A serious Interview with Bill Gaines John M. Edwards, as a snot-nosed enfant terrible, tries to get a job at his favorite magazine: MAD. A long time ago, when I was a young canny kid and a memorabilia collector, I was hellbent on getting the entire collection of valuable MAD Magazines back issues sheathed in plastic. (I already owned all the paperback collections which fit neatly into three wine boxes.) Unsurprisingly, I decided on a … [Read more...]
ARIA Las Vegas: A Thousand Ways to Say “Wow!”
When I first arrived at ARIA Las Vegas, I was a mite rough and dry, like the cotton candy you see in those cocktail glasses below. It took only an hour or so before I was flowing with a glow, feeling much as you see in the second shot, that cotton candy in a better mood. The ARIA is transformative—and a little magical—like that: I spent three days there and couldn’t stop saying “Wow!” (And I said that at night too.) I was part of a media … [Read more...]
Fiji: Still the Cannibal Isles
My strange fascination with cannibalism began while I was studying history in graduate school. In a book whose title I have since forgotten (which might indicate why I quit grad school altogether), I read that Nelson Rockefeller's son Michael Rockefeller disappeared when he was 23 years old and that he was possibly cannibalized in Melanesia. At the time, I didn't know which came as a bigger surprise: that the young Rockefeller was most likely … [Read more...]
Ramona Bruland, Adventure, Lifestyle & Adventure TV Host
While browsing Twitter I stumbled across Ramona's outdoor and adventure accomplishments. Discovering that she is originally from Adelaide and with a recent trip to South Australia including Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley still fresh in the mind - this became a timely interview. Adrenaline and outdoor junkies take note - Ramona is just as comfortable carving tracks down the side of a mountain as she is jumping out of a plane or … [Read more...]
Ten Year Anniversary: Rolf Potts Vagabonding book
It is hard to believe ten years has already passed since prolific writer and traveler, Rolf Potts released his book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. We interviewed Rolf a number of years ago - one of our very first interviews. With this anniversary - we asked Rolf several questions relating to the book and his career. He offers some invaluable insights. Vagabonding is now available on audiobook. Giveaway - … [Read more...]
Pilots, Amelia Rose Earhart & Patrick Carter
When we were initially made aware that Amelia Earhart was going to recreate "her" flight around the world in 2014, we thought we had scored the interview of the century. However, we quickly realized the modern day Amelia Earhart is named after the famous aviatrix. But the similarities do not end with a name - Amelia is also an accomplished pilot and is going to recreate and symbolically complete her namesake’s 1937 flight around the world. … [Read more...]
Vignettes & Postcards
Vignettes & Postcards, edited by Erin Byrne and Anna Pook This collection of short stories comes from "The Evening Writing Workshop at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore" in Paris - held in the Fall of 2011. These stories are masterfully told - each an intriguing "painting" if you will. Paris is certainly an ideal location for a writing workshop - scores of accomplished writers have called the city home at some point in their careers, … [Read more...]
Lynn Gilmartin: Australian Presenter and Traveler
We first stumbled upon Lynn's travel videos inadvertently while doing research for another interview. Poker, International travels, well being - yes, this looks like a great lifestyle! We thank Lynn for taking time out of her busy schedule to do this interview - at the time of this interview, she was actually in the process of moving to Los Angeles from Melbourne Australia. Q. What (or who) was your initial motivation to initially start … [Read more...]
Yung Chang: Writer & Director
I have enjoyed fruit for as long as I can remember. My early childhood memories involve visiting Asian markets with my father - scouring the shelves for mostly canned fruit in the absence of the real thing. Over time this changed - demand increased within these communities and USA agricultural laws changed to allow the import of a wider variety of fruits. In the last 4-5 years where I live - depending on the time of year, you can now find fairly … [Read more...]
An Interview with Bruce Northam
John M. Edwards Liquors Up and Loosens the Tongue of Adventure Journalist Bruce Northam, the Guru of Globetrotter Dogma Award-winning travel journalist Bruce Northam has wandered freestyle in over 100 countries on seven continents, with experiences ranging from drifting with Burma’s sea gypsies, playing naked Frisbee with New Guinea natives, and beholding the beguiling shores of Antarctica. With three books under his equatorial belt and a … [Read more...]