That toddlin' town!

Well, we're seven weeks into our run here in Milwaukee. The crowds are still diggin' it and tickets are becoming more scarce. It's a really great thing to make folks laugh and make some great music. Mom, Grandma, and Aunts Pam and Sandi drop into town to see the show next week, director Roger and musical director Michael visit the following week to record a demo of our show, and our gang will sing the national anthem at a Brewers game the week after that. We're chugging along on Route 66.

As I've mentioned, I'm mostly chained to the drawing board during the days with various commissions. I just mailed off a huge piece yesterday, and another high-profile piece is in late revisions. I have three pieces that I need to complete and send off in the next few days, and a couple more big ones that are looming next week. It's a thrilling, exhausting, and rewarding work load. I'm so grateful. (And once the art has been officially unveiled, I'll post it here so you can see the fruits of my labor.)


But sometimes a fellow needs some time off. I decided to take a day trip to Chicago yesterday. I tagged along with fellow Route 66er, Adam Estes, since he had to drive south for an audition, and while he was there I visited the amazing Art Institute of Chicago and grabbed some stuffed pizza at Giordano's. Then I met up with Adam and we checked out the penguins and monkeys and big cats at the Lincoln Park Zoo, had a beer at highly rated beer bar The Map Room, did a little window shopping, and experienced some blues at Kingston Mines.
Then on the drive back to the MKE we got caught in a crazy hail storm and had to park the car partially under an overpass with a dozen other cars. The lightning was crazy! Especially since everyone stayed safe, I was so happy to experience a wild Midwest thunderstorm. Fun day!

Now I'm sitting at my computer, procrastinating on three pieces that need to make some major headway before the day is out. Gotta draw, y'all!