Mustaches 4 Kids

I'm back at it for the third year in a row. Tonight is the coveted Shaving Day. This picture pretty much says everything...

Check out the site if you want to see all the great action and/or get involved in the Chicago area: http://www.m4kchicago.org/. There are chapters all over the country, so take a look and see if you can get involved in your area as well.

Likewise, and more importantly, check out the M4K page here at http://www.donorschoose.org/ to pledge donations on my behalf (Mike "Tango & Stache" Shriner). Well worth the money this holiday season.

More pics to come...

The Amazing Human Body

I woke up last night at exactly 4:00 am with an excruciating pain/cramp in the middle of my stomach, just below my sternum. I seriously thought I was having a heart attack; i couldn't breathe; i could barely move.

This lasted for nearly 10 minutes, and then as quickly as the pain came it vanished without trace.

I'm currently on antibiotics for a lingering cold, so immediately I suspected that was the source of the suffocating pain. But I haven't had any side effects to note, so that can't be the issue. It must have been a random encounter, yes?

Though I'm still perplexed about the actual cause, regardless it was an eye opening experience because I was literally helpless in my bed and the walk to the bathroom to get a drink of water felt like my last few steps on earth. We completely take our health for granted, often abusing and pushing our bodies to the limit, and often without thought about the consequences.

Without getting too deep (too late), but it was serious mortality check. Even at the relatively young age of 27, there is so much more I need to do. I have a list. Now it's just time to stop being lazy and do something about it

Back to Basics (and the AK Rowdy)

So i'm fighting sickness right now, and i'm writing crazy because i'm half hopped up on cold medicine, so pardon my craziness. Crazy.

So yeah, i haven't been blogging on here lately, but whatever, i'm busy, work is crazy and i'm constantly traveling around going on random fun trips and enjoying my youth in the city. Even if it does take a toll on the old body.

But when I get back, it's time to purchase a laptop so i don't have to sit downstairs on my prehistoric desktop hammering out notes. And posts. That will help me blog more. And i'm also thinking about drafting a book in the future (i've been kicking around a few ideas).

Oh yeah, going back to the AK Rowdy and C-Town this weekend for the first time since Feb. Since then, i've been to Vegas, NYC (thrice), Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Sonoma (crossed the Golden Gate), Boise, Milwaukee, suburbs of Chi, St. Joe (MI) and Elkhart Lake (thrice). I've also taken sailing lessons, purchased a bike (logged three 25+ mile rides), dominated Lolla and the Lolla Lounge gifting suite, and started Second City courses in those months. In addition, socially, I have been to multiple new restaurant openings, excellent dinners, superb wine tastings, engaging plays and mind blowing concerts.

I'll get better. I'll get quicker. I'll be back. I've got a lot to do. I've got a lot to talk about. Life is short. Dominate it.

Crossroads,
-Shriner

Archie

Alright, alright. Say no more...it's been a good two weeks since your affable host here has posted. Poor management on my part. Anyways, I thought I would squeeze in a quick post as I wait for my roommate to get out of the shower.

I was up extremely early today helping a colleague execute a series of radio interviews with a client spokesperson - Archie Griffin. Those of you in the sports world know this is a huge honor to sit in and listen to this legend talk, even if you despise the Buckeyes. For those of you who don't know who Archie is, well...you should be ashamed of yourself, sports fan or not.

Without bias, it's been a pleasure working with Archie and listening to him talk about some of the wisdom he's gained throughout the years.

Indiana...or Chernobyl?

After a nice long weekend voyage to St. Joseph, MI, the last stop on the trip was to the Lighthouse Premium Outlets in Michigan City, IN. Not a bad little outlet mall, and they do an EXCELLENT job of advertising along the highway, but once you get into the town it's a little suspect. Somewhat like the Eye of Sauron on that huge mountain, the first noticable sight in the sky is a cloud of white smokey pollution billowing out of a nuclear reactor (the outlet's Lighthouse, I suspect).

The first is a picture from the mall's Web site:

The second is a pic found online that I did not take, though I kind of wish that guy in the purple could have been a relative:

And once you start driving miles away from 94 towards the outlets, out of sheer principle its nearly impossible to to turn around and head back to the highway before making the final destination. It must be a male thing.

I'm sorry, but I can't stop looking at the above picture.

Welcome to Kanye West's Fatburger, may I take your order?

Strategery, Mr. West. Smart business venture in my mind - bringing a West Coast enterprise slash commodity slash late night gastronomic staple to a city that thrives on beef creations and caloric intake.

Too bad these are all on the west and south side, so the chances of me trying anytime soon is slim considering I live up north.

Now...if we could only get Lupe Fiasco to start a chain of In-and-Out Burger franchises in the Chi. Someone, please send this to Lupe.

Extstay Ad Spot

Wow. WOW.

Here is a new viral ad for the hotel chain, Extended Stay America, which has to be the best slash worst (by worst I mean amazingly awful) spots i've seen in awhile. You'll see why.

Just wait until about 35 seconds into the clip. It was as horrifying as it was exciting, but nonetheless the spot is shot in such a fashion that it will leave a lasting impression with everyone - good or bad.

If you're as intrigued as I am, also check out the hotel's main Web site, which offers a full online tutorial of all available amenities - and in the same visual fashion.

Well, if i'm ever looking for an economy hotel on the go, I've just found my new haven. I'm hoping they loop this spot as their screensaver in the rooms.

Lolla Survival Part I

Okay, and i'm being completely honest here, but I just drafted about a four paragraph "quick" recap, and then I clicked preview and all the text went away.

Autosave didn't even pull it up.

I'm pissed now.

Going to bed.

More to come later, including pics and even video if worthwhile.

Disgusted; I can only shake my head.

Lolla Preview

The time is nigh. No need for a background explanation - Lollapalooza has arrived. I'll hopefully be able to capture some key pics throughout the weekend, so stay tuned ladies and gents. I would send some tweets on Twitter, however my Razr mobile is a real piece, and therefore capabilities are limited.

Back to the Rawk. While i'll check out a few artists i'm not familiar with, here's my wish list of acts I plan to see throughout the festival weekend:

Friday

-The Black Keys (Akron, represent!)

-Your Vegas

-Bloc Party

-Radiohead

Saturday

-MGMT

-Lupe Fiasco

-Toadies

-Rage

Sunday

-John Butler Trio

-Flogging Molly

-Gnarls Barkley

-NIN

First stop: VIP Lounge at Hard Rock Hotel (compliments of the special lady friend)

Morning commute

With all the talk about 2016 Olympics in Chicago, construction, fare raises, etc., I've been hesitant to complain about the CTA. It's my only mode of transportation around the city, it's not too expensive and at times it can be extremely efficient. Except for this morning.

Due to construction at the Belmont stop, and then more somewhere in the Red Line trenches between North/Clyborne and Clark/Division, my morning commute is now more than 45-50 minutes, including walking to and from the stations.

Not to mention it's hot as hell considering all the people packed in each car, the greenhouse effect and an AC system that feels more like someone breathing down your neck than cold relief.

I can only imagine the CTA is doing the best it possible can to quickly move along the construction process, but on the same token I can understand why commuters gripe. Springfield needs to recognize that many, many Chicagoans are dependant upon this service, and they need to fully support funds to keep the CTA running as smoothly as possible.

We're a world class city - there's no excuse for not having a world class transportation system.

Origins

In college, the student run newspaper I wrote for, The Lantern, had a section called "Masticating in Public." Genius title, that phrase never left my side and I always had an endearing place for it somewhere deep down. Now it has become my muse:

Masticate (v): transitive verb to grind or crush something until it turns to pulp

That definition alone is the guiding spirit for this blog. While posts will mostly focus on an aforementioned love of music, food and Chicago experiences, I was raised to enjoy life, take advantage of crazy opportunities presented and spread the word through story.

Mr-Masticator is my soapbox. Nothing is safe. Nothing is foreign. Ready to rumble. Tread lightly.