I just discovered my “check-in” history on the Foursquare website. As you can see, on June 19th, 2011 I flew from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to New York City, where I waited for a train to whisk me away to dinner with my buddy Mike and his wife at Savoia later that night.
I travel so much, and have returned to some of the places I’ve visited before, so it’s fun to see “Welcome back! Your last visit here was one year ago,” when I check in places.
Foursquare has become my travel log, more so than Flickr or Tumblr or any blog I’ve kept. It keeps track of the shops and restaurants I’ve visited while on the road and reminded me of the friends who’ve taken me to their favorite diners and barbershops, and all the hidden gems I’ve discovered for myself along the way.
Seth W. Robots are drawn in coffee shops in strange cities. They’re drawn in between conversations with rad friends and curious strangers. I draw them when waiting for buses, and I draw them on trains when I can afford an Amtrak ticket.
Spring sale in the Seth W. Robot Shop. Use the code SPRINGSALE at checkout and get 50% off you entire order. Today only.
View in High-Res“But surely this has a far more literal meaning for these vagabonds: they are doing nothing. Why? Because nothing we do needs to be done. That devastating existential fact still haunts us, as we bury ourselves in perceived necessities, entangle our minds in novel distractions, like social media. Life is absurd. For we can ascribe to life whatever meaning we want. As Sartre succinctly noted: man makes himself; he is not born ready-made. And perhaps the clochard can stare at this stark truth more readily than us.”
I carry all this to do what I do.
View in High-ResAbove are my materials for creating Seth W. Robots. The only desk I have is that of my friends, or a coffee shop in whatever town, or the creaky plastic chair in a bus station. In a months time I’ve scraped an income from paper, Sharpie’s, and stamps.
Trying to document more of my travels. This is from Bethlehem Steel, which shut down many years ago. Now it’s being redeveloped as a casino and lots of other stuff. I was just stoked to get so close to those giant machines.
I’ve been on the road since August 1, 2010, but this is what I carry these days.
1. Folder filled with important papers, files, drawings.
2. USPS Priority Envelope, filled with more drawings, envelopes, pens, paper.
3. Pouch from Uni-Glo shirt, used to carry my toiletries. Reduce and reuse!
4. Chrome Yalta bag.
5. Water Bottle for hydration purposes.
6. Red pouch - computer cables, charger for camera, etc.
7. Yellow pouch - socks. Yup. Just socks.
8. MacBook.
9. Orange pouch - four shirts, one pair of pants, one pair of undies.
Not shown are my shoes, jackets, hats, which I’m wearing when I travel. I’m currently in Philadelphia, PA right now. Hello from the road.
View in High-Res
I’ll be hitting the road in a few weeks, traveling to Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Columbus and I hope Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis and even more hopeful for 923324 other cities and towns to rest my head in.
As I’ve said before, I’ll be traveling and looking to interview metal and hardcore fans for my Skull Toaster project. Not just “ZOMG, I LOVE SLAYER” folks. Or the hawt singer of some whatever band. I mean people who listen to this stuff with their eyes closed, or while driving down the highway after a crappy day at work and the only thing that makes things better is listening to Pantera. I want to talk to the kid with a ten year old collection of flyers from local shows. THAT’S who I want to talk to.
If you’d like to help me out, please consider subscribing to my email newsletter. I’ll be updating that first with photos and stories from the roads, and private videos and audio entries. That stuff won’t be on the blog. It’s $6/month, which I know.. is like a nice coffee drink or a sandwich… I know, we’re all broke. But if you’ve helped me along with my previous Bike Nerd adventures, and perhaps I even helped inspire you to bigger and cooler things.. I would seriously be humbled if you could help me out.
The next 10 people who subscribe get drawings sent to their home. Thanks, friends.
View in High-Res