Frank Burns - Deceased

Photo Memories of Frank

The following email is from James to all the members of the trip

Dear all,
Earlier this evening I had a telephone call from Vivian, Frank Burns's ex wife, who informed me that Frank has very sadly passed away. I am sure there are people I am writing to who have already received the sad news, but it came as something of a shock to me. I think we will all agree that although Frank was someone who perhaps took a little bit of time to get used too, when on form was the life and soul of our Truck, and a thoroughly decent man.

I have extremely fond memories of Frank, and very often something he said or did will just pop into my head and make me smile. I am sure that others of you have memories of Frank that you would like to share, and if so I would really like to hear from you; be it quotes, anecdotes or photographs - there are many! One that springs to me now is the helpful suggestion of "can't you just shorten the elastic?" at the last camp in Nepal when he was informed that the river was too high to go bungee jumping.

I think that this would make a fitting tribute for Frank, as I'm sure we all agree that what Frank enjoyed most - and what he did best - was making people laugh (it certainly wasn't cooking or erecting a tent!) I remember well the early days, when sometimes it felt like I had just begun a long prison sentence, and Frank would say "I'm only here because I'm employed by Exodus to keep all you entertained". If that were true, then Exodus had certainly done well in taking on Frank as "Truck Jester"

He will be very sadly missed by all those who have had the good fortune to know him. My deepest sympathies go out to Vivian and his family.

James

Cycling Update

I took my bike to Pete’s Bike Shoppe and inquired if they recommend purchasing a new bike or just updating my current bike before partaking on a cross country bike trip. I purchased my current bike in 1988 when I cycled from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo along the coastal highway. After inspecting my bike, the guy at the bike shop said that bikes like mine, touring bikes, haven’t change much in the last 25 years. He suggested just a tune-up and possibly changing the wheels. In the past when I’ve cycled long distances the spokes would loosen and the wheel rims would dent, causing all kinds of problems. He recommended switching to “bomb” proof rims (that’s what he called them). I agreed. Other than that the bike is basically the same. I can’t wait to get it back and start riding. My estimated departure is 3rd week in June.

Wrong Number

I was trying to contact FedEx about shipping a package

Ring Ring (or whatever the noise a phone makes these days)

Wrong number: Hello blah blah (I didn't catch exactly what she said, but it wasn't FedEx)
Me: I'm sorry, I must have the wrong number
Wrong number: How do you know you have the wrong number?
Me: Well, I'm trying to contact FedEx
Wrong number: Yep, you have the wrong number, this isn't FedEx
Me : That's what I thought
Wrong number: Hey, wait a minute, did you hear FedEx and UPS is going to merge
Me: Oh, really?
Wrong number: The new company is going to be called FED-UP

After Three Months

I'm still not unpacked, and the strangest thing is that I lost one of the cushions for my sofa during the move, nothing else.

Portuguese or Spanish?

Twice now, people who have knocked on my door have asked, in fluent English: Do you speak Spanish or Portuguese? When I say no, they continue to speak in perfect English. One of them wanted me to move my car and the other wanted a donation. But I don’t get it. Why do they ask me if I can speak Spanish or Portuguese? It's not because they can't speak English. Clearly their English is fine. I’m thinking it’s a test..

People tend to be a bit nosey around the neighborhood, especially the lady at the laundry mat: where do you live? where did you live before? why did you move here? etc.

Where do my days go?

My days start off well and with good intensions. I get out of bed at a reasonable time, usually around 7 am. I don’t have to do anything or be any place until 6 pm when classes start, so a 7 am wake-up isn’t bad. I do shower and make my bed. But unfortunately, shortly after that is all downhill: coffee, internet, refrigerator, books, porn and Netflix....then its time to go to class.

Around noon, I’m perched by the mail slot, waiting for those red and white envelopes to drop. I watched 40 Netflix movies last month.

People’s Response

When disclosing my cross country bike ride aspirations to family, friends, classmates and random people, I've noticed about 50% respond with some innocuous comment or question like: oh, that's nice, or how long will it take? or what will the weather be like? Another 25% respond with the same innocuous comment or question but you can tell they are thinking: how daft is he? The remaining 25% respond with something like: that’s great, you should do it!!! Or go for it!! The last group generally tends to be marketers, consultants, or people that read self-help books.

I ordered the maps. They have arrived.

Nix the Part-time Job

There are enough starving filmmakers in my classes with jobs that are willing to sell me office supplies at discount rates.