California, Meet Perdie!

Today will be the 1st day I enter California, the film industry's state.  I am excited to observe the differences and similarities of atmosphere and people.  Let's see what all the hypes about!

Consequence and Conviction

Just about all of my greatest long-term friends disagree with my political stance for walking across The United States of America (with the exception of maybe a couple).  I stand firm, unwavering with my beliefs that the capitalist system is the greatest financial system in existence and that Washington is needlessly spending for their own power-hungry agenda.

I have the strength to go against the beliefs of a heavy majority of my friends and I have a conviction so strong, that I am willing to put my life on the line for it. 

While many of these friends show support, many of the same also assume that I am ignorant and dismissive and that I just don't really know enough about the politics, government, the people, the country, and the world.  Quite the contrary.

I have questioned the logic of both sides of the spectrum many many times, and that is how I came to this political stance.

Why is everyone willing to debate me, but unwilling to do something to parallel my actions of walking across the country to make a statement?  If any of you feel so strongly about your opinions, I dare you to find something that is as large scale and risk-taking as what I'm doing. 

Are you unwilling to take the risk that one day you might make a statement that reaches the entire world and then a few years later realize that you made the wrong statement?  This is why I am not a big fan of debate.  Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words because of the conviction it takes to create that action.  

If any of you think that my walking across the country is going to change my political beliefs and/or my convictions, you don't really know who I am or what I'm capable of.

Don't underestimate me.

You're Not a Man, You're a Chicken-Boo

Does anyone remember the cartoon "Chicken-Boo?"

You can you not respect this Chicken for successfully fooling so many people!

I mean, look at him!!!

It was one of those mini-cartoons under the show Animaniacs.  (back when Capitalism was much more popular in our culture!)

Anyway the other day I was watching Chicken-Boo on youtube and I noticed something funny about the episodes.  There are statements made about our culture in these episodes.

Notice how EVERYONE thinks that Chicken-Boo is this great celebrity (while ignoring all possible signs that he may be a chicken), except for the one person who uses common sense and isn't afraid to speak up.  Then what happens?  EVERYONE gets mad at this person and kicks them out or does them physical harm!!  Then we a very small miniscule disguise is removed by the natural instincts of the obvious giant chicken, everyone is outraged!  So outraged that they turn their bloodthirsty sights on the poor chicken!!!

I believe this cartoon is making a statement about the audiences of the media, as well as the media itself, and how far they will go out on a limb to believe what they want to believe!

Maybe not as specifically as the audiences of the media per say, but you can certainly compare the scenarios of Chicken-Boo to that of the media and it's audiences and see striking similarities!

Here, watch this short episode and let me know if you feel the same way! haha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu0taBOtM04&feature=related

Do you see it??

The Price of Conviction

Lately, I have received a fair amount of criticism from some of my friends about my main reason for going on this journey.  Some wish that I were not going for political reasons.  Others just totally disagree with my political stance.  Here's a question I'm interested in.

Why is it unpopular to act on a political conviction?

Is it because at least half of the people in the country will disagree with you?  Could it be the fact that someone may interpret you as being a mis-directed self-righteous egotist? - Because I've been getting that kind of stuff a lot lately.

Or is it the fact that caring about something enough to do something about it just isn't cool or a popular thing to do?  I think it may be that.

Since about junior high school, face-value conformity has always agitated me.  The concept of changing a part of yourself just to be seen as more likable seemed (and still seems) repulsive to me.  After years of assigning myself a left position on the political spectrum I realized that even though I agreed on a couple of social issues, (freedom of choice, pro-gay marriage) I wasn't sure about how to feel about our economic values or about how much power the government should have.  I checked on all the liberal (since I believed that the social issues were the only important issues at the time) news networks: MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc., and yet I never understood how using taxpayer money to pay for everything really worked.  

It was a comforting feeling to know that the government would give out money to various organizations in an attempt to help people, but I never once questioned whether this spending was necessary or not.  All I heard was "we have to help these people," "We must increase welfare,"   and "we have to support this organization."  

Eventually that led me to think, "Wait a second...this is our money!  Doesn't taking more and more money away from us by raising taxes to help these organizations affect our productivity and job growth? 

Finally my father explained to me the history of Jamestown and it all made sense to me.

Once upon a time, one of the first American settlements, Jamestown, was experimenting with various forms of government to see which one created the most productivity, wealth, and opportunities for everyone, regardless of class.  One of their ideas was a socialistic one.  Everything they earned, they gave to the central government, and this central government spread the earnings of everyone in town evenly,  but very soon some people began slacking off.  Why work so hard when everyone's going to earn the same amount anyway?  Others just stopped working.

Then they tried a capitalist form of government.  Limited government.  Everyone keeps almost all of what they earn.  What happened?  BOOOOOM!!!!

Suddenly their was a HUUUGE boost in productivity.  People would earn the amount that they work for!  This was such a new and different idea because at the time, people were not used to a method that supported freedom so much, be so effective!  It was unheard of at the time!  People would be able to move from one economic class, to another, if they just worked hard!  Wow!!!

This is the ignition that started my fire for my walk across the country much later on.

Some would argue that capitalism is failing because of our situation right now.  They say, well look at all of the oil companies!  They're so greedy with their high tax prices!!!  

Let's take a look at something that not many people are aware of.  Did you know that the government taxes the oil prices?  Ok I'm sure you knew that, but did you know that the government taxes the oil up to over 50%???

That's right folks, the government wants a fair share of the money made off of that automotive necessity.  

Then there is the argument for the big evil corporations!!!  

Many liberal people say "We can't let these corporations become too powerful!  We need regulation to keep them from getting too greedy!!!"

But at the same time they say "This company has so many employees that we need to bail out these banks and car companies so that employees don't loose their jobs!" 

Wait...what???  So if a large company does poorly, the government will give them a bunch of taxpayer money, but if the company becomes too successful, the government will put restrictions on the company so that it is forced to cut production and profit, therefore, forced to cut jobs!!!!

So much for the big evil companies!!! The government is taking over all of them!  The big evil monopolies are not Wal-Mart!  The biggest monopoly in existence for the first time ever in our country is the Federal Government!  All they have to do is bail a company out, own the company, and tax the hell out of the company's products or services.  This KILLS productivity and gives the federal government even more money for agenda-filled spending.

There's a reason why the capitalist system works.  It's because the companies that fail are the companies that are not fulfilling the needs of the consumer correctly!  The successful companies are the ones that better suit the needs of the consumer!   What this does is create more productivity, more jobs, and more wealth for everyone.  Some say "Oh we have a capitalist system right now and it's not working!!!"  

Nope!  There are wayyy to many government restrictions and taxes on companies that negatively affect their businesses.  What this does is lower the employment rate and ultimately lower the productivity. (you know, that thing that gives the US dollar it's wealth!)

So in order for the government to become bigger, they try to convince you that these rich people are EVIL!!!!!  This way, they can build more support to restrict their companies or tax them!  Then the government can simply use that money for expanding the government even more to push their agendas!

I can go on and on about this...I haven't even scrapped the surface!  But let's go back to the conformity issue.

I found it agitating that famous celebrities all promoting the same side!  My distaste for conformity is what led to me to my skepticism of this act.  Then I notice the same trends in people, my friends, the people I care about!  They agree on a couple of issues and don't even bother, or care enough, to fully investigate both sides! 

But I knew this feeling...since I too was someone who just took the MSM's (Mainstream Media's) word for it.  Then I read a piece by a famous novelist named Andrew Klavan, and I noticed that there were similarities in our beliefs, except he could explain it a lot better than I could!  

"For many years, conservatives have been complaining about the left-wing bias of both the mainstream media and popular culture. The two are intimately connected because, over and above commercial success, the culture and the artists who create it are empowered by reviews, prestige and awards that the mainstream media bestow, facilitate and publicize.

But it’s now become clear that conservatives are wrong. The media are not biased against the right. They are openly hostile towards us. They are openly attempting to crush one point of view and elevate another. This is not a conspiracy. It is simply the result of a poisonous conformity, a climate of opinion which the MSM, populated almost exclusively by liberals, barely even realize they inhabit.

But in allowing themselves to become immersed in this climate, the bulk of the American media have now become the toadies of the state and the enemies of the people.

- Andrew Klavan

If you get a chance, I highly recommend that you take a look at this article by Andrew Klavan. It is very insightful and it helps to explain the psychology of the media and it's political effect on culture without most people even being aware: 

http://pajamasmedia.com/andrewklavan/2009/04/28/toward-a-new-american-culture/

Why is it unpopular to act on a political conviction?  Well because it goes against the most accepted form of conformity, conformity created by multiple layers of the media.  

The media! You know, that thing that people rely on when they don't have the time, money, or care to investigate something first hand.  Don't get me wrong here.  I'm not discriminating on this one!  Both sides of the media spectrum annoy me.  Just one much less than the other.  Overt conservative media bias annoys me almost as much as overt liberal media bias.  It just so happens that I agree more with conservatives on their new movement against massive government growth and spending.  And since I have seen and been on both sides, (and being someone who has studied media psychology through film) I can see through the bias and get the real story out of that.

I find multiple layers of the media to be repulsive in their desire to destroy one point of view and embellish their own point of view so that it sounds much nicer for you!  Some are better at it than others.  Watch this interview with Miss Garofalo as she says something interesting about the people attending the tea party protests! (including me and my family apparently!)  

She begins running her mouth at timecode: 3:02

Do you notice the nicknames for tea party protestors?  Tea-baggers? (A pop-culture term for smacking a guy in the nuts)  How about Miss Garofalo's term for "tea-baggers?"  How dare we protest against massive spending!!!

My mother replies to Miss Garofalo here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doTK2-qRY4k

The fact that my friends will be more likely to attempt to calm me down or be more neutral in the matter honestly is kind of annoying, though I do see their point, I cannot compromise who I am or what I believe in, because that compromises my fight.  Yet some of these friends stand by me. I respect their opinions, their input, and their unrelenting support, and it feels great.  Our country was founded on freedom of speech after all, and having their support makes me almost want to cry tears of tickling joy.

I have other friends who fully support my walk.  I can't even begin to tell you how much that means to me.

Then there are other friends of mine who simply have already made up their mind about me and rely on popular opinion to judge my character.  I suppose the lost of some of these friendships is truly the price of conviction.

Constriction of Time

In only 3 short weeks I will be walking across the United States of America.  The true question remains, am I physically ready?

I have walked 3 trial walks so far, carrying 35-40lbs both times.  The first time I walked I was very very sore, mostly in the hip-flex, and calve muscles.  But the second time seemed very slightly easier.  The third time felt slightly easier again, but the soreness felt worse that time.   My goal is to reach the point where I don't get sore from walking 20 miles.  All of my other muscles seem to handle the additional weight and mileage pretty well.  I feel soreness in the back of my legs, right below my knees, but that soreness dissolves in less than 24 hours.  

I also feel pain in my shoulders from carrying the backpack around.  That soreness usually lasts 2-3 days.

It's the hip-flex that bares the most soreness and I believe it's because the sneakers I am using right now are pretty worn out from the past few months of training so their support is highly compromised!  Time for a new pair of sneakers!

In the meantime, I will wait to recover from my last walk and then change my training up a bit to focus more on strengthening my leg and shoulder muscles so that they don't depend on my hip-flex muscles as much.

So far I have been featured in the local Times News, under the spotlight section.  I will upload that soon.  Unfortunately the reporter was very liberal and therefore spun my article around quite dramatically to make it seem like something more about discovery than my cause.

One thing I have been getting a lot of is Forrest Gump references.  I would say half of the people I talk to when I mention "The Walk For Independence" reply by saying, "like Forrest Gump?"  I must admit that I love the fictional character for his innocence, his crazy luck, and of course his god-like persistent running abilities.

Photoshop by Mike Jacob

In fact, some people see an uncanny resemblance between the two of us.

Stay tuned to my twitter at: www.twitter.com/perdiefilms and please consider donating if you have the luxury!

Thank you everyone, for your support.

Preparations of a Perdie

I know that I just am starting to ignite a fire with this trailer I just released.

Perdie Across America - Theatrical Trailer

Some of my friends may disagree with me, some, more harshly than others.  I just want them to know that I respect their opinions and I encourage them to exercise their right to speak.

So life on my end has been a little hectic.  I just finished editing this trailer here.  I may make another one down the road but I think this one may be good enough to grab some attention.  We'll see!

In other news I have been training regularly.  I think I hurt my hamstring muscles when I did a stomach workout where you lie on your back and lift your legs up 6 inches for a long period of time.  So I've been lightening my workouts since, attempting to give those muscles in my legs a break while I attempt to keep up my shape.

I would like to walk 20 miles with a heavy backpack at least 3 times in order to get my body used to the weight and distance.

My family continues to concern about me and my health...perfectly understood.

My friends have been really supportive so far and it means a great deal.  Some have donated money, (1 in particular donated a lot!)  others haver offered their unrelenting support and both will keep me alive as I cross the country.  

I also received a donation from a man who believes in my cause, but who is wheelchair bound.  It really hit me hard when I found this out.  The only way I can think to explain the feeling is that it is somewhat surreal and heartwarming to receive a donation from other people out there who will help you.  It's a very comforting feeling to know you're not alone, and to be able to do something major for other people who can't, or don't have the chance to do the same thing.

The website designer for Perdie.com, Yukiko Ikeda, has truly done an awesome job on the website.  She delivered EXACTLY what I was looking for.  She is a true friend and committed and determined individual.  If you don't know, Yukiko and I used to meet up regularly in order for her to practice her English.  It was always fun and I always got just as much out of it as she did.

In other news, I have formed an alliance with a young woman named Marlo Dell'Antonio.  She and I share the same liking for Glenn Beck.  We'll be working together to create a parody of sorts.  I can't get into the details though, you'll just have to wait and see!  I should mention though that I am infinitely impressed with her professionalism and her passion for the arts.  I haven't met her in person yet, but just by talking on the phone with her and checking out her website, I know that she will be one to make a true positive difference.  I can't wait to work with her.  

Marlo's website is

http://whoismarlo.com/

Check it out!

Hm...I believe that's it for now.  Keep checking in and I'll keep writing.

Spread the word!!!!

With love,

Perdie

The First Course

This is the general route I will be taking for the 1st part of the walk across America.  Exact routes are always subject to change, but this is the basic path I'll be taking beginning June 15th. 

As you can see below, I will begin by moving West, then South.  My path will take me through, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.  The routes used are ones with the least amount of highways as possible.

I'll then continue to move South from Washington D.C. until I get to myrtle beach.  Once there, I will begin to move West! Woooooo!

To see the larger version of this picture, view it here