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June 29, 2010 In Uncategorized

is it really possible to jump out of your pants?

After one last day of madness in the prep for the kick off to the trip, here we are!

I haven’t slept in days (that’s actually not an exaggeration) and I’ve been nursing some severe road rash from somehow clothes-lining myself while running last week. (I do not recommend getting no sleep after maaaaybe a few cocktails with some friends at a bon voyage dinner, then trying to run in 100 degree heat the next morning.) After bloody knees, schlepping boxes 3 flights in what’s about the hottest June on record in Virginia and pulling all nighters with the best intern in the whole wide world- welcome the new Blue Lollipop Road. Launching this site tonight, coupled with a generous unexpected donation (Thanks Tim- whoop whoop!) and being offered another sponsorship, I have nearly just jumped out of my pants with excitement (even though I can barely keep my eyes open.)
That whole deciding what you want and going for it 110% thing? Yeah, what they say is true; You do get better and better at it and things just fall into place…

Cheers to wearing yourself ragged from doing what you love. I’ll take it!

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June 25, 2010 In Uncategorized

Aha!

I spy.

I saw the Aha Moment camper last night. I didn’t know they were touring the country this summer (Good idea eh?) What a great surprise to see it. I was racing from dinner at Stuzzi to meet my amazing intern Sarah for some work time. (Interns that work hard smiling and energetic for free until 2am are champions and mine could rival the best.) I didn’t have time to stop to check it out, but I’m loving that I wrote about this Aha Moment campaign about a year ago and to find that Mutual of Omaha has kept up with it. Check out their page and people. Good stuff and sure makes you think.
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June 23, 2010 In Uncategorized

How Can You Donate?

(***SUNDAY 6/27 UPDATE:
WE ARE LAUNCHING THE NEW SITE IN THE NEXT 2 DAYS SO PAYPAL AND ALL DONATE BUTTONS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL THEN. SORRY! PLEASE CHECK BACK ON JULY 1!***)

I have gotten this question from several people the past couple weeks.

*I have set up and re-checked my Paypal “Donate” button to the top left here (<---- ) and it is functioning and ready to roll. (My apologies Paypal makes you put in your email address, etc.- I have called them several times, that’s just their standard.)
*I have set up and re-checked my Google Checkout button and added some fun “Fill up my gas tank”, etc. That is functioning properly as well. Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page and you will see the button there.
*Look left and see my mail drop for any Snail Mail. If you wish to use the good ol’ USPS, you know I love some snail mail! Please mail to:
Blue Lollipop Road
7173 Brooking Way
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
*Look right for Sponsorship opportunities ( —>) and please email or call me any time!
I am so so thankful for all the support and encouragement from everyone- did I mention I am excited too?!
THANK YOU!
~Diane 🙂
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June 23, 2010 In Uncategorized

Everybody Lives In Alaska

Since I have announced going on this trek, people have come from every direction offering up everything from; “OOH! I will be there too! We should meet up”, to “My Dad, Uncle Stu, friend from college, long lost Aunt, or this “Earth Mother” woman I know lives there- why don’t you call them?”

I am loving this.
1.) Clearly connections can be made to and from anywhere, with anyone. People live on every inch of the earth.
2.) I am starting to think Alaska’s population could rival California. I mean- everybody seems to know someone there. (Yes, totally surprising to me too.)
3.) Proving time and time again; humans in general are much more open, generous and willing to take you in than one would think.
4.) I’m finding more and more that even the skeptical, non-traveler folks who think you are a bit off your rocker are all about hosting a weary road tripper.
Denali, lumberjacks and log cabins- here I come!
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June 21, 2010 In Uncategorized

The Blue Lollipop Road Project

Today I have officially opened an account to save 10% of all money aside that is donated here to me and my Alaskan adventure. 

After I leave Alaska I will give that 10% away to someone else. I will pay it forward to a person who wants to honor themselves to reach a lifelong dream, fulfill a promise they have made, or for a fun project or “thing” they have an idea for, that would fit the carefree and loving spirit of my lost friends. 
I will be posting specific details of this Blue Lollipop Road Project giveaway with the launch of the new site. I figure what good does it do if I just accept money to help me reach my 16 year goal- if I don’t go and do the same for someone else? 
Has reading this blog gotcha thinkin’? Good. Keep your thinking caps on and get ready to submit and admit. The longer I live the more I hear that many people out there have the burning desire to do something they’ve thought about for years, but they just don’t know how it’s possible. It’s possible. Trust me. Now I can be one of the people that helps you get there!
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June 19, 2010 In Uncategorized

Sipping Up Saturday Morning

Coffee in hand, rereading some books this morning…
I have written about these guys Mike and Nathan before (A long time ago, I shared that any time I emailed Author, Mike Marriner, he would email back personally. There was a quote in one of his emails that I think about a lot; “You just have to find something to give a shit about.”
In prepping for my x-country adventure and fielding plenty of “What’s the point of you doing this Diane?”- questions, I wanted to share a line in Roadtrip Nation I just reread:
We’ve discovered that one of the best ways to explore the world is to simply ask others how they got where they are.

That’s one of the many things my trip to Alaska will offer me; To keep educating myself about people. To continue to learn about how others live, what makes them tick and how they got to where they are. I’m looking forward to taking this information and sharing it with you.
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