July 14, 2011 In Articles, Live the life you want to live

in the drivers seat

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.

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July 12, 2011 In Honda, News & Updates, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

how far can you go and how much fun can you have on one tank of gas?

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:

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

 

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!

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July 11, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet sam

Sam the Bike Messenger

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.)

Sam the Bike Messenge

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- If you’re out there and are reading this, I hope your head is Ok! 🙁

Here’s to unexpected people “crashing”  into your life.

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July 9, 2011 In Live the life you want to live, Photos

i’m what i want to be when i grow up

In going through a couple boxes this morning, I came across this journal my Mother gave me in 2000:

Gifted journal from Mom, 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; I ripped a page out just now, giggling and shaking my head about what I had written in May of 2009.)  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,                             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,                               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.

Diane 

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!

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