Create Our World

A Flyer for 100,000 Planes & Melodies Over Monroe.

Meet Rob Bliss.

Recently in Grand Rapids, Michigan, nearly 100,000 paper airplanes were thrown from the rooftops of downtown buildings.  Not only that but the planes rained down onto 20,000 onlookers with a symphony and local musicians playing the song, Olsen Olsen by Sigur Ros.  Watch the video here.

Rob Bliss is the man behind the event.  A local 20 year old, whom has also orchestrated other downtown events like a huge Pillow Fight, a Zombie Walk, and a Sidewalk Chalk Flood, where thousands showed up to draw art on the sidewalks of Grand Rapids.  

Here are some photographs (from the Facebook Event page):

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I am inspired by Rob and the events he has created.  His events encourage fun and have brought the community of Grand Rapids together. 

I would love to hear from anyone that has participated in Rob Bliss Events and what your perspective is?

Create Our World.

Ben

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way.  Be Unique.  Be what you feel.” – Melissa Etheridge

To my new home, Greenville, North Carolina.

“Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven’t paid the price to decide what is really important to them.” – Stephen Covey

Out of Petersburg.

 After getting up early, my thumb was getting chilly from all the folks zooming past on their way to work.  I give up and decide to walk a few miles out of town to another exit on Route 95 heading south.

It is a beautiful walk.

My Hitchin' Post a few miles out of Petersburg.

THIS PLACE SUCKS.

 The previous hitcher’s were not diggin’ this spot.  “Virginia Sucks!”  ”Lucy 10/20/87”  ”Eric NY #1” “THIS PLACE SUCKS”

It was the same graffiti you would see anywhere.  I disagree, too.  I like this spot.  There is a hardly any traffic passing.  The exit I am at has a few motels and a couple gas stations.  But I think anyone coming by will be just stopping for gas and will be headed south.

Meet Ruben.

I turn down a ride, because the guy won’t tell me where he is going.  Then, Ruben shows up.  He drives a big, black Chevy pick-up truck, doesn’t speak the greatest English, and is very smiley.  He is headed to North Carolina!  I am happy.  I love Virginia, but I am not ready to be back.  I have much to explore.

I throw my rucksack in the bed and we zoom.

Columbia.

A small wooden barrel that reads, Columbia, swings from Ruben’s rearview mirror as we head south.  Ruben left Columbia 10 years ago amidst a guerilla war.  

He likes America, but is ready to go back in a couple years.  Columbia has settled some under the new president.  Plus, “it is getting bad over here.”  Ruben is referring to the US economy.  

Columbia resembles the Blue Ridge Mountains.  ”Lot of coffee… and coke.” Ruben smiles and shrugs his shoulders.

Historic Greenville.

Pickin’ Lee – Ter.

Ruben runs a business that picks up “Lee – ter” as he calls it.  He runs a crew of 12 men that cut grass along the highways and pick up litter.  Business is not so good with the economy.  Ruben will give it a go for another year and if it hasn’t improved do something else.  

Ruben doesn’t like Obama.  Well, not true, he doesn’t like that he isn’t making any money and Obama is the president.  Ruben likes George Bush.  He didn’t have any problem getting paid then.

Attack of the Skunks.

 I am still getting used to sleeping outside.  Last night, I woke up in the dark, early hours and smelled a skunk.  I couldn’t sleep after that, picturing some skunk waiting to hose me down.  That sure would kill getting rides!  I kept waking up and throwing sticks into the nearby forest… to keep the skunks at bay.  So, I nap for some of the trip and Ruben talks to people on the phone.

Chalupas & Dew.

In North Carolina, Ruben stops for lunch and treats me to Taco Bell.  He recommends the #5 value meal.  “It is good.”  He nods.  We chow on chalupas and slurp Mountain Dew.  

To Greenville & then Columbia.

Ruben lives near Greenville, North Carolina.  He says this is a nice town.  “It has everything you need.”  It is home to East Carolina University and a lot of BMX pro riders.  He drops me off at a local park, after exchanging phone numbers.  Ruben is headed to Columbia is December and will take me, if I am interested.  

I am getting a good feeling about this place.

Create Our World.

Ben

“I am just a person who is human, down to earth enjoying life… whatever god blesses you with.  Enjoying life for me is just normal.” – Mohamed Al-Fayed

Susie & I ride to Petersburg, Virginia today.

“Breathe. Let Go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” – Oprah Winfrey

Meet Susie.

“Your not going to kill me or anything?”  Susie gets right to the point.

From Kings Dominion to Petersburg, VA.

It was 2pm when Susie picks me up in the parking lot of the All-American Truck Stop near the King’s Dominion amusement park.  

“Where are you heading?”  She ducks her head to look at me.

“Um… Where are you heading?”  I always try to ask the person where they are going first.  Susie looks harmless though.  

Plus, today I am tentatively planning to head to Petersburg, Virginia, where my phone says there is a Department of Motor Vehicle.  I am planning ahead and getting a new driver’s license now.

I put my rucksack in her backseat and we are off.

Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker?

Susie is young.  She tells me later she is 20.  I commend her for picking me up and ask if she picks up hitchhikers often?  I am her first.  “You look harmless.”  I have heard this before.  “Plus, I think I could take you, if it came to it.”  

I think Susie picked me up, because as she is waiting to leave the truck stop, I flash her my goofiest, sheepish grin and point to my SOUTH sign, very cheesy, car salesmen-esque.  

La Salle Motel on the outskirts of Petersburg.

The Beatles.

 Susie talks like my Aunt Peggy.  She grew up in North Jersey.  

Susie has lived in Jersey all her life.  Susie smokes Kool cigarettes and has a rose tattoo behind her ear.  

“You can play what music you want.”

Susie’s ’93 Taurus has a tape deck.  She points behind her to a cardboard box of tapes.  ”Tapes!”  I rummage through and select Van Morrison.  Susie says Van Morrison doesn’t work.  

We collectively settle on “The Beatles.”  

A Simple Life.

 Susie is headed to Florida to live with her boyfriend.  Her beau did not like North Jersey.  Susie is headed to be a waitress in Florida, although she is not fond of this job.  What does she want to do, I ask?

“I just want a simple life.”

She wants to have kids.  

Petersburg.

Petersburg is a small city south of Richmond about 20 miles.  I direct Susie to the DMV.  “I wonder if I could hitchhike?”  She ponders as we pull in and she reaches for another Kool.  I shrug my shoulders.  My belief on hitchhiking or any endeavor is that you will know when it is your time.

We part.  As she drives away, she flashes me a cock-eyed, Peace sign out her window.  I smile.

Create Our World.

Ben

“Do not dwell in the past, do not concentrate on the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha