Blue Lollipop Road

Hippie Feet

I have never really thought twice about driving barefoot. But when I got in my car tonight and immediately kicked off my shoes as usual, I let out a big sigh and just thought:

Bare Feet.
How great.
All year round. 
Yay.
If you’re coming from a hard- days work, a black-tie event or a soccer game, kick off your flip-flops, dress shoes, heels, boots, clogs- whatever as soon as you get in your car to drive home. It’s such a treat and one of those little things that just makes you smile and feel all happy about your day.
Here’s to hippie feet.
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Named After A Stove

A friend of mine was raving about Potbelly Sandwich Works this week. After poking around to get some info. about this company, I am wondering how I’ve been to Chicago so many times and not eaten here. 

Potbelly is the kind of place anyone would love to nosh. The locations are all chucked full of antique and kitschy decor that’s authentic. They have yummy fresh food for super-affordable prices, are known for great service and being family friendly, they have live local music and do a ton of charitable work. How fab is that for a company who’s keeping it real even they have grown to 200 stores and counting?
Kind of makes you think it’d be fun to moonlight as a sandwich maker just so you could hang out with these peeps for a while. 
My next visit to Chi-town? Yeah, I’ll be visiting the original Lincoln Ave. spot for sure!
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In Honor Of March Madness

I thought something I read in the Wall Street Journal today would be a fun sports snippet to pass on.

According to a 2008 poll from Referee Magazine, (Yeah, I didn’t know there was such a publication either until today) 67% of referees think coaches don’t know the rules.
No wonder why tempers flair up and people get so feisty. Thankfully though- that’s all part of the entertainment.
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STAND UP

Check out this brave (and might I add handsome:) young man speaking up for his rights this week at the State House in Vermont. His short speech is around minute 43 in part 1.

Gay, straight, black, white, city, country, old, young, big, little- whatever is close to your heart and you are passionate about; STAND UP FOR YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. It will make a difference.
Happy Spring!
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Doritos And Starburst Or Pizza And Panties?

Need lunch on the go? Forget the candy or pretzels on buttons e6 and f3. How about some pizza made with fresh ingredients out of a vending machine? Here’s an article from the NY Times a few days ago. Head to a mall in Italy and put in some coins for your pie.

What’s next? Moms meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Probably already done somewhere. Check out all these crazy vending machine options in Japan. 
Ok, beer, noodles- I get it. But lingerie?! I wonder where the dressing room is for that one. 
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It’s Official

I just had my first stranger who I don’t know from a hole in the wall comment on this blog. I haven’t told very many people I even write one yet. This person found Blue Lollipop Rad at random. So flippin’ exciting.

I have now had my first official thrilled beyond belief moment in regards to a personal project that I’ve given all my heart to. You know that moment after the years you say you are going to do something but finally push through all your fears, insecurities or whatever else might be holding you back to finally do it? Then some stranger comes out of nowhere to say thank you expecting nothing in return?
Yeah, that’s it. So, so incredible. That is this moment for me. I have finally allowed myself to create something I wholeheartedly love and believe in and it somehow found a stranger who needed it and appreciates it. Thanks Gabi the stranger! You just made my day times a million! 
Now? Oh the possibilities…
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I’m A Quitter, And Proud Of It

Yes, you read that title correctly. I can’t very well live a truthful life, write what I do on this blog for you to read and hopefully be inspired by and claim to be real if I am doing things that aren’t in my life- right?

Saying that, I wanted share that I will be quitting my job soon. The people I work for and with currently, are rude, and disrespect me. They have an overall miserable attitude. They don’t care about the business as much as I do. They don’t see that I work my butt off everyday with a smile on my face and show up on time. They likely wouldn’t even notice if I got hit by a train. What I want is simple; To work hard and have the people I work for respect me. I think I deserve that. We all do.

Perhaps I made a mistake in choosing this job. Maybe I just got nervous because I am supposed to feel “lucky I have a job offer in this economy.” (Can I just tell you how much of a load of crap I think that is by the way?) Maybe I was just scrambling because I have bills to pay, or was worried people would think I am lazy or something if I didn’t find a job in a day. These are all pretty typical feelings. Either way, I am going to quit this job because I need to believe in what I do for work and deserve to have at least one redeeming thing about what I spend 40-80 hours a week doing. 
Discouraging and disappointing are not strong enough words to express how I have felt, and several of you who have written me have stated you have felt- when it comes to your boss/co-workers/job. The lack of general manners, respect and decency overall seems pretty sad in so many cases. On the flip side, those who have shared stories of jobs you love and are paid close to minimum wage, co-workers who are your best friends and how much you love that you make a difference everyday with what you do- this is where my hope stays and why I can’t stop believing that great work is out there to be found. 
I’m not going to stop until I find it. Or I am going to make it myself.
If I have to be a quitter for a little longer, because I make a not-so-great choice on the next job- so be it. At least I’ll be able to take something from every job mistake I make and learn a little more for the next time. I will always be proud of being a quitter if it means I’ll still be able to believe I can make a difference with my work somehow, someday.
Sure anyone would have to be a bit strategic about this quitting thing, make a plan, yadda yadda. No one can get all crazy and quit tomorrow if you can’t feed your kids or will be thrown on the street. Do yourself a favor though, evaluate your current job situation and if you can’t come up with at least one redeeming thing about it and your gut says it’s never going to get better, get out. Summer is coming and you can always serve ice cream. 
Thank you Mom, for encouraging me to be a quitter when anything in life doesn’t feel right.
Thank you Maureen in for being the shortest-lived and most inspiring boss I have ever had.
Thank you Meggin and Crystal for letting me try my best to be a good and fair boss to you. 
Thank you to everyone who has written to me and shared that because of this blog you are living and trying things you have always wanted to. That is why I continue to write and babble and it helps me to keep believing.
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Quotables

“Old man socks with a salt stained sneaker.”
“Divided by a couple of trees and a chicken coop.”
I heard someone say these things today and after a total crack-up, all I could think was, god those would be great song or book titles!
Man I get a kick out of this stuff. 
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