8. Reality
I am in Greensboro, NC. And this – I’m afraid to say – is a very very real video.
This was recorded by Katie on my crappy backup second camcorder video camera this morning, and hence the poor quality, apologies. Note: There is some strong language.
They took my main kick-arse video editing PC. My Sony HVR-A1U DV video camera. My Nikon D200 stills camera. About $6000 of technology, taken, stolen, gone, kaput. And without it, I don’t know if I can carry on.
They also got the TomTom GPS, my iPod (and with my PC gone, all my music that I’ve built up over the last five years, and if you know me you’ll know how much that hurts), and Katie’s iPod & work cell phone. Gone gone gone.
I did bring my laptop in, so I’ve got that, and my cell phone, and my crappy camcorder video camera. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading and seeing this right now.
Yes I should have brought it all in over night. I know. Don’t tell me that. I know.
The road trip was meant to be the answer to the “So what now?” question with regards to my life, and now it’s fucked, totally fucked.
I don’t think I deserved this. Maybe you think different. Maybe I should just give up and go home. I don’t know, I just don’t know.
What do I do?
After living in London for the first 33 years of my life and working for the 
So for ten weeks in June, July and August 2009, I drove 20,000 miles around the the lower 48 contiguous states of the USA visiting towns and places that shared the same name as places on The London
I am so sorry, Geoff. Maybe we should all band together and get you back on track. That really, really sucks. I think I’m safe to say that we all have been enjoying following your journey. I’d be sad to see it end like this, making you hate the US forever.
S**t.
Sorry, man.
Tried filing a crime report, and seeing if there’s a claim on the insurance?
Do it on the cheap, in the grand spirit of road trips?
How many subscribers do we have? 1000? We all chip in $5 each…
I guess you’re not insured? If you are.. you’re fine.
But. You have the back up camera. You have a laptop. You managed to post this video.
You’re alive. You weren’t shot. (Its America!)
Carry on! Yes, it sucks.. its sucks HUGELY, but do not let the twats win. Buy a cheap GPS system.. Carry on!
Fate. Take a deep breath, have a drink, try and trust in fate, and CARRY ON DRIVING!
Aww, shit! You must be feeling so angry & low…
No, you & Katie didn’t deserve this…
I second almost witty, on both counts. Is there any way we can help, even if only monetarily??
Damn.
Definitely file a report with the police. Get it on record. Do you have any type of insurance that would cover this? Cover any of this? What about the car’s owner? Their insurance my cover what was in the car.
Please don’t give up. I’d be willing to chip in a bit. You were meant to do this!
As I let you know, I’m pinging my network to see if some emergency tech rations can be cobbled together for you. You managed the iPod, and I think you can manage something a bit more radical…. let’s see what can be done!
oh honey. I’m so sorry. This made me cry too.
I so desperately want to give you a hug.
I wish any of us had the answers – if there’s anything at all we can do, as the
others have said, just shout. Can you call me? xx
Did you report this to the police? Your location where this happened? Any description of the perps? If you need any help, my email is in the hidden metadata – please get in touch – we can likely get you some emergency assistance if you need that.
You got a paypal? You should totally get some donations…id be down to help get the word out!
Dude, that really really sucks. Set up a pay-pal donation account, I’m serious. I’m giving you an hour before I do it for you.
I think I can understand how Geoff must feel right now, and how he wants to just quit. It shouldn’t make him hate the USA though, as this sort of shit unfortunately happens everywhere, and certainly in England too.
I know he is blaming himself right now for leaving stuff in the car overnight, but many of us have done the same thing; sometimes with similar consequences. I know I have.
What to do now? Soldier on with that equipment he has, or turn around, and perhaps do it again another time?
If I can be of any help0 whatsoever, shout out.
So sorry to hear about this. Don’t give up. L x
That sucks quite a lot. Sorry to hear about it.
Geoff,
Sorry about your misfortune. Please, don’t let this setback (as enormous as it may be) stop you in your Quest with Underground USA. What can “we” do to help you? Tell us what equipment you were using and ALL of us can scan Craigslist, Online ads etc. and/or perhaps know someone willing to let you borrow equipment we (they) may not be using at this time. I’m certainly willing to contribute to a fund to help you achieve your objective(s). In the meantime, I’ll see what I can find out from friends here in Charleston. Hang in there. If you can make it through this crisis then you will inspire the thousands of people following you on your Journey. I’ve been where you are now (and much much worse) and if I could survive along the way, then I know you can too! Cheers and Beers, Kerry
On the bus so not watched the video but that’s really crap, I’m so sorry
You’re in NC aren’t you? I reckon you head home for now, get some rest and formulate a plan.
You’ve done it before with the 50p thing, I’m sure there’s plenty of us here who would put in a little more than that this time.
My dad suggests that you call the local news stations and see if they’ll do a local interest story on you. It would get you some publicity and maybe would make it more likely that they find the thieves.
Of course you didn’t deserve this. Duh. But this could be an exciting new chapter: social media communities can take action like nobody else. just sit tight and let the network fire up.
just read these comments: this is why new media is different and better.
Geoff I am so terribly sorry.
That sucks it really really really sucks.
Let me know if I can be of any help.
I would say take a break, figure some stuff out, and continue on…it may not be the original plan…but it adds to the story line?(I may be going to hell for saying that) I would not fault you at all if you stopped the project, but I think it would bother you if you left it unfinished.
Again I am so sorry Geoff. That video was absolutely heart wrenching. Please let me know if I can be of any help.
-KRM
That blows, Geoff. I’ve been there before and know how much of a sucker punch that is. Get the serial numbers to the cops asap. Most local police agencies have arrangements with pawn shops to report stolen property based on SN.
call me if you are still in town.
336 378 2516
Welcome to America indeed.
I’m with theEX. Contact the paper and get some exposure and hopefully your stuff back.
Keep going Geoff. Check out insurance. Set up a paypal account.
YOU CAN DO THIS!! Consider it part of the journey.
And fucking HELL this is very SHITTY. I’m sorry.
Now go set up that paypal account Geoff.
Amy in BC
This is some rank bullshit.
But you soldier on dude!
Geoff, I am soo sorry. I know how you feel. I was robbed in London and lost all my money,passport, camera etc costing several thousand. Please, set up the pay pal! I will dontate . We can all paypal and get you better euipment. Please do it and dont give up!! We are with you.
Also…what about the local pawn shops up there? match any serial numbers, etc?
Your first reaction is quite appropriate….don’t give up though.
As was said before, start the paypal account, press, etc…
I really hate to be the “optimist” here— this will lead to something bigger and better!?
Don’t let those bastards win.
Don’t give up and don’t lose hope. We’ll help you get back on track. You’ve got so many people behind you who want to see you make it to the finish line.
P.S. – I still hate you, but a little less today.
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/pho/
Its worth a shot to see if its on there. Good luck.
Nobody is quitting on my watch, damnit.
Geoff:
I only discovered your blog about 30 mins ago, following a post on Diamond Geezer’s blog, because I do love a good project/odyssey that has a slight hint of madness.
I’m sorry for what those thieving bastards did. I know I would be devastated if somebody nicked my D200.
Your readers have posted some great ideas above. Best of luck, mate.
Walker (Melbourne, Australia)
I’m in… don’t give up now Geoff!
Hey everyone – Pal Pay site is in the works. Stay tuned for more info. I’ll let you know here, on Facebook, twitter, etc.
Geoff, I was hooked on your journey (picked it up from dg). Really sorry to hear about the mess.
Set up the paypal account and count me in.
Rick (UK)
[...] roadtrip across the U.S. And on the morning of June 29th he awoke in Greensboro, NC, to find that roughly $6,ooo of computer, video and photography equipment had been stolen from his car while he [...]
Shit. That absolutely sucks, it really does. I’m genuinely really gutted for you. Like most of the others have said, don’t give up – soldier on and better things will come off the shit that’s happened (sounds really cliched I know…).
And set up that paypal account – if there are 1000 people following you on this trip then that’s only $6 each to get you sorted again. As for your iPod collection – how much of it was bought online, and how much ripped from CDs? If mostly bought online, then maybe Apple might have records of everything you’ve bought online. Either way, to lose absolutely everything on your main PC is a nightmare – the laptop can be replaced, but the data can’t.
But yeah – let us all know when this paypal account’s up and running.
My heart is breaking for you! What the he’ll is wrong with people??!!!!!!!
DO NOT GIVE UP, GEOFF.
Carry on!
Set up the fund. I will give you at least 50p to carry on.
Seriously, though, this will be a legendary recovery.
Also, you could keep all your most valuable valuables in some sort of backpack and keep that with you whenever it’s sensible to do so.
You must not give up. The fun has just begun.
Please don’t stop! If you stop then you’ve let the thieves win.
Noli nothis permittere te terere!! (Don’t let the bastards wear you down!!)
Hey buddy.
Yeah, it’s shitty, but don’t give up. Take a day or two to vent and do what needs to be done, but keep at it. You’ll only kick yourself later on if you give up now.
Don’t let the bastards win.
Geoff, that totally, totally sucks. I’m so sorry.
If there’s anything we can do, please let us know. I’d be happy to send a few bucks your way via PayPal.
this is really terrible news. but this is Geoff. and this is a Geoff situation. something happens – and he moves on, gets over it and does something even better than ever expected!
you can get over this – and you will. If you want to and can, take a couple of days to think it through. Then see how you feel about going on.
Stuff is stuff. Lifechanging experiences are lifechanging experiences.
take care and best wishes to Katie!
xx
Geoff, this may suck I am sorry that you have had this happen, but as everyone here says… carry on dude… we are all living through you (vicariously) this summer! Count me in as far as paypal is concerned…. I have followed your blog for a few years now and your journey CANNOT END LIKE THIS!!! Everyday I fight some mini madness/battle here, where I live (Pakistan) so, your journey underground USA is really precious to me too) please carry on as we are all enjoying your trip with the rest of your “online” community
I’m so sorry. Don’t give up hope. And no, you didn’t deserve this.
50 pence, or even a £1, I am willing to donate that! As for the music, sorry to that dude!
Who is with me?!
Geoff, Just reading this today-what a bummer. I’m in to help replace the stuff you need to continue-so send me a PayPal request and let me make a donation. I am enjoying your irreverent jaunts too much to see it end on such an awful note! Chin up guy, you still look perfectly handsome and healthy although the bare feet in the glass does make me wonder about the ale!
Hey Geoff
That’s so shite… big hugs.
You’ve gotta keep going though hun. It’s just stuff that they’ve taken… life is about the experiences… don’t let them take those away from you too!
x
Keep going Geoff – this is bad, but I think the other commentators have the right idea. You can try crowdsourcing funding if you need it, but you’ve got the camcorder, and that’s surely all you need?
You can’t give up now!
Geoff my lovely – I’m so, so sorry. I know how much all this means to you. And on a selfish level, I was really enjoying all that high quality video stuff!!
However, I really do think that you need to carry on, and as Leigh (?) said, local news is the way forward. The American people will not want to think of this as your lasting impression of the USA and will want to do something about it.
I know that the loss of the hardware is not what’s important, it’s what’s on it. That’s what I hated when I had my bag stolen. They didn’t want my bag or its personal contents, just the money and the cards, but I still ended up losing all the rest.
However, I do remember a friend having her car broken into in France and they found the bag and non-valuable contents in a field a few weeks later. If that happens to your memory cards etc then there’s still hope for some of it.
I would stay put for a few days – see if any of the stolen kit turns up.
Then – onwards and upwards. Your friends and all those people that you don’t even know, all want this journey of yours to continue and will be more than happy to help where they can.
You are made of much sterner stuff than these opportunistic bastards can have a hope of grinding down.
xx
Eventually we’ll have a full site up, but in the meantime if you’d like to help, head here http://thedigitel.com/helpgeoff or just donate at http://tipjoy.com/joy/265465/
I would encourage anyone else to make a contribution to Geoff when they get the chance. I want to see his faith restored and his quest continue. Without, dare I say it ‘eccentric’, people like Geoff the world would be a lesser place and this quest should not end on that note.
Also I can post some film SLRs if needed, I have dozens in storage but all relics, but I am sure you can do better than that.
Bob
Hopefully it goes without saying that anyone reading this would happily contribute to a fund to replace the kit and/or cover your expenses for you to continue. My hunch is that if you packed it in now you’d regret that decision in the weeks or months ahead. Perhaps an alternative would be to downsize a bit in scope – Just zone 1? Just the circle line? etc etc.
I completely understand how devastating the loss of the music will be. Would you like to borrow my old 80gb videopod, filled up with tunes. I could get it to you within a week and could manage without it till the autumn. It’s a bit light on PSBs and similar synth-pop but it might tide you over. This is a genuine offer – I’d just need to know where to send it.
Keep your chin up… Love from all in Tooting. And on the brighter side, Torchwood starts next week