This is a planned collection and ideas for the next poetry to come. Some of them are completed already but will remain unreleased. The title is easy – Nazzbal – the 7 African countries I backpacked through in February 2020 – Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, (South) Africa, Lesotho. I wrote these on tissues during that trip.
Jonny Blair Poetry: Nazzbal (February 2020)
1.A Place of Innocence
2.Unique to Who
3.Reasons For Universal Truth
4.Proof of a Bird
5.Commercial Dynamics
6.Spirit of Adventure
7.Doesn’t Sound Good Enough
8.Fan of Love
9.Unpainted Fortress
10. Forty Seven India House
11.Books In THE Wall
12.Others To Be Added
13.You’re Superglue
14.Don’t Look Like a Zebra
15.Golden Sign
16.Crackaday
17.Coincidences
Short clips:
Whose library of passion will dictate the way I feel?
You couldn’t see the blow he was to deal
And fell onto a cursing hand who made you kneel
When the sun goes down in your town, it’s for real
–
Books in the wall don’t say it all about the man you are
Guests on a shelf of borrowed wealth until your devil calls
He might never call
Sha la la la
//
It’s a pleasant place I find myself in
Belfast city to not get lost in
//
It can blow your mind
It will upset the odds
And my Mum could dance
But she don’t sing
And my Dad will write
But he won’t budge
Although I have been writing poetry and lyrics sine I was about 7 years old, my first compilation wasn’t until I was 17. The oldest songs on this I remember writing were:
New Jersey Girls (written in Florida, June 1996)
Hope and Dream (written in a room at Bangor Grammar School, late 1996)
(Grow?) (written in a room at Bangor Grammar School, late 1996)
Escobar’s Own Goal (written during the World Cup, June 1994)
Jonny Blair Poetry: Too Many Promises (September 1997 – March 1998)
I don’t remember much about writing this collection, “Too Many Promises”, but I was averaging a new poem a week from September 1997 onwards. No idea why the track order is the way it is, nor why I put Grow in brackets with a question mark after it. I recorded this using an old cassette recorder in Bangor, Northern Ireland. My personal favourite song here is “Rare Bite of Pressure” which I have also placed on YouTube (see below). What is also strange for me is that the collection is called “Too Many Promises” and without a song called that. So to put that right, when I made my next collection (Tape Two – Paranoia Creeps In/PCI – May – July 1998), I wrote a song called “Too Many Promises” and made it the first song of the next collection. I wrote most of these in a blue hut at Belvoir Training Centre in the Northern Irish capital city of Belfast.
Blue Hut similar to Belvoir Training Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland
TAPE 1 – JONNY BLAIR – TOO MANY PROMISES (September 1997 – March 1998)
SIDE A
1.No End
2.New Jersey Girls
3.At Random
4.(Grow?)
5.Rare Bite of Pressure (October 1997)
6.Escobar’s Own Goal
7.Work For A Wage (Don’t Fall Away)
8.Next In Line
9.Method)
10.Don’t Join The Queue For Suicide
SIDE B
1.Generation Gap
2.Hope and Dream
3.No Tomorrow
———————–
4.Random Medley -Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Burt Bacharach) -A Design For Life (Nicky Wire) -Stand By Me (Noel Gallagher)
-A Rare Bite of Pressure (demo)
-No Tomorrow (demo)
-At Random (demo – left off the album and never put on another compilation) -Some Might Say (Noel Gallagher)
5.The Truth (demo – later appeared on Tape Four – Standing On The Sun)
6.Random Medley 2 -Imagine (John Lennon) -Staring At The Sun (U2) -Suicide Is Painless (Johnny Mandel) -Live Forever (Noel Gallagher)
TAPE ONE – TOO MANY PROMISES
SIDE A
1.NO END (Jonny Blair & Michael McClelland, 1997)
The song is about the troubles in Northern Ireland and the fact that they seem to be never ending (or they did in 1997). Most of this song was written at school and tech and co-written with Michael McClelland on a train from Belfast Central to Bangor in September 1997 after attending a NIFSA (Northern Ireland Football Supporters Association) meeting. I think I stole the line “talking’s no good without action” from an Ian Paisley quote on television. The first line for sure is based on Oasis song “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, sorry Noel. Surprisingly I found two recorded versions of this but both times I forgot the original lyrics completely.
It’s hard to tell if it’s day or night because everyone is kept in the dark
All around us the people are sleeping despite what they think they know
Papers only tell the truth
TV too, so what’s the use?
I’ve looked everywhere but I’ve found no end
The Godfathers have control
I’ve looked all around and there is no exit
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
In this world with no heaven, I’m reading the book with no end
It’s easy to walk out when the enemy comes and that’s not gonna help (us all/to solve)
The problem lies with the new arrivals and their comrades underground
The leaders only disagree
Harmony with compliments please
I’ve looked everywhere but I’ve found no end
The Godfathers have control
I’ve looked all around and there is no exit
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
In this world with no heaven, I’m reading the book with no end
I’ve looked everywhere but I’ve found no end
The Godfathers have control
I’ve looked all around and there is no exit
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
Talking’s no good without action
In this world with no heaven, I’m reading the book with no end
Even though I played the fool, I wrote this song at school
2.NEW JERSEY GIRLS (Jonny Blair, July 1996)
I remember meeting two beautiful New Jersey girls in the Epcot Centre in Orlando, Florida in July 1996. We chatted about life – they were the same age as me. I met them twice on the same holiday but I never saw them again. In those days there was no Facebook and I never asked for their addresses, in those days no mobile phones either. I don’t even remember their names.
I don’t see them anymore
And as the days go on
I think of my New Jersey Girls
And where have they gone?
I’ve seen them twice
But never since
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
I need your comfort now
I need your comfort now
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Cos I still think of you
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
New Jersey Girls come back to me
New Jersey Girls come back to me
I only have my memories and as the days go by
I long for my New Jersey Girls to fall from the sky
I hear them talk
I see them smile
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
I’m running out of time
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Cos I still think of you
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
New Jersey Girls come back to me
New Jersey Girls come back to me
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
Where are my New Jersey Girls?
I need your comfort now
I need your comfort now
I could search the world for my New Jersey Girls
3.AT RANDOM (Jonny Blair, June 1997)
A song about life in general and spontaneousness. Waiting for something to happen that is not going to.
A lifelong treasure is hard to abandon
Nothing hurts as much as losing touch
Everything around me happens at random
Why is life so ironic?
But why do all the people in the world make a mountain out of a molehill?
I never found an answer to the question I did pose
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he knows
I never got the feeling I was sinking in my clothes
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he know – ow – ow -ow -ow -ows
An unclear message is hard to decipher
Nothing hurts as much as messing up
Everything around me happens at random
Why is life so spontaneous?
But why do all the people in the world make a mountain out of a molehill?
I never found an answer and I think it knid of shows
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he knows
I got this dizzy feeling from my head down to my toes
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he know – ow – ow -ow -ow -ows
But why do all the people in the world make a mountain out of a molehill?
I never found an answer and I think it kind of shows
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he knows
I think I’ll find the answer where the wind of fortune blows
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he know – ow – ow -ow -ow -ows
Everything around us happens at random – that’s the way it goes
I’m waiting for the sun to come and I don’t think he knows
No I don’t think he knows
I don’t think he know – ow – ow -ow -ow -ows
4.(GROW?) (Jonny Blair, September 1997)
This is about being left out of something, growing up, getting old and vanity.
Fear the future cos you know the truth
Slowly make your way to youth
What’s the point in watching the end if you don’t know the beginning?
I left my mirror on the shelf
So I don’t recognise myself
Life can be so cruel when you’re out of fuel
And the garage that sells it, is closed
And you’re out of fuel in your duel with life
Fear the future like you did the past
Give yourself a smile at last
What’s the point in watching the end if you don’t know the beginning?
I left my mirror on the shelf
Because I don’t recognise myself
Life can be so cruel when you’re out of fuel
And the garage that sells it, is closed
And you’re out of fuel in your duel with life
You’re out of fuel in your duel with life
Yeah you’re out of fuel in your duel with life
5.RARE BITE OF PRESSURE (Jonny Blair, October 1997)
This song is actually about playing football and enjoying a “rare bite of pressure” on the pitch trying to get a counter attack goal. The song is also autobiographical, about myself, Northern Ireland’s past and pride. I vividly remembering writing this in the canteen at Belvoir Tech in Belfast. As I was pouring salt on my lunch, I noticed it said “Welsh Rarebit” on the label. I was originally going to call this “rare bit of pressure” but the bite word won me over.
Hope lies flat on a poisoned surface
Everybody’s feeling nervous
Find yourself a moment of peace in a war-drenched society
Cry if you’re not man enough
You can smile, but I’m fed up
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m down on my knees again
And just for good measure, I’m forfeiting love for fame
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m losing my way again
Despite all my effort, looks kill in the face again
Fame sits still in an empty coffin
Everybody’s doing nothing
Find yourself a moment of rest in a state of downward health
Cry if you’re not mad enough
You can smile but I’m fed up
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m dead on the floor again
My infinite pleasure has closed its door again
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m down on my knees again
And just for good measure, I’m trying to ease the pain
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m finding my feet again
But in local weather, I’m drying up with rain
Cold feet might as well be warm feet
On Paracodol Sunday mornings
Find yourself a glimmer of hope in life’s narrow telescope
Danger tastes all troublesome
Fortune is a contagion
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m down on my knees again
And just for good measure, I’m forfeiting love for fame
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m losing my way again
Despite all my effort, looks kill in the face again
Trouble tastes all dangerous
Rhinocerous platypus
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m feeling the strain again
And just for good measure, I’m going to win this game
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m down on the ground again
And just for good measure, I’m giving up love for fame
In a rare bite of pressure, I’m four foot in love for fame
And just for good measure, I’m looking the other way
I want to do better but this rare bite of pressure is begging to differ
6.ESCOBAR’S OWN GOAL (Jonny Blair June 1994 – February 1998)
A blatant tribute to Andres Escobar, the Colombian footballer who played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup. He was shot dead in his home town of Medellin after scoring an own goal at the 1994 World Cup. Colombia were big favourites to win the tournament with stars such as Carlos Valderamma, Freddy Rincon and Faustino Asprilla. However they lost their first match 3-1 to Romania, then 2-1 to USA which knocked them out. I felt very sad about Escobar’s Own Goal and death. I also remember how during my own football career, not once did I score an own goal, not even in park football, so I didn’t even know the feeling of that. I wanted the song to represent sorry and real life tragedy. The Manic Street Preachers inspired me to write this song about a real-life event which cut me deep. I started the poem in July 1994 but didn’t finish it and add guitar until February 1998.Escobar remains a hero to me.
There’s enough to hang onto in this life
So don’t let pain beat you again
I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time
Like an innocent victim
Like an innocent victim
I never thought the slightest error
Could result in mortal terror
I guess they proved me wrong
I guess they proved me wrong
Responsibility takes its toll
I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
One more bed in hospital
One more unneeded funeral
Responsibility takes its toll
I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
For the sake of pride, don’t risk your life
It’s an expesnive swap
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Like Escobar’s Own Goal
Escobar’s Own Goal wasn’t worth a soul
7.WORK FOR A WAGE (Jonny Blair, October 1997)
This was clearly written about the transition from being a student to working. “There’s pleasure in pressure” was one of my favourite lines that I wrote. The line “work for a wage” could also be swapped for “don’t fall away” but it sounded too much like an Oasis song title so I scrapped it. Plus, the line came from my grandfather, Samuel Blair who once told me to get out there into the world and “work for a wage”. He was right.
Something all young and guilty has taken over me
I feel the need to change my life and be what I want to be
Close your ears and lose your fears
Close your eyes and realise
Everyone is poised to take the blame
But there’s pleasure in pressure
Work for a wage
Everyone is poised to take the blame
When you reach that age
Work for a wage
Even if you’re begging for fame
Someone all smart and cocky is looking down on me
I feel the need to conquer them and be what I want to be
Close your ears and lose your fears
Close your eyes and visualise
Everyone is good enough for fame
But there’s pleasure in pressure
Work for a wage
Even if you’re begging for fame
If you need a change
Work for a wage
Even if you make a small mistake
But there’s pleasure in pressure
Work for a wage
Even if you’re calling out to fame
If you need a change
Work for a wage
Everyone is poised to take the blame
Everyone is poised to take the blame
8.NEXT IN LINE (Jonny Blair, Late 1997)
About being on the verge of death with no awareness of it at all.
From the beginning you’re nearing the end
You’re finding your feet in a world full of men
And you’ll be last to tell yourself
Cigarettes can harm your health
And you’re begging with time, while you’re waiting in vain
But you’re next in line, and it’s pouring with rain
But you’re next in line, and it’s pouring with rain
From the beginning you’re nearing the end
You’re finding your feet in a world full of men
And you’ll be last to tell yourself
Cigarettes can steal your wealth
And you’re feeling fine even though you suspect
That you’re next in line, for the final ascent
And you’re using your pride to avoid the fact
That you’re next in line, at the top of the pack
And you’re begging with time, while you’re waiting in vain
But you’re next in line, and it’s pouring with rain
But you’re next in line, and it’s pouring with rain
9.METHOD) (Jonny Blair, January 1998)
About drifting away. Inspiration came from watching a “Lean Cuisine” advertisement on UTV. Later when I worked in Tesco, there were actual left over piles of Lean Cuisine! I also liked the choral reference to the Oasis song Digsy’s dinner, which has “Lasagne” in it.
All of a sudden I feel sentimental
Life’s not as bad as I expected
There’s always something good ahead
But I get that feeling again
We’re all part of life’s protein
Left over piles of Lean Cuisine
A contagious drift of God’s disease
But I get that feeling again
I get that feeling again
Just for a second, I went nostalgic
Though I don’t believe in magic
There’s always something good ahead
But I get that feeling again
We’re all part of life’s protein
Left over piles of nicotine
A contagious drift of God’s disease
But I get that feeling again
I get that feeling again
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
But I’ve got that feeling again
Yes I’ve got that feeling again
We’re all part of life’s protein
Left over piles of Lean cuisine
A message that Jesus sent
But I get that feeling again
I get that feeling again
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
But I’ve got that feeling again
Yes I’ve got that old feeling again
A hole in the wall lets my mind drift
But I get that feeling again
10.DON’T JOIN THE QUEUE FOR SUICIDE (Jonny Blair, January 1998)
As the title suggests, this is an anti-suicide song inspired by and in the vein of R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts.
Feeling down
Awake, alone
The world around is a danger zone
Resting near a living fear
Find yourself before you’re gone
When dreams stay in your sleep, don’t admit defeat
Rise up and bathe the world in light
Don’t drift out of sight
Don’t join the queue for suicide
Wait for yourself in paradise
it’s only a stone’s throw away
It’s only a stone’s throw away
Needing hope
An antidote
There’s no need to write a note
Looking vague, a living plague
Find yourself before you’re gone
When hope fades with the sun, don’t be outdone
Stay in the jungle where the big dogs run
Don’t drift out of sight
Don’t join the queue for suicide
Wait for yourself in paradise
It’s only a stone’s throw away
It’s only a hair’s breadth away
Don’t join the queue for suicide
Wait for yourself in paradise
It’s only a stone’s throw away
It’s only a hair’s breadth away
Don’t be joining that queue, it’s not the right thing to do
Don’t join the queue for suicide
Wait for yourself in paradise
SIDE B
1.GENERATION GAP (Jonny Blair, February 1998)
This was written about the Generation Gap between adults that were into the likes of the Beatles (George Harrison reference) to modern youths who are into Oasis (Noel Gallagher) and Manic Street Preachers (Nicky Wire). The song was no doubt inspired by my uncle Jack who was astounded that I could like “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (Oasis) more than “Imagine” by John Lennon. The former song stole the intro from the latter.
I’m trapped in a generation gap
I’m lost in frost
I can’t seem to tell
I’m trapped in a generation gap
I’m stuck in mud
I can’t see too well
There’s no comparison with George Harrison and Lennon and McCartney
But I’d rather listen to Gallagher any day with Wire and Finn
Cos I’m trapped in a generation gap
I’m lost in frost and I can’t seem to tell
There’s no comparison with George Harrison and Lennon and McCartney
But I’d rather listen to Gallagher any day with Wire and Finn
There’s no comparison with George Harrison and Lennon and McCartney
But I’d rather listen to Gallagher any day with Wire and Finn
It’s all because I’m trapped in a generation gap
2.HOPE AND DREAM (Jonny Blair, January 1997)
Originally entitled “It’s Not The End of The World (By Any Means)” which was inspired by and based upon R.E.M. song “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. I wrote this at Bangor Grammar School. It is about going out, getting a job, being young and naive. It actually lasts about 12 minutes with a 2 minute intro. The reason for that was when I recorded it, I was obsessed with Oasis “Be Here Now” album and I loved the long songs. In the version on the tape, I played both rhythm guitar and lead, recording them in two takes and then recording over one another on an 8-track at Belvoir Tech in Belfast.
It’s the normal situation you find yourself in
The days are flying by, the night are passing in
Recovery is sweet but doesn’t make sense
And you think you’re lost forever
You’ve lost your grip forever
But you’ll never be a loser till you put yourself down
Hope and dream till your turn comes round
Life may be ba-ahad but…
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
There’s still ambition left
Even though you’re falling at the seams
You’ve still got dreams to fulfil
So it’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It happens all the time and you can’t look back
Your world is grey and your sky is black
Dreams all nightmares and there’s no relief
You don’t think you’ll survive
You don’t think you’ll stay alive
But you’ll never be a loser till you fall apart
Another job interview falls like a dart
Hold on cos, hold on cos…
It’s not the end of the world by any means
There’s still ambition left
Even though you’re falling at the seams
You’ve still got dreams to fulfil
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world
You’ve got no room for regret cos
It’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
Don’t be as sad as you should be
Life’s not as bad as it could be
But you’ll never be a loser till you fall apart
Another job interview falls like a dart
Hold on cos, hold on cos…
It’s not the end of the world by any means
There’s still ambition left
Even though you’re falling at the seams
You’ve still got dreams to fulfil
And you’ve no room for regret cos
It’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world yet
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
Even though you’re down on your knees
You’ve got life in you yet
As far as you’re concerned
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
Don’t decline into self-relief
Hope and dream with firm belief
Hold on cos
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world by any means
There’s still ambition left
Even though you’re down on your knees
You’ve got life in you yet
And you’ve no room for regret cos
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world
3.NO TOMORROW (Jonny Blair, March 1998)
A love song about a relationship ending, hence the title, you know – no tomorrow! This is mostly poetry. I wrote it on transport (trains and buses) hence the metaphor travel references. I wrote and played it in arpeggio, as it seemed right.
Trust is a two way street; where love finds a way to meet
Love is a cul de sac; you must make your own way back
Don’t get stuck in the traffic
It could turn so tragically
I’m sorry to tell you that there’s no tomorrow
I’m sure better news is bound to follow
Luck is a roundabout; you don’t know where you’ll come out
But life is a motorway; you should cherish every day
Don’t come off at a junction
It could turn so emotionally blue
I’m sorry to tell you but there’s no tomorrow
I’m sure better news is bound to follow
I’m sorry to tell you but there’s no tomorrow
It was in the paper, so it must be true
I’m sorry to tell you but there’s no tomorrow
For me and you
Yeah there’s no tomorrow for me and you
4.SHORT MEDLEY/CLIPS OF RANDOM SONGS -Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Burt Bacharach) -A Design For Life (Nicky Wire) -Stand By Me (Noel Gallagher)
-A Rare Bite of Pressure (demo)
-No Tomorrow (demo)
-At Random (demo – left off the album and never put on another compilation) -Some Might Say (Noel Gallagher)
5.THE TRUTH (demo – later appeared on Tape Four – Standing On The Sun, Jonny Blair 26th May 1998)
So unusually for this song I have an exact date of writing it. It is about life in general, the ups and downs.
The day grows old over your bones
The night digs deep into your sleep
And all you get is a salary a week
You can love, but it’s not enough
Now you know why life is tough
Listen now if you’ve got a minute
Keep reaching till you find your limit
If you fail, it doesn’t matter
Because you can only go
Up or down on life’s ladder
On life’s ladder, on life’s ladder
If you fail, it doesn’t matter
Because you can only go
Up or down on life’s ladder
On life’s ladder, on life’s ladder
The pain sinks in under your skin
The time ticks past ever so fast
And all you get is a memory to last
You can live but it’s not too much
Now you know what losing does
Listen now if you’ve got a second
Keep reaching till fortune beckons
If you fail, it doesn’t matter
Because you can only go
Up or down on life’s ladder
On life’s ladder, on life’s ladder
Listen now if you’ve got a second
Keep reaching till fortune beckons
If you fail, it doesn’t matter
Because you can only go
Up or down on life’s ladder
On life’s ladder, on life’s ladder
Now you can have no excuse
Cos I’ve just told you the truth
6.SHORT MEDLEY 2 -Imagine (John Lennon) -Staring At The Sun (U2) -Suicide Is Painless (Johnny Mandel) -Live Forever (Noel Gallagher)
1.1440 Faro
2.She Set The Standard High
3.Left Out For A Reason
4.Buy Your Shopping
5.What Number of Year?
6.Sing With Ariana
7.She Didn’t Waken Early Enough to Catch The Morning Sun
8.Idea of a Present
9.Riga’s Not In Barcelona
10.Four Person Banknote Scandal
11.Avid News Watcher
12.Tsuen Wan
13.Uncle Bake
1.1440 Faro
1440 Faro on the aeroplane
Went to Cairo
Didn’t see a drop of rain
1440 Faro on the aeroplane
Stole the words from Ceefax or Teletext
King of Pharoah standing on the aeroplane
Do you see though do you see though good
Islands Faroe sailing on a milkboat dream
Plastically McAuley showed us all the might in green
1440 Faro on the aeroplane
Portugalczyk owner of a matchbox car
1440 Faro on the aeroplane
Passenger seat aisle to sandwich parentic
2.She set the standard high
I have hung up my clothes
I did my own washing
I took a photo to prove it to you
I made myself lunch
A concocted salad
I added vinegar using a spoon
Ah but she set the world alight
She made your dreams tonight
She set the standard high
She set the standard high
I booked the train to Saturday street
Sesame seed burger bap bap Maria Belarus
Wooden Hinchcliff
Peter Shirtlift
Didn’t ring the bells of notre dame
Only on vodka
Demon a drink mole
I took more photos of juice
Ah but she set the world alight
She made your dreams tonight
She set the standard high
She set the standard high
She set the standard high
She set the standard high
Wooden Hinchcliff
3.Left Out For A Reason
Day off high school
Left out for a reason
4.Buy Your Shopping
Go to the supermarket and buy your shopping
You are a normal person in a normal boring town
Wake up in the morning and drink a cup of coffee
You are as dull as dulse on Holywood Bay
You’re so thick you ask a monk to buy your toothpaste
You’re so lazy you got a bot to do your shopping
By pressing a few buttons they brung ye a crate of Venezuelan bananas
5.What Number of Year?
In 1982 he’s doing alright
In 1964 he’s walking his dog
In 2009 he’s having a wank
In 1944 he’s burning a tank
In 1955 we’re staying alive
In 2017 sucking off a dream
6.Sing with Ariana
Open up your heart because you dreamt of Ariana
She made the sound of whispers on the moon
Cast your spell upon the curse of Ariana
She wouldn’t like to spoil you very soon
I want to sing with Ariana again.
I’ll never sing with Ariana again.
Clumber down the stairs and wink your eye at Ariana
She got a golden empty walking hum
Tell your friends that you dated Ariana
She made you think that you were in control
I want to sing with Ariana again.
I’ll never sing with Ariana again.
7.She Didn’t Waken Early Enough to Catch The Morning Sun
She didn’t waken early enough to catch the morning sun.
He walked around her looking so tough when the day had just begun
She didn’t even know how to cook a pizza in the oven.
He spoke of the days where he had mistook sadness for having fun.
8.Idea of a Present
I had the chance to change my life
I don’t mean swap, switch, shift it or alter
I came up with the plan to visit Georgia
I hope it will be the next big adventure
My idea of a present seems so warped it made you sexy
A bombscare in a town that loves bombscares
9.Riga’s Not In Barcelona
Riga’s not in Barcelona
Don’t Latvians speak Catalan
He sat down at the bar and poured his heart out onto me
I don’t know why I believed his former girlfriend
She sent a message to him as they had no WiFi
He could only read the bottled whiskey’s tin
Riga’s not in Barcelona
Don’t Latvians speak Catalan?
Kasia’s orange wrong she says “I love you”
I worked extremely hard to be this man
10.Four Person Banknote Scandal
He stole you stole
She forged you forged
Everything in your pocket when they checked was counterfeit
Money laundering scandal sounded like cash in a washing machine
He cleaned you cleaned
11.Avid News Watcher
Some idiot stands at the bar and tells everyone else what is happening in the world.
It is not that he is clever it is just that he is an avid news watcher.
And he knows sure he knows
Yeah he knows what’s going oh hon.
12.Tsuen Wan Loyal
Dancing dancing dolphin
Dancing dancing dolphin
Dancing dancing dolphin in the sea
Dancing dancing dolphin
Dancing dancing dolphin
Dancing dancing dolphin tai wat seen
13.Uncle Bake
We are goin till thon pake
To catch up with Uncle Bake
We are mixing a milkshake
To drink with Uncle Bake
We are frightening a cake
To scare off Uncle Bake
She bate ye with a rake
By the ghost of Uncle Bake
We are money on the make
To waste on Uncle Bake
We are naked in the lake
With the girl from Uncle Bake
We are mouth with a toothache
There’s a dental Uncle Bake
Your banknote is a fake
Call the printer, Uncle Bake
It’s the fisheries best hake
In the bake of Uncle Bake
At the Bar Finnegans Wake
An alcoholic Uncle Bake
Hattrick of legs for Jake
To compete with Uncle Bake
We all got pills to take
Like a drugged up Uncle Bake
Do it for the sake
For the sake of Uncle Bake
Mexico had an earthquake
Hugo Sanchez Uncle Bake
There’s nothing else at stake
Except to bet on Uncle Bake
The tree you thought was oak
Is a crimson Uncle Bake!
I haven’t used this site much since I started it in 2014, mostly as all my business comes through Don’t Stop Living these days. But this site should be more me and less you. I will be doing a bit more on it over the next year or so and I have had a new JB logo designed, thanks to Ilona Skladzien Bournemouth logo expert.
New logo for JB by Ilona Skladzien
You can employ Ilona to do logos for your business by contacting her company My Logo I.
Jonny Blair world traveller and business backpacker logo
You might have seen my social media updates on my main site, Twitter and Facebook about this release of my first ever travel blog, so here it is in a post on here to explain a bit more. As I head to my 100th country this month, I wanted to get my first ever travel blog released to get it out of the way. The book is 24 years old. The book was written by me back in 1991 on my first ever journey away from Northern Ireland without my parents as I embarked on a school trip to the Netherlands.
My First Ever Travel Blog from 1991
The book is a short 26 page account of that first journey, containing the original text from my first ever hand written travel blog, photos from the original book and my reflections now as an adult, 24 years on. The book was written in April and May 1991 when I was just 11 years old. At the time it was written into an old school notebook and has now been published digitally for the first time in March 2015, when I’m now 34 years old.
The reason for the release of this, my first ever travel blog, is because I wanted to do things in order, so I’m releasing my first ever travel blog first and later there will be the bigger and better book that has been a long time coming. This is just a mini taster. Anyone interested in buying it, I have it on sale for $5.99 through e-junkie.com and amazon.com.
I hope you enjoy this ahead of the 100 country journey book which will be released later in the year.
About the Product:
My First Ever Travel Blog is Jonny Blair’s first ever travel diary, dating back to a school trip to the Netherlands in 1991 when Jonny was just 11 years old. It is a short eBook with text lifted directly from the hand written diary that Jonny made back in 1991 when he left Northern Ireland without his parents or family for the first time.
The story details Jonny’s five day trip to the Netherlands, the first trip that set Jonny off on this mighty fine journey around the planet. In the book Jonny also reflects on his time in the Netherlands in 1991 and how that trip influenced his wanderlust and desire to go on a journey through over 100 countries. A journey which he currently documents on his travel blog “Don’t Stop Living”.
You can buy my latest e-Book book now, through Pay Pal on e-junkie. Here’s the link:
Putt in the Park at WandsworthRight lads, here’s the plan for the day!! Please feel free to print out and add any suggestions to the Facebook Page please. I’ll be gradually updating this as the day nears closer.
Date – SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2014
Location – London, ENGLAND
Event – Lads World Cup Pub Crawl, Crazy Golf and Banter
Start time – 10.30 am onwards
Dress Code – You have to wear SOMETHING related to football (doesn’t have to be a football shirt)
** You MUST bring one item on the day related to the WORLD CUP. Failure to do this and you’ll have to BUY one item during the crawl of forfeit your right to a sticker album. Matches that day:
5pm – Colombia v. Greece
8pm – Uruguay v. Costa Rica
11pm – England v. Italy
2am – Ivory Coast v. Japan
(guess what – we’re watching them ALL in pubs – amazing!! That’s 360 minutes of football plus injury time, half times, national anthems etc. – over 450 minutes in total!)
Soccer City, Johannesberg, South Africa
Timetable for the day:
10.30 am – Those staying in the hostel, check into Dover Castle hostel (if room not ready, drop off bags and valuables). If we really have to we will return at 2pm when the room is ready and leave our stuff in the room and claim our FREE pint as guests. Those not staying there will need to buy their own drink.
Address and website , nearest tube station is BOROUGH.
6 bed dorm booked in hostel for – Jonny, Richard, Chris, Lee, Neil, Austin. Jonny has paid the deposit already.
(Dan possibly sleeping on the floor in our room)
11am – COSTA coffee. Also in Borough and very close to the Dover Castle pub. Walk it. Every member of the crawl will be issued with a mini sticker album for the day and their COSTA RICA sticker providing they consume more than 50% of a coffee in there. Those who miss the coffee introduction will have to provide proof they had a Costa Coffee later in the day (a receipt or a “Facebooked selfie” will be the only acceptable proof. Saying “my mate definitely had a crappuccino in Costa” will not get you the sticker). Any coffee on the menu counts as your sticker, tea or orange juice are unacceptable. In Costa Jonny will film the rules being read out to the group to confirm everyone understands. This will be videoed as part of the documentary.
Address –
Costa Coffee
134-138 Borough High St
London SE1 1LB
United Kingdom
This screen grab has both the Dover Castle and Costa Coffee on it, either side of Borough tube:
Costa and Dover Castle
12 Noon – First beer of the day in The Charlie Chaplin in Elephant and Castle which is ONE stop south on the tube, with its “elephant” link qualifying as IVORY COAST. If this is disputed (as it can be) then we will have to head to the actual Elephant and Castle pub, which is in Kensington.
In this pub, a vote will be done between GREEK restaurant, ITALIAN restaurant, URUGUAYAN restaurant and JAPANESE restaurant for lunch. ** options below
1pm Restaurant lunch The winner of the democratic vote is where we have lunch. The runner up will be the dinner option for the 7.30pm Uruguay v. Costa Rica match.
Straight after lunch a traditional English pub will be selected for the consumption of a fine ale and everyone will get their ENGLAND sticker. This is a spontaneous one. Any pub with an England link will do (given we’re in England, this will be easy) on route to Crazy Golf…if we don’t get the time, we all get our England sticker at the Crazy Golf. Details on how to win at Crazy Golf will be revealed and democratically voted in the previous pub. (e.g. every hole in one, that person gets bought a shot, any over 6 they buy a round etc. Any missing balls they forfeit a pint (i.e. go into a pub and not allowed to have a beer!))
2pm We head to the Crazy Golf, “Putt in the Park” at Wandsworth, I’ve booked 8 of us in from 2.30pm. Through my travel writing, I have managed to get us the 20% off our entire bill, including BEER, drinks and golf. If more turn up, we’ll just tell them and it should be fine, been in touch with the manager.
They have a bar there, if it’s any good we can hang around for Colombia v. Greece but I kind of wanted to be more central for the Uruguay v. Costa Rica match as the day’s biggest match England v. Italy gets closer. We’ll assess it on the day, but maybe after the golf, we head to a Greek restaurant…
Putt in the Park at Wandsworth
4.30pm – We need to be in a decent bar by 4.30 pm to watch Colombia v. Greece which kicks off at 5pm.
That match finishes before 7pm, at which point we need another pub for the Uruguay match. An option is to find a Greek or Italian restaurant near the Jurassic Golf.
7.30 pm – We need to be in a decent bar by 7.30 pm to watch Uruguay v. Costa Rica. I was thinking Zoo Bar Uruguay for this one but it depends on the vote. I vote ZOO bar and we all get our URUGUAY stamp. Zoo Bar Uruguay, Leicester Square (where Uruguay fans go)
10 pm – Straight after the Uruguay match, the English lads can have their time. I’m Northern Irish so happy to watch the game anywhere the boys want. You choose the pub, the location, the country and maybe we can do a bet on the way.
1am – After celebrating England’s 3-0 win, a boring 1-1 draw or a fluke Italian 1-0 win, we head for a relaxing Japanese beer ready for the night’s final match at 2am.
3.45am – After that, I’d say bed could be the option. 4 matches, 2 days without sleep, 2 countries and an international flight, Jonny will be first to say goodnight! As long as I have completed my Panini album.
RULES
Yes lads, Jonny Blair, Neil Macey and Lock In Lee Adams are the three assigned adjudacators for the day and what they say, stands, unless an overwhelming majority can prove otherwise. Here are the main rules:
1. To qualify for a sticker you must consume more than 50% of your drink in the set venue.
2. No double stickers can be issued. It’s one each. You don’t get any awards for eating 3 pizzas or drinking 6 Uruguayan Merlots. They’re all just worth 1 per team.
3. Every person on the pub crawl needs to bring ONE random item related to the World Cup. In Costa Coffee, Neil Macey will be showing his random item first. After that it’s one per pub throughout the day, drawn from a hat.
4. If a person has to head off on their own to “complete a country” they missed, then a receipt or a “Facebooked selfie” will be the only acceptable proof. Saying “my mate definitely had a crappuccino in Costa” will not get you the sticker, neither will putting the barman on the phone “live” from the pub. I’ve met a fair amount of bullshitters in my time.
5. Either Jonny, Neil or Lee have to issue you with the sticker and feel you earned that COUNTRY. Any disputes will result in democratic vote. If still not solved, a pelanty shoot out between the two parties in the pub will be held.
I have been asked a few times, “How can you afford to travel so much?” and “How much money can you earn as a ‘business backpacker’?” “100 countries – are you serious?” First of all – I don’t buy luxuries and I’m a cheapskate and a tight assed person. Yeah, I’ll buy my mates a round down the pub sometimes and treat my girlfriend and family every now and then, but that’s it. Aside from travel, my luxury gifts to myself are pints of Guinness, takeaway pizzas and tickets for football matches. I can travel cheaply without a problem. I spend LESS MONEY travelling than people who stay in the same place. I don’t pay bills, I don’t pay regular rent for flats, I don’t have a mortgage, I don’t have a car etc. I don’t own a TV. My most expensive item is my laptop and my largest item is my backpack. For me, money is spent on living my life to the full while I can – I spend the money I earn on football, travel, pubs, food and intertwine that with my girlfriend, my friends and my family. I owe my friends and family big time (where have I been the last 11 years?) and I know that – but for the last 2 years I’ve been building up to the freedom to live the life I want and ensure I see my mates and family more. To do that I need three things – time, mobility and money.
Jonny Blair – Business Backpacker crossing the border from Georgia into Armenia in 2013
I never really touch on how much I earn before, as it’s just not the done thing – it screams of business men discussing how much money they made on the stock exchange and I’m a football shirt and shorts guy with a pint of Guinness in my hand. I don’t do posh unless it’s a wedding or a big event.
As posh as it gets – glammed up for a wedding in Afula in 2013
When I go down the pub with my mates, only some of the conversation will be work and money related, the thing is, my online work – the travel stuff doesn’t actually feel like “work” for me – I enjoy it and I want to help others travel so it always just feels like what I should be doing with a beer or a tea in hand from any given hostel or hotel around the world. None of this stuff I promote or talk about is fake – I’m really out there travelling the world, earning money on the way and proving there is more to life than just work.
Does it really feel like working when I’m in a cool hostel having a beer?
But how much can a business backpacker earn? The answer – as much as you WANT to earn. Earning doesn’t mean money though – I have to stress this – EARNING can mean the following to me:
– earning food
– earning beers
– earning time
– earning mobility
– earning beds for the night
– earning tours
– earning transport
– earning money
– earning time (the HARDEST nut to crack, but I’m working on it)
But don’t take advantage of freebies – it’s not good for you, me, or the world. If I get a guided tour, a free transfer or free food or drink, I work hard to promote these guys and I respect and thank them at all times. I’m not a travel writer who just wants “freebies” (as you’ll see from my lists below I turned down a load of trips).
I won’t date back 15 odd years here as to how much I have earned in my various jobs on my working career, you can get an idea here: Jonny Blair’s Working Career. But I’ll give you a rundown of my earnings in the past 12 months, my first full year as a proper “business backpacker”. This is not an extensive or full list as I am sure I have left a few things off this list, but dream big my friends, we can all do it.
INCOMINGS – WHAT I HAVE EARNED:
1. Actual Money I have earned (April 2013 – April 2014):
This has taken hard work by the way, but it shows what is possible:
– Teaching English in Hong Kong (kindergartens and primary schools) – $19, 350 USD
– Advertising, sponsorship and affiliate marketing on my flagship travel site Don’t Stop Living – $10,978 USD
– Working on Travel Itineraries and Travel Guides – $850 USD
– Advertising, sponsorship and affiliate marketing on my network of travel, adventure and lifestyle sites – $1,260 USD
– Travel writing for other sites and doing online reviews – $150 USD
– Miscellaneous Travel Earnings (selling photos, charging for copyright issues, online travel expert) – $120 USD
Total money earned in 12 months April 2013 – April 2014 – $32, 708 USD
2. Complimentary and Discounted trips I have earned (up to the end of April 2014):
This has been done in the best interests of the tour companies and myself – we have worked together on these projects and I don’t feel rude asking for complimentary tours – I work hard to ensure these companies are promoted, I personally recommend them all.
– Complimentary 5 day Safari in Tanzania with Shadows of Africa
– Complimentary 2 day hike and camping experience in Wadi Rum, Jordan with Rumstars
– Complimentary 5 day tours of Israel and Palestine with Tourist Israel and Abraham Tours
– Discounted tour of North Korea with Young Pioneer Tours
– Discounted tour to Atauro Island in East Timor courtesy of Compass Divers
– Discounted tour to Khor Virap, Noravank and Tatev in Armenia courtesy of Penthouse Hostel
– Discounted tour of Amsterdam Arena courtesy of Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
* this list is not complete – there are definitely a few tours I have missed out/left out
** a number of these included food and drink as well
3. Complimentary and Discounted Hotels and Hostels I have earned (up until the end of April 2014):
These are just a few examples:
– Discounted night in a 5 star hotel in China
– Discounted nights in a hostel in the Netherlands
– Discounted nights in a hostel in Istanbul, Turkey
– Discounted nights in a hostel in Tbilisi, Georgia
– Discounted nights in a hostel in Yerevan, Armenia
– Discounted nights in a hostel in Dili, East Timor
– Discounted homestay in Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabakh
– Complimentary stay at Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem, Israel
– Complimentary stay at hotels in Ankara and Adana, Turkey
– Complimentary stay in tents in Wadi Rum desert, Jordan
– Early (8am) check ins and late check outs (4pm) at no extra charge for hotels in Bangkok, Thailand
– Late check out in a hostel in Chongqing, China
– Late check out in a hostel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
* this list is not complete – there are a lot more places I have missed out/left out
** a number of these included food and drink as well
4. Complimentary and discounted travel I have earned (up until the end of April 2014):
– Complimentary airport transfer in Kinabalu, Malaysia
– Complimentary transport during my entire time in Tanzania
– Complimentary transfer from Mesr to Khoor in Iran
– Discounted transfer in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
– Complimentary transport within most parts of Israel and Palestine
* this list is not complete – there are a few trips I have missed out/left out
** a number of these included food and drink as well
5. Offers I turned down due to being too busy, wrong geographical location or not being as interested:
– Complimentary 2 week tour of Kerala, India
– Complimentary tour of Paris, France (for 2 people)
– Complimentary tour of Berlin, Germany
– Discounted nights at a hotel in Wadi Musa, Jordan
– Complimentary nights in a hotel in Portugal
* this list is not complete – there are definitely a few offers I have missed out/left out
OUTGOINGS – WHAT I HAVE SPENT
Just because I have earned $32, 708 USD as a Business Backpacker in one year doesn’t mean I’m suddenly rich and could buy a house. I’m not – I’m a cheap backpacker who budgets every single day. I’ve spent almost all of that money on travel as I’m constantly on the move! But I also have staff working for me now, and I have to pay some money to get these projects off the ground, so here are some of my outgoings (I don’t have exact figures but this is a rough guide)
1. Money I have spent
Travel (Flights, buses, trains, tours, general travel, hotels, hostels, campsites, food, drink, souvenirs etc.) – $22,000 USD
Paying my staff that I outsource my jobs to – $1,100 USD
Paying companies for things (i.e. web domains, hosting servers, graphics, apps etc.) – $400 USD
2. Time I have spent
Your guess is as good as mine. I work every day in some capacity – it is rare for me to go a day without at least checking my websites, my emails, my Twitter and my Facebook. Ask my girlfriend – as we backpacked incessantly through Iran last year, we’re on the back of a camel and I’m thinking – need to check my emails. Through my girlfriend’s passion, I hope to take more time off in future.
I should enjoy the moment and forget about emails and business.
During the past 12 months, I have also travelled extensively
While i have earned and spent money on the move and worked hard along the way, I have also managed to travel to these places in the last 14 months, yes it’s all real, no fakes here:
ARMENIA – Garni, Geghard, Goght, Goris, Haghpat, Khor Virap, Nora Vank, Sanahin, Tatev, Yerevan AZERBAIJAN – Balaken, Baku, James Bond Oil Fields, Lake Masazir, Mud Volcanoes, Qobustan, Quba, Seki, Xinaliq, Zaqatala BRUNEI DARUSSALAM – Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara, Serasa CHINA – Baisha, Beijing, Changsha, Chongqing, Dandong, Dansha, Guilin, Hangzhou, Jianlong Waterfalls, Jiangling, Jianshui, Jin Ji Cun, Jingdezhen, Kunming, Little Likeng, Luoping, Nanchang, Sanqingshan, Shanghai, Shangrao, Shenzhen, Shilin, Suzhou, Wangkou, Wuyuan, Yuanyang, Yushan, Xiaoqi, Xingjie, Yangshuo, Zhuhai EAST TIMOR – Atauro Island, Cape Fatucama, Dili ENGLAND – Birmingham, Bournemouth, Dartford, Liverpool, London, Portsmouth ETHIOPIA – Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harar GEORGIA – Batumi, Davit Gareja, Gergeti, Gori, Kazbegi, Lagodekhi, (Sadaklo), Sighnaghi, Tbilisi, Uplistsikhe HONG KONG – Aberdeen, Central, Kowloon Tong, Kwun Tong, Lam Tin, Lantau Island, Lo Wu, Ma Wan, Mong Kok, Shek Kip Mei, Sheung Shui, Stanley, Tai Po, Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Yao Tong IRAN – Alamut Valley, Bandar e Golmankhaneh, Bayaziye, Bazargan, Chak Chak, Esfahan, Gazor Khan, Kaluts, Kandovan, Kerman, Khalate Talkh, Kharanaq, Khoor, Lake Orumiye, Maku, Marvdasht, Mashhad, Mahan, Mesr, Nasqh-e Rostam, Orumiye, Persepolis, Qazvin, Rayen, Shahr-e Kord, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Yaseh Chah, Yazd, Zarad Band
IRAQ – Ainkawa, Amadiya, Dohuk, Erbil, (Kirkuk), (Mosul), Qadash, Sulav, Sulimaniyeh
ISRAEL – Afula, Akko, Caesarea, Dead Sea, Eilat, Ein Gedi, Haifa, Isyfia, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Masada, Mizra, Tel Aviv, Tiger Caves JORDAN – Amman, Aqaba, Irbid, Petra, Wadi Musa, Wadi Rum (KENYA – Mombasa Airport) MALAYSIA – Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Mount Kinabalu, Sapi Island MYANMAR – Amarapura, Bagan, Inwa, Mandalay, Sagaing, Yangon
NAGORNO KARABAKH – Agdam, Askeran, Gandzasar, Stepanakert, Vank
NETHERLANDS – Amsterdam
NORTHERN IRELAND – Bangor, Belfast, Newtownards NORTH KOREA – DMZ, Kaesong, Panmunjom, Pyongyang PALESTINE – Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Ramallah PHILIPPINES – Balicasag Island, Bohol Island, Cebu City, Panglao Island, Virgin Island QATAR – Doha SINGAPORE – Changi Airport (Stopover) SRI LANKA – Adam’s Peak, Colombo, Dambulla, Dellhousie, Galle, Haputale, Kandy, Kurenegala, Mirissa, Negombo, Pinnewela, Sigiriya, Tissamaharama, Yala National Park TANZANIA – Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Rabat Maasai Village, Serengeti National Park
THAILAND – Bangkok
TURKEY – Adana, Ankara, Cappadocia, Dogubayazit, Goreme, Gurbulak, Istanbul, Kayseri, Sumela, Trabzon, Urgup
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Dubai
So how much can a Business Backpacker earn?
As much as you want to earn as long as you WORK HARD.
A good resource is Tim Ferriss’s book the 4 Hour Work Week – why work for 40 years and then do all the things you want? When you can do them NOW when you’re fit and able. I recommend his book highly!
I say it again, work hard please – my travel stories on my main travel site Don’t Stop Living take time, effort, research, commitment and real life experience. I am not a fake and I am not a wannabe. My travel blog is in the top 10 in the world in my opinion, I believe in it and I’m confident in it – this doesn’t come from arrogance – it comes from reading the other travel blogs out there and knowing mine is up there with them.
I live my dreams and I hope you can all live yours.
Don’t Stop Living,
Jonny Blair
Business Backpacker, Travel Writer, Global Nomad, Travel Expert, Barman.
Travel Writer at Don’t Stop Living
Editor in Chief of Backpacking in China
Travel Writer and Owner of several other niche websites
I have had articles placed in over 100 newspapers down the years through my PR experience. Newspapers I have got myself and my brands featured in include: the Sunday Times, the Belfast Telegraph, the Ards Chronicle, the Dorset Echo. My latest newspaper article was a colour page feature in the Ards Chronicle in Northern Ireland.
One of my recent media features in my local newspaper in Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
My name is Jonny Blair and I am a business backpacker. While I still travel the world on a tight backpacking budget, I work for myself online these days as well as with a load of other travel sites and apps. While my niche is in budget backpacking, I have also written about football, music, lifestyle design, luxury backpacking (flashpacking) and digital nomadery. I currently live in Poland and am known locally as the Northern Irishman in Poland.
Jonny Blair – The Business Backpacker
Through becoming a business backpacker I have been able to finance my travels entirely through my online projects, working for myself and other companies online as I travel the world.
My stories have featured on over 200 different websites in the last 5 years. I work online for myself and a number of travel and media companies as a business backpacker and professional travel blogger and writer.
In order to be a business backpacker you need to work hard, budget well, travel the world and the most important thing – internet access. I need to be constantly online these days as I travel the world.
If any of you reading are interested in how backpacking can become a business, please get in touch with me through my Contacts page.
