WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD NOAH & FRANCES!!!

First of, welcome Noah and Frances to Chicago! For those that don't know, Noah and Frances are some of my closest and best friends from Muskegon, Michigan. I use to live with them when I lived in Grand Rapids and played "Jesus Jesus" (drunken dominoes). For those who haven't met them yet, I'm sure you will soon.

Also, not too much to report over the last week as most of my time was spent with the toilet because of the flu.

Also, I signed up for a "Martial Arts" class through the Chicago Park District. It is an Aikido (sp?) class and I've already learned how to properly sommersault and throw a man to the ground. Next week, I will be flying through the air and kicking a man through his chest. The class is $20 for two and a half months.

I officially announce my hatred of all that is X-mas. These decorations at work were put up two weeks ago and I've grown to loath them with the 80+ degree weather we've been having. This isn't about Jesus, this is about insanity.


Talking about insanity, look at this line that I had to deal with at work. I have no idea why people would be up this early on a Saturday if they weren't paid for it. I mean, I'm paid to be up and I still have to decide whether or not it is worth it each week.


Andrew, Nate, Mike, and Nick at Angela, Brent, and Evan's Housewarming Party on Saturday. They have an awesome two story apartment.


Megan, Librarian Girl, SME, and Karli at the Housewarming Party.


Noah and Frances' new apartment. I have no name for it yet. Although, I've been thinking "yellow house." Seems fitting...


Frances and Noah's mom unloading lots of stuff!


My lazy legs up on the stuff.


My lazy body down on the couch.

That's about it. FRANCES AND NOAH!!!

The Psychodelic Hot Dog

Hey All,

It's been a while... My iMac from 1999 is having some difficulty understanding the internet these days. So much has changed. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to check email and all. I don't really care to spend $1000 to screw around on the internet. So, if anyone has any bright ideas, I'm all ears...

A part of an exhibit at the Cultural Center.


My lady brought me out to see "high culture." Here's the Chicago Dance Festival at Millennium Park. This is some local company that was very good.


More dancing!


Abbi (sp?) at Annie Zipper's going away party. Goodbye Annie Zipper. Keep in touch.


Megan moved into her new apartment last weekend with the help of Lil Sammy Mover.


This is Megan's new apartment; "The Hobbit House." Why is this the Hobbit House, you ask? First, notice the rounded off edges on the doors and all. Nice touch. Also, the ceilings are only 6' 2". So, no basketball players allowed. It's a great place though. Especially for a 2 bedroom for $600!


This chaise is crazy. It is so well-built and solid, we had to destoy it. It was so big, heavy, and awkward that we could not get it down the stairs. How it got up the stairs baffles me too. It's a shame that such a nice piece of furniture was ruined...


Talking about nice furniture, here's Lynn Nummerdor's latest creation! The psychodelic hot dog is really becoming her trademark!


Who doesn't love a hot dog who knows he's delicious?


It's not everyday that Lamborghinis (sp?) are spotted in Humboldt Park. So, I was going to talk about how these might be to replace the one Lance Briggs, Linebacker for the Chicago Bears recently crashed with only 400 miles on it. But, on my way to the office, I saw these and a couple other Lamborghinis just north of the Merchandise Mart with cop cars marked GPD for Gothem Police Department. So, you'll probably see Christine Bale driving these around downtown Chicago when Batman: The Dark Knight comes out in the next year or so...

That's it. Hope all is well with everyone!

xoxo,

Mike

Mike Kraus - The Eatting Edition

To start out, my appologies to Salmon; Beastman for not seeing their show on Saturday. I didn't think you were going to make it because of the weather and when I found out you did I didn't have a way of getting there. Next time...

Side of a building in Humboldt Park. Dorothy Brown is running against Mayor Daley in tomorrow's election. Most people when they see Dorothy Brown's name say "who?"


Amanda, Mike, and Tyler on a much happier wing night than they look...


Matt deep in conversation.


Cliff and SME keeping Matt deep in thought with their provocative ideas.


Part of Adam, Laia, Kieshia, Megan, and part of Vincent celebrating Chay getting a new job at Columbia College. I can't show you Chay because I didn't take a picture of him...


Roberto! How did you get that sauce on the end of your nose?


That explains it! When will we learn to stop eatting chicken wings?!?!

That's all. I need to practice my docent stuff some more. I need to do laundry, but the wash machine is busted. I should be shaving, but I like the beard in this weather. So it goes...

xoxo,

Mike

"We're Not Underwear! We're Not All Perfect!!!!"

Hey! Welcome to the best city America has to offer!

 Looking north on State Street at Madison. Matt, SME, and Cliff on wing night at the Couch. The crew at the Couch Nick, Angela, and Tyler at the Couch. Rob's Album Cover. The Last Supper; Probably Not... Matt delusional after 30 wings. Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler's Auditorium Building (Roosevelt University). Facade of Auditorium Build. I went on a tour of this today for class. Auditorium (Hotel) entrance column Detail of relief. Grand staircase Sullivan Room fireplace. Dance room! An electrolere (sp?) Now with the lights on! Each light weighs 500 lbs. and was $10,000 a piece to restore. The library (former dining room). A view of Buckingham Fountain from the Auditorium Building. You may remember it from Married With Children. Dining room ceiling detail. Study room (former private dining room) Chandelier. Stainglass at entrance of the Auditorium. again... and again.... some more.... it is nice, right? and pretty? Ok, it's the last one. Lobby of the Auditorium .. Walking into the Auditorium A view from the Auditorium stage. So many famous people have stood from this spot from musicians to US Presidents. Now me. How did I get here? Detail of Auditorium. Tyler and a girl. I didn't get introduced since I was working on my 'zine. It's almost done... Blue and Nick Matt and Lady!

That's it from beautiful Chicago. I'm going to go watch TV with the boys and drink some beers now.

xoxo,

Mike