off of Large Waterfalls in the Jungle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxUwWjo3fEM


Alas, one fine day back in April I found myself trekking through the Bolivian Amazon with Billy Barnetson, Benny "BV Show" Vears, and our jungle guide Diego. When we were not furiously machete-ing the overgrowth blocking our path, we were jumping off of large waterfalls. I am pretty damn happy with how the footage in the movie above turned out. I am also, as always, happy that I have shed most of the baby fat displayed in our Amazonian adventure.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

> Currently it is Friday night at 11:44 pm and I am sitting in my evening office (The Metropolitan Coffee Bar and Wine House in Federal Hill, Baltimore) working. I know what you are thinking and I too am very surprised. I do not think I have worked a Friday night since I waited tables at TGI Fridays in 1996. I am a bit possessed with snoop bloggy blog.

> I think I now have 7 movies uploaded on my homepage. For those of you that are currently sitting, bored at work, reading the email subscription please click over to www.daveforddoesearth.com and check out the newly installed video bar. Furthermore, I have also installed a slide show with a bunch of South American pictures on the top of the homepage. I have some fears that the shock of "pictures moving quickly across the screen" could cause some "at risk" people to have seizures. Please view at your own risk.

> I have been tasked by unknown powers to write an 1800 word article on my Bolivian Ayahuasca experience. Is anything going to come of this 1800 word article? I do not know but I will be putting it on the blog anyway.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce/reintroduce 3 new members to the DaveFordDoesEarth team.

> Bob Carter as "Internet Visionary"- Bob is helping me create a new website that will make the current site look like Phil was managing it. He is also quite the suave internet marketer. Furthermore, he loves Persian cats and long walks on the beach. I am very pumped to have Bob on the team. His blog is www.robertbrucecarter.com. Check it out.

> Rikki Fox - Rikki lives in San Fran with his partner Chris. Rikki's blog www.traveling12feet.com is about their travels around the USA before uprooting and moving their lives to Canada (they have not moved yet). Rikki, along with myself, is a bit of a nerd and collects US quarters of all 50 states (I think the Alaska quarter comes out this year...actually that might not be true...I might have made that up). Nonetheless, we have plans to take over the travel blogging world. Rikki is also a big fan of the BV show. Oh, and Rikki made me the awesome banner ad on the site. Thanks Rikki.

> Nick "Bowdo" Bowditch- Nick lives close to Sydney, Australia and found me through my "Antarctic Polar Plunge video" (To see Dave Ford in a bikini in Antarctica go to the South America video bar on the top right of the main page). Bowdo owns a travel company and has been around the world a few times. I am the US correspondent on his blog. In my own eyes the fact that I am the US correspondent to anything is pretty cool. At this point I would be happy to be the US correspondent to the drainage ditch in front of Garaj Mahal. Nick's blog is http://aussieescape.blogspot.com/. Check it out.

> "Garaj Mahal Ball" pix will be up tomorrow. I promise. Well maybe I should not promise but I will try. The University of Maryland's Homecoming Football game is tomorrow.

> Oh yeah, if you are not subscribed to this thing yet please do so. It helps me and my efforts out quite a bit. There is a box in the right hand column. Simply enter your email address, then confirm the subscription through the email you will instantly receive in your inbox.

Brazilian Soccer, Blog Work, and Garaj Mahal Ball Pix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haWL_5OZgrg

The above movie was taken on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro in March. I apologize to anyone that might not want to watch 2 minutes of shirtless Brazilian guys on the beach in advance. However, these guys can really play soccer. John and I were in a trance watching these guys (the soccer skills, not the guys). The music is Seu Jorge's Portuguese version of "Ziggy Stardust"from the "Life Aquatic" Soundtrack. On the other hand, to anyone that would enjoy watching 2 minutes of shirtless Brazilians... You are very welcome.

Also, check out the other movies as I post them. I have a lot more good stuff coming.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have spent the last few days making movies about South America, reaching out to my friends that are in Africa or have traveled in Africa, and working to upgrade the blog.

People quite commonly ask me what it is that I do all day. It is a bit of a complex, tricky answer but I promise that what I do is actual "work". I am trying to learn 50 things that I had no idea how to do before in a very short amount of time (movie making, web optimization, trip budgeting, travel blog selling, oriental basket weaving, afro care and management). We set sail across the US in 20 days time. Between the BV show, Dave, and I we are all getting a little tight on funds (the BV show is talking of bailing straight to Canada to clean toilets due to utter brokeness). The Garaj Mahal experience has not been as cheap as we thought it might be. Nonetheless, we are having a great time in Baltimore. I need to do a few more Crazy tapes as well before we go.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have checked the blog as opposed to the email newsletter you will notice the upgrades. I have put together a slide show of about 90 of my South American pictures. My new friend and fellow blogger Rikki from San Fran (check out Rikki's blog linked at the bottom of the page "Traveling 12 feet") put together the new banner link on the top right hand side of the page. I also have posted a bunch of movies in the movie bar on the right. Over the course of the next 20 days you will see more and more content and more and more improvements. By the time our crew takes off across the US to realize our present day "manifest destiny", I want everything to be in place.

Also, I have reconfigured the blog so that the most recent comments pop up on the right hand side of the page as posted.

Is this interesting to most people? Probably not. Nonetheless, it is what I am doing.


Oh yes, an Australian travel company has asked me to be a guest blogger. Pretty cool stuff if I do say so myself. My work and movies will be featured on www.AussieEscape.com. I am going to be their US correspondent of sorts. The owner of the company Nick, introduced me to his readers today.

Check it out: http://aussieescape.blogspot.com/


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, the moment that you have all been waiting for... Some of the pictures of the "Garaj Mahal Ball". Most of these are late night at not during the actual party. It still gives you some idea of the setup.....

MMMM steam is now coming out my ears... Blogger will not let me upload any images right now. DAMN IT TO HELL. I promise Garaj Mahal Ball pix very shortly. I am very sorry if this has completely ruined anyones day.

"Cairo to Capetown", my own "Dark Star Safari"

I am very happy to announce that I have purchased my tickets in and out of Africa. I leave for Cairo, Egypt on January 17th 2008 and fly out of Capetown, South Africa on May 25th. What is going to happen during those 5 months and 1 week that fall in between those two dates is up in the air. I really have no set plans. Honestly, I just cannot wait to get back out there again. It is even better that I have no idea what is going to happen.

Right now I am thinking Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania (climb Kilimanjaro), Zanzibar, Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa will make the cut. However, this will most definitely change. I have been toying with the idea of making a West Africa run to hit up Mali, Ghana, and Gabon. Although the cost associated with getting to the other side of a large underdeveloped continent are daunting, I still might make it happen on the fly if opportunities present themselves while I am over there.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cross country US road trip is also starting to take shape and form. Dave Binck, the BV show, myself, Jess, Lisa, and Daddio will be taking off in a two car caravan consisting of a Volvo Station Wagon and Plymouth Voyager mini van on November 5th. We are taking a southern route to avoid the frigid north. However, we are leaving quite a bit up in the air as we want to be able to "fly by the seat of our collective pants". If all goes as planned we will land in Sunny LA around the 5th of December.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Currently I am sitting in "the Met", my new morning wireless office. Spoons wireless was cutting in and out and I had to make a change (however, they just made the wrong breakfast sandwich and I might have to reconsider). Anyway, I am forcing myself out of bed earlier in an attempt to work my to do list list from hell to completion. I have 20 days until we are back out there. I am not sure how I am going to get everything done but I am going to make it happen.

Look for some big changes in the template of the blog this week. I am adding a South America video section and a photo player among other things.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to everyone that helped out with "the Garaj Mahal Ball" this weekend. It was a garage party in which many of my closest friends showed up to enjoy Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and Doritos. The garage conversion was a huge success. We also had Phil play a three song set with jazz guitarist Jordan Caulfield, formally of the band "Written Prisms". Phil and Jordan nailed it. Thanks to Jess (the official party director), Dave, Ben, and Phil for coming together to form a Voltron-like party killing unit. Also thanks to JT for a very beautiful and handy port o potty, Tina and Steve for special effects and party planning consultation, and Tom for enough carpeting to transform a smelly garage into a mega lounge.

I will be uploading pictures this week.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been working on this Antarctica video. It is a little choppy but I am happy with it as I am doing everything I can do to learn how to make movies. If you like it, please comment on "youtube" and pass it on.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihueND2IfVQ

Hell must have frozen over because I can FINALLY make videos!

An overwhelming feeling of joy and elation has taken over my every being. In summary, I bought a very nice Sony video camera in February in anticipation of my upcoming Antarctica trip. I bought the camera in the southern most city in the world, Ushuaia, Argentina. The footage I captured in Antarctica and throughout South America turned out much better than I had hoped for. However, the stupid camera would not sync with my Macintosh and my hopes of having the video blog running in South America were crushed along with my spirits. On the bright side, the lack of video capability gave me the time and energy to focus on my writing almost exclusively.

Sidenote: This worked out well as my writing, spelling, and grammar needed the focus. After writing this comment I am certain to have spelling and grammar errors in this post.

Anyhoo, after three sessions with the "Mac Genius'" at the Apple store I am UP AND RUNNING. For the last three nights I have set down with my Mac and my video camera viewing footage from Antarctica, Bolivia, Macchu Pichu, Brazil, and the Galapagos. Damn, it has been a great three nights. The memories came rushing back like a runaway freight train. It is interesting how much you tend to forget about your travels. Pictures simply do not it justice. Hearing the voices and seeing the faces of the people I traveled with and met brought a great big smile to my face.

I want to put a South American video travel bar on the blog to share the experiences with everyone. I love adding things to the to do list. The list currently stands at 500 (things to do).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, I would like to formally unveil the first DaveFordDoesEarth video. It is the first in the "Phil's Crazy Tapes" series.

Here is a little bit of background:

Name: Phil
Age: 56
Claim to fame: Lead Singer of the epic Baltimore rock band "Tower" in 1975.
2nd Claim to fame: Pictured in a 1975 edition of Playboy magazine (fully clothed).
Current occupation: Punch out guy on a construction crew in Federal Hill

The music video we created the other night is to give Phil a chance to showcase his singing ability. Let me be very clear. Phil "is" Garaj Mahal. We all love this guy and will do whatever we can to help him.

ENJOY!




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

> You might be noticing many changes to the blog. Among other things, I am adding other blogs of interest. Check them out if you have some time. There are a lot of talented people out there doing similar things as myself.

> I am working on a cast of characters video section of the website. Coming soon will be video interviews with Dave Binck, the BV show, Phil, and Jess.

> I want to get the mini van tagged (with Graffiti art) before the cross country road trip. Does anyone know anyone skilled with a can of spray paint?

> Yesterday was my biggest day (number of page hits) since I have been back in the country. Thanks again for reading. Oh, and thanks for the comments and advice from everyone that has taken the time to throw out ideas.

Planning a Cross Country US Road Trip

I am pleased to unveil the rough plan for the DaveFordDoesEarth.com fall 2007 US road trip.

Right now it looks like our merry band of travelers will be taking off right around November 1st for New York City. By December firstish we should be in sunny LA. We have been kicking around ideas and have decided to take a musical route through the US south hitting Nashville, New Orleans, and Austin, Texas. Originally we were going to take a northern route but realized it would be idiotic due to the cold. We are still working out what to do between NYC and Nashville. Right now it looks like we could be hitting Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville.

Wow! I cannot hide my excitement. Right now it looks like Dave Binck, The BV Show, Jess, Daddio, and possibly a few others will be a part of our two car cross country excursion. I will be the captain of the Plymouth Voyager mini van. Dave will captain the Volvo station wagon.

When we arrive in LA I am going to fly with the BV show to Calgary, Canada. From there the BV show will start an illustrious career snowboarding and cleaning toilets. I plan on working my way down through the Pacific Northwest eventually ending up in Los Angeles again. I hope to hit Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Fransisco, and wine country, before reuniting with Dave in the "city of angels".

In the above map the first leg of the journey is marked by black string. Conversely, the second leg is marked in blue string. No, you cannot tell the difference in the picture.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Return of Jess and Lisa

The crew in front of a reflecting pool at the National Gardens in Washington DC.


My homegirls Jess and Lisa have been living in upstate New York since we parted ways in Santa Marta, Colombia in August. Well, they are back. Lisa and I showed Jess and Benny the sites in Washington DC last week. Jess is in town for two weeks. I am very happy about this as her presence has chilled me out quite a bit. Yes, I have been a bit uptight and overwhelmed trying to juggle 50,000 tasks at the same time. Jess' mantra of "stop and smell the roses" is just the advice I needed. Nonetheless, I am starting to see some of my ideas come to fruition . For example, I am FINALLY at the point where I have my video camera compatible with my mac. It has only taken 7 months.

Sidenote: So, in summary the "Roses" are smelling pretty good.

Our reflections on the Vietnam War Memorial. The memorial has the name of every single fallen soldier. My dad was in Viet Nam and the memorial hit home. 50,000 US servicemen died in the conflict.

Fill in the blanks: This is yet another ______ picture of the BV show.

Question: Where else should I take my Australian hombres while I am in the Washington/Baltimore area in the next few weeks? Hit me up on the comment board.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the Hookah Bar in Federal Hill with the Garaj Mahal crew. From left to right: Tazzy, Jess, Me, Daddio, The BV Show, Kelly, and my sister Debbie.