Blue Lollipop Road

Screw It. I’m Moving Across The Country

My friend Erin moved to Cali. one year ago for a job in the wine biz. I joked with the “I hate you”, but she probably doesn’t know that I really did. (You know what I mean.) I “hated” her, not because I hated her, but because I was so damn jealous. At that time I was completely bored living where I was as she had been and totally needed a change myself but didn’t know how to/wasn’t ready to make one. I remember standing on the rooftop patio of my incredible apartment I had at the time that everyone had drooled over. I was listening to Erin talk about when and how she was going to be leaving town. She was moving for a job she was insanely excited about? She was getting out of a place she just felt like she needed to? Ugh, I thought. I remember feeling like I wanted to pack myself in her car and never look back to my incredibly fancy amazing apartment with rooftop patio and all the rest of the “perfect” life I had.

See, incredibly fancy amazing apartments with rooftop patios and other supposed perfect stuff don’t mean jack if you’re not happy. I’m so thankful life forced me to make some changes I was jealous of Erin for making a year ago and that I am where I am now. And I am happy that she is happy with her past year too. We’ve both separately come quite a way.
I just read this post on her blog and started laughing. She will laugh too when she reads this as she realizes from that very spot on my rooftop patio one year ago, the two of us have had almost identical experiences. The only difference is I now look out my window and see the Atlantic Ocean and she looks out hers and see the Pacific. We have both moved far away from everything and everyone we know and love, gotten new jobs, quit jobs, had break ups, perfected being broke as a joke, at the same age, cried on phones to mothers and all of it…

AND THEN SOME. Oh, then some. 

The great thing is, Erin and I barely met, hung out or even knew each other much before she came over one year ago to my place to tell me she was leaving. After keeping in touch sporadically this year and finding out how similar we are, I’m fairly certain she and I will be good pals for a very long time to come. I’m sure we’ll also continue encouraging each other to quit jobs we hate, move wherever the hell we each damn well please and not settle for anything less than the best guy or life that’s fabulous. That’s what us “brave” and “courageous” women do. Really though, we’re just two people who follow our hearts. That’s the only reason to warrant anyone ever using those words for either of us. I think Erin would be fine with me saying that we both totally screw up plenty, flail out, trip up and are lost and confused just as much as the rest of everyone else. Perhaps we are two people who can just dust ourselves off a bit quicker, and most always wearing a smile.
Erin, can you friggin’ believe it? What a ride. Keep on rockin’ girl. Hang tight. I’ll be out there to sip some vino with you sooner than later.
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Let My People Go Surfing

A very special friend gave me this book last night. I had heard about it a bunch before, but still not taken the time to read it. In the first 2 pages I wanted to see if I could figure out a way to hang out with the author Yvon Chouinard, Founder and Owner of Patagonia. Whatta guy.

I’ve had a challenge with books in the past as my attention span has been, well- lets just say a bit shorter than it could be sometimes. Thankfully that short attention span has flown out the window for at least a little while as I am gobbling this book up. I haven’t even had it in my hands for 12 hours, but I know these pages will certainly not be collecting any dust.
Do yourself a favor and borrow this one or treat yourself to a trip to your local bookstore. You’ll be glad you did. LMPGS is a must read for anyone.
Thank you Elby. You’re F.A
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Sticky Buns

Last Saturday was World Naked Bike Ride Day for the Northern Hemisphere in a slew of cities. These groups say they’re “exposing the unique dangers facing cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the negative consequences we all face due to the dependance on oil and other forms of non-renewable energy.” 

I say go on with your bad selves nekked peeps. I fully support you stripping down and riding for all of that. Anyone can participate. Check out all the cities just in the USA where you can hop in for this whacky event.
Who’s up for grabbing some supplies and bits of flair so we can paint ourselves up to join in the fun? Come on. Like you haven’t ridden a bike naked before. It certainly would give me some good photos to post. I’m not scared…
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50 And Counting!

50 followers as of today! Might sound small to some, but it’s huge to me- and I still haven’t even gotten on any social networking sites or blasted any of this out in any of those ways yet.

Thank you thank you everyone. Spending my time doing other work so I can pay bills sometimes takes me away from spending 24/7 on the Blue Lollipop Road which is what I’m really meant to do. I promise even when get busy, I’ll continually do my best at babbling thoughts and things for you to read. I hope to always entertain, make you think or help create a fun moment or two in your day when you visit here.
Every single reader, follower and comment means so much to me. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
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The Gift That Keeps On Giving

A National Park Pass. What a swell summer gift idea for your hiker Dad for Father’s Day or that Grad that’s about to road trip for one last hurrah with his buddies before going off to college. Maybe that outdoor adventure couple you know that are getting hitched soon? I gave one of these to my pals who got married last fall instead of a blender. They loved it. A blender could never compete with hiking up to and standing under the Delicate Arch. (Yes, it really does look like that in real life and is that gorgeous.) 

The pass is only $80 and gives the proud owner unlimited access for a year to all the spots that are must sees around the country. Better yet a good excuse to hop in the car and go explore what most usually only see in pictures. Heck- maybe the person you buy it for will ask you to tag along for some road trippin’ fun! (If you’re not available when they do ask, just let me know. My bags and camera are already packed and I’d be happy to go as your stand-in.)
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Way More Than Your Face In Foam

I usually like to find things I write about in off the wall ways, not by watching The Today Show, but I saw Michael Keen doing such seriously cool latte art last week I didn’t care how I found him. 

This bearded gent has an outstanding little coffee shop called Studio 6 Coffee House in Denver, CO. Watching the video on his website makes me want to brave the cold winters and move to the Mile High City, just so I can become a regular and hang out at this shop. This java joint gets it. They have a successful business they’re passionate about and they support their community wholly. Coffee shops and places like this do so much more than serve eats and froofy drinks. They help create community. They offer a comfortable place for anyone to go. They’re like home away from home. Lets not even talk about the fact this guy can make your face in the foam of a latte! Now there’s some goodness.
I love that there are these amazing kinds of people out there with small businesses and great stories about why they exist. They love where they live and work hard to be a part of making their communities thrive. Bravo Studio 6. I am SO excited about getting a triple shot my face latte next time I’m in Denver! 
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Meet Lawrence and Herbert

They’re from Martinsville, VA. 

They apologized for “being in the way” and tried to move when I was taking some pictures the other day. I told them, you are the picture if you don’t mind of course! They happily participated and we chatted for a bit.
It’s always a treat to talk to some impeccably wrinkled folks who’ve been around for a while and have good stories. If you click on the picture you can see that Lawrence’s hat says- Life is simple; eat, sleep, fish. How perfect.
Hope you enjoyed the rest of your day Lawrence and Herbert. So nice to meet you.
(Readers,
You’ll see an anonymous comment below just sent to me. I only think it’s fair to publish all comments, not just the happy dappy frappy stuff, as being real and truthful is what I want Blue Lollipop Road to be. Saying that, this commenter happened to be “disturbed” that this photo showed:
1.) A guy on oxygen and still smoking. 
2.) That a WII tournament was happening Monday at 6pm. 
Dear Anonymous, 
Thank you for commenting, I love commenters and am happy to receive the good and the bad anytime!
As for #1 disturbance to you, I completely agree, but also think it’s an eye-opening view of how people are so different from each other in the decisions they make. #2? Really? I am not a big WII gal myself, but I say play on WII-ers! Rock it out!)
Thanks again Anonymous, keep them coming!
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Some Things Just Never Get Old

Like the Jolly Roger restaurant in the Outer Banks, NC. Oh the entertainment.
The woman who owns this place is super sweet with her chatty way and big hair. She buzzes around and greets everyone with big smiles. She’s been the same way with every customer every single time I visited there for 10 years. She and the other staff always have some article of clothing on that resembles pirate gear. (As in, some type of scarf or flowy pants.) I really don’t think they plan this, somehow that’s just how it is. Just one of the many reasons this place is so entertaining and a must-see.
The breakfast eats are de-lish. The pancakes are the size of frisbees, the homemade bread is yum and they serve bloodys and mimosas aplenty. Add in some scrambled eggs with cheese and full bellied, fat and happy you’ll leave every time. Don’t forget to check out the home of the permanent 50% off gift shop; The Jolly Roger gift shop. Yep, 10 years I’ve been a patron, same sale. No joke.
But lets talk about the most important and entertaining thing; Decor. The ceiling of the main room is covered in what appears to be some type of foil. There are about 50,000 (Ok, so its a bit of an exaggeration) hideous Christmas bulbs and lights covering every square inch of space. In addition, there are some posters and pictures littered about on the walls that are warped and under absolutely no theme whatsoever along with some ceramic mermaid sculptures. In the other rooms of this quirky joint, are some simultaneously ugly and adorable random sea creatures painted about. The chairs, tables and booths have no rhyme or reason either. They’re just there to function, old and mismatched as they are. All in all the Jolly Roger defines tacky, absurd and ridiculous. 
Lastly, karaoke. Ahh, of course they have karaoke! What would a place like this be without the Christmas decor, mermaids, tie-dyed tees for sale and karaoke?
Jolly Roger, you’re something else. We love every second of our experiences there and every piece of you.
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Gabi You Are Awesome!

I am thrilled to write that Gabi (who is a perfect stranger) and lives in Brazil? (Or wait-where are you Gabi?) just sent me this salsa recipe. Gabi found me somehow months ago here and has been a follower ever since. Strangers that find Blue Lollipop Road somehow, post occasionally and send salsa recipes because I wrote that May was National Salsa Month?! How cool is that?! 

Of course I wanted to thank Gabi, but don’t have her contact info. Bummer. It’s OK because I can thank her in a bigger way here now. I found this link she had on her profile. Apparently she and her fiance’ are suggesting donation to charity instead of gifts for their wedding. Kudos to you guys. Love that idea. Really love when super amazing total strangers find this little project of mine and follow along.
So through this blog, I can somehow babble about and explore things and people I think are interesting and fun, highlight companies doing great things and giving back, post silly pictures and connect with total strangers that send recipes just to be nice. Then pass them on to you.
Wow. I can do all this and so much more for free. This makes me so happy. Somebody pinch me. 
THANK YOU GABI!
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