(Photo: Royce Bair)
Hello lads and lasses. This post is intended as a morsel, a sugar high and respite. Life is serious enough, so this post will require zero calories of brain power.
Not to worry, of course, as we’ll be back to our regular content with the next how-to post.
In the meantime, some goodies: the “Kimono” winners and a $1,000 travel voucher giveaway.
KIMONO SPOTS
Congratulations, after much tallying and consideration, to the winners of the $10,000 spots to the “Opening the Kimono” event! Please keep an eye on your inbox for follow-up details:
– Sheila McCarthy (votes)
– Jacqueline Biggs (“wild card” views)
First, sincere thanks to all who submitted video case studies, even those who re-submitted old videos and therefore weren’t eligible. Second, HUGE thanks to Dustin “America’s Trainer to the Moms” Maher for making the “wild card” scholarship possible — you rock!
Three honorable mentions for the “wild card” seat are below (out of dozens of great videos), and one includes a pic of me drunk at my London book launch. Oh, Internet, you hurt so good T_T
Two of them highlight post-4-Hour Workweek (now 2,172 reviews!) travel adventures:
$1,000 TRAVELOCITY TRAVEL VOUCHER — GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Alright, moving on…
I wanted to have some fun and get people traveling. “But I can’t travel… it costs too much!” is a common refrain. Partnering with a new start-up called PunchTab, I wanted to remove this barrier.
Here’s how it will work, as PunchTab explains:
Entering the giveaway is simple and takes only 30 seconds. Register by connecting to the giveaway widget below using Facebook. For each step you complete, you’ll earn a giveaway entry:
1. Like this blog post by clicking on the Facebook Like button (+1 entry).
2. Become a fan of Tim Ferriss on Facebook (+1 entry).
3. Leave a comment telling me where you’ll go and what you’ll do there (+1 entry).
4. Tweet about the giveaway (+1 entry).
5. Unlimited bonus entries by pasting your invite link everywhere you can. For example:
– For every friend who clicks the invite link you Tweeted in step 4, you’ll earn +1 entries.
– For every friend who then joins the giveaway, you’ll earn +5 entries.
Giveaway ends June 30, 2011 at midnight PST. Open to residents of North America.
Enjoy! Attack! Discuss!
https://www.punchtab.com/mast/362/raffle.js
The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.
Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Brian Oberkirch for the inspiration.)
I’d go to Barbados, since I’ve been dreaming of going there for years now. While I’m there I’d kick back and enjoy the white sand and turquoise sea.
I would go to Pennsylvania to hang with my hubby for a few days while he’s working there. I’ve never been.
This sounds like a really good give away, I will have to give it a try, I always enjoy your blog
I would celebrate my 30th birthday (New Years day 2012) in Machu Picchu!
My husband and I would go to San Francisco (Alone! Without the 5 year old and 9 month old twins), and we would do a lot of dreaming, walk everywhere, and maybe even decide we want to live there. I have never been off the east coast of the US, and we are really ready to start fresh somewhere new. Who knows, maybe we could even launch our music careers there. =)
I’d head back to Eastern Africa to teach English with my wife.
I’d take my dad to see the Northern Lights and Alaska
Very inspiring videos.
I’m going to do this.
Contest: When I win, I’ll stop by Sydney and go for a dive at the Great Barrier Reef. My dad, who visited Sydney on temporary leave for the Air Force, told me that diving at the GBR was one of the coolest experiences that he’s ever had.
General: Thanks, Tim, for posting these videos. These guys (you, the creators, if you happen to read this) tend to ignite one’s spirits.
General: Also, you’re my hero for reasons too long to describe in a comment. I wish (more) incredible things to you and those who follow your vision with courage.
So, thanks for listening, and I *will* dance like nobody’s watching.
Aaron Bell
ENGLAND TO SEE LONG LOST ANCESTORS!!!!!!!!
When we win, my girlfriend and I will take a one way flight to Albuquerque in search of Greg Jackson’s awesome tutelage.
Angkor Wat here I come (hopefully)
I would take my family to hawaii for christmas. I have twins that have never gotten to travel. this would be the first christmas that they could open up all of their own presents. Maui would be a very relaxing and not too difficult trip for us to take.
Congratulations Sheila and Jacqueline!
I know this contest is only for North American citizens. Although if I were eligible for this I would go straight back to Buenos Aires. Wining and Dining with good friends like it`s my last day on earth!
( I`ll go soon anyways as I`m homesick for this city, who I fell in love with spending only 2 months there )
Tomorrow I`m leaving for Sicily, beta testing location independence a little more before the final leap.
vivir la buena vida, todos los dias!
Thanks Bendik! Good luck making your your ‘leap’ 🙂
Since I can work anywhere in the world I am sitting in Bali right now, and my mom is going nuts that I haven’t been home in awhile. So I would use the voucher for a flight back to Chicago to hangout at home for a bit, but it would for sure be a return flight back to South East Asia somewhere 🙂
Hawaii!!!
I want to go to Hawaii!!
I would go to Ghana and learn how to play the djembe
I love Europe, been there a few times with my wife touring the Alps via motorcycle.
This time I’d go to Milan, rent bicycles and ride around, eat wonderful Italian food, drink espresso and hang out. Already started learning Italian the Tim Ferriss way.
I like to visit Japan.
That would get me on a cross – Europe train trip, ending up in Moscow. This at the top of my bucket list.
If I won, I’d see where the next flight out of austin can take me and just go. I’ll find my way.
I would go to beautiful ITALIAA
and the reason, well first of all who wouldnt want to go to italy! And i love the italian culture, cuisine, and their MEN!
🙂
Great giveaway!! I will be using it towards taking my finace and our girls to Sicily and Greece to check out their heritage.
Thanks Tim!!
If I win I will go to Cuba and improve my spanish there
This is like a life opportunity, you have to grab it. I would go to Spain and enjoy the European lifestyle and history. Nothing fancy, just be there and enjoy.
Have fun everybody.
I would use the voucher to make up the difference between a carribean and european honeymoon. She will never forget it!
I would go to Hong Kong and study kung fu for a few months’ straight!
Somewhere near to home that I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. I like to appreciate what is nearby me.
I would travel to somewhere I could hear my favorite music, drum and bass. That would either be the UK and visit the Ministry of Sound (amoung other places) or somewhere like Ibiza, Spain. Also, stop off in Amsterdam 🙂
If I win I am going to fly to New Orleans and spend a couple hot summer nights taking in bourbon street and going on a fanboat tour of the bayou
You would find me in Australia- exploring nature and beaches and surfing!
Congratulations to everyone who entered or created a video for the contest… its provided a lot of inspiration and value for me and for countless others.
This contest has really connected a lot of people in the entrepreneurial community here in Berlin & I really appreciate it!
I’m inspired to keep chugging away at my muse.. I just launched the website and facebook group for my passion to spread potty humor and goodwill through gangster-rap letterpress greeting cards. Check it out and say hi!
Tim–it was great to meet you and thanks for the kind words: what did your friend say when you gave her the card?
I’ve been dreaming of visiting/hiking/backpacking Patagonia with my twin brother!
Well, I’m already going to Costa Rica in 33 days. So from there, I would go to Easter Island, so I can be farther away from any other place than anyplace else.
I would go to Cincinnati Ohio my home town. I haven’t seen my sister in 5 years. I would also get to see a lot of my old friends.
I would go to New York and have face-to-face meetings with 3 people who have reached my top three goals, one person per goal.
Also, forgot to say.. if I win the travel giveaway I’m going to Australia with my best friend to visit an old classmate–we’re gonna work and play and avoid the 9-5 as best as we can 🙂 We’ll try our hand at farming for a bit (I’ve got this hopefully unrealistic idealistic image of me covered head-to-toe in dirt with strawberry juice running down my face grinning in the hot sun), travel far and wide to visit a few of our friends there, and work together on a graphic design business.
Hi Tim — For the giveaway, I’ll go back to Paris and use your language hack tips to increase my fluency … in addition to spending quality time with my local friends … look forward to the notification I’ve won! ; ) Und wie immer, alles nach Mass u Ziel! VLG Christine P.S. Und dass ich auch “gluecklich wie Gott in Frankreich” eine kurze Zeit sein kann.
I would go to Europe and dance like no one is watching at the Eiffel tower.
Pick Me!!! 🙂
I would take my husband to Japan. He has always wanted to go, and he actually planned to eight years ago, but he decided to marry me, buy a house and adopt our amazing daughter instead.
If I win, I’d go to Port Elizabeth, South Africa to surf Jeffrey’s Bay and boulder in the Rocklands. Life doesn’t get much better than that. Thanks for doing this Tim
Vegas Baby! All the way. My wife has never been.
I’d go to Hawaii with my husband to celebrate our anniversary.
I would go to Scotland to research my heritage. Oh, and to see some castles and whatnot of course!
I would take my wife and daughter (probably daughters by then – we’re having another one!) to Paris for a European vacation. I always wanted to go and I had a friend go there for 2 months. I don’t think we could go for that long, but it would be great to try!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Island nation of Nauru, but I’d prob apply this voucher to a trip to Poland.
Straight to Australia with my girlfriend who at age 23 is yet to board an aircraft. What would we do there? Very, very little. Maybe find work, though, to make the visit more of a relocation… Thanks Tim!
Hawaii for 3 – 6 months. Take the first real vacation of my life.
I will eenie meenie miney moe a new country to go to next summer in conjunction with visiting my grandparents and climbing the amazing Tatry mountains in Poland (and a “na zdrowie” to you at the top of Rysy!). Thank you for this chance Tim!
Italy for sure ! The Outside cover is way cool !
U know…i think i’d just hit Myrtle Beach with the family and chill pool side at the Breakers. nut’n fancy
I would definitely head back to Europe, since studying abroad in Madrid completely drained my funds and ability to travel more! I want to experience more of Europe- Paris to see my cousins, Portugal, as this is where my family is from, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany. Time for some backpacking.
Thank you,
I would go to Delphi to visit the dragons! Booyah!
Z
I’d visit Angor Wat in Cambodia!
I would definitely visit Costa Rica again. It is absolutely beautiful and I had a blast last time I went.
I would go to Montenegro to visit my son and his wife. While there, we will also tour Serbia, Croatia, Greece and Italy–maybe Turkey, too.
WHEN I WIN, I will go to Japan. I’ve always wanted to climb Mt. Fuji!
I would take my family to a 3rd world country to have my sons and wife experience what its like outside of America. Which neither my wife or children have ever experienced.
I would go to Georgia to talk about my Dad to strangers
I would hula hoop around Indonesia 🙂
My wife and son would all travel out West USA – to San Francisco to see the sights and meet new people.
Hi, Tim
I’m not quite sold on PunchTab. Basically it’s about rewarding/bribing readers for visiting my site, commenting, “like”ing on my facebook page and so on with points, which is redeemable for prizes. I briefly chatted with one of the founders of PunchTab and it was a interesting conversation. (I believe it was Mehdi Ait Oufkir.) We talked about the business model, the prizes, funding, venture capitalists, and future development. From what I hear, the prizes are currently being subsidize by PunchTab through their partners.(great for site owners) However, I can’t tell how PunchTab earns its revenue. I know that’s worrying a bit too much, but in the interest of learning I think it’s a valid concern.
From what I can tell, PunchTab is a double edged sword. When everything works out, it could be awesome. However, there is a real risk of my site looking really gimmicky and getting ruined. If the readers are dissatisfied with PunchTab and its prizes(too hard to get, sub-pare quality), will they also be dissatisfied with my site by association? Will bribing bring in quality traffic? If I take my site off PunchTab, will it survive? Too many questions.
I won’t be entering the giveaway. The one with the Most entries will have a best chance at winning, but there is also a chance that a person with a single entry will win also. Or is it the person with the most entries automatically wins? It’s interesting because if you invite a friend, you are six times more likely to win the prize than your friend.(click + signup) But if you don’t signup a friend (just clicks on your link), you can better your odds without adding competition. Anyway, the giveaway structure is not very appealing.
I had a $1000 voucher I would add some of my own funds and fly my parents to Hawaii. Not only do they deserve it, but I can smile at the idea of my parents doing the hula dance. 🙂
I’m currently on a mini retirement in Guatemala & would use the voucher to fly my paternal units down for a visit! Once here I would take them to Antigua, Pana, & several other of my favorite spots!
I would love to go on a no-frills adventure across Europe!
I would go to India, because I feel it’s important that I experience a thoroughly different culture than the Canada/UK/US culture I have been exposed to (and visited) all my life. To gain perspective on humanity.
If I am the Lucky Duck, I’ll be off to the Sea of Cortez, to finally go on the yearly fishing trip with my dad and cousins- (My own personal ‘limitations’ have pre-empted all past attempts… sadness…)
Thanks For All you’re doing Tim!
I’d go to Haiti, to visit friends and experience some of what my wife has experienced in her three trips there.
I’d enthusiastically go to Brazil, to work on my fourth language in the setting that would allow me to learn it the fastest and most effectively. Thanks for the chance to enter Tim.
I recently bought your book. I’m starting to organize myself to start with the right foot.
I just need to know if I can add “QUINUA” to my diet…since it has great qualities…(low in calories, high in proteins, high in fiber, low in sugars).
It is considered a “pseudo cereal”…but , could it be considered a legume?
Please let me know!
Thanks,
Isabella
When I was in Edinburgh, Scottland, 4 years ago backpacking I met the love of my life in a hostel. She is Australian and after a year apart abroad I moved to Australia for her. I am getting permanent residency this year, and with the voucher I would better be able to afford a ticket back to Edinburgh for us for our 4th anniversary together.
I’d go to Hawaii and surf without a wetsuit!
I would absolutely love to go to London for a week or two. I’ve never exited the U.S. and to see the native place of so many of my favorite writers would be amazing.
That voucher is my one way ticket to Bangkock!!! Immersion in Thai cooking for a month…I can almost taste it 🙂
I’d love to say if I won that I would fly to where Tim was if I could find him (Not likely) and share a couple local brews to pick his brain. That aside, I’ve always wanted to visit Rio in Brazil. I’ve worked with a couple Brazilians in my past occupation and they talk about the once in a lifetime sunset, gorgeous women, delicious food, & life-enriching people. Being with them on a daily basis I got to experience all of these except the sunset. But this was all in moderate and in New England. I want to be submersed in the language & environment to truly live ” devagar “
I have always wanted to visit Japan. Possibly even live there. I would travel there to see the Zen gardens and Torii. And then I would try to assist with the earthquake in any way I can.
Is there a way to participate without using Facebook?
I don’t want to join Facebook just to participate in this giveaway.
thanks.
I would go to see my grandparents in the Dominican Republic and take some lessons in merengue & bachata while I’m there!!
If I win, I’ll go to Rio and explore the local bargain bins for rare Brazilian music!
I’d go on a surfing tour of glory in Indonesia, Australia and Hawai! Ahh.. the waves.. 🙂
I would fly to France, always been my dream… and I would try to take my 2 closest friends with me to celebrate both turning 30 and beating cervical cancer this year!
Japan all the way!! 🙂 I’m in love with the fashion and culture, and would love to study and photograph the people there to have the research to develop my dream to have my own business one day…
I will finally go visit the city of my dreams: Tokyo.
If i win, I’ll travel to Montenegro to the home where my Grandfather was born.
I would visit my friend in Lima, Peru, and go to Maccu Picchu for the first time! It’s on my list of 30 things to do before I turn 30!
I want to go to Alaska! I have always wanted to take a train up the countryside.
My Ireland vacation in October would be much easier with this added bonus.
I would extend or spice up my upcoming honeymoon to Jamaica…which may or may not even be happening at this point! I intend to make it work, either way. If given more cash…I would buy a one-way ticket to India to eat my way across the continent and start writing books. Also learn the languages.
I would go to Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica, mon.
I’d rent a Harley, use the gift card for hotel stops and take off in whatever direction I felt like to see the country, tourist areas suck.
I’d go to Greece, where I’ve always wanted to go, and explore the islands and the ancient ruins.
Tim, i would go to Brazil, to see the wonders that my brother has told me about. I would let him be my tour guide and explore all that Brazil has to offer. thanks
The Ultimate Answer?
Step 1. Sell the Voucher for $800.
Step 2. Buy JetBlue Unlimited 30 day travel pass(They had it every year so I’m hoping they’ll have it this year too).
Step 3. Visit 30 Cities in 30 days taking at least 30 flights.
It’s fun to be crazy. 🙂
I will take my husband and sons (4 and 1) to Barcelona, Spain. We’ll visit La Sagrada Familia and other Gaudi architectural sites, enjoy wonderful Spanish food and spend some time on the beach! What a great time that will be!!
I will fly to Costa Rica and take 3 weeks to learn how to surf. That is my first decided goal after reading the 4-hour work week! thank you Tim Ferriss, for the inspiration!
I would take my girlfriend to Cuba!!
Denmark. Met a girl who was visiting the US quite a while back. We hung out for one afternoon in Boston. Now we email. Would be nice to do the face to face thing. Plus, she’s beautiful, and …single. Yeah she is 🙂
I would backpack across southeast Asia. Thanks Tim! Love the blog!
The Greek Islands with my wife!
My goal is have been to all 7 continents before the age of thirty. I’d use this money to go to Antarctica. I’m training to run a half marathon there in the year I turn 30!
I would go to Germany, where my sister lives, spend some time with her and help her implement the features of the slow carb diet and get her exercising with kettlebells. She is about 100 pounds overweight and she really needs help – we would do it together, then we would have a contest to see who lost the greatest percentage of weight. Really ….. I just want to see my little sister:-) – doing the 4-hour body would be a cherry on top of it all-