Brandon’s Book: Astonishing Tales Of Mediocrity

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About Astonishing Tales Of Mediocrity

Astonishing Tales Of Mediocrity (A.T.O.M.) is a set of stories about the pilot Amanda and I did for A Million High Fives. The name beautifully sums up our misadventures while driving across America to promote the early detection and prevention of cancer for a small not-for-profit.

I hope A.T.O.M. will provide you with a case study on what to do, and what not to do when attempting to produce a project through social publishing.

Legal Disclaimer

Although 100% of the stories contained in Astonishing Tales Of Mediocrity are true, some dates, names, and locations have been changed to protect us from any potential liability.

Stories

Introduction: No Risk, No Reward At Hoover Dam

The Photo Story

Throughout  SBI, you can see twenty four photos from the pilot.

All photos are copyright 2009 by Brandon Mendelson and may be reused as long as a link is provided back to Soap Box Included and credit is given.

The Photos

#1 Jack (our 2002 Chevy Impala) in Amanda’s driveway just before leaving Glens Falls, New York.

#2 A view of the Washington Monument from the restrooms located by the monument’s visitor center.

#3 Amanda in the lobby of the Sheraton in Raleigh, North Carolina, bundled up.

#4 The world’s largest fire hydrant, located in Columbia, South Carolina.

#5 Amanda playing catch at Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

#6 My head stuck inside the gator statute outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

#7 An old tree on the Florida Atlantic University campus.

#8 A cup of money from a concert / fundraiser event was held at Little Hoolies Bar & Grill in Miami, Florida, on Valentine’s Day.

#9 The Atlantic Ocean from Miami Beach, Florida.

#10 The entrance to Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, in St. Petersburgh, Florida.

#11 A Florida State University bus.

#12 The Fish House in Pensacola, Florida.

#13 Showing off the stuff that was tossed at me from the Mardi Gras parade float in New Orleans, Louisiana.

#14 The plaque that rests on the former eighth wonder of the world in Houston, Texas.

#15 Bison grazing at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch outside of San Antonio, Texas

#16 Brandon getting interviewed by the CBS affiliate from Odessa, Texas.

#17 An alien autopsy display from the Roswell, New Mexico UFO museum.

#18 The view from the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The tramway is the world’s longest aerial tramway.

#19 The Painted Desert in Arizona.

#20 Hoover Dam

#21 Jack, now dying, fighting its way through traffic on the Vegas Strip

#22 Jack’s final resting place at Caesar’s Palace.

#23 A jet preparing for takeoff at San Francisco International Airport.

#24 With the Mayor of Poughkeepsie, New York. After giving a presentation about our project at Marist College.

Acknowledgements

Sprint, Dunkin Donuts, Caesar’s Palace, Rita Rudner, Best Western Inn & Suites (Albuquerque, New Mexico), High Finance (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Mayor Sarah Pressler (Flagstaff, Arizona), Holiday Inn Express (Roswell, New Mexico), Desert Sun Chevy (Roswell, New Mexico), Comfort Suites (Midland, Texas), Bob, Wendy Walker, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, The Austin Layne Hotel (Houston, Texas), The Russell Roost (Pensacola, Florida), The Avera-Clarke House (Monticello, Florida), Grampa and Grandma Morin, The Wave Hotel (Miami Beach, Florida) Louie and Denise Tornes, Little Hoolies Bar & Grill, The Camellia Rose Inn, Sheraton (Raleigh, North Carolina), The Savoy Suites (Georgetown / Washington, D.C.), Mayor John Tkazyik (Poughkeepsie, New York), Marist College,  Florida Atlantic University’s softball team,  Mayor Susan Whelchel (Boca Raton, Florida), Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan (Gainseville, Florida), Mr. and Mrs. Mendelson, Mr. and Mrs. Morin, Grandma Crossman, The Score, The Velmas, WUSC, KVRX, The Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Bay Aquarium.

A special thank you to those who donated to the foundation we worked with, as well as those who participated in the SBI 750 and the Validation program.

Amanda and I were successful in promoting the message of “Check Early and Check Often” to thousands of people across America thanks to you.

Remember: Most cancer, if found early enough, is treatable.

Astonishing Tales Of Mediocrity is dedicated to all of you.