It Isn't X-Mas Until They Light the Liberty Pole

In Rochestarian tradition, they lit the Liberty Pole for x-mas.  If you are like me, you ask "what does a pole have to do with liberty?"  Apparently, during the American Revolution cities that supported the cause would erect a wooden pole in their main squares.  Before this pole, there were two wooden ones at this site.  Here is a link to an overly exaggerated history: http://www.thelibertypole.org/history/history.htm


Here comes the tuba!



Festivities inside the warm Sibley Department Store Building



COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTING THE LIBERTY POLE!



TA-DA!






Megan and I's first Liberty Pole lighting together



The snow looks like stars



The parade to Manhattan Square Park



Rochester Mayor (Lieutenant Governor Elect of New York State) Bob Duffy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Duffy_(politician)) with Megan's friend Erica and her son Noah.  It's really nice to talk with a mayor of a city and he thanks you for moving to his town.  Well, you are welcome.  



Western New York is a lot like western Michigan.  I forgot what it was like to never see the snow stop falling...



Megan and I looking for the perfect Christmas Wreath for our little home at the Public Market






MEGAN FOUND IT!


Other than a couple of job interviews and finding out Megan is directly related to William the Conqueror, that's about it.  Now to watch the Bills...

The Not-So-Spooky Halloween Cemetery

Again, first things first:

1) As many of you know, I'm job hunting after moving to Rochester.  So, I've put my resume off to the left side of the blog at the top.  I've also started another blog, which essentially is just my resume at: www.MikeKrausResume.blogspot.com in case you know of anyone hiring.

2) Like me on Facebook is also to the left.

Rich, Megan and I headed over to Mount Hope Cemetery for some historic Rochester fun.  If you're in town or interested in more info, you should check out Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery at www.fomh.org/, which gave us our tour.  It's the first municipal cemetery in the United States and this is a pic of the gatehouse.  

Since cemeteries use to double as city parks, this gazebo was a place to hang out 

Some fall colors with Mt. Hope's "permanent residents"

Rich and Megan listening to the tour guide

Hiram Sibley.  It's not the department store guy Rochestarians.  This is the guy who started Western Union Telegraph.

Keeney was the lucky guy who arrested Susan B. Anthony for voting.

Here's the old gal; Susan B. Anthony.  Don't know who she is or why she's important; you should be ashamed and go to this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony

Here's Frederick Douglass.  Again, if you don't know who he is or why he's important; you should question your educational background and go to this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass

George Ellwanger's grave.  Very fitting site since George use to own the property across the street, which grew pretty trees like you see here through the Ellwanger and Barry Company.

The grave of Bausch and Lomb.  You know, the eye care folks

Under the tree

The chapel.  We were here for a couple hours and didn't even see half of this place.  It's 198-acres with a bunch of other people of local and national importance including George Washington's drummer boy...

Rachel had to go home sick, which meant I had babysitting duties last week.  So, once we completed her homework, we played Candyland, Barbie, fixed a projector, and had an intellectual conversation about Spongebob Squarepants

Rachel as the afro-airplane!

Megan and I went to St. Bonaventure University near the southern border of New York state to watch a soccer game with her friend Liz, who's sister is the "Bonnie's" assistant coach

The Bonnies beat Dayton

Liz and Megan

See this Ewok/Gremlin looking thing?  It's named Gertie and we took care of her for a few days and sometimes she liked it because we played with her.  Sometimes she didn't when she seemed to try to spite me by peeing on the floor.  GERTIE!!!

The New Barbarian Rochestarian

After nine years in Chicago, Megan and I decided it was time for a change of scenery. We resigned from our jobs, which will take effect September 17th and will be moving to Rochester, New York soon after. I want to thank all the people over the years who have been so good to me-from the Art Institute, Chicago Architecture Foundation, and Children's Memorial Foundation. There are also a bunch of random friends that I've made randomly that we will miss. As usual, I will keep everyone updated on here as we learn what we are doing ourselves.

Thanks again Chicago! We will miss you!