Couch Surfing Ori - Success and Adventure Brought To You - Latest Comments

Re: An hour at the Sacramento Zoo

Brendan Wenzel — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:37:56 -0000

Awesome Pictures!!

Re: What to write?

J Damon Brown — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:18:58 -0000

Dude your comment section just does NOT want me to say shit! Oh yeah and Disqus works for me on EPW's site soooo your blog just hates me I think.

Now I think everybody has pretty much covered the basics, keep it in your voice, how you tell stories, keep it entertaining but there should still be some lessons in there. In fact I would suggest just writing the coolest stories first, the ones you KNOW you want in there, then those will spark your side stories... so write those. Make the wildest coolest ones highly detailed. Then look over them for underlying themes, lessons, marketing tips that tie them together that should also bring more adventures to mind that substantiate or back up or provide "the other side " of the story.

Write each story as a module then you can rearrange them later. You are familiar with OOP right? Program you a book man. LOL
It be cool I think to have a table of contents and then a "alternative" table of contents, you could then cross reference by chronological content or by lessons or whatever.
But I do think if you just start out writing the most unbelievable first it will spark the story flow, you know?

Re: What to write?

Couchsurfing Ori — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:16:12 -0000

Well, damn! Of course I'm biassed and like your advice, 'cause you're telling me to be me! Funny enough, that's one of the lessons that I've learned: do things for the right reasons... for your own reasons, not because what you're told that you're supposed to do.

Sounds like someone needs to take their own advice. Thank you for the wicked tip! You may've just volunteered for guinnea pig duty! :)

Re: What to write?

alison — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:12:20 -0000

Hiya Ori
Thanks for sharing. How exciting!
You do cool stuff, meet interesting people, and go great places, how could talking about that not be great content!
I think your original thought, that, "I’d just make it a big mix of the people, places, lessons, and things I’ve come to believe as true because of my travels, with a little bit of how-to, and jokes." is the way to go. The lessons are important and part of the passion you have to share, plus if the book isn't in your voice and interesting for you, or it won't be as great. Like you were sitting down together sharing adventures :)
look forward to reading it!

Re: What to write?

Couchsurfing Ori — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:54:59 -0000

hehe- I don't have THAT many adult stories.I do have a ton of travel experience.

Re: What to write?

CouchSurfingOri — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:30:11 -0000

I'm down for that.... but there are sooooo many stories to tell. If each one is bundled up into its own pages, in full detail, then I'll need encyclopedia sales-people (or a good editor) to make things fit.

Re: What to write?

Catherine Grison — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:18:50 -0000

Bonjour cheri!

Gestation, before action.
I'd say one book at a time.
First one, you pick: adult content? inspirational guidance? Travel experience? etc
I would go for adult content!!! Sex always sells and it is way more fun... I know what I am talking about, always trying to inspire these poor people! lol
Then you package all the best stories, you go to the core, don't be too smooth, it has to be really good.

You could do somehting like Ori in Coach Wunderland... opening one door after the other...

My 2 Euros!
Bisouxxx
Be good and never behave,

Cat
@catherinegrison

Re: What to write?

ElizabethPW — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:26:59 -0000

It's weird to read this story b/c I've heard a lot of it from you already, so hard to be objective as if I hadn't. :-)

So here's my feedback - there are a bunch of stories here. And I would want *one* story. So like the story about how you met the porn star guy. Take that paragraph and tell me all the details - what did he look like, what stories did he tell you, what was it like to meet him, how did he act w/ the woman at the party? I want a picture painted, I want the details.

Now you don't need that w/ every story, of course. What I mean is that a bunch of really rich details about one or two of the stories will make a huge impact (and that's how you would tell it in person).

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:43:36 -0000

Thanks James! I think the first step to unplug is to talk to a Virtual Assistant that you trust... knowing that the e-mails and phones are not going to explode if something urgent comes in makes it much easier. Tim Ferriss in the 4 hr work week covers a lot of stuff. I'm not quite doing it that way... but... it's still very relevant. I'll tell you in a few weeks how it is :)

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:41:28 -0000

Thanks man! Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.
There are tons of awesome people you know that have sweet places... that I bet would love to have a house sitter.... or they have 2nd homes or cabins, and would love to let you stay there. For example, my place in Atlanta is completely empty... it's in a national forest... I'd let a friend use it for a while to clear their head, etc... Though, right now I'm trying to get rid of it, so that's not the best example.... but just ask. Or, try couch surfing :) I 've already stayed at a few places on the beach. This one's not even ON the beach.. a 5 minute walk! But I do like it here.

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:38:39 -0000

Thanks bro! Social media is fun.... but it takes time, effort, and really... takes away from good ol' fashion being social sometimes--- although I'm actually going anti-social for a little bit :) I think it's just getting a break to clear the head and soul sounds like a neat trick. I gotta call the surfers up and schedule when's good. Just been trying to get ready for my departure into silence..... Definitely looking forward to talking to you about the phillipines (or even going along-- seems like a fun place from what Perry tells me).

Re: My big announcement!

Melissa D — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:48:15 -0000

I'm going to miss seeing your tweets, but I look forward to reading your finished book. Enjoy your off grid time. Best wishes.

Re: My big announcement!

Julia — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:13:16 -0000

Ah, that's sweet Ori! That is something that is easier once you stay in the same place for a while (as I have recently found out ...). It's a lot easier to sit still in one place for a bit when you've got some of your wanderlust out of your system ... but it sounds like you have a bit more left in you!

Good luck with your future couchsurferette, it's such a great word that you MUST have one! x

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:08:17 -0000

oh yeah-- and my assistant will post through my profile the links to my new posts -- which will be most amazing... story time! Photo slideshow with narration of what the heck went on!

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:07:18 -0000

It's so entertaining how different people perceive things differently. I never really think of it as doing more than most. I just get bored easily :) I always think of myself as just an average guy (except my jokes! They are superhumanly bad!) :)
Thanks for the well-wishes on this. I'm sure that RE-connecting will be the hard part :) Can you imagine? I've been a computer geek since before it was cool.. I was on BBSs back in the day, I've always been digital.... now to have a few weeks w/out being leashed to the phone, email, etc... jogging on the beach, surfing, eating healthy..... I think i'll probably tweet a tiny bit less once I'm back :)

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:03:25 -0000

Awwwwe! I miss you too! That's why I can make it through this.... like a punk kid being made to clean his room (from experience), "Well, if you want to play your nintendo, just finish your room already, and then you can go!" -- well... in this case, you're my nintendo! <3

Re: My big announcement!

Couchsurfing Ori — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:01:56 -0000

Thanks Julia! I've had the feeling before, but lately with some clairty (maybe from that cleanse I was doing? Maybe just being on the road again), it just seemed to make more sense than before. I gotta admit, the 3.5 years of couchsurfing seems like just a blink of an eye... I"d happily do it for much much longer. Sadly (but realistically), that was one of the reasons (though, not a major one) for a recent breakup. Guess my couchsurferrette is out there somewhere :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Re: My big announcement!

Julia — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:40:21 -0000

Good luck, Ori ... I'm completely with you on wanting to just sit down and get your stuff done - though 3.5 years of moving from couch to couch is more than most of us can quite comprehend.

Nice one, Jason, for leaving you in La Jolla without distrations for so long! Cool!

Re: My big announcement!

Jenn Spencer — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:17:21 -0000

I will miss you on Facebook during these 6 weeks but I know what you are about to churn out is gonna be STELLAR! can't wait to read it!!

Re: My big announcement!

Suzie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:50:48 -0000

Very empowering decision Ori! Moving. Wishing you all of the success-while it may not be easy to disconnect, maintain your focus on your goal of writing your book. We will miss you as you embark on your journey and do more than most!!!

Re: My big announcement!

Chris Hughes — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:25:36 -0000

Ori, this is great. Definitely something that I have been thinking about doing lately(hiatus from social media). It seems like i've been doing too much social media and feel like it would be a good idea for me to take a few weeks/months off. I'm definitely happy for you having the opportunity to house sit in La Jolla as well, that's awesome and I hope you take advantage of this and surf a ton! I'll need to get ahold of you after this to ask you a little bit about my potential move to Phillipines for 3 months and to get some advice on consolidating the stuff I have/need. I can't wait for the book and I look forward to it man.

Re: My big announcement!

Mike Stenger — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:08:13 -0000

Looking forward to it man! And by the way, am so jealous of your house-sitting in La Jolla...

Re: My big announcement!

James Stickel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:57:42 -0000

This is good stuff Ori! Good luck on it. I've been trying to get myself in a position to "unplug" as well (although not to write a book). I wish you nothing but good things man.

Re: Get the hell out of town….

Tricia — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:06:37 -0000

Ori.. Glad to be part of your life and get to share these moments with you.. I get bits and pieces through out the day but it is always nice to read your blog and then get the rest of it... Thanks for the call... It is all written down! Safe and sound and ready for when you call and say ok now what was that we were talking about.

Re: I’m going back to Cali… Cali…. Cali…

Holly V. — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:29:35 -0000

Let today suck, because better ones are definitely comming your way.=) maybe we'll run into each other =P.