This series chronicles Mike’s adventures throughout the US and Canada, offering raw and unpolished glimpses into his life.
Mike’s life is deeply rooted in his Steel Valley upbringing, but shaped by his travels throughout North America and a lasting desire to build a better home back in Ohio.
Featured Chapters
-

Columbus Side B
2023 - present
Mike returns to Columbus, 6 years after moving away, and finds a city in transformation.
-

Street Cred
Mike chronicles times in his life when he was unhoused, living on the streets of Portland, Chicago, Columbus, Alexandria, New Orleans, Natchez, and Mansfield.
-

Calling My Bluff
Feb 2023
This collection covers Mike’s adventures during Feb 2023 in the town of Natchez, Mississippi, when a Grindr date abruptly goes awry during a roadtrip into the lad’s hometown.
-

Down South
2021-2023
This collection spans Mike’s time living in Alexandria, working in Central Louisiana to maintain, upgrade, and restore after extreme weather its electric substations.
-

Paradise in Smoke
2020
This collection covers Mike’s move to Portland, Oregon - a paradise in the biblical sense - a cascading hell beneath the alluring veil of beauty and pretense.
-

Pardon My French
2018-2019
This collection covers Mike’s return to Montreal as an American foreigner working in a Canadian utility firm in a strictly French-speaking utility industry.
-

Trans || Americas
June - Dec 2017
This collection remembers the 25,000 miles I traveled through 13 Western states with my boyfriend Matt, a long-haul flatbed truck driver.
-

Dashcam POV
2012-2018
Collection of Mike’s episodes taking place onboard his beloved blue Mazda - Osiris.
Past versus Present Futures
Mike observes how the genre of science fiction has shifted in tone from utopian visions of humanity to a more fractured and tribalistic society, mirroring societal changes in the real world away from embracing globalization to the balkanization of global politics, economics, and culture these days. From this imperfect future stems the notion of the multiverse.
Multitasking through the Multiverse
Walking in the south campus area of The Ohio State University, Mike recounts a harrowing “walk of shame” in freezing conditions during which his backpack disintegrated and spilled the contents along Parsons Avenue. While struggling to multitask during the broadcast, Mike reflects on how the genre of science-fiction has evolved alongside our actual “future,” including the concept of multiverse theory.
The 3 Commandments of Electronic Devices
Mike proposes a basic set of 3 cardinal rules for any sort of electrical or electronic device on the market, and expresses bewilderment at the fact that such rules don't already exist as common sense. He emphasizes the need for user-centric design in electronics, where clarity and human control override potentially dangerous or frustrating automation.
Columbus Metropolitan Railroad
Mike shows off the Columbus Metropolitan Library and its annual holiday train set, discussing urban infrastructure and the transit levy passed recently in Columbus.
Fall and Football
Mike takes a walk through The Ohio State University campus during a picturesque autumn afternoon, reflecting on the recent Presidential election in the US and describing a personal sense of shock and a collective desire to avoid the topic.
Out of Exile
Mike returns for an update after a 2-month absence from the theft of his phone and laptop. Despite the hardships of living in extreme poverty, he expresses a sense of resilience and gratitude for the generous community support and free resources available throughout Columbus.
Nighttime Stroll with WANDA
Mike shares a stroll with WANDA through the University District.
The Conversation
Mike reflects on his recent struggles, questioning whether his "sabbatical" has turned into a fool’s errand.
4:20 Downtown Stroll
The streets downtown are so peaceful at night. It’s like having an entire city to yourself.
WANDA’s Legacy
Broadcasting in transit aboard a commuter bus in Columbus, Mike reflects on his relationship with WANDA, the bright musical baton that routinely accompanies his commutes throughout the city, discussing the factors that necessitated its creation in the first place - unsafe streets that expose pedestrians to motor vehicle collisions and tragic accidents - and remembering its evolution into a political creed for pedestrian safety and commuter accessibility.
AWOL at Home
Mike gives an update on some recent milestones achieved in his nonprofit Crimson Rouge Studios - particularly the formation of Archangel Labs as a STEAM-oriented business development incubator within the nonprofit organization Crimson Rouge Studios, Inc.
Spring Equinox
From the Topiary Gardens in Columbus, Ohio, Mike revels in the beautiful early spring weather and the increasing daylight afforded by the Spring Equinox, reflecting the seasonal joy of friends "thawing out" after winter and anticipating his upcoming birthday, which falls on St. Patrick's Day — a holiday he cheekily refers to as "heterosexual pride."
Finals Week at OSU
Mike enjoys a peaceful walk through The Ohio State University campus during finals week, contrasting between his relatively stress-free leisure and the visible anxiety of students preparing for exams.
Commoners Don’t Tip
Mike bemoans the challenges of marketing WANDA and the lack of public engagement with his invention. Wishing to distinguish himself as an “artist” rather than a panhandler, he struggles to connect with onlookers, who typically express puzzlement rather than entertainment worthy of a monetary tip.
Unmet Expectations
Mike reflects on the hardships of being unhoused for 11 months, contrasting his former life as a high-earning professional with his present reality "on tour" across various cities, and lamenting the lackluster response to WANDA and the Street-SMART app he’s developed.
Letting the Cables Sleep
Karaoke performance in Columbus of "Letting The Cables Sleep," by Bush