Blue Lollipop Road

March 29, 2013 In BLR Play It Forward 2013, News & Updates, Photos, Virginia

springing around

I took these during sunset at a friends house during Virginia wine time the other day:

Sunset at Frenchy's Cobbler House

Sunset at Frenchy's Cobbler House

There are no edits, no Instagram fixes, or color enhancements in these photos, nothing but a good click of an iPhone 4S and a gorgeous nature view. I love the reflection in the wine glasses. Not much beats a sunset view and good laughs with a friend.

I’m now en route to Napa for another house sitting gig continuing my spring of making sure pets and homes are well taken care of as their owners are in dreamy places like Italy and New Zealand. I’ll be sipping California wine in the Napa Valley during the next few weeks and hopefully watching more gorgeous sun setting like I was during the above photo session. (PS on the pet and house sitting note ~ I’m for hire and happy to provide stellar services anytime for absent home owners, so drop me a line if you need someone to stay at your pad: Diane(@)bluelollipoproad.com)

As I wrap up my 7 month stay in the DC area, I’m thankful for a few of the fantastic people I’ve met and spent time with. (People and conversation are always the best part of any stay wherever I travel and work.) In serendipitous timing of a location that I never expected to be in (isn’t that always the way?) there is one person in particular I finally got to meet face to face after 8 years which has been an incredible surprise. Go figure- click, click, click, and we’ve started work on a project that’s coming together like magic. I will share more when I can. For now I will say I believe more than ever if you keep fighting to be able to do work you love, always following your heart and instinct, it might be 1 year, 10, or 20, but eventually the tipping point will come. Sure, you’ll likely have to endure the shit storm (god knows I have) of horrible bosses, lazy company owners, long hours, little pay, coworkers you’d rather never see again than be in the same room with, or wearing some absolutely absurd embroidered maroon polo shirt (thanks Bottoms Up Pizza!)- but eventually your good fight will pay off and opportunity will knock for you to actually do work you’re passionate about and get paid for it.

Whoa. Awesome.

Until I can share about the above project (fingers double crossed) I keep working on my book, the 2nd Annual Play It Forward event, and a few other client projects that are always fun and rewarding. April through June I’ll be in the following areas (in order of travel) in case any of you out there will be in the same spot of the country and wish to meet up:

San Francisco, Napa, DC, Richmond Va, Wilmington NC, Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, Columbus OH, Chicago, Vermont, Upstate NY, Vermont again (BLR Play It Forward July 13th!) Then, drumroll please…(of course I can’t tell you yet:)

See you on the road! (That’s a hint by the way.)

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March 26, 2013 In grow, Inspiration, Live the life you want to live, Thank you

invest in yourself: travel

The past few weeks have been exciting with the announcement of the 2nd Annual BLR Play It Forward Event and working on long-term goals for the Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Travel Scholarship. One of the recipients from last years scholarship sent me a note and photos last night from a trip she took recently and used some of her awarded funds for. (I hope to share with you all soon after I get permission from her.)

Getting a “Hi Diane! I’m writing to share photos and stories about a trip I just took with some of the funds from my scholarship!” – made me smile from ear to ear with the same pride I imagine a parent feels the first time they watch their child doing something kind for someone when they think nobody’s watching. It is my dream to be able to encourage young people to travel for education and self-empowerment. I know from experience that supporting anyone, at any age to travel or experience a new place can change a life and offer perspective like nothing else can. I am so incredibly thankful to all the strangers who donate here, and community members/alumni who contribute to the Play It Forward event so I can keep this scholarship going. THANK YOU!

The 2nd Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship will be awarded again during our alumni soccer game at Howard Park in Shaftsbury, VT on July 13th this year and will be gifted to a current female soccer playing student at Mount Anthony Union High School for:

*Participating in a MAU student exchange program;

*Taking a “Gap” Year between graduation and post-secondary education; and/or

*Going on an adventure travel trip intended for personal growth.

I can’t wait to get the applications back this year to see what ideas, ambitions, hopes, and dreams these girls have for exploring the world and learning about themselves. I have goals to expand the BLR Memorial Scholarship nationally in years to come, so I’ve been researching quite a bit about student exchange/travel in the US. I’ve learned the following facts from the guidance department at my former high school. They are shocking:

1.) “We have a lot more students come to us then travel abroad.” (Why do other countries encourage travel as part of their education, and we in the US do not?)

2.) “I’ve have only seen about 5 students in 12 years spend at least one full semester abroad.” (What?! About 5 students in twelve years?!)

3.) “Limiting factors are cost and the desire to graduate with their class rather then take a semester or two abroad and not earn credit.” (Again- what?! I can see a financial limiting factor, but taking a semester abroad to complete schooling in another country doesn’t count for school credits in this one?)

4.) “Vermont considers any student who takes 5 years to graduate as a drop out. This means those that take a year to do exchange then return are considered drop outs from our school. Schools in Vermont are punished for encouraging exchange opportunities.” (Is there another way to say WHAT?! This is ludicrous- particularly for a progressive state like Vermont.) 

These findings make me even more driven to open the minds of American parents and schools on how travel benefits personal growth and independence.

Here’s to encouraging travel for education and self-empowerment. Here’s to encouraging travel for perspective. Here’s to encouraging travel as an investment in OURSELVES. If we don’t allow or encourage the chance to experience other people, places, cultures first hand- how can we expect to live in and create a well-rounded, appreciative, and tolerant society?

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March 21, 2013 In Great companies, Inspiration, Live the life you want to live, People

small and simple goodness

People ask me all the time how I afford to travel and live the lifestyle I do. The answer is simple: I don’t buy or keep a lot of crap and I never have.

I LOVE this TEDtalk by Graham Hill. Here’s his awesome pad in NYC. (This makes me miss the 430 sq ft apartment I had a couple years ago.) Here’s another one of his many projects: Life Edited. How much do I love those two words together? How much do I love him? Not only is he intelligent, environmentally conscious, and living minimal like me- but he’s adorable too. Sign me up for the president of the Graham Hill fan club!

I’ve always promoted keeping the best and getting rid of the rest. (Are you listening Mom?) As Graham talks about in the links above, The amount of stuff most America own is unnecessary, causes stress, costs too much, and is bad for the earth. Who wants to use their free time to take care of all that junk? Why should we spend years paying off debts from purchases we didn’t need in the first place? What would you do with more time and more money?

I completely agree with owning nice quality possessions. For instance, I own Apple products, use Moleskin notebooks, wear Ray-Ban sunglasses, currently carry a Cole Haan purse, and even have Frye boots. Name drop schname drop. I’m not trying to portray some cool, fancy image. (I mean, I sleep in my car for god’s sakes.) This is simply to illustrate name brand not-so-cheap, but quality (at least in my opinion) items that even I can afford. I’m 34 years old, live on a poverty level salary (and have since I moved out of my parents house at 17) and even I can afford quality things. How? 1.) I research, monitor and buy only when there is a sale or discount. 2.) I buy ONE. (How many things could I possibly use at the same time?) 3.) I use these items EVERY DAY until they are completely used up, broken, or worn out before I buy another. I’ve chased buses down the slushy Chicago streets in my brown Frye boots and owned them for about 2 years wearing them nearly every day; they are in perfect shape. I bought sunglasses that fit and were comfortable for my face nearly 5 years ago. I wear them every day; they don’t have a scratch. I use my Macbook and iPhone most waking hours; they both look like they just came out of their boxes. (I could go on.)

Buy quality things you love, use them every day, take care of them, and don’t buy another until the one you have has completely gone to the grave.

Less crap, less stress, more time (our most precious commodity) more money, more freedom. Boom! Who’s going to spend this weekend emptying out their basement? (Message me if you need help. I LOVE liberating lives: Diane @ bluelollipoproad.com)

Now if Graham ever reads this and wants to take on my dream of a mini barn-house renovation. Or a date…:)

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March 20, 2013 In Inspiration, Photos

freedom

Of course I chose FREEDOM:

The streets of Napa

…and I will keep this little tab of paper forever:

Blue Lollipop Road chooses freedom

free·dom noun ˈfrē-dəm
1 : the quality or state of being free: as
a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence
c : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken

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March 19, 2013 In Photos

west coast

One of the reasons I love California? On a random Sunday night, leaving an event in Downtown Napa- homemade posters like this are taped to the street signs:

The streets of Napa

I’ll let you guess which tab I tore off. Check back tomorrow for my reveal!

Which tab would you take?

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March 15, 2013 In grow, Live the life you want to live

my tribe licks oyster shells

“The bank is hiring Di, you could be a Teller! I could push your application through.”

“You’re welcome to come live in the basement, but only if you go back to vocational school.”

What?

(There are more but I will spare you.)

Ahhh…those moments you hear something out of the mouth of a friend who’s known you for years, and you can’t help but think: After all these years, you seriously haven’t a clue about who I am do you? 

If I had a dollar for every unsolicited, absurd, possible employment suggestion or life direction I’ve heard over the years- people would be asking me for cash loans, not recommending I count their cash at that proposed teller job that’s up for grabs. Since my teens, I’ve been pushed, poked, and prodded to try and somehow “find myself” (was I ever lost?) in more most mis-matched, ill-fitting industries than I could count on a calculator. These proposed options for my professional life I’ve heard on a regular basis over the years have made me furrow my brow so hard and so often, I now need BOTOX. (Yes! That’s it! I can be a plastic surgeon when I grow up!) As if my responsive looks of horror and sighs aren’t enough, my facial expressions are usually followed with my big mouth: “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

Then comes the moment I experience all to often that I realize I have to understand my audience, and remember who’s in my tribe.

I love people. Lots of people. I love to be around all shapes, sizes and sexes of people. I like to eat meals with and have drinks with, play soccer with and booty shake with, and have easy and difficult conversation with- every kind of people. I saw the world as my oyster long, long ago, and started licking every corner of It’s shell with a smile on my face. During my time as the president of the clean shell club however, I have realized there’s a very small group in my rainbow of people that truly get me. I’m fortunate enough to have buckets of peeps who love me (and I love you for loving me- believe me) but most just simply don’t get me. (Or they can’t put me in a category so it freaks them out.) Last week I surpassed my gazillionth conversation about life, work, money, and this never ending obsession so many seem to have about me needing to fit perfectly in a pretty little box. Different perspectives are awesome, hearing the “other side” is always healthy, It’s refreshing to have options brought to attention, and I love a good challenge, but for the love of god people- not only do I have no interest in climing in the box, but that thing would light on fire if I tried to fake my way in, don’t you know that by now? I’m 34- not sure much is going to change about me at this point after all.

Time for adjustments. Time to start really start sticking to my own tribe more. (As much this pains me because I really play well with others.)

So, I’m  like a baseball player adjusting his cup incessantly during the World Series right now. Adjust, adjust, adjust before I go crazy (and maybe apeshit) on some of those who I love and who love me because (sigh) they just don’t get me and I’m not sure I can take the lectures anymore. Apparently my transparent as Saran Wrap/talk about everything with any one, at any time/nothing is off limits/I think anything is possibe self, scares the shit out of most of America. I’ve taken little interest over the years living up to anyone else’s expectation (I’m hard enough on myself) and turns out that bothers some people. Thank goodness my tribe doesn’t have any expectations. They don’t care whether or not I can rattle off exactly what I’ll be doing tomorrow during my day on the high-powered career train, how much money I have in my bank account, or how many bedrooms are in the house I own. They really could give a shit about that stuff actually. My tribe simply cares that I’m waking up feeling good and healthy, exercising my brain and body regularly, that I work hard at whatever “thing” I’m passionate about, and that I’m regularly giving back to whatever community I’m in.

Oh how I love my tribe. I love the rest of you too, but you non-tribers are starting to drive me bonkers with the homework on how to “achieve greatness”, not to mention the judgements on why there must be something wrong with me because I haven’t chosen to get a picket fence I’ll have to maintain after my trips to Home Depot on Saturdays.

I’m thankful to have so many incredibly loving generous and well-intentioned people in my life. I am one lucky lady, and I appreciate everyone- really. The problem is that I have been fighting so hard to keep some of these people who love me in my life for so long even though they don’t get or support who and what I am, that I just don’t have the energy (and don’t want to) do it anymore. Fly away little birdies- fly away. (Sigh again.) I tried to keep you but you just couldn’t see my forrest through your trees when I could see yours, so I have to let you go now. As you certain birdies fly away, I must stay among my tribe of people who I never have to explain a thing to.

The only job I’m interested in applying for? The only box I’m interested in fitting in? The Chief of my tribe job of course, and that bruised, smiling box that’s busted open, tattered- completely worn and full of good stories about an authentic life.

Cheers to Starbucks Tall Cup #31! (That’s for you Rita:)

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