THE CELEB-AQUARIUM!

The day before this picture was taken, it was 65 degrees. Obviously, this was below freezing. Today is somewhere in between. Oh March...

Baby Back Rib chips. How can I love and hate something so much at the same time?

I'm sure there's an interesting story to go along with this. What? I don't know...

St. Josaphat doing some "people watching" near my work. It's a nice perch. Apparently, he was a martyr. But, he became a saint because his body didn't rot.

Apparently, the worst thing you can put in the office at a children's hospital is a mechanical dancing chicken. My poor co-workers, they only wanted it to feel more like Spring...

Originally, Megan was the one that was called "difficult" by the jewelers. She had specific styles in mind, baby fingers, desired and exotic looks, and so on. I, on the other hand, wanted plain, simple, and affordable. Megan got her ring months and months ago and I finally got mine. Simply put, for every one men's ring in a store, there are at least 25 women's rings. Done and done...

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.

The Moment That Sweet Nectar of BBQ Sauce Touches My Lips

Graffiti pasted up near my apartment. I think this is my favorite type of graffiti and I'm not opposed to it being posted on boarded up buildings and construction sites.


They whitewashed the graffiti wall next door to my apartment and started on another design. The new image is looking nice. It's a neighborhood theme with the city skyline and the Humboldt Park boat house. I'll take some pics of it when it's finished.


Karli, SME, and Frances at the wednesday night BBQ.


So much meat, so little time. Rumor has it that the BBQ is at Brent/Angela/Evan's place tonight. Is it true?


Here's Canstruction 2008. Basically, the concept is for organizations to design something creative or artistic out of cans, which are later donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Good cause. This is the CTA train.


For my sister, this is the "We Can Do It" lady.


OH MY GOD! IT'S THE STAY-PUFT MARSHMELLOW MAN!!!


This one was my favorite this year. They won last year when they shouldn't have, so I don't feel bad about them not winning this year.


Nothing like a cup of tea


Marina City. They did a real good job on this one. It even has the House of Blues and Hotel complex on it. In fact, there's even a little car jumping from the parking garage into the river.


Well executed, but almost identical to last years winner. Nice try guys...


I wish I could watch them make these.


This should have received an engineering award.


JAWS!


This is a real nice sculpture that won. It was a bit of a surprise, but it's well executed and well designed. I like the use of labels that give the water texture. Even the sail is done to perfection.


If this doesn't play to the home crowd, nothing will. What says Chicago more than Deep Dish pizza and an Old Style?


333 Wacker at night


Horner Park sky at twilight


RIBFEST!!! Leslie and Andy came down from Muskegon to celebrate. Too bad it was the rainiest weekend I've ever been in Chicago. There were so many T-storm, tornado, and flash flood warnings and watches. There was even a tornado that hit the south suburbs. Craziness. But, Megan's friends band, Alternative Roots, played the festival and all. It was still a good time between the rain.


Hecky's Rib Sandwich. I should buy stock in this company.


What's ribs without a side of corn. Kinda disappointed they weren't selling their baked beans this year.


This is what it's all about. Although, don't go to where this guy cooks. The Fireplace Inn is a terrible yuppie joint that sells average food for swanky prices.


Megan rocking out at the Savemore. Thank god they had A/C.


Leslie plotting to grind Andy


Frances and Leslie's club dance photo watching Alternative Roots


Leslie

That's it from Chi-town. Still doing the ol' job hunt. Some leads here and there. But, nothing too wonderful. So, if you hear anything, drop me a line.

xoxo,

Mike

It’s Against the Law Not To Have Fingerprints

REMINDER!
Southside St. Patrick's Day Parade in Beverly is THIS weekend, Sunday March 9th. See you there!


A view from the patio...


Skiing, sledding, ice skating, making snowmen...


Amanda's party! She's very intense about parties...


Over-photoshop-ed, but oh well. Tyler, Nate, Matt, and Megan in the livingroom


Tyler lounging around


The new face of PBR


Tyler playing NeoGeo


Megan and I went to Udepi Palace at 2543 W. Devon Ave. for some Indian food. It was awesome. These are lintel donuts in some kind of sauce. They were great. Also, Devon Ave. was so active. It was like being at a frozen Delhi.


This is what I ordered. It's crape stuffed with potatoes and onions with spicy sauces.


Megan had this thing. It's a pancake thing with peas and other vegetables. Definately heading back up there when they have a lunch buffet.


Canal Street Market of a warm, sunny March morning. The market is now pushed ONLY south of Roosevelt road. These big box developers are really getting on my nerves


Going to the market this early in the year means getting new glasses.


I think this puffin was "stood up" on a date or something at Whole Foods Cafe


Kimball Station Brown Line