Making This Year Challenge A Little More Interesting: An Ultimatum

I’ve made up my decision. Well, after talking to a good friend about it all. I am giving myself an ultimatum and it wasn’t something I thought about ever since talking to him a couple of days ago.

I Learned Something Last Year Reading One of My Favorite Writers

Most people wouldn’t consider Steve Martin much of a writer. I didn’t, until I read 3 of his books last year. The guy is just talented in all ways and I encourage people to give him a shot–as a writer–if you are not fond of his films. While I was reading his non-fiction work about becoming a comedian, the section that stuck out to me was, well actually there were a couple:

Practicing the passion- Steve worked his ass off without the much thought of making money from it. He did multiple stand-ups, changed his act, talk to many people, watched and copy, to an extent, his favorite comedians.

Money wasn’t an issue until he couldn’t pay for his lifestyle- Steve started to make some money from his comedic act, but nothing to sustain a life of partying, women, traveling around the country, and whatever else he wanted to do. He knew he had to do something about it.

He gave himself an ultimatum
- Steve was nearing the age of 30 and realized that his passion had to make him money or he had to do something else. He just wasn’t making enough money and had to be real with himself. I believe Steve gave himself 3 years or so to get paid.

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Day 2 – Road Trip, East Coast: The Road Trip and NYC!

The alarm was jingling around 12:30 a.m., early Saturday morning. I knew it was time for me to do something I’ve never done before, or more accurately, done something that I’ve never done for a long time.

I made some coffee, turned on my laptop, and started writing. I would have to say that I left Ann Arbor before 2 a.m. It was dark, cold, and spooky at the same time. I looked around my surroundings so many times. I wonder if somebody was behind me? I would have probably attacked them with the fact that it was night time and I was defending myself (you would, too).

There were no hiccups on the road-trip. The coffee lasted roughly 4 hours, until I had to stop at a convenient store to load up on more coffee (with tons of sugar), 3 bags of M&M’s, and one crappy egg Mcmuffin, that almost chocked me. I would have liked to stop in the towns along the way and see how the people lived; I guess I will have to save that exercise for next time.

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Day 1 – Road Trip, East Coast: Part 1 of 2: Detroit

The first day was slow, but picked up quickly. It is hard to imagine how long a full day actually is.

I woke up around 5 or 6. Started packing and took a shower. Loaded up on bagels (3), a pastry and a half, raisin brand cereal, decent coffee with sugar creme and my pick of sugar and sugar substitutes, a slice of wheat bread, and a cup of orange juice.

I made my calls to my people and began my day in route to Detroit. The airport is 20 or so miles away from Detroit proper, so I started my navigation to Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn is home to the Ford Motor company. I wasn’t noticing the vehicles much, but they were mostly American cars and trucks. I drove through the headquarters of Ford, went through Ford land, saw the barricade wall that the test track occupied, and continued my drive through the R&D part of the property.

Right when I was about to exit and make my way to Detroit, I noticed a car show of mainly Ford vehicles, here and there of other American cars, and 1, I couldn’t believe it, Foreign car, a first gen RX-7 (which was nicely placed in the back of the event). I didn’t talk to much people. I gawked at a couple of the cars, took many photos, and was on my way.

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