Split the Difference, Discover the Quirky

With the ever decreasing size of social networks thanks to the internet and really, in my opinion, a much more outgoing generation that's just beginning to dawn, the truth is -- the earth hasn't actually changed in shape whatsoever. Items like IM'ing, Facebooking, texting...blogging, have attempted to decrease the space between us. However, as great as these tools are, we all know none of these can replace being physically in each other's presence.

And while the virtual world is shrinking, transportation expenses are rising.

Scenario
Suppose Jim lives in Minneapolis, MN and has a friend, Jill, who lives in Des Moines, IA. Jim and Jill chat, text, and FBook all the time but Jim longs to visit Jill in real life more often. Sure, he's been to Des Moines to visit, and Jill has been to Minneapolis as well. But these moments seem to be few and far between.

Change the Destination, But Don't Define It
Why does Jim have to go to Des Moines? Why does Jill have to go to Minneapolis? What if instead they were to:

- Get in their cars and leave their towns at the exact time heading towards each other.
- Call each other en route and then when they cross paths, stop at whatever the nearest town is and visit the local cafe or restaurant, or ma and pa shop, or perhaps a tourist trap.


Accomplishment
Now, Jim and Jill have both split a full trip in half and made new memories in a completely random stop they would not have had otherwise had desire to visit.

The Dream
This idea should avoid chain restaurants and be planned spontaneously if possible. Road trippers should connect with locals in the town and share a conversation or more. This idea can also grow to larger distances than just regional. Cameras naturally are encouraged. And through this idea, new communities can be discovered and all parties involved will benefit.



I have a feeling that recurring theme throughout this blog will be road trip ideas. Read about one this fan participated in with other avid enthusiasts: www.campaignforcommunity.com

Peace, love and open road.

DP

Dreams in Action?

Of all the theories and hypotheses I've conducted about myself, I've really only come up with two concrete facts about me:

- I hate squash (the food, not the game)
- I'm definitely a 'dreamer', not necessarily a 'doer'.

And of these two facts, the latter has given me a purpose for this blog. By the way, that's not to say I dislike that fact about me. Actually, I honestly think you need both to be productive. That's why I will team up with a bunch of action-driven world-changers to take my ideas and shape them into real life stories...that is if I get around to "doing" that.

So, in my ponderings of who to assemble as a team, it dawned on me that the internet would be a better decider than me! I shall put my ideas to use in a simpler manner -- enter, blogger.com.

I'd hope that the first thing people say about me is that I'm an idea guy (well, I guess second to procrastinator :P). Therefore, instead of just collecting my thoughts with no dispense, I shall pen them here and create a database. Who doesn't love a collection of ideas? It'll be like one of those quirky books you pick up from a display near the front of a Barnes & Noble, except more interactive. Maybe people will do them, maybe they will forever remain ideas.

DP


The future is unwritten, and therefore grand in its endless possibility.