August 28, 2010 In Uncategorized

prepping

I’m bopping around the the Northwest now, scoping out a few spots with thoughts of where I might want to park if I’m going to look to get an apartment or place of whatever kind in the next few months. It’s looking like I’ll be heading down the coast a bit and into Cali. I know a few folks to stay there, and have a cousin to visit I haven’t seen in a few years. I’ll be able to scope out the bay area too. As of now it looks like I’m going to be able to make it to 2 weddings (both good pals in VA) in September and October (yay!) and have a small bit of work for a week or so in NC. New York City is still calling my name everyday. Oh the possibilities. Lots of work and planning to do.

Besides the huge Alaska/Anniversary part of this journey, I knew it was something I wanted to do to give myself time and space to get some perspective getting out of my everyday comfort zones of where I’d been living for the last 13 years. I’ve certainly gotten what I was looking for and then some. I’m happy for all I’ve learned and excited about what I’m working on for the next phase of BLR. Having you all on this journey with me is a blast and I’m hoping you will continue to share your stories with me and be interested in reading mine.

In the next couple days I will be putting in some more organizing and logistical time so I just wanted to write again and say hello and please hold tight and be patient with me. See you back here soon with more!

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August 27, 2010 In Uncategorized

photo storage?

Grrr!

I’m bummed my posts have been photo free the past few days and I haven’t been able to share the stories I want. I have reached my limit for free photo storage for Flickr and trying to find another resource that will let me store photos and take the html I need to embed here. Picassaweb and Snapfish are giving me trouble. Anyone have ideas so I can get more photos and fun stories cranking here?! I cannot afford to pay and even if I had $ to pay for photo storage I’ve got to believe there are more Flickr like resources out there for free. Hmmm…

I’m chomping at the bit to share stuff here. Boo for road blocks!

Thoughts anyone?

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August 27, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

danke

More thank you’s because there are so many helpful, generous and wonderful people out there!

*Kelly- I have carb-loaded and run around the hills of Seattle a ton the past few days.
*Mike and Eng-Shien- I’ll be posting photos from our “crabbing” here- thanks for the boat ride and hike.
*Andrew- Hope your leave and time home are relaxing. Thank you for your generosity and selflessness. Keep writing.
*Bobby- Got your notification yesterday. Gas tank is full! I still owe you funny photos from cheese curd country.
*Sean and Ian- So fun to hang with you and your peeps. Thanks for letting me show up out of nowhere and crash.
*Jess and Armen- Thanks for the feasts and hospitality. That bed is soooo comfy.
*Julie- What a yummy dinner and fun chat last night. Here’s to a soul sister!
*Ben- Love the random VA connection, downtown tour and blue hair.

Days continue to be interesting, fun and full of all the friends of friends and complete strangers who I’m connecting with. I’m learning something new every day and understanding myself and the world more. I’m consistently excited, motivated and feeling healthier and more balanced than I ever have. Because of all of you and so many giving people I’m becoming the best person I can be. It means everything to me that I’m getting to live my dream. This also means I will be the best I can to pay it forward to others and that’s what this is all about, so thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

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August 26, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

the pay it forward recipient

…is the one and only Ms. Erin Peacock! (That’d be little my sis.)

I had posted before that no one wrote in stories about a trip/travel/dream/new hobby they wanted to try/do for the “Pay it forward” challenge. After that still no one wrote me. Not ONE person wrote in before I left Alaska, so it’s official the cashola goes to her! (I will post a photo of her with the check once it gets to her in the mail and she can take one.)

I know you all out there have hopes, dreams, goals, wants, desires. I also understand it’s difficult for some people to share those things with strangers. I have also learned that it scares the sh*t out of most people to actually take a moment for themselves to think about just and only what they want. Sort of like whoa nelly! Well, I couldn’t possibly actually think about who I am or what I want for me! That would “rock the boat” too much and then I might have to start rocking! (I can tell you once you start rocking you never go back. In a good way. I am now smiling with that Mwah-ahhh-ahhh…tune running through my head.) My sister is a prime example of this. She had never been out of the country, my brother took her to Ecuador in January, she went in blind, but open- then she saw, did, ate, experienced things she never had before and didn’t even know were out there and was a changed person within days. That trip rocked her boat (she surrendered to the rocking) and gave her a vision for the next thing she wants to do with her life. She came back to the U.S and immediately started applying for the Peace Corps. I’m proud to gift 10% of the Alaska or bust BLR donations and sponsorships to her. She’s spent tonsa bucks completing these applications, so this loot will help her. (She could be going to Africa in February! How cool is that?!)

So? Cheers to you kid! You have a check coming in the mail. If you get in and go to Africa, you know I’ll do my best to visit!

I have mentioned before, I have a bank account that is named after my deceased friends who are the inspiration for this blog and a lot of what I do. This will always remain open. From here until eternity as long. As Blue Lollipop Road lives, 10% of any $/sponsorship/donations that are contributed will continue to go into that account. That money will be gifted as a pay it forward just like this initial one. I am working now with Sarah (the bestest intern ever) on new info./ideas for the donate page, next pay it forward challenge, etc. Lots of updates to come.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH to all who have donated. Congratulations to Erin for being the first gifted recipient. You, undoubtedly embody the heart, smile and soul that Maria and Brandy did. They’d be happy to know the 10% is going to someone like you!

Who’s next guys?

Start daydreaming and get your pens and paper ready.

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