Blue Lollipop Road

June 11, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Illinois, Photos

chi-town saturdays

Rules:

1.) Get all your errands and “important” done in the morning.

2.) Get showered and dressed for the day by noon.

3.) Wear comfortable shoes.

4.) Leave your house and get on some sort of public transportation

5.) Plan on getting home at…???

Yep, that’s how you must do it. And you don’t even have to bring a ton of money either!

Last weekend a friend and I met up for free wine tasting. Wandered out of the building and into a guy who had some beer mugs, asked him where he got them and in a flash, we turned, walked up the street 4 blocks and voila! Maifest Chicago:

Maifest Chicago

Singing, dancing, packed house and Mmm…pretzels and Hofbrau Haus beer. Prost!

Maifest Chicago

It took me back to that summer in Germany when I was 15. That’s when nomad and adventurer Diane was born.

The marathoning of festivals and events continued as we walked and walked in the sunshine, hopped on a bus, got rained on a bit, walked some more, more wine tasting and then met up with some other friends at Big Star:

Big Star tostada

Big Star tostada

Yes, this is a veggie tostada, but I totally ate a pork taco, so broke my vegetarianism. The food at this place is smack yo mamma good, so when I saw the words “cilantro” and “grilled pineapple” in the description after the “marinated pork”, I had to. Oh was it so worth it. The vibe at this honkey-tonk-ish, tatted up joint was perfect, the place was slam-packed and people watching was a blast.

After Big Star we headed to Ukrainian where there was yet another festival. I went to bed so happy and exhausted that night I slept like a baby.

Yikes! It’s past the noon hour and I have a Saturday worth of festivals and friends to meet, so I’m off…

Can you tell I’m having a blast in Festival City, USA for a few months of good weather?

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June 9, 2011 In Funny signs, Live the life you want to live, North Carolina, Photos

whoop whoop! this makes 1,001 posts

Whoa. It just dawned on me this morning that I might be nearing the ONE THOUSAND mark and I’ve already hit it! (I’m patting myself on the back right now.) This has been such a labor of love for me. I’ve relished in every minute of creating this thing that has taken on a life of it’s own. Funny, this morning I’m sitting in a coffee shop tapping away at my keyboard as I realize the 1,001 number. I actually haven’t brought my laptop out of the apartment for a few weeks because schlepping it around the city for an entire day while I fight my way through public transportation isn’t the most fun thing to do. I ran out of coffee to French press at home this morning, so here I sit out. I’m glad I hit over the 1,000 mark out during quiet coffee shop time. Coffee shops have provided me hundreds of hours of writing time.

I’ve tapped and typed away on this same laptop since the inception of BLR. I’ve driven to Alaska with this machine, posting all the way. I’ve moved 876 times, changed relationships, jobs, states, hair, mind-set, goals, and more since post #1. I never knew what any of this would be. What I do know is that by committing to this I have gained insight to things I never would have otherwise gained, I’ve kept expanding my mind in ways I never knew I could, I’ve shared every bit of dirty laundry I’ve ever had and liberated myself, and I’ve become utterly fearless discovering that we all really can actually do and say whatever the heck we want to.

Besides the above, one of the the biggest surprises has been the sense of trust and community this has created. I’ve made connections with incredible people that I would have otherwise never met because of this project. I’ve kept in touch with friends that may have otherwise fallen off the bandwagon of life. I’ve started and maintained what I know will be life-long friendships with complete strangers who’ve found this and followed daily. Funny enough the photo I planned on posting today was sent by one of these complete strangers, who over the course of 2 years become a fantastic, generous friend and a really fun dinner buddy.

Jukebox from Charlotte biker bar

(Thanks for the photo B! I love it when readers see ridiculous things and think of me.)

…another one of these perfect strangers turned friends who I got to meet last summer, emailed me yesterday excitedly asking when I could come visit and meet the baby she’s about to have.

How cool is that? Learning from and connecting to each other- that’s what it’s all about.

Here’s to the next 1,000 “posts” in the story, and for us all staying excited to see what else is down the Blue Lollipop Road…

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June 5, 2011 In Illinois, People, Photos

meet sophia

Sophia pre-race

Sophia was my running buddy for the Girls on The Run 5k yesterday.

This 5k is a huge event and the crowd was a buzz with excitement. The girls were all given tiaras to run in, which were decorated at the tiara decorating tent of course:

Tiara decorating tent

“Everybody knows you run better in a tiara!”

Stone Academy was the school I buddied with:

Stone Academy Meeting spot

There were droves of people who showed up for this race. The energy in the crowd for an early Saturday hot, humid morning was fabulous. Here’s us all warming up and getting ready to go:

Warming up

And the race began.

Sophia and I ran, walked, cheered and even danced a little. We stopped at Lake Michigan to splash around in the water about halfway through. I am used to the heat, but by Chicago standards this was a very hot day so I let the tiny adorable Sophia dunk her head to keep cool. She was a riot. Getting a 9 year old to finish 3.2 miles in the blazing sun when she’s sweating bullets and it’s her first race was a bit of a push, but we did it! Some things she said during the race; Sweet and hilarious:

*”Ugh, I had NO idea 3 miles was so far!”

*”Oh my gosh, I feel like I’m walking from Chicago to San Francisco!”

*(After she got sandy and muddy from our stop to cool down at the lake) “You know what they say; if you get dirty- you must be having fun!”

*”My Mom is going to be really proud of me when I get back.”

*I am SO going to do Girls on The Run next year!”

The last quote of course came after we crossed the finish line, high-fived and got our medals:

Sophia and I after the race

Poor hot and tired Sophia’s tiara was flipped and flopped by this point but she was so happy and proud of her medal. (I was too!) This was a treat to participate in, and kicked off a most fabulous Chicago summer weekend. I am always amazed how appreciative kids are when you pay attention and spend time with them. It makes me want to run around the world declaring to all young women that they really can be all they want to be.

Congratulations Sophia! Thanks letting me run with you and making my day. Three cheers to Girls on The Run for all you do for young women!

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June 3, 2011 In News & Updates

ending the week with a bang (actually, a booty shake…)

A few updates that as I sip my coffee, I feel compelled to share to wrap up a kick ass week. (Isn’t it great when you have a kick ass week?)

1.) I had a most fantastic holiday weekend away with friends at Pearl Lake in Wisconsin. Still itching my 3 stripes of sunburn on my stomach. 1st bathing suit outing of the year always gets me. What can I say besides overly excited to be outside in the heat and sun.

2.) Chicago has finally hit some 80’s and 90’s. Hallelujah. I’s June 3 and I say bring the heat. I never want to see a wool sweater again!

3.) I did not end up getting together with Paul from Roadmonkey- BUT! I have had some exciting communication with Honda this week. The BLR -Mobile is getting some love. Stay tuned for news. Whoop whoop!

4.) I had a night filled with zumba and a soccer game last night. Add some running in the mix and put a fork in me, I am happy and done; My favorite ways to sweat. I’ve coached soccer, I am running with young girls to coach them along for a 5k tomorrow with Girls on The Run, so next thing? Teaching zumba. Can I get a little more Whoop Whoop!

5.) Additional note about soccer; I found this super awesome team here in Chicago called P.O.P (Plethora of Pinatas. Yes- think The Three Amigos.) A guy named Cris runs the team and quite possibly has the most incredible and infectious energy of any guy I have ever met. I heart P.O.P! Thanks for being awesome Cris, and rest of crew of course! I love playing with you each week.

6.) Last but not least for today; Living in a fun, cool city is well- fun and cool. The food, events, arts, culture, sports, but best bonus? TONS of people come visit! 2 people from different states and lifetimes are coming in this weekend and contacted me. We’re going to hang out and catch up of course. Love that.

It’s zumba time again, so I’m off. I have to keep shaking off all this delicious food I have access to here in The Windy City…

Happy weekend!

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June 2, 2011 In Live the life you want to live

let love rule

It downright BLOWS THE LID OFF MY MIND that the year is 2011, and we as a supposed intelligent society are still having issues with the fact that some people who are the same sex could be in love or want equal rights to the rest of us.

Is this the twilight zone?

The ignorance and hate on this subject when we live in a free country are incomprehensible.

Should we be calling it a milestone that as of yesterday June, 1, 2011 a 12th state (Illinois) now legally recognizes same-sex marriages? Why isn’t it or why hasn’t it been all 50 states all along? Wouldn’t it be nice to be celebrating a baby’s first steps, a productive day of work, a graduating senior or just a day spent with a friend, instead of celebrating something that shouldn’t have been an issue to even have to fight for in the first place?

I suppose any additional level of tolerance on a subject so many are hateful toward, or afraid of, is progress and positive. I just can’t imagine enduring the looks, comments, and inequalities that so many people live each day, for however long it takes to make that number 50 states, not just 12. I am not gay, but lots of people I love are, and one person in particular that I would protect until my last breath. I see these people hurt and misunderstood, time and time again and it absolutely breaks my heart.

Why can’t we just let love rule?

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May 31, 2011 In News & Updates

connecting with excellent people

Today I’m supposed to meet with Paul von Zielbauer, founder of Roadmonkey today. I’ve been talking to him for several months now, following the incredible projects and trips Roadmonkey works on. Paul happens to be here in Chicago for the KIN Global Summit this week. We’ve been trying to finagle a time to grab a coffee. Cross your fingers time and schedule allow and I’ll report back.

Blue Lollipop Road sure would like to be involved with adventure philanthropy travel!

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