Hello. Dr. Odd here. I met Michael a few years ago through some people we know. He is one of the funniest interesting people I have met in life lately. His QA below is great. You can drop him a line here. Michael Atkinson

When were you born? Where?

January 9th, 1972. Highland Park Memorial Hospital.

What is the 1st thing you want to do when you get home from work or when you wake up on the weekends?

Watch a TiVo’d episode of PTI and enjoy a beer.

Who would you like to pattern yourself after?

My grandfather used to always say, “The only one you have to blame for not having a good time is yourself.” Inspiring words to live by. Although this is the same man who said reading is a lazy man’s habit…

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I can’t say I actually have one. My wife and I try and always go someplace new and different when we travel but we have the luxury of living in the great city of Chicago and really enjoy spending time exploring it. It’s amazing that I’ve lived downtown for 7 years and I can still find new and interesting things to do in the city. Although I’ll never understand how Navy Pier is biggest tourist attraction in the state of Illinois.

If you could get paid the same amount of $ at your current job and do anything, what would it be?

Movie Critic

If you found $200 in the trash and you had to spend it that day, what would you do with it?

Get my shoes shined, buy a new shirt and take my wife out for a nice meal.

What kind of music you like the most and why?

Usually I would say anything by Sinatra or Dean Martin but I have to confess that my most recent guilty pleasure is anything by Kelly Clarkson.

Who have you been most influenced by and why?

This is probably cliché, but I’d have to say my father. Example: every Wednesday in the spring and fall from age 7-12 he’d pull me out of school to go golfing with him and my grandfather. Drove my mom crazy but his rationale was I’d learn more about life from spending time with him and my grandfather than from whatever I missed in 3rd grade math that day. He was right. He believed you should enjoy life, never make excuses, never brag about yourself, and that the most important thing you can do is take care of your family. Good guy.

What makes you cry?

It always gets a little dusty in my house during the last 10 mins of “Field of Dreams” and “Rudy”. Also, the part when Jack Bauer was saying goodbye to daughter Kim during season 2 of “24” because he thought he was about to detonate the nuclear bomb over the desert in one of Jack’s many self-sacrificing acts of patriotism always kills me.

What is your favorite town or state in the United States?

Chicago, IL. I do not include the suburbs in this answer.

What do you usually eat for dinner?

It really varies. A better question would be breakfast. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich everyday in my car on the way to work. Monday thru Friday without exception. Oddly, I never eat them on the weekends or at any other times.

What is your favorite website?

ESPN’s Sports Guy’s (aka Bill Simmons) webpage.

If you had to hear 1 album for the rest of your life what would it be?

Dean Martin’s greatest hits.

What is your favorite movie?

That’s tough because I enjoy different movies for different reasons. The best all around made movie in my opinion is JFK. 13 different types of film stock were used, nominated for Best Picture (lost to Silence of the Lambs), absolutely flawless. I own 2 versions of it on DVD and usually re-watch it once a year. As far as my favorite movie that I can watch over and over I’d have to say Rounders, although I think it’s run is just about over. Midnight Run with DeNiro and Quick Change with Bill Murray also come to mind. However, this brings up an interesting point. How many times have you heard this question asked before and someone answers, “Citizen Cane” or “The Deerhunter” or “Casablanca”. Now, there’s no denying that these are all great movies, and it’s even possible they have them in their DVD library. But on a Saturday night are they really popping one of those into the DVD player? Of course not. I’d bet my life they pass right over Citizen Cane so they can watch Weekend at Bernie’s II. I kinda believe that a favorite movie is one you enjoy watching over and over again and that they will change over time based upon what’s going on with you at that time in your life. I am obligated to point out that my opinions and comments do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Odd.

What do you do for $?

I am a corporate trainer for a logistics brokerage company.

What do you find attractive in the opposite sex?

Physically: breasts
Mentally: sense of humor

Dogs or cats?

Cats.

What would be on your list of stuff you can get if you were a famous rock star? If you mean what would I have backstage the list would be as follows:
-Plenty of Dogfish Head 60-minute IPA
-Schramsburg J. Schram Champagne
-Tropicana orange juice (no pulp)
-Shrimp cocktails
-Buffalo wings (spicy garlic style)
-Bottled water (any brand will do)
-Pistachio ice cream
-Beef jerky (peppered or teriyaki)
-Macaroni and Cheese
-Rueben sandwiches

What is your favorite sports team?

Cubs. The unfortunate thing about this season is that I’m usually the guy who stays up till midnight watching them when they play on the west coast but they’ve been so bad so early this year that I just can’t really get behind them. Only been to 2 games this year and haven’t watched many more on TV. Just can’t bring myself to waste my entire summer on them until they get remotely close to .500 ball.

You got any Tattoos?

Thankfully, no. There were two times in college where I actually tried to get a tattoo and was refused service due to the fact that I was intoxicated. You have no idea how much I appreciate that now.

Do you use styling products in your hair?

Yes. Murray’s Hair Wax for what’s left of my hair. For those of you that may be thinning up top, a good idea is to keep it cut short. Makes your hair look thicker. And yes, I realize this makes me sound soft.

What is your favorite cartoon character?

Chilly Willy.

Got any nick-names? What do they mean or how did you get them?

I have 3, they are as follows:
Bishop – This is what all my high school friends call me. Freshman year I had to take a typing class and I was so bored every day I would type a different title for myself. Pope Michael Atkinson, Galactic Emperor (cut me some slack, I was 13) Michael Atkinson… you get the point. One day right before football practice one of the guys finds that days typing exercise and it’s signed, you guessed it, Bishop Michael Atkinson. I was teased mercilessly that afternoon and it’s stuck ever since.
Spota – From college. It’s a quality, long story but basically comes from the fact that the name on my fake ID in college was Michael Troy Spota.
Shaps – My cousins call me this. Comes from a Vegas trip we took about 5 years ago. According to them all I did during that trip was shower and nap. I think I managed to have a few cocktails and lose a little cash along the way but if that’s the way they choose to remember it, so be it.

What is your salad dressing of choice?

Newman’s Own Light Balsamic Vinigerette

What is your favorite fast food place? What do you order there?

I don’t think they have them out here in Chicago but back in California without a doubt my favorite place was Jack in the Box. The Ultimate cheeseburger is the best hangover burger I’ve ever had.

What is your favorite booze beverage?

Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA (beer).

What is the one thing people say about you the most?

That I have a good radio voice. And that I also have a very large forehead.

What do you think people say are some of your most virtuous qualities?

I’m a pretty honest guy and that I have a good sense of myself. Meaning I understand my strengths and weaknesses and when I make a mistake I own it and don’t try and rationalize it or pass the buck. For the most part.

What do you think people say are some of your vices?

I don’t gamble, do drugs or play video games but if I had to come up with something there are those who might say that I drink too much beer.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Slow people really bother me. I don’t know what it is, I‘m not a “type A” personality or anything, but nothing gets under my skin faster than someone who takes forever to make a decision or get something done.