On a Rope

Survived our first Christmas with a kid. Exciting right? Totally. Visited my parents for Eve. It was a nice quiet evening. Mia slept quite a bit actually do to being off her schedule some during the morning hours. Christmas Day, we opened a few presents from Jill's aunt, and headed down to Illinois for a few days. It's always great seeing Jill's family, because they get super excited when they see Mia. I always feel relieved too, like "okay you guys enjoy your time with her". They need that time with her, being 2 1/2 hours away. Tuesday after a quick visit with Jill's pal Whitney, I packed my stuff and drove back solo for the rest of the week (since I've got to work). Gotta tell ya: driving by yourself for that long isn't that fun. 112 miles can be mind numbing, but I made it back of course. Saturday I'm heading back down again. It's been strange not having to get up real early to walk Remi and start the daily routine we've gotten used to. This morning my body woke up at 7 something, but I decided I didn't need to get up THAT early, especially on my day off. I really miss Jill and Mia. I miss Mia's hugs like crazy and Jill's smile when she wakes up (after a good sleep)

Did some much-needed art tonight and progress on Nick's album. Came to terms on how I want to execute it and I think he'll dig the concept. Still need to start another dog portrait and finish my Mia one. Overwhelming. Very overwhelming. Most importantly, I got to set up my drum set today. Felt a bit rusty, but had a good time. Even busted a blister on my right hand too. Made me miss playing shows. How typical. Tomorrow, maybe some drawing. We'll see how things go.

Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

Ah, the holidays are getting quite close. Seems strange with all the mild weather we've had lately. I don't mind really. There's plenty of winter left, being that tonight at 11:30pm starts the Winter Solstice. It's an exciting time, Christmas this year. We've got our little Mia who LOVES to rip paper in pieces so opening presents should be a fun time for her. I can't wait to give Jill her little gift I made. In other news, Mia proved to me that she CAN crawl forwards. One hand in front of the other. It totally amused her. Then, she'd go back to her walrus pose with the back arched up and booty on the ground. Something like that. Man, it wasn't long ago she was spitting up on me, now she's trying to stand up on her own. Time sure flies.

Going to have LOTS to do when I'm solo next week. I plan on drumming every day for at least an hour. I need to get some painting done, work on some dusty logo projects I haven't been able to start or finish as well as build my website and work on some other art projects and hang with some friends and family. It'll be weird catching up on sleep again since average I get about 5-6 hours. I'm never one to sleep into noon though. Could never get into that whole thing: sleep all day, then get up and work. Seems quite pointless to waste an entire day like that. I'll be up late on nights creating what I can. 70-80 percent of the time, I'm more productive in the late evenings art-wise. I can concentrate more without an angry child throwing spoons at me.

With that, I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays. Safe traveling if you're heading out of the state, and of course be good to all.

The Suburbs

What's the word, humming birds? Rainy, mild-temperature day today. Mia semi-alright for the most part during my morning/afternoon. Allowed me to get a little drawing in during some short naps. Later in the evening after dinner, she was an absolute barrel of hilariousness. Climbing all over me on the floor and using my stomach as her tool to pick herself up into a STANDING POSITION! It was so so cute. She lit up the bathroom during her bath time with her goofy smiles. Jill put her hair in a mohawk too. Very funny!

Much relieved the holiday schedule is complete at work. I don't know why I sweat out my requested days off. My boss has never said "look Mike, you can't take off the 24th or 25th", but with a good buddy of mine heading to France, and with other workers all wanting off, I didn't know who would get the short straw. So I'm ready for the holidays. Can't wait for Jill to see her present. :) 1st round of X-mas celebrating starts this Saturday with my older bro and his family (since they'll be out in CA for a few weeks) Should be a good time. Hopefully Mia behaves and doesn't scream all day. Back to the much-neglected sketch book. Later kids.

Turnstyles

Not a bad day off friends. The other day we had our end-of-the-year meeting. I've only been to at least 5 or 6 of them in my 14 years at Kwik Trip. My old store, they weren't mandatory and were always in Madison. They've been having them in Waukesha for a while now, so I suppose I should go right? Like usual, it was pretty mind-numbing. Some good facts here and there. Most importantly, I get my bonus. The majority of it goes straight to Mia's medical/hospital bills. Hooray. My iPod touch came in the mail the other day. First nice thing I've bought for myself since my attempt at buying a Roland elec drum kit (that I had to take back, didn't need it that bad) When I got home from work, I excitedly opened it up and tried to sync it up with my iTunes. Got a message that said 'need an updated iTunes to run the touch" or something like that. So I backed up all 8,600 songs on my Mac and finished downloading a newer iTunes. It said my operating system was too old for the updated iTunes. CRAP.

So I woke up frustrated this morning about it. Thankfully I had some back up plans. A gentlemen I went to college with who's a tech wiz told me he'd update my OS for me if needed. Jill took my macbook to work to see if her coworker could fix/update it for me. He's pulling through with it and will hopefully have it complete tomorrow. I couldn't be happier. Apple is a tricky company. They come out with great, amazing products but sometimes they're too far ahead of themselves. I'm not a die-hard "Mac-head" or anything. I learned everything in college on Macs and got real used to them. I used PC's as well in the working world with some of the programs too. Didn't work the same. In fact, they didn't even give me updated programs in the first place. Anyway, I look forward to getting my Macbook up and running and using my new iPod touch.

The Holidays are getting more dangerously close. Seems to be creeping faster and faster every year. Perhaps it's because we're so busy with Mia. It's starting to get harder for me to leave to go to work more often. Mia waves goodbye with a big grin on her face. Weird right? You'd think it'd be "hey stay, Dad." I'm having way more fun with her during the day. Today she wasn't digging the car rides. Brat. This weekend, we're celebrating Jill's Dad's birthday. (which is really today) Should be a good time. They love love love spending time with little Mia. Remi loves it when they visit too. That's all for now. Brain's getting fried.

In Between Days

Well folks, we survived & Mia survived Thanksgiving. Well, actually it was a Thanksgiving tour. This was the very first year Jill & myself celebrated Thanksgiving together at a house. Usually we just separate & go our own ways. I worked 6am-2pm (quite busy and short handed I might add) then we headed off to Madison for Thanksgiving at my older bro's apartment along with my parents and sister. It was a great time. Everything tasted yummy and we had a wonderful time. The ride home however, was quite painful. Mia was crying and screaming the whole way till we got to Waukesha to pick up my car at KT. She slept the 10 minute ride back to New Berlin. Good grief, kid.

Friday morning we headed off to Illinois for the weekend. My first three-day weekend in a real real long time. Mia was great the whole ride. Usually is when it's daylight on car rides. We had Thanksgiving part II. Once again, great food and throughout the weekend we visited with Jill's friends, her grandma, her family and her aunt. I love going to see my 2nd family because it makes Jill so happy to see all of them. They can't get enough of little Mia. I have to let them have their much-needed & deserved Mia time. Sadly, the weekend went by way too quickly and come Sunday, we headed home. Luckily, I didn't work that night so her family could spend more time with Mia. Jill's mom was so excited friday when I told her we didn't have to leave early in the morning.

Today, like every Wednesday, I was off. The last few nights Mia's been quite angry. Her top teeth are in and hurting like crazy. Today thankfully, she was real great. My bro came over and we hung out for a while. Hit up some Hockey Haven, visited his wife and mine, just driving around and catching up. Before we got married, we used to hang out quite a lot. Used to skateboard/film, he'd stay over by me, play music together etc etc. But since we work odd hours, we rarely get the chance to do much together. So with that, I thoroughly enjoy chilling with my bro when I can. Plus, he enjoys playing with Mia! All and all, had a fantastic day off.

It's December tomorrow which means every weekend will be booked full of things to do and people to see. I better get some art done dudes.

The Routes We Wander

Thanksgiving: Typically, Jill and I separate around this time of the year so she can spend time with her familia and I usually eat an early dinner and work the weekend. This year, it's different. I'm STILL working on Thanksgiving like I have for the last 12 plus years, but in the early morning and we're going to jet over to Madison to eat dinner with my family. Friday, we're heading out to Illinois for the weekend. This is the VERY FIRST year Jill and I are eating Thanksgiving with each other at a house on the actual holiday. Last year, we made an early turkey day mini feast and went on our own separate ways. It's also Mia's first Thanksgiving. Should be interesting. Hopefully she survives the drive down to Illinois.

Today I was off, and it was quite lovely. Spent a little time with my lil bro Andy at his casa. He's doing so much better with Mia. Getting way more comfortable holding her and she's giving him lots of hugs. Maybe it's because we look alike and she sees him as a safe individual to hug? She also pet HIS baby kitten Dex. It was her first time petting a cat. I was slightly nervous at first because I didn't know how Dex would react. The kitten is so docile and didn't mind Mia petting him. Later, I stopped at KT to visit Steph B who baby sat her over the summer while I cut our big yard. She couldn't believe how big Mia has gotten. Neither can I.

Like every Wednesday night, I cooked dinner for Jill and I and we had a very relaxing evening with Mia and got to watch our shows. Mia was uber hyper, but I made her laugh quite a bit and it was super hilarious. You can see those big-ass teeth of hers coming in on top. Very cute.

Before I head off to bed soon, I'd like to give thanks to my fantastic and patient wife Jill, my wonderful and supportive family and friends and my healthy little shark, Mia. It's been a crazy year and I'm thankful every day that we have a healthy little baby.

Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts

Let's talk about tattoos. I LOVE tattoos. I love the whole process of the consultation to getting the work inked on you forever. I even thought about becoming an apprentice and learning the fine art of tattooing, but currently, I don't have the time or energy needed to learn as much as possible. No big deal, I'll design some concepts for friends. It's fun actually.Tattoos are one of those things that if you don't have one, you either A-not into tattoos or B-afraid of needles or what could be painful. When I was 17, I really wanted to get an Alkaline Trio heart tattooed on my forearm. But because KT doesn't like exposed tattoos, I shrugged the idea off for a while. Still in the back of my mind, I really wanted to get tattooed. Jill asked me a few weeks ago "why are you and your brothers so into tattoos...?" Hard to explain at times. My 1/4 was well thought out for a good year. The most important part of getting tattooed is picking the RIGHT guy/girl to do it. I turned to my older brother's wife for anyone she recommended. She sent me a good list of some great artist in and around southeastern WI and Chicago. I really liked John Reiter's work at Solid State in Bay View. His 1/2 sleeve of surreal-inspired clocks sold me that he'd be the guy for my tattoo. The first session felt great. Like a nice massage. It's funny how you think "damn this is gonna hurt" but it really wasn't that bad. It was great having my lil brother and dad along too.

A month later, I went in for my 2nd session, super excited for the finished product. This time Jill came along. First hour, felt great. He was working on the green bushes on the coast part of the skyline. When he started working on the bone, it started to hurt some, and when he added some colour shading on the inside of my arm, that's when some pain was really felt. There was never a moment where I said "I can't do this anymore" because the tattoo meant way too much to me. Getting the Milwaukee skyline with the Chicago skyline in the water reflection (with sunset) turned out amazing. But like most people, it just made me want more.

In time, maybe 4-5 years from now, I'd like to get a Mia-inspired tattoo on my right arm. Not a portrait however. I'm not a fan of portraits. I want something creative and very colourful. So, I'm thinking of getting a shark with various fish and aquatic animals. I've loved sharks for quite a while, and to me, Mia sort of acts like one. She scared the crap out of us when they said her cord was wrapped around her neck, but when all was said in done, she was perfect. Even though I thought about some penguin-inspired tattoos, I think it'd probably be too predictable if it was penguin-related.

Like I said, I've got 4-5 years to think about it. Could the idea change again? Maybe. That's the point of THINKING the tattoo through. I respect those who go and get some ink on a whim, but I'd prefer to think about it real hard. Currently, I'm digging the idea of getting my tattoos family-themed. In the end, they're the most important part of your life. I knew immediately when we had Mia, that I had to get something. Why 4-5 years you say? I want Mia to be able to watch and see me get tattooed for her. She may not get the reason why I'm doing it, but it'll be a special moment. I remember when Jill came for my second session. It meant so much to me that she could see how much I love her. When I get my Mia tattoo, she'll also see just how much I love her.