That's right, I am going to auction myself off for a night and it has nothing to do with book promotion. Though I will bring some signed books in an effort to send you home with a decent parting gift.
Nope, this is for a good cause. And I don’t mean in the “Save Ferris” sense. Sure, my Valentine’s Day needed a little injection from Cupid himself, but then I found out that the Drive Around the World Team is almost home. If you hadn’t heard, this amazing group high tailed it 41,000 miles through 31 countries raising money for Parkinson’s disease. Their journal page is full of adventures and great pictures of their last 16 months. At the end of this week they will begin their media days in Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland before continuing on to Los Angeles—and on February 28, they’ll return to Sunnyvale for a welcome home bash.
So, here’s how to play.
- I’m going to start the bidding at $10, because this will ensure that you get entered for a chance to win a 2003 Land Rover Discovery Certified Pre-Owned vehicle outiftted with expedition gear.
- Bidders can use the comment box right here on this post to up their bids and new bids must meet the last one by at least $1.00.
- The highest bidder by noon on Friday February 18, 2005 will have the option to either take me out on a date, or attend the Drive Around the World homecoming party with me. Details t.b.a.
- The money from the winning bid will be donated to the Parkinson’s Institute.
- The date must take place in the Bay Area unless the winning bidder wants to additionally fly me in to his preferred location and pay for all expenses.
- You do not have to be a man to bid.
- Scintillating conversations may or may not include any advice about travel writing or book publishing.
- Conversation will definitely include my upcoming move to Las Vegas because I can’t shut up about it.
- Travelers preferred but not required.
- Winning bidders that result in an out of town date will definitely make my “Not So Weekly Stats.”
- The winning bid must make the date plans within the next 4-6 weeks.
Ok, we can keep gabbing about this in the comments. I’ve included a recent photo of me for those who’ve never met me in person.
Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!
I’m not in the Bay Area, but I’ll kick things off with a $10 bid. The gauntlet has been thrown…Let the bidding frenzy begin!!
$20 – c u Rolfy!
$25
Count me in for $30, but seeing as how I only make it to the US every year or so, the date offer should be valid until 2006.
I’ll up the ante to $35, and a bushel of celery. I live in the bay area, but i’ll fly jen to a “prefered location” (anywhere else), just to quiet things down here a bit.
Damn…I can’t afford to fly to to London. I bet that would make good Stats tho!
$40
Thanks, everybody. This is great! But I don’t think I can wait until Friday. 🙂
I could change the date on WR, but Rolf already announced it going for a week on his blog, too. And he found a better picture. https://www.vagablogging.net
I guess I just have to be patient to find out who it will be…
hey jen,
i heard you went to USC, do you know a david kim and a peter sarkissian?
stan
How much for dinner with you AND Rolf?
I like the idea though..perhaps I’ll auction off a Fellow..
-Amanda
Make it $53.88, because real men include sales tax.
$75 … and there should be AT LEAST one zero at the end of it, if not two.
You … me … Vegas … poker … fahgedabouit
$80
DAMN! I find myself solo on V-day in australia, and seek solace here at writtenroad.com only to be taunted by the knowledge that I will not be anywhere near S.F. in time to take you out. Such is my luck…. you should do this again when I get back next year 🙂
Who are you Peter? I love Australia…lets meet over there!
For that matter, who are you Bronxy?
Stan, sorry, don’t know your friends. But there was another Jennifer Leo at SC while I was there. Class ’93.
Dave, nice one.
Amanda, I’m on it. Just emailed Rolf. We could probably all meet in Kansas next month…
Whoa. Sean is the highest bidder so far…..Lucky person who gets to finally date you Jen.
I’d bid for a date too, but then I’d have to drop for a flight to Germany, and that ain’t happening anytime soon. Sorry Jen… do feel free to drop in though, if you’re back in the area.
What, no bids yet today? Tax breaks, boys. Think tax break. 🙂
To paraphrase Paris Hilton:
Tax break. That’s hot.
I thought that was Plato who said that.
You cheap skates, stop talking and get bidding.
I really want to bid on this but 1) I won’t be in the Bay Area anytime soon and 2) Discussed with the wife and we forgot to set money aside for “dates with other people”.
I’m just an admirer who is currently galavanting around the world and enjoys your site and postings immensely.
I find myself checking your page everytime I find myself at an internet terminal (Rolf’s too for that matter – though I’d much rather take you on a date). So, “Thanks!”
Jen, this entry is a story already!
And you bidders out there. What can I say. I mean, take another good look at that photo. HIKE UP THOSE BIDS! You’ve got yourselves a HOT and FUN date waiting to happen.
Girl, you should do this every week and write a book about it!! Why didn’t I think of this before marrying a man who earns 8$ a month and who’s immigration is costing me 10 grands? “Chapeau”, as we say around here (something like “I take my hat off to you, lady”), please never quit being so amazing!
Cheers,
Mrs. Martinez
I’ll go $95.
Would love a chance to win the Land Rover : )
DanB – you and Jen can take me out to dinner whenever I see you, no need to compete or pay extra for that. I’ll always let you pick up the check.
Peter, you already have something in common with Amanda. Maybe you two should meet in Oz.
Johanna, too kind!
Xtine…holy crap I owe you a phone call. Thrilled to hear you’re back. If you have any hilarious Cuba stories, send them over ASAP. Also, if I were to do this every week, I wouldn’t make them pay, I’d just take the best date idea. The most creative one, or “funnest” one wins my Sat night.
Edward…..tell us who you are 🙂
Hi All,
I’m a lover of travel as are the rest of you. I live and work in San Francisco and I blog/do features for a company about a topic not having to do with travel. I’ll tell you later which one 🙂
A date with Jen sounds like it’d be fun and I’m happy to to support a great cause.
and the last place I came back from was Russia…
Hey Jen,
I don’t rekon I will be up in Palo Alto to take you out a date but my offer is still good should you ever come back down to the OC. $50.00 donation from number 38, no strings just tell me where to send the money.
Still Waiting
#38
For Number 38 and anyone else who wants to donate to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease through DATW, check the donation page of the website here. You can donate online, or by phone or the mail — and every entry is eligible for the Land Rover prize drawing!
Again, you don’t have to win the date with Jen to donate, and the website is:
https://www.parkinsonsinstitute.org/support/drivearoundtheworld/
Great idea and great cause!
And I think all you boys should include tip as well as tax and Up the bidding another 15-20% 🙂
20% to look good 🙂
Have fun on the hot date!
No bids today, eh?
Edward, where are we going? 🙂
Hmm, what’s a round-trip ticket from SF to Bangkok going for these days? I need someone to escort me through Pat Pong.
I owe you big time Jen, but I’d have to sell an article about this date to four magazines to recoup expenses… Got any leads?
Leif, Leif, Leif….i told you, I don’t date men who juggle chainsaws.
When you’re in town, we’ll grab a burrito. No worries.
That said, I’d love to see an article about this in Vitals magazine. Love that mag, reminds me I signed up for their free subscription and haven’t received one. Which then reminds me, I have to subscribe to All In, and I still haven’t seen one of theirs.
Looks like I’m still in the lead 🙂
The DATW party sounds great or if you like japanese food, I can take you somewhere you might like and we can talk about Vegas.
I won’t juggle chainsaws DURING the date! Huge faux pas!
OK, i’m off to look for the submission guidelines for Vitals.
Mmmm, burritos… Huhuhuhuhuh!
Not so fast Eddie.
$100
This is getting interesting! Any more bidders as the deadline looms? Edward? Are you gonna let Sean cut you off like that?
I just heard from the DATW team, and they are nearing the USA. I will blog about their expedition and return party next week…
$150……and 9 cents!
$155.09
200.09
Ding!
200.09
Well done Jason – my job is done here…
I have to say that was the most excitement I’ve had in online bidding since my first eBay experience when I was competing for a darkroom timer; Jen – not to compare you to a darkroom timer….
Wow! That was fun. Jason, swooping in at the end with the big bucks. 🙂
Sean, nice go.
Excellent! Again, anyone who feels like donating to fight Parkinson’s Disease via DATW, just cut and paste this
https://www.parkinsonsinstitute.org/support/drivearoundtheworld/
I’ll be blogging next week about the impending return of the DATW Land Rover expedition, so that anyone in the SF area can attend their return reception on 2/28 (and, possibly, stare with jealousy as Jason and Jen sip cocktails with the DATW/Land Rover brass). Check next week at:
https://vagablogging.net
Oh my… There I was comfortably in the lead, planning a nice date and I’m quickly taken out before I know it : )
Good job guys and congratulations!
Big thanks to everybody who participtaed! It definitely made may Valentine’s Day the best one in a long time.
Now back to our regular scheduled programming…
HEY! Jen, this is really cool. Thanks for your “personal donation.” And to those who have donated or will donate, thank you! I just saw this and got a huge kick out of it. We’re in Tacoma, WA, now, and we’re looking forward to the return event. See you there!
Cheers,
Nancy (Drive Around the World)
What the…
I don’t check the site for a week or so, and I miss a chance like this?
Arrrgh!
(BTW, I can’t believe that pic Rolf has of you and John is still around. Love it!)
Jen, Check your email. 🙂
And I was just about to bid $2000… ah well…
Phil
Your pretty and I do live close enough, however, I will be at work…..
NOTE: This auction was for last year, 2005.