DC OR BUST Part 1
So I’ve been on the road since Sunday filming Rick Fox and his journey across America to the Presidential Inauguration on the 20th. First off, I just want to say that I am truly blessed to be apart of this journey and also to find work during this time of recession. Anyways, Rick’s project is being produced by a friend Jason from Siho Media, and I came on as a freelance cameraman.
Sunday night, I started filming at the Staples Center where the Lakers played the Heat. And with the hook ups from Rick, we interviewed Magic, Kobe, D-FIsh, and Robert Horry. Even got a locker room pass and got to see the famous tunnel and behind the scenes of Staples Center. Pretty crazy cool huh. (too bad i’m not a Lakers fan) And I got to see up close my man Sun Yue. I said NI HAO to him and he smiled and said wassup!!! Even ex-warrior DJ Mbenga. Trevor Ariza was messing with me while I was filming D-Fish tryin to make him crack up. These guys are pretty goofy.
After the game, we packed the bus and took off on the open road. The bus was just used by Billy Bob Thorton that took him to the Golden Globes. And he also left some Welch’s grape soda for us too. (just thought I’d let you know) But anyways, the bus is packed with everything you need, Directv, choppy internet service, tv/dvd in your rack, and bus drivers that will get you from A to B. The only catch though is that you can’t go #2 on the bus. I was quite shocked by this news because, 1. I know my digestive system is on point, and 2. I ate a crazy burrito earlier. So I was in for an interesting first night. I guess as long as I stay away from milk, I should be ok.
The racks on the bus are 3 beds high, just like the good ole days in the Navy. It can fit 12 people but with actually 12 people on the bus, I can’t say it would be too comfortable. But a bed was all I need cuz boy did I need sleep. I was only averaging 2 hours a sleep for the last three days. So sleeping for 10 hours to our first stop was so rewarding. We even stopped in Vegas in the middle of the night and I didn’t even know.
But finally, we stopped at some truck stop called the Flying J at about noon that next day in Utah. I don’t even know which city we were in but we started shooting. Not shooting guns cuz thats what people do there, but shooting on camera. We interviewed random local people who were very warming and also caught some lunch at the Chuck Wagon and had a crazy pastrami burger. WOW!!!
But it was lucky we finally got to stop because I was in such a hurry that I didn’t pack a toothbrush or toothpaste. Or even soap or anything for that matter. I only had about a few hours to pack and do massive laundry before I left. So thanks Flying J, and no, I don’t have a Flying J card…yet.
Anyways, our first official stop is Denver where the Democratic convention was held. We get in at about 11pm and I heard we’re staying at the Ritz Carlton but I’ll believe it when I see it. Anyways, our arowana life Bush Last Day counter says 6 days left, so we have to book it across the US. For more info from Rick Fox himself and his personal journey, here’s his blog from nba.com. He’ll also be starting a podcast from the bus and hopefully my interview got on it.
Check in for more later on Denver…as long as the internet works on the bus.
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Tags: flying j, lakers, pastrami burger, president inauguration, rick fox, usa
