BEHIND THE SCENES

I just got my apple computer and i am learning to use my I video. This is a scene where i am supposed to break the glass and sound the fire alarm to get all of the students to come outside. Once outside we are standing on the bed of a big truck and we announce to them that their school has been selected for a re build. Apparently the glass is plexi glass and it is UNBREAKABLE. We had to replace it with real glass and re shoot. This shot took 3 takes.......I told you this was hard work.....tom

UNBELIEVABLE DAY

Walk with me through your minds eye for just one minute. Picture a small rural town just outside of Nashville, rolling hills, trickling streams, small grocery stores and quant coffee shops.

Now picture this same town receiving a full years worth of rain in less than two days. Homes were washed away, roads and bridges were destroyed, people were forced to leave their homes and businesses due to water damage and the accompanying deadly mold that follows.

Now picture an elementary school that was 8 feet under water. All or the supplies are lost, all of the teachers and students personal property is destroyed and the children are forced to end their school year with no certainty of when they can return.

This community grabbed their boot straps and they went to work.

The local residents and many volunteers began to re-build the roads on their own. They did not become a community that became more divided because of this natural disaster, instead they became a community who pulled together and willingly gave of themselves, their time, their money and their resources to help those who suffered losses due to this terrible tragedy......

Now to put all of that in perspective, the above picture is that same community coming out to let us know that they are willing to go one step further and continue to help us (School Pride) re-build that school.....This trip reminded me what America is all about......people caring about people......what a blessing to be there for this day....and yes, we all cried.....tom

Today was a GREAT day off. Hot yoga, coffee and tea at a great place in Nashville called "cafe coco", Shopping at Whole Foods and talking to Dawn on Skype for 40 minutes. Susie bought me a juice drink made from apples, ginger,spinach and kale.... She calls it "SUSIES GREEN LEMONADE"....Try it you will love it. It was very invigorating! We are going to hit the ground running tomorrow. The first call for the ladies is 6 am. the guys show up at 7 and we will be very busy the rest of the day......We fly out the next day, but you will have to stay posted because we are not supposed to reveal the next location until after we make the announcement at the school....

The guys saluting was on the door at cafe coco...I just liked it....If you are reading this blog, please tell your friends to check it every day so i can stay in touch...c u soon...tom

LIFE ON THE ROAD (TWO)

Life on the road.......One hour and 40 minute flight from Baton Rouge to Nashville.....Left hotel at 1030 AM, plane was late and we took off at 1pm, we missed our connecting flight in Dallas, waited over two hours for next flight. Caught next flight at 430 to Nashville. The pilot told us he needed to re-fuel in Memphis. Re-fueled, pulled away from terminal, returned to terminal and pilot said he had to switch crews. One and a half hours later we took off. We flew 20 minutes to Nashville and ordered to go food (above photo) from Chili's. One hour and 40 minute flight that left at 1200 pm arrived at room in Nashville with Chili's to go meal at 1030 pm......Life is a great adventure. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Except Dawn, of course.....tom

P.S....that is water.....

MOTOR POLICE

Today was a very rainy day so we had to do our announcement inside of a very small gym. Tis was our first elementary school and the kids were great. Many of the teacher there were "volunteers' that worked for an organization called " teach for America". They volunteered their time to assist schools with teaching needs. There were also many teachers who were long time teachers from within the community. It was a great example for us to see all of these teachers working so hard. We had a police escort in the pouring rain by about 15 motorcycle police officers. I filmed them prior to the escort......video attached....see you tomorrow with another update....Are you there?.....tom

ROUTE 66

Crazy day of travel today, but i cannot believe how exciting this is. What i am seeing all over this Country is communities that are very proud of their home town and love the opportunity to show us all the good in their community. in spite of the fact that these schools are in such bad condition they are still very committed to giving their children the best education possible. I am also realizing that they are wiling to do whatever it takes to make their schools better. I am still finding time to workout with our team. Susie posted this photo on here site......This is a short video of where we have been.You will get the answer to where this is when the show aires....see you soon...tom

TRAIN

I am trying to create a "montage" of this adventure. My Lawyer Shawn Diederich and i are going to edit it all into a home video. As i was sitting in my room i noticed a large train in the distance. I grabbed my i phone and ran as fast as i could to catch it on video. The attached video is the result of my efforts....tom