Tripping In Elgin




Every now and then I have to travel for work. Nothing big, and not very often�
but travel all the same. I usually carry a rather large sketch pad and my iPod.
Planes don�t have very much room so when my wife bought me some moleskin sketch
books I knew I had just the right replacement.
In June I had the chance to try it out. I�m sitting there on the plane and I
couldn�t think of anything to draw! NUTS! Doodled a little then it hit me.
�I�ll draw the trip!�


So here you go guys, a quick little trip with me�




Like most of my trips it starts off real early, and
Always makes me think of the donut
commerical for Dunkin Donuts.




Ahhh� the shower. How else can you start a day.



Here is a little travel tip. Most people look for the fastest
moving security line. Oh no! The most important thing to look
for is well trained security personel that have small hands.
I�m talking tiny. Like fairy or imp size. Oh yeah� not troll
either. Those are small but fat and stubby!




Now you can�t pick the people you end up traveling with, but
it is important to remember that Sudden Zombie Infestation (S.Z.I.) can occur
at any time, and any place. So make sure you have a plan in the back of
your mind. Let�s face it, �Zombies on a Plane� can happen!

Luckily for me I just had a spaced out �Bonnaro�
concert guy next to me. But I did keep my eye on him.




Hey this part is true!
How cool was that! Sucker had a V8!
Really made up for sharing a ride with Zombie dude.




Once I made it to work I was really glad to
see security had lightened up around the old place.




Got the grand tour for a couple of days. Met some people, went over a few things, saw how other stuff was done. Blah, blah, blah�



One of the best parts was a chance to spend some time
with my good friend �George�. George is a unique individual that
has a wealth of life experiences. People like this I really like talking to.
Plus he is a great guy and a good friend. Oh yeah and a great Fine Artist.
Being a history and poltical buff I could pick his
brain for hours on end. And the chinese food was GREAT!




Now George leased a spot for a few years for his art studio. I had tried
to get buy there on previous trips but never had the time. He no longer has
it, but had the maintance guy take us up for a look around. Turns out the whole
8th floor used to be a club and Al Capone used to party there. A cigar nook,
hat check room and private card room. His Ex-Studio had a high ceiling,
hardwood floors and a working fireplace. It is know used by the city
for plays. There was a piano there and to my surprise George
started playing a little for us. I never even knew he played.

I also got to ride in a manual elevador, and even got
to see the old boilers stamped 1917!




After work I walked around and took pictures, and
just strolled around. It�s neat to see different things and the
weather was great. But one thing I de notice in my travels around.
I must have a strong southern accent. It generally only took
about three words out of my mouth till I would see
a smile appear on there face and then the
standard �Where are you from?�




My evenings were spent downstairs of the hotel at the
restaurant drawing in my moleskin. I did notice something
about myself. As much as I like my privacy, I also like the
white noise a little better. It was nice.

Unfortunitely it was karaoke night and I don�t drink
alcohol so I didn�t find loud people singing out of key
very interesting. Well� it was actually irritating.



Why is it even when there is nothing on� I�ll watch
something I�m not even interested in. There has to be
a twelve step program out there for this.




Waiting to fly home I worked on these little drawings
some more. It really helped pass the time.




Hey� it could happen. You just got to keep an eye out.
I do have to surpress the urge to stand up and yell�
�There�s a MAN on the WING!!!!




Actually� in all truth. I met my wife and kids at Church.
I slipped into the pew and they turned around and saw me.
But I was just too lazy and tired to draw a Church scene.

Hope you enjoyed the trip, or at least a little comic about it.