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Travel Credit Card Churn Wizardry (TCCCW) - Fall 2016 Edition

10/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Before we get started, if you finish reading this short article,  I will show you how to get the following.  It won't cost you anything, but a bit of time.

* 75,000 aeroplan points
(that's 3 flights anywhere in Canada with return OR 1 in Canada, 1 Europe return)

* Free premium lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
​* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* Legendary travel insurance 

I like travelling.  I like it so much I decided to devote a bit of my time to research ways to make travelling more comfortable, fun and less expensive (even free!).  Like anything else, the more time you spend at it, the better you get and travelling is no different.  

If credit card companies are giving away free flights and free upgrades to travellers,  why aren't people taking them up on those offers?  It's pretty simple.. people don't want to do the research and they don't want to go through the process of applying for the cards and managing the responsibilities that come with having them.  For me, the value is huge and knowing the 'game' pays off.  
​Congratulations, I'm summarizing a bunch of info and knowledge I've gained, so you don't have to do it!  Below is my little 3 card plan I've assembled for 2017.  You should copy it.

Want at least 1 free flight this year to anywhere in Canada?  Pick a card below and use my referral link (which you need to get the bonus, bonus points).

When you're planning on what cards to get, think about designing a plan that will give you everything you want.  Here's what's in my wallet in 2016/2017.

1.  I need 1 card that provides big points, big airport comforts, great travel insurance and status.
(Amex Platinum)
2.  I need a second card that has a decent sign up bonus, that's accepted anywhere, that provides a good point return on every day spend and that gets me a free checked bag on Star Alliance.
(CIBC Aerogold)
3.  I need a card that I can use abroad that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.  This is key, unless you want to add 2.5% to your entire travel bill.  Carrying cash isn't an option.  The card I found for this, even gives you 1.5% cash back, which evens out the fact that I won't be getting airline points on this spend.
(Rogers Mastercard)


If you apply for my 3 card choices, you will earn, at net zero:
* 75,000 aeroplan points
* Free lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
​* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights (aeroplan)
* Legendary travel insurance 

​My 3 cards in 2016/17:

1. The American Express Platinum Card
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points.  Otherwise,  you will only get a fraction of those points.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo

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1. The American Express Platinum Card
* 60,000 Air Points  (Transfer 1:1 to aeroplan or avios)
​You get 60k using my link HERE

* Premium Airport Lounge Access
* $400 Travel Credit with Amex (not $200..)
* High status in hotel loyalty programs
* Skip security lines
​* Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent
This is my favourite card I've had so far.  The perks are awesome and have longterm benefits.
The one caveat that usually stops people in their tracks with this card is of course, the $699 annual fee.  That's cray cray right?  Let's ask math..

Annual Fee (you can cancel at any time and get refunded+-):
* $699 

Benefits:
Follow my 
link to get 60,000 bonus points.  Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo

Benefit #1
60,000 points  

To give you an example, here are flights and their values:
1)  Toronto to Vancouver / Vancouver back to Toronto  *25,000 points
2)  Toronto to Newfoundland / Newfoundland back to Toronto  *25,000 points
3)  Vancouver to Toronto(Layover as long as you want) St.Johns (Layover as long as you want)
/ St.Johns - Toronto - Vancouver  *25,000 points
4) Toronto - UK / UL back to Toronto  *60,000 points

This year, I travelled from Vancouver to Toronto, stayed in Toronto for 3 weeks and then flew to St.john's Newfoundland for a few days and then flew home to Vancouver.  This cost me 25,000 points.  


So, as you can see, you can basically take 2 trips in Canada for free (+taxes) for these points and still have 10,000 points left.  

Value:
I give 60,000 points a value of $800.  This alone, makes this card worth getting.  Everything else is just profit.

Benefit #2
$400 Amex travel credit
Simply get $200 off (each calendar year) when you book any travel through the AMEX site.  It's not BS either, their prices are legit and using the service is simple.  They advertise a $200, but really it's $200 per calendar year, so unless you register for the card in mid December, you're going to use the credit twice, making it $400.

Value:
I give a $400 credit a value of $300.  The $100 difference is to offset the fact that you HAVE to use Amex to book the flight/hotel.  Meaning that perhaps if you searched around, you could save a few dollars.  

Benefit #3
Airport Lounges
You receive a free membership in Priority Pass & the AMEX lounges, which out of those two, are in practically every airport in the world.  You can even bring a guest in and in some cases, they've allowed me to bring in a couple of guests.  Lounges have free food and alcohol, fast(er) internet, comfy chairs and sometimes showers and other such luxuries.  Long layovers and hanging out in airports is fun when you can hangout in lounges.  

Value:
Priority Pass charges $500CDN / year for this.  What's the value to you though?  I would never pay $500 for this pass, but I see the value in me not buying food or drinks in airports and having the comfort/rest that makes a trip better.  If you travel with a partner, that's 2x.  I've also stayed in lounges overnight instead of using a hotel - though most lounges open around 5am and close around 11pm.
I give this a value of $200 because it probably would save the average traveller at least $200.

Benefit #4
Hotel Status
The card will give you automatic Gold status at Marriott, Delta & SPG hotels.  If you stay at hotels even a few times a year, I guarantee you will enjoy the status.  It is dependent on what property you stay at, but I regularly get:
* Room upgraded to a suite
* Breakfast included
* Either free drinks at the bar or points added to my account
* Free in room high speed internet
* Access to the executive lounge, which has free food and beverages
The best part of this benefit is that it's for life.  So if you get this card for 1 year and then cancel, you will have had your status upgraded and you'll see these benefits for good.
​I put a $100 value on this

Other Benefits I'm not putting a dollar value on:
* Skip the security line at airports 
* Get gold+ status at Avis and Hertz car rentals.  25% off + bonus's.  
* Front of the line access.  Amex reserves seats at concerts and games.  You can access this portal
* Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent  as oppose to the regular 1 point per.
* You have to have a credit card in this mod world.  May as well have a good one that will help you.

The Math
Benefit #1 60K points = $800
Benefit #2  Amex travel credit = $300
Benefit #3 Airpot Lounges = $200
= $1300 - $699(fee) 
= + $601


Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points.  Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo

1.5. The American Express gold Card (if the platinum scares you too much)

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The American Express Gold Card
* Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases at eligible gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores in Canada1.

* Earn 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases for eligible travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises etc.

*Earn one point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else1.
This card is really, really simple.  There is no annual fee and you get 25,000 point (using my link HERE) that will give you a flight in Canada.  This card is a complete no brainer.  If the Platinum card is too scary for you, this is a good card to get you in the game.  

​APPLY HERE for the bonus, bonus)

2. Rogers Platinum Master Card

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The Rogers Platinum Card
* Pay no foreign transaction fees

* Earn 2.5% on all foreign transactions

* Earn 1.75% on all purchases in Canada

* You can use it as Costco..if you're roaming those hallways.
Simply put, I use this card only when I'm out of the country.  The only benefit is the fact that it has no foreign transaction fees and gives back 1.5% as a bonus on those purchases.

​The card is free for 2 years and if you set it up as a pre-auth on a Rogers product - phone/internet etc, then it's always free.

3.  CIBC Aeroplan Aerogold

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The CIBC Aerogold Card
* 15,000 Aeroplan Miles Welcome Bonus
That's enough for a short-haul flight in Economy class to select destinations

​* First year is free (cancel at any time)

* Free checked bag on Star Alliance

​* 1 free entry into Maple Leaf Lounge Annually 

The 3 uses for this card are:

* The 15K bonus.  Not legendary, but still a nice addition to the account.
* The free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* I use it when I can't use my AMEX - a lot of places do not take AMEX cards

Other useful information to know about how to use your Aeroplan points:

Aeroplan points - How many points will it take to get there?  
​Check the chart below

https://www4.aeroplan.com/use-your-miles/flight-rewards-chart?currentLanguage=en

Aeroplan fuel surcharge chart:

Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) collected on the following airlines:
Air Canada (AC)
Lufthansa (LH)
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Asiana (OZ)
Thai (TG)
Austrian Airlines (OS)
LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
TAP Portugal (TP)
Adria Airways (JP)
Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) NOT charged on these airlines:
Aegean Airlines (A3)
Air China (CA)
Air India (AI)
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Avianca/TACA (AV)
Brussels (SN)
Copa (CM)
Croatia (OU)
Egypt Air (MS)
Ethiopian (ET)
Eva Air (BR)
SAS (SK)
Shenzhen (ZH)
Singapore (SQ)
South African Airways (SA)
Swiss (LX)
Turkish (TK)
United (UA)
Thanks for listening in!
​Matt 
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Dear Virgin Skydivers..  Safety, Stats & What to Expect.

1/31/2016

4 Comments

 
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        So you’re thinking about skydiving huh?  It’s on your bucket list right?  Your buddy went and was like “super rad dude, you should totally do it, check out my video, you see my pics on facebook??!!”   Sure, the pics, video and the bragging rights are cool.  Sure,  you’ve always wanted to do it and sure you’ll get to it one day, but there’s an underbelly thought process that creeps in when the glamour of the idea fades.  Is it safe?  Is it worth it?  How does it work?  I’m going to answer those very questions today.  
The efficacy of this article will be proven by your willingness to be flung out of a plane by the end of it!  
​

Let’s see how we do..
​
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​A little bit about me.. I’ve been skydiving for a couple of years, have an advanced skydiving license and a parachute in my bedroom.  I mostly jump out of planes, but hot air balloon jumps are fun too. My travel suitcase usually consists of a parachute, climbing rope, harnesses and a toothbrush. ​
Begin!         

    Jumping from an airplane is just craziness right?  You have a harness with some ropes attached to a piece of material to stop you from rocketing at the insane speed of 120mph, whilst plunging towards your earthly demise.  Seems nuts!  Without a complete understanding of a skydiving parachute rig, all the training, experience and years of innovation that have gone into skydiving safety systems, you’re going to think it’s crazy.  I will explain a few of the key safety systems used in skydiving,  a bit of info and recent statistics from Canada’s official parachuting association, the CSPA  (Canadian Sport Parachuting Association).  Plus,  an exclusive interview with Ontario’s favourite, wacky, occasionally clothed, sometimes barfed on, always badass, tandem instructor, Chris Chilton.
Let’s talk about risk
"The risks that kill people and the risks that upset people are completely different," said Peter Sandman, a leading expert on risk, based in Princeton, N.J.  
​

A lot of us skydivers like to walk around talking about how cool, brave and wild we all are.  Well we are in fact those things, but our little secret is that skydiving is actually pretty darn safe.  What’s more, it’s even safer if you’re just going once as a tandem passenger.  In fact, in the past few years, skydiving fatalities have reached an all time low.  Safety systems, methods and rules have evolved to make skydiving a pretty safe sport.  There are tens of thousands of skydives made in Canada every year and fatalities are very rare.  Death!  Ah!  We don’t like talking about it too much, but it’s definitely the little thought monster that starts bouncing around your head when you hear that sweet, sweet word; skydive.  Let’s look at some stats from the CSPA (Canadian Sport Parachuting Association) on death, in the past few years here in Canada. 

Season 2013/2014 – 1 fatality – student status – Ontario

Season 2014/2015 -  2 fatalities – experienced skydivers – Ontario
Season 2015/2016 – 1 fatality – experienced skydiver – Alberta
-CSPA


The last tandem passenger fatality in Canada was in 1991.  

** UPDATE  - In 2019 there was a tandem death at Skydive Gananoque.  I couldn't find out what happened, but the tandem master survived, his passenger did not.  The passenger had done 2 tandem skydives previously.  After this incident, the victim's husband did contact me after reading this article to let me know.  Small article here - 
https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news-story/9513783-lynn-mackenzie-of-ennismore-identified-as-skydiving-victim/

Onward with the original article..
​
So in the past 3 seasons here in Canada, we’ve only had a small handful of fatalities in skydiving, none of those tandem related.   More often than not, skydive fatalities occur when experienced skydivers approach their landing quickly, turning too low to the ground and crashing into the earth.  It’s extremely rare for a first timer, student or tandem passenger to have a fatal jump.  Safety systems, methods and the sport in general have come a long way.  Like previously mentioned, the risks that scare or upset us and the risks that actually kill us are typically much different.  Skydiving scares and upsets you.  The chances of an accident are astronomically low.

Safety Features You Didn't Know About

Parachute rigs have come a long way in the past couple of decades.  Check out these 3 innovations that have really changed the safety of the sport and can be found in almost every parachute today:

1. A computer that activates your parachute if you get knocked unconscious or forget to pull your parachute in time (forget...weird huh?  It's happened!) .  It’s aware of your altitude and velocity!
​-Video below of this happening


2. A second parachute (reserve) that is spring loaded and pops out super duper fast when activated.  A special parachute packer we call ‘riggers’ are the only ones allowed to pack these slinky, lifesaving, ‘oh gawd yeah’ parachutes.

3. A cutaway system,  so that if your first parachute sucks and gets tangly and messy, you can release into the sky like a previously injured bird,  that you nursed back to health and then dramatically released into the open blue sky.. ahem.   Your brand new, spring loaded second parachute will come out automatically when you ‘cutaway’.  Cool!
-Video below of this happening

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AAD Computer: Automatic Activation Device
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Spring Loaded Reserve
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Cutaway Canopy

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Q & A with Tandem Master - Chris Chilton

Now to introduce, the man, the myth, the Chilton!!


I interviewed experienced Tandem Master / Skydiving Hero, Chris Chilton from Skydive Swoop (Dundas, Ontario) for some rapid fired Q’s and A’s.


How many tandem passengers did you take up last summer?  
208

That seems like a lot..

Meh.

What’s the scariest part of the dive?
When the door opens.  That’s when my passengers usually clench up and their faces change.  There’s usually a squeel or a scream too.  That’s when it gets real.


Has anyone ever backed out?
Only 1.  A lady cop from Hamilton.  I couldn’t get her out the door.  She had her feet up on the door frame and wouldn’t move, so down we went.  Heartbreaking.


Best story ever?
A girl wanted to go naked.  Did you go?  Yes I did.  A nice looking 30 year old.  Why not?  How was it?  Well, the jump was great, but the spot wasn’t and we landed in a field next to a Christian Church,  buck naked and had to wait til someone came to pick us up.  If you’re going to do the craziest thing of your life,  why not naked?

Makes sense..  Is there video?  
Of the jump, yes, the landing, no. (Laughs)

What can people expect when they arrive at the drop zone?
They show up, sign a big waiver, get trained (15 mins) and then sometimes wait a while depending on weather and how busy it is.  It’s a simple process, but bring a lunch.


Why do you do this job?
I like the excitement that you get from some people and the fear you get from others.  (big laughs).  I just love the sport and love to be a part of people’s first jump.  
A pretty important role I’d say..
Yep


Anyone ever barf on you?  Pee their pants?
I’ve had two girls barf all over me, 2 girls pass out and 1 of the girls that passed out, also pee’d herself, while she was out.  So,  it really wasn’t her fault.  
You’re a good sport
(Laughs)

What do you say to people that are afraid of heights and don’t wanna go skydiving?
I’m afraid of heights too.  I won’t go on the roof of my house. The perspective is much different.


Oldest tandem passenger?
81.  Bryan at Swoop, took up a 91 year old last summer.  


Any messages of encouragement to leave people with?
A lot of people come down and say they’d wish they’d have done it sooner.  

-Interviewed January 2016

Dolla Dollas
Skydiving costs money..   lots and lots of money..  On average, you’ll pay $300 for a tandem skydive + extra for video and pics if you want them.  Why so much?  Pilots, tandem instructors, ground crew are all professional people that are required for you to do your jump.  It takes a long time and a big investment for these professionals to acquire these skills.  There’s also plane fuel, equipment maintenance and a lot of other expenses that go into the running of a regulated ​​facility, like a drop zone.  My dropzone is a non profit co-operative, so I can attest to the fact that the $300 doesn’t go a long way, but it is a fair price for all involved.
​What Happens on the Jump

When your ‘load’ is called (your plane is coming), your tandem instructor will find you and get you geared up.  This includes a jumpsuit (glorified onesie), a harness and goggles.  What, no helmet?  Nope, not if you want your tandem’s face intact!  Remember, you’ll be wearing your instructor like a big backpack.  You wear the instructor, they wear the parachute.  

You’ll then approach the plane, which will already be revvin' up and ready to go.  You’ll climb aboard and get comfy.  There are 2 main type of aircraft that you’re most likely to encounter.
1. The Cessna - A Cessna is a small aircraft that carries 4-5 skydivers.  It’s a tiny, bouncy plane that is really fun to ride in.  It’s definitely a tad uncomfortable, but its a great experience if you’ve never been in one before.  The exit procedure is much more fun out of this little guy. You have to scoot to the door and scoot out.  It’s an experience.

2. Caravan / Twin Otter -  By far the most popular skydiver planes.  Much larger than a Cessna and much more comfy (less cool though).  The exit is much easier out of a larger plane.  It has a big roll-up door that is simple to approach and exit.
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Cessna Exit
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Caravan / Otter Exit
As you approach your skydiving altitude, your instructor will connect you to him/herself and get you all geared up and talk you through the entire skydive from start to finish.  

You’ll reach altitude. The door will open.  The number of contractions of the heart by unit of time, will increase dramatically and delightfully.  You’ll approach the door, put your head on your instructors shoulder and then blam, you’re free falling.  Watch that plane disappear!


It will take about 10 seconds to reach terminal velocity and feel stable.  Your instructor will throw a little mini parachute called a drogue that slows your rate of descent.  You’ll float through the air for about 40 seconds until the main parachute is pulled.  You’ll feel a slight tug as the parachute deploys and then wham, you’re sitting in a chair, way up in the sky.  Saweet.

The canopy ride is so damn cool and beautiful, especially the first time.  If you have a solid stomach, call out for some spirals on your descent.  

As you approach the drop zone field, you’ll hear your instructor call out to get your legs up for a smooth, butt slide into home plate.  The parachute will collapse onto you and booyah, you just did a skydive.  
​No Big Deal!!  
Finally..

Welp, that’s a first tandem skydive in a nutshell.  You can do it naked, your tandem master has most likely already been barfed and pee’d on and if you decide to back out, you’re not the 1st.  Heights are irrelevant and super old people are welcome.  Who woulda thought?


Hopefully I’ve deconstructed your fear of skydiving a little bit.  For me, conquering fear makes you feel like you’re capable of doing anything.  If we obey our natural impulses, we must then disobey a much more worthy impulse: to push our limits.  Maybe skydiving for you will be a fun day out with friends or maybe it will be a catalyst to lead you into more adventure, self discovery and doing great things that will blow your mind - that’s what it’s done for me anyway.   Don’t forget to play.


Empty your bank account, fill your heart up and get way, way out there.
-Matt

​Ends of the earth skydiving & other vids

Resources:
CSPA Website
AAD Computer activated parachute due to altitude ignorance
Cutaway System in Action
4 Comments

Exposing myself in 2015

12/7/2015

1 Comment

 
Last year I decided to be  "bold and go with vulnerability, rawness and exposure of inner guts" and post my Top 10 goals of 2015.  With 1 month to go, here is a reflection on the process so far and how it's been living with this lovely,  inspiring, mostly heavy, sometimes hellish, epic, slightly sufferous, amazing time delivering, annoying, fulfilling and hovering delight of an albatross necklace.

​LET'S.... listen in.

Last year was the first year I decided to do one of these lists.  It's been massively helpful in helping me accomplish things I want to learn; body and mind.   Everyday (almost) I wake up, make my bed and journal about the state of the union, between my past, present, future self & how to make things better.  It takes many, many little steps to improve.  Here's a years worth of painstaking thought mashed into 3 important points about what I learned setting goals,  trying to accomplish them, being victorious and failing.

1)   What to do
You'd think that a 30 something year old person would know how to set a goal.  You have a thing you want to accomplish, so you think it, or say it, or write it down and then you go and do it right?  It turns out that setting goals is really complicated and requires a lot of thought and research into what you're trying to do.   Let me give you an example.  What are most people's big goals they want to accomplish?  "I want to travel more and see the world"  "I want a better job"  "I want to learn how to speak French" .  All of these goals are attainable,  but they need to be well defined and you need to carve a realistic path with all the steps to get there.  You want to travel and see the world?  What place do you want to visit the most?  What's the best time of year to visit? What's the budget going to be to get there.  Do the research.  Save the money. Book the time off work and DO IT.  So maybe your goal should have been - "Visit my #1 choice destination this year".  That will get you started and before long, you'll visit the 2nd place, then the 3rd and eventually, bam,  you're a world traveller, seeing the world.
I made a big mistake like this in my 2015 list.  Goal #8 - Learn to speak Spanish.  Ok... Like 10 words?  Fluency?  Tourist survival Spanish?  Without a well defined goal,  I'm not really accomplishing much.  I'm not motivated and I'm clumsy in my steps to accomplishing anything.  On the other hand, Goal #5 - Lead Rock Climb a 12A graded climb, is very specific.  I didn't want to  "be a better rock climber",  I wanted to do something really specific that challenged me in a lot of ways - Skill, fear, knowledge etc etc.   Setting that goal made me become a better rock climber because I had something specific to work towards, that was well understood and demanded a specific skill level.

Think of something you want to do.  Lay out all the steps it's going to take to get you there.  Pick a difficult, but realistic goal that will get you well on your way.  It's a guiding light to get you to that vague ultimate goal that's been rolling around in your mind forever.


2) How to do
Once I make my decisions for my 10, the pressure IS ON.  You best be figuring out how the F$%& you're gonna do what you need to do!!  You're probably not the 1st person to do it, so there's information..and you can access this information to help you.  Do the research.  Don't be lazy.  Don't be dumb.
Every goal is different and there are many paths to success, but one common cell that flows through all the veins on the path to accomplishing anything,  is a mentor.  Behind every single one of my 2015 10's is someone(s) I looked up to and mined knowledge and advice from.  It doesn't have to be someone you know.  It just has to be someone that inspires you, that you relate to and that is providing all the information you need.  For Spanish I had a tutor, for climbing I had close friends (that happen to be ridiculously good climbers), for the online business, I had Tony Robbins and Elon Musk!  For Kilimanjaro, I had Dennis Stolen. (Dennis became a close friend over the year!).
A good mentor is a great starting point.  If you choose wisely,  be not lazy and be not dumb, the rest will come together.

3) Pressure to do
"They tried to bury us.  They didn't know we were seeds"

The difference of who I am today and who I was the second before I posted my 2015 10's is different.  Fear of failure is a serious hinderance on trying to accomplish anything.  It's easier not to try or for people to think you're not trying that hard, than it would be to face failing at something everyone knew you were trying to do.  I found that the pressure and exposure of posting what you're trying to do was hugely beneficial for me.  I came to realize that I was constantly failing all the time;  unless I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing and who I wanted to be at all times.  Since those are all blurred lines anyway, what is failure except a negative, shitty feeling that we've made up.  Consciously or subconsciously, you won't try your absolute hardest if you want to leave an excuse to why you didn't make it.  That sucks!  Don't do that!  Try really hard, get buried in failures and grow out of them like the powerful lil failing success seeds that you are.

Failure, Success, Responsible, Realistic, Reasonable, Right, Wrong & Should are all words that have almost lost meaning to me.  But that's a whole other topic!  

Do things that matter:)

Matt

Check out my 2015 list here
Check out my 2016 list here
1 Comment

Managing Media On The Road - Keeping Your Videos & Photos Safely Backed Up When You're Travelling

10/2/2015

0 Comments

 
Reading Time - 5 minutes

Tools I use, tips and 3 easy rules to follow to backup your photos and footage while abroad.

I'm craaaaaazy about managing data on the road.  When I plan trips,  I have a vision of specific shots and video I want to get of specific sites and activities.  Not to mention the best footage, which is the unexpected.  Getting all that media is key and keeping it is..well, just as key!  Managing media and keeping my footage backed up and safe is paramount.  Failure is not an option!!  
​
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'Ends Of The Earth' GoPro'd Great White Shark Footage in South Africa
Here are some key rules and tips to how to keep your photos backed up and footage safe.  

First we have to start with what your tools are.  Everyone is different with what they carry to capture.  I've used every combination from big SLR's to small digi cameras, to phones to Gopros.  

Here is my list that gets me the best of all worlds and serves me best to document my experiences.  If you use different tools, cool!  My tips and rules will still apply to you.

iphone
(Still Camera / Video / Social Media Posting / Communication / GPS / Useful Travel Apps / Easy to use and no setup required)

Check out my instagram link to see my photos.  All done with my iphone 5S.  Pretty good right?!

GoPro
(Still Camera / Video Camera / Action-Waterproof / Durable)

Macbook Pro
(Video Editing / Working)
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iphone 5S with ma case
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GoPro 3+ Silver
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Western Breach, Kilimanjaro
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GoPro dual battery charger getting charged with my portable battery
Now the storage devices I use to backup my material:

Portable Hard Drive - $125
1 TB Portable Hardrive.  I like Western Digital, I hate Lacie)

USB Sticks (thumb drive) - $30 / Each
I usually bring 2, 64gb USB Sticks.  

SD Cards - $30 / Each
I use 64gb cards in my Go Pro and I usually take 2 of them.

Method for backing up footage:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.

Now that you have the tools, here are the rules:

Rules:

1.  Backup Footage Every Night

Part of your routine, no matter how tired you are or where you are, you have to backup your footage every day!  The worst is having a build up, running out of space, or worse, losing what's on your device.  To review,  backing up footage is:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.


2.  Diversify your 'On Person'
NEVER have all of your footage and backup devices, drives etc in the same place at the same time.  For example, if I'm leaving my hostel, I have my macbook in the safe,  I have my portable hard drive hidden somewhere on the site and I have my USB sticks in my pocket or backpack.  That's 3 different places where my stuff is stored.  That has to be one thorough thief...

The only exception to this rule is when you need to travel with everything you have (leaving usually).  Depending on the legendariness of your footage, you can always leave a copy with a friend or accommodation manager.  You can have it shipped to you later should the worst happen.

3.  Space on Devices!
​Dude, you just backed up all your stuff!   Don't make the rookie mistake of not dumping (erasing the content) your phones drive or your GoPro SD card before you leave for the day to get more epic footage.  Good media management includes erasing it off your devices to get more legend footage to backup.  Sure, you can do this on the spot, but in the moment, it can be hard and sometimes impossible.  Imagine being on the platform of a bungee jump and hearing that horrific triple beep of your GoPro turning off cause it has no recording space??  Damn.. 

PS GPRO Tip - If you download the phone app, you can pick and choose footage to erase should you need to make room.

What does not work: Online Cloud Storage
You cannot rely on internet connections abroad to backup your material.  It would be rare to be able to backup gigs of footage at any hostel, hotel or resort in the time you might have.  The internet speeds are just not there.  You do not want this to be your plan.

I have edited footage abroad and then uploaded videos and pics etc to youtube or social media, but as far as backing up RAW media, it's almost impossible.  

​_________



Getting great footage and pictures is a great gift of travel.   If you really value the memories you've captured, you can spend a little extra time by keeping them safe!  Perhaps you don't need to follow allllll these steps, but a simple hard drive backup every night can help protect your priceless captures.

Get way, way out there, see epic things, do cool shit and capture some sweet moments.

Cheers,
​Matt
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Cape Town, South Africa
0 Comments

3 Easy Ways to Learn Spanish....or any other language

10/2/2015

1 Comment

 

Textbook

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Podcast

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App

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POST READING TIME - 5 Minutes

Oh, oh hello kind earthlings..


As one of my top 10 things to do in 2015, I foolishly chose to learn a language...which is very difficult to do!  Luckily I've stumbled upon a few great resources to help me in my fumbling quest. 

I have English and French pretty down, so for me, Spanish was a logical next step. I find myself in Spanish speaking countries quite a bit and instead of thinking.."I should really learn Spanish", I thought I'd rather think "Man, learning Spanish is really hard to learn... I suck..I should try harder, oh my gawwwd, this is so confusing...que tel...buenas...no buenos diaz...what??...whyy??" ..which will hopefully lead to "wow, I'm so glad I went through all that cause now I can speak Spanish, all that suffering really paid off, woo!! Si! Si! Soy el mayor!!!!"  
So here I am trying harder and here are some resources I'm finding very helpful in my quest.

Maybe you've been thinking about learning a language, but like me, have difficulty finding the time and dedication to do so. These resources are something you can use on your own time and don't require a tutor or even much out of your day to accomplish.

Not matter what language you want to learn, these resources and ways of learning are available in most languages.

These 3 resources are broken down into 3 different ways of learning;  Audio, Interactive and Writing. It's nice to have different ways of learning so you don't get bored. It's also good to have a variety of learning techniques cause all our brains are different and learn in different ways!! 

1)Coffee Break Spanish:
https://radiolingua.com/coffeebreakspanish/

Coffee Break Spanish is a podcast. The lessons are 20 minutes long. They take you from knowing nothing to being a pro! 

If I have a drive that's going to be 20 minutes or longer, I will definitely listen to an episode. I'll usually listen to an episode 3 times before I remember and know everything they go over. This is a great way to learn because while you're driving, you can't be writing or interactiv...ing... The podcasts are very good and enjoyable to listen to. It's great for conversational learning. Yeah!

2)Duolingo Spanish:
https://www.duolingo.com/course/es/en/Learn-Spanish-Online

Duolingo is an interactive phone app where you will mostly learn Spanish words and a bit of vocabulary. This app works in levels and each level takes about 10 minutes to play. If you're a visual learner, this one is good for you. It's not great for learning vocabulary or conversational Spanish, but works wonders for learning words. 

3) Con Brio - Text Books:
http://ca.wiley.com/Wi…/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP002425.html

Con Brio is the quintessential textbook for Spanish. You start right at the beginning and it goes right to the end. It works in lessons and you can do a lesson in about 30-45 minutes. OR you can just go at your own pace. For me, I have to have a writing element when learning or things don't stick very well. When I'm trying to think of a word in a different language, I'm usually visualizing it written on paper..weird huh?! 

I have both the teachers text book and the student work book for this. You can't really have one without the other if you're teaching yourself. I got them both for around $30 total on Amazon.

Welp! That's about it. I should mention that I also had a tutor for a little while, but I was away for most of the summer and now he's away for a couple of months. Tutors are an amazing resource, but staying dedicated to learning will mean that you have to do it yourself. Learning a language is so much work and very difficult..especially if you're kinda dumb like me! 

Finding activities and a process that you enjoy means you'll put in the time to learn and that's what learning a language is all about.  Work on it every day and move through the lessons:)


DO THE WORK. BE MORE AWESOME. 

....PUT AWAY THAT FANNY PACK, BUST OUT THAT LOCAL DIALECT AND YOU SHOW WHO n THE WHAT WHAT WHO AIN'T NO TOURIST!! Ahem... you can also do better at the market.



Love,
Matt
1 Comment

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    Matt Fudge 

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