Spring has Sprung!

The warmer weather is such a joy! And the month of April is going to be a marathon for the Time Machine! (The DeLorean will do just fine, but I'm concerned about the pilot and navigator's aging bodies.) We'll be heading to what they call 'The World's Largest Automotive Extravaganza" the first weekend in April at the Lowes Motor Speedway. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend!
Food Lion AutoFair
Thursday, April 2 - Sunday, April 5, 2009
We'll be one of the featured cars in the Nationwide Garage raising funds as a part of our mission!
Our thanks to the nice folks at the speedway for having us! (especially 'Wendy.')
Photos and further blogging will follow!
-Oliver

Blast from the Past

Consider this a post from the 'Past,' as these photos occurred before this blog was created. Plus, a friend Michael recently posted this news clipping and I thought I'd add it here. This was a DeLorean Car Show we attended in Fort Lauderdale a year or two ago and had a wonderful time! (That's me bent over looking at a red painted DeLorean.) Guests donated for a chance to ride in the time machine and raised a good amount for Team Fox -with Jeffrey Weissman's help. The Batmobile was there too and Terry jumped out to get this photo as we were stopped at a light in the street. She's quite the stunt photog. I call it 'Bat Time.'

The Grand Total!

Terry and I enjoy a long drive home from wherever we've been, because it gives us a chance to unwind in a private, relaxed atmosphere (a DeLorean Time Machine cockpit!), undisturbed, with nothing to do but enjoy the scenery rolling by and reflect on the recent events.
Part of this ritual involves asking each other, 'What was your favorite part of the trip?' (And then sometimes we break it down into smaller categories, such as 'favorite part of the convention?', or 'favorite encounter or restaurant?', etc.) -I think now we'll have to add a new category called 'what was the freakiest looking costume you saw?' :)
We both agreed that the people we met was the best part. Literally hundreds of Back to the Future fans, both young and -not so young!, Michael J. Fox fans, folks with Parkinson's (some of whom admitted it was 'not public knowledge', and those whose lives are affected by Parkinson's in some way or another. There were so many generous people, and yet we were being thanked over and over again. It seemed backwards.
(By the way, the freakiest looking costume was a tie between 'Borat in swimsuit', or 'Blue guy wearing little more than glitter!')

As we mentioned in a previous post, for every few people that were only focused on 'taking', there was a person who wanted to contribute, stopping to learn more about TeamFox, and make a donation. I came up with a phrase, "Your contribution today may cure your future self." It's a little spooky, but hopeful at the same time. A generous contribution can be self-serving!

So, speaking of generousity, we added up the donations for the convention and,
drum roll please. . .
A total of $1477.18 was raised for Team Fox!
Terry's preparing a cashiers check for an even $1500. and we'll mail it off tomorrow!
Check out the short video
Oliver

No Place Like It!

We had originally planned to rush back to the hoverport in South Carolina after the show, but considering the amount of energy we have left after a day of conventioning, we quickly decided to stay one more night and make the drive on Tuesday. (We were going to need a hotel room either way, and we were really enjoying the Peabody! Those ducks are great!)
Got up early Tuesday and toured the creative design departments with a friend at Universal. We signed a non-disclosure agreement, so no photos to show, but what we saw was really COOL!
Then it was off to see the remains of the Back to the Future Ride, aka 'The Simpsons'.
I'll only say these two things:
1. The 'roller coaster' car had gull wing doors. (Hmm.)
2. The movie was bright, clean, crisp, and well done, using the newest technology.
It was nice to see the restored Back to the Future train on display. and we saw Doc Brown riding his bike past the park's time machine.
Time for a quick photo and we were off, to HOME!

The obligatory stop at an orange stand was made, and I'm happy to say the drive was uneventful and pleasant, aside from a (distracted) trucker that almost plowed into a small car.
Driving a time machine, I've learned that other drivers may not be looking where they're going.
It was good to be home with the puppies, and I drank fresh-squeezed OJ this morning for breakfast! What a great trip!
Next up, the GRAND TOTAL!!!!!
-Oliver

MegaCon Final Day

The convention is a blur, but as Marty would say. . . 'It's been educational.'
The vendors were very friendly, many of them coming by to chat before the hall opened to guests each morning. The event owner even stopped by to make sure everything was going well for us, which was very kind, considering how busy she must have been. Terry and I started a list of things we should bring next time we do such an event. Everything from basics, like clear tape, to more design-based items, like a larger banner. By the end of the day, our list was over a page long! :) -We'll have to see if it will all fit in the car -and still leave room for us to get inside!
Nate Pratt, a talented artist, (and Back to the Future fan) stopped by throughout the weekend to check in on us and offer assistance, and presented us with a skillfully rendered Doc Brown illustration.
Near the end of the convention, Terry spoke with the staff and got clearance for us to exit first thing, right at 5:00, before anything else happened. This was GREAT, but required us to be packed up and ready to time travel on their word. Nate sprung into action and helped, so when it was time, Terry gave her seat to him, while she preceded the vehicle down the aisle, making sure the way was clear. It was a nice little parade to finish the event, with the vendors left and right, shouting lines from the movie as we departed.

MegaCon Saturday

Saturday was much busier with lots of costumed fans roaming the aisles. A few celebrities stopped by our display to lend their support. Terry and I compared notes afterwards about the large number of attendees that spoke about how Parkinson's affects their lives. One lady just lost a good friend at the age of 40 due to the disease and a gentleman lost his wife, who had experienced complications during a brain surgery trial.
It's a real challenge to educate folks about our purpose and why the time machine is on display.
The iconic vehicle certainly triggers attendees to whip out their cell phones and cameras, but we try to encourage them to do more than just 'take.'
Take a photo, but give hope.
Fortunately, for every person that misses the point, there is another that donates, just for the sake of contributing, expecting nothing in return.
It's a surprising balance.