Monday, September 26, 2011

The Un-Road Trip Comes to San Diego!


A few months back I heard from the friendly folks at Hostelling International in San Diego who had heard me on the radio and were wondering whether I'd speak at their annual meeting. I said yes, of course, and I'll be flying down next week (on a pedal-powered plane...) to talk about my trip and show some clips. It should be a fun evening and if you're in the area you should come on by!


THE DETAILS:
Spirit of Hostelling Annual Meeting and Party
Monday, October 3, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (PT)
San Diego Foundation, 2508 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106

Head over here for more info: http://unroadtrip.eventbrite.com/

Also, I've never been to San Diego before so I'm excited to explore the city. Anything I should do in the area? Any taco stands I should check out? Let me know!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Un-Road Trip Bloopers!

You didn't think our three days of shooting intros and wrap-arounds were without incident - did you? Rest assured there were plenty of mistakes and accidental swear words and spontaneous singing. And here's the video proof in two parts:



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Last Episode Has Aired!

Well, this is it - the last episode of The Un-Road Trip. Or at least the last episode of the first season. I've got a few thoughts as this chapter of my life comes to a close, but I'll post those in a separate blog. For now, enjoy the finale:

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Episode 9 is online!

It's hard to believe that there's only one more episode of the Un-Road Trip before the end of the first season. I make it all the way back to the Pacific NW in episode 9 - less than 200 miles to go till Portland, the end of the Un-Road!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Episode 8 - perhaps my favorite episode - is online!

Don't quote me on this but I think episode 8 may contain more modes of transportation than any other episode of The Un-Road Trip. Don't believe me? Watch below! And if you can prove me wrong then I'll send you something cool. Either way, this episode does include couch bikes, treadmill bikes, and the amazing Brent Curry!

Only two more episode two go! Will I live to see the end of the trip? Hint: I'm alive now.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Episode 7 is online!

When we originally came up with the concept for the Un-Road Trip TV show we had planned to include an animated segment in each episode highlighting some local history or additional information on a mode of transportation. We had a lot of these segments written and/or planned out when we realized that we just didn't have the budget or time to produce these more labor-intensive segments. There was one piece we were especially excited about though and we couldn't bear to to lose it. Somehow Todd, (the producer at Halogen), managed to sneak it into the graphics department and get it animated and you can see it here in the seventh episode of the show. You can't miss it - it airs about 16 minutes into the show.



So what do you think? Do you like it? Do you wish we had one of these in every episode? Let me know and then go bug Halogen to order a second season!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Un-Road Trip Hits New York in Episode 6!

Check out the latest episode of the Un-Road Trip in which I make my way across New York, Boston, and New Hampshire on Segway PT, cargo trike, and biplane!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Wanna see episode 5? You're in luck!

Check out my daring escape from Florida, my hydrogen-powered Segway ride, and a surprise appearance by a shopping cart! Go ahead, watch it:

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Un-Roading through Florida on Episode 4!

Wanna see me ride an airboat?

That's not only my favorite pick-up line, it's also what happens in the fourth episode of The Un-Road Trip. So what are you waiting for? Watch here:



WARNING: I make a really bad pun about gopher tortoises in this episode. I'm sorry.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Watch Episode 3 Now!

One of my favorite episodes is now online! In the third episode of the series I venture into Chicago's underground world of alternative vehicles before heading over to DC for some official governmental meetings! Check it out:


Friday, May 6, 2011

The premiere was a blast!

Last night I got together with 175 of my closest friends and watched two of my favorite episodes of The Un-Road Trip. It was thrilling and exhilarating (and a little terrifying) to share the show in such a public way and we had a blast! McMenamins Mission Theater hosted us for free and Keen Footwear provided us with some sweet giveaways. And my pals, Aaron Steph, at KGW's Live@7 even sent Joe Smith down to cover the festivities:


Thanks for everyone who came down. It was truly a memorable evening and I'm so glad I could share my first national TV show with all of you!


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Watch Episode 2 Now!

In the second episode of the show I struggle to get through car-centric Los Angeles and it wasn't easy. I always thought I was 'in shape,' but I quickly learned I was very wrong. Especially when it comes to pogo-sticking, kangoo jumping, and row biking.



Also, this is the episode with the camel!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Watch the first episode! Right here!

Well, it's aired On Demand, it's aired on TV, and now it's airing online! Finally, all you non-cable folks have no excuse for not watching. Check it out below and let me know what you think:



Now go tell your friends!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Tonight's the night!


I just got back from Wilson High School where we had the official launch of the show. It was super exciting to share the event with about 1,400 kids at my alma mater. They had a ton of great questions and the friendly folks at Halogen TV and Comcast even made a donation to the school (in the form of a giant check) so they can buy a brand new projector screen!

I can't believe we're mere hours from the premiere of the show. I'll be chatting online on facebook/twitter/computer land in case you have any questions. And if you don't get Halogen you can watch the live stream at www.halogentv.com/unroadtrip.

Here we go!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

IT PREMIERES TOMORROW!!!

I'm still not sure how it all happened, but The Un-Road Trip premieres tomorrow! It seems like just yesterday when I hopped on the motorized cooler and started the trip from my folks' house in SW Portland. Turns out it was actually two years ago and in the meantime we've cranked out 10 action-packed episodes chronicling my journey. Here's a new clip package the folks at Halogen put together in honor of the launch:

Recognize that song? It's by my pals, Rabbit! They were nice enough to let me use it on the show.

And we're celebrating this launch in style - we even launched a sweepstakes to win a pair of Keen shoes and a sweet Columbia Sportswear jacket! You can head over to Halogen's Un-Road Trip site to check that out. So go visit the site, watch the show, and tell your friends. Cause that's the only way I'll get to do a second season.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Behind the scenes of the Un-Road Trip!

My house in Oregon in North Carolina

The show's just a few days away from premiering and they're starting to release some sweet videos on the Un-Road Trip website over at HalogenTV.com. Here's a fun one we filmed when we were shooting all the introductory bits for the show:



Now aren't you even more excited for the show?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

It's a real promo! For my show! And two others!

The Un-Road Trip premieres a week from tomorrow and Halogen just put out this Earth Day promo with some clips from the show.


Although the show officially premieres next week, the first episode is actually already up on Comcast On Demand. It's in the Top Picks section, under Our Planet: Earth. So go watch the show and let me know what you think! Then start a petition for a second season!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Un-Road Trip Party/Premiere/Screening/Hootenanny in Portland!

The Un-Road Trip is premiering at the end of next week and we'll be celebrating in a big way in Portland! On Thursday May 5th (aka Cinco de Mayo) we'll be taking over the Mission Theater to screen two of my favorite episodes from the series, share some bonus footage, give out prizes, and have a lot of car-free-fun! Come on by, get a snack, grab a microbrew (it's a McMenamins pub too), and bring your friends! Here are the details:

WHAT: Un-Road Trip Super Special Premiere/Screening

WHEN: Thursday, May 5, 7:00pm - 8:30pm (doors open at 6PM)

WHERE: Mission Theater, 1624 Northwest Glisan Street

COST: Free!

You can RSVP on facebook here. And yes, it's a McMenamins pub but minors are welcome as long as they're with an adult.

See you there!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

2 weeks and 1 day away from the launch!

Yes, that's right - the Un-Road Trip premieres on April 22nd. Amazingly it's getting one day closer each and every day! I'm even on the homepage of Halogen TV's website now:


And I just wrote my first blog over there too. Check it out here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

And the beetle keeps marching on...

I made the front page of the Lincoln Journal Star today with news of my beetle documentary!

Pretty cool - huh? You can read the article online here. And in even better news the project is over 60% funded! So if you haven't jumped on the beetle bandwagon yet, there's no time like the present! Go here to join the party: www.BeetleMovie.com

Monday, February 28, 2011

I like to spend my time with endangered beetles

So what am I doing until the Un-Road Trip premieres? I've been working on a documentary about one of the rarest insects in the world. And then I realized I needed a little more money to really do it well. So I started a Kickstarter project! I've been a fan of this site for a while. Basically it's a place to fund any creative project you can think up. You choose the amount you need, tell your friends, give rewards to everyone who pledges (sort of like an NPR drive), and then triumphantly finish your project - but you only get your money if you reach your selected goal amount. You get the idea, now check out my project:



Click on the above box to visit my project page and to get involved. And remember - a contribution of 5 bucks goes a long way. And if you pledge you'll get some cool beetle mementos like this awesome block print by Christopher Flanagan:


Now go tell your friends!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

T - 3 Months!

It's crazy to think that after nearly three years of planning, traveling, filming, and editing the Un-Road Trip is a mere three months away from premiering on television. I'm going to have a real TV show. That still sort of blows my mind. There's still work to do - we've only finished editing 5 out of 10 episodes - but we're definitely in the home stretch. The scripts have been written, the narration has been recorded, and now Todd, (the producer of the show for Halogen), has to finish assembling the footage and finalize some graphics. Then we put it out into the world and hope that some people tune in. It actually sounds sort of scary.

In this media rich world that we live in, how are you supposed to draw people's attention to a little TV show? We don't have the budget to put billboards up or advertise in magazines or get my face on a box of cereal. We can do a lot of cool stuff with social media, but millions of other folks are hocking their goods/services online too. All you can do is be creative, be genuine, and hope for the best. I know we have some fun/compelling ideas and hopefully I'll be hitting the road to visit a few cities (without a car, of course) to do some free screenings of the show. While it's certainly daunting I can't help but get enthused after talking to the folks at Halogen who are already working hard to market the show. What they lack in budget they certainly make up for in enthusiasm and a hard-core commitment to the message of the Un-Road Trip. It's really inspiring to be working with these guys and no matter how many folks tune in to watch in May I know we will have fought the good fight. Our ratings may not rival Two and Half Men, but I can think of a lot of reasons why that's a good thing. I have a feeling we'll succeed in finding an awesome niche audience who not only likes the show but gets engaged in the greater discussion about transportation in America and living sustainably. And that sounds pretty good to me.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Kazoo Day A Humming Success

Last week's National Kazoo Day Celebration at Backspace was a blast! I could tell you all about the plethora of free kazoos (sent by Kazoobie Kazoos) or the thrilling 'kazoo-that-tune' contest or the rockin' melodies provided by the How Long Jug Band - but I'll just let you see for yourself. Here's all two hours of fun condensed into three minutes:



I'm already thinking about more elaborate kazoo hysteria for next year's celebration.

Friday, January 14, 2011

National Kazoo Day Celebration 2011


It's your favorite time of year - National Kazoo Day! So come on down to Backspace (115 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR) for Portland's first annual National Kazoo Day Extravaganza!

It's all going down at 7PM, Tuesday, January 25th. Festivities will include:

• A rockin' performance by Portland's own How Long Jug Band (www.howlongjugband.com)

• The premiere of a new kazoo art exhibit by local photographer Daniel Stark (www.danielstarkphotography .com)

• A rare display of pieces from The Kazoo Museum collection - first time on display in Portland!

• Kazoo-related surprises!

It's all-ages, free, and there will be complimentary kazoos* for everyone!

Hope to see you there!

*until we run out
Tell your friends and click here to RSVP!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

National Kazoo Month Has Begun

It's January. Which means that National Kazoo Day (January 28th) is just a few weeks away. But why stop there? The few days around National Kazoo Day naturally turn into National Kazoo Week. And by default that makes January National Kazoo Month. In honor of the occasion I've started a tumblr for The Kazoo Museum and I'll be updating it all month with kazoo related videos, articles, and interviews. Don't worry - I'll still be posting kazoo-related information here too.

I can't think of a better way to get this month started than with a Kazookeylele:



Happy National Kazoo Month everyone!