Chalk Mike In Moon Boots!

An original chalk on papa driveway piece by Tachel.  Note: It is near the "Poopie" graffiti, which will never wash away.  That will boost the re-sale value of the house.



Self-portrait



MOON BOOTS!!! Marianne had quite the $3 find at a garage sale.  A find that almost killed the entire family (or at least put them in the E.R.).  Unfortunately, I am too big to use them and I really can't lose more weight without jeopardizing my health...






I can't wait until she uses them to jump off the diving board...



Here's Dock playing with his favorite toy.  He is 2 hours of sleepy peace and 15 minutes of chaos.  That you can count  on.  We'll see how he does after he gets neutered tomorrow...


BARKTOBER FEST 2011 is on September 24th in Egypt Park (next to Lollypop Farm) and I'm on The Dirty Dogs team.  So, please support me (and the homeless and abused animals of Lollypop Farm) by going to http://lollypop.kintera.org/ba​rktoberfest/mike to make a donation!

Meet Dave Jr...

This is my most recent office buddy.  His name is Dock and he has a cold.  Named Dock because he was found on a loading Dock or something like that.  



He also does not appreciate when I wake him up for this nonsense



Also, meet Dave's new dog Stella.  She's a pit bull mix that is about 7 months old.  Pretty laid back.  Likes to sleep.



At the Corn Hill Art Festival in downtown Rochester.  Pretty cool art fair.  It reminded me a lot of the art fair in Old Town Chicago.  



"Got Ghosts?" is probably my favorite vendor.  Probably because I hope we buy a haunted house where the spirit does the dishes...









The strawberry "smoothie" was more of a "slurpee" since it was all ice.  But, it was so hot that I think I preferred the ice.



Megan is incognito so she doesn't get swarmed from all her adoring fans.



Music at the gazebo.  It never ceases to amaze me that people say they prefer to live in the suburbs to the city.  A nice park with a gazebo.  Activities.  Walkable.  So on and so forth.  You can tell I was spoiled by Chicago...



Finally, Rochester native Abby Wambach.  Well, maybe in a few years.  Rachel had her first soccer game and I have to say that she plays a really aggressive defense.  Go Cougars!


Not too much planned for the next week.  Just going to the final installment of Harry Potter on IMAX.  It's been pretty much the only movies I've seen on the big screen for the last decade.  Anyway... 

Time of the Feast!

Rich, Megan's brother, was in town for Lollapolooza. By his rockin' devil horns, you can tell he's more of a Rage fan than a Wilco fan.


Just a few of the other people that were there...


Here's where I now work at the Children's Memorial Foundation of the Children's Memorial Hospital. I love my new job. It is so awesome. Here are some things about my first week:

1) everything (ie toilet, sinks, door handles) is reachable at kid's height.
2) there are millions of inspirational stories about sick kids
3) We held a 36-hour Radiothon on 101.9FM the Mix
4) We had a BBQ in the park for lunch on Thursday followed by a Blizzard at Dairy Queen
5) There's a new $1 billion hospital going up in Streeterville (downtown Chicago) that will be complete sometime in 2012.
6) They are constantly feeding us: Since I've been there I've had Panera Bread for breakfast a couple times, Outback Steakhouse, Pizza from a nearby restaurant called Pizanno's or something, Chipotle Burritos, and lots I turned down.
7) All my co-workers are so nice and are overachievers. So, I really have to up my game.
8) On Thursday, we are having a retreat at US Cellular field which includes watching the Sox play against the Royal.

AWESOME!


Stop by my office at B.015 sometime...


It's a little bare right now, BUT IT HAS A WINDOW!


One thing that's great about working at a place "where kids come first," is the fun stuff everywhere. It's great that my job encourages me to "play" because i naturally tend to do that anyway.


Here's the Radiothon in the lobby of the hospital


Here's a "trabby" (sp?). If I remember correctly, these are cars from Russia or Eastern Germany during the time of the USSR. When I was in Germany in 1997, they were all the rage for new kids learning to drive because they were very cheap. I want to say they cost only about 1000 marks, which was about $500 USD at the time.


Megan and Ronan at Ronan's going away party. It's the end of an era as Ronan moves to Houston to be with his lady and his great new job. It's a loss for us personally, but wish him all the luck of Ireland down in the heart of Texas!

The Things I Can Help You With

One of the candy bars in Megan and I's odd candy bar collection. This is Mypa from Nestle. It may be Greek. At least it sounds Greek. It was really good. Somewhere between a Kit Kat and Snickers.


You know about the BBQ by now...


A home they are completely rebuilding on Wabansia and Campbell. It's good to see people rebuilding beautiful homes. Unfortunately, it will probably have the aluminum siding and modern windows. But, still better designed then most of the new construction out there today.


This is the Scooter Dog or something like that from Scooters Frozen Custard on Belmont. As their name states, they are more of a custard joint than a hot dog stand. But, the Chicago Style Dog with Red Relish was really, really good. Check them out at: www.scootersfrozencustard.com


Belmont Street Fair


This vendor was working on his T-shirt prints by carving a woodblock. How very 1600s of him...


One of my MANY, MANY beautiful pictures of Alice Won. If she doesn't like this pic, she has no taste... Anyway, randomly met up with her for the Belmont Street Fair concerts along with Ronan


Here's Cursive at Belmont Street Fair. Has anyone else really noticed how completely awesome the bands are this year at Chicago's Street Festivals? I mean Nada Surf at Ribfest, Stevie Wonder at Taste, Tiffany at Gay Pride, C & C Music Factory and Vanilla Ice at something in Wicker Park. I <3 Chicago!


And here are the Redwalls also at Belmont Street Fest...

The Status of American Democracy: Part One

Just your friendly reminder to please check out our NEW (maga)'zine! We've added a new group page, which is linked below. So, please join!!!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

SUBSCRIBE To A NEW TOMORROW blog

**NEW!!!** JOIN our (maga)zine group

VISIT A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!


Nick showing off his hula-hooping skills on the Wii Fit. This would be far better if I had a video of him. I guess there's tons of those kinds of videos with girls on YouTube. God Bless YouTube...


The first streetfair I'll feature is Puerto Rican Days in my neighborhood. A festival for the overworked and underpaid. It's a decent time with a carnaval, art fair, music, and great Puerto Rican food.


A shot of the art fair portion from a distance...


Angela tending to her new garden. There's spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and many other veggies for the BBQ


Karli, Andy (looking good), Rosie, Tennessee, and Mike Nummerdor at Wednesday BBQ


Noah, SME, and Nick at the BBQ


Gracie, Tennessee, Brent, and Katie at the BBQ


You crazy hipsters riding modern versions of the old fashion bikes with the bike wheel in front and little wheel in back...


Here's the second streetfair I'll feature this week. It's the Old Town/Wells Street Art Fair. It's for the overpaid and underworked of Chicago. Favorite quote of the day: "The economy is getting really bad. I mean, I can't take cabs everywhere I want anymore. But, now that I know that the train station is by my house I take that. You wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is to take the train than it is to buy gas and pay for parking and all." from Paris Hilton-esque qirl. (for those who live outside of Chicago, trains are $1.75, gas is $4.50, parking is generally $20+).


Cool shot. Not sure why they all have white shirts on. Must be a wealthy version of a gang.








This is the crowd listening to Flock of Seagulls. The stage was set up in a terrible location. It was in a small parking lot behind a bar. So, we couldn't even get back to see the band because there were so many people. But, I certainly heard the rock!!!


See if you can spot the happiest girl at the fair!


Strange bug I found at the Sedgewick Brown Line stop.

Once again, please check out our NEW (maga)'zine and join the NEW Group page, linked below!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

SUBSCRIBE To A NEW TOMORROW blog

**NEW!!!** JOIN our (maga)zine group

VISIT A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

xoxo,

Mike Kraus