Funny signs

August 15, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Funny signs, Honda, New York, Photos

33

Today is my birthday and the beginning of 5 weeks of mega-adventure. You could say that I am feeling like a million bucks. YIPPEE!!!

I woke up from the best sleep I have had in weeks and in a most special spot after 12 hours on the road yesterday. In birthday tradition when I am here, we love finding the local diner breakfast spots, which we did this morning:

We had stuffed ourselves silly, but couldn’t resist an offered on the house birthday treat hot out of the oven from the super sweet staff:

I was so full they packed this to go for me, but the test bite I took was so good, and the staff was so nice, I had to stay for a 3rd cup of coffee and to finish off this red raspberry crumb cake deliciousness. How could I not after the owner came out to sing to me with the manager? (Thanks for everything Matt!)

We stopped at Finger Lakes Distilling on the way home:

A little tasting of Vintner’s Wild Berry Vodka:

…and some Blackcurrant/Cassis:

…was fun just because you can do that at 1pm on a Monday when it’s your birthday and not feel guilty about it.

They even had a Canine Tasting Bar- how funny!

Off for a run and patio dinner and wine with good friends. Thank you everyone for all the Birthday messages, calls, cards, packages, wishes and love. I am one lucky woman!

Coming up this week:
*The Big Apple. (Rooftop decks, exploring, old friend reunions, celebrations of life, chocolate restaurant revisit, and more.)
*Catching up here on the BLR, as I sit on the dock. (What a great office!)
*Honda trip mania. (Voting tally, a few announcements, and some surprises.)

Year 33- here I come!

August 1, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, People, Photos

take me out to the ball game

A Cubs game at Wrigley Field in the Bleacher Seats is one of those bucket list/must-do’s, especially if you’re ever lucky enough to be able to live in Chicago during the summer. I had been to a couple of games almost 10 years ago, but got to go for another round last weekend with a friend who was in town.Â In no particular order, here’s a montage of the sweaty, sunburned, blast of festivities. (And these are just the photos from the first 3 hours of the full-day marathoning party around Wrigleyville!):

The game begins a bit cloudy:

The blue lollipop gives a major league thumbs up:

Yay, tickets for the Bud Light Bleachers:

…the only place to be at Wrigley. The stadium was packed to my right:

…and my left:

We got some free hats and stocked up on peanuts and beer of course:

…which I enjoyed thoroughly as the sun came out:

Every last person was branded with some kind of Cubs gear or color. I liked these two tees in front of us:

(I made sure to follow their rules.)

We all sang and swayed together:

I had to have a hot dog:

…and laugh at myself at how I have failed painfully at being a vegetarian lately:

We made friends with all the people around us. You somehow become insta-buddies after sweating on each other. I shared one of our double-chocolate delish Sprinkles cupcakes with these friendly fun gals behind us. (I had noticed one of them had a pregnant belly, so naturally it was just the right thing to do.):

As the game wrapped up, the carnage was everywhere:

Before we were booted out, I managed to snap a couple of clear pix of these great signs:

You’ve gotta love before, during and after game razzing and trash talking (which there was plenty of.) These Cubs fans were selling water outside the stadium:

If you can imagine the perfect All-American baseball game time, this was it. It was a total blast and couldn’t have gone more perfectly if we had planned every detail.

…buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don’t care if I never get back…

July 18, 2011 In Funny signs, Photos, Wisconsin

things you can buy at wisconsin rest stops

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…

June 14, 2011 In Funny signs, Live the life you want to live, New York, Photos

you know what this is?

It’s the story of my life and my favorite picture ever.

Exciting things are brewing!

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.

(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…

June 7, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, Photos

words on bathroom walls

This one was in the ladies room at Big Star in Wicker Park. The love is alllll around in Chicago in the summer. I wanted to add a “MEE TOO!” – but I didn’t have a Sharpie on me…

June 6, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, Photos

one stop shop

Grab some lo mein and sell your phone at this Chinese place. How convenient!

May 29, 2011 In Funny signs, Photos, Wisconsin

…and more reasons to love wisconsin

Lofts to sleep in and wake up in the sun:

Coffee and mimosas on the morning patio:

Lazy afternoons by the water:

…and skinny dipping at dusk:

Did I mention hip hop dance parties in the kitchen with my friends dad too? Yeah, those.

May 28, 2011 In Funny signs, Photos, Wisconsin

just a few reasons to love wisconsin

There are grocery stores called Festival as if there were a party inside:

…and there was. String cheese that looks like this? Yeah- that’s a party:

You’ve gotta love a courtesy phone like this in the meat section. Let’s face it- you don’t get this in the big city:

More? There are spots to eat dinner called Elmer’s Place that have signs like this:

So I didn’t participate in the Friday Fish Fry, but yes- I totally ate fried cheese curds for dinner last night and they were delicious. When in Rome…

May 24, 2011 In Funny signs, Illinois, Photos

the palate of rats

Exquisite:

I snapped this one while wandering the city this weekend. I could have an entire blog dedicated to funny signs I see.