2DO Before I Die

Gigi gets some press!

One of our favorite contributors to the blog here has been Gigi Burgdorf, author of the 'Conquer My Fear of Nudity' series. You're missing out if you haven't read of her adventures as Gigi plucks up the courage to shed all as a nude model for an art class - click here, scroll to the bottom for her first post and enjoy.

Well, Gigi has received some press lately for her work here on the blog. We're asked from time to time to talk about the 2DO Before I Die project to the press, and they are often interested in speaking to our writers as well (Like to write for this blog? Click here for info) both for the book and the ongoing contributors to the blog. Most recently, Martha Stewart's magazine, Body and Soul, got in touch and we spoke to Victoria Moran about 'How to make a life list' while Gigi commented on her own experience. Here's Gigi featured in the article - out on newsstands now:

"If I hadn't been writing about it on the 2dobeforeidie site, I would have lost my nerve," she says. "I did feel some panic before I did it, and during the modeling -- which took three hours -- I think I was in shock." One of the artists gave her a sketch, which she posted on the site. "I debated about doing that. I mean, it's a naked picture of me. But I figured I could be proud of that drawing."

Good news too for fans of Ms. Burgdorf, she'll be returning to this site very soon with more of her adventures. But more on that to come, so stay tuned...(Click here to join our mailing list for news or even better, for regular blog updates, enter your email on the top left of this page and click 'sign up').

And for more information about becoming a contributor to this blog, click here at write for this blog.

G’day...G’dafternoon...G’dmorning...

5.30 am - Up for my interview on ABC radio Perth.
6.20 am - A shower, two coffees and a few loosening gargles later and it’s all over. I feel a little beached by the experience - wide awake and raring to do it all again. Instead, I return to the disorientating darkness of the bedroom and the drowsy mewlings of my son.

Still, despite the bizarre timing of the experience, Geraldine the host (and her co-host Gillian) were good sports – breezy, energetic and up for a laugh. In the 15-minute spot I recount once more the mythic origins of the 2DO project and reel off some of the more engaging story titles that have been submitted – ‘Ski Toeless’, ‘Discover the meaning of life’ and ‘Eat pizza with JD Salinger’ to name a few. There was a brief shout out to my sister (who’s co-incidentally camper-vanning across the Australian east coast with her family) and a short discussion on the virtues of threesomes, fivesomes, etc... Asked about my own list I suddenly realize I haven’t given it a look in too long and on the spot I struggle to recall much apart from ‘Learn the sax’ and ‘Start a family’. I go on to proudly say both 'my boy and my horn' are safe upstairs which rather neatly frames me as a sinister kiddie-fiddler stalking the phonelines at the crack of dawn.

An entertaining phone-in followed by all accounts, but by then I was back on (not in) my bed, winding back my body clock and trying hard not to re-answer all the questions in a much more eloquent way...Audio clips to follow, and thanks again to ABC in Australia and their listeners for the kind invitation...

- Chris

Radio Show in Oz - Up Early for Down Under

6am on a Wednesday morning usually sees me comatose and lightly dreaming I have the gift of flight (either that or imploring my lark-like 3 year old son to stop playing with the radio and go back to sleep).

Tomorrow, however, I shall be broadcasting my rusty tones across the planet and into the afternoon teas of several thousand west coast Australians. Radio ABC Perth is playing host on the Geraldine Mellet afternoon show from 3pm West Coast Time, in a show set to cover the 2DO project, the internet and listmaking in general.

There's a phone-in too, so if you're on the west coast of australia and reading this, why not give ABC a call and air your deepest ambitions to a curious public...

For the rest of you Northern Hemispherians (?) I’ll post a follow-up to let you know how it went, maybe even some audio snippets if you’re very crafty.

Chris

Times article...

2DO got a mention in the UK Times newspaper yesterday... Click here to read the article online.

As a result, we've also had a few more lists posted in the last day or so, including Zehra, 19, from London who wants to 'Live in my car for a week while driving round Europe' and 'Lay flowers on Winston Churchills grave'. Click here to check out all the latest lists posted...

Goodbye to Glenn Mitchell from NPR

We just heard from one of our readers, Daniel Weaver, about the recent death of Glenn Mitchell, NPR radio host in Dallas, Texas. Glenn's was one of the first radio shows to pick up on the 2DO Before I Die book. He was kind to have us both on his show this past June for an hour of discussion and phone-ins. He clearly had enjoyed the book and made us both feel very welcome. Speaking specifically about a number of the stories, it seemed the book had touched a nerve and he went on to do a couple of features on 2DO during the year.

His death comes as a shock. He was only 55 and it was apparent from our conversation that his curiousity remained undimmed. He was a great host, and leaves behind many fans.

Indiana U Reviews 2DO

The 2DO book recently received a glowing review courtesy of the Indiana University newspaper. Here's a quick quote:
"Whether you want to follow one of the suggestions in the book, or use the stories to inspire new ideas, making a list of fun and sometimes irrational things to do while you move through life has never been more entertaining."

Click here to read the whole article...

Weird or wonderful?...

The 2DO site is currently featured on the MSN entertainment page, which showcases 30 sites they've picked for being some of the best weird and wonderful ways to waste half an hour of your life.

As such, we have the great privilege of being sandwiched snugly between such classic sites as ‘man boobs’ and ‘hats of meat’. Click here to find out if there really is no such thing as bad publicity...

Press

If you would like to speak to either Mike and Chris, or any of our contributors about the 2DO Before I Die project (website or book), please get in contact.

Some Press Reviews of the book:

"A punchy, graphic-filled guide...inspiring...with often stirring essays...
..well-executed and empowering."
Publishers Weekly

"A Pick of the Summer."
Los Angeles Times

"Accessible, humorous, and very practical, 2DO deserves a place in your carry-on, beach bag,
or bedside table this summer. A blend of true stories with simple thought-starters and exercises,
2DO is a lively companion for any exploration, and it may just adjust your course."
Worthwhile Magazine

Some Press highlights:

• Mike and Chris are interviewed live on Channel 5 News in the UK
• Also in the UK, Mike and Chris record a series of interviews with BBC Radio
• Chris does a live link-up with ABC in Australia
• Mike speaks with Victoria Moran for a profile in Martha Stewart's 'Body and Soul' Magazine
• Interview with 'Men’s Journal' for a feature on ‘life lists’
• 2DO Blogger Gigi Burgdorf is also interviewed for that same piece
• Book review Easy Living Magazine
• Profile in the Independent Newspaper and The Times
• WebMD article on 'Making a life-list' featuring an interview with 2DO
• Feature on 2DO in the 'Life' section of Connecticut newspaper, The Hartford Courant
• Book reviewed in the Worthwhile Magazine Blog
• Myshelf.com 2DO review
• Review in Metro Newspaper, New York
• L.A. Times summer books pick
• Mike and Chris appear live on NPR's Glenn Mitchell Show and take calls
• Chicago Tribune Magazine piece on 2DO and Hana Field's story: 'Pass on a skill'
• Washington Times book review
• Unison article on 2DO book and contributor Andy Myers ('Road Trip Across the USA')
• Nantucket Inquirer & Mirror on Sandy Macdonald, her story 'Sing opera' and the upcoming 2DO book
• Time Warner author article: 'DIY - Developing and Designing 2DO Before I Die'
• 2DO website featured as UK Yahoo 'Pick of the Month'
• MSN picks 2DO as one of top 30 weird and wonderful sites on the internet
• Live interview with Mary Harboe on REM Radio in Spain