Gettin' Creative

Good Morning. Man, I tell you it's SO nice to have daylight at 5:35am when I get up to walk my dog! :) Anyways, a lot of things to discuss so let's get to it. Early last week the Milwaukee Torrent (Wisconsin's new pro soccer team that will be arriving in 2016) released a few "sample" ideas of kits the players could wear. The majority of the fans were not impressed, so I took the liberty and submitted some ideas to the Facebook page. The results were surprisingly all positive! Pictured here, is the very first one I posted. When I decided to design a kit, I typically use Adobe Illustrator. It's a very useful graphic design tool, and anything that I've ever designed from scratch, I've always used that program. Well, we don't have Illustrator on our new computer so what I did was search the internet for any blank kits or ideas on how to go about designing a soccer jersey on Google. I discovered a designer who put together a simple kit using layers in Photoshop. He set up a link for anyone to download the kit with simple instructions on how to add color, your logo etc etc. So, after I submitted this, everyone was fired up, and wanted to see other color combos.  So, I submitted these combos. The majority of the people liked the blue/black combo (I do too, honestly) so we'll see what comes of this. It's been an exciting experience and I had got a message from the Torrent saying "we'll call you soon, thank you for all of your artwork".

Wednesday, Mia and I did a little Trader Joe's shopping. I don't remember what else we did, but it was a pretty low-key day. Just hoping this week we get a lot of nice weather. Friday, she had school. They learned about the Earth and how to protect her. When I came to pick her up, she was coloring a picture of the Earth. She told me she forget to take her chalk out for recess so she just hung out sitting on the chair howling at one of the boys in her class. Cute, right? Friday night, my brother, my Dad and Myself drove to a very wet Chicago, Illinois to watch the Fire take on NYCFC. My Dad has been wanting to see NYC play since they joined the MLS this year, but the player he was hoping to watch, we found out on the way down was injured. OOPS! Traffic was insane and the pouring rain didn't help, but we eventually made it with 20 minutes to spare. When we got our tickets, I thought to myself "man, we could have got a lot closer for just $10 more" but with the wind and rain, I was content sitting where we were. It was fun that this was my brother's FIRST MLS game, and of course he got heckled anytime a Fire fan saw him. He was wearing his bright blue NYCFC shirt. Right away in the parking lot a guy from a small bus yelled at him as he was ran into the portapotty "THERE'S ALWAYS ONE ASS-HOLE IN THE BUNCH! PROBABLY A PACKERS FAN TOO!" Throughout the walk around the grounds, people were booing at him, one guy growling at him but he felt better when some guy high-fived him wearing NYCFC gear too. His friend Brett was a section below us and also got heckled in his NYC gear. The game was pretty good for a 1-0 result (Fire winning) A guy from NYC got a red early in the game for a sloppy trip. After that, NYCFC couldn't get a good shot and played defensively the entire game. We left with a little time left in the game to beat traffic. Since we didn't eat dinner (and the lines for the concession were INSANE) we stopped at an Oasis right before entering Wisconsin. The food prices were a lot cheaper then the Fire's. I can't justify spending $11 on nachos. No. Never.  We were all pretty worn out when we got back to my house, but when I got in, both Jill and Mia were fast asleep. Turns out Mia wanted to wait up for me.

Saturday, we went to a baby shower for Jill's coworker/pal Heather. Mia was a great girl and not too shy with the guests. She even helped out handing out gifts for us to open. Saturday evening, we went to my bro's hockey game. They lost 3-0 but he had a nice breakaway. Mia asked him post-game "So, why didn't you get any goals??" Sunday was Chelsea vs Arsenal. I was anxiously waiting for this day. I wanted Chelsea to beat Arsenal which would pretty much guarantee the EPL title. With not a striker starting and having Oscar at the helm, we did our very best to keep them back. The scariest moment was the spearing from the Arsenal keeper right through Oscar. After he got up, he looked in rough shape like he had a concussion. At the 2nd half, Drogba came in and the announcers said that Oscar went to the hospital for brain scans. The results was a draw at 0-0, so we'll take the point and win the next few games to claim the title.

Mia has parent-teacher conferences this week and starts soccer on SATURDAY. Should be a busy week. I need to nail the 2nd and third kit for the Torrent ASAP. Thanks for reading!!

One Step Beyond!

A very soggy good morning to everyone. We've got a nice gray Monday to start out the week with rain for the rest of the day. Oh fun. last week on Wednesday, Mia and I went to the park to hang with her friends. We were hoping the weather would be nicer then it was, but the kids had a good time, overall. Mia was invited to her friend Hannah's birthday party, but sadly couldn't attend because I was working during it, and wouldn't be able to go with her and Jill. Rats. Friday, it had to be at least 80 degrees out. It was absolutely perfect, and the diva got to wear a skirt to class. After I dropped her off, I went straight to the park to perfect bending the ball when attempting free kicks. I don't know (besides from hours of practice) they did it. It is so damn tricky to get that ball to bend, but after a handful of failed attempts, I was able to bend it. One of my better shots bent to the far right post, but in perfectly. I was quite happy about that. After that, I came home and did some work around the house before picking up Mia.

I had sent her off to school with a small package of chalk to draw with during recess. She's told me that during the free-time outside, she just sits on a chair and watches all the kids running around. She doesn't like it when the other classes are having recess and there are kids everywhere running around the small lot. I said, "would you like chalk to draw with to keep you busy?" She of course said yes so I guess when it was time for recess, all of her classmates wanted to draw with her and she yelled out "JUST A MINUTE LET ME OPEN THE PACKAGE FIRST!" When I went to pick her up, I could tell the kids had used them because her classmate Brayden's hands were covered in blue. Glad she had a good day at school and a more positive recess. She has parent-teacher conference coming up and an end-of-the-year program in June. Hard to believe the school year is ending so soon. She's been doing real well, and loves going to school.

Saturday, we did another princess photoshoot of Mia siting next to a tree with all of her costume dresses "drying" on a line. Jill got the idea a while back and wanted to try it. A bit cold at times, but the picture turned out.  Later, I watched the Chelsea vs Man U game. I knew it would be a tough and gripping match since both teams have been really good lately. In the end, we were the better squad and won 1-0 of a nice goal from Hazard. He received a perfect back-heel from Oscar to nutmeg De Gea to get the win. Only a few more games left, but with 10 points ahead of Arsenal, we should take the title. My favorite part of the game, was Mia dancing on my lap to "One Step Beyond" by Madness that they were playing at the end at Stamford Bridge. I read last week, that they are once again, bringing the Guinness International Cup to the states and Chelsea, the Earthquakes and Fiorintina will be participating. Would be absolutely awesome if Chelsea plays somewhat close to Wisconsin.

Sunday, we did laundry before I worked 2-10. They went to the park and zoo and enjoyed the rest of the sunday.  Lots going on this week. Mia's got school, I'm off Friday to go to the Chicago Fire/NYCFC game. Should be fun. That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

The Dizziness of Disney

Top of the morning. Hope everyone got to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend. Last week, we had the opportunity to set up our Fast Pass+ for the character encounter/rides/etc. I stayed up till 12am with high hopes of getting us passes to meet the always popular Frozen ladies Elsa and Anna. I read several places that you have to try to get the passes 60 days in advance. DAMN. To my surprise, I wasn't able to get us a single pass, which means that we'll have to suffer in one long-ass line at some point on the day we arrive. I did get us Fast Passes for meeting Ariel, Tinkerbell and her friends as well as Repunzel/Cinderella. Disney is overwhelming at times, but if you think of a game-plan, things hopefully work out, but it's important to have other options when things don't work out. Hopefully when we get to Magic Kingdom, everything works out and she has lots of fun. Going in June means it'll be super hot, but I always handle heat and humidity like a champ.  Mia was still on Spring Break last week, so we took the Friday we normally would be at school, and met up with her friends at the Playgroup at the library. It was nice catching up with everyone and the kids playing nicely. Saturday, we hit up the zoo. First time (for me) this year. It was pretty busy with what I expected, were a lot of people waiting for the Brewers game to start, so they were killing some time. All she wanted to see was a hyena. So, luckily we found a couple. Later, we had a real late lunch and did a photo shoot of Mia outside in her Merida (from Brave) dress, and later in her Super Barbie costume. She had a lot of fun doing the photos and they turned out fantastic.

Sunday, I got up nice and early for the Chelsea vs QPR game. We needed the three points, and luckily, we got what we came for. QPR made the game difficult at Loftus Road, but luckily the masked Fabregas was able to get a goal at the 88th minute. Still top of the table, but hopefully Loic Remy will be better for the Man U game this weekend. Didier Drogba was struggling at times, but did his best to keep up with the pace.

Nothing too exciting to discuss art-wise. Trying to get some time here and there on my dog portrait. Mia's back at school Friday, so hopefully I'll get a little work on it. null all for now, thanks for reading!

Hoppy Easter

Good morning everyone. It was yet, another busy week over here. I didn't get my usual Wednesday off and worked part of the day, which meant that I worked Sunday through Friday last week. It was exhausting, to say the least, but I made it through. Since Mia didn't have school on Good Friday, she could basically, attend any day this week she'd like (since it IS paid for) so since she had a doctor appt on Wednesday morning (she's now 39 lbs and over 3 feet tall) she went to school on Thursday morning. Dropped her off like I normally do, and when I went to pick her up I noticed that the Thursday class is pretty big. Her teacher could tell that I was surprised and goes "yeah this is my bigger class of the week" but all of the kids were playing so nicely during free-time. Mia was playing in the flower shop in the right side of the building. It was a pity I had to take her home. She had class with a few of her Friday friends including Brooklyn and Brayden and her BFF Hannah also goes to the Thursday 3k so they hung out quite a bit. They were talking about Mia's birthday party and the bananas she had brought on the previous week. Sounded like Mia had a good day and apparently enjoys a bigger class. She immediately told me "I wasn't even SHY DAD!!!" Great kiddo!

Friday, after Jill got out of work, they left for Illinois to spend some time with her family. I got to do some art here and there and Saturday, I watched the Chelsea vs Stoke game. My brother and I were supposed to go to a pub in downtown Milwaukee to watch it, but Friday he texted me he couldn't which ended the night and the long week in not the best way. I had a beer and watched the game with the dog instead. It was a gripping game at times. After Hazard got the PK, one of their players made a crazy goal from half-pitch, or about 65 yards. Courtois was a bit too far off his line and couldn't get back in time to get it over the bar. 1-1. Luckily, Remy got the game-winning-goal off of some goofy roll-out to a Stoke player. Hazard calmly got around their defense to set up Remy with the pass. It was a bitter-sweet victory. We got our 3 points, but Costa may be out injured for a few weeks. He was holding his hamstring after a short time on the pitch in the 2nd half and limped off and was replaced by Drogba. Hope his season isn't done.

Sunday, I did the early shift and when I got home, I set up a scavenger hunt for Mia. She REALLY loves these kinds of things. She loves figuring out clues and puzzles to find surprises and treats. It was fun coming up with the clues at work (since it was incredibly slow for 4 hours straight before picking up) Watched the Quakes vs Real Salt Lake game before they came home. Mia and Jill came with Mia, super tired but when she saw the Easter Bunny left a note, she perked up and did her hunt. It was a lot of fun. We quickly went to my parent's house for Easter Dinner with my bro, his wife and kids and my sister. The kids got to go egg hunting and they had a blast. This is why Mia says Easter is her favorite. Dinner and dessert was great and Mia had a lot of fun "helping with those troublemaker boys". "Ashley, you want help with him?" So cute.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!