AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO!!!

HERE'S SUNSHINE!  She's being fostered by one of my co-workers, who will likely adopt her.  As you can tell, she's a very nice little dog that will let you do anything you want to her.  Most sedated dog ever.



Reno with some rescued puppies.  Not sure what their story is.  Apparently they came from South Carolina.  



One of the puppies is blind.  Probably the one walking into the desk.  A few moments after this was taken they decided to sit in their food.



LLAMA!!!



And look at this guy!



Just a couple of rabbits hanging out in their new pen



This one is up to no good.



We had a "grazing day" at work.  Spring themed of course.  This was the aftermath.  


Interesting fact: Did you know I get paid to be here?  And you can too!  If you want to share an office with me, visit:


http://lollypop.org/orgMain.asp?ssid&storyID=614&orgID=101&sid


Also, "Farm Day" is on April 30th at Lollypop Farm.  So, come if you want to watch me face paint.  For more info on that, go to:


http://www.lollypop.org/orgmain.asp?orgID=10&storyID=211


Now for a couple of random pics...



So, Megan and I are house-hunting.  We've seen some interesting places...  Here's a pencil drawing which would not be removed if we bought this one (which we will not).  



After a couple of months, I traded in my Nissan Versa for this truck.  I had to.  Look at the x-mas tree painted on the door!


That's it for now.  I would have had pictures from our visit to the Eastman Theater and dinner at Veneto Pizza, but I forgot.  I'm way out of practice.  I'm embarrassed.  Anyway, a busy week this week with offsite meetings, onsite meeting, conferences, Easter, and capped off with Farm Day.  Sooooo....

Thanks Chicago and Welcome to Rochester!

First off, let me thank the MANY, MANY, MANY people and organizations in Chicago that have helped me over the years. The Art Institute of Chicago for the education and temp work. The Chicago Architecture Foundation for letting me help them in their store and tour department. To the American Institute of Architects for being great people. To Children's Memorial Foundation for being a great place to work and giving me more experience than I could have imagined. There are so many colleagues and friends to thank that I can't even begin. We loved Chicago, but we'll miss the people. We hope to keep in touch through email, facebook, and in person. Thanks!!! \


Steve making martinis at Megan and I's going away party at the American Institute of Architects (AIA)


The "other Megan," Julie, and Zurich (who has been super kind to Megan and I for many years helping us out with work, restaurants, and so much more)




A successful night


Art...


My going away gift from Children's Memorial Foundation. It strangly goes well with the rest of my "art collection." Especially the Ruby Bradford "The Next Superman Doll" painting...


Packing. Two piles: stuff to keep and stuff to the Salvation Army...










The Gong that won the hearts of people all over America. When I commented this was in the "givaway" pile on Megan's Facebook update, comments swarmed in to save it from finding a better home. It will be hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend with music guest T.I.


All the possessions that own me...


Our last meal in Chicago


Megan showing off...


Megan getting gas in Nowhere, Indiana


The toll booth to get into Ohio


The fancy reststop in Ohio: Home To the Most Expensive Burger King this side of the Mississippi!





Our place for the evening at the Best Western in Elyria, Ohio. It had a nice bed and that's about all I used after packing the truck and driving several hours. There's a Denny's nearby with the friendliest server in the world works mornings. He looks like the Michael Cera.


Lovely Erie, Pennsylvania. It's strange to travel across America because you can drive over 600 miles and every town along the highway is exactly alike...


The Rock and/or Roll Delta Sonic in Erie.


WE MADE IT TO ROCHESTER! Here's Megan's dad's dog Gerty the Ewok.


This about sums up Rochester for me: my wife, a dog, and the local drink of choice Genny Light (for Chicagoans: think PBR. For Michiganders; think Stroh's).


A cool Victorian house I found on my epic bike ride in suburban Rochester from Pittsford to Penfield. The distance isn't great, but the only connecting roads are highways without sidewalks or safe bike paths. So, I went down every side street, through lawns, over trails and rivers and learned a lot about biking on the east side...


Our temporary home, which is Megan's brother Rich's permanent place. So, a super big thanks goes to Rich for letting us steal his guest room, letting us watch the Bear beat the Packers?!?!, and generally interfere with his home life. Thanks and we are looking for apartments tonight.

That's about it for now. My email is the same. My facebook is the same. My cell phone is the same. The only thing is my address is different and will probably be changing again in a couple weeks. So, let me know if you plan on sending me something before you do...

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.

"I Eat Like a Fat Kid..."

Man, I've been busy lately. This doesn't even include the pics from Frances moving to Chicago, softball, or Yacht Rock. Anyway...

John during our Punch-Out tournament

John beat us pretty bad at Punch-Out

Lion at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Gorilla holding baby at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Some kind of cool animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Elk from Anime movie at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Wild rabbit at Lincoln Park Zoo.

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 saw this guy running. They are so cool when they run.

Big Bird.

Little Bear. I took this shot from the tree in the pen.

BEAR!

Lincoln Park Zoo gate.

Insert inappropriate Thomas Jefferson fathering a slave baby joke here.

Waiting for fireworks at Lincoln Park.

Katie and Jim after the fireworks.

Fullerton station right before it gets torn down after about 100 years of service.

4th of July party!

Same party!

What a cute condom

Murder House 4th of July party.

Rock and Roll video game!

Master of the Axe!

Welcome to Margaritaville.

Karli and Tennessee

Aaron, I believe.

Aaron shooting a bottle rocket.

Matt takes the best drunk pictures even when he's sober.

More rockin'!

Laia flashing gang signs.

Charniece and Roberto getting free drinks and wings at the Cornerstone event.

Laia at Cornerstone.

Vincent at Cornerstone.

Look how disgusting I am drinking and eatting. I drank a lot before going to the comedy show...

Are you old enough to be here? You are now!

Lushes

Kineta

John at Killer Margarita's after the comedy show

Moving truck stuck under the El at the Fullerton stop.

Well, that's not even close to being everything. Summer in Chicago is pretty awesome. So, I will have to keep everyone posted at a later date. Hopefully sooner than this one! Love ya all.

xoxo,

Mike!