Episode 6: Melbourne, in the Present
Behind the Scenes
Finally, after talking about it so long, we are in the moment. Fully immersed in the present, we step forward into whatever lies before us in these upcoming seconds. I can’t help but feel grateful for the journey so far. Having the chance to review these moments through camera has been my own personal privilege. Sometimes it’s hard to realize how cool something you did was before you see it from the outside.
Best bet? Just assume whatever you are doing is completely awesome. If everything we think we know about this infinitely mysterious universe is just an assumption anyway, why shouldn’t we make the assumptions we like?
If anyone was wondering, urban golfing is approximately three times even more fun than it looks on film. I’d highly recommend trying it. While you’re at it, spread some accomodation-based love by joining up at CouchSurfing.com. I’ve mentioned it several times in passing, but I have yet to give it the treatment it deserves. Here’s a preview:
CouchSurfing is a social networking site devoted to helping people share cultures by sharing living rooms. People sign up, and can access other peoples couches to sleep on, free of charge. The couches are booked sort of like hotel rooms. You contact someone, ask if they have a vacancy and are willing to have you. If they’re okay with it, you come and stay in whatever accommodation they can provide. Often, yes – it’s a couch. Sometimes you get a guest room, or a floor, or a space-pod. Usually not the space-pod.
Better than the place to stay is the company. CouchSurfers are almost always incredible, friendly, interesting people. Often, they’ll show you places you’d have never seen as a tourist in their city. Sometimes they cook for you. Pretty much every time, they’re great companions. I recommend the community even more than I’d recommend the service.
Finally, I wasn’t kidding about having some ideas for upcoming episodes. I think they’ll be fun, and maybe even a little… Controversial? See you there.
April 6th, 20098:45 pm at
i love ya, trent.
April 7th, 20091:17 am at
Hey Trent! So, I’m wondering…how do ya’ll decide where the Urban Golf Holes go? It looks like fun. Is it a common thing in Melbourne, or is it something that you guys just made up out of boredom? I continue to look forward to each and every episode. Good Luck finding work!
April 7th, 20094:04 pm at
Wow awesome! Very well done my friend. We gotta try that urban golfing thing here (someplace not near hills, I guess).
April 8th, 20095:23 am at
Awesome.
Awesome.
Awesome.
Awesome.
April 8th, 200911:11 pm at
Awalsome-(Alabama Accent)
Keep ‘em coming!
You look sooo good ! !
Sent With Love>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
April 9th, 20095:38 pm at
I have the same question as Jen up there… that sounds like so much fun!!
You brought shine to my eyes today, friend. Party on!
p.s. Couchsurfers ROCK!
April 10th, 20094:09 am at
@Jen & Squish: The golf was actually arranged by a Canadian couchsurfer (the girl with the crazy ponytails in the video). She, and a few friends, went around the day before, scouted a course, and wrote directions for it. The next day, before we started, they set up all the tee-offs, holes, and various chalk drawings and arrows along the path. The players then formed teams, and were each given a set of directions and a map. Rules for the pubs were as such: When you get to a pub, you stay until the next team makes it there. At this point, you are “kicked out” and have to move on.
April 10th, 20096:04 am at
wow cool…. I searched inside Columbus and found nothing like this. I’ve got my friend Peter interested in scouting out and creating a route… I think we might just start a new local trend ;]
Whats the legality of it like? Was there any problems with law enforcement?
April 10th, 20096:12 am at
I was just realizing that if you want easy hits, you should post the videos on YouTube, Google Video, Vimeo, and anything else on this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_services
Make sure to develop a huge list of tags so people searching for videos will find yours.
You’ll also have to toss in a watermark or footer or something with “TrentInOz.com”.
Don’t forget to do some Geocaching while you’re out there.
Lastly, note that you can get a lot of stuff for free if you call ahead and tell a manager you are filming a documentary. It would work for all kinds things… like museums or even clubs. You could arrange for “samples” at restaurants under this premise. Its free advertising for them, so don’t feel sorry to inquire.
April 14th, 20095:04 am at
Hey trent,
You met my son Orvis in Melborne. He is also from the states and doing a study abroad semester at VAC. He told me about you and your blog. Best of luck in your travels. By the way don’t be horrified that someone’s mom is onto your site. Ask Orvis about his unusual Mom. Tell him I was not “shocked or appalled” he’ll know what it means. Travel Safe
Lawrie
April 14th, 20095:21 pm at
@Lawrie, aka “Orvis’s Mom”: Are you kidding? MY mom is on this site. I’m honored to have anyone with the gusto to raise such cool kids visit the page. If I run into Orvis again, I’ll certainly let him know I was neither shocked nor appalled. Thanks for dropping in!
@Squish: We didn’t encounter so much as a hint of law enforcement trouble. Maybe it’s the laid back nature of Australians. Even the wedding we interrupted thought the whole thing was pretty funny. Seriously, though, we use tennis balls, so any property damage is minimized. I don’t see law enforcement being an issue in the US unless you really start holding up traffic.
April 20th, 20096:09 am at
hey Trent! I love your videos, they’re really coming along great! It looks like you’re having an amazing adventure over there. I think about you alot, and you’d be surprised how often you come up in conversations. Keep up the awesome work, and I look forward to hearing more from you!
Lots of love,
-Christy
April 23rd, 20093:16 am at
Long time no see man. I have watched your videos. Very nice. Backing packing is fun as hell…just dont get in trouble like I did. Nice to see what you are up to nowadays.
June 21st, 200911:00 am at
[...] instance, take this fun loving group of CouchSurfers. Inspired by Episode 6, these radical travelers took to the streets of Detroit to host an Urban Golf tournament. Armed [...]
March 26th, 20103:46 pm at
Trent I can only say it’s huge. Now the world knows U can have fun without a lot of money, you just need friends.
DWM