Weiner Dogs Rule!

The 2008 Chicago City Sticker Art Contest finalists were just revealed. The theme this year was "Dog Friendly Chicago".

Lookman Muhammed's design incorporated a sleek and sexy Daschund and the city skyline. Take a few minutes to check out the finalists and cast your vote for your favorite.

Vote Daschund! (Lookman, participant #7)

Runway Run-a-way

It isn't too often you have the opportunity to run on an airport runway now-a-days. Last night, so last minute because it involved exercise, I decided to join Tim for the Athens Sister City Shuffle 5K on the Runway run.

I survived the run with minimal trauma. I figured my lack of cardio work would have kicked my butt. I was surprised to find my knees nearly brought me down. I did make my goal of jogging for at least half the race.

After that, I had to alternate between speed walking and jogging and finished 1236 out of 1476 participants who were timed. Some 37 minutes and 55 seconds after I started with a 12 minute 14 second pace.

Suburban Nature

Mission: Birthday Party in Wheeling, one of Chicago's Stepford-like northwest suburbs.

The birthday gal found a gigantic snapping turtle roaming about while spiffing up the backyard. She rescued the bugger. Feeling the guilt of making him the party freak show and no turtle Amber Alerts, he was released back into the wild.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

While in Target, running a few last minute errands before we left on holiday, I heard a little girl ask her mother, "what is titty cat?"

Her mother replied, "Honey, that is tiddy cat."

Celebrate Beard Burn

Success is measured in so many ways. Today, it is most often measured in money. How much you make, how much you have socked away and for a not-for-profit organization, how much you raise.

My mom and several other mom's from the Chicagoland PFLAG chapters raised a pile of money for the organization outside of the Sidetrack bar Sunday evening. The amount, just shy of $1,800, is to be celebrated.

Shortly after the even, my mom called to let me know she was suffering from a severe case of beard burn. I knew she and the other mom's had redefined the events success. It was no longer about the amount of money raised, it was about the hugs, kisses and heaps of unconditional love the moms gave each gay and lesbian child that passed by.

Thanks mom, for sacrificing your cheeks.

Fish Hotel

Fish Hotel
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

I felt like Navin R. Johnson in The Jerk when he found his listing in the new phonebook. On Friday afternoon, it arrived, neatly packaged to ensure its safety. I could barely contain myself as I opened the package.

Pure joy overcame me as I gazed at the cover of The Chicago River, A History in Photographs. Then I flipped to the photography credit section and quickly scanned for my name. There it was, P. 81 Tony Dornacher, 2005.

I quickly turned to page 81 to view Fish Hotel in all its glory. I continued to flip through the rest of the book and was humbled and honored. If you are looking for a lovely coffee table book, check it out.

Neighborly Love

Tension on the 3rd floor is at an all time high over the luggage carts. Neighbors bring their belongings up from the garage using one of the carts. Unfortunately, a couple of neighbors do not feel the need to return the cart to the garage for the next person to use.

I don't know who the naughty neighbors are or the reason they don't return the cart. I figure one day the offenders will need the cart and realize it is not in the garage because they left it upstairs.

When I returned home the other day, I found this note a frustrated neighbor attached to the two carts left in the hall. I've stepped up my game to be more friendly before someone snaps.

Surprise Kisses

Kisses
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

It is the small things in life that make it even more glorious. I stopped to snap another picture for the Flickr Mirror Project group and Tim snuck in to give me a surprise kiss. What you can't see in the picture is my big smile.

Super Nails

Super Nails
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

This set of sexy nails caught my eye. I left a voice-mail to schedule an appointment. How can anyone survive with out ten of these beauties.

Beer Bong Anyone?

Beer Bong Anyone?
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

I haven't been to a bar on Division Street in well over 15 years. When Tim mentioned he had to attend a work related event on Friday, I invited myself along. How can I pass up the opportunity to see how the young straight crowd partied.

We arrived at the bar early to check out the VIP Room and set a few things up. As I expected, filthy, run down, no decor to speak of and it stank like old stale booze.

I was amused with the men's bathroom. Above the urinals, you are bombarded by images of female patrons in varying states of exposure, often with the bathroom attendant grinning from ear to ear. Really no big deal, if you overlook the the fact the bathroom attendant is dressed in a doctors lab coat and has pictures of his wife and children on a bulletin board to the right of the sink.

I was informed the ladies room did provide the female patrons with pictures of men in various stages of undress. After a few drinks, I tried to check it out, but the women I encountered at the bathroom door thought my story about being gay was a bunch of bull crap. Beer goggles help you overlook so much.

The crowds were rolling in and the booze was flowing. Nothing like $1.00 drinks for 90 minutes to get the patrons a bit lubricated. While quietly observing and sipping a Cape Cod, my eyes grew wide like a deer caught in headlights. Sipping turned to gulping as I watch a little person strut his way across the bar and proceeds to coax several patrons to gulp down a beer bong. I was suddenly transported to a giant frat party!

As the evening progressed, female patrons began dancing on the bar (why no men, I wonder). If that wasn't crazy enough, the little person would saunter onto the bar with a bottle of booze. Each female patron gyrated and humped him for a reward. As if on cue, when the little person raised the bottle of booze, the dancer would squat and gulp down a shot.

I've been around the block a few times in my day and nothing about the evening really shocked me. The whole experience was rather liberating. The next time someone tells me gays are nothing but booze swilling, pill popping, promiscuous sinners, I will politely remind them of that old proverb, "Those who live in a glass house should not throw stones".

Great Head

Great Head
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

They say you need a catchy name to create buzz and catch the customers eye. This one caught mine the other night while meeting some friends for a drink.

Makes one wonder what other services this hair salon offers?

It Says it All

It Says it All
Originally uploaded by Tony Dornacher.

I am amused at the graffiti I found at the end of a pier near Grant Park.

I am still wondering if it was added by a militant homo or a jilted straight guy?