Author:bluelollipoproad

June 28, 2009 In Uncategorized

In For Some Jewelry And Out With Some Sense

I just get an email from someone who mentioned being picky. Why is it that it is always a wrong or bad thing to be picky? Why is there always such guilt attached to it? 

Dictionary says:

Picky; Fastidious.
Fastidious; Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
I was shopping at my favorite little jewelry store in my hometown a bunch of years ago. A sales lady open the glass case at my request and got a bracelet out for me. I tried it on, pointed to another saying, “Nope, can I please see that one instead?” Oh wait, how about that one?” Ooh, I like that one too!” She gladly showed me several until I said apologetically; “Oh my god, I am so sorry! I am being so picky!” 
She then looked at me very seriously, abruptly shut the case, leaned into me and said something I have never forgotten; “Honey, listen to me and listen to me clearly. You are not picky, you just know what you want.”
That sales lady with the dark hair and glasses has no idea how much I have thought about that encounter over the years and how many times I have passed that story on. What she said was so true. Next time you catch yourself apologizing or feeling guilty that you are “too picky”- just stop yourself. You’re not picky- you just know what you want. That’s something  you should never apologize for.
If being picky means you’re a pain in the ass, I’m proud to be a huge one. 
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June 26, 2009 In Uncategorized

Bah Humbug To You GPS

Just saw a commercial about GPS systems. It made me think of a couple recent road trips I made with a friend who had one in his car. I had to give him grief about taking all the fun out of the adventure. I might be crazy or old-fashioned, but I am just not about those little gadgets.

I’m sure they can be helpful if you get that stressed about the possibility of not finding an exit for your Taco Bell 4th meal, Dairy Queen Blizzard or Waffle House covered, smothered, diced-whatever craving. Really though? Come on. Isn’t it so much better to just roll with the road? Forget a computer telling you where to go. Besides, tell me you don’t find a little thrill in those slightly sketchy truck stops we all end up stopping at. The ones that have signs that are 7,452 feet tall that you can get gas, buy corona towels, wind chimes and a Snickers or even nosh away on a huge meal of “home cookin” all under one enormous roof.
You know you love that stuff.
Next time you hit the road, unplug your system and reach for a map. A real paper one that folds into the accordion thing. Not your Google Maps print out. A real map. 
If you are driving somewhere “just to get there”, fine. That’s Ok. But without your GPS you might actually be so in tune paying attention to your surroundings you’ll see something you’ve never noticed before. That’s the reward of the road and where so many good stories come from. Try it. I promise you’ll like it.
On second thought…
Dear Garmin and whatever other GPS brands are out there,
I know I just totally bagged on you, but if you’d like me to be your representative and sponsor me for a Blue Lollipop Road trip at any point- call me. I suppose I could shelf my opinions for a month or two for the sake of creating some quality entertainment and big time exposure for you. Someone just has to follow me with a video camera. Talk about some good advertising! Let me know when you’re ready to go.  I’ve got the snacks ready and my bags were packed yesterday.
You think I am kidding?
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June 25, 2009 In Uncategorized

I thought of a few things when I drove by this sign tonight: 
1.) I have to turn around and take a picture of this.
2.) That’s disgusting.
3.) Thank goodness they are cooked to order! I mean really. Who’d ever want their livers and gizzards just cooked any old way?
Gag.
Then again, I eat Oreos smashed up in a jar of Nutella by the spoonful. I bet the liver and gizzard eaters would think that’s disgusting.
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June 23, 2009 In Uncategorized

Meet Jonathan

He is taken, but happily accepted my proposal to take this photo of his funny shirt. He told me his girlfriend bought it for him before he went off to college last year and he is now home for the summer.
Thanks Jonathan. You were adorable. I’m sure you’ll have to leave that shirt on sophomore year as well to keep the young ladies away. Hope you had a great relaxing Father’s Day with your pops. 
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June 22, 2009 In Uncategorized

Resume or Gynecologist?

How can I thank people I barely know that have become regular readers? The ones that I have met just a couple months ago who I see and they say; “Um, hello? What’s up?- I have been reading but haven’t seen any new posts in the past couple days…”

I know, I know! Effective time management. Something I am working on and that perhaps I have sucked at in the past. (That and I am busy working to pay bills which takes me away from this project and other things I love sometimes. BOO on that, but it’s what I’ve got to do until I figure out how to make the magic happen.)
To do list for today:
1.) Work on time management
2.) Get my stupid resume updated and done for the 90th time. (God I hate resumes more than visits to the gynecologist.)
3.) Thank the not so strange strangers like B.H. for being consistent readers.
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June 20, 2009 In Uncategorized

Screw It. I’m Moving Across The Country

My friend Erin moved to Cali. one year ago for a job in the wine biz. I joked with the “I hate you”, but she probably doesn’t know that I really did. (You know what I mean.) I “hated” her, not because I hated her, but because I was so damn jealous. At that time I was completely bored living where I was as she had been and totally needed a change myself but didn’t know how to/wasn’t ready to make one. I remember standing on the rooftop patio of my incredible apartment I had at the time that everyone had drooled over. I was listening to Erin talk about when and how she was going to be leaving town. She was moving for a job she was insanely excited about? She was getting out of a place she just felt like she needed to? Ugh, I thought. I remember feeling like I wanted to pack myself in her car and never look back to my incredibly fancy amazing apartment with rooftop patio and all the rest of the “perfect” life I had.

See, incredibly fancy amazing apartments with rooftop patios and other supposed perfect stuff don’t mean jack if you’re not happy. I’m so thankful life forced me to make some changes I was jealous of Erin for making a year ago and that I am where I am now. And I am happy that she is happy with her past year too. We’ve both separately come quite a way.
I just read this post on her blog and started laughing. She will laugh too when she reads this as she realizes from that very spot on my rooftop patio one year ago, the two of us have had almost identical experiences. The only difference is I now look out my window and see the Atlantic Ocean and she looks out hers and see the Pacific. We have both moved far away from everything and everyone we know and love, gotten new jobs, quit jobs, had break ups, perfected being broke as a joke, at the same age, cried on phones to mothers and all of it…

AND THEN SOME. Oh, then some. 

The great thing is, Erin and I barely met, hung out or even knew each other much before she came over one year ago to my place to tell me she was leaving. After keeping in touch sporadically this year and finding out how similar we are, I’m fairly certain she and I will be good pals for a very long time to come. I’m sure we’ll also continue encouraging each other to quit jobs we hate, move wherever the hell we each damn well please and not settle for anything less than the best guy or life that’s fabulous. That’s what us “brave” and “courageous” women do. Really though, we’re just two people who follow our hearts. That’s the only reason to warrant anyone ever using those words for either of us. I think Erin would be fine with me saying that we both totally screw up plenty, flail out, trip up and are lost and confused just as much as the rest of everyone else. Perhaps we are two people who can just dust ourselves off a bit quicker, and most always wearing a smile.
Erin, can you friggin’ believe it? What a ride. Keep on rockin’ girl. Hang tight. I’ll be out there to sip some vino with you sooner than later.
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