New York

August 31, 2011 In New York, People, Photos

meet owen and jericho

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve gotten the chance to catch up with some old friends in NY, and of course their adorable kids. Even though most all my peers started having babies years ago, I still find it hard to believe because I feel like we are all kids as of today. How does time pass so quickly? Remember when you were younger and thought someone who was 30 or 40 was like, so totally old? Now we are the “oldies” building families and realizing that “they” were right, years do fly by faster as you get older. All the more reason to enjoy those sweet mischievous moments. Like when you are sitting 2 feet away, but somehow someone still manages to steal the chip bowl:

…dump it on his head, then look up as if to say; “Hi Mom! Look what I did!”

Or, when given permissioned ice cream:

…then shoot a devilish look, as if to say; “Mwah-ahh-ahh! I snuck a treat!”

Don’t you just want to eat those faces UP?! As I write this I want to jump through the computer screen like a crazy old grandma, squeeze these cuties and pinch cheeks.

Kids really know how to do it up right. They are fearless, don’t care about messes, find joy in the simple things, and they just love. We could all learn a thing or two from these little ones…

***(Thanks Mom’s & Dad’s; Sue & Brian, and Traci & Bryan for letting me share your charming Mini-me’s, and time with you all too of course!)

August 30, 2011 In Honda, New York, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

sunset over seneca

The BLR-Mobile and I shared quite a view on Sunday night. It was a tad windy and more or less rainy and cloudy with residuals from Hurricane Irene all day until…

…right until the sun was setting.

Just when you think a sunset couldn’t possibly become any more beautiful:

…it does. (And this is from my cheapie 3 year old Nikkon Coolpix camera with no edits!)

Thank you my little car, for bringing me to all these places. Thank you quiet moments in nature, for making me feel like anything is possible. Thank you continuous lessons, for always reminding me the best things in life are free.

August 28, 2011 In Funny signs, New York, People, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

…and play we did

It’s been a while since I went frolicking in the woods and wading through streams and waterfalls, so our plans for yesterday afternoon turned out to be even more fun than I anticipated. I immediately started climbing trees pretending I was in the circus (or dreaming about being 8 years old again) before we were in the woods for 5 minutes:

The weather couldn’t have been better and sun streaming in through the trees made for a beautiful walk:

Gasp! Do I spy a rope swing?! Yessss!!!

The water was chilly and I had not planned on swimming, but I had to at least pretend I was Tarazan a few times while my friend took photos:

You should see the other photos of me flopping and flailing! Holy embarrassment Batman. I had to suck up and post at least one here because they were too funny.

***This is where I practice not being an insecure girl. Lets face it, no female I know likes midriff bearing photos of themselves. (Ok, maybe Brooklyn Decker does.) Especially unplanned ones that are of us unshowered and wearing ratty old shorts and sports bras. Reality is though; What’s the biggie? I’ve got one go-around on this life dance, I work out in some form or fashion every day, but I like chocolate waaaaay too much to probably ever have 6-pack abs, and poking fun at myself letting it all hang out here on Blue Lollipop Road somehow makes me feel happy and empowered so I’m just going to keep rolling with it. I’ve also decided to finally debut regular video posts starting with my upcoming Honda Adventure, so this is very good practice. I should’ve been making videos all along, but have been too much of a chicken until now with absurd obsessions of having to look perfect if I am going to be live and uncut or something. I know right?!- I think that’s foolish too. It’s now or never. Time to live on the edge of glory. (Yes, I was just channeling a little Lady Gaga right there.)

Now back to nature…

On the way back down I noticed this wall of rocks that people had scraped things like their names and other varies notes on:

…and lots of pretty, slightly imperfect green things:

Playing in the woods is fun and sure makes you thirsty for some sips of wine! Where better to visit than one of my annual favorites: The superbly quirky, crazy and never fail fun Rasta Ranch Vineyards:

(Ohmigosh they don’t even have their own website. They know they’re cool enough they don’t even need one. That in itself should give you a good idea of what’s about to come.)

How does Rasta Ranch roll? With a tasting room in a barn of course:

A peace dude, relaxed, and welcoming vibe that makes you very excited to be there. It’s like there’s an unspoken memo you get as you walk in; Everyone is welcome and lets enjoy, so don’t even think of bringing your pish-posh attitude, or easily-offended self in here. If you do we will promptly throw you out on your ass. Kapeesh? (How could you not love that?)

There are things filling every square inch of space. No frills or fancy, just impeccably crammed and entertaining:

Tie-dye tees and peace scarves for sale:

Funny signs covering the walls:

…and I’m sure no surprise to see Janis Joplin Ave:

…near wines in jugs named Piece of My Heart:

…and Purple Haze:

We were so busy chatting with Jessie (The Owners daughter/Partner? Jessie- are you out there to confirm?:) who we’ve met in years past that I forgot to get a photo of her. Next year I guess.

Thanks Rasta Ranch! You never disappoint. I always find something new to look at, and walk out of your doors smiling thinking indeed there should be more peace in the world. You are ridiculously fun.

Walks in the woods: Free
Tastings at Rasta Ranch Vineyards: $2.00
Fully embracing your true colors and putting it all out there whether you’re a person writing a blog or a no b.s winery: Priceless

August 27, 2011 In New York

play day

I’m one of the lucky ones to be in the part of NY thats NOT being hit by rain and wind hurricane weather. In fact, it’s so gorgeous where I am today it’s hard to believe the rest of the east coast is prepped for safety and hunkered down. (Please stay safe everyone that’s in the storms path!) Being thankful we have a perfect sunny and warm Upstate Saturday, we have decided to take extra advantage of it and go for a big ol’ hike and maybe check out a few Finger Lakes Wineries. Off to burn some calories so I can pack on more with my ever building trip “To Nosh At” list.

Hello Saturday afternoon! Thanks for yet another one of your great August weekend days. Time to play.

August 24, 2011 In Funny signs, New York, People, Photos, Videos

meet mike

Last week after a 2nd annual chocolate feast with friends at Max BrennerÂ in NYC, we walked out to the packed Union Square.

***(Omigosh! Check this out. Just found it when Googling Union Square to find a link to post here. So cool; The Say Something Nice videos. LOVE this. The podium was in the same spot that Mike above was giving away free hugs. Talk about a few feet of land with some seriously good mojo! My favorite part of the video is around minute 2.5 when the little boy screams “To infinity and beyond!” with Buzz Lightyear in tow while being hoisted up by his mother, and the group of ladies after that singing together inspiring the random guy walking behind them to clap along. This video gives me about 54 ideas for BLR projects I’d like to create, and reminds me why I fight to keep up with posting here every day; In a world that often seems crazy, sad, too busy for fun, stressed out, and unconscious- I continue to find a plethora of happy, inspiring and hopeful people, places and things like these that totally energize and motivate me to want to do more good.)

Ok, now back to Mike and free hugs…

Stuffed from our chocolate chunks pizza:

(Double chocolate melting chunks, with hazelnut bits, bananas, peanut butter and roasted marshmallows. Can you imagine the smile on my face? It makes me all giddy just typing those indulgent words!)

…we planned to walk our feast off for a while, but just a few steps in is where we ran into the Free Hugs crew. Just like we indulged in chocolate, we felt compelled to indulge in a hug too. My friend embracing away:

…and me too:

…plus photo of course!

Is it weird hugging a random hippie kid stranger who’s been on the streets of New York touching hundreds of people and sweating all day? Nah. I say life is short. When your feeling it- live in the moment. Hug hard and mean it.

I totally bought a t-shirt from Mike too. I never do that. I mean ever, but in that moment I felt the need for my very own “Free Hugs” tee. The money supposedly goes to a bunch of nonprofits the huggers raise money for. Who know where my 10 bucks will actually end up and who cares. All I know is I intend to have lots of fun wearing that shirt for years to come.

Thanks for the hug Mike!

Here’s to hugging it out and saying something nice too.

August 23, 2011 In Funny signs, Honda, New York, Photos

weekday errands

Oh small town America how I love you. I love the characters who live in you, the quiet streets you have that I go for long runs on, and the seeming ease and overall relaxation way of life. I love the businesses that have bells on the doors to let the shopkeepers know I’m there there, and friendly “Hello!” greetings. I love hand written receipts covered in greasy fingerprints from those carbon-copy spiral-bound notebooks that your auto shop hands me after changing the BLR-Mobile oil. I love that restaurants are calledÂ Mr. Chicken:

…that have picnic tables,Â and painted signs with slightly creepy looking beach bum guys on them, making sure to let everyone know you have good eats:

I love that your volunteer ambulance garage has a sign outside that’s missing a letter:

(on both sides) but no one really wants to speak up and tell you because it’s the thought/thanks that counts anyway, not the spelling.

My intention yesterday was simple: Drive “into town” for an hour or so, get an oil change, go for a run and pick something up from the store. Regular ol’ get things done business-day chores turned into once again being presented with the lesson that if I keep my eyes and ears open, stay curious about my surroundings, engage with new people, and keep appreciating the simple, small things- whether I’m “there” for an hour or a year, and whether it’s a teeny town or big city, I will always have soul-filled days and great adventure.

Not bad for a Monday.

August 22, 2011 In New York, Photos

today’s office

August 22, 2011 In De-lish, Food, New York, Photos

lunch at bryant park

I had lunch last week at Bryant ParkÂ in NYC. I had been there before, but not on a warm sunny summer day, and never to stay and eat under the canopy of trees and beautiful green:

It’s hard to believe you are smack dab in the middle of the gargantuan and bustling Big Apple when you are there, because there’s a quiet, calm, relaxation to those few acres with people reading, napping, noshing, wandering:

We ordered sandwiches from Tom Colicchio’s well-known ‘Wichcraft and discovered very quickly we made the right choice. Hello marinated zucchini pressed sandwich with roasted tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan!

Mmm…

Lunch dates, annual meet-ups with old friends NYC, green space, yummy eats, and people watching. I’m a huge fan.

August 19, 2011 In New York, People, Photos

to infinity and beyond

Meet Dub Infinity:

(Yep, that’s his real name.)

I met him selling his wares when I came out of the train near Wall Street yesterday. When I asked him a question he sassed something really funny back and of course with that I was instantly sold. Mr. Infinity is a musician, a poet, a scholar, a salesman and I can only imagine whatever else. What an interesting guy who has been all over the earth. Stories galore and never a dull moment with this gent. As the world moves fast, especially in a place like Wall Street in New York city, I love that there are people like this who help keep relaxed around and perspective clear.

***If you are in the NYC area on Labor Day Weekend and want to check out a free and what I think would be a fascinating “World Muzzikkal” concert festivalÂ including this character-Â head to Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues (and send me pictures!)

Nice to meet you sir. Keep that creative spirit and sass rolling.

August 18, 2011 In Alaska, Live the life you want to live, New York, People, Videos

8/18

(I’ve been sitting here sipping my coffee for 30 minutes now, letting my thoughts wander- trying to figure out how I want to start this post. Guess it’s time to just start typing…)

Each year this day is an odd one for me with thoughts off loss, and celebration, sadness and elation. So very bittersweet. I think about where I was last year honoring my lost friends and reaching a lifelong goal and it almost doesn’t seem possible yet another year has come and gone. I am so thankful to be here, still typing away on this Blue Lollipop Road. I think about all the people I’ve met on my journey, all the incredible moments I’ve had along with the tough ones, and I feel proud that I still make the choice to focus on the good and possibility rather than the opposite. I was fortunate enough to learn that art of appreciation and joy for the little things from my friends who aren’t here anymore. I never want to lose that. Especially on days like today, I’ll always be in awe of these two girls who lived their short lives so fearlessly, authentically, and completely wide open.

Here’s to never taking days for granted, loving hard, laughing way too loud, and living fearlessly.

I’m off to eat a blue lollipop…