Radio is Much More Fun in Person

It was a nice to get back on the radio today, I got up early to join Advocate editor Tom Vannah on his morning show on WHMP-AM. Usually I do these shows over the phone, but there is something fun about donning the headphones, listening to his cue, following the sports and speaking into a good old fashioned mike instead of a handset.

We talked about some of my recent travels, about Sardinia's Costa Smerelda, and cooking in my little apartment in Tours. It was good to be back in touch since he is a hard fellow to reach via phone or email. His Valley Advocate interns are working hard and producing lots of good stories. We also have a crew of three interns at GoNOMAD, cranking out stories and working on projects like compiling lists and sending out link requests.

Kevin, Jessica and Kylie are all working on different projects, and so far we're pleased with all three. Steve and I work hard to keep them busy, since when you are an intern the last thing you want is to have to think of things to do.

Next week I fly to Pittsburgh where I will take a bicycle tour of this city by the three rivers, and meet a bunch of public relations folks at the Public Relations Society of America Travel conference. I've been tapped to join a three-person panel on 'how to make money on the web.' I don't want to tell them too many of our secrets, but will be happy to join the group and get more trips for our distinguished writers.

I've Been Invited to Medellin, Colombia

Today is a high energy day. I've got lots to think about and I'm feeling great. The first thing on my mind is an invitation I got yesterday, an answer to a dream I've had for a decade. It was from the Ministry of Trade for Colombia--an invitation to travel to Medellin and see their flower show. I've always wanted to visit this misunderstood and honestly, dangerous place and here came my invite.

I immediately phoned my shooter Paul Shoul. He's been there before, and it's always fun to travel with him and use his fantastic photos in our stories. He's got his reservations though, he's thinking we might be kidnapped. Then I pitched Tom Vannah, the editor of the Advocate. He sent me back a scary article from Outside Magazine, full of terrifying advice like 'don't dress in khaki clothes, they will look like a soldier and shooting is the only form of communication.'

But at the end of this story, the author, Eric Hansen reflects on a tough, days-long journey that ended in a fishing village called El Valle in a remote part of the coast.

"Much to my surprise, I no longer feel a need to get blotto. Instead, with a sober mind, I'd like to continue processing, analyzing, and ruminating on what I've seen. And it strikes me that this change from passionate drunk to reflective abstainer is just the kind of personal transformation that's the reward of any adventure. It's an example of the power of a place to change a person, of getting far gone both physically and psychically, of looking in the mirror and wiping away the fog, and of the compulsion to blather on about your own shit in trite metaphors without ever feeling ridiculous. Jesus, I hope it's not permanent."

Our trip in August will not involve driving out into the country, where the rebels are most active, but to a civilized city of two million with a dangerous past. I'm planning on going, and I hope I have my shooter Shoul there with me.

Time to Set the Alarm: Joining Tom Vannah at 6:45 am

Tomorrow morning I'll rise a little earlier than usual. That's because I am joining Tom Vannah of the Valley Advocate on his new radio show at 6:30 am. The Van Man has his new gig and it's going strong weekdays from 5:30 till 9. He's the morning man on the venerable Northampton station WHMP-AM 1400.

I've been on with him before and we had fun...an easy exchange and no awkward moments. I love radio...it is always exciting to do a segment with Arthur's Around the World, or banter with Brad and Bo on WHYN. Now I will be a regular on Tom's new morning gig, and we will see where it leads, and what kinds of conversations come up. I love talking about what's going on in the Valley, and Tom wants to capture the spirit and energy of those of us who have made it what it is, starting from the renaissance of Northampton in the early '80s. I can think of many people who would be good guests to come on the show.

These guys are putting a major effort out, and their website has archived all of the shows, so people can go back and grab Mp3's of any past shows. Great idea since many times people miss the early morning broadcasts, and why not give them the chance to catch it again.