Join Me On the Lake (TONIGHT!)

First things first. We have a fundraiser at work tonight on the boat. It's a lot of fun. So, if you are interested, please email me at MKraus@architecture.org or just come on down! Here's the info:

What: Boat Booze Cruise When: Today at 6:30pm - 9pm Where: Michigan Ave. and Wacker Dr. Why: It's a good cause and there is tons of food, and an OPEN BAR, and a DJ. How Much: $20 - to cover the cost of booze (still cheaper than our regular cruise that doesn't include booze)

On to what I've been doing!

How do you like my new wheels? I don't actually own this, but if you want to get me one for my birthday, it's on Saturday, October 13th... We had an ice cream social at work! I ate like a fat kid... Here's about half of the people at last weeks BBQ at the Murder House. Tomorrow, we'll probably have it in the yard since we are running out of room on the porch. I'll be late tomorrow since I have a meeting until 7pm...
Yes, that is Nick Fucking Butner at the BBQ.
Check out Alice's new tattoo!
Rich, Megan's brother, came to Chicago for Lollapolooza and stayed at the Sofitel. Swanky! Karli's brother, Adam, was at my apartment. Fancy! Now that Matt and Tyler have their own apartment, I've moved into Matt's room. Not completely, but near. Here's my new 'zine display! Thanks Billy of Loop Distro! Went to the Cubs game and saw Soriano tear a ligiment. Something I am sure will cause the 1st place Cubs to not make it to the playoffs. Also, Tom Glavine of the Mets won his 300th game. Something only 24 other pitchers have ever done (I think). Good times! 3rd base line at Wrigley Field. 1st base line at Wrigley Field. Derrick Lee up to bat. An old timey band played three rows behind me. I saw the banjo guy outside the stadium before the game screaming at the security "BUT, I NEED TO GET INTO THE GAME WITH MY BANJO!" Yes he did! You can get me this car. I like cars with sirens. If I get that car, I would get it repaired at this shop.  While I waiting for my car to be fixed, I'd eat here and stare at the artwork of soccer players blocking hamburgers...

I hope everyone had a good time in Chicago for Lollapolooza. I liked seeing everyone. Frances, I hope you liked your $5 meal! xoxo, Mike

BEAR DOWN! BEAR DOWN! CALL AN AMBULANCE!

Well, I was hoping to add these to the images of the Super Bowl parade, but...

 The Chicago Symphony Orchesta The Chicago Board of Trade The Harold Washington Library Vehicle in Lincoln Park Lyrics to the Super Bowl Shuffle on the Lincoln Park vehicle. For those of you who do not know the Super Bowl Shuffle, please look for it on YouTube. It's probably the most significant piece of art created in the 1980s. The Art Institute of Chicago

Nothing too much going on right now. Despite the cold temperatures, Chicago still hasn't really seen snow. I'm really wanting to go sledding and all. Maybe I'll have to take a trip back home soon. Work is keeping me super busy. I have tons of projects to finish up next week. Things like creating a departmental storage facility, creating a schedule and catalog for all of next year for 80+ tours, all kinds of meetings, and all kinds of homework for class... xoxo, Mike

Animals For Your Viewing Pleasure!

Hey all,

Just a little bit of something to get out of the way here. I'm coming home to Muskegon for T-Day and was wondering what is going on? Who's back? Who's still there? Who's up for hanging out? Keep me posted...

Megan and I. I really owe a lot to this little lady. She brings me on trips all over the place. She doesn't fight, nag, or guilt trip me. She's so relaxed and fun to be around. But most of all, she doesn't mind the scruff or beard.


You know the drill: USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!


I don't know which cat this is at my apartment. I will give the credit to Lloyd.


The King Tut exhibit. Megan and I got VIP passes and saw an awesome show. Unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures in there. There were all these cool coffins, jewelry, furniture, jars, daggars, and stuff in there. I highly recommend it, but try to see it during the week if you can.


Megan: Queen of the Erie Canal. I'm glad that I buttered her up earlier because she'll hate this. In fact, she said "I hate you" when I took this. Nothing that a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors can't fix...


Sue, the T-Rex


Welcome to Jurassic Park.


This is one of my favorite exhibits. I believe it was titled "Things you wouldn't have without soil."


I don't know if this is a raptor or what...


Look how big this Brontosaurus is.


An Allosaur, I think. I'm trying to recall my dino-obsession from third grade.


It's hard to imagine anything this big just roaming around. It's about the size of a dump truck.


This seems to be part bird/part dog or something.


This prehistoric sloth stands about 10-15 feet tall.


This prehistoric sloth wants to dance.


An ancient deer or something.




A Mammoth!


A Mastodon!


Ah, to be back home in Michigan!


It looks like some women shopping on the Magnificient Mile


Kentucky Fried Chicken


A Red Panda


Either a Grizzly or Brown Bear. You would think I know since I lived with one for a year...


A Meercat. Has anyone ever seen Meercat Manor on Animal Planet? It's like the OC, only with animals. Way more interesting than the OC too.


A lion with her cubs.


I think this is the rabbit from Alice In Wonderland.


A Malabar Giant Squirrel.


Just your normal squirrel from the Midwest. Man, I have these things all around my apartment. There's a family of black squirrels that are real timid because they have youngins.' The brown squirrels (pictured above) just go through all of our stuff looking for food.


A beaver


another beaver?


Isn't this the guy from Neverending Story? Kind of a creepy fella.


This is an Aye-Aye. Probably named by a pirate. Why are pirates so trendy these days? I'd rather be like Mad Max than some silly Johnny Depp pirate.


I should put this in my livingroom.


African animals!


I forgot what this is called. I know they have them at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Which reminds me that this is a good time of year to go to the LPZ because the tourists are back in their cages in the suburbs.


This guy needs a monicle, a top hat, and a martini.


A Detroit Tiger. Known for being the 2006 American League Champion. I think this one's named Kenny Rogers.


This is my habitat in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago.

That's about it. I have to put up an educational blog every-so-often so I can pretend to be an intellect. I'm planning on taking a vacation this winter. At this point, I'm looking at going to Rio de Janeiro, Vienna, or somewhere in southern Europe. Anyone have any advice? I have about a month of vacation time and some cash to burn. So...

xoxo,

Mike