Summer 2009

[Annie H]

Hello all! I was just noticing that a lot of people have similar goals. I was thinking that we could get something organized together, like a road trip next summer or a group trip somewhere. We should probably plan WAY ahead, though. If anyone has any input, lets all talk about it here! We could even get the guys to help us out, but I think so much can happen if we all work on getting things done together!
Happy summer!

[Tristan Mendoza]

I refuse to do this in 2010. Let's strike while the iron is still hot. I don't care what age you are by next year or how much money you don't have before next summer. It's a freakin' road trip. As much as planning is essential, it's the motivation to do it that's most important. And, you seriously don't want to let this one die. Just imagine how many more friends we're all going to have by the end of 2009 and how many more stuff we can cross off our lists. Not that I have my list published here, but I do have a long one. Believe me. By the way, I do apologize for not chipping in for a couple of weeks, but I'm back now. And, I'm ready to get the ball rolling here.

So, we have Cyndi and Surien to create the master plan. The master plan is basically what the trip's going to look like. From the places we're going to visit to the major activities we're going to do to the goals we're aiming to achieve. They will also be in charge of collecting our information, listing everyone's special concerns for this trip and documenting what needs to be documented.

The four boys will help us promote this, so we can get sponsorship for all the major expenses (i.e., transportation, food and lodging). Hopefully, they will hook us up with some of the companies they've contacted before to get whatever help they can give us.

The teenagers will be the face of this road trip. You guys will be the focus of why we're doing this. In relation to this, start figuring out among yourselves who are bringing the laptop computers, the digital cameras, the camcorders, the sound system, the musical instruments, the board games, the weird toys and whatnot. You're also going to be responsible for our nightly entertainment. As we end every single day of this trip to prepare for the next day, you will lead the entire group to a superb close. The older ones will take care of anything that needs repairing and replenishing or anything that deals with serious transactions.

I will bring my own digital camera, some helpful books, a credit card and $500.00 in cash to make sure we can cover anything along the way that won't take credit cards. If you want, I'll handle our money as a group. No, I won't be the leader of the group. I can maybe pull some strings here in my area to find some sponsors as well, but don't count on it to have a positive result. I've exhausted most of my resources in the last couple of years for the nonprofit organization I work for.

Mind you that airfares will strictly be from our own pockets. We meet at the starting point, and we leave each other at the final destination. Those who will do only a certain part of the road trip need to think about it again. Those who will participate on this but will either have their own cars or hotel rooms, seriously now. I don't mind separating the girls from the boys though, but we shouldn't stretch this out to more than two groups. If we start allowing small groups here and there, it will be chaotic. Trust me on this. I've organized so many parties in my life that I know we can't pull this off if we don't sacrifice our comfort zones for the greater good of the whole group. Also, this trip will be one-way only. I don't think anyone can afford to take more than three weeks off from his or her normal life to do something like this.

[Tristan Mendoza]

I forgot my information. I'm 31 years old. I have two jobs. The first one's Borders. I do inventory processing there. Yes, I read a lot. I average two books a month on top of the countless periodicals I can get my hands on. I'm very fluent in writing in two languages (English and Tagalog), so that will help us in doing formal request letters to different organizations. I've won many essay-writing contests when I was in school, and I can work my way through almost anything with a pen and a piece of paper. The second company I work for is the Rainbow Community Center in Concord, CA. It's a local gay community center. I do HIV prevention there. I majored in physical therapy and earned my baccalaureate in 1998. I have backgrounds in business administration and software technologies too. I live with an older gal in her house in Martinez, CA. I have one older sister and three younger brothers. I'm not dating anyone at the moment, and I like it to be that way for a long while. My passions are trains and horses. I'm aiming to be completely green by 2017. And, by now, you must have figured out I'm a hippie of some sort. I prefer a vegetarian diet whenever it's possible. I ride my bicycle a lot. I do a lot of outdoor stuff by myself. And, I'm a huge indie music fan. No, I don't smell, and I'm not a tree dweller.

[Cyndi]

Well I've started a folder with Bio on everybody but one big thing lacking is goals. I;ve seen lists on the pages for a cople of you and I can look thru those but give me an Idea of what you would like to try to do. Cyn

[Cyndi]

Well after reading the lists here, so far I see a lot of flying... well jumping :o) bungee sky air baloons etc. A lot of ones I see as simple but it's only cause I've done them, like riding a motorcycle, but learning an instrument is hard to me. So, I need a few more ideas. But I think Tristan is right, June 2009 should be our Goal.

[Hillary]

ok. gotcha. so 2009 is in. but still, 3 weeks is too long for me. i cant re-think it. what do you propose i do? just not come at all? as for the goals, the ones i could probably accomplish from doing this is...probably camping, route 66, and maybe the tattoo thing. we'll see. lol. i like tristan's plan on how everyone has a job. but how will the teenagers be the focus? i dont understand that. but as for the entertainment, i think we should all just sit around and plan what we will be doing next and share stories and get to know eachother.

as for the electronics and stuff. i have a digital camera, a phone, and im sure becca will prob. bring her laptop. i dont own many board games but cigi does, but im not sure where she stands on the whole road trip thing. also, are we even sure the buried life guys are on board here? i mean, i hope so, but do we even know that this is a good time for them? lets figure that one out as well. lol, and just b/c tristan is a hippie doesnt mean he smells.

good job so far, Cyndi and everyone else who is planning.

[Tristan Mendoza]

Well, didn't you say you have to be able to work on the road? If we do everything we can to accommodate that concern of yours, can you go with us for three weeks? Besides, I seriously doubt we can go from California to Maine or the other way around in less than three weeks. I'm not saying we'll do the coast-to-coast thing for sure, but some of you have implied it's what you want.

As for having the teenagers as the focus of this whole road trip, there are two things I want to make sure we all understand about it. The first one is that the teenagers should have the most number of things crossed off their lists here. Most of our activities will be focused on achieving your goals. The older ones will be there to cross off some things too, but I think we'll feel more accomplished if we help you guys do more of your stuff. The other one is that your safety will be a real priority here. Since you guys need more protection and guidance, you'll be the center of our care and support.

Now, the four boys. Who wants to use his or her charm to get them to commit to this? Didn't they say they're trying to make a deal with MTV or something to get this project of theirs into the limelight? Well, if they need great materials to use, they can suggest this road trip to be part of that documentary they're presenting to the big boys. They don't necessarily have to join the actual road trip, but they can meet us at certain points of the trek. They're not part of the experience, but they're part of the idea.

[Cyndi]

hmmm I see... as for all of us it's not centered on the younger part of us, but commercially speaking, MTV, getting noticed, sponcered or whatever, the younger group have more influence. I undersrtand, even if the younger crowd doesn't agree..., as someone older... it just doesn't pay to hit a crowd that has been there... instead of hitting a crowd that is coming to that age.
but that is all comercial.
for assistance
when it comes to our team... there is no age, we are all the same. if it can help our trip we will ignore their greed and accept their help, but we will smile and say we are the summer of 2009/
OK?

[Hillary]

well its not really my work that im concerned about. it the parents. I am the baby and im only just 18 still living at home. i mean, if you can convince them then more power to you. but i seriously doubt you can. as for the teenager thing, i understand now. and i agree about the whole protection thing, but i kind of dont agree with us having our lists priority number one. i think everyone should be equal on that one. only b/c we are younger and we could get our things done during the summer when the older people have to work and what not and take care of their families. have we decided on RV's or camping and just taking cars and vans and trucks? i really love the camping idea so my vote is on that, but you guys choose.

[Co9Mom]

All: I spent an hour yesterday making suggestions (as an old gypsy of the TBL and because I was asked to comment) and then I, woman who's worked in technology longer than some of you have been alive, accidently zapped the entire response! Ugh! So now I must start again . . . but I'm headed into SF to work at a film festival for the next couple of days, so I will try and get back as soon as I can and recreate . . . I just wanted my requestor to know that I was not ignoring her request. Later I promise . . . oh, and yes, I think it is a great idea . . . just need some serious organizing!

[Cyndi]

Oh I forgot to mention, I once took a three week trip from califronia, across to florida, up to NJ to visit family, then back across home to southern Cali, in three weeks, so three weeks is totally possible either one way or round trip... :o)!!

It takes 48 hours countinous driving to make cross country, 4 days is straight and comfortable one way, but not much down time for adventures. if the stops are planned we are totally golden!!

[Cyndi]

OK for all the teenagers who are worried about parents permission, those 18 and older as of June 2009 need to show strength and conviction and responsibility as an 18 yr old adult... you don't need permisson but it's great if you have their trust that you are doing something worth while.

Those under 18 NEED permission, because the parents will need to entrust an adult with legal responsibility for you on the trip. say you get a fever and need to get antibiotics. you can't go to a doctor without an adult. your parents will need to feel comfortable signing over that power to another adult.... Now if they choose me... I may be fun but I am highly protective, almost to a fault... you might not be happy about me watching your every move, because I would... watch your.... every... move. That may make your parents feel better, but can be a bummer if someone is 17 about to turn 18 and feeling like an adult but being trested like a child. it will be necessary to have that. I am also going to look into travel insurance. My mom always bought travel insurance when she got a free flight because in normal air purchases, it's included in the price of the ticket. not too expensive, but usually covers a lot of medical, lost baggage etc...
Umm does anyone one have medical needs,(asthma, diabetes, heart, disabilities etc) if you want it to be private, comment my page and I'll delete it after I get it.
It would be a good idea to approach your parents now to let them know you are in the process of planning that way all their questions and concerns can be answered and they will be confidant that you are on a safe journey even though it is going to be extremely adventurous.

As for decision on the travel arangements, I say we hope for the best, 2 busses (girl & boy) and be ready for the hardest... tents and cramped vehicles. we can also look at other options such as trains, and other public transportation. it's stil early enough that a decision doesn't have to be made right now. It would be good to know that everybody is ok with the hardest option... just in case that is what it comes down to though. Every one up for tents, sleeping bags, heat, a lot of lugging your own gear, etc? I'm sure we can do better but but let's be realistic that it could be hard. :o)

It's still early enough to do fund raisers too, if you have a good support group near your.

Ok that's enough for tonight.
Summ '09

[Shawn Haner]

Alright so Im one of the under 18 people. I just read the email cyndi gave me so ill tell yall something about me. I dont have a job so money wise Im going to be a problem. My parents I dont think will be a problem I can tell them its a road trip with my friends not strangers lol. I live in Virginia but Im up for anything. I dont have any medical issues but I think one of the best ways to get around is by train of course you would miss everything but Im going to get a tent for christmas but I think its going to be a one person tent or a two person tent.