Holy cow! The show went well. A very, very special thanks to Alica Forneret, and to all of the people who showed up and supported us. We made around five hundred dollars; we're not all the way where we need to be yet, but it's certainly a very, very, very good start. The bands were amazing, the company was incredible, and the Jamborees got everyone at the place bouncing. To those of you who couldn't make it, you missed out!

I come to the point now (I promise there will be all sorts of rad pictures and things after this) where I gotta plug us. We have a paypal account (helpahungrhitchhiker@gmail.com), and need donations! We encourage them in any amount; just a few dollars can feed one of us for a day, as well as keeping us warm and safe and sheltered and all of that. We've already gotten two donations, and would love more! Anything helps!

But I imagine all ya'll want some meat to this post -- here ya go.

A few of our very favorite people, including hitchhiker Michael Albini

That's Joel, security master extraordinaire.

The first band, Park

The second band, Curdle Motif

The third band, The Raga

Wine bottle candle holders

Crocodile

Sunshine Factory

The last two are picture of The Jamborees, who stole the show and got the whole party dancing.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” –Samuel Johnson

People ask me a lot why we're going hitchhiking. "Don't you know it's dangerous!", they shout, before telling me about a friend of a friend of a friend who got killed by someone who picked them up. People ask us why we don't just take the train, or fly, or take the bus. People ask a lot of things.

There's a few reasons I'm going, and I think that it's safe to say that the reasons also apply to Steven, and Tommy, and Mike. My friends might have a different view on all of this than I do, and if they do then I imagine they'll make a post about it.

The first reason is pretty simple. It's very cheap to hitchhike. For the price of food and a sleeping bag and a few supplies, you can make it across the country. That's a far cry from the couple hundred we would pay for a plane ticket, or the even greater cost of a bus or train ticket. We're all in college, and we're all hurting for cash.

The second reason is what people don't understand so well. We all like adventure. Plain and simple. We like to put ourselves in situations where we don't know what will happen next. That's not to say we're reckless and dangerous and all that. We take every precaution to make sure we're being (relatively!) safe. That's true in this trip, as it has been for our backwoods camping, our boat building, our bouldering, and anything else we do. We don't want to take a plane because we don't get to see much of the country. You just see the world all tiny below you. We want the grit. We want the dirt and grime as well as all of the beautiful things that there are to see. We'll be going through a number of states, and it is our hope to see them up close. See them for real.

The third reason sort of has to do with the second. We want to meet people. On our first hitching trip, we met three phenomenally cool people, people who we never would have talked to otherwise. You get a good sampling, make some quick friends, and then you're off to the next adventure.

And that's why we want you to follow us. Because we think that life is nothing without a good adventure or two, and any good adventure has a good story. We'd like you all to see, or listen to, or read, or be a part of the story.

Yours truly,

Liam Odien

The Help a Hungry Hitchhiker Benefit Show

On August 5, 2010, Steven Amrhein, Liam Odien, Michael Albini, and Thomas Barrett will set out on a hitchhiking trip across the country, from Pacific to Atlantic. Their ultimate goal is New York City. We wanna help them out!

The Help a Hungry Hitchhiker Benefit Show is being organized to help fund this trip, and to provide emergency food and shelter, if required. The cover charge is three dollars, and refreshments and baked goods (courtesy of the fabulous baker-ette Stephanie Couey) will be sold inside. All proceeds will go to the hitchhiking fund, and will be spent on hitchhiking or related activities. Remaining monies will go towards the authoring and publication of a book about the adventure.

There will be live music all night, a heated pool, and overnight camping for all who would like it (bring your gear and we'll supply the space!)

In summary:

April 10, 2010 @ 6:00 PM
$3 cover
All ages
Live music! Refreshments! Pool! Camping!
BYOB

SUNSHINE FACTORY
CROCODILE
THE RAGA
MEDIA
CURDLE MOTIF
PARK
THE JAMBOREES

Everyone get together and help a hungry hitchhiker!

* For more info call (951)756-5165/ email tickbride@gmail.com