Wear a Local T-shirt

It’s a new rule for the road and I think I’ll send home all my skateboard brand and Burton Snowboards t-shirts. This goes out to everyone, wear a local t-shirt, throw out the name brands. I promise you that somewhere along the way it will start an awesome conversation and you’ll meet more people.

Tonight I’m just chilling in Panera (free wireless!) and drinking an iced honeydew green tea with whip cream (Buy one of these! They’re amazing). I’m trying to find some inspiration and atmosphere is everything, that’s one lesson learned. My t-shirt of choice today is my light yellow Eskimo Joe’s t-shirt. Eskimo Joe’s shirts are some of the most popular t-shirts in the world, and only their single restaurant in Stillwater, OK. While many people buy their EJ t-shirts at thrift stores, mine is straight from the restaurant while there on my trip.

And that’s what started a conversation. “Oh, have you been to Eskimo Joe’s?” Well yes, yes I have! And it goes on. Brand t-shirts never draw a comment out of people, but a local one, they almost always do. The guy’s name was Steven. Well, I randomly meet people like this quite often on my trip, it’s part of the job. Naturally I get into the part of what I’m doing in Alabama. And what a great guy Steven is! First of all it will make anybody’s day when they tell you that you can be an inspiration to society.

Earlier today I was kind of bummed and was talking about how some people “just don’t get it,” get the trip that is. Well, Steven got it, he simply got it and much more than most people. That was refreshing. It’s awesome to meet friendly people who are supportive and enthusiastic. I needed that! Thanks Steven, or is it Stephen?

Once again, the moral of the story is, wear a local t-shirt! You know, something with a town on it from small-town America.