Paxton Is Cool

My friend Matt was on TV Monday night for the second time this month. A show called Hoarders on A&E. His company Clutter Cleaner does a lot of cleaning up and organizational stuff I could babble on about, but to black and white it, he and his crew do serious dirty work that helps people live better and healthier lives. It's amazing. They do the sh*t (literally lots of times)- that no one else would ever want to do. Lets talk about gettin' down and dirty....sheesh. Matt has busted his butt more than anyone else I have ever known. He's grown his company, blood, sweat and tears like a true entrepreneur. He has an audacity and drive that I admire immensely. I can't say I have never been this proud of a friend or family member for their great accomplishments before, because I have, but for whatever reason, seeing Matt on TV this month thrilled me like I can't explain. Perhaps it's the exact understanding of trucking on with what you want out of life and doing things you believe in that he practices and we share. Maybe it's because of all the support and advice he has given or the fact that he has the heart of the kind of person everyone should be lucky enough to know. Probably all three. I wanted to give a far more than well-deserved shout out here.

So absolutely happy for you Paxton. I'm proud and stoked and thrilled and jazzed and elated for you and all that is coming your way. You totally deserve it.

"Don't ever forget how much of a badass you are."

In Serendipitous Timing...

....to my post yesterday, I just clicked over and read this post by chance on my friend Erin's blog. Just reading her post and going away this past weekend alone to take space and just think has convinced me I've made the right decision to change some things in my life having to do with balance. Space from technology, work overload, constant connection, etc. Thanks for reminding me of the good stuff Erin. 

I'm off to be fat and happy and have lunch on a patio and work the afternoon there in the sun...

Fat And Happy

You know those lemonade and iced tea commercials where the cute older gents are sitting on a porch just a rockin' in their chairs talking to a pal or two or their grandkids? Or in real life do you ever walk or drive by those houses where some peaceful looking elderly lady is just sitting on her porch and just watching? I have thought a lot about these folks this year and have had some great conversation with a few too. These people have "been some places-done some things." They've been through things like wars. They've seen the world change before their eyes 10 times over. They've experienced love and loss, joy and pain, birth and death- all of it. Stuff that most of us could not imagine and they are wise.

Wisdom:

Something you just can't get/don't have (no matter how hard you try) until you just live lots of time and experiences. 

In thinking about all the good and bad insanity and chaos of life and how to become wise, I've thought about how many times we say things to ourselves like; "This is the worst thing I can possibly imagine. How the hell am I going to do/get through this?" or "This is the most incredible thing ever! I can't imagine anything ever being better!"-then the bad somehow always works out just fine and the good somehow gets even better. If we can manage to find ways to practice grace and patience in all of the years of madness, choose to have a positive mindset during all the hard growth, take everything as a lesson and never stop dusting off and trying again, thats what makes us wise and leads to perfection.

Perfection:  

Perfection to me is being fat and happy. "Fat and happy" is the place where when you're up in years sitting on a porch with a belly, a cigar, a lemonade, some scotch-whatever your flavor, rocking in your chair watching the world go by or relaxing on a couch for hours with someone you love sharing time and just not giving a damn about anything else but that time. No thoughts about things called Blackberry's, laptops, meetings or Facebook. The place where you're too busy enjoying the moment just being in the moment to worry or think about anything else at all. You say things to us worriers and wonderers who ask you how you can just sit and relax like that without a worry; "Oh nothing could phase me at this point honey, I've been some places and done some things and all that matters is right here right now."

Then you wise and perfect ones sit there, take another sip, look at us worriers and wonderers and smile- to which we smile back with a sudden sense of content, thinking; I am so looking forward to being fat and happy someday.

Meet Scott

He likes to flash people. At least that's what his shirt says. See, he's a photographer- and a good one. You can see his stuff here and here. Scott is funny, talented and just super nice people. Whatta combo.

Flash on Scott. We love it.

Boisterous Is Fun To Say

I like this word.

cavort \kuh-VORT\, intransitive verb:

1. To bound or prance about.
2. To have lively or boisterous fun; to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner.

witty arborists

I saw this sign today and of course had to u-turn to take a photo. I just can't get enough of this stuff.

Love it.

I Do Not Like Green Eggs And Ham

I am hoping someone out there can clear this up for me. 

Why is it that even after you tell someone that you don't want (because you just don't), don't like (maybe because you've tried it before and you just don't like it), can't eat (maybe because you're on a diet, allergic, etc.) or have no interest in (because you just don't) something, they STILL ask you if you'd want to/like to/be interested in "it."

What part of "No way! Thanks anyway though, I appreciate it"- is foggy or questionable?

I read something a long time ago that talked about the word; but. I can't remember exactly what the article said, but it essentially stated that if/when you see/read/hear the word "but", everything written or heard ahead of it gets erased/is basically pointless. 

Example:

"I know you loathe carrots and cold weather, but..."

But what? Suddenly I am going to become Peter Cottontail and hop through gardens eating the orange stuff or want to buy a ski chalet in Aspen and hit the slopes?

Sigh.

No.

No.

No!

This reminds me of a portion of this classic. 

I could not, would not on a boat.

I will not, will not, with a goat.

I will not eat them in the rain.

I will not eat them on a train.

Not in the dark! Not in a tree!

Not in a car! You let me be!

I do not like them in a box.

I do not like them with a fox.

I will not eat them in a house.

I do not like them with a mouse.

I do not like them here or there.

I do not like them ANYWHERE!

No means no today and it will mean no tomorrow. "But" good try. Thanks for asking yet again. 

13,957 White Gloves

I heard about this last month but didn't look at the links until today. Wouldn't the King of Pop be proud. Talk about some serious coordination!

And of course- the original video that we all just can't seem to get enough of.

Nike

I hate being MIA from here and then trying to make excuses as to why, because excuses suck. I will say though, that I have been busy scrambling to find and place to live, help launch a company and put and event series together and dive into/get involved in my community. (Among other things.) With all this I have tried to take a step back and observe my surroundings. Here's what I have found:

People like to talk about stuff, but not do stuff.

It's ridiculous.

I can't say I haven't been guilty of it at times myself, but overall I think I've gotten off my a** and made things happen when I've wanted to. I'm not a hero, just a woman who was raised to earn it and do it herself and never expected anyone else to do "it" for me.

I have lived in and spent time several cities at this point in my life. In them I have over-volunteered, been over-involved, been overly-concerned, had a huge bleeding heart. While being/doing these things I've met lots of those key community people/business leaders/"important" people as well as been invited to join and participate in, this group and that board of such-and-such. While I have met incredible people, learned immeasurable things and been fortunate to find a mentor or two- I have also found that so many people seem to like to sit around and talk about "making things better" and not actually make things better. 

I had to write about this today because it's part of the reason I've disappeared for a few days. I've been trying to take some time and space to have these conversations. I wonder why everyone seems to be so afraid to stand up/dive in and just do it. The common thread in every single conversation I have had in the past week personally and professionally seems to center around a "Yeah! We need to do this and that!" ...and then nobody seems to take action. 

Talk is cheap.

Put your money where your mouth is.

Well behaved women rarely make history.

(Insert 9,967,367,912,980 other lines here...)

Give me a task or challenge- I'll do it. Give yourself a task or challenge- then do it. Let's all try to practice a lot less sh*t-talking and a lot more doing. We do not live in a place where you are ordered to sit down and shut up- so why are we all sitting down and shutting up? If going after what you want and what you believe in makes you obnoxious- then sign me up for president of the obnoxious club. We've got one life. ONE. And the clock is ticking. What are we waiting for?

Thanks for lunch yesterday Malcom. You might not know this, but it was so much more than a good chat about work.

This Is Why We Do What We Do

Below is a portion of an email response from a ticket buyer for concerts we are putting on this fall.

People have told us that we are "unrealistic" and will drive ourselves crazy by trying to respond to every ticket sale email confirmation. We don't listen. We go the extra mile, we work our tails off to treat our "customers" how we'd want to be treated and we still email every single person individually and say thank you for buying a ticket. That's just how we roll. It takes a lot of time, we're tired, we do things like miss days of posting on blogs (like I have here:( ) and don't get to sleep very much, but it is so so worth it when things like this pop in our inbox. We love being "unrealistic."

Hi Back Diane!

What a pleasant surprise. Not only my two favorite bands, RRE & GPN at what looks like a wonderful venue, but a thank you email from the promoters with a link to a blog that made me feel really good. Don't get THAT from Ticketmaster.

I'm Alive

I promise. Just a few days of good madness. More soon...hang tight please! :)

This Is One Of Those...

..."I shouldn't laugh at this picture but I so did."

Hilarious.

My friend Greg sent me this link. He and I are considering living in this van together. Down by the river. We could hand out candy to little kids and just be fun and homeless, not gross and creepy. It might be fun. 

It sure beats the endless apartment and house hunt. HA!

Sleepy Staffers?

Dear Planet fitness,

I'm thinking that because you're open 24 hours, your staff must have been very tired when putting these words up on your sign. In what seems to be someone's effort to be cleaver, they've confused us. 

Just sign it/no contract?

Huh?

Then again, while on one hand this makes no sense, the other- I stopped, took a photo and now I'm writing about you for lots of people to see. If it's the case that this is actually a marketing effort- it has worked. Congratulations.

Love Him Or Hate Him...

...Michael Moore makes some intriguing documentaries and I have to say I'm a fan.

Capitalism; A Love Story comes out on October 2nd. Here's the trailer. Time to grab some popcorn and get your think on.

Isn't This The Truth

I walked by this sign today and had to chuckle, especially because it was outside a flower shop. It wasn't something I expected to see but I couldn't agree more.

I love honesty. 

Your Way, Right Away

Sweet Flour Bake Shop in Toronto is every kids...well- who am I kidding? It's any sweet lovers dream. You walk in this place, choose your dough, your mix in(s) and voila! In just two minutes your hot cookie is baked and ready for you to gobble up. 

These Canucks know what's up. They say you should be able to choose what you want in your cookie and shouldn't have to wait long to get it. Wow. I think I'm in love. Sweet Flour even takes photos of their "cookie visitors" from all over and posts them on their site. How cool. 

Toronto or bust! I need to meet these people and get myself a double chocolate chunk, M&M...

How Many Things Are We Missing?

Here's a story about perception that will sure to make you think. 

Without stopping to talk to someone, none of us could ever begin to know if that fancy looking lady you see, just likes to take care of herself and look nice while grocery shopping or if she has some big high-powered job. Or maybe if that scrubby looking hiker guy has millions but drives a dumpy truck.

What we perceive things to be are so often completely off base. I love that. It just means that there is so much to learn about each other and that everybody has a story. That and if we all stopped for a few minutes and simply enjoyed more- maybe we'd be that much happier and a little more accepting.

Don't Press Send

Yikes. 

None of us should be allowed near phones or computers when we are drunk or off our rockers. Here's a site with some funny text messages that will entertain you for a while!

9.11.09

I was lucky enough by chance 12 years ago to walk into the lives of an amazing group of young guys who were rookie firefighters. They have since then become my best friends and people I respect more than anything. They have always been there for me, loved, supported, been kind to me and taught me many great lessons. They probably have no idea the immeasurable value I have taken from our friendships or the amount of times I have watched them in awe.

I have always tried to thank them for being in my life, for being so generous and selfless. I hope I have done a pretty good job on voicing my thanks and respect over the years, but especially today I would like to say thanks again. Thank you guys. Thanks to people like you who put others first. You have hearts of gold and are heroes to me and many others.

More Than Sand In Your Crack

What's not to love about a beach volleyball court in the middle of a city? Especially when it has signs up like this? Don't be offended ladies- this is funny.

Admit It

You would so use one if it were lying on your couch and you were cold!

These things are totally ridiculous. And great.

Gettin' Cozy With Cockroaches

Even though it's kind of a pain to move, you have to admit it's a little bit exciting thinking about getting new space, decorating and all that fun stuff. You might start daydreaming of painting and and refurbishing that old table or polishing up that family heirloom and where you might put it. 

Until you actually start your apartment hunt, and reality strikes. (Even if you're looking in nice neighborhoods and fine with spending some money on a place.)

Is there someone out there who wants to follow me with a video camera? We could put together quite a reality show about encounters with the landlords (if that's what you want to call them) who seem to be living on the edge of Crazyville. We could feature the beautiful places (can you sense any sarcasm here?) they are actually trying to get people to pay to live in. Here are some of my favorites. The ones that:

*Smell so bad when you walk in, you gag

*Have stains. Yes- stains. On carpets and walls and doors and...

*With dead roaches on the floors 

*You have to kick/step over garbage to make it through the hallway

*Advertise "all inclusive utilities" and in fact there are no utilities included

I especially love the trick words/terms like "cozy cottage", "cute bungalow" or "unique living situation." Yeah, it's unique alright. I'll take the one with the rats please. Who do I make the check out to?

No thanks.

I knew my idea of living in an RV long ago was a good one. Even in the mess of things like this I still have fun. Let the stories pile on...

Freedom

I met a guy when I was working yesterday who asked me how long I had been around because he'd never seen me before and that he'd been working out of the country for a while. I was busy and running around so even though I would've typically taken lots of time to chat him up, I tried not to be rude, but just quickly complete our transaction and move onto my next task. 

Until I asked him where he'd been out of the country working. 

He told me; "I'm a pilot for the Marine Corps and I was in Iraq for a while."

At that point I went from scurrying and moving on quickly, to stopping dead in my tracks and staring at him. It was as if a punch of reality hit me in the gut. After about 10 solid seconds I managed to get out a; "Thank you. I'm glad you're back safe." to which he replied; "Yeah. Me too."

That was it and then I drove away. 

I thought I would share this simple transaction story because as I drove away yesterday all I could think of was huh, once again there I was busy in life and running around and doing all the daily stuff. The worries, the work the this and that and sometimes losing sight of/not thinking of why I am free to do and be who and what I want and the people that make that happen. I was very thankful for my reality punch in the gut interaction yesterday because it made me feel lucky. Thought this story might make at least one person out there stop for a second in their day and be thankful for people like the nice Marine and feel lucky too. Also thought it was a bit ironic that at the beginning of the summer during Memorial day weekend I had a pretty amazing interaction with some military folks. Here now it's labor day and again. I'm able go off, play in the sun and bbq it up like gazillions of other people around the country this weekend because of all the heros that fight for our freedom to do so.

Happy Labor Day weekend and thank you to all who fight for all of us to have it.

Stop: Hammock Time

This is my hammock. Some friends gave it to me for my birthday probably because I talked about wanting one for so long and nice people pay attention.

Thanks girls.

Hammocks are awesome. I am loving it. You guys are sweet and generous. Between this and a double layer brownie cake- you have won my heart forever. I am such an easy sell...

Alice In Wonderland

I just liked his word of the day for some reason so thought I'd share:

carom \KAIR-uhm\, noun:

1. A rebound following a collision; a glancing off.
2. A shot in billiards in which the cue ball successively strikes two other balls on the table.
3. To strike and rebound; to glance.
4. To make a carom.
5. To make (an object) bounce off something; to cause to carom.

Also took a picture of this spider today. The scariest and most GARGANTUAN spider I have ever seen live and "wild." This thing was like 5 colors and almost as big as a frisbee. Here's the best shot I could get of it. Ack!

Announcing Greater Good Productions

I know I have had a lot of excuses this summer as to why my posts have been sometimes sporadic and often not as perfect as I'd like them to be- but here's why! I've been working my little tail off! (Yeah, yeah- there has been beaching, boating and traveling too.) 

We have officially launched as of last week:

Greater Good Productions!

Some of you know about us already, some don't. Maybe you got our press release, caught word in the news or on the streets, either way- there you have it. There's my excuse for all my previous; "More soon- promise!" and "I have been a busy girl!"

Of course I will keep up here on Blue Lollipop Road too writing about all my adventures, the interesting people and stuff I come across and all other randomness that I love. There are plans for this too. In the meantime though, how cool is it that I can be a partner in a company, work with amazing people, coordinate parties and events for a living and do great things for my community?! 

Pretty awesome. 

I absolutely love that I am/will be one of those people that sits around with good friends/family and business partners with a glass of wine on a patio and has the "Man- remember when we were so poor I had to live with that crazy roommate? Remember that day we raced to the bank because there was only 42 cents left in your bank account and we were all scraping to pitch in 5 bucks so you wouldn't bounce a check? Can you believe that we are sitting here now like this (looking around at whatever is the location or stuff we have earned) after working our asses off, dealing with (insert situation/person here) and having to (insert situation here)- just to make ends meet to do what we love during those years?"

Reflection, appreciation and all the hard lessons; these are the things that make great people, great stories and all the difference. I am so grateful for every once of blood, ever bead of sweat and all the buckets of tears.

This is likely by no means the end of the road of careers I will have for the rest of my life, or the best or most perfect job ever. There's no such thing. It is however, what I feel like is the reward for a LOT of years of hard work, frustration, screwing up, understanding what I'm good at and then taking all of that and making something from it. This is where I thank all the people who have loved me through all that confusion and screwing up and stuck by my side always telling me they believed in me and it didn't matter what I did for a living because I was supporting myself and I wasn't "supposed" to do anything but what I want to do. To others who have looked at me funny, rolled their eyes, lectured me, asked me "Di, when the hell are you going to settle down and grow up?" or told me to "be realistic"; Really? Can you say see my tag line above? 

I'm not on vacation. I live here.

I choose to make my life like most peoples vacations; being happy, looking for adventure, spending quality time with people that I love and doing things that I love. Add in some really hard work and I think I've found my recipe for success. This is me. Grown up, settled and realistic. The UPS man tried delivered the box I was supposed to live my life in when I was born and fortunately my mother told him; "Sorry sir, you must be at the wrong house- that's not meant for my daughter!"

Thanks Mom! Look what I've done!

I'm proud to be a part in Greater Good Productions and do work that really means something to me. I'm thrilled to be partners with Katie and Steve. Thanks Katie and Steve! It's ON!

Won't you join us for some fun? How you ask? Check this out.

I LOVERMONT

When I found out today was the day that gay couples could tie the knot legally in Vermont, I had planned on writing about it. (Ironically enough the day after I posted about Harvey Milk. It hadn't even dawned on me.) There's something else that makes this deal even sweeter. My home state liberal and delicious ice cream company Ben & Jerry's has done this in support of the passed law.

I am sitting here just tickled. I mean elated. Not only can my brother and lots of other people I love- like this big (Imagine HUGE arms out) actually marry someone they love of the same-sex now and have equal rights, but how totally incredible that such enormously-followed and wildly successful companies such as B & J's continue to support causes for social justice and equality like this gay marriage law?

I think it's perfectly appropriate to say here...Ben & Jerry's- you are friggin' awesome!!!

Of course there are always these people too- who just need to get a friggin' life. Hey protesters!- Maybe if you ate a bite of Hubby Hubby you'd stop hating yourselves and everyone else so much. Perhaps then you could actually start worrying about real problems and issues. Come on. Try it. Peanut butter-cookie-dough-fudge-pretzely goodness? Go ahead and tell me you don't want to lick every last ounce out of that Hubby Hubby pint.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Even ignorant jerks like delicious gay ice cream. You are so busted.

Oh if you could see the mischievous little smile on my face.

Today, Tuesday September 1st, 2009. 

Giant steps. 

Thank you Vermont.

Thank you for making me proud to be from you and helping to make so many people who are normal and beautiful humans feel like actually really are.