Voting will begin soon as to where you all think I should go on my September 2011 road trip.
I haven’t done nearly as much video in the past I have wanted to here (we are all missing out!)- so look forward to that to start coming in like wildfire too.
Oh it’s going to be so much fun.
Where would you go if you could get in a car and just drive?
Treats if you’re hungry, like pork hocks and tid bits:
(Exactly what part of the pig is the “tid bit” by the way?)
…cheese curds of course:
…and meat shaped like beer bottles:
If you’re not hungry but want some cool schwag, there’s always the pioneer coon skin cap:
…the deer head:
…beer pong balls:
…ultra classy stickers to “pimp” your ride:
…various ceramic goodies like sorcerer’s:
…sunglass wearing monkey salt & pepper shakers, or religious themed signs:
Then there’s always the bottle opener ring:
(I can’t lie- I actually think the bottle opener ring is cool.)
All that and more in just one stop at the Pioneer Plaza:
Gosh, the only problem with this stop was making the decision on which items I just couldn’t live without.
Hee hee…
…I was hanging out for the first time in nearly 16 years with a woman who’s very special to me in Brooklyn- my former soccer coach, Traci:
If you’ve known me for any length of time, know the history of the blue lollipop or have been following here for a while- I have mentioned Traci before. Traci has a smile that never stops, a heart that could move mountains, unparalleled talent and an all-around magic about her that is unexplainable. She is a mentor, a friend and a hero to so many “kids” like me.
Thank you Traci for being one of those people who make us all better for knowing you. I can’t wait to see you soon!
Here’s to friendship, following every single hope and dream, and always having strong mojo around us…
I’ve written about Sean and Ian, the One Week Job guys several times now. I’ve been following along with their journey and work regularly, especially after they hosted me for a stay last summer in the amazing city of Vancouver. They do great work, have a brilliant message, are two of the nicest guys you could meet, and they are fun. I suppose you could say I am a super fan 🙂
Sean posted this article today on Facebook and I immediately wanted to share it here. The last line struck an extra chord with me: “You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won’t.”
***Enter lots of people reading this now rolling eyes, and thinking “It’s not that easy”, “That’s not practical or realistic”, “Easy for you to say” etc. Bah-humbug to that.
I’ve participated in daily conversation since starting Blue Lollipop Road on the subject of “I want to’s.” I love these conversations. I don’t ever seem to have to solicit them because people know I write here about choosing a life doing what I want to. I suppose I feel like a “safe” person for others to confide in about their “crazy/unpractical want-to’s.” In addition to having a now nearly 17 year old lesson in best friend loss, a solid foundation of incredible friends, family, and mentors who love and support me, the other wholly true thing that continues to fuel me to live the life I want to live, is plain and simple; I am the driver of my own life. No one else moves a single body part of mine to do anything but me.
It’s the same for all of us.
Am I suggesting anyone to run out and quit their job today, give their kids away, leave the house to the neighbors and run to Vegas to whoop it up? No. I am however, like the article, encouraging that if anyone out there has a burning desire to change or quit anything in life because it’s not fueling you towards your “want-to’s” or passion- do it. I bet if  you asked the most intelligent, happiest, most successful people you know, what they thought being “practical” and “realistic” meant, they’d tell you that it means using your knowledge, experience, and influence to add up to something. Adding up to something begins by taking that “one day” thought, and making it start today if it hasn’t already.
I’m dancing a jig (actually, several of them) this morning as I am thrilled to announce:
I HAVE RECEIVED A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ON LOAN FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY FOR A SEPTEMBER, 2011 ADVENTURE!!!
Check out this gorgeous environmentally-focused vehicle I will be driving:
ROAD TRIP!!!
The title of today’s post is the theme of the upcoming Blue Lollipop Road trip:
How far can you go and how much fun can you have on one tank of gas?
We all know the best things in life are often free (or very inexpensive.) People always ask me how I’ve afforded to travel so much over the years, then are shocked when I share the minimal cost of my previous trips. Typically my biggest expense has been gas, which of course with all the Hondas I have owned over the years, has been affordable because they get such great gas mileage. With this new hybrid I will have coming up the gas mileage will be even better! Honda will be covering some of my travel expenses for the upcoming trip as well, which is an extra special treat.
Today’s announcement is just the beginning of some big time fun. In the coming days and weeks I will be taking votes as to where all of you think I should go, see, do, eat, etc. so stay tuned and get ready to participate! Honda and I will have voting polls on Facebook, and of course some other social media fun too. The trip will start on the east coast on September 2. From there the sky (or road) is the limit!
Can I get a whoop whoop?! We are going on the open road again baby!
Sam accidentally ran over me with his bike  on Friday. Like as in- ran over me.
It wasn’t his fault, it was the bus driver’s fault for not curbing the bus. When I stepped out the back door as I have done 100 times safely before, Sam was approaching the light the bus was stopping at and BAM. We both flew through the air, cell phones, purses and bodies spinning, and somehow got only cuts and bruises. We both couldn’t stop shaking and apologizing to each other as the bus driver looked back and us and drove away! (Thanks a lot  Mr. CTA driver.)
Poor Sam felt so awful he just stood there and apologized a million more times with his bleeding head in his hands as we laughed nervously (because I think we were both in a bit of shock and would’ve cried otherwise.)
Reason number 5996773535 to always keep a camera with you? So you can take photos of Bike Messengers who accidentally run you over after you pick up that said camera from down the street where it flew out of your purse after he actually hit you.
Sam-Â If you’re out there and are reading this, I hope your head is Ok! 🙁
Here’s to unexpected people “crashing” Â into your life.
In going through a couple boxes this morning, I came across this journal my Mother gave me in 2000:
Over the years I have written secret “Dear Diary” pages here and there, put it away, come across the book again, laughed at myself for what was written previously, then done it all over again. (Rinse and repeat;Â I ripped a page out just now, giggling and shaking my head about what I had written in May of 2009.) Â There are few blank sheets left. Even when there are none, I will keep it because of the picture of Mom and I inside and the words she wrote me on the first page:
Diane, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12/25/00
You are an amazing daughter. I am always so proud of you. I admire you, adore you, love you more than words can say…
The words on the front of this journal I believe were written for you:
“Color outside the lines”
“Remember your passion”
“Do what you love”
You are the best!
Love always- Mom
I thanked her at the time of gifting of course, but I would like to send another thank you today:
Mom, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7/9/11
You are an amazing mother. Because of your constant and unconditional love and support I have colored outside those lines, remembered my passions, and done what I love and I won’t ever stop. Even though we both know it hasn’t been an easy road- it’s been totally worth it. Can you believe what’s happening now because of all that persistence?! I did it, I did it!
Thank you for making me fearless, being my #1 cheerleader and showing me what it takes to wholly believe in someone. If every kid was as lucky as me…
I love you.
DianeÂ
To Everyone else,
You know what this means?! The official announcement for the fall BLR Adventure project will be announced this Tuesday, 7/12. Mark your calendars and get ready for another fun ride!
I had dinner with girlfriends last night at Mon Ami Gabi. I have always had more guy friends than girl friends, but for whatever reason recently, life has delivered me some of the most hilarious, fun, smart, sassy, accomplished and interesting women to hang with and I am loving it. We were all too busy chatting and being “that table” laughing too loudly to take photos of our first 54 courses of food, but I finally grabbed my camera when dessert came:
Do you know how hard it is to wait even 10 seconds to dig in with stuff like this in front of you and 3 other women with forks and spoons? These plates didn’t stand a chance against us:
Fruits, crepes, puff pastries, chocolate cakes, creme brulee’-oh my! Indeed like a pack of wherewolves attacked. I am all about those times the chef decides to just send out every dessert on the menu.
Here’s to French themed patio summer nights, never ending food-porn photos and falling asleep stuffed and smiling.
What do you get besides fantastic company, a great tan, and lots of laughs during a stay at the lake for a holiday weekend? Skis and boats and lots of fun stuff to play with:
Lunch pot-luck feasts with all the neighbors, complete with taco salads:
…that give funny olive boobs:
…fresh fruit and veggie salads with patriotic colors:
…chairs to sit in and relax over the water:
…and clouds to gaze at while daydreaming:
Gee, and I wonder why I didn’t want to leave.
Thank you to my Mid-West family that has taken me in as if I were their own. I’m counting minutes until I can come back and actually jump in that gorgeous water!
Spending a few days away from full-throttle lifestyle, and doing nothing but relaxing and resting felt odd for me, but were much needed. I feel like a million bucks!
The best way to start a new week after a perfect holiday weekend away? (Besides French press coffee…)- an early morning phone call from a company that will be part of the next big BLR adventure starting in September of course! It’s all official, but I’m still waiting on one more thing before I will be blasting the news out. When I do, get ready to participate. Participation from all of you is what is going to make this upcoming adventure so fun.
Another hint:
I’ve been looking at lots of paper maps.