I Invite You to Join Me

https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12

Today, I join other websites, Internet users, and online communities to protest the FCC's attack on net neutrality. If we lose net neutrality, I, as a small business entrepreneur, could be forced into a "slow lane" while deep-pocketed companies who can afford expensive new “prioritization” fees receive special fast lane access to Internet users – tilting the playing field in their favor.

Right now, new FCC Chairman and former Verizon lawyer Ajit Pai has a plan to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies immense control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, the FCC will give companies like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T control over what we can see and do on the Internet, with the power to slow down or block websites and charge apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience.

But on July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them. Websites, Internet users, and online communities will stand tall, and sound the alarm about the FCC’s attack on net neutrality.

The Battle for the Net campaign will provide tools for everyone to make it super easy for your friends, family, followers to take action. From the SOPA blackout to the Internet Slowdown, we've shown time and time again that when the Internet comes together, we can stop censorship and corruption. Now, we have to do it again!

Learn more and join the action here: https://www.battleforthenet.com/july12

Twilight Woods #244

Gouache Paint on Bristol paper

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm)

201707071

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/244169466/twilight-woods-244-artist-trading-cards

10% OFF with coupon code JOINTHEFUN

This artist trading card or ACEO (Art Card Editions and Originals) is frameable, collectible, enjoyable and can be given as a special gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, anniversary, thank you or other occasion.  It is a one-of-a-kind original work of art, NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION. It is signed on the back and lends itself to framing in a standard trading card frame or book.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt 

For the Best Coverage of Minor League Sports

Lancer Louie is Megan's favorite mascot because he is a sharp dresser in his tux.



More evidence that Rochester is crazy about their bounce houses.  



Foodlink's Cool Can made the honorary "first kick" of the game.  And notice, he's not wearing a tux for such an occasion...






Indoor soccer is kind of interesting because it's a lot like basketball and hockey.  Things like three point shots and power plays. 



THANKS MEGAN!  Now my xmas is officially over.  And, in their first season, the Lancers are in the playoffs.  



I use to think people in Michigan were overly impressed with cars and highways.  But, this shrine to the Madonna of the Highways at St. Mary's is a little over the top.  Although, when you ask Rochesterians "what's the best thing about living here" many times they will say "you can get anywhere in 15 minutes!"  



Occupy Rochester in Washington Square Park.  I have to admit that I'm naive about what they are doing, but they do entice me with camping
http://occupyrochester.org/

Megan's Time To Tell A Story (As Told By Mike Kraus)

Mr. and Mrs. Pape!  Megan went down to Florida to celebrate Mary and Andrew's wedding last weekend and had a great time.  Unfortunately, I had to stay home...



Do you remember Ronan?  He's was one of the groomsmen at our wedding and now living in Tampa, Florida (apparently working as a villain of some sort).



Megan showing off her Sound of Music skills by making a dress out of tablecloth...



Megan was very excited to show me this drive thru convenience store.  I have to say Americans have no limits to their love of automobiles and that's why gas is $4 a gallon.


 
Inside the store






Jackie and Ronan on a canoe with Megan in a swamp full of alligators, snakes, and other creatures.  Knowing them, I find it odd this was the activity of their choice.  Megan had a great time in Florida and that is all I know...



What did I do on "Wifeless Weekend 2011?"  Let's see, draw another piece of "apocalypse art," enjoyed 80 degree weather around the parks, dinner with the in-laws, and making a huge mess of the apartment that had to be cleaned up by 1am Monday morning when the lady got back. 


That's it for now.  Time to work on some more graphic design stuff for Lollypop Farm...

Mike and Megan's Honeymoon: Day 11 - Peneda-Gerês National Park

July 8th

Wecome to Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês (Peneda-Gerês National Park) !

Megan and I rented a car and drove toward Peneda-Gerês. They have some very, very crazy roads.

Albufeira da Caniçada

Plaid shorts and a striped shirt. I'm a snazzy dresser!

Here's our Hyundai with such amenities as bike tires and a lawnmower engine. I really don't know how they even made this to have 4 doors.

Ok, so around this point we couldn't find a tourist center or anything. So, we saw another couple on the side of the road looking at a map and decided to ask them where they got a park map. They were Czech and didn't know where they were either. But, on their map was a tourist center. So, they invited us to follow them while they drove at high speeds around cliffs and hairpin turns with blind curves in their Peugeot. After a lot of going around in circles, we finally made it and got what we were looking for. The Czech guy asked us "Where in the US are you from" and we said Chicago. He got real excited and said "I love Married With Children." Excellent.

São Bento da Porta Aberta. This church had all sorts of people at it making pilgrimages and crawling on their knees and other stuff I've only seen on TV. We looked inside (we couldn't go it because I had shorts and Megan wasn't dressed like a lady), we've checked online and we still don't know what is in there that makes people go crazy about it. But, they do... Oh also, the national park trail that apparently starts here, doesn't and no one has ever heard of it.

A church in a holding pen

Wind power

These were massive windmills. Each blade seemed to be a wing off a Boeing 747 or larger.

You know those little Smart bubble cars? Here's their sports coupe.

As some of you may know, there's been some financial issues in Greece, Spain, Ireland, and Portugal tied with the global financial meltdown. This is a protest outside our hotel, Mercure Porto Centro, the the Praça da Batalha (Battle Square), which is usually where old guys and little girls on bikes hang out. The protest is against cuts the government intends to make.

King Pedro IV again on the Avenida dos Aliados

Shopping area near the college

Jardins do Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace Gardens)

A sports and concert arena in the park

crazy angular pine tree

Peacock running toward me. With my history of birds in Portugal, I did get a bit nervous.

But, he only wanted food and left as soon as he realized I didn't have any...

View of Porto looking toward the Atlantic Ocean. Pretty much the only "weather" we saw the whole time and it was just low clouds and a much appreciated cool breeze

Porto toward the Douro River valley

A little church in the park

child choking a bird

A hollow tree. If this were in Chicago, someone would live in this tree...

My lady's Renault

Praça Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator Square) and his statue.

Ol' Henry himself

The Stock Exchange Palace. We didn't go into it, but apparently it's pretty amazing and they spared no expense in it's 18 year construction.

My favorite piece of Portuguese art at a restaurant in Porto. Want to see what 5 Euros ($6 US) can get you over here?

Here's my Caldo Verde soup and pint of Super Bock beer

Oh, and my beef platter with rice, salad, and, of course, french fries.

Megan's pork platter and all the fixings. Notice her carafe of wine. Good deal!

An interesting tile shop.