6 Months ago today, I spent half a day trying to complete squeezing everything in my car, and leave my parents’ house (after one month before, I had gotten rid of my gorgeous condo on the beach….) to go Couch Surfing! I’ve been called a lot of things on my adventure, but the one I hear the most, is “an inspiration.” When you’re really out there doing it, and living life to the fullest, people pick up on it, and I’m proud to say that a few people have quit their jobs. I’ve done a LOT, I’ve met many, I’ve learned, I’ve experienced…. and I have the pictures to prove it!

I’ll start with my little slideshow, because everyone says “Awesome photos, awesome adventures… where’s the photos?”

Can you believe people actually bet that I would quit by now? Gee thanks! Well, at least I have something to call them about today My trip started superbly. I had Couch #1 cancel, then Couch #1 the 2nd cancelled last minute, and then one girl, who had wanted me to couch surf there got a call from me, and ended up being Couch #1 came through. I’ve since been back there twice, including one trip specifically to show up for her birthday. From that point on, I’ve had nothing but an awesome experience with people. It seems I only meet awesome people on my trip! That’s the best part of it all, the people…. I’ve made some great friends, some like family. You’ll see many photos of me in that slideshow…. most were taken in Atlanta by my Photographer-family there, Couch 24, Skizzy Photography, and Couch 28, AskJonathanOnline.com – both are awesome people / photographers, and probably part of the reason I bought a place there. Let’s not skip ahead though!

I’ve been telling a joke that Couch #1′s friend, Tara told me in January, at every single couch I’ve arrived at, as well as… well.. everywhere! I wrote it in my blog, so you can find it.. or you can find me in person, and I’ll tell you. I started my journey in a hurry. I left Ft. Lauderdale on January 1, made it to Los Angeles on January 24th, and back to Orlando by March 6th. This involved a lot of driving, and not enough time at each location. I attended my 1st photography workshop in January 13/14 in Texas. I covered it, more than participated… though I got great photos, and met awesome people. I then got in a car accident on my way to couch #10 in Frisco, TX. That was a fun experience, and I only now, at Couch 30′s, fixed my car (12,000 miles later). I drove the next 12,000 miles with Zip-ties holding my front/back bumpers on (thanks couch #10). I drove through snow (big deal for an FL boy), I drove 19.5 hours in 1 day, only staying awake by sticking my hand out in -7 degrees weather. I went bowling, snowboarding, grooming the mountain. I met, interviewed, and stayed with some of my personal idols in photography/photoshop. I’ve taught my own creative photography workshop (which was a huge hit, and has shaped the future of my business). I couchsurfed with the historical re-enactors in Tombstone, AZ… that’s like going to Disney, and crashing with Mickey after hours, drinking beer with Minnie and friends, etc… I met and interviewed the world’s oldest professional active porn star, David Cumming, who just got inaugurated into the Porno Hall of Fame. I’ve gotten to party my ass off, fly on ultralight trikes, stall ‘em @ 110mph, fly aerobatic maneuvers with skydivers, be a featured photographer in an amazing event, camp in a tent, visit my old friends after a while of traveling, buy a home, do work from the road, learn a ton about myself, and every other subject under the sun– thanks to my mp3 player, and all my driving time.

I’ve attended an internet marketing workshop, and stripped in front of everyone there….. gave this guy(who’s seminar it was… )’s wife a lapdance in front of the world’s top marketers. I’ve learned about business, marketing, people, communications, new places, and a ton about myself. I like going out and partying… in stride. After 3 or 4 days, going to a club can get a little old. I like telling jokes. I like telling stories (of my trip, for one), I like meeting new people. I love affecting people’s lives, and that’s one thing I’ve done a lot. I’ve helped people get jobs, dates, their internet working, their computers working, photos they never had, cheered them up, gave them feedback, etc… We all have the power to change our lives, and others’, but we hardly do.

I’ve shared birthdays, graduations, holidays, and other events with people. Currently, I am using my 3d animation skills to create a fancy architectural walkthrough for a company that needed it 2 months ago, but had an inept person doing the work. I’ve had the opportunity to show more people my work and personality. I’m going to be on a radio talk show (or 2) just this coming week! And yes, of course I’ll post it. I’m getting Mountain Boarding lessons by a pro this coming week, along with the top of the line Mountain Board from GroundIndustries.com – the world’s leader in making Mountain Boards. Disney actually has a film coming out on June 8th on DisneyChannel – as well as a video game on Disneychannel.com — both completely based on these guys’ boards.

How could people think I’d quit BY 6 months? I don’t know how I’ll ever stop! I have a couch coming up that teaches KiteBoarding (on water) – which was one of my “to do” goals for this year…. I’ve gone into Mexico, just for some Mexican food! I’m going to Burning Man! I’ve got a date with someone who’s writing a book about 100 dates they’ll be on… figure I can make for an interesting date! I bought a guitar, and am practicing a lot now! I’ll be damn good in no time– and that fulfills a lifelong dream! I’ve already had one of Couch 37′s employees give me some lessons, and the internet is an amazing teacher.

My hair’s gotten long, and couch 27 dyed it blonde. I was going to get a stylist drunk, and video tape the experience of having someone trashed, cut my hair… but now I like it long. It gives me something to play with, and has enough body to where I can shake it off after a shower. One of the absolute highlights was when Couch 28 threw me a Passover dinner, where I was the only jew. He googled the recipies, etc… he researched what Jewish people do for the holiday. He continued to amaze me, when he had me autograph his couch cushions. I’ve tried to juggle fire-covered juggling pins. I’ve gone to a Nascar race, all VIP… free drinks, air conditioning, no lines, a bus, beautiful waitresses, and couch 36 breaking his arm… and me getting awesome photos of it. I’ve ridden horses, I’ve played with many dogs & cats. I’ve discovered I actually like children, and confirmed that I’d like my own. I’ve collaborated with others on artistic projects. I’ve learned the value of a GPS.

I’ve improved my communications with my family. I speak to my parents more often than I ever did… I’ve even introduced “I love you” into the calls, and e-mails. A big step for me…. it’s still awkward, but I still make the effort, and it feels nice. We’ve always known that we all love each other… it never had to be said… yet, not having it said, nor saying it, has hurt some of my relationships. Perhaps I can find someone to say it to, on this trip. I’ve helped some people achieve goals they never thought possible- full time photography at double their rates, when they were looking for work to support their photography hobby… some work for people who were down on their luck….It really is who you know, not what you know.

They say hard work has its rewards. Guitar is a perfect example– I just told this example tonight… it’s been a life long goal of mine to get good at it. My dad was in a band in high school. He’s been playing instruments since before I was born. I have a good ear for music, and have had Dad try to teach me quite a few times, as well as various things I’ve tried doing to learn before… But.. when I’d get to a chord I can’t play, or a scale that’s boring.. .I’d quit…. So.. I go to a party, there’s a guitar, I pick it up, play my 4 or 5 chords – poorly – some people oooh / ahhh , and then someone eventually comes along that really knows how to play, and I’m exposed for the huge amateur that I am. Eventually, there’s a singalong, and everyone forgets about me. I then go “wow… wish I could play like that! That’s some amazing music! That’s a great way to express yourself! That’s a great way to entertain! Hey! I’m a writer.. I could make awesome songs!” But I’d always quit. Now, I’m pushing harder, every single time it gets hard. I guess you could say that’s one thing like this trip…. I’ve thought I was stranded a few times, so I worked harder, and got amazing contacts because of it. Heck… that’s how I got to where I am now (Couch 37) — I was stranded in SC, sent out an SOS, and had Couch 35′s contact info sent to me by someone dating their cousin.

I bought a condo in Atlanta (Marietta), which is awesome…. though I’ll be renting it out, while I couch-surf. I’ve seen movies, been exposed to new music, new art, new photographers, new beliefs, and definitely new experiences!

All in all, I’m VERY proud that I’ve made it 6 months! It sounds like a big number, but it’s breezed by. I can’t wait to meet that special someone that likes to travel, likes me, and hopefully edits video well We can travel the world together, changing people’s lives, taking cool photos, and having the most amazing adventures, which is why the world is so big! If you’d like to create an amazing life, Couch Surfing is a good way to go! If you know someone who is awesome, has a cool product, a cool story, a cool adventure, a cool job, a unique location, etc…. tell them about me, I’d like to meet them! Meanwhile, leave comments, keep reading, and keep writing me!

I appreciate all the help, human-contact, friendly faces, and constant contact from everyone! I’ve had people look at my site from Australia, Africa, China, and of course the Americas. I’ve received invitations to Couch Surf in Thailand, China, France, Italy, Germany, and many other countries. Over 100 people have visited my site more than 100 times! 14 people have visited over 200 times! Considering I started it in January, that’s pretty darn cool! Actually, it didn’t get functional till late January.

Guess that’s my slideshow, and update rant. I will spend the rest of the day drinking beer / redbull while working on 3d visualization. I will then go out to celebrate my 6 month anniversary, and then head to a big mountain boarding event in Atlanta. Let me know if you’d be interested in a CouchSurfingOri screen-saver- like the Couch above, but bigger photos.

Live your life to the fullest-

Ori “The Couch Surfer” Bengal