"We'd Be On the Boat and Do the Thing."

Last night may have been my last full day in Muskegon for a while. I may be back next weekend. I may not. I don't know. So, I had an impromptu (sp?) going away party. How unplanned was this going away party? Not even the people who live in Turtle House knew it was my going away party until at least half way through. The pictures tell the story of the evening.... For the most part.

Don't cry Tania. I'll be back in Muskegon soon. And Chicago is a fun place to visit.

Look at those luscious sideburns. Damn baby, no wonder the Rambone sleeps with you at night.

Pondering what Muskegon is going to be without Mike Kraus? Who will go to the Vous with you? Who will mom talk art to? Oh, the worries...

I am the drunkest looking sober man I have ever seen.

Nice. You wonder why I call you The Terrorist. The CIA knows what he is talking about.

Andrea and Leslie smoking and drinking.

Guns, beer, and cigarettes. Sounds like a good evening. Now, what can you do in the back seat of a Rivera in the Turtle House driveway. Oh, I remember... 4-eva...

What are you telling Ana-Shea, Nick? It looks like you are picking up some strange woman off the streets of Chicago and she's not having it. Story of my life...

Best friends Forever. This picture is the last piece of Hasan's going away birthday present. The girls got him a picture frame and this pic is what's going in it.

I'm going to miss you all. At the beginning of summer, I was a miserable mess. Yet, somehow it ended up being one of the best times of my life. I've had so much fun, learned a lot about myself, learned a lot about my friends, and love you all. When I move to Chicago, I expect each and everyone of you to come down and sleep on my couch. I will post my phone number and mailing address once I know what it is. I might be out of communication for a while. Don't worry, I'm just a nomad.

Today, I have a job interview at the American Red Cross. I'm just going to go in and be an arrogant jerk. I know I'm not going to work there. They can't match the job offer I got. But, I might make a friend there and be able to leverage something at a later date. After that, I will pack up the little electric car and drive down to Mike Nummerdor's place. We might go see some grizzly bear movie and drinking. I'm really glad that when I move to Chicago this time I am going to have some really good friends there to hang out with.

Don't forget me Muskegon, I love you all...

Mike Kraus

Chicago-a-go-go

Hey all, long time no see. Had a good time in the Windy City. Stayed at a hotel just off Michigan Ave. and was there hardly at all. The first night, just went to a few bars including the one at the top of the Hancock Building. I hate it up there. It's too high. Even if I'm not scared of terrorism, I was up there, I don't like that the building moves, and something else. Good times with the Grizzly Bear.

Millenium Park is rad. I saw this right before some crazy guy jumped off the Michigan Ave. bridge into the river. I didn't see him jump. Just watched the rescue. I heart crazies.

Look at this McDonald's. It came from outer space. It's like an original McDonald's on steroids. It's also nutty.

Stopped by Mike Nummerdor's place and saw all my old neighbors. We are getting Crestwood tattoos now. This picture of Matt is how I imagine Jesus would look like if he were to come back today. Matt Christ has a certain blasphemous ring to it.

After the California Cutter Bar, Mike, his girlfriend who is awesome Audrey (sp?), Alice Won, and I went to Burger King. Some cop wouldn't let us in because they were mopping the floor. But, he did take our order and got our food for us. Nice guy, but what the hell is with Chicago cops? Why is he taking my order? Why is he not letting us into the restaurant? Is he just messing with us? Whatever...

I might be spending some time here at the Hillside Bowl. This restaurant is called Lucky's Place. It's diner food at its best. And, some of you might have caught on that I might be working in Chicago. I have a job interview on Monday with the Muskegon Red Cross. I'll do it, but decline the position because it is temporary. Then, I have to go back to Chicago for an orientation and possible hire on Tuesday. I think I will have an apartment there in a week. So... I might be leaving Muskegon... again... But, all of you are more than welcome to visit. Tomorrow is probably going to be the last day I can really hang out in Skee-town. So... call me... I have a wedding reception tonight, but it shouldn't go too long...

John Tesh Was An Alien?

The cake says it all...

The birthday went well. I think Hasan really liked it. He was so thankful and I think almost cried at one point. That kid will never want to leave Muskegon after this.

After the Glenside Pub, we headed to the drive-in to see The 40-Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers. Hilarious sexual comedies. I thought it was funny that Steve Carrell (sp?) was picked on for riding his bike so much since that is how I get around town. Maybe he'd have better luck if he had a sweet bike like my 1979 Schwinn Cruiser instead of the Pee-Wee Herman bike.

Oh yeah, I have a pen pal now. My student from Moon School sent me another letter. It's pretty funny. I like the drawings illustrating the letter.

I got a call from the American Red Cross for a job interview. So, Mr. Jacob Dykema, I need to know the name of your mom's neighbor who applied pressure for me. Candy or something? It's a pretty cool job. Basically, I would travel around the world for three week deployments helping people in disasters. I would be awesome at that. With job interviews, it's either feast or famine. Seems to be feast right now.

Anyway, not too much going on. Andrea and I are going to her grandparent's house for dinner. Maybe he will make me mix tapes after that. I don't know what we are doing afterwards. All I know is I can have too rough of a night because I have to head to Chicago tomorrow.

The Secret To Life Is Blogged Right Here.

Pretty relaxing day yesterday. Kinda just laid around the house for the most part. Although, I have to say that the Detroit Tigers did win the World Series on Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball for the Super Nintendo yesterday. Too bad that is nowhere close to reality. Ah, my last summer of freedom.

Check out my new shoes. I got them for my job interview on Friday. They were on sale for $49.99 at Younkers. They remind me of grandpa shoes. In this picture, it looks like my legs are on a table at the morgue. So damn sexy with the white socks and grey pants. How can the ladies resist?

Normally, Jacob is a shy man. But, he requested... In fact, he begged me to post this picture of him. Why? Not quite sure. You will have to ask him. It reminds me of a combination of the cat from Alice in Wonderland, Dr. Evil, and the guy from Sin City, So, Jacob, this one is for you...

Hasan lived it up last night at Monday Night Klub. I think everyone got the "Jordanian Jackhammer." He was pretty bombed by the time Dave kicked us out and I had to convince him to let me drive the Beast. That Regal is one fine automobile. It's like driving a boat. Too bad the battery completely died this morning.

Anyway, today is Hasan's birthday. For all of you who did not get the bulletin, we are having dinner at 6pm at some restaurant. I don't know which since it hasn't been decided. Hasan wanted "McDonald, you know." We won't allow that. After dinner, it's Andrea Mather's house for cake and ice cream. That will be followed up with the drive-in. I don't know what movie yet, but I imagine it will be the 40 year old virgin if it is playing there. So, if I get more details I in time I will post them. If not, call my house. If not there, call Hasan's phone. If not there, you are probably not a real friend and shouldn't hang out with the Terrorist and the CIA.

Later.

Mass Exodus From Muskegon. So Long Old Friends.

Caleb leaves for Hawaii at 4am. Wish I could have seen more of him this summer, but I hope he has a great time on the island. It was a good time with the Dykema boys. Had some awesome tacos and chips. Mexican food is the quickest way to my heart and Bonnie knows it.

Now for some unfinished business. Here's a letter I got in the mail the other day. It is from one of my students I use to teach over at Moon Elementary School. It made me happy that one of my kids wrote me. Especially one that I thought would hate me. I actually suspended this girl and had all sorts of dicipline problems with her. Maybe she likes me because I didn't let her get away with shit? Anyway, I wrote her a nice letter back and sent her a drawing of a dragon. I drew a dragon because my kids loved them and wanted me to make them one all of the time. So, I've become a very skilled dragon artist.

Also, I have developed a wonderful idea. Last night, Ana Shea and I created a "drama-free room." At parties, a room will be set aside for people who are only looking for a good time. Everyone else can beat each other up, cry, or whatever in the rest of the house. If having a good time catches on at parties, the house can become a drama-free zone and a room can be set aside for bitch slapping, fighting, or general yelling. From now on, that is what I will provide for every party. It is genius.

Tomorrow, I have a full day. I will go shoe shopping for my job interview and monday night club. Yep, a full day. Maybe I will win the World Series on Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball too. Right now, the Tigers are in the Wild Card Playoffs and up 2 - 0 against the California Angels. Lame... I didn't drink today since I am still recovering from yesterday. I don't know how much I will drink tomorrow, but it is Andrea's going away party at MNK. It seems I have either a cold or allergies right now. So, that sucks. Well, I'm fried from this weekend. Thanks for a good time all. Have a good time if you are leaving and see you soon if you are staying.

Choose Your Own Title: This Week is The Turning Point - o

eSo, here we go. I decided that I have been lazy with my pictures lately. Therefore, I have posted more this time for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

This is a dancing egg from the side of a semi. I thought he was hilarious. Unfortunately, I didn't realize he was going to be on the back of the trailer too. On the back, it said "Rear end me and the yoke is on you" with the egg looking like a psycho killer. I will have to find this truck again.

On the swingset before Amanda's nondate-date. She's went out with a GR guy that sounds an awful lot alike a guy someone else I know is dating. Not getting in the middle of that.

These ladies at Mo'z dance like they are Charlie Brown. I love them...

Andrea, Big Gay Bill, and myself. More Indie rock album covers.

Corey and April's wedding down at Lake Harbor Park.

Eleanor picking up a date.

NO MORE DANCING! TOO MUCH DANCING!

Things have really started to look up for me lately. I'm having a blast and really just figuring out what I want and will be doing. I have lots of things on the burner right now and I'm just hoping it doesn't explode in my face. In talking with TAD last night, I realized that I am on the right path and I just have to stay true to that.

So, this week begins the mass exodus of Muskegon. I have had three or so going away parties this week. Caleb, Alice, Colleen, Hasan, and more are all leaving me. So, I wish them luck and we'll have to get together sometime.

I'll be heading to Chicago on Thurday for my job interview. I'm a bit nervous about it, but it should go fine.

Hell, all is going well for me. How bad could it be? Jeez, even Lindy commented last night that I remind him of James Dean. Yes my friend, I am a Rebel Without a Cause. Somehow, that seems appropriate.

"Then They Started Fighting Over Aaron Carter..."

Man, too tired. I just got home and I need some sleep. My friends are too fun for me. Do you want to know why Muskegon is a fun place to live? Look at the picture below and see what $6 can get you...

That's pretty much what I did yesterday. So...

Today, I am just going to bed and try to figure out what is going on later.

Love,

Mike Kraus