Blue Lollipop Road

January 5, 2011 In Photos

hello, i’m diane and i’m a stamp addict

I was so intensely focused on making sure I had everything just perfect before I sealed the priority mail envelope today, I forgot to take a photo. I wanted to fully document my passport renewal process, but now all I have to show for it is this:

Passport Renewal Delivery Confirmation

…my Delivery Confirmation Receipt. Better than nothing. I was thrilled to find out even though I had to send my current passport away, it comes back with the new one. When the woman at the post office told me I had to send my delightfully stamped, stickered and bent companion away to get a new one, I probably looked like a kid who just found out there’s no such thing as Santa Claus: horrified and heartbroken. She assured me that I’d have my precious blue book of traveled miles back in just 4 to 6 weeks. Whew!

When the nice girl at Kinkos handed the photos she took of me to send along, I thought- what?! THAT is the pasty white, winter skinned and chubby cheeked girl who will be staring back at me for the next 10 years on this mucho important document? Great. Then I remembered that I’d only ever be looking at that photo while at some kind of border patrol or customs station, which would mean that I’d be on my way to adventure somewhere. Suddenly I could care less whether I looked like a purple panda, a booger face, or a pasty white chunk head. I just happily skipped out the door knowing once again, that the world is my oyster…

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January 4, 2011 In Uncategorized

good things come to those who wait

At least that’s what they tell me.

I know, I think talk is cheap and I like results too, so I am here to say sorry to keep you waiting for the surprises I have been teasing you about. Turns out, things do take longer than expected sometimes. I promise when you log on and visit here this week, you will see some fun changes. There will indeed be a lot more goodies after that as well in this fine month of January to kick off 2011- so sit tight.

YIPPEE!

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January 3, 2011 In Canada, Photos

the passport streaker

I gasped and nearly jumped out of the shower buck naked this morning when I remembered my passport expires in a few weeks. I had asked the postal clerk when I was in Ketchikan, Alaska in August about current passport renewal policies knowing that mine was coming up on expiration, but I had simply forgotten about it since then. Considering I think it’s near tragic when I hear about anyone I know not having one, I’ll go without food before I’ll let my mini book of freedom and exposure kick the bucket. Not having a passport is like going without health insurance: It’s just not smart. I wrote about this here nearly 2 years ago . After Googling “Number of Americans with passports” again today, I am shocked to learn that the miniscule number of my fellow Americans who even have the power to cross the U.S border hasn’t changed.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduations- (That’d be the perfect time for one!), Secretaries Day, Bastille Day- whatever, give the gift of life. (Yes, like child birth or blood donation: The gift that keeps on giving.)

Trust me, your kids will thank you down the road for saying no to the latest iPhone and yes to a family vacation hiking around South America, going on an African Safari, or heck- simply crossing the Canadian border in your minivan to see some gorgeous mountains and their first ever sea plane. Here’s the first one I had ever seen. I screeched with delight when I turned the corner driving through Canada this summer and saw it. I am 32 years old and I still screeched over a sea plane:

Sea plane on the Alaska Highway

Think it looks cool from a simple photo on my blog? Live in person and taking off for flight while standing right beside it was a hundred times cooler. There will never be an “app for that.

Me? Hugely passionate about how travel can open eyes and change lives? Just a teeny bit.

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January 2, 2011 In Photos

totally!

I cracked up when my intern Sarah sent me this photo today from a book she was perusing at Barnes & Noble. Come on- this is hilarious. Don’t be offended by the eff-bomb:)

Photo from art book

Quite befitting after the trip of a lifetime I just finished eh?

Ms. Sarah~

Can I ever say thanks enough for being that amazingly talented random stranger who dropped into my life 6 months ago to help to prep me for my last frontier and the one who still helps me when I need it now? I can’t wait to see where your road leads. All I know is it’s going to be a colorful and good one, and I plan on being one of your biggest fans. Keep those dreams flowing…

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December 31, 2010 In North Carolina, Photos

don’t stop get it, get it

(I love that song.)

I’ve got surprises coming throughout January and a new BLR look coming on Monday!

CHEERS!!! (I am raising a glass and clinking here.)

***My new favorite cocktail for a celebration like New Years Eve:
*2 ounces vodka
*4-5 ounces of fresh lemon and simple syrup or store bought lemonade
*Shake over ice
*Pour in martini style or fun glass of your choice
*Drizzle 1 ounce of red wine (pinot noir best) over the back side of a spoon onto side of glass (this will make a pretty red ring around the top of glass.)
*Top off with drop of bubbly. (I’m a big prosecco fan.)
*Sip and enjoy!

Not the greatest photo, but the Crackberry only does so much:

Cocktails for NYE at Stefani's

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!

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December 29, 2010 In Maine, Photos

get your bubbles ready!

Our bottle of bubbly on the coast of Maine

I took this photo while in Portland Maine 2 summers ago. My Mom, Brother, Sister and I walked by a fabulous little wine and cheese shop while perusing the streets and thought grabbing a bottle of bubbly, a baguette and some manchego cheese would make for a good snack and relax pit stop on the sunny afternoon overlooking the water. Isn’t the sweat coming off the bottle perfect? During this cold winter, it makes me dream of warm summer days lying in green, green grass and sipping deliciousness while spending time with people I love.

Cheers to popping some bubbly, and all the great adventures to come!

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December 28, 2010 In Uncategorized

here’s your sign

When I was in Nashville a few weeks back, I asked a clerk about the tax rate after my order rang up. He told me what it was and then asked where I was from:

Me: “Well, I am from Vermont, but just came from California.”
Him: “Is Vermont near California?”
Me: Speechless, smiling, saying thank you and walking away trying not to make a face.

I made a phone call this morning confirming an appointment. The staff person on the phone asked me what my name was:

Me: “Diane Peacock”
Her: (spelling it out…) “Is that P,e,a,c,o,k,e?”
Me: “No Ma’am, it’s P,e,a,c,o,c,k.”
Me: Raising eyebrows and making faces on the other side of the phone.

Sigh.

In the adventure that’s next in life, in job interviews, meetings- other, it’s good to know that I might be at least one step ahead of some, simply based on the fact that I know that Vermont is not anywhere near California, and I can spell peacock. (I can knit too- watch out!) Did I mention I have also been asked which state is Vermont in? Between that and the comment I overheard someone making once that “Vermont is in one of those states, like New England”-I don’t think have anything to worry about.

It’s always good to have a good laugh in your day.

This one is dedicated to you Camilla~

Girl…we have nothing to worry about. They might even vote us in as Co-Presidents soon because we are so brilliant 🙂

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December 27, 2010 In Uncategorized

tick, tock, tick, tock

Only 4 days until we ring in 2011. How time flies when you’re having fun. I’m looking forward to sharing some news with you here!

I hope everyone is getting up, getting out, and chasing those things you want and love. After all, the only way to get things done is to start doing them first.

Cheers to taking a step with your own two feet.

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