Monday, May 31, 2010

Shopping for Gear: The Mall vs. REI

Mall of America

REI - Boulder, CO
 

I think shopping malls are unbearable!  PERIOD.

I generally try to avoid the mall at all costs.  I've made it through certain years of my life without entering a single mall once.  But occasionally, I force myself inside these despicable pretzel peddling places.  When I do, I usually make a bee-line for the Apple store and get the hell out.  That's the only store I generally need something from...  Once, I almost got distracted and bought a rad belt buckle the size and shape of a gun inlaid with diamonds... I was fortunate enough to safely gather my strength and walk away from the flashy kiosk.

I sometimes go to the mall for the movie theater.  Like the time Kelly + I went to see Fantastic Mr. Fox but there were projector problems and the only film we could see was Couples Retreat...  Gahhh!  An awful mall and movie experience...

I've also forced myself into malls to make films of my own.  I directed a short film called Mall Walkers during college.  We shot most of the scenes at a rundown mall during the hours of 11pm-7am.  The long nights, the silence and sound echos, and the humming of fluorescent lights was dreadful.  

For our last day of filming, we needed to shoot a chase scene of the main character who had stolen an article of clothing and was running from a security guard.  The rundown mall wouldn't work.  So we shot it guerrilla style at a large mall that wouldn't give us permission to film there 2 months earlier.  We had 2 camera operators on roller-blades (I was one of them), 2 actors, 1 assistant inside, 1 driver for drop-off, and 1 driver for the get-away car.  The assistant inside was stationed in the middle of the mall to serve as a diversion in the event that we we're chased by real security guards.

We did 3 takes.  It was a challenge for myself and the other operator to watch the camera monitor while also watching 5-10 ft ahead of us with our peripheral vision to anticipate our path amongst the crowds of people.  The first 2 takes we flew through the mall hardly unnoticed... by security that is.  However, on the 3rd take, I was flying on my roller-blades just about to duck through a small window of people when a middle age man flinched from the other operator and jumped into my gap.  At the last second, I had to jump over and went right through a steel trash can kicking it out of the way.  The sound of the trash can sent an echo throughout the mall notifying security.  I had cut my hand a bit but continued to skate and caught up to film the scene.  As we rounded the last hallway of our route we here "STOP!"  I look over my shoulder to identify the shouts coming from a female security officer at full sprint!  Myself, the other cam-op, and one of the actors slam through the exit doors and disperse into the parking lot where we rendez-vous across the street with our get-away car.  However, our other actor lagged behind and had to dip into an Arby's.  After the security guard gave up on us, she found him in the Arby's where he played it cool and played it dumb.  She couldn't get anything out of him so she gave him a simple 30-Day BAN from the mall... hahahahaha!

That was definitely one of my most enjoyable mall experiences!

I think one of the primary reasons I cannot stand malls is a result of the childhood boredom I experienced there.  When I was a kid, I'd have to tag along at the mall on Saturdays as my mom shopped.  It seemed like we would be there all day... but maybe it wasn't that long.  I'm often surprised at how close a place like the zoo is that seemed like such a long drive as a kid.  Anyway, the time spent at the mall as a kid seemed forever-lasting.  I would often entertain myself by hiding under the clothes racks.  In doing so, I'd frighten my mom nearly to death as she would worry my disappearance may be forever-lasting!  Sorry mom...

The reason I started reflecting on all of this was because I just came back from REI after spending nearly 6 hours there!  Whew!  And I was just there for a couple of hours the day before.  Memorial Day Weekend is their biggest sale of the year.  Kelly is in Vegas for the weekend on a family vacation, so I took responsibility to take advantage of the discounted gear.  The time flew by as I tried on several clothes, bags, boots, sleeping bags and more while scrutinizing all the details. 

I realized the reason I can tolerate REI over a shopping mall is simple:

It's FUNCTIONALITY over FASHION.

I'm more considered with the weight of things or the cool/warmth factor, not whether they're the latest trend.  I want a backpack that fits well so I can carry 30-35 lbs all day most comfortably.  I don't care if the backpack makes my butt look good.  I'll spend 6 hours at REI to find the best gear that will help Kelly and I survive.  I don't care if our style dies...  And although it's pretty inherent, it's great to know that REI and related companies are concerned with enjoying and protecting the world's natural resources and produce goods to do so.  On the other hand, the majority of manufactures at a shopping mall may be concerned with producing profits and exploiting people and natural resources.

Anywho, for readers like Kelly and I, who aren't outdoor experts, I've learned that you really need to try out gear at the store and not order from online; Although you can order multiple items online and return to an REI store.  It is important to get fitted for things like backpacks and boots and try out several options.  Even though a nice backpack is on clearance, it may not be the best fit for your body.  If you're hauling 20-30 lbs or wind up in a critical survival situation, you're gonna wish you had the best fit.  That goes same for the utility of the gear.  Focusing on buying the best gear for your own needs is a little bit like investing in a life insurance policy... only much more exciting!

Peace,

-Marty

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Realizing the Dream: Fund-raising on Kickstarter.com



How do we make this dream possible?  Optimism- check.  Energy- check.  Courage- check.  Time- check.  Knowledge- workin' on it.  Money- Hmmmm...

To successfully start our expedition, we need money.  We've been able to raise $6000 of our own money... but we're gonna need twice that to cover our survival gear, travel expenses, camera equipment, and miscellaneous expenses.

So we've turned to Kickstarter.com to raise another $6000 through pledges.  If you're not familiar, Kickstarter is a community of people making things happen!  Anyone can submit proposals for a project of any kind including community, art, education, travel, film, music, food, and more.

The quick run down:  We've created a project, we have a goal of $6000, anyone can make a pledge, we offer a variety of rewards for pledge amounts (including our tandem bicycle!), we have 22 days left, if we do not reach our goal, no one's credit/debit cards will be charged and we receive absolutely nothing.  The funding is all or nothing!  Which is a great concept to make things happen... but a little scary for us.

There's some people who think this dream of ours is to crazy and that it's not gonna happen... We agree that it is crazy and ambitious, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE.  Through Kickstarter, we've already raised $1860 in a little more than a week.  We've received large generous pledges and we've already received a $10 pledge from someone we haven't met- thanks for believing!
Everyone can help make this possible in a number of ways:

1.  You can make a pledge or "Back Our Project" on Our Kickstarter Page.  A minimum pledge is $5 and if we get enough people to support, that $5 will go a long way.

2.  If you can't make a donation at this time, you can help us by following our blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube while sharing with your friends.

3.  And one of the biggest ways you can help our dream is to simply believe in it.  This can be done with attitude and word choice.  For example, if you tell a friend about us, don't say, "Check out what they want to do," or "Check out what they're trying to do."  Instead, say something like, "LOOK AT WHAT THESE TWO ARE DOING," or "THEY'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN!"

THANK YOU FOR READING AND BELIEVING!  IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A PROJECT, DREAM, OR GOAL, GO OVER TO KICKSTARTER.COM AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Pack What You Need to Survive + Be Happy


From my readings of historical adventurers, it seems that the leaders who we're most successful on their expeditions we're very particular with their gear or things.  When you have to carry your things on your back, you reevaluate their importance.  Survival functionality often wins over minor convenience.

So I've translated this survival minimalism to my life in general and the things I own: Do I really want to carry all of these things with me through life?  Do I really need this or that?  Most of the time, the answer is 'No.'  It doesn't matter if it's in your backpack or your home, if you acquire too many things, you're more likely to exhaust yourself and topple over in some metaphorical respect...

The exhaustion of owning things in your home may not come from directly carrying them, but rather the work you have to do to pay for them.  Very few people are fortunate enough to do work that brings them happiness and joy.  So if you're not happy with your job then why work?  I'm guessing the main reason is to make money with the idea that money will help you obtain your happiness.  The problem is that a lot of us are poorly conditioned in how to use money with respect to our own happiness.  We're taught that we need to buy things.  We're taught to spend money on cars, homes, convenient appliances, the latest technologies or expensive clothes.  We're sometimes discouraged to spend money on activities that don't yield a product or value to represent our hard work, even if those activities may bring happiness.  Certain religions encourage the acquiring and conservation of one's personal goods and consider it a sin to spend money on simple pleasures and activities that bring happiness.  We're taught that if we work more, we can make more money, and if we make more money, we can buy more things.  Somewhere in the middle of all that, it's assumed these things will bring us happiness... but that is not the case!

This is not an original thought by any means, but I want to frame it in the context of the adventurer backpack metaphor...

I think that all of us are like trekkers trying to reach happiness at the top of mountain.  We work hard on the base of the mountain to make money to buy the gear that will help us reach the summit.  Some of us buy too much gear and exhaust ourselves before we reach the top.  Some of us spend too much time working and buying gear that we never have time to start climbing.  The smart ones pack just the right amount of gear they need and eventually climb all the way to the top.  They are the fortunate ones who will experience adventure and happiness.

So my question to you is this:

If you were to leave your job, home, etc. today and bring only what you could carry in your backpack, what would you bring and where would you go?

That's the same question I'm trying to figure out as Kelly and I prepare for our trip.  I feel like the response will be a good answer to both our survival and happiness.

In the meantime, I've begun selling some of my stuff on Craigslist.  Just sold two chairs yesterday and made $45.  Woohoo!  Currently selling another office chair, a bunch of 16mm film, and two djembe drums.  I plan to do the same with additional furniture, TV, stereo, monitors, and other items.  I hope to sell a large majority of my things so that I don't have to waste money on a storage unit when we leave.

I'm liberating myself from a bunch of stuff I don't need and it feels great!

If there's something I own that you would like, let me know.  I'll gladly give it to you in return for a donation towards our expedition.

Hearts,

-Marty

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Saturday Stars

Man, I think the stars are up to something every Saturday...  I'm really into astrology if you didn't know.  Mostly on days like today when my horoscope says:

An opportunity to travel with a partner or colleague could come your way, perhaps for business. Any travel planned or begun today is likely to go well and bring you whatever results you hope for. Whatever it is you're planning, Cancer, it should excite your enthusiasm and optimism for your future success. Business and personal relations with others should be warm, cordial, and stimulating. Make the most of it!
-Marty

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Stars Are With Us

Yes! Marty's horoscope today:

The opportunity to travel, perhaps with friends or a group you belong to, could come your way today, Cancer. Discussions with others could lead to the confirmation of practical arrangements. You might also seek to advance your education, as your intellect is especially active now. Whatever new experiences come your way could lead to new paths, interests, and opportunities. Don't let doubts or fears get in your way.

We Have a Pan-American Dream!

Welcome everyone to our blog!

We are Marty + Kelly and we're preparing for a long expedition from Ann Arbor, MI to Alaska to Argentina!  Our journey will start on July 6th, 2010 and we'll be traveling mostly by road.  Yikes!  That's pretty soon...

We are filmmakers/photographers who want to travel, create our own art, teach free film/photography workshops to youth, explore local food, and document our experience.

Follow our blog and stay updated with all our preparations and travels of making this Pan-American Dream come true!

Thanks!!!