In late May, I’d write an epic post about my six week trip to Asia, where I went to South Korea (and quasi-North Korea), Russia, Guam and Japan. I’d talk about the food in Seoul, my weekend in Kyoto, the broken, snowy streets of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and an end-of-the-world inspired nudist beach party, sparklers and all.

In mid-June, I’d write about my trip to Portland, Oregon and all the amazing people I met at the World Domination Summit. I’d talk about Nate, who is walking across America; Joel, who is launching an Impossible League and Mark, who is building an online marketplace for parking spaces. It was an engaging and inspiring weekend, unlike any conference I’ve attended. #wds2012 anyone?

In July, I’d write about a one-week cost-of-living survey in Reykjavik, Iceland, where I ate fermented shark, hung out at a geothermal spa and enjoyed nearly 24 hours of continuous sunlight. I’d upload pictures, talk about the people I met and share a few stories. If I was feeling particularly sprightly, I’d even mention a road trip I took through Maine to Acadia National Park.

But no! Despite a rock star summer, it’s been 100+ days since my last update! What happened?

No excuses, folks. My break from the blogosphere was a bit too long, and for that I apologize. Let it be known that I’m back!

I, er, Left my Dream Job (the Most Amazing Job in the World)

After 3 years and 50+ countries, I ended my tenure as an international cost-of-living surveyor. As you might imagine, my travel stamina was beginning to wear thin, the jet lag starting to take its toll. I’ll cherish those years for the rest of my life and only hope I can keep the bar set as high as it’s been. A big shout out to my former employer for such a precious opportunity and set of experiences.

So, what’s next?

Excellent question. I’m currently exploring the realm of funemployment–looking at full-time gigs in the digital marketing/web analytics space and working on a number of side projects in the meantime. I landed my first freelance web consulting gig with a real estate firm, Assured Commercial Mortgage Company. I’m building a few websites, putting together a photography portfolio, selling some things on Craigslist, you know, trying to optimize my days as best as possible. It’s been tough to stay motivated, but I’ve been enjoying the hustle. The Tropical MBA guys would be proud.

Nerve Rush | Gut-Wrenching Adventure

I wanted to highlight one of the projects I’m working on, as it officially launches today. Back in June, Joel Runyon and I started talking about working together in some capacity. We’re both into the extreme sports/adrenaline space and figured that would be a  good place to start.

Fast-forward a couple of months, shared Google Docs, emails and phone calls –> and Nerve Rush was born. We’ve already got a load of content published, with more on the way. Any feedback at this point is highly appreciated, as we’re still working through the kinks and figuring out where to take the site. If anything, this will be a fun side project for us.

Talk soon! Woot woot.

Greetings from Lusaka, Zambia. After mysteriously disappearing for 24 hours, my luggage has finally arrived, putting me in high spirits. It’s always nice to put on a fresh pair of undies. Sigh.

I’ll be in Lusaka until Friday. I then head to Harare, Zimbabwe for the next leg of my survey. More on that later.

Postcards

When I was younger, my grandfather would send the family postcards from his travels. I’d like to think that these notes-from-afar helped inspire my jet-setting proclivities, so, to honor his memory (and to engage future vagabonds) I’d like to carry on the tradition.

Want a postcard? Comment below with a fun fact about world travel, and I’ll send you an email asking for your address. I’m not sure what kind of response this will generate, but let’s limit this first exercise to 15 responses.

Flightster

I want to introduce you to Flightster, a new travel site that I’m writing for. They plan to launch a flight booking engine this fall, but in the meantime have asked me and three other writers to populate the site with content. So far I’ve enjoyed everyone’s posts and am happy to be part of such a fun and eclectic crowd.

Also, if you’re interested, Flightster is hiring a new writer to join the team. Want to apply? Check out Srinivas Rao’s post, “How to Become the Next Paid Writer For the Flightster Blog” for details.

Spanking New Look

In other news, I’ve been working out the kinks for a new look and approach here. I’ve enjoyed writing haphazardly about travel, business and lifestyle design, but it’s time to refocus my online presence. Here’s a sneak peak:

That’s it for now. Short and sweet, with more to report on Lusaka in the near future. For now, it’s back to war with the common cold. Nose..must..stop..running.

[photo credit to tpmorrow]

The city of Boston is all smiles this week–spring has officially arrived.

In other good news, I wanted to share my May survey assignment with you all. It’s a doozy.

New Zealand

Cue the Lord of the Rings music. New Zealand, here I come! I’ll be working in Auckland, New Plymouth and Wellington–all cities in the North island, for a few weeks. Hopefully I’ll have enough free time to duck down to the South island, rent a car and explore. Maybe head to Christchurch and visit Colin?

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is one the most diverse–yet least explored–countries on Earth.  I’ll be surveying the capital, Port Moresby, and time allowed plan to do some snorkeling!

Australia

My mission: to find out if toilets actually spin the other way. Absolutely thrilled to be in Australia! Will be surveying Sydney and Perth…if you have any recommendations please throw them my way.

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In other news, I’m working on a start-up company with my buddy Chris called AbroadCare. Things have been slow so far, but we’re both learning a lot and I look forward to sharing our progress with you more in depth on Tuesday.

In other, other news, have any of you done the P90X workouts? A work colleague gave me the ab workout–11 short exercises, 25 reps each, and I still can’t get through it after a week. Hoping to have a seriously strong core in the next couple of months.

Happy weekend!

[photos by chasquito el roncoso, Alf Gillman, and Kyaw Photography]

There’s only so much you can learn from a guidebook.

In an attempt to pull travelers away from their Lonely Planets, to help focus one’s reading of particular cities and countries, I have created a new page on this blog, “Location Reading.”

My list of fiction and non-fiction books is far from complete. That’s where you come in. Please comment below, or better yet, on the Location Reading page, with your favorite travel books and authors.

Eventually I will create a review/ranking system, and I hope to format the list in a more user-friendly way.

Let me know what you think!

[photo credit to Lochaven]

Consider a business incubator. Or a seed-stage accelerator. Or a startup program. Whatever you want to call it.

Here’s the gist. Each of these 6 programs is specifically designed to help early-stage startups get their idea up and running…the right way. From help with paperwork and business plans to access to VCs (venture capitalists) and entrepreneurial professionals, these programs are an amazing avenue for startups that haven’t gained traction, that are looking for a way to take things to the next level.

I first learned of these programs back in 2005, when I read that an old hiking buddy of mine, Sam Altman–founder of Loopt–had dropped out of Stanford and hooked up with Y-Combinator for additional support. Read about Y-Combinator and 5 other programs below.

Y-Combinator

Location: Mountain Park (Silicon Valley), California
Website: http://www.ycombinator.com

Certainly the most well known seed-stage accelerator company, Y-Combinator–founded in 2005–offers two 3-month programs each year to its applicants. In exchange for acception into the program, Y-Combinator takes on average about 6% of the company’s equity; $17,000 for startups with 2 founders and $20,000 for those with 3 or more.

As of early 2010, Y-Combinator has funded 172 startups, including Loopt, reddit and Justin.tv. Check out this interview (courtesy of mixergy.com) with front man Paul Graham to learn more.

Business Tips via Mixergy, home of the ambitious upstart!

Seedcamp

Location: London, England
Website: http://seedcamp.com

Seedcamp was created to “jumpstart the entrepreneurial community in Europe by connecting next generation developers and entrepreneurs with over 400 mentors from a top-tier network of company builders; including seed investors, serial entrepreneurs, product experts, HR and PR specialists, marketers, lawyers, recruiters, journalists and venture capitalists.”

Their flagship event, Seedcamp Week, takes place each September. At the end of the event, 5 teams are selected to receive an investment, typically €30-50k. These winning companies are invited to stay in London for a further 3-month period to develop their idea with Seedcamp’s support.

TechStars

Location: Boulder, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts & Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.techstars.org

Founded in 2006, TechStars provides seed funding for teams forming web/software companies.  Similar to Y-Combinator, companies receive up to $18,000 and a flat 6% equity stake. Here are a few companies that went through the TechStars program: Travelfli, oneforty, DailyBurn.

NextStart

Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Website: http://www.nextstart.org

From the NextStart website:

Do you have a creative and unique idea for a new product, new venture, new business model? Do you dream about getting to know people who want to help you, provide a little bit of money, and teach you what to do next? If so, we invite you to apply to the NextStart program. If you are one of the start-up teams selected, we will provide you with a small $5,000 initial investment per entrepreneur (maximum $10,000 per start-up), office space for the summer, access to workshops and programs, and a network of experienced mentors who will help you refine your ideas and launch your business. At the end of the summer, you will have an opportunity to present your business plan to potential investors.

I haven’t heard much about this particular program, but if you’re in or around South Carolina, it appears worth checking out!

Bootup Labs

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Website: http://bootuplabs.com

Taking founders from “concept to company,” Bootup Labs offers an 8-month program with intakes of 6 startups in January and May. Based in Vancouver, Bootup Labs targets  consumer internet, mobile, gaming and enterprise internet businesses. Like other incubators, Bootup Labs offers a $100,000 convertible line of credit for 5-15% in equity.

The Difference Engine

Location: Middlesbrough & Sunderland, England
Website: http://www.thedifferenceengine.eu

What looks to be a spanking new digital acceleration program (and claims to be the first major one in Europe), The Difference Engine is a 16-week program that “combines investment capital of £20,000 (for 8% of the business) with mentoring, support and office accommodation with various other services provided by our partners.”

Their very first program starts this month (February 2010)! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out.