Mike's Instant Vacation

Welcome back! I know. I know. I've been gone from my blog for a very long time. If you ask me why, I think it's weather related. I really do.  I think that when it's cold outside, I like to stay inside and blog. When it's nice out, I like to be outside riding my bike, on the beach, around town, just enjoying myself. So you see, my blogging mood changes with the weather. :) Anyways, I decided to post a blog today because it is my friends birthday, and I figured it's the perfect day to post it, even though it was done six months ago. So here we go!

Today (Meaning six months ago) I am shooting a good friend of mine Mihalis Psimis. Some of you may know him as "BongoMike," or simply just Mike. Either way, Mike's the one on the dance floor with his bongo drum making you move to the rhythm of his beat! You see, Mike has been a percussionist for over 15 years in Chicago, and has been making people shake their booty at many weddings, festivals, dance clubs, and events around the city. He says, "There's nothing more joyous than making people dance and be happy. It's such a great feeling when you can just play music and make people forget about their problems and their worries. Music takes you away. It's an escape from all your troubles. It's a drug, that is very addicting, and I can't get enough of it."

Mike is a very passionate, energetic, and a free spirited person. Oh...AND he's definitely a looker too!  Here's Mike.

Here's a little on Mike before we go on his vacation:

Mike was born and raised in Chi-town baby! I say it, like he would say it, "CHI-TOWN BABY!"  His dad Zack is Greek, and his mom Martha is Cuban. What a hot combination right!? And yes, that is the same Martha from my previous blog on 90 miles Cuban Cafe. (The great cook) http://spanos311.blogspot.com/2014/02/logan-square-sculptures-and-90-miles.htm 
He works in sales in downtown Chicago as his day job, but his real PASSION is MUSIC. From playing his bongo drum, to jamming on his guitar, to writing and creating his own songs, music is in this man's DNA. If you remember from my 90 miles blog, his grandfather Rolando was a member of a swing band in Cuba back in the 50's and 60's. So you see, the love of music runs in Mike's blood!

Mike also loves CARS. His dad Zack was a mechanic for over thirty years and taught Mike to work on cars at a very young age. Mike has also worked as a car mechanic for several years before he did sales. He says his dream car would either be a '69 Camaro, a '72 Chevelle, or an '81 Monte Carlo. "I really loved my '94 black Camaro that I had back in the day. It had T-tops, plates that read "Bongo," and a windshield with the word ELLAS!  (Ellas is another work for Greece)

I am picturing Mike now driving around Chicago back in the day in this black Camaro trying to pick up the ladies;)

One last thing I must mention about Mike before we get to his vacation is his very beautiful dog Abby! She is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. All she wants you to do is hug her an play with her. (AND FEED HER of course)  Isn't she gorgeous?

Awwww....

They love each other very much. I can say so much more about Mike and Abby, but this blog is about Instant Vacations, so we must go on. Ready for Mike's instant vacation? Lets go!

"Having any three-day weekend from my work week"

Mike says he is a very  "homey feeling"  kind of guy.  By that, he means he likes to make his home comfortable and cozy so he could just feel like he's on "vacation" just by being there. Chilling and relaxing in the backyard for like this for example...

"Hearing  a song and remembering when I was in a certain city, or country, takes me on an instant vacation. I LOVE Greece and I even went to China last year and climbed the Great Wall. I love traveling and plan to do more in the near future"

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"The smell of BBQ or outdoor cooking. I am a lover of all types of foods. I am not a picky eater at all"

"Finding a hole in the wall food shop that carries delicious ethnic food"

Cubanito 2555 N. Pulakski Chicago

We went to Cubanito and had some of the BEST Cuban sandwiches we ever had! Check it out if you are in the area. You will love it.

"Ummm. Maria can I eat in peace please?"

OHH! Sorry! Let me put my camera down.

"The moment you're with your friends that you haven't seen in a long time. I love being around good company. Sometimes that is all you need to feel like you are on vacation."

Let's Dance!

"Doing something spontaneous that you would probably never do again. I am a very spur of the moment kind of guy and I love a good adrenaline rush!" 

He's a magician!!

No he's not....he's simply Mike. (So cute though!)

"Playing music with friends. I believe music is LIFE. I can't imagine my world without it."

Look at you looking like Stelios Rokkos. Remember when people used to say that you look like him? I kind of see why NOW!  

Stelios Rokkos (Greek Rock Singer)

"When I hear my friends parents yell at them for not doing what they are told to do. I get a real kick out of it. It must be my Greek side."  (Greek parents will tell you what to do for the rest of your life, just in case  you are wondering.)

You are so funny Mike! You get pleasure from other people getting yelled at? 

"Come on Maria don't you? I know you do too!"

Lol. You're right! I kind of do too! It must be a Greek thing. 

Speaking of Greek things, I forgot to mention how much Mike loves his Greek Frappe. (Iced Nescafe coffee) Even though I think he makes it way

"too foamy"

                                       

"Shhhh......Skase Maria!"  

Ok, Ok. I had to say it. You know I'm just messing with you! 

And with that, we end this weeks Instant Vacation. Thank you SO much Mike for spending the day with me. I had so much fun with you. You helped me with my photography assignment this week and I couldn't be more grateful.  Keep smiling and spreading your light. Your energy is contagious!!

Before I go, here's a little Video on Bongo Mike. Enjoy and have a great week!