Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
The shops are shut and not a register was stirring...
What better way to make up for the fact that you've forgotten to buy a gift for someone than making them part of an historical first (1 day, 1 beer in every mainland Australian capital city) by donating to Bens40th.com!
PS - anyone reading this post after someone donated in their name on, or just before, Christmas - it's purely coincidence, they didn't forget about you.
Merry Christmas to everyone; especially those that are no longer with us.
Thanks to Chris Kindle/Kris Kringle/ChristKind/Secret Santa/Monito-monita for your donation and also to Sam Parij #5 - much appreciated.
24 December 2012
20 November 2012
$730 and counting...
Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
Thank you to...
Jen, Ally, Emma, Matt, Molly, Lucas, Jo, Kylee, John K, Ellen & Kristin.
We're well on the way to the $4,000 target!
Thank you to...
Jen, Ally, Emma, Matt, Molly, Lucas, Jo, Kylee, John K, Ellen & Kristin.
We're well on the way to the $4,000 target!
17 November 2012
Glenn Cooper endorses Bens40th.com
Here is me, with Glenn Cooper of www.coopers.com.au fame. He was drinking Carlsberg, I was drinking Coopers Vintage. I explained the mission and asked for a photo and Glenn obliged. Thanks to www.robinhoodhotel.net.au for the International Beer Day today. And happy 150.5 birthday to Coopers!
12 November 2012
The Double-Back is on!
Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
The mission is now officially a 40 hour thing... By the time we leave the hotel in Darwin until the time we put the house key in our front door 40 hours would have elapsed.
The original mission was 19h15 on a gate to gate basis so a fair chunk has been added to include Hobart.
For fellow Qantas Frequent Flyers out there who are chasing status credits the any seat awards can gain you status credits and if you get your timing right they're only marginally more points than the classic awards. If you get your timing wrong, they are substantially more.
The mission is now officially a 40 hour thing... By the time we leave the hotel in Darwin until the time we put the house key in our front door 40 hours would have elapsed.
The original mission was 19h15 on a gate to gate basis so a fair chunk has been added to include Hobart.
For fellow Qantas Frequent Flyers out there who are chasing status credits the any seat awards can gain you status credits and if you get your timing right they're only marginally more points than the classic awards. If you get your timing wrong, they are substantially more.
10 November 2012
Mainland locked and loaded...
Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
CBR-SYD-MEL has been booked with points to cover off the demise of the SYD-HBA we were relying upon.
We've still left the option open to double back to HBA within the 40 hours.
But as it stands, the mission is now:
7 beers
6 flights
5 states
4 thousand miles
3 was Nikola Tesla's favourite number (we've now got many more minutes in transit)
2 territories
1 day...
CBR-SYD-MEL has been booked with points to cover off the demise of the SYD-HBA we were relying upon.
We've still left the option open to double back to HBA within the 40 hours.
But as it stands, the mission is now:
7 beers
6 flights
5 states
4 thousand miles
3 was Nikola Tesla's favourite number (we've now got many more minutes in transit)
2 territories
1 day...
09 November 2012
Thanks to Tori, Jane & Rob for kicking off the http://www.everydayhero.com.au/ben40 kitty. Very much appreciated. I was so close to seeding the kitty myself, much in the same way that staff seed tip jars at various restaurants around the world.
Help me Sir Richard Branson, you're my only hope...
Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
Okay, so my mission director has come up with a great alternative tonight... We'd already arranged a unique "40 hour 40th" for Jo (exactly one month before my 40th).
So, for Jo's 40th we are flying ADL/SYD/LAX/LAS. By my rough calcs that will result in 40.5 hours of 29 March 2013.
Radelaide to Vegas, baby.
Given that the 40 hour thing is a thing by virtue of Jo's 40th, she (aka mission director, aka Jo) suggested we re-calibrate the mission to achieve the same feat in 40 hours instead of one calendar day.
That means we have 4 options:
1. Sir Richard agrees to reinstate the original DJ1530 on 29 April 2013.
2. We scale back the mission to mainland only. Sorry Tassie.
3. Go with the states only. Sorry ACT/NT.
4. Complete the mission within 40 hours instead.
What sayeth you?
Now, in the same way that Lucas Films Ltd originally printed 'Revenge of the Jedi' paraphernalia before settling on 'Return of the Jedi', I offer up my original infographic for posterity.
Okay, so my mission director has come up with a great alternative tonight... We'd already arranged a unique "40 hour 40th" for Jo (exactly one month before my 40th).
So, for Jo's 40th we are flying ADL/SYD/LAX/LAS. By my rough calcs that will result in 40.5 hours of 29 March 2013.
Radelaide to Vegas, baby.
Given that the 40 hour thing is a thing by virtue of Jo's 40th, she (aka mission director, aka Jo) suggested we re-calibrate the mission to achieve the same feat in 40 hours instead of one calendar day.
That means we have 4 options:
1. Sir Richard agrees to reinstate the original DJ1530 on 29 April 2013.
2. We scale back the mission to mainland only. Sorry Tassie.
3. Go with the states only. Sorry ACT/NT.
4. Complete the mission within 40 hours instead.
What sayeth you?
Now, in the same way that Lucas Films Ltd originally printed 'Revenge of the Jedi' paraphernalia before settling on 'Return of the Jedi', I offer up my original infographic for posterity.
08 November 2012
Murphy's Law...
Raising money for Pregnancy Loss Australia - donate through Everyday Hero
The very next morning after publishing the mission it has become impossible due to a schedule change.
That was always anticipated but it wasn't thought to become a reality so soon...
It was always my intention to book some 'safety' flights. Now I have the choice of scaling the mission back to states only, or mainland states and territories.
There is a chance the flight schedule could change back to where I need it to be...
The very next morning after publishing the mission it has become impossible due to a schedule change.
That was always anticipated but it wasn't thought to become a reality so soon...
It was always my intention to book some 'safety' flights. Now I have the choice of scaling the mission back to states only, or mainland states and territories.
There is a chance the flight schedule could change back to where I need it to be...
07 November 2012
Let's raise some money!!!
I'm pleased to announce that a great organisation, Pregnancy Loss Australia (formerly Teddy Love Club), has approved my request to raise funds on their behalf.
Although I've never had cause to call upon PLA's services I have witnessed the great work they do for those who suffer such indescribable devastation.
To donate, simply visit my page on Everyday Hero.
Due to the nature of my mission (flights can be delayed/schedules change) and the great cause I've chosen to support I'd appreciate if you donate in advance of the day, just in case the mission is unable to be completed.
If you want to know how much to donate, here's some ideas:
Corporates: $400
Friends and Family in Lieu of Christmas (you know who you are KK) and birthday presents: $40
Other idea 1: $36 (representing 1 day, 2 territories, 3 hundred minutes in transit, 4 decades in the making, 5 thousand miles, 6 states, 7 flights, 8 beers)
Other idea 2: $15 (that's $1 for each beer and flight)
Other idea 3: $8 ($1 for each beer)
Other idea 4: $7 ($1 for each flight)
I'll soon be publishing an infographic with some other numbers on it - you can choose one of those if you like.
And the great thing is that even if I sneak another 1 or 2 beers in (a couple flights are 3 hours+) I won't come chasing you for an extra dollar.
If you're not in a position to donate then please push this out into your networks and hopefully you're connected to one or two rich eccentrics.
Although I've never had cause to call upon PLA's services I have witnessed the great work they do for those who suffer such indescribable devastation.
To donate, simply visit my page on Everyday Hero.
Due to the nature of my mission (flights can be delayed/schedules change) and the great cause I've chosen to support I'd appreciate if you donate in advance of the day, just in case the mission is unable to be completed.
If you want to know how much to donate, here's some ideas:
Corporates: $400
Friends and Family in Lieu of Christmas (you know who you are KK) and birthday presents: $40
Other idea 1: $36 (representing 1 day, 2 territories, 3 hundred minutes in transit, 4 decades in the making, 5 thousand miles, 6 states, 7 flights, 8 beers)
Other idea 2: $15 (that's $1 for each beer and flight)
Other idea 3: $8 ($1 for each beer)
Other idea 4: $7 ($1 for each flight)
I'll soon be publishing an infographic with some other numbers on it - you can choose one of those if you like.
And the great thing is that even if I sneak another 1 or 2 beers in (a couple flights are 3 hours+) I won't come chasing you for an extra dollar.
If you're not in a position to donate then please push this out into your networks and hopefully you're connected to one or two rich eccentrics.
FAQ
Why are you doing it?
I occasionally have quirky ideas and this is one.
Why not just stay home and give the money to the charity?
Frequent flyer points were used where possible and practical and I'm hoping that the event will resonate with enough people to raise a lot more money than it cost me.
What if the flight schedules change?
All core flights have been booked so the airlines will notify us of schedule changes. We will book (using points) a couple 'safety' flights for the tightest parts of the schedule. It will mean that we won't complete the entire mission. Hopefully most people will donate ahead of the actual day.
What if someone beats you to it?
If they supported the same charity I wouldn't be fussed. I'd be happy to share my research with them.
Did you purchase carbon offsets?
Yes we did.
What's your tightest transit time?
30 minutes, twice. One time involves a change of airline, the other time is a designated transfer on the same booking.
Aren't you promoting irresponsible drinking?
No, I'm promoting irresponsible flying.
Aren't you promoting irresponsible drinking?
No, I'm promoting irresponsible flying.
The Mission
8 beers
7 flights
6 Australian states
5 thousand miles
4 decades in the making
3 hundred minutes in transit
2 Australian territories
1 day
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