Help a local guy if you can...

News:
... unless he's not local to you. Then, help a non-local guy. Namely, and switching from the third-person, me.

Hey friend!

I'm currently in the National Geographic Traveler's and Photo District News' "World in Focus" photo contest. My work will be judged by a panel of National Geographic Traveler Photo editors and Photo District News experts, so cross your fingers.

I'm on my own above, BUT...

If you like my entry, please click HERE and choose to "Vote Now!" to help me win the People's Choice Award! You have to enter your email address and then click a link they send you to vote, but it's totally worth it.

"Why?" you ask. I'm givin' sweet hugs away AND if any of you stop by South Korea, you definitely have a place to crash at my pad! That's a pretty good deal 'cause my hugs are pretty good, and hotels in the Seoul area are EXPENSIVE.

The leader is currently at around 400ish, but I'm closing in slowly at 130ish and, as of today, I'm in 6th place. I could really use your help.

Sweet Home, Chicago!

Muse:
Man, I love this town! Sports, shopping, arts, nightlife -- Chicago has it all. And although I technically live in Indiana, I call it home... even when the Cubs are down 8 - 0 in the bottom of the 6th. Ugh.

I arrived back into O'Hare Airport with the little lady on Saturday, June 13th at about 4pm. From that moment on, to my surprise, we would be in a non-stop battle trying to divvy up our time home between friends and family -- some of whom were not so forgiving! The following four weeks entailed a lot.