Who the hell are ya?!

[tomEisenbraun]

Hey guys! Great to see the pictures and get to know the names! And Braden, which part of Chicago do you live in?

I forgot to mention earlier that when I'm not cultivating my facial hair, I'm normally sneakin in kisses to this one:







Sometimes I rope her into the cultivation process...


Paige and I have been dating for what, a year and a half? Little bit longer than that? It's pretty awesome. And she's gorgeous. And I think I'll keep her around.

(She's been gone a good week and a half and gets home tomorrow and I couldn't be readier, as is probably evidenced by my sappy posting.)

[AMightyCaporal]

I'm Mike, I, unlike Tom, do not grow beards (this is something that pains me every day) I just graduated from Monmouth University and went right back into Grad School to teach High School Art

[AMightyCaporal]

But the cheeks are adorable!

Tom- You look like a late 70's/early 80's porn star, minus the bad hair.

Haha, I had a whole lot of pervy fun with that moustache!



My favorite was being able to pull of the Southern Gentleman relatively convincingly...

DUDE! The Labyrinth! that is one of the greatest movies, awesome poster man.  10 points for you!

[pawpaw]

And Braden, which part of Chicago do you live in?

Eric lives in Chicago...and I'll let him answer this one  :) ;)

[tomEisenbraun]

Dammit. That's what I get for lumping you guys together in one post!

[mjkoehler]

Hey Tom, you guys are adorable together.

[ycartrob]

OK, Tracy here. I'm 44 and tired of Flava Flav. Born in
New Orleans, raised in Mississippi, living in Nashville.
Raised on rock and roll, Dean Martin, Jim Croce, the
soundtrack from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly as well as
Herb Albert. My sister left the house when she was 17
and I was 7 and I inherited all her albums (Beatles,
Zeppelin, Allman Bros., etc...). I drank and did drugs
during the entire 80's. I cleaned up in 1989. Did 4 years
in US Coast Guard in Maine and Massachusetts. Die hard
Saints fan. Ole Miss guy. Pinball is my favorite past time
and I am a wizard. I love to get in the car and go. I
am drawn to the outdoors and breath taking beauty; the
Redwoods of California, the coast of Maine, Black Hills and
Badlands of South Dakota, Taos, any ocean. Raised a
Christian but exploring different spiritual connections. I work
with homeless drug addicts but would rather be facilitating Peacemaking Circles. Waited tables through college. I love
my backyard. My music collection ranges from Bach to Beatles
to Hank Snow to John Coltrane to Kratftwerk to X to James Taylor
to PJ Harvey. Married to a Jackethead who makes signs for the
band. 2 dogs, Sparky and Daisy (didn't someone here threaten to steal Sparky a while back?) Happy to be here, happy to
have made some real friends here. If I piss you off just PM
me and it'll be worked out. I am harmless, clueless, and
opinionated,

searching for the gift of presence.

[Foxtrot76]

Dammit. That's what I get for lumping you guys together in one post!

Hey Tom,

We actually live right outside of Chicago by O'Hare. Nice little suburb called Elk Grove Village. My wife has lived here all of her life, and I moved here in 6th grade from California.

[Jaimoe]

My real name is David Ball. "Jaimoe" is an underapprecitated member of my co-favourite band The Allman Brothers. I conned, I mean I got married two years ago to a lovely lady 9 years younger than me. She doesn't like Z, but I think she's wrong. No kids, but that has nothing to do with not liking Z.


I was born and raised in lovely Kingston, Ontario (where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River and The Thousand Islands begin), which was the first capital of Canada and was the headquarters of the British fleet during the War of 1812.

I played baseball and mosty hockey throughout my youth. I quit hockey simply because I couldn't hit anyone in the non-checking men's leagues. I graduated with an English degree at Queen's University in 1991 and I then immediately moved to Toronto to pursue a degree in Radio & Television, which I achieved in 1994 (I actually wanted to be the next Johnny Fever, but in reality, radio is a nasty business).

I've worked for MuchMusic, Canada'a music station, in a technical broadcast capacity for over 10 years. I write music reviews for two web sites, Jambands.ca and SoundProof Magazine, although I don't really like to write.

I'm a flag-waving red-and-white bleeding Canadian with no political party affiliations, although I have voted for the New Democrat Party in recent years simply because they are pretty progressive and I live in their federal leader's riding (Canadian politics and voting is complicated). Oh yeah, I live in Riverdale, the largest neighbourhood in Canada - around 30 thousand. Riverdale also has Toronto's massive Greektown and Toronto's first Chinatown (we have around four). I'm also a passionate urbanist and I hate suburbia, "town destroyer" Wal-Mart and every other bi-product of urban sprawl.

I love all sports, but boxing and hockey top the list. My favourite sports teams are the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Bruins, Toronto Raptors and Kingston Frontenacs (Ontario Hockey League - one of three junior CHL leagues where most of the players get drafted into the NHL). I'm also a die-hard Syracuse Orangemen fan and NCAA basketball. Syracuse is close to Kingston. I also workout like a crazy man.

I've been a struggling blues-based guitarist/songwriter for over 20 years. I like a lot of music, but my all-time favourites are The Who, The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, John Coltrane, blues (Delta and Muddy Waters Chicago), jazz, hard-core, punk (real punk), some metal etc... My all-time favourite book is The Lord of The Rings. I love old movies, foreign films and classic and contemporary TV too. I drink Canadian and European beer and dry, non-oaked white wine. I have never smoked, don't like drugs or drug addicts, but I realize many of my heroes are, or were trainwrecks: R.I.P. Keith Moon. I'm a fast-thinker and fast-talker (we know who we are). I also think in a stream of consciousness kind of way. I would love to meet CC Baxter, Tracy and a few others on the site and I'd like to take-in a Jays-Rays game in Toronto with Bowl of Soup.

[bowl of soup]

Next time I'm in Toronto - you're on.  I'd like to stay at Rogers Centre (notice the cool Canadian spelling).  I'll take you to the majestic Trop if you are ever so unfortunate to find yourself in Tampa during baseball season.

I need to do one of these.

[The DARK]

Steve's my name. I live in Charleston, SC, and am 16 years old. I may or may not be the youngest member of this forum, no one has come forward to call themselves younger. I was born in Chicago, and raised on Chicago sports. I still root for the Cubs and Bulls at every chance. I used to be shy and a bit picky, but I've changed so much over the past 3 or 4 years so that those who knew me in middle school would be baffled by me now. The only person who thinks they've figured me out is my (slightly) younger sister, and I surprise her every day. I currently work at Yo Burrito, and have loads of fun with the coworkers there.

In recent years, music has become a huge part of my life. I took up the guitar a few years ago, and have had loads of fun with it ever since. There's just so much you can do with it. Favorite "other" bands are Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Wilco, Allman Brothers, Yes, Band of Horses, Beck, The Who, Dead Confederate, Bruce Springsteen, Comets on Fire, Funkadelic (thanks Jim), Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Kings of Leon, Dr. Dog, R.E.M., Pink Floyd, The National, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and so many more. I love going to watch absolutely awful movies with friends and do so on a regular basis, so my taste in movies is extremely flawed  ;D. Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite author. I haven't had a girlfriend in a long time, but I'm on the hunt.

Here's a pic of me from last year:

[Jaimoe]

Next time I'm in Toronto - you're on.  I'd like to stay at Rogers Centre (notice the cool Canadian spelling).  I'll take you to the majestic Trop if you are ever so unfortunate to find yourself in Tampa during baseball season.

I need to do one of these.

The hotel at the Rogers Centre sucks. It's also in a dead-zone touristy area. I'll give you better options when and if the time arises. Can't say I'll be in Florida during the summer, but I may make it down in the winter at some point. Maybe I'll take in a Lightning game - I love Vinny Lecavalier, St. Louis and that Stamkos kid.

[the_wizzard]

I was born and raised in lovely Kingston, Ontario (where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River and The Thousand Islands begin), which was the first capital of Canada and was the headquarters of the British fleet during the War of 1812.

Kingston!  Awesome!  My parents have had a cottage on the St. Lawrence since before I was born.  Every summer of my life up until age 18 was spent frolicking in the 1000 Islands (our place is between Clayton and Alexandria Bay, NY).  We would always take a day trip on the boat down to Kingston to get a little city life!  Funny, I know, but if you have been to Clayton, you would understand!  I love the farmers market, the best damn maple syrup is sold there.  And there is a damn good Ice Cream parlor that I have fond memories of.....
My older sister and her family still call Alex Bay home and my parents spend their summers there.  I have not been back in years (I have lived in the NW  for 14 years and it can be difficult to find time to travel up there).  
And my whole family is from Syracuse, so our blood runs orange!

[The DARK]

Steve's my name

Does anyone ever tell you that you look like Adrian Grenier?

Nope, not yet. My hair's not black, even though it looks like it in the pic.  ;) Though otherwise the resemblence is uncanny...

[ItStillJaimoe]

I was born and raised in lovely Kingston, Ontario (where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River and The Thousand Islands begin), which was the first capital of Canada and was the headquarters of the British fleet during the War of 1812.

Kingston!  Awesome!  My parents have had a cottage on the St. Lawrence since before I was born.  Every summer of my life up until age 18 was spent frolicking in the 1000 Islands (our place is between Clayton and Alexandria Bay, NY).  We would always take a day trip on the boat down to Kingston to get a little city life!  Funny, I know, but if you have been to Clayton, you would understand!  I love the farmers market, the best damn maple syrup is sold there.  And there is a damn good Ice Cream parlor that I have fond memories of.....
My older sister and her family still call Alex Bay home and my parents spend their summers there.  I have not been back in years (I have lived in the NW  for 14 years and it can be difficult to find time to travel up there).  
And my whole family is from Syracuse, so our blood runs orange!

Jaimoe here - I use ItStillJaimoe while I'm at work.

I've been to Clayton, but that was when I was a kid. I know that A-Bay and Clayton are cottage towns. Kingstonians have an affection for Upstate and Central New Yorkers. Hell, the Syracuse Chiefs (I refuse to call them Sky Chiefs) are the Blue Jays AAA affiliate. To be honest, I'm kinda scared of downtown Syracuse (although I haven't visited since the 90's), but I love SU and Syracuse residents. And I pronounce Syracuse correctly, unlike outsider folks that say "Seer-a-cuse". I was also weaned on Syracuse FM rock radio like defunct stations Kix FM and 94 Rock back in the 70's and 80's - although I believe one of these stations was from Fulton. I also grew up watching WSYR (ABC) along with Watertown WWNY (CBS) and WPBS. When my blood doesn't run red-and-white, it indeed runs orange too. Hey, is Dave Ball Chevrolet still going strong in Syracuse? I was always amused by his commercials given the name.

[BH]

Damn I love this thread.

Jaimoe, thank the lord you finally posted a pic of yourself.  All this time I've pictured you as Al Swearengen and frankly you scared me a just a little. ;D

[tomEisenbraun]

Dammit. That's what I get for lumping you guys together in one post!

Hey Tom,

We actually live right outside of Chicago by O'Hare. Nice little suburb called Elk Grove Village. My wife has lived here all of her life, and I moved here in 6th grade from California.

Oh cool!

That's not too horribly far from Oak Park is it?

I lived in Carol Stream right near Wheaton for a few years before college, then my parents moved down to Oswego last year. Nice place, and they have a shitload of land there with trees and a private pond (definitely renting, and it's one hell of a deal). Good times!

[Salacious D]

Dammit. That's what I get for lumping you guys together in one post!

Hey Tom,

We actually live right outside of Chicago by O'Hare. Nice little suburb called Elk Grove Village. My wife has lived here all of her life, and I moved here in 6th grade from California.

Oh cool!

That's not too horribly far from Oak Park is it?

I lived in Carol Stream right near Wheaton for a few years before college, then my parents moved down to Oswego last year. Nice place, and they have a shitload of land there with trees and a private pond (definitely renting, and it's one hell of a deal). Good times!

Duuuuude!!! I *KNEW* your pics looked familiar! I'm from incorporated Carol Stream--Also known as Wheaton's Ghetto. Haven't lived there in forever but go up there all the time. Where did you go to school (and more importantly, I guess, when)?

[tomEisenbraun]

Haha! Awesome! I graduated from Wheaton Academy in 2005? Also hung out with a select few from Wheaton North here and again. Frequented the hell out of La Spiaza in downtown Wheaton all summer of 2006.

Where'd you do high school?

[Salacious D]

Haha! Awesome! I graduated from Wheaton Academy in 2005? Also hung out with a select few from Wheaton North here and again. Frequented the hell out of La Spiaza in downtown Wheaton all summer of 2006.

Where'd you do high school?

I graduated Wheaton North. . . uh, let's just say a *few* years before you. . . and went to COD for a year and a half before I moved down to Champaign/Urbana. If you ever saw a blue and white VW bus riding around town (I hung out a *lot* in downtown Wheaton and Glen Ellyn when I lived there) that was me!

Which part of Carol Stream/Wheaton did you live in? I used to live right down the street from the old Pleasant Hill school off of Geneva rd.
Crazy.