Latest Project: A Poor Man's Winter
Welcome to the bad colonies' website.This site is dedicated to the exploits of those individuals that find humor and adventure on the open road. You'll find detailed information on the 2006 Mongol Rally and extensive posts from our adventures. We are already planning the next catastrophe, which will be glorious. In the mean time we will continue to update this site with different gnarly tales of gnarly stuff.
What is the bad colonies motoring coooperative?
Way back in 2005, Dominic and I decided to participate in the 2006 Mongol Rally. We created the bad colonies motoring cooperative as catch all organization for like minded idiots that want to participate in a whole bunch of really stupid activities involving cars in the name of charity and free poorly written online literature (i.e. run on sentences). Keep your ears open cause the BCMC has just started to roll.
Life is like a Ford Fiesta on the Mongol Rally, once started it will stall if left to idle. - Seth
contributing writers
we would love to have more entries,if you would like to contribute, please contact me at nathaniel@badcolonies.org
The Official Minstrel of the BCMC - Sven Curth
Sven is good people and makes better than average music that does not suck. Want proof, the team consistently played his solo release "Me and Jim" while driving on the Mongol Rally. In fact, the convoy has since requested copies to play on the radio in London. The real question here is why haven't you bought your copy yet. Available here.
Stop by www.hot-fat.com, say hi and buy a cd or two.
What a Load of Map
So here’s how it works with the young, unexperienced, stressed out, webmaster. For whatever reason really dumb ideas pop into my head, like “gee wouldn’t it be swell to embed a google map on our site” or “man you know what would be extra tasty, a corndog”. Neither has proven to be a good idea, though the corndog did give birth to the new pop anthem, “Dadda got run over by a corndog”.
After many an hour, check that, many a day contemplating, researching and whining (mostly the latter), I did indeed embed the map and it is marvelous. Everyone should go to the rally page and bask in the glow of its greatness. Luckily for the wife, simply embedding the map was far from the end of this wee trip into the depths of intnerdery. The next 35 hours of my life were spent adding content to the map and it continues. I would recommend checking out the following cities:
Kazalinsk, Kazakhstan
Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan
Arvayheer, Mongolia
To entice people into actually checking out the map, I have dreamed up a little virtual scavenger hunt. I have hidden the four photos shown below in four separate cities. The first person to post the four cities in the comments section of this post will receive a very limited edition stick figure sketch of “The Shot” drawn and signed by the honorable Nathaniel Beck. Most experts agree that this artwork will be worth at least a kajillion dollars if the artist is imprisioned for life in Kyrgyzstan.
Note: “The Shot” is the self designated title of the greatest homerun ever hit in headquarters’ backyard. In a reduced squad exhibition game between Mrs. Tigglywinks and Lil’ Larry, our hero, Nathaniel Beck, took Dominic Frank upper roof much to the pleasure and delight of the sold-out crowd of 2 and half.
Also of Note: This page and the rally page have been reworked. The big change is the introduction of dynamic content. Basically on this page you have headlines from Mongolia and Vermont as well as USD to an awfully long list of countries foreign exchange rate while on the rally page there is the much balley hooed map and weather updates from London, Prague, Moscow, and Ulaan Gom. All of these update on their own and will be constantly changing, giving you a reason to stop by multiple times every day.
Here’s What I Think
Contrary to popular belief - or no belief at all - what you have to say matters more to others than you think. It may not matter to all, or many, but at least a few people may take to heart what you have to say to them. This is what I discovered today.
On two occassions, I received what the advisors would have, in my mind, called advice. The first relating to the Rally, second relating to my photography. My coworker B. E., who is familiar with part of the route we’re taking, was making sure I’d thought about all the possibilities that could occur on our journey, specifically between Russia and Mongolia. Had I thought about my safety, etc? I started to laugh, not as an insult, rather because someone who I barely know was being so concerned for my safety. I laughed because it was a nice feeling to have this person care enough to say what was on that person’s mind. I felt my ego boost, which is never good.
Secondly, my photographs were critiqued in class today, along with my negatives, along with everyone elses photos and negatives. The negatives need more developing time, the first picture was okay and the second picture was too light. It’s fresh to have something in which I take pride be so truthfully judged (his word, not mine). I think that’s important though. If our perspectives are not challenged, then is there really any room for improvement? I realize now that it was a perfect zen moment - in a dozen words, he stripped away my pride and brought me back down in a “This is rough, keep practicing” kind of way.
Though I don’t plan to have many conversations in which I willingly tell people that I’m American, I think there will be plenty to learn. I think there will be plenty of critiques to bring back home. I think there will even be some moments of “ego-stripping.” Some might cause me to laugh (and hopefully not offend), some to get flustered. But when it’s done, I’m hoping I’ll have made some improvements. I at least hope to come back with 5 good photographs…and my camera.
EDIT: Agh! My point was that you should leave us a comment and let us know what you think. Critique us, our site, our car or our whacked out sense of adventure! It matters, so please, do us the honor. And don’t lose track of your point like me.
-Vaughn
Lil’ Larry Sellars
Auto Numero Uno
So it's somewhat official…with a few emails passed between the Bad Colonies and the UK we've found our first car. Currently residing in the garage of another rally team (Mongolian Falcon) somewhere outside of Bristol, UK is a fine SEAT Marbella (Spanish version of the FIAT Panda). We understand she's got about 53,000 miles on the clock, has passed inspection - or at least soon will - and at the moment has no radio.
The drivers of Team Mongolian Falcon have kindly offered to keep on eye on the Marbella 'til one of us gets over there in July. Sounds like they may even have a couple tweaks in mind and offer the following words of encouragement:
"You will notice that the car is on stilts…Don't be alarmed! My father and I are setting it up for you for the rally. This probably fills you with absolute terror but please don't let it! We know what were doing and have a team of expert mechanics as close friends. You should know that my father headed the second ever team to drive to Australia back in the 60's. He was only just beaten by the Oxford and Cambridge combined team. So the old boy knows what he's doing!"
Anyway if any of you achievers out there still have an obnoxiously large ghetto blaster leftover from your 80's heyday just idly collecting dust in the basement…there will be no better opportunity to return your system to glory than this. Offer it up, we'll take it along.
For those who may need a little more guidance or a heavier jog to the memory, please consult the Vintage Boombox Museum at the Pocket Calculator Show. Specimens from the Golden Years are preferred, particularly the model with the foldout turntable (page 8 of the Golden Years) so Tigglywinks can lay down some fresh beats for the border guards.
ps. as yet it’s undecided whether this car will be for Mrs. Tigglywinks or Lil' Larry. The matter likely won't be settled until after the 2nd auto is secured. Then it will probably be decided with a roshambo between true sportsmen just before embarking.
Fundraiser 2: The Bobcat Cafe
The Bobcat Cafe, located mere blocks from BCMC world headquarters, has graciously pledged 20% of all meals sold on Sunday, May 21st to Mercy Corps charity in the name of local heroes, the bad colonies motoring cooperative. Eat Well, Drink Better, Help Charity - that’s an easy choice any way you slice it.
See you on Sunday - Nathaniel
Positive Pie Fundraiser Recap
Thank you to all the people that came out on Friday and gave to the cause. We raised $500 for charity and have made the donation via justgiving.com to Mercy Corps, click here to view.
I have some video footage of the evening that I need to edit, then I will get it up in this post.
A big thanks to Carlo and Anne Marie, and all the staff at Positive Pie II for all the help and the great venue. Cheers to Carrie for getting the ball rolling on the event. To Sven Curth for the great music, be sure to check out his website, buy a cd, and drop a note to let him know you care. And finally thanks to DJ Matt Lewis for the late night work on the wheels of steel and Ernie for the video work.
Chicago Event News
The Bad Colonies team has entered negotiations with John Barleycorn of Lincoln Park, Chicago for the hosting of a Rally charity fund-raiser.
Tentative plans are scheduled for Saturday, June 24 and should be set in the next couple of days. We’ll keep you posted.
Proper Exposure
About one month ago, I signed up for an introductory photography class. I have always had one sort of camera or another in my possession, but I have never had a good understanding of what makes a good photograph. We’ve had three classes so far and I still don’t know, nor do I plan to figure it out anytime soon. My first impression of photography - even art in general - was that it was the esoteric occupation or hobby of individuals with extremely sharp perception. I assumed, because I didn’t know, that it took a lot of talent, time and dedication to understand photography. I now know it takes talent, time, dedication and proper exposure to make good photography. Appreciating it is much easier.
Stick with me, but I took the concept of proper exposure as it relates to photography and started thinking about proper exposure in terms of life. What type of exposure makes for a good life, meaning what experiences will contribute to a life that is good? You may define good in your own sense, whether it be happy, fun, productive, behaviorly moral, etc. Clearly this varies for all people, though many find the same experiences rewarding.
I decided that my proper exposure relates to the world at large. It would be effortless for me to change nothing and live my life as a series of expected milestones, never taking a chance on anything bigger than myself. It would be stultifying. On the other hand, by taking my chances and experiencing people and places through travel and whatnot, I believe I’ll come to have a much greater appreciation for this tiny world. Sadly, there’s a coworker of mine who asks why anyone would want to leave the United States. I shake my head and wonder about people like him, how they could think we have it best of all. It sounds like ignorance and I think it could be solved with a little bit of proper exposure.
-Vaughn, lil’ Larry Sellers
Alright i spent the better
Alright i spent the better part of my friday setting this up. I am posting this from my cell phone. Ciao nathaniel
late night
Come on, Late Night….take it, run with it, wear it as a hat.
In other important news, let the hunt for the Mongolian Death Worm begin….
the MDW @ Wikipedia
the MDW @ the Discovery Channel
As yet scientific expeditions have failed to turn up evidence of the creature. But I think they've been going about it all wrong. Any American B-Movie scholar should know that worms of this sort can only be bested by Kevin Bacon. Kevin, we'll meet you in the Gobi, ol' buddy. But don't get any ideas, I’m claiming rights to the screenplay for "Tremors V: The Bacon Fries Back."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobi_Desert
Positive Pie Event - May 12
So we have scheduled our first event at Positive Pie in Montpelier, Vermont. The gig will run from 9 - 2 am with Sven Curth and DJ Matt Lewis providing the entertainment. The highlight of the evening will most likely be Seth giving a brief talk on the rally and the teams. It is currently believed that both the Mrs. Tigglywinks and the Lil’ Larry teams will be in attendance, heckling Seth like no tomorrow. We will be raffling off space on the The Kajillion Dollar Car and giving away some great swag from a major shoe company that rhymes with wans. All proceeds from this evening will either go to the Mercy Corps charity or the Send a Cow charity.
ciao ciao nathaniel
coming soon...
summer 2008
links
- the mongol rally
- engineers without borders
- we know snow - backcountry blog
- WMUD
- Sven Curth
- snowboard mag
- harbinger media
- casino life magazine - these guys are a large reason why we were taken care of in Bishkek
- send a cow charity
- mercy corps charity
- how cheap can you get?
- trip prep
- US dept of state country info
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