Author:bluelollipoproad

June 23, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet kevin and pedro

In a city fantastic like Chicago, in the course of just a few short hours you can have a delicious authentic Italian meal at Antica Pizzeria in a charming neighborhood like Andersonville, see incredible jazz a few miles away at a place called Green Mill, and wrap up the night just down the road at a honkey-tonk western, meets hipster bar called Carol’s Pub.

Yeah, a couple girlfriends and I did that a few weeks ago. Fun times.

At the door of Carol’s was bouncer Kevin who when stamping my wrist, looked at my Blue-Razz Blowpop tattoo and exclaimed in his southern accent: “Well that ther looks lahhck uh a suh-ckerrr!”

Kevin- Bouncer at Carol's Pub in Chicago

I was so thrilled he knew what it was without any hints I had to ask him if I could take a photo with him. Most people ask me why I have a tennis racket, spoon, baby rattle, or maraca on my wrist. (Humph. Sad face.)

If you know me, you know I beeline to the dance floor at any opportunity to shake it. That’s where I found Pedro:

Dancing with Pedro at Carol's Pub Chicago

Clearly 78 year-old regular Pedro has no problem getting the ladies to dance with him.

I really enjoy living life from A to Z.

Here’s to trying it all and spending time with people that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts.

Thanks Al, Rebecca, Kevin and Pedro!

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June 21, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

food porn

(I’m sorry, there is just no other term strong enough to describe the following!)

The famous chopped salad from Wildfire:

Chopped salad at Wildfire

The famous cinnamon roll from Ann Sather:

Ann Sather cinnamon roll

…oozing with warm icing:

Ann Sather cinnamon roll

Frites and egg at the Publican:

Frites and egg at Republican

…and their snap pea salad:

Snap pea salad at Republican

And this was just a small portion of my Wednesday through Sunday last week!

Chicago sure has been spoiling me on the food front. So much de-lish, so little time…

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June 19, 2011 In Vermont

a fellow patriot

Location; Chicago.

Time; Last night:

I walk up to my last table before the end of my shift. It was filled with 6 chatty and friendly people. I get their food order in quickly before the kitchen closes, and grab them drinks. One of the guys at the table makes a comment about the burgers being delicious and that he once talked to the owner of the place about what he puts in them to make them so good. I proceed to tell him a little back story about the owner and the beloved burger place they used to own in Virginia, how I know the owner and how I ended up working in this current place in Chicago. The next part of the conversation took all of 10 seconds before all 7 of us are rolling- laughing at the coincidence:

Him: “So you’re from Virginia?”

Me: “No, Vermont.”

Him: “I’M from Vermont.”

Me: “Where?”

Him: “Bennington.”

Me: “Are you kidding me?!”

Him: “Did you go to Mount Anthony?”

Me: “Yes, graduated in 1996, you?”

Him: “98.”

Me: “You graduated with my brother Brad, my name is Diane Peacock, what’s yours?”

Him: “Ryan. I know Brad! -and I think you went to prom with my best friends brother!”

The table erupts. This exchange literally did go from “The burgers here are great” to “I think you went to prom with my best friend brother” in 10 seconds flat. It was a riot.

I graduated high school 15 years ago- almost to the day, never remember this guy, we both have had a lifetime of experiences since leaving that high school, we’re both half a country away from where we grew up, and now he and his wife are moving across the street from where I currently work.

I love how small the world is.

I wrapped up my shift, grabbed a beer and joined them for a while. Obviously we had plenty of stories to share and common people to talk about. Needless to say I have 6 new very fun friends in Chicago. How cool is that?

Thanks Ryan and crew- you made my night!

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June 18, 2011 In Arizona, Photos

ahhh…arizona

A really fun part about Blue Lollipop Road is that friends and readers write and tell me about their adventures. Trips they are either on, about to embark on, or are daydreaming about. I get photos sent to me too which I love. This one just in from a friend who hiked Camelback Mountain this morning:

Camelback Mountain Hike

Gorgeous. Sure looks like a fun Saturday morning to me. This really is urban hiking with a view.

Keep the photos and stories coming so I can share more. Here’s to early morning hikes and adventurous weekends!

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June 17, 2011 In Live the life you want to live, News & Updates

movin’ and shakin’

Another week of exploring, work, soccer, zumba, delicious feasts of dinner, and meeting interesting people around Chicago. The most exciting part of the week; talks and plans about the next BLR big road trip!

As I run off for another very busy Friday, I wanted to drop a quick post to say thank you to all of you who have followed here. Hard work really does pay off. If you keep at something you love long enough, with true passion, and others hop onboard to support, that something gets stronger and stronger and eventually flies. That’s what has happened here and for me. Things are flying!

I look forward to sharing more news soon.

Here’s to living the life you want to live!

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June 13, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

skinny chicks like ribs too

Meet Ellie:

Ribfest Chicago with Ellie & Stacey

All 86 pounds of our adorable little friend was going to town on some ribs this weekend at Ribfest.  I love someone who has no shame when they’re hungry and can laugh at themselves while we laugh too:

Ribfest Chicago with Ellie & Stacey

Meet Stacey:

Ribfest Chicago with Ellie & Stacey

Stacey was in full support of the chow-down as well, after she downed her de-lish portion of the bbq good stuff.

Yep, this is how we roll on Saturdays in the summer in Chicago. Every time I hang out with these two I laugh until my stomach hurts. Needless to say good times.

Until next weekend…

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June 11, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

chi-town saturdays

Rules:

1.) Get all your errands and “important” done in the morning.

2.) Get showered and dressed for the day by noon.

3.) Wear comfortable shoes.

4.) Leave your house and get on some sort of public transportation

5.) Plan on getting home at…???

Yep, that’s how you must do it. And you don’t even have to bring a ton of money either!

Last weekend a friend and I met up for free wine tasting. Wandered out of the building and into a guy who had some beer mugs, asked him where he got them and in a flash, we turned, walked up the street 4 blocks and voila! Maifest Chicago:

Maifest Chicago

Singing, dancing, packed house and Mmm…pretzels and Hofbrau Haus beer. Prost!

Maifest Chicago

It took me back to that summer in Germany when I was 15. That’s when nomad and adventurer Diane was born.

The marathoning of festivals and events continued as we walked and walked in the sunshine, hopped on a bus, got rained on a bit, walked some more, more wine tasting and then met up with some other friends at Big Star:

Big Star tostada

Big Star tostada

Yes, this is a veggie tostada, but I totally ate a pork taco, so broke my vegetarianism. The food at this place is smack yo mamma good, so when I saw the words “cilantro” and “grilled pineapple” in the description after the “marinated pork”, I had to. Oh was it so worth it. The vibe at this honkey-tonk-ish, tatted up joint was perfect, the place was slam-packed and people watching was a blast.

After Big Star we headed to Ukrainian where there was yet another festival. I went to bed so happy and exhausted that night I slept like a baby.

Yikes! It’s past the noon hour and I have a Saturday worth of festivals and friends to meet, so I’m off…

Can you tell I’m having a blast in Festival City, USA for a few months of good weather?

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June 9, 2011 In Funny signs, Live the life you want to live, North Carolina, Photos

whoop whoop! this makes 1,001 posts

Whoa. It just dawned on me this morning that I might be nearing the ONE THOUSAND mark and I’ve already hit it! (I’m patting myself on the back right now.) This has been such a labor of love for me. I’ve relished in every minute of creating this thing that has taken on a life of it’s own. Funny, this morning I’m sitting in a coffee shop tapping away at my keyboard as I realize the 1,001 number. I actually haven’t brought my laptop out of the apartment for a few weeks because schlepping it around the city for an entire day while I fight my way through public transportation isn’t the most fun thing to do. I ran out of coffee to French press at home this morning, so here I sit out. I’m glad I hit over the 1,000 mark out during quiet coffee shop time. Coffee shops have provided me hundreds of hours of writing time.

I’ve tapped and typed away on this same laptop since the inception of BLR. I’ve driven to Alaska with this machine, posting all the way. I’ve moved 876 times, changed relationships, jobs, states, hair, mind-set, goals, and more since post #1. I never knew what any of this would be. What I do know is that by committing to this I have gained insight to things I never would have otherwise gained, I’ve kept expanding my mind in ways I never knew I could, I’ve shared every bit of dirty laundry I’ve ever had and liberated myself, and I’ve become utterly fearless discovering that we all really can actually do and say whatever the heck we want to.

Besides the above, one of the the biggest surprises has been the sense of trust and community this has created. I’ve made connections with incredible people that I would have otherwise never met because of this project. I’ve kept in touch with friends that may have otherwise fallen off the bandwagon of life. I’ve started and maintained what I know will be life-long friendships with complete strangers who’ve found this and followed daily. Funny enough the photo I planned on posting today was sent by one of these complete strangers, who over the course of 2 years become a fantastic, generous friend and a really fun dinner buddy.

Jukebox from Charlotte biker bar

(Thanks for the photo B! I love it when readers see ridiculous things and think of me.)

…another one of these perfect strangers turned friends who I got to meet last summer, emailed me yesterday excitedly asking when I could come visit and meet the baby she’s about to have.

How cool is that? Learning from and connecting to each other- that’s what it’s all about.

Here’s to the next 1,000 “posts” in the story, and for us all staying excited to see what else is down the Blue Lollipop Road…

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