COMMON QUESTIONS THAT WE HEAR
WHY?
Why not!
Believe us; the list of “Why Not” is very extensive.
Before we quit our jobs,
in 2003, for a year long test drive of the project, we tried to convince ourselves to not go on the trip with a list of Why not's! Here are just a few:
It could be a waste of thousands of dollars, we will be income-less and lose our savings, the trip could ruin our marriage, one or both of us might get sick or hurt, people might not understand why we are doing this project, THE BALL might get stolen, THE BALL might go flat, our parents will have a hard time explaining to their friends what we are doing, we will lose our “good” insurance, our truck might break down or get stolen, if the project is successful, someone might try to sue us claiming it was their idea…if the project is not successful
we will not be successful…
Although there were plenty of reasons not to pursue
the project, thousands of people (and one elephant), 28 countries
and nearly seven years later, SHOOT THE BALL is still on the
road.
So...Why? It just might work.
WHERE HAS THE BALL BEEN SHOT?
THE BALL has been shot in 28 countries and hundreds of cities within four continents. In Canada and the United States, it has been shot in nine provinces, two territories, 50 states and the District of Columbia. You can check out the exact venues in the “press box.”
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
Our travel experiences began well before SHOOT THE BALL.
Between the two of us, we have visited 38 countries within four
continents and have ventured into all 50 states, nine Canadian
provinces and two Canadian territories.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE?
We never give the answer that people want to hear. There have been far too many inspiring stops to pick just one. Although, while we are traveling, it is always great to visit an area where family & friends are and that list of locations is growing as the project continues.
HAS ANYONE FAMOUS SHOT THE BALL?
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“A famous friend.”
If this project was all about getting famous people to shoot, we would not have gone all the way to the Arctic Circle to find a shooter. When asked if any important people have shot THE BALL; our parents, our families and two grandmothers who have since passed on, have shot THE BALL. Although ‘famous’ people have & will SHOOT THE BALL, they are just as important as any other shooter to the success of the project.
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SHOT THE BALL?
As of January 21, 2008, over 4,000 people
and one Asian elephant have shot THE BALL.
WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS PROJECT?
Quite simply, we are.
Unfortunately, in order to afford the travel involved, we end up working as much as we “play”. During the 'job' times, all of our resources are directed at saving money for the next leg of the “tour”. This is also when we take the time to put together tools that will be helpful to the project - such as this web site. We will continue putting our own funds into the project as long as necessary, although it is our sincere (and wishful!) hope that some wonderful corporate or private sponsor finds us and delivers us from menial job-dome so we can focus all our energy on SHOOT THE BALL.
As in all things, we cannot be successful without help from others. People who shoot, put a roof over our heads at night, feed us, let us work out in their gyms and everyone else that responds to the project will always be considered a sponsor.
Just recently, SPALDING has agreed to be our official equipment supplier. To learn more on how SPALDING is helping us out, go to the 'press box' and find our Press Release in the PRESS COVERAGE.
DON”T YOU DRIVE EACH OTHER CRAZY SOMETIMES?
Absolutely! Luckily, we have a unique relationship where we can be together 24/7 for a whole year or see each other once a week for 10 minutes and all is well. Inevitably our (pathetic attempt at) disagreements are almost always map related.
On a connected note, we find it amusing that during times when we are working hard to save money for the project, people often advise us to make more time for each other. On the flip side, when we are traveling for long periods of time, we are asked how we can stand spending so much time together. The answer is simple, we have a common goal and we spend our energy working toward it rather than fighting. Angelina would like to add that we get along so well because we love each other and Noel is always wrong.
angelinaandnoel@aol.com
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