"Honestly, It Doesn't Look That Good. I'd Take the Salad..."

Here's from my recent images.

Artsy-Farty Limes spilled near oil drum on North Ave. None of this should be here...

They must have run out of tag names or something...

While on my mini-vacation to Schaumburg I saw something in the distance. Something that looks glorious. I could view it from my hotel room. But, what could it be? Sweet Lord, it's Medieval Times!

Welcome to MySpace Megan. May I suggest this as your profile pic?

The last place on earth I should be is the Woodfield Mall two weeks before x-mas. Although, Totally Weddings is a pretty great site. But, I've come to the conclusion that the suburbs are the worst place ever. People move out there to escape reality and responsibility. This means they escape society. This leads to a loss of etiquette for social interaction. Add to that x-mas greed and you'd be safer living in a shark tank.

Screaming babies waiting to see Santa...

Photo Op with Santa.

Heathen masses!

Megan and I finished out trip to Schaumburg with a wine tasting. As many of you know, I'm not a fan of wine. But, there were a couple that I didn't mind. They were the dry white, Franc Cabernet , and Cherry. The only way I'm able to be taken seriously in a place like this is hanging out with Megan since she has enough class for the both of us.

Well, that's about it for now. Just making some loose plans for x-mas and trying to finish up my next 'zine (which is what I should be working on now). Hmmmm....

xoxo,

Mike

"It's Exactly What You'd Expect; Old Men With Cigarettes..."

Welcome one; welcome all!

Seems we've made some national headlines for "snow" in Chicago. Not sure why. It didn't seem like a big deal to me. We were even on Nightline for snow. Chicago got snow. Why is that news? Do they put Florida on the news for thunderstorms or Nevada in the news for dry weather? Anyway, it must have been a slow news day or something. It's not like there's a failing war or anything going on...

This is when snow is the best. It's fresh snow. No one has walked in it. It's not melting. It just looks like a postcard.


Outside my apartment.


On the way to work down Richmond facing North Ave.


A fence with a tangle of trees


Blue Line Damen stop looking south down Damen.


Arlington facing west.


Some church group was passing this out at the train station the morning after our first big snow of the year. I thought Tropicana was passing out samples. Some church passed these out with stickers that said "Jesus said to feed the poor, instead we have fed ourselves." Okay... Then why are you feeding people who are commuting to their good jobs in the city?


I'm not a fan of advertising, but I have to admire Cartoon Network's campaign.


German Christmas Village at Daley Plaza!


Look at all of these nutcases!


EAT MORE BRATS, KRAUTS!


This x-mas tree is actually constructed out of hundreds of x-mas trees. Each branch is a tree. It's crazy to see them install it.


I never ask for much, but I'm really hoping for this coat for x-mas! 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! USA!

That's it from Chicago.

xoxo,

Mike

ZooLights!

The X-mas season official kicked off with all the insane folks killing each other getting $7 toasters and $5 DVDs at Best Buy and Wal-Mart. That Jesus and his consumerism...

Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Real # 56,654,591 Chicago is the best place in America

Inside the LPZ

At the Seal Tank. We think they are choir boys since they had loud music behind them.

The LPZ giftshop in the background.

Main walkway of LPZ

Again, main walkway of LPZ

This guy was pretty popular with kids and adults alike. Not sure why...

Penguins jumping from an igloo.

Walking down the African animals exhibits

A gingerbread man and his wife that he keeps in the kitchen...

A gator!

Oh, the fond memories. Do you Skee-town folk remember this fella? He's the centerpiece from the ol' Muskegon Mall. He use to sit on that stage-ish thing near Steketee's while Santa was on top of the water fountain.

Santa placing gifts under the tree in drag.

We've got crabs!

Nothing says "X-Mas" like a homeless guy with bloody fingers, smoking, and eatting a Chicago dog...


What the hell is goin' on here?

A Lion. He's so bad at football that he's currently tied with the Arizona Cardinals for the worst team. So, when are we going to fire Matt Millen?

Fairy tale x-mas lights.

Jack and the Bean Stalk.

Santa Claus in the Monkey House. I wish they would have put this in one of the exhibits...

That's it from Chicago. I think I'm recovered from my great stay in Muskegon over T-Day. I'll have to work on my plans for x-mas now. I have about four weeks of personal time and vacation to use. So... xoxo, Mike

I *Heart* Muskegon

HEY!

Man, Muskegon was such a good time! I'm glad to have seen so many of you there!

Dustin and Jo (Van Dusen) Hayes with Adam in the foreground and Karli and Nick in the background at the Marine Tap Room. There were so many others there as well. I think half of the people I've met in my life were there that night. The other half were at Lakeshore waiting in line to get in...


The Marine Tap Room - The Fourth Branch of Government and home of the Mayor of Muskegon.


Frances with a side of the best pizza ever!


Frances a few minutes later when I forgot that I already took a picture with her...


Frances and Nate at Naughty's later on in the evening.


Matt at Naughty's


Frances with the halo of an angel and the face of a drunk...

-Intermission-
Hung out with the 'ol family for some turkey, football, and talk time. Good thing Muskegon has lots of bars.


What says "Muskegon" more than the Sherman bowling alley?

Malini at Sherman. This awesome girl is a badass school teacher in Brooklyn now.

My adoptive family gathers around the table for the traditional Thanksgiving feast of beer and bowling. It's what Thanksgiving would be like for the rest of America had the Puritan Pilgims landed on the shores of Muskegon rather than Plymouth. What a shame...

That's all. It was really great seeing everyone and getting to hang out. I have to make sure I get back home more often considering I live just a short drive away. I may live in Chicago, but my heart is proudly full of the grit and grime of Muskegon.

xoxo,

Mike