I Can Already Feel Myself Growing Beyond Limitations

It's kind of funny really... Most of you may not realize this but...I'm a closet introvert! And yet, here I am getting ready to start on a journey that I'm sure will stretch all of my limits - physically, mentally-emotionally, practically, and spiritually.

In the last few weeks, I've learned how to sell things via E-bay and today I figured out how to add a PayPal button to this site (even received my first donation...Thanks, TS! : )). This may not seem like a big deal to some of you (especially younger folks who have grown up with computers) but, honestly, all of this digital stuff is a bit overwhelming for me so what may seem like "baby steps" for some are more like "quantum leaps" for me. But, that's okay, I want to be an "old turtle" that can still learn "new tricks." : )

Although I am most comfortable writing - I'm going to be making videos on this trip as well and posting them to YouTube, something I still need to learn how to do. I expect the first few videos will be kind of rough, but, hopefully, they will get better with time.

Furthermore, in spite of the fact that I am still feeling like crap physically after my trip to New Jersey, I am feeling encouraged as well - in fact, there have been very few people with whom I have discussed my plans who have not offered words of encouragement and support.

I guess, for people who have known me for a while, I have already developed a certain "reputation" over the years - for doing what I say I'm going to do...no matter how crazy it might seem. : ) I may not always do things as quickly as I think I will, but - eventually, with my "Turtle Power" I do follow through.

All-in-all though, I know this trip really isn't just about "me" - I am going to be relying on a lot of support from others along the way - whether it is a couch to sleep on or a place to set-up my tent, or a bag of mung beans here and there. So as much as I may be on my own journey, it is humbling to know that I will not be able to face the challenges alone - just as it would be for anyone in this world today.

We are All In This Together - and we Have to Find better ways of living with one another and with the Natural World. Part of my motivation for making this trip is to help with that basic understanding - to be a "mobile bridge" if you will to help people "cross-over" from one point of view to another and to start re-thinking all of this - all the choices we have made and are making.

It is never too late to Change Your Mind - to try a different approach, to take some chances and just see what the Universe has to show you. : )

(P.S. I just realized it was 12 years ago today that I joined the US Navy - May 25, 1999! Yet another "leap of faith"... so I guess this has become kind of a habit with me. : ))

Update: 6-5-2011 - First YouTube Video posted - Not a big deal really, just a short demo for my Total Gym that I'm selling on e-bay and the "Accessory Caddy" I designed for it. But - there ya' go - another "leap" for me. : ))

Breaking-in the New Fender Blender Bike Blender from Rock-the-Bike

So this is me on April 1, 2011 (that's right "April Fools" day : )), and I've just finished installing my brand new "Fender Blender Universale" from Rock-the-Bike.  The blender came with the rack (that was well designed to adjust to almost any bike size), removable blender base (so I don't have to ride with it attached to my bike ALL the time), and blender. (I decided to add something to secure the cover by attaching four small bungee cords to a square piece of old bicycle innertube.)

For those keeping track, the "Fender Blender" was a little more expensive than your average blender, coming in at $249.00 plus shipping.  Rock-the-Bike encourages people to use them as educational tools, promoting nutritious smoothie making as well as demonstrating how a common household appliance can be run using human power instead of electric power.  In addition, if you're in a position to sell samples, you can use it as a fundraising tool.

They also offer a chopper/food processor, a dynamo that can generate electrical power, and a spin-art device that can all be run off the same system. (See more here:  http://rockthebike.com/blenders/Universale.)  Since I drink smoothies every day, this was an obvious choice for me to take on my trip.  I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to show it to others wherever that is possible. (And, by the way, if you decide to get one yourself, please contact me.  When I told the folks at Rock-the-Bike what I was going to be doing, they offered me a sales partnership "on the spot."  I don't mind promoting these because I think they are Really Cool, and getting a little "thank you" in return for good advertising suits me just fine! : ))

The rack that the bike is setting on is the lightest and cheapest I could find.  I got it from Amazon for under $20.00.  Admittedly, it's a little shaky, but it held throughout all the smoothie making demonstrations my friend Ilona and I did at the Pedal Pushers Bike Swap at Eastern Market on April 2nd.  In addition, I'm willing to sacrifice a little safety for the weight (under 2 lbs) since the next lightest option would probably be upwards of three times as heavy, and A Lot more expensive!

All-in-all, I'm very satisfied with this set-up and look forward to making lots of Bike Blender Smoothies in the months ahead!

My Journey Begins

I know it's a small step, but I have just sold my first item on Ebay, and that is one of several avenues I will be using to divest myself of all of my non-essential worldly possessions over the next three months.

All of this is in preparation for my starting a US Tour...On My Bicycle!  It is something I have had in the back of my mind to do for quite some time now, and there are a myriad of circumstances that have all coalesced to move me to do it now rather than later.  So, that's what I'm going to do.

It is my intent to also document my travels and experiences here - even these preparatory steps along with all of the more detailed information involved with planning and carrying out this endeavor.

That's all I'm going to say for now, but I will be back here regularly over the next several weeks and will utilize any accessible computers to keep posting while I am on the road.

Peace, Y'All!

: ))

P.S. I'm testing the photo insert options here with a picture of my bike and trailer.  More about that later. : ))

And if you would like to donate to support my Writing and Riding please use the PayPal button below, and Thanks in advance for your support! : )

Introduction

Hi, Everyone!

I have decided to move  my writing/blogging from MySpace and/or Facebook to this "Blogspot" site instead.  In several of my previous blogs on both of those sites I said that I would follow-up in one way or another on various topics.  That is what I plan to do here, where, for one thing, it is a little less "distracting" : )  and for another, I have more control and/or "ownership" over the content.

At the very least, I hope to develop more consistency with my writing.  Ultimately, I hope that what I share proves to be USEFUL to others in their own lives and journeys here as psycho-physical beings.

Sincerely,


Lori Lee Bell
AKA: The Blue Turtle