Chicago Is the Best Friggin' Place On Earth In the Summer!

Well, the title about sums it up...

Let's start off by paying tribute to the American Empire with an eight story flag.


Constrution of Block 37


Another view of Block 37


Nick and Karli enjoying a banana split from the "Ice Cocaine Truck." Little background for those who don't know. We have a ice cream truck that drives around our neighborhood at 10pm or later almost every night. Just seem a bit suspicious since most kids should be in bed. But, it keeps us adult kids all sugered up, I guess...


Went to Kuma's Corner for "Heavy Metal Burgers." This was the "Melvins!"


Karli got the "Judas Priest."


Nick had the "Iron Maiden."


And Mike is polishing off the "Metallica" burger. They were the best burgers I've every had. Especially since I was hungry at 6pm and didn't get it until 9:30pm. It was gone is seconds.


"A Private Bathroom" in Humboldt Park.


RIBFEST! Frances, Karli, and Mike waiting in line for Ribs from Hecky's, which served ribs from a school bus. The ribs were great and the baked beans were awesome. MESSAGE TO KATE DIAL - I OWE YOU RIBS AND THIS IS WHERE WE'LL GO! THEY ARE WAY BETTER THAN APPLEBEES!


Andrew and Matt relaxing at Ribfest.


Frances and I at Goldie's after Ribfest where we met up with Julianne and Damanda Talmadge.


Francy Pants.


Frances taking a nice picture with Mike at Goldies!


This about sums it up.


Mike, Nick, Frances, and I headed down to Maxwell (Canal) Street Market. Nick got Wheel of Fotune and Double Dare for Nintendo. Frances got giant pink sunglasses. All of us got really good tacos.


Frances scoping out the goods.


Looking for a good pair of sunglasses.


While waiting for Damanda to get out of work, Frances and I headed down to the book fair.


We met up with Damanda at the Andersonville Midsommer Fest. It was by far the gayest festival ever. I don't mean that as an insult. I mean there were more gay people here than at the Gay Pride Parade. Here, we see a scene where a cover band was playing all the hits from Journey, Rick Springfield, R. Kelly, Will Smith, and more!


I can't even discribe what this is. Basically, super-muscle gay men dancing with each other topless and either drunk or drugged up. It's not often that dancers in the back of the crowd get more attention than the band on stage.


This was another stage that featured a Motley Crue cover band with hair and all! We didn't even know this was going on until we went on the hunt for food and ended up at T's. Get the burger if you ever go yourself.

That about sums it up. Frances has another day in Chicago and we've just been going to all the great stuff around here.

Either tomorrow or Wednesday (depending on the source) is that start of the Puerto Rican Festival in my neighborhood (Humboldt Park). I'm really excited about it since it looks like chaos will reign. The neighbor kid has come over to do chores for us to earn money so he can go to the carnival. I may have to take some time off of work for this...

xoxo,
Mike

Summer Is Official

Hey all,

Here's another fine installment of what I've been up to...

Wednesday Night BBQ. The newest tradition of the Michigan Exiles.


Apparently, these guys are inspecting the Art Institute's Lion's ass. Actually, they are filming something. Probably some tourist ad or something.


The Museum of Science and Industry. They hosted the CANstruction event, which is a charity fundraiser for the Chicago Food Depository where they make art out of food cans and then use them for making meals.


This should have been the first place winner. Instead it was a replica of the Millennium Park Bean which was small and not well built because it was about to collapse. I'll never understand the dynamics of voting and how poor contestants seem to always win.


This is should have been the second place winner!


The MSI's entry.


Eh...


Big tough truck. The winners of this competition go to some national competition. I know nothing other than that. This site has a lot of winners from the past:
CANstruction Winners


This was my favorite part of the night! These are the back offices to MSI. Look at this office! I am really missing out on my calling. Where do I apply for a job at this place?


Who else has a green cow at their office?


I claim this desk as mine!


The German-American MayFest. It really wasn't that great this year. Unfortunately, the Cubs had a home game that day. Cubs fans in recent years have become the biggest douchebags on earth. After the game, they all came up and kind of ruined the atmosphere. Then again, the $10 cup of Pabst Blue Ribbon didn't help. Even if it was the equivelent of 2.5-3 beers, it was $6-7 more than I pay for PBR at a local bar...


John and Ronan arguing the merits of a girls ass.


John getting Megan's opinion.


The debate continues.


The highlight of the evening was heading to Chubby Wiener's for dinner, which is just south of Lawrence on Western. I highly suggest it. Here's our late night picnic.


John on the #49


Hyde Park Art Fair


We weren't going to go to the fair because it was suppose to rain. Then Amanda called and said she was going. Then we thought we should go after watching Children of Men (good movie). Then it really rained hard going back home. It was alright.

Good times in Chicago.

xoxo,

Mike

"Yeah, They're Pretend Monkeys!"

Dear You, Here's the Memorial Day Weekend Edition of my life...

Nick and Karli enjoying a few brews on the back porch. A great hobbie I would like to see more of.


Here's a couple members of the "Fashion Police" outside of my work. If these girls would have caught me, I'd be in some fashion concentration camp for a very long time...


You know, the Ad Council is trying to make a statement that you should follow politics or you'll elect food. But, I'm thinking that people shouldn't follow politics so they do elect food. I mean, I'd much rather see Sweet Peas running the country than George W. Bush. At least President Sweet Peas wouldn't get us into unnecessary wars in the middle east. Yeah, I said it...


Ryan Daly and Amanda Talmadge at Galway Bay after Radar 7's final Chicago performance.


Diversey Harbor looking toward the Loop.


Megan at Small Bar after a few tator tots...


Ronan and John. Notice how much John hates that salad. I'm serious, he hates that salad!


FLW inspired park just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo.


Lily Pad in the pond.


"Hi Adam!"
"Hi Polar Bear..."


If Nirvana were a band of polar bears, this would be there breakout album Nevermind cover.


Camels shedding.


Roaches...


MEERKAT MANOR! WHICH ONE IS DAISY?!?!?!


They watch us more than we watch them.


Walking toward Oak Street Beach in downtown Chicago.


In front of Buckingham Fountain, firefighters were hosing off the water for some reason unknown to us. Probably just trying to pick up girls near the lake...


Buckingham Fountain looking toward the Loop.


Some sculptures by some Polish lady about the Holocaust. How can art about something so depressing be so fun?


Spertus Museum's new facility!


What Memorial Day is all about.












Crowne Fountain at Millennium Park. Look at how many friggin' people are in this fountain!


Somehow, this has become my latest trademark. I've had quite a few pics with presidents lately...


Nothing shows the glamous side of Mike Kraus more than this...


Megan's pretty picture.


The Renzo Piano addition to the Art Institute as seen from Millennium Park. I really like this because all the plants are growing and it's almost like the building is growing from the Lurie Garden too.

That's it. I'm going to clean my room, find my fan, and go to bed. The Pistons played another lazy game and allowed LeBron James to tie the series at 2-2. Lazy... Red Wings lose to the Mighty Ducks was bad enough. If Pistons don't knock out the Cavs, it's bad news...

xoxo,

Mike