Original Me

Greetings everyone on a very warm evening. Busy week as Spidey. Mia got through her school stuff all week and by Thursday, banged out the little she had so she could hang with friends. Another awesome bike ride with Scarlett and Angie. Their Mom and older sister worked on homework while we rode around their neighborhood. Great weather for it. Not too bad. Afterwards, we played in their court. A little soccer, some skateboarding and sidewalk art. Mia didn't want the day to end. She was having a blast playing with her BFF and Scarlett said "can Mia stay for like, 7 hours?" Her sisters are always super sweet and overall, we had a blast.

Later, we had a Spidey visit for a parade. There were plenty of people in the car line that wanted to meet me. It was super cute. The birthday girl enjoyed the balloons and that was our visit for the night. We had dinner, watched a movie per the usual and called it a night. Over the weekend, we did some much needed yard work. Later, we had three Spidey visits in Summit, Hartland and finished in New Berlin. Perfect weather for spreading joy to the little kids. The first stop had a little car parade that I was invited to meet all the little (what looked to be) pre-schoolers. They were adorable and thrilled to meet Spider-Man. All in all, not a bad day.

Later, I traded in the Corolla for a 2018 Rogue SV. Very sweet ride and happy to get rid of the always reliable Corolla. It's seen better days. I've had it the longest of all 3 of my cars that I've owned but it was time for a change. We had dinner later, watched Lilo and Stitch and called it an evening.

Sunday we didn't do much before I went to work. Today, we had a Spidey visit and Jill took some fun photos of myself on our trampoline doing some super hero poses in midair. I want to try it again. She got great photos of me, but I think I can do better. Work was crazy busy all night and all I could think about was "I can't wait to get home".

This week, more art, Mia's got a short school week, Spider-Man visits and plenty of work. Really need to continue the commission sketch and drop some color in it. That's all for now, thanks for reading!

Ride

Greeting everyone. Hope all the Moms that read my blog enjoyed their Mother's Day. Wasn't a bad week for distant learning. Mia had a few projects this week including doing a report on the woman who invented the chocolate chip cookie. She did a great job. Thursday, we picked up some hanging baskets for my Mom, Jill and her Mom. Mia enjoyed looking at all the flowers and picked each person that best suited their personality (according to her) . She was ALSO motivated to bang out her school work, spelling test and math so she could have a social distance bike ride with her friend Scarlett and her family.

I hooked up the bike rack for the first time in forever, we loaded up bikes and headed over for the first time since March by Mia's BFF. The girls were thrilled to see us and we went out for a 45 min bike ride. This was the longest the diva has gone on a ride, but you'd never guess if she was tired. Catching up with Scarlett was pure joy. Her Mom, myself and Scarlett's sisters Angie and Sofia chatted and caught up throughout the ride. Really good time and fantastic weather on top of that. We went to Lee's for ice cream after. I haven't had a milk shake in forever, but Lee's had a great caramel shake. The girls started to get chilly (minus Mia in her t-shirt and shorts because she's NEVER cold) so we went back. The girls ran around a little bit before we said our goodbyes and left. Mia couldn't stop smiling exclaiming "this was SO much fun Daddy!" So thrilled to set this up for her and hope we get another day soon for the girls to ride. We did our best obeying social distancing and had an absolutely awesome time.

Throughout the week, I built a couple SCW kits for fun. Currently working on an FC Wisconsin Nationals in between other projects. Over the weekend, we had some Spidey visits. First stop was a little girl in Waukesha. She was pretty excited so see Spider-Man, but her sister seemed more excited. Her Mom later messaged me "she was in love". Ha! After that, we were off to Washington Heights to meet Elijah. He's a little dude that would do Spidey poses and wave to traffic with a sign "honk if I've made you smile" His Mom left him a note from me that read "meet you on the corner at noon. From S" When I arrived and snuck up and surprised him, his Mom and Grandma. He was super excited, we posed for a few photos, waved to cars a little bit and that was it. Definitely a unique Spider-Man visit and I was honored to meet the little mini me. Later, we drove to Brown Deer for another birthday visit. About 30 people were at this place and the little birthday boy was so thrilled to meet Spider-Man. He was dressed as the Miles Morales Spider-Man which was pretty awesome. His brother was equally excited to meet Spider-Man. Even said "Wow, you're tall Spider-Man!" After we said goodbye, we were done for the day. We stopped at my parents house with a cake Mia made for my Mom including a picture collage and her hanging basket. Later, we picked up some Qdoba, watched Rock Dog with Mia, and she finished her other cakes for Jill and Jill's Mom before calling it a night.

Today was Mother's Day. The weather was absolutely lousy and it was freakin' snowing. Despite the crappy weather, we still had a Spider-Man visit to do. After dropping off Grandma Missy Shell's cake, we stopped at birthday boy Nolan's house. Because of the lousy weather, I decided it would be better to ring the doorbell. The little dude screamed with excitement. I gave him a birthday balloon complete with Golden Rod Spidey book, posted for a few photos and said goodbye. He was just so thrilled and it no matter how many kids I've met, it always warms my heart when I see the excitement on kids faces. After that, I had an odd 1-9 shift.

This week, I have plenty of commission work to accomplish in between Mia's school stuff. That's all for now, thanks for reading!

Prevent This Tragedy

Lots to discuss today, so let's get right to it. Friday, somehow on my daily run with Remi down the bike trail and through the park, I LOST my cell phone. How?? When I picked up his crap, I noticed the phone wasn't next to my keys. Damn. Where could I have lost it. I retraced my steps and couldn't find anything. The next day, still couldn't find anything. I suspended my account and phone so whomever had it couldn't do anything with it. I was due to get rid of my carrier and get a better phone. My lost phone was very basic, but regardless, I needed to find it. 5 days later, I got an email from AT&T that a woman found my phone. Jill picked it up Tuesday after work. I was relieved. I was bummed because I had a lot of old awesome photos of Mia on it. Thankfully I have it again, but I do plan on giving it to Jill to replace her old one, and I'd like to get on board with a different carrier and pick up a smart phone.  Leaning towards US Cellular.

First, I said "Okay, I want an iPhone, let's see what Sprint offers because Verizon is far too expensive." Sprint's 99 buckos for unlimited everything wasn't happening. Forget it iPhone. Looked at T-Mobile. Good deals, but then I heard the reception is awful. Rats. Heard good things about US Cellular. So now I'm looking at different smart phones and hope it works out. 

Now for some sad news. A couple days ago, when Mia and I went to go feed our guinea pigs Riley and Devany, Devany wasn't looking too good. I sat there and petted her for a while saying "it's alright buddy you can eat lettuce later". Later at work I got a call from Jill that she died. That moment when I decided to rub her little piggie head would be the last time I'd see her alive. I know to most people it's just a pet, but this guinea pig and her sister Riley were the first pets Jill and I got together. Devany's was mine, Riley's was Jill's. When we moved into an apartment in Waukesha, we wanted pets. Cats were pricey for the deposit, so when a friend of Jill's was giving away some guinea pigs, we picked out two. They were always a hit at our parties back in the day.  My favourite memory with the pigs was a long time ago in our apartment, Jill and I were laying awake in our bed just talking. Jill was poking fun at me about something, I responded to the insult, and in the living room we heard both piggies squeaking like they were laughing at me. Devany was a good little piggie. I'm going to miss her. It was incredibly depressing when Mia went in tonight to feed Riley. "Where's Devany??" Broke my heart. Jill's too. I'm going to have to bury her Saturday. I know, I know "it's a guinea pig Mike". Still loved her, and love her now lonely sister.

This weekend, yard work, maybe a bike ride. Hopefully. We went on a really nice bike ride the other day. It was incredibly awesome. The colours were beautiful, Mia had a great time.  Hope to do it again.  That's all for now. Thanks for reading. 

You Dress Up For Armageddon

Helloooooo friends. So I've got  rad story to share. But first let me tell you about Saturday: We've been to the zoo about 8 times (well I most certainly have) and Saturday was the very first time Jill & Mia saw the sea lion/harbor seal show. That was actually the main reason why we even went to the zoo that day. I wasn't certain how Mia would do just sitting in the benches, but ocne the show started she was absolutely riveted. She would clap and point to the animals, and wave as they'd do tricks. She'd even talk to the strangers next to her pointing out to the pool saying "SEALL!!" All in all, great time. So on to my rad story: Sunday, me, Jill and Miss Mia went to the park and took the dog for a walk. Jill had an idea to bring the bike and Mia's helmet and see if she would want to take a ride. Sure, why the hell not. Got her in the bike seat, strapped the dreaded helmet on that she absolutely hates and headed down the bike path. She through a mild fit going down the path and sorta calmed down later. Not a bad first ride at the park. Monday, another gorgeous day out so I tried again. This time, built the bike ride to be an exciting adventure. She would respond with "oh boy oh boy! With helmet Daddy!" Umm okay perfect. Sure. Pulled out the bike then carefully strapped on the helmet. She was amped and ready to roll. Awesome! And off we were. bike riding, together. Daddy and daughter. This was what I wanted to do this summer. I wanted to go bike riding with Mia so badly, and for a short while she wasn't interested in it. Monday morning was amazing. We actually rode for a mile. She enjoyed pointing to the dogs, waving to some of the neighbors and laughing as I had to pedal hard up some of the hills. We came back to the house, and of course she said "AGAIN!!" The last few days have been cold-ish and rainy so we haven't gotten back on the bike sadly.

Last night she was finishing up with bath time and I recently found out that there was a Chelsea game on my day off :) So I told Mia "Do you wanna watch Chelsea and Juventus tomorrow??" "OH BOY OH BOYY! GO CHELSEA!!" It was awesome. Wednesday morning I told her "Miaaaaa we're going to watch the Chelsea game today!" She got super excited. Didn't sleep well due to Jill having to get up in the morning early to photograph a school. But later got enough sleep to enjoy our day together. Oscar's two back to back goals were sick. But of course Juventus some how caught  up and tied the game. Damn! Oh well.

Art is kind of at a stand-still at the moment. Slightly because of motivation, mostly because the creative wheels in my head aren't turning (regarding the MLS Milwaukee team logo & kit) I'm trying to nail some really good rough sketches. Nothing clicking as of yet.

Seems like Summer is ending and Fall is just about here. Love the Fall time, but sort of sad to see Summer go. We had a scorcher of a summer this year, but there is more daylight to enjoy in the evenings. Oh well. Still stoked for Halloween :)

That's all for now. Adios :)