Hiking Matt

So, as you may have already known from an earlier post that I had a problem with my Pocketmail device. A number of weeks later, after learning that I wasn’t going to be hiking the trail in 2006, I did finally recieve my new pocketmail, error free. Of course, once the novelty of it dissipated, it went on the shelf with everything AT. Fastforward to today. I still cannot find the 6 month activation card that they sent with the original shipment. That’s over $100 in services, gone. Go figure, this seems to be my luck. I phoned up the Aussies at Pocketmail (they work the overnight shift for us Americans) and got a hold of an awesome rep who initially tried to contact fulfillment to try to get a new card sent out to me, but because they were so busy, he couldn’t even reach them. Finally he went ahead and took care of me. How great is that? Here’s a company that is allowing it’s people make decisions that can make an impact with the direction they want to go. After spending about 20 minutes with me on the phone, I was finally able to get my pocketmail working an ready for my trip. Hurray!

I don’t think I ever even discussed why I chose a Pocketmail device in the first place. I think it was entirely Jan Liteshoe’s fault. I’d heard about this device from a many a persons, but when you read her journal (and I think that all hikers/dreamers/warm bodies should) you’ll understand how much easier it is to be able to communicate with one. They are lightish, great on the battery life and take only two (2) AAs, which are easy to find on the trail, and pretty rugged, not some dainty thing that must be protected.

mattbob

In order to continue my ‘prep’ for my thru-hike, I decided to go ahead and try to reduce some weight before hitting the trail, so went and had my hair trimmed…..a lot. For those who know me, I’ve had long hair (longer than most men anyway) for quite some years, so this is definitely something new. I’d never been to one of those shopping plaza hair places, but I didn’t see it necessary to spend more money absolutely necessary for what is essentially a buzz. And hell, if they did ‘mess up,’ what would I care? My Hair Cuttery lady was Lavita and she was awesome.. funny and quick witted, like most, she thought I was crazy for attempting to hike ‘all those miles’ but understood and supported the notion nonetheless.. very cool lady. When I got home, I washed up and put in some Clay Wax to style it up a bit. Not bad. I may just be able to get used to this.











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mattbob