School of Bass Part Deux (Question for "The Dude")

[Steve Dude Barr]

Just got off a conference call with Ed & Michael and we're ramping up promo starting this week beginning with shipping out posters to people around the country willing to get them out in their local music stores and clubs etc....10 on the way down to you tomorrow Maddog! Thanks!

Press release being written to send out to corporate sponsors along with banner ads if they're willing to put something up on their websites as well.

Ed's working on the course curriculum with Lynne, Ray and Mel and this time we'll have a bound course book for every student as opposed to a bunch of handouts.

Entering into the final push....looking for street team poster distributors!!

 

[maddog]

... we'll have a bound course book for every student as opposed to a bunch of handouts.

Way cool.

Keeping an eye out for the posters. Will get them in the music shops as fast as I can.

 

[tiffles]

Tiffles,

if you wanna take the train, the only option is Amtrak:

http://www.amtrak.com

Looks like you can't get from Phoenix to Dallas but you can get to Dallas from Tucson which is only a 1.5 hour drive from Phoenix.

Looks to be $98US.

Not sure I'd recommend it. Never done it personally but have heard many horror stories. They are seriously underfunded.

oh poo. i was looking at amtrak. i may have to fly then. ill check it out, tell me (PM) horror stories...if its sleeping uncomfortably on an upright seat for 2 days...been there done that. if its being mugged....thats something i havent tried...

 

[phatduckk]

if its being mugged....thats something i havent tried...

oh i tried that once... it sucked. but thankfully that was before i became a huge fan of smoking a pack a day and i was able to run fast as hell. but... its not like youve got anywhere to run on a train... so ya, im no help

 

[tiffles]

wow. thanks. i feel much better.

dont try to talk anyone down from a ledge will you?

 

[phatduckk]

wow. thanks. i feel much better.

dont try to talk anyone down from a ledge will you?

well, i couldn't lie to you. I've never taken Amtrak so I can't comment on that or elaborate on what Tom said - but you didnt need me to tell ya that getting mugged would suck right?

 

[tiffles]

i could be a masichist...but im not that kind of gal.

ill be right, i think the flights are another 50 bucks but ill work it out.

she'll be right mate

 

[phatduckk]

she'll be right mate

rock n roll. safe travels!!!

 

[maddog]

Amtrak is second fiddle to freight. So if other trains need to get thru a switchyard, Amtrak takes second seat. A friend of a friend (we've all heard that one before ) was once stuck in a switchyard for 24hrs.

Also, the local paper ran a story about a family that was traveling from LA back home to Sierra Vista. They were put off the train in Tucson with no reason given. They then had to take a taxi the 45mins. to home. Not sure how much of this was muckraking but Amtrak reserves the right to put anybody off at a habitable stop for any reason they see fit.

One of these days, when I've got time to burn, I'm taking a train somewhere just to see what it is like but I will definitely be traveling in my own compartment.

Checking expedia.com, American Airlines flies direct from Phoenix to Dallas for $303. Their are a couple one stops for $178. As an odd alternative Tucson to Dallas is $157.

 

[tiffles]

yeah im spoilt...im used to 79 or 99 dollar flights from bris to mel or sydney. i think its just something im going to have to do. is it better to book sooner or to wait for last minute specials? time is no worry for me i have a week to get from phoenix to dallas... any good back packers along the way....?

i should start a 'travel advice for tiff thread' so i dont clutter this one. ill do it tonight.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

i should start a 'travel advice for tiff thread' so i dont clutter this one. ill do it tonight.

You should start a "Tiffles Adventure Thread" to document all your jouneys as it sound like you'll have lots of interesting experiences on at least two continents!!

Got a decent digital camera for your trip?

 

[maddog]

Best bet to save money is not to fly on a monday or friday. Usually tuesday-thursday is cheapest. Oddly enough, I've found sundays cheap travel days as well.

I try to buy my tickets several months in advance to get cheap fares but you could also try flying standby or walking up to the counter the day of and see what kind of deals they got. Last time I flew united, they had zero empty seats so you take your chances.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

You could always hitch a ride to Dallas with Maddog & NorM.

Just be sure to bring along any leftover Beano from SOB.

 

[tiffles]

do i have a decent camera???!!! jackie?? oh jackie?? do we have good camera?



i own a nikon d50 and although it doesnt have a body the price of a small car, i do love it. have you seen the pics ive taken steve? not the one of me. that was terrible. ps the camera is in that one.

 

[maddog]

Oh yeah Tiffles. If you need a lift to Dallas for Jack's shindig, nORm and I are running a party barge out there. Probably driving out on Nov. 2nd or 3rd.

 

[tiffles]

ive gotta be there early so i think id have to pass i was going to get in on the 1st or 2nd

 

[maddog]

We'll be renting a van or something so we'll keep a seat open for you just in case. I'll find out more from nORm next time I talk to him.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Pics you took? Where?

Just as an idea, here a link to a blog my friend Melina did when she spent a few months in Thailand.

http://www.melina007.blogspot.com/

Aussie Mark has a good blog site as well.

 

[tiffles]

um in a thread. somewhere. in the great abyss.

i know i should do a blog ill have to see if i can get to computers along the way, other wise ill send individual postcards to you all

 

[SteveB]

whats the cheapest way from phoenix to dallas?

dust devil

I'm only half-joking...