German Christmas Village Santa Train Party Christmas Explosion

Downtown Chicago. The tree (or hundreds of little trees making a large one) in Daley Plaza with the skyscraper church in the background.


Kristkindlmarkt (aka German Christmas Village) in Daley Plaza


Even Jesus had a booth at the German x-mas village...


Someday, I will have a mantle over the fireplace that looks like this...


Pretty trees


Governor Blagojevich's home, which is down the street from ours. There are several news vans and a helicopter here at all times. I'm still trying to figure out how what he did is worse than any other politician. I mean, people and corporations don't give millions of dollars ($1 billion alone between Barrack Obama and John McCain) to politicians because of their "ideals" or they are "good people." They give money because they expect something in return. Ask Dick Cheney about Haliburton. Is it because he got caught and swears? I'm not a supporter or a fan of Blago, but I still don't see what the big fuss is all about.


SANTA TRAIN! Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Train! Megan and I took this to Katherine's X-mas party. My favorite is the CTA employee dressed as an elf giving out candy canes. She said this is her eighth year doing this.


Even the seats!












My "White Elephant" or "Yankee Gift Exchange" present was a frog shower cap. It goes nicely with my x-mas sweater!


Katherine and another couple at Katherine's party


Katherine was very proud of her real tree with bubbler lights. And, for you Michiganders, she did get them from Bonner's in Frankenmuth...


Megan and I checked out a few places this weekend. Here's one with a view of Soldier Field.


Now, imagine this as my home with socks and art supplies on the floor. Oh, look how well that 1999 iMac looks shoved in the corner...




A view of the Clark House (I think that's what it's called), which is the oldest home in Chicago.


Look at all the trains. There are a couple of "El" lines and freight trains in this area. The South Loop is an old train yard area. Lots of tracks remain and the train companies still own the land. But recently, they have begun to lease the "air rights" over the rails for 99 years to developers to put up buildings. The area north of Grant Park is the same way. There's a whole underground city and infrastructure around there.


Here's the view from the new Museum Park building overlooking Grant Park. Not bad. I mean, I'd expect more from a place that ranges between $1.6 - $2 million...


Here's my wife, Ann Fairbanks, deciding whether or not this property would be a good investment. "It would be nice for events..."


It's snowing like crazy out there. First, it snowed. Then in was nice and warm and melted the snow. Then, it got cold and hell and froze all the melted snow and iced everything up. Now, there's all of this. I'm so glad I don't drive...

I hope everyone is doing as well as I am these days. Lots of x-mas parties lately and a ton more to come. I think I have three more this week, one was today, and a few last week. Then there's x-mas itself... Busy...

xoxo,

Mike

LET’S GEEEEEEEET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

There's nothing like a political debate in a bar. A few of our friends set up watching the Obama/McCain debate at Goldie's in North Center. I hope Obama wins just for the awesome Chicago factor. I can see it now: Obama Park, Obama Avenue, Obama Diner.


Megan in her "model" pose with Veronica (?). Sorry, I forgot your name and didn't really talk to you at all. What I do remember is you would "marry a man in a Mariache (sp?) band."


Katherine. I watched her cat.


Working on the fire truck on a beautiful Fall Chicago day.


Here's the new Fullerton station on the Brown and Red Lines. I use to live on this stop from 2002-03 during college. Now, I work at this stop. It should be completed sometime in 2009 with the rest of the Brown Line.


The Maxwell (Des Plaines) Street Market has gone upscale. Here's part of the new grounds. For those who don't know, the Maxwell Street Market use to be on Maxwell Street. Then UIC decided to tear down the neighborhood for a new student living center. So, this 100+ year old market was forced to move and the city reluctantly let them exist. Then moved to Canal Street and then developers tore down the neighborhood and put in all new Staples, Whole Foods, and all. What that meant was then had the city force Maxwell Street Market to move... Again... This time, the city made a very smart, very Chicago move. They moved the market to Des Plaines and set the street up for it specifically. It's all marked off with room to grow. They actually give out permits now (which is good and bad if you ask me). But, at least it has survived!!!


Megan and I found Mike Nummerdor at the market. Rosie (his lady) bought the lovely globe pictured here.








By definition; heaven...


This looks like every alley your mother tells you "not to go down." I definately went and it was AWESOME!!!


My newest shirt. Of course, I ran a marathon. Little ol' asthmatic Mike turned into a ball of mucus for eight hours after reaching mile one. Actually, the Marathon takes place later and I will not be running it at all because I tend to stop breathing after a little more than a mile of running...

IN OTHER NEWS:
As of yesterday, I am now fully insured. So, if you have a grudge against me for whatever reason and want to do me physical harm, now is the time to do so.

CLASSIFIEDS:
I have a new Intel-based iMac. Does anyone have Photoshop and/or Quicken that they'd like to lend me?

ON TV:
I'm only going to watch TV tonight. Cubs against the Dodgers in Game 2. White Sox against the Rays in Game 1. Joe Biden against Sarah Palin in the ring.

REVIEWS:
No food reviews this week. Odd, eh? But, I did watch The French Connection with a young Gene Hackman. It was a decent cop movie. Probably the "The Departed" of it's time. It was alright. It kept my attention and it's great seeing 1970s New York.

"Shoot A Pickle!"

Howdy Y'all!


The Hibarito from Baranquen on California and Wabansia. "Hibarito" translates into "hillbilly." I guess in Puerto Rico, people are so poor on the interior of the island that they can't afford bread. But, they have more plantains then you can imagine. So, they crush and fry plantains and use that as bread instead. Super good. Super unhealthy...


Going back home after seeing "American Gangster" in Oak Park with the free movie tickets Megan won. I still have to use my tea party I won...


Good Stuff House. Says it all.


It's been a few years since I've seen real snow that sticks around. It feels like home.


Richmond Street.


Cleaning off Saaby-McSaaberton.


The "One of a Kind Show" at the Merchandise Mart. Pretty much an indoor arts fair. There was some pretty good stuff and lots of good food samples for the holidays.


The Merchandise Mart convention atrium.


Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. This is an annual German Christmas market that sells all kinds of toys and trinkets along with brats and hot spiced wine.


Nick got his x-mas gift of a Nintendo Wii early. So, that means you'll see everyone punching each other by accident playing video games and the Murder House from now on.


Megan simulating fishing


Nick with the remote controlled x-mas tree behind him


Megan trying to figure out how to play a game where you have to match up people's poses...

That's about it for now. Noah and Frances, you will see pics from the party last night next time. I had these edited before we left and didn't feel like adding more...

xoxo,

Mike