Last Monday, Labor Day, my huge and extended family here in Chicago took a short trip to Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. It was actually my first trip to this touristy town by a lake of the same name. Given the fact that it’s only an hour or so drive from the Windy City, I should have been here more often. It’s a nice place to visit and relax without the hassle of a long trip and the threat of a busted wallet. I did not really do much while there, which is the point. I just ate, shared boisterous laughter with family and friends, took a nap and a stroll. But it would not have been complete without me capturing the scenery with my trusty Nikon D80. I did. And that made my trip really worthwhile. Haha.

Wrapping up the 2008 Market Days celebration in Chicago, I took a final brisk walk along the strip where the festival was held. As I surveyed the crowd, I muttered, “this is why I love Summer in Chicago.”

If all bartenders look like this guy, then it would be a sad cloned world. But Mr. Bartender is one of a kind, so it’s a happy and gay universe with lots of drinks sold.

I’m Senator Larry Craig and I approve this message.

Love the pride necklace and the look.

A Jewish hottie: L’chaim!

Guy from Roscoes, my favorite bar in Chi-town.

Wrapping up my 4-part jersey shorts series is Mr. Baldy ball player. He may not possess the same physical attributes as the three other guys before him, but for some reason, he registers well. It’s probably because of his hair, or more accurately, the lack of it. Or it could be his over-all mien. We don’t know him from Adam, so we can’t make a definite verdict on that. But our subjective reading is that he’s got some appeal. Indeed a person doesn’t need to be super good-looking to get noticed, he has to have a personality as well. And a good one at that. Even better if he is also smart. In a previous entry, I wrote about people being narcissistic, and I said it’s okay as long as you maintain some balance in terms of personality and brains. Plus a good character. Lacking those, a person’s physical appearance will ultimately be worthless. Now, we’re not exactly an arbiter of moral standing here, that’s just our personal view of an ideal person. We’re just trying to verbalize our impression of the guy. And in our books, he passes muster.

As an amateur photographer, I have learned from a friend, who is very well-versed in photography, that one of the best times to take photos is during the late afternoon. As the sun gets ready to retire for the day, it provides the natural light that makes better images. Playing with light and shadow, I have observed that indeed pictures assume a richer texture, and become much more appealing.

During the same basketball game, I also eyed this other guy with an equally-impressive built obviously showing off what he’s got. I go to the gym whenever I can and I try to be fit, but I’m not close to having this kind of body. But if I’ve got a body like this, I’d show if off too. What’s the use of working out if you can’t show the result of your hard work, right? Sure, other people would say it’s ego trip and narcissistic, but those are the same people who have nothing to show off. So if you’ve got it, then show it off. Even the famous Sigmund Freud endorsed the idea. But as Andrew Morrison would say, keep it at a level that’s healthy and helpful to maintaining a balanced  personality. But granting that jersey shorts guy above wasn’t showing off, and merely baring some skin to cool off after a heated ball game, I honestly believe it’s definitely worth it.