005: Kyle - One Red Paperclip

Today we welcome Kyle MacDonald to BloggerView… yes, that's right - the ‘One Red Paperclip’ guy.

If you haven't heard Kyle's story, then here’s a quick breakdown: an average guy with a little luck, smarts and persistence manages to trade one red paperclip for a house. Taking one year, Kyle made fourteen trades, including a fish pen, a red generator, a skidoo, a recording contract and a snow globe and managed to barter his way from a red paperclip to a house.

BV: Kyle, I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me – your story really is remarkable. Can I ask, why the paperclip and not say, a highlighter or a replacement nozzle for a water cooler?

Good point. I think if I'd started with a replacement nozzle for a water cooler I'd have instigated much more water cooler talk! But alas, I didn't have a replacement nozzle for a water cooler in our apartment that fine day I decide to trade up. The red paperclip was the first thing I saw when I thought of the idea. To be totally honest, I don't think I even said the word 'alas' that day either.

BV: You say in your entry about the skidoo when Michel Barrette, well-known Montreal TV personality and radio host came to your place and recognised you that "It's a funny feeling when somebody recognizes you from a picture on your website that you set up in your bedroom while eating toast in your underwear." Now I've read your blogs and followed other projects you are involved in and you seem amazingly well-rounded and humble for someone who has been on such a wild and crazy ride. Surely something about you must have changed 'post-paperclip'. What do you think that is?

Well, I still eat a LOT of toast and wear a LOT of underwear these days, and honestly, I can't really say much in my life has really changed. Sure, I've traded up from a red paperclip to a fine house located at 503 Main Street in Kipling, Saskatchewan, but it still doesn't change the fact that I have no idea who these guys are.

BV: It seems like the snow globe was a big risk in the whole trading escapade of yours, can you tell us a little about this trade and how important it was for you to pull it off properly?

Well, the bottom line is I knew about the trade with Corbin Bernsen for the movie role beforehand, so you could say I "duped" people into thinking I'd blown it with that trade. I just wanted to see what people would say when I traded down so obviously and disastrously. That, and I really didn't want Corbin to die while I still had the snow globe.

BV: You must have doubted yourself and your ability to see this project through to completion on more than a few occasions, what got you through the times when you felt this was all a big waste of time?

Just the time when the FDNY confiscated the generator and I thought I'd lost it all!

BV: Can you describe to me the feeling you had when you first walked into that house in Kipling Saskatchewan that you traded for a paperclip?

Not with words. It's definitely one of those "words can't describe" sort of things.

BV: Your latest project I have to admit is a bloody great idea. How's that all panning out for you and has Dylan tried hunting you down for borrowing his idea?

Well, I hope he hunts us down...that's kinda the plan. Um, yeah it's going great. It takes a lot to pull off a Superbowl ad from scratch, so we're busy as beavers making moves to make it happen!

BV: You're in the process of bringing out One Red Paperclip the book. How has the journey of writing about your efforts been different to actually living through it?

Well, it's a lot tougher to write about things months after the fact, especially when you were drunk at the time! (Not all the time... but some of it!) I'm enjoying writing the book, but I have to say I enjoy doing things much more than writing about things!

BV: Your family features extensively in your posts, how important is family to you AND does your mum think you're the flukiest bastard on the planet or is she down with the whole paperclip-house thing?

Well I call her "Mom" but she's pretty much the most down person with this whole paperclip thing. I'd say she'd be my number one fan and supporter, through and through!

BV: You must have met some pretty cool people on your journey and no doubt have discovered heaps of great websites and blogs that you read regularly. Are there a few sites or blogs that you would recommend that people go and check out?

Sure!

http://www.jodygnant.com
http://www.hitch50.com/
http://www.areyoumywife.com/
http://www.mybowlad.com/
http://www.welcometoamerica.us/
http://www.coreyhartdrivesafiero.blogspot.com/
http://www.retiredmoviestardaveleroux.com/
http://www.oneweekjob.com/

BV: Kyle, thanks so much for taking part in BloggerView – I’ll be keeping up with your future projects.

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