Single What? Female...

Speaking of the research...

There are many reason for which I married my husband, but one of them has turned out to be the fact that he overall is more organized than I am. He has been putting together a book for me of all the places I am visiting, including maps, lodging, chambers of commerce, taxi service, local newspapers, etc etc etc. It is going to be darn handy while on the road and will hopefully keep me from having that awkward overtired rock star moment of shouting "Hello Cleveland!" from the stage when I am in Yazoo City, MS. He also is going to see about a) adding a map to my blog adding virtual pushpins to keep track of the excursion and/or b) will keep a journal of his own with said map.
In other news, today, while talking to my cousin Susan, she suggested that I write articles about the experience to various magazines and newspapers. I do plan on doing this as well and will see what happens along the way. As I told her about the topic of the show, she told me about how a couple of weeks ago, a woman at her office asked her the origin of her last name. Susan replied that is was her former husband's name and she didn't know. The woman was apparently rather surprised by this and asked "Well, didn't you ask your husband?", to which Susan replied, "No, and I really didn't care." While growing up in the northwest, she wasn't asked about her backround, and hadn't had anyone ask her about it, really, until this woman. I think it's part of who you are, she said, but not all of who you are. "And sometimes people judge you," on your reply, she added. I agreed with her, but also couldn't help but think about how there's always a conversation when I talk about "the question". And I can only hope it continues as I hit the rails.

In the meantime, let's congratulate my "cousin" Tami and her husband Kent on their new little girl Aya who is all of ten days old today! Woo Hoo! And yes, please let's congratulate the Red Sox for not only winning yesterday's exhibition game in LA (stupid thing to have THREE exhibition games AFTER the season has begun) but doing it in from of a record stadium crowd of 115,000.

That is the news for today.

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 2:16 PM 0 comments

Gotta love the fun facts...

As I do research about the places I am visiting, I have loved learning that Winnemucca not only means "one moccassin" (thank you for that Gemmie), but the town also has four brothels and a Basque Festival (which sadly I will not be in town for). Winslow, AZ not only has THE corner from the Eagles' song "Take It Easy", but also is home to the last of the Harvey Houses - The LaPosada Hotel. You bet I started hearing Judy Garland singing as soon as I saw "Harvey House" listed. They do have a Winslow Harvey Girl luncheon and I will be in town during Railroad Days! In Ottumwa, IA, the last of the Lincoln-Douglas debates was held. There will something fun to learn and observe in every place I visit, hence I will have to use my limited time in these places wisely; but I cannot wait to get this thing started and to start talking to folks across America.

posted by funkweee @ 4:31 PM 0 comments

Well, it's set with Amtrak...

So it should be set with me, but of course, it still subject to change while on the road, but so far, this is the best schedule yet.

I gave up on the "long haul" route as, the more I have read, the more sketchy it can be. At least the route I have chosen heading back east from LA is along a daily train and still hits important stops along the way. This is what I've got thus far, if you have a couch along the way, feel free to let me know! I am listed at CouchSurfing.com and have even been VOUCHED for (thank you thank you thank you Rachel).

In the meantime, as I was in MA this past weekend (HAPPY 73 Mom!) and sans a computer with a web cam, the video has been delayed yet again, but HOPEFULLY that sucker...you know, I'm going to shut up about it as I seem to jinx its progress when I talk about it :p

I am also preparing for packing. I know this much: I need to pack a neck pillow, baby wipes, and perhaps a case of Luna bars...a bar of laundry soap, and something to keep me from eating every fried thing I can get my hands on as I travel through the South. Suggestions from any long distance travelers?

Peace and thank you for your support,all:)

--Alex

North America Rail Pass

Train: 63 Maple Leaf
Departure: New York (Penn Station), New York
Monday April 7, 2008 7:15AM
Arrival: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Monday April 7, 2008 4:30PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 49 Lake Shore Ltd.
Departure: Buffalo-Depew, New York
Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:59PM
Arrival: Chicago (Union Station), Illinois
Wednesday April 9, 2008 9:45AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Chicago (Union Station), Illinois
Thursday April 10, 2008 2:00PM
Arrival: Galesburg, Illinois
Thursday April 10, 2008 4:38PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Galesburg, Illinois
Friday April 11, 2008 4:38PM
Arrival: Ottumwa, Iowa
Friday April 11, 2008 6:53PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Ottumwa, Iowa
Saturday April 12, 2008 6:53PM
Arrival: Omaha, Nebraska
Saturday April 12, 2008 10:29PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Omaha, Nebraska
Sunday April 13, 2008 10:39PM
Arrival: Granby, Colorado
Monday April 14, 2008 10:37AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Granby, Colorado
Tuesday April 15, 2008 10:37AM
Arrival: Salt Lake City, Utah
Tuesday April 15, 2008 11:00PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Salt Lake City, Utah
Wednesday April 16, 2008 11:30PM
Arrival: Winnemucca, Nevada
Thursday April 17, 2008 7:10AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 5 California Zephyr
Departure: Winnemucca, Nevada
Friday April 18, 2008 7:10AM
Arrival: Sacramento, California
Friday April 18, 2008 4:11PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 749 Capitols
Departure: Sacramento, California
Saturday April 19, 2008 7:10PM
Arrival: Oakland (Jack London Square), California
Saturday April 19, 2008 9:08PM
Accommodation: 1 Unreserved Coach Seat

Bus: 4768 Thruway Bus
Departure: Oakland (Jack London Square), California
Saturday April 19, 2008 10:00PM
Arrival: Santa Barbara, California
Sunday April 20, 2008 6:30AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Thruway Seat

Train: 768 Pacific Surfliner
Departure: Santa Barbara, California
Sunday April 20, 2008 6:45AM
Arrival: Los Angeles, California
Sunday April 20, 2008 9:25AM
Accommodation: 1 Unreserved Coach Seat

Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Departure: Los Angeles, California
Tuesday April 22, 2008 6:45PM
Arrival: Winslow, Arizona
Wednesday April 23, 2008 6:09AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Departure: Winslow, Arizona
Thursday April 24, 2008 6:09AM
Arrival: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thursday April 24, 2008 12:12PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Departure: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Friday April 25, 2008 12:55PM
Arrival: Trinidad, Colorado
Friday April 25, 2008 6:31PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Departure: Trinidad, Colorado
Saturday April 26, 2008 6:31PM
Arrival: Dodge City, Kansas
Sunday April 27, 2008 12:19AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 4 Southwest Chief
Departure: Dodge City, Kansas
Sunday April 27, 2008 12:34AM
Arrival: Kansas City, Missouri
Sunday April 27, 2008 7:26AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 316 Kansas City Mule
Departure: Kansas City, Missouri
Sunday April 27, 2008 4:00PM
Arrival: St. Louis, Missouri
Sunday April 27, 2008 9:40PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Bus: 8359 Thruway Bus
Departure: St. Louis, Missouri
Monday April 28, 2008 11:00PM
Arrival: Carbondale, Illinois
Tuesday April 29, 2008 1:00AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Thruway Seat

Train: 59 Cty Of New Orleans
Departure: Carbondale, Illinois
Tuesday April 29, 2008 1:26AM
Arrival: Yazoo City, Mississippi
Tuesday April 29, 2008 9:51AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 59 Cty Of New Orleans
Departure: Yazoo City, Mississippi
Wednesday April 30, 2008 9:51AM
Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana
Wednesday April 30, 2008 3:32PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 20 Crescent
Departure: New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday May 3, 2008 7:10AM
Arrival: Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday May 3, 2008 7:53PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 20 Crescent
Departure: Atlanta, Georgia
Monday May 5, 2008 8:21PM
Arrival: Washington, District Of Columbia
Tuesday May 6, 2008 10:10AM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

Train: 196 Regional Service
Departure: Washington, District Of Columbia
Tuesday May 6, 2008 5:05PM
Arrival: New York (Penn Station), New York
Tuesday May 6, 2008 8:38PM
Accommodation: 1 Reserved Coach Seat

posted by funkweee @ 7:02 AM 1 comments

And just because...

I set an intinerary and think I am done with it, doesn't mean it can't change again.And of course, it has. I have not set it completely yet, but I do have to include some time in Aldershot, Ontario AND in order to give myself a little leeway at least on the way back east after a friend told me about how off schedule the trains can be on the "long haul" routes, I may end my trip by flying out of New Orleans, rather than trying to speed up back north. ..and I'll get more than 16 hours in New Orleans :)

In the meantime, as soon as I get YouTube to work with me, I will have a video up for you all :) It's made, I've just been having trouble with the upload. Hopefully, by tonight.

With the aforementioned changes, below is more of what things would look like.

So far, I have offers of places to crash in LA, New Orleans, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento...and I think possibly San Antonio, but not the rest, so if you know of anything pleeeease lemme know!

April 7 7:15am NYC to Niagara Falls, ON (arr. 5:45pm) Niagara Falls to Aldershot
April 8 9:10a from Aldershot to 10:22 am Niagara Falls to Buffalo-Depew (arr. 1:25pm) afternoon in Buffalo.Depart for Chicago 11:55pm
April 9 Arr. Chicago 9:45am
April 10 Dep.Chicago 2:oopm to Galesburg, IL (arr. 4:38pm)
April 11 Dep Galesburg 4:38pm to Ottumwa, IA (arr 6:53pm)
April 12 Dep Ottumwa 6:53 to Omaha, NE (arr. 10:29pm)
April 13 Dep Omaha, NE 10:29 to Denver,CO (arr. 7:15am)
April 14 Dep Denver 8:05am to Granby (arr. 10:37am)
April 15 Dep Granby 10:37am to Helper,UT (arr. 7:20pm) OR *Salt Lake City (arr. 11pm)
April 16 Dep Helper or SLC to Winnemucca, NV (arr. 7:10am)
April 17 Dep Winnemucca 7:10am to Sacramento (arr. 4:11pm)
April 18 Dep Sacramento 7:40pm to Los Angeles (arr. 9:45 am...ouch)
April 19 LA - side trip to La Verne and possibly Redlands
April 20 Dep LA 2:30pm to Maricopa, AZ (arr. 10:07pm [ no daylight savings])
April 21 Maricopa
April 22 Maricopa
April 23 Dep. Maricopa 10:17pm to **Alpine, TX (Arr. 2:20pm)
April 24 **Alpine
April 25 **Alpine
April 26 **Alpine to San Antonio,TX
April 27 San Antonio
April 28 San Antonio
April 29 Dep 1:00am San Antonio to Lake Charles, LA (arr. 9:34am)
April 30 Lake Charles
May 1 Lake Charles
May 2 Dep. 9:34am Lake Charles to New Orleans (arr. 4:00pm)
May 3 NOLA
May 4 NOLA
May 5 Dep NOLA by plane to NYC

posted by funkweee @ 2:04 PM 0 comments

TODAY and SINGLE WHAT? FEMALE hits the road!

Find a vigil and remember that this war in Iraq is STILL going on and has no official end in sight unless Clinton or Obama get into office.

AND...in OTHER news...

For years, I have been working on my show Single What? Female and have been trying to get grants to help me afford to travel across the country in order to interview folks about the "what are you" culture of our nation. People have donated to my fractured atlas page and have been wondering what is going on!

Well, no grant as yet, but the trip is still being planned. I will be taking the train across and back during the month of April and have a fairly set route, but am looking for places to crash along the way. If you know of anyone in the following cities and towns who might be kind enough to give up their couch for a night or two to this tall, ethnically ambiguous girl who will gladly do dishes, feed animals, babysit, etc in return, I would be much obliged. I will also be checking with CouchSurfing.com and with local motels, but having friendly folk to meet me at the train (or be within walking/biking distance) would be ideal :)

I do thank you for all suggestions whether it be people or a motel/youth hostile/etc let alone any particular place to visit! (particularly as I picked some of these places due their a) not being a major city b) being a potential break place c) having a nice name...who wouldn't want to check out a place called Helper?

It's a LOT of ground to cover in a month and depending on housing and all, the route is subject to change. If you can help at all with this, email me and let me know :) Your support and aid, here, really do mean the world to me as I start the next phase of this journey. As I continue research train schedules,I will know more about when I'll be where. Right now, I would like to visit these places between April 7th and May 7th

I have an email specifically for the road: singlewhatfemale@gmail.com. I will also be getting back here and will be blogging along the trip (I figure when I'm not sleeping on the train, I will be typing on the train).

And now...the schedule. I did say that due to train schedules and such things would be subject to change and they certainly have been. Not too much, but enough to make me want to fight for folks to take the train more so there are more convenient routes in the west :p It is a TIGHT calendar, hence no real wiggle room if I miss a train, but so far, this is what I got.

April 7 7:15am NYC to Niagara Falls, ON (arr. 5:45pm)
April 8 10:22 am Niagara Falls to Buffalo-Depew (arr. 1:25pm) afternoon in Buffalo.Depart for Chicago 11:55pm
April 9 Arr. Chicago 9:45am
April 10 Dep.Chicago 2:oopm to Galesburg, IL (arr. 4:38pm)
April 11 Dep Galesburg 4:38pm to Ottumwa, IA (arr 6:53pm)
April 12 Dep Ottumwa 6:53 to Omaha, NE (arr. 10:29pm)
April 13 Dep Omaha, NE 10:29 to Denver,CO (arr. 7:15am)
April 14 Dep Denver 8:05am to Granby (arr. 10:37am)
April 15 Dep Granby 10:37am to Helper,UT (arr. 7:20pm) OR *Salt Lake City (arr. 11pm)
April 16 Dep Helper or SLC to Winnemucca, NV (arr. 7:10am)
April 17 Dep Winnemucca 7:10am to Sacramento (arr. 4:11pm)
April 18 Dep Sacramento 7:40pm to Los Angeles (arr. 9:45 am...ouch)
April 19 LA - side trip to La Verne and possibly Redlands
April 20 Dep LA 2:30pm to Maricopa, AZ (arr. 10:07pm [ no daylight savings])
April 21 Maricopa
April 22 Maricopa
April 23 Dep. Maricopa 10:17pm to **Alpine, TX (Arr. 2:20pm)
April 24 **Alpine
April 25 **Alpine
April 26 **Alpine to San Antonio,TX
April 27 San Antonio
April 28 San Antonio
April 29 Dep 1:00am San Antonio to Lake Charles, LA (arr. 9:34am)
April 30 Lake Charles
May 1 Lake Charles
May 2 Dep. 9:34am Lake Charles to New Orleans (arr. 4:00pm)
May 3 Dep NOLA 7:10am for Birmingham, AL (arr. 2:38pm)
May 4 Dep Birmingham 2:44pm for Atlanta, GA (arr. 8:21pm)
May 5 Dep Atlanta 8:25pm to Greenville, SC (arr. 11:15pm)
May 6 Dep Greenville, SC 11:15pm to Washington, DC (arr. 10:10am)
May 7 Dep Washington, DC 9:25am to NYC (arr. 12:43pm)

*I would like to do Helper, but as I have had two offers for places to crash in Salt Lake, this may change
** I would like to do Alpine, for it's convenience along the route and Big Bend National Park, but a couple of folks have mentioned having people in El Paso so this may change as well.

I should also very soon have a YouTube video up soon as well which is to help get interviews. I will send the link out later today and will post it on my blog as well :)

Again, I thank you for your gracious offers and good vibes :)

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 8:40 AM 0 comments