Stanley and Me

Here's Flat Stanley (FS). For those who don't know, FS is a school project where kids give him to people they know and take pictures of all the places he ends up. This guy has been to way more places than I have including Paris, Ireland, England, and throughout the United States. Most importantly, the Kedzie Stop on the Brown Line of the CTA. This is for a little girl in Pennsylvania who is the niece of a friend's friend of my girlfriend...

at Soldier Field

Overlooking Chicago

At the lakefront

With storks giving away free calling minutes to Poland at the Polish Constitution Day Parade

At the Chicago Theater

Pritzker Pavillion at Millennium Park

The Bean at Millenium Park

Floating in the Twilight Zone or under the Bean at Millennium Park

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park

Art Institute of Chicago

Sears (soon to be Willis) Tower

Wrigley Field

What trip to Chicago is complete without encased meat? FS at Superdawg.

Megan's dad made a surprised visit for her birthday. So, we went to the Chop House and then they

went to a Cubs vs. Padres game the next day instead of work.

Megan and a co-worker had a shared martini b-day party at work. Her co-worker has a niece or

something who's an "exotic dancer. So, for Megan's b-day, he gave her this card and a pair of her

old 8 inch tall dancing shoes.

BEST WORK PERK EVER! My co-worker, Ruth, and I got free tickets to the White Sox right behind the

Sox dugout a couple nights ago. Here's the team during the national anthem.

A disputed bunt where the umpires didn't see anything wrong, nor did anyone in the stadium, but it

was called back because a Twins player complained and they called it back. It was a very strange call

and took a lot of time to sort out. But, Ozzie had a few words with the umpire and that was

entertaining as always

Maintaining the field

Enforcing order

Just a few of the people with worse seats than I.

Mauer nailed a homerun when I shot this...

Another Ozzie moment. I wish I could see a replay of this because it was very improbable that the player was safe. But, oh well.... I was hoping to catch him getting thrown out. Didn't happen

SOX WIN!

Another lifelong dream fulfilled. I finally got a game ball. This was tossed to me by Paul Konerko! I came close to getting one a couple years ago at a Sox game, but I just came back from the food stand with drinks and nachos and a brat in my hand when it headed toward me. As I tried to maneuver around, the ball landed in the seat in front of me and I had to fight some kids for the ball, which I lost to another adult who got it. This only cost me a half a beer I spilled on the dugout that the guy I gave my extra seat to bought for me. GREAT DEAL!

My new work buddy. His name is Harold

SWIM HAROLD SWIM!

HEY! This is Hill People Milk!!!

For those who don't know, here's the info. You will receive more later to remind you...


Frances trying to keep her arms warm with Noah at the BBQ


Karli breaking in the new charcoal chimney


Blue loving the attention, petting, and patio


Megan looking very chic.


Angela wearing her amazing shrinking arm flannel from China.


Angela's Postcard from China. It says:

Hey Kids! This trip has been
sweet! A visual and sensory
overload. Neon and wall-to-wall
people. Night markets full of
plastic cheap everything. Temples
and gardens. Communism everywhere.
A karaoke on every corner. Drank
on some sweet bridges and made
a tool of myself many times trying
out my Chinese. I thought that
Chicago traffic was bad but
China traffic is a free-for-all. I
got hit by a scooter today - nothing
bad though. Hung out with
some cool German skateboarders
in Shanghai from my hostel.
So much to see and take
pictures of. Will bring
you kids home some really
terrible rice wine! Glad I
took this jump across the ocean!
See you soon - Angela


This is everyone BBQing. Picture taken from camera strapped to an eagle...


Some BBQ rookies came to our place and showed us up. Talapia? Reallly?!?!? I mean the fanciest thing we ever cook is Ball Park Franks... Maybe burgers


Modernism show in the River North area.


Megan all gussied up for the Modernism show since it was a work event for her.


More stuff to buy and sell


Here's a robot coathanger? sculpture? soldier?


GATHER AROUND THE MEAT TABLE!


Went to Artropolis, which is a GIGANTIC, HUGE art show at the Merchandise Mart. Thing of every art gallery and museum you've ever seen. Now think of it being in one place. I took a few pictures of the city while up there...


Taking pics from this building always look awesome. Like they are from some tourist Chicago calendar...


WATCH OUT OF THE GIANT LIZARD!


booth after booth after booth of galleries from all over the world...


Art or copyright infringement?


Megan's been having troubles with her car recently. So, I made her a VW of wood...


I have found my summer project. Or should I say, my summer project found me? This is the third Chicago Bears van I've found in three weeks! Will this be this years version of me taking my picture with presidential statues?


Kuma's Corner "Lair of the Minotaur" burger


Metallica burger. I have to say I was really disappointed with the burgers this time. Since I was last there, they've replaced the meat with cheaper processed meat I think. It tasted like it was grilled and prepared the same and it was all good. But, the meat on the inside didn't get the marination and seasoning like before. The interior meat was so bland and kinda gross. But, that's the trend at restaurants these days with the economy the way it is. Good job George Bush, our first MBA president...


Parking garage sign in Streeterville. Every level was named after a musician and the elevator had their music playing. Too bad we couldn't park in "Neil Diamond."


I discovered the "cuisine" mode on the camera. Look how delicious it made the meal look. This is the Beef and Lamb Charwma (sp?) from Samiramis on N. Kedzie. Super awesome good!


Here are the french fries and Megan's chicken something in the distance


So, I saw a picture frame near the garbage in an alley near Irving Park and Sacramento and thought I could use it. Unfortunately, the frame was completely useless. But, there were photos tucked into it. I liked them and thought I'd share them.


I wonder what the story is. Are these from a portrait studio in South America or something? Kind of like the studio that girl from "Nepolean Dynomite" ran?


beautiful landscape


Nothing like the KMart at Sacramento and Addison


"Hello Mr. Easter Bunny. You are famous. May I take a photo with you in this thrift store?"


"I love you brother."
"I love you too, man."
"Let's take a picture"
"Let's!"
"I will put my hand on you even though you have leprosy."
"You are a true brother..."