About

One Way Ticket

Welcome to my blog. It started out as a journal and sketch book for my 9 month trip around South East Asia with my girlfriend, but has become so much more. This trip was meant to reinvigorate my art, add a new spring in my step, and feed my addiction to seeing the world. When I started out I was not even sure if I was going to make it. Everyone thought I was mad and had bets that we would come back from the journey either engaged, married, or most likely, Broken Up. We did neither of the three, but instead came back with itchy feet for more adventure.

So many amazing things came out of the trip; I rediscovered my love of sketching, was shocked that I could write, and that the travel bug is an addiction that constantly needs to be fed.

Though we are back in the States now, I am still compiling my notes and working on the written blog. I am using them as a guideline for my graphic novel, the illustrated travelogue, One Way Ticket – South East Asia. The book details not only the crazy and exciting things that happened, but quirky cultural details that you notice while traveling. Ultimately it is a love story between two people who did not let an ocean separate them from being together.

In addition I will be writing/illustrating about new travel spots near and far, historic preservation, art and design, international dating, and planning a Wedding overseas.

In my first summary of the trip, I compared my self to a deer or a cow. One is living free and wild, the other trapped in its own crap, caged and fattened. Both might end up on the dinner plate, but only one is really living the life it was meant to be. I am happy to say that I am the deer. There is no need to cage your self in societies rules, you can make money doing your own thing and live a better life for it.

The fun never stops here, so keep checking back, the world does not stop turning and neither do I.

74 responses to “About”

  2. good for you! i’ve had people who have said that they wished they had the balls to do what i’ve done (disconnect from a life that owned me) – and i am very pleased/proud to know that you’re following your own voice/destiny as well!

    congratulations! this ‘about’ page deserves a much-larger audience!

    from ecuador,
    z

  6. Thanks for following my blog. I’m really enjoying your posts as I look back through your blog. And your sketches are great! I’m handing in my cow tags and reinventing myself as a deer 🙂

    • It’s the best way to live, like Bambi! Thanks for taking the time out to check it out. I am working on a strip on crazy orangutans in Sumatra now. I hope to post it in next few days.

  8. What a great thing to do, and what a lot of amazing things you’ll have to look back on afterwards. It’s hugely satisfying to be able to say you did what you always wanted to do, I’m right with you on avoiding regrets where possible. I hope your trip is filled with nice surprises, as I’m sure it will be.

  9. You “get it.” The year before this one, I back packed parts of central and south America for 3 months. This year I did a RTW trip, visiting 10 countries (13 actually, if you include layovers). Why? Simply because I have had this dream since I was a kid to explore the world. I’ve never done things the way people expected me to, e.g., whistle blower against the U.S. government, retired early at 50, volunteered at State prisons (where I spoke to inmate groups about spirituality, alcoholism, and drug abuse), etc. Carlos Castaneda said, ““The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” I truly believe that. Good luck with your adventure dude!

    • Oh I totally agree. Its the best thing. Everyone worries so much, when Life is short, too short. I’m never done with one trip when I am planning my next one. Thanks for checking my blog out.

  12. Michael, thanks so much for visiting my site and choosing to follow. It looks like you’ve been on this journey over a year now, so I’m wondering if you’re back home or still traveling. I can’t imagine it. I spent a month in Viet Nam–beautiful and horrible all at once. I hope this experience turned out to be everything you needed.

    • Hi Sandy,
      We felt the same way about Vietnam. It was beautiful but depressing at the same time. We spent two months traveling over there, we are back now and I am working from notes of the journey and illustrating new comic strips of my favorite parts of the trip. We were sad to be back but we are already. Looking forward to our next adventure.

  13. Thanks for the recent visit to/follow of my blog. It brought me here and I’ve enjoyed reading your recent posted accounts of your time SE Asia. I very much look forward to more.

    • Thanks so much for stopping by and checking me out. The journey was the most beautiful trip I have taken, and I love to share it. Make sure to check out the comics section which has my illustrated version of the trip.

  15. Hi Michael, nice to meet you. I’ve been travelling all over your blog, reading about your travels and looking at your very fine art. Great blog. Great drawings. Where are you now? We were in Vietnam earlier this year, and SE Asia. Currently in Patagonia. Gorgeous!
    Thanks for visiting our blog, and for following. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer.
    Cheers
    Alison

    • Oh, I love Patagonia. So large and beautiful, and the food, yummy. I am back in Philly planning my Wedding in Ireland, all very exciting. Believe it or not, I am still going over all my notes from our trip to Asia and posting on it. Plus working on the graphic version of the trip, thanks for the lovely comment.

      • You’re getting married, in Ireland! How fabulous. Congratulations! And best wishes.
        One day I will get to Ireland. I’ve wanted to go since I was about 14!

    • Thanks, and thanks for checking out so many of my pages. If you get a chance check out the Comic tab on the menu bar. Its my illustrated trip, all done in sequential art.

    • Thanks Petrel41. I have been enjoying reading about your blog, I respect how well you put your thoughts down on the page, and clearly make your points. Its firm but not over the top. Lots of great information.
      Mike

  24. Hello Michael…

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and following it 🙂

    Great to find your interesting blog here and let me explore your adventures…

    Wish you and your loved ones a Very Happy New Year 🙂

    • Thanks for the advice and checking out my blog. I am waiting for that amazing photo to send to the magazine, but it would be an honor to get anything in with National Geographic, web or print. Its my favorite magazine to read.

    • HI Jacob, I am sorry to hear about your friends passing from Cancer. You really did a great memorial for him.
      So how did you find my site, and what do you like about it?
      Mike

  35. This is such a fun site! Drawing your adventures. I admit to having taken a sketch book on so many trips with me but alas I have not a shred of talent for drawing, ended up turning them into scrap books of ticket stubs, leaves, receipts, and treasured detritus picked p along the way. So happy to have found your blog. You have a new follower!

  36. Thanks very much for following The Immortal Jukebox. I hope you will enjoy lots of entertaining writing and the wide variety of music. I usually post once a week. Please feel free to add comments. If it’s been a while since you visited come on over and see what’s new! Good luck with your blog. Regards Thom.

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