Thursday, July 31, 2008

more things

I have been thinking, and mulling, and thinking.
I really don't like taking things too serious.
It may cause me to loose my hair.
There are things that are important to me,
like family, friends and pets.
Being true to myself, truthful to others.
When I write like this, in this short line form.
I am rambling. Sort of free flow thought.
If anyone who may read this thinks me odd.
I am in good company.
My parents were unique, both in their own way.
Neither were happy unless they could be themselves.
None of us are.
I am hoping i am at the halfway point in life.
That would put me at 92 when I pass on.
I have Aunts that lasted that long.
And this Adventure I am about to take on
is both fun and thought provoking.
When I walked last summer
the greatest gift was when someone would come to me
and tell me they were going to get a health checkup.
Not for them but for their family.
To be healthy for their kin.
More than once someone would point to the backseat
where their children were, or their grandchildren.
That made every step worth it
Any sacrifice no sacrifice at all.

Ten years ago I walked to Lexington Kentucky and back
From Louisville Kentucky .
The next year I was to go to Cincinnati
That fell through, and my life was empty in a way because I had said I would do this thing
that I knew was good. And let it go.
Last year I went through Cincinnati on my way to Pennsylvania
and now I see it filled that empty space.
Honored my word to myself.

Next year i am headed West,
to honor my word to myself again.
To honor my mothers memory,
Your mothers memory, or another loved one.
And if Someone comes to me and commits to make a change
so they can be alive in their families world,
There can be no greater gift.

I got on here to blog today
to make a list of things I need on the next walk.
This rambling free flow is what I got.
I guess that is what I needed to list.

Some suggestions on a route to St. Louis would be good too.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Making a list of supplies

First things first, I need a back pack. The one I used on my walk last summer held up pretty well but it has a couple tears and after six weeks of taking it on and off I don't think it will hold up for another trip. This past weekend I went to a weekend long Concert and environmental festival at our riverfront where I met a man from JanSport who said he would send me one when my plans got underway. Thank you in advance Jason and JanSport.
I have a good rain jacket my boss gave me. He has been researching raincoats for years he says and this one has met his criteria for breath-ability and comfort and from my experience last summer a good rain jacket makes the difference between pleasant rain walking and sweaty misery.
Shoes are essential also and the Vasque shoes i wore last year are fabulous. I have walked at least 600 miles on this pair and just bought an intermediate pair of another brand that are no comparison. My feet are hurting and have blisters from just about twenty miles of walking. I will get Vasque certainly. All my walking and they never caused a blister, have great support and comfort.
I will add to this list as I go on with my planning. I wanted to begin somewhere and intend to write something every day. Remember I am learning as I go so suggestions and help are welcome. At this point I am talking to myself.... Still learning.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Now that it has been almost a year since I completed my little adventure to Pittsburg , it's time to start preparations for our next trek. In 2009 I intend to walk Westward to St. Louis and beyond.

You may wonder what took me so long to update. Let's just say I needed to learn to type. What was done was by the help of friends and I was unable till now to do anything like update or blog. This is all a learning process . I can build a house from the ground up, pour and finish concrete,paint walls beautifully,and coordinate construction projects. It is time to teach myself computer skills and learn to coordinate a successful charitable event . With help and advice from friends and family the next walk will be great.

Keep in mind as you check on Worldguy that I am learning as I go.

Diabetes has reached epidemic status in our nation and I am dedicated to walk and help bring awareness in my own small way. With help I can make a difference.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

If you see a big guy with a big dog pushing a 6 foot globe around your town you’ve just encountered “World Guy”! No, it wasn’t a figment of your imagination, so feel free to turn around and say hi!

Hi, my name is Erik Bendl, otherwise known as World Guy. The globe is a rubber ball covered in canvas and hand-painted with green continents and blue oceans — it’s about six feet tall, checks in at about 60 pounds and is a well-worn 30-years-old. I used it at a camp I used to volunteer at, when the woman who had it had no use for it anymore she called an gave it to me. When my son Ethan turned Seven I pumped it up for his Birthday party. It was too big for the backyard so he and I took it for a walk. It was so much fun we began to walk it all the time.

Since then, my globe and I have often been seen around Louisville’s Highlands. For years its residents would see the ball rolling down the sidewalk toward them and hope that someone was behind it and in control! People kept asking me why I was walking around with a big ball and “just for fun” didn’t seem to satisfy them. So, I decided I better come up with a better reason. Since I am a product of Dick and Gerta Bendl, the latter a Ky. state representative who died of complications of diabetes, and both of whom had been know to dance to a different drummer, taking the show on the road for Diabetes seemed like a good idea. My 80 year old Uncle, my Mom’s brother, also has diabetes but has been successfully managing it. He lives in Pittsburgh, where my Mom was also from.

And that brings us to why I walked from Louisville, Ky. to Pittsburgh, Pa. with my dog Nice and the aforementioned ball.

Unofficially, I walk as a third party event (I'm an Event!!) for the American Diabetes Association. And, although they are grateful for my efforts, Nice and I are not getting any financial support from them. I'm relying on the big hearts of normal people, most of whom either have diabetes themselves or have family or friends who do.

And the rest of the story?

Stay tuned……………….