Blue Lollipop Road

July 25, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois

how do you gear up for a cubs game?

With free double dark chocolate cupcakes of course!

Meet Ellen and Morgan:

Ellen and Morgan

We passed by them on the way to the game Saturday as they were enticing the crowd with: “Would you guys like a free cupcake?”

Heck yes we would!

These friendly cupcake gifters said they drove all the way from California:

Sprinkles Cupcakes license plate

…in their nifty little van with their fresh-baked salt caramel, red velvet, and double dark chocolate sweets- to treat Saturday morning baseball fans. People swarmed them:

Bum-rush for cupcakes

What a fun job. Cheers to Sprinkles!

Thanks Sprinkles Cupcakes!

(Why do I look like a kid who stole candy and hid behind the truck anyway? They gave the cupcakes to us!)

The only and best place fit for a photo of me noshing on the goodness, was of course right in front of the famous Wrigley Field sign:

Mmm...Sprinkles cupcakes at Wrigley Field

Mmm…chocolate.

Who knew one little cupcake could make a girl so happy?

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July 23, 2011 In New York, Photos

a year ago today…

*(I’m digging this check back in photo archives and journals for a “year ago” something game I have started with myself.)

…I was sipping this Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards over Seneca Lake:

Pinot Gris at Atwater Vineyards

…and today I will be sipping crappy, whatever is cheapest, plastic-bottled, available beer at a Cubs game in Chicago.

Whoop whoop!

Here’s to going from A to Z- living up every letter in between, rolling pish-posh one day, base line the next, and loving being on both ends.

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July 22, 2011 In Photos, Wisconsin

i might have been in heaven this morning

Actually, I was in Wisconsin driving as the sun rose:

Sunrise near Madison, Wisconsin

I was exhausted and racing back from camping to pick someone up at the airport and grumbled a bit at the early wake up call. That is until I drove out of the park and saw this sky above.

I wish I could properly share how scenes like this make me feel when I am alone, windows down, in the summer, and on the open road. There’s just not a single better feeling of peace for me, or an understanding that anything is possible…

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July 20, 2011 In Honda, News & Updates

hello there honda civic tour

More fun news just in:

While I am road trippin’ with my sweet Honda Civic Hybrid in September, I get to go check out the Honda Civic Tour with Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. Yeah!

-And a few other things, hints, teasers on where I’ll be going, what I’ll be doing and things you might see. (Are you kidding me, this gets better?!):

*Did somebody say lobstah?

*Interesting characters to meet

*A Green Mountain state

*Gee, I bet a partner in crime would be fun

Stay tuned, “like” the Blue Lollipop Road Facebook page here, and get ready to come along for a great ride!

 

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July 20, 2011 In Illinois, Live the life you want to live

challenge: get more than 3 hours sleep a night during a chicago summer

Because of all the traveling I have done, people ask me regularly what my favorite city or state is. My response has always been: “There’s too much to love! It depends on what you’re talking about; Food, people, fun stuff going on, weather, etc?”

Well kids, I’m finally able to give a straight answer:

Chicago is officially my favorite summer city! Anyone who likes food, music, endless events/festivals, patios to hang on, cold brews, sports, parks, shows, parades, going to lakes, water sports, walking for hours exploring free stuff, every kind of neighborhood imaginable, friendly strangers who invite you in, more food, more drink, the best overall vibe and mojo ever, and just when you think it’s over- the weekend arrives and it becomes double time goodness of all the previous listed. Chicago is quite literally 7 days a week of food, folks and fun. I am just absolutely loving life right now. For me to say I don’t want to leave a place is monumental and something I have never said or felt before. It is sensational.

Every Chicagoan I have met has told me “This is why we push through the brutal winters. For all this stuff!” – I can’t completely see why. (I know, I know- talk to me in January during a blizzard right?) All I know is that moving to The Windy City for the time I have been here- even with some bumps in the road, has been a fantastic experience for me and I would highly recommend a stay here for anyone.

Dear Chicago~

Thank you for every bit of you. I hope my readers forgive me for being occasionally absent from computer and blog posting time because I am so busy participating in all your recreation! Who needs sleep anyway?

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July 19, 2011 In News & Updates

polls are brewing!

Voting will begin soon as to where you all think I should go on my September 2011 road trip.

I haven’t done nearly as much video in the past I have wanted to here (we are all missing out!)- so look forward to that to start coming in like wildfire too.

Oh it’s going to be so much fun.

Where would you go if you could get in a car and just drive?

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July 18, 2011 In Funny signs, Photos, Wisconsin

things you can buy at wisconsin rest stops

Treats if you’re hungry, like pork hocks and tid bits:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

(Exactly what part of the pig is the “tid bit” by the way?)

…cheese curds of course:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…and meat shaped like beer bottles:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

If you’re not hungry but want some cool schwag, there’s always the pioneer coon skin cap:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…the deer head:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…beer pong balls:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…ultra classy stickers to “pimp” your ride:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…various ceramic goodies like sorcerer’s:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

…sunglass wearing monkey salt & pepper shakers, or religious themed signs:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

Then there’s always the bottle opener ring:

Wisconsin rest stop gift ideas

(I can’t lie- I actually think the bottle opener ring is cool.)

All that and more in just one stop at the Pioneer Plaza:

Pioneer Plaza, Wisconsin

Gosh, the only problem with this stop was making the decision on which items I just couldn’t live without.

Hee hee…

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July 15, 2011 In New York, People, Photos

a year ago today…

…I was hanging out for the first time in nearly 16 years with a woman who’s very special to me in Brooklyn- my former soccer coach, Traci:

Traci and I in Brooklyn; 7/15/11

If you’ve known me for any length of time, know the history of the blue lollipop or have been following here for a while- I have mentioned Traci before. Traci has a smile that never stops, a heart that could move mountains, unparalleled talent and an all-around magic about her that is unexplainable. She is a mentor, a friend and a hero to so many “kids” like me.

Thank you Traci for being one of those people who make us all better for knowing you. I can’t wait to see you soon!

Here’s to friendship, following every single hope and dream, and always having strong mojo around us…

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July 14, 2011 In Articles, Live the life you want to live

in the drivers seat

I’ve written about Sean and Ian, the One Week Job guys several times now. I’ve been following along with their journey and work regularly, especially after they hosted me for a stay last summer in the amazing city of Vancouver. They do great work, have a brilliant message, are two of the nicest guys you could meet, and they are fun. I suppose you could say I am a super fan 🙂

Sean posted this article today on Facebook and I immediately wanted to share it here. The last line struck an extra chord with me: “You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won’t.”

***Enter lots of people reading this now rolling eyes, and thinking “It’s not that easy”, “That’s not practical or realistic”, “Easy for you to say” etc. Bah-humbug to that.

I’ve participated in daily conversation since starting Blue Lollipop Road on the subject of “I want to’s.” I love these conversations. I don’t ever seem to have to solicit them because people know I write here about choosing a life doing what I want to. I suppose I feel like a “safe” person for others to confide in about their “crazy/unpractical want-to’s.” In addition to having a now nearly 17 year old lesson in best friend loss, a solid foundation of incredible friends, family, and mentors who love and support me, the other wholly true thing that continues to fuel me to live the life I want to live, is plain and simple; I am the driver of my own life. No one else moves a single body part of mine to do anything but me.

It’s the same for all of us.

Am I suggesting anyone to run out and quit their job today, give their kids away, leave the house to the neighbors and run to Vegas to whoop it up? No. I am however, like the article, encouraging that if anyone out there has a burning desire to change or quit anything in life because it’s not fueling you towards your “want-to’s” or passion- do it. I bet if  you asked the most intelligent, happiest, most successful people you know, what they thought being “practical” and “realistic” meant, they’d tell you that it means using your knowledge, experience, and influence to add up to something. Adding up to something begins by taking that “one day” thought, and making it start today if it hasn’t already.

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July 12, 2011 In Honda, News & Updates, Photos, September 2011 BLR Honda Adventure

how far can you go and how much fun can you have on one tank of gas?

I’m dancing a jig (actually, several of them) this morning as I am thrilled to announce:

I HAVE RECEIVED A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ON LOAN FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY FOR A SEPTEMBER, 2011 ADVENTURE!!!

Check out this gorgeous environmentally-focused vehicle I will be driving:

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid for Blue Lollipop Road

 

ROAD TRIP!!!

The title of today’s post is the theme of the upcoming Blue Lollipop Road trip:

How far can you go and how much fun can you have on one tank of gas?

We all know the best things in life are often free (or very inexpensive.) People always ask me how I’ve afforded to travel so much over the years, then are shocked when I share the minimal cost of my previous trips. Typically my biggest expense has been gas, which of course with all the Hondas I have owned over the years, has been affordable because they get such great gas mileage. With this new hybrid I will have coming up the gas mileage will be even better! Honda will be covering some of my travel expenses for the upcoming trip as well, which is an extra special treat.

Today’s announcement is just the beginning of some big time fun. In the coming days and weeks I will be taking votes as to where all of you think I should go, see, do, eat, etc. so stay tuned and get ready to participate! Honda and I will have voting polls on Facebook, and of course some other social media fun too. The trip will start on the east coast on September 2. From there the sky (or road) is the limit!

Can I get a whoop whoop?! We are going on the open road again baby!

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