Jamie Koala's Art

I first met artist Jaime Koala several years ago at a comic or horror con. I was immediately drawn to her beautiful art, but her engaging personality sealed the deal and I have followed her since.

Along with her awesome art, Jamie also has a line of clothes and jewelry. I already own a couple of her tshirts and will be buying more.

One of Jamie's latest projects is Dreamscape: A collection of artwork and short stories. With her friend A.K. Kubica, Jamie put together a cool book featuring 17 of Jamie's original paintings with high quality art prints and 14 original spooky short stories to match by A.K. For the lifelong pals, this truly is a labor of love and a proud accomplishment.

Unfortunately, Jamie doesn't do many conventions anymore. She has some longtime medical issues which make it hard for her to deal with that scene. This is part of Jamie's inspiring story though. Her issues do not prevent her from producing so much wonderful art. She is as remarkable as her art.

For more information, go to koalaartdesign.com. Also check here for my coverage.

Jamie Koala and me in Chicago, IL-March 2023.

Samantha Brown at Travel & Adventure Show

In the travel world, it doesn't come much bigger than Samantha Brown. After meeting many legends in other fields, I finally met a true legend in travel.

Over the last 25+ years, Dallas-native Brown has hosted a few different shows on the Travel Channel, PBS and elsewhere. She is one of the top go-to people in the travel industry. Winner of Emmy awards for Outstanding Travel/Adventure Program and Outstanding Host, Brown calls herself an airport geek. Part of that is probably because she views travel as a way to connect with people. Travel is very much people-related for Brown.

This was the bulk of her presentation at the Travel & Adventure Show. Brown discussed her interest in immersing herself into the area and connecting with people, not just seeing touisty things.

Knowing her line in the meet-and-greet would be long and being a veteran of such events, I zipped over to the area immediately after her presentation ended. I was first in line to meet Brown (mission accomplished). She was very engaging, asking my name and thanking me for being there. Again, to the non-convention goer, that doesn't seem like much, but when there is a line of several hundred folks, niceties like that can be lost. Brown, however, treated each person as a special person.

For more info on Brown, go to samantha-brown.com. Also, go to travelshows.com for more on the travel convention.

Samantha Brown and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Meeting David McGuffin at The Travel & Adventure Show

At the Travel & Adventure Show, I unexpectedly ran into travel journalist David McGuffin. It was my first time meeting McGuffin, a previous guest on my Talking Travel interview series for Global Traveler.

McGuffin has made an impressive career encouraging folks to travel to Europe. Through David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., he offers European travel experiences designed to immerse travelers in the sites, history and culture of Europe. He is very hands-on, doing his best to ensure smooth and fascinating trips. Despite founding his company 25 years ago, McGuffin has not lost a bit of his passion. In fact, it seems stronger than ever.

Meeting McGuffin was a very pleasant surprise. I have met a lot of legends in sports, but The Travel & Adventure Show allowed me to meet a few legends in the travel industry.

For more info on McGuffin, go to davidmcguffin.com. Also, check travelshows.com for info and scheduling on this great travel convention.

David McGuffin and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Meeting Theresa Goodrich at The Travel & Adventure Show

Last year at the Travel & Adventure Show, I saw author Theresa Goodrich. Unfortunately for me, but good for her, she was too busy for me to approach her.

I was impressed with what I saw at her booth and I did more research when I got home. A fellow Chicagoan, Goodrich is making her mark in the travel industry. I asked and got a Zoom interview with Goodrich for the Talking Travel series on Global Traveler.

Knowing she would be at this year's show, I arrived early and immediately went to her booth. That gave me the opportunity to chat a bit and get an update interview. That recap and interview is at The Travel & Adventure Show on Global Traveler. 

Goodrich showed me her three books, which include beautiful photos. She had a great booth setup. Visually appealing and loaded with her products, the booth was what all such booths should be. It seems logical, but you would be surprised at how many folks do similar conventions not nearly as prepared as Goodrich.

For more info on Goodrich and her work, go to theresasbooks.com. If the travel show is near you, I highly recommend it.

Theresa Goodrich and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.

Friend Encounters: Heather, Ed and Troy

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

It's hard to say who the biggest celebrity is in this picture. I would say they are all celebrities. Depending on the day, they might say none are or they might debate who is the biggest.

Married couple Ed and Heather were staples of the independent wrestling scene. Now they are mostly retired. I am inclined to say Heather is the biggest celebrity (because she is the toughest lol).

Troy is a staple on the convention scene. The man goes to more shows than I do.

Together, this trio is a huge part of Squared Circle Expo, the great wrestling convention in Indianapolis on March 27-28. This picture was a foreshadowing of things to come, as it happened before the SCX I, but even then, they were all heavily involved in conventions.

Heading into SCX VI, Ed and Heather are two of the promoters and Troy manages the volunteers. Together with Adolfo, Carrie and a staff of volunteers, they run a fantastic event. The trio is a lot of fun, along with being very hard-working. 

All three will be surrounded by more than 75 wrestling legends and current stars, along with thousands of fans. SCX is the best wrestling convention and I can't wait to see all of them.

For more info, go to squaredcirclex.com. Also, check here for my updates.

Ed, Heather and Troy in Fort Wayne, IN-October 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #785 William Macy & Frankie Torres

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create digital trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today I feature two celebs repping the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey League.

Born in Miami, William H. Macy a two-time Emmy Award and four-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner. Macy dated actress Felicity Huffman for a while before marrying her in 1997. He plays ukulele and is a woodturner, a craft utilizing a lathe. Macy is a big fan of the Minnesota Wild and the Frost. Now I need to find a picture of him in a Wild jersey. Until then, this is the first Celebrity Jersey Card featuring the Frost or any PWHL team.  

A native of Minnesota, singer Frankie Torres compete on Season 26 of The Voice. Although she did not win, her career is blossoming. She sang the National Anthem for the Minnesota Vikings and is the official singer for the Minnesota Frost. My interview with Frankie is at Talking Travel with Frankie Torres on Global Traveler. Frankie's Celebrity Jersey Card obviously came from one of her performances for the Frost.

Congratuations and Thanks to Loyola Coach Guth and the Ramblers

Yesterday, the Loyola Ramblers women's basketball team lost 71-64 in a quarterfinal game of the Atlantic 10 tournament. They won their first round game, a gritty 61-59 win over St. Bonaventure. Unfortunately, Rhode Island was just too tough yesterday.

I have written several times about my respect for Loyola Head Coach Allison Guth. Intense, positive, engaging are just a few of her positive traits. She is a real pleasure to know and to cover. 

A three-year letterwinner at the University of Illinois, Guth began her coaching career as an assistant at Loyola. Among other coaching stints, Guth completed the Chicago trifecta with stops at Northwestern and DePaul, before becoming Head Coach at Yale in 2015. Guth joined Loyola as Head Coach in the spring of 2022. 

After a rough 6-24 first season, Coach Guth has led the Ramblers to flirt with .500 overall each season. The Ramblers finished 14-17 this season, but went 9-9 in Atlantic 10 Conference play for the second straight season.

I have seen firsthand how Gentile Arena has become increasingly louder and more positive. That starts with Coach Guth. After every home game, Coach Guth takes the mic and thanks all the fans and gives a few thoughts on the game. It doesn't matter if it is an edgy one point loss, a crushing blowout loss or any win, Guth faces the crowd and speaks from the heart.

She is the same in post game press sessions. She goes out of her way to thank each reporter. I cannot speak highly enough about Coach Guth.

For more info on the team, go to loyolaramblers.com. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Allison Guth and me in Chicago, IL-April 2022.

Madusa Returns to Squared Circle Expo

Wrestling legend Madusa is one of a kind. At Squared Circle Expo VI, she will be one of about 90...and knowing her, she swill still stand out.

Whether she is called Madusa, Madusa Miceli, Alundra Blayze or any other of her wrestling names, Madusa is a legend and a pioneer. Perhaps she was even ahed of her time. Beautiful, talented and solid on the mic, she would work well in today's wrestling.

When Madusa debuted in the 80s, the competition was thin. There were no women's divisions in the big wrestling companies. AWA, WWF and WCW would have to bring in various challengers. Madusa would win and the league would have to bring in new challengers. Longterm feuds were not possible.

Madusa also was involved in monster trucks. I am sure she stood out there, too.

I have met her several times, but I will meet her again at SCX VI. I can't pass on meeting this legend.

Of course, I will also meet many other wrestling legends and current stars. The lineup has about 80 stars and it seemingly grows weekly. This is just one reason why SCX is the best. During the two-day convention, there are also panels, Q&As, photo ops, vendors and more, including two nights of wrestling.

For more info on Madusa and SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Madusa and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2018.

Meeting the Legend Diana Taurasi

When we received our press passes for The National last year, I circled Diana Taurasi as my main focus. With a lineup stacked with Hall of Famers and legends, you can't see them all. With no disrespect to the others, Taurasi stood out.

To list all of her accomplishments would take more space and time than I have. She was an elite basketball player at UConn. She also is the most decorated Olympic athlete in any team sport, winning six gold medals with Team USA. She then played 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, winning three titles and an MVP award. She is one of the greatest of all-time. Some would say top five and I would not disagree.

When we met Taurasi, she was very gracious. Time is limited, but Taurasi made it special. She asked our names and thanked us for being there. That might sound standard, but it isn't especially when someone like Taurasi is very much in demand.

On the topic of the WNBA, the players and league are in a negotiation for the upcoming seasons. While many argue over who is right and predict no season for the league, I am stating here there will be a season. After years of losing a lot of money (not unusual for a startup league), the WNBA enjoyed its best season last year. I don't know the real numbers, but it was a major improvement and the new television deal will make things even better. There is no way either side will give up that money and momentum.

Tony, Diana Taurasi and me in Rosemont-August 2025.

Meeting DePaul Hall of Famer Nicole Wondaal

I have always had a fascination with multi-generational athletes. A few weeks ago, I added a new one to my list.

Maya Wondaal is a second-year infielder. Om chatting with DePaul parents, I learned her mother is DePaul Hall of Fame softball player Nicole Wondaal. Of course, I wanted to meet her, but our schedules conflicted. I was fine with that, because I knew I had plenty more chances since Maya's career was just beginning.

That meeting didn't take long. I met the HOFers before the first game of this season. Nicole was very nice as we chatted a bit about Maya and the upcoming season.

For whatever reason, I have found DePaul parents to be the best. Many of them have embraced me over the years, making me part of their contingent. I'm like an unofficial uncle (perhaps grandfather?). Whatever the reason, I am grateful for the hospitality. It makes the experience that much more fun.

I look forward to watching Maya's career develop. I also look forward to seeing Nicole and all the other parents.

For more info on the team, go to depaulbluedemons.com. Check back here for my college softball coverage.

Nicole and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2026.