A New Computer and a New Life!

Recently I've made a rather big decision to pursue a career as a self publishing travel writer with a focus on creating guidebooks about interesting cafes in cities around the world.

I'm off to a really good start with my first guidebook, 25 Cafes in Tokyo due for completion sometime in late April 2012. The thing is though that while reviewing cafes in a city where I live (i.e. Tokyo) is relatively cheap and easy to do, exploring cafes in other cities is a lot more difficult and a lot more expensive.

I currently have an eight year old iMac which is very much near the end of it's life (has even started turning itself off randomly) and is very difficult to take anywhere. Other online projects, in particular video projects, have come to a standstill due to the computer's age and inability to upgrade to software several years old (e.g. it  can't run the Google Chrome browser).

For me to complete the tasks I want and make the transition to full time travel writing I am in desperate need of a new laptop computer.

I hate asking people for money and wasn't even sure if this would be worth trying but after talking to several friends (online and off) I've decided to give it a go.

To help my dream come true I'm aiming to raise around US$2000 for a new laptop.

All additional money raised, US$2000 will go towards travel costs involved in sending me to and from a city as well as hotel and living expenses. Which city, and indeed which country will depend on the generosity of yourself and others.

Please take the time to help me. Not only will your action help me out considerably but it will also have a profound effect on how and where I live my life.

All the best, Brad Stephenson