These Summer Days In Chicago...

I guess I forgot to put this one up last week. Megan was very upset. It's us at Johnny and Ruth's wedding at Michilinda Lodge along Lake Michigan


Megan and I went for a walk in Wicker Park and discovered this bizarre public school sculpture...


At my favorite grocery store, I found "Super Atomic Cake." If it wasn't $30, I'd buy it and see if it lived up to its name. It must have "yellow cake" uranium in it. You know, some of the weapons of mass destruction that the Bush Admin. lied about in Iraq? Oh political humor...


Some of the skateboards given out at the event by the Chicago Youth Skateboard Project. I guess it went well. Unfortunately, I couldn't go...


BBQ


Nick, Andrew, and Frances


SME and Cliff


Frances


Noah, Nick, and Nate. The three N's...


Why do you look so sad Amanda?


Brent and Angela


This is the Old Town School of Music's Roots and Folk Music Festival. It's a good festival. The weather held out and kept people away, but it was enjoyable this year.


The music area with the Seltzer Library in the background


I believe this band's name was "Unibrow."


This was a Columbian group and they sang about gas prices. They must really hate the cost of gas since Columbia highly subsidizes gas since they nationalized their oil resources and own the Citgo Oil Company.


Dance!


The weird thing is I've seen a lot of clown balloon animal people things lately...


Playing with rope!


This is why Starbuck's Coffee costs $10 a cup. That's approximately $120 per gallon. If you buy their coffee, you lose your right to complain about gas prices. Anyway, look at this crazy display at the Lincoln Music Festival (name?). Megan and I refer to this at the "Cover Bar Band Festival." There's a lot of Dudebros and Hussies with hit or miss music...


Just an interesting shot


Some bad band


Some slightly better band


Here's a dinosaur cake from Dinkle's Bakery on Lincoln.


There's nothing like a creepy baby cake


Here's El Tinajon Restaurant in Roscoe Village at 2054 W. Roscoe. It's a really good place. They specialize in Guatemalan food


Here's my pork chop, which came with a billion plantains.


Here's Megan's Chicken dinner


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHERINE!!! Katherine celebrated her b-day at Goldie's in North Center at 3839 N. Lincoln. They're known for $3 wells, $1 PBRs, and $3 PBR pitchers. Coincidentally, it was Goldie's b-day the same night and they had balloons and a DJ.


I didn't really get this girl's name. Doreen? Torine? Her boyfriend's name was Noah and they were both nice from what I could tell over the obnoxiously loud DJ. Katherine's happy and Nick was around somewhere. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN KATHERINE!


So, I'm at Toys 'R Us and Governor Blagovich (sp?) is shopping there too. This is his security van. I couldn't get a picture of him unfortunately. But, when I bike to Megan's apartment, I pass his house with guards around it all the time. After he got elected, he put a little plastic Playskool playground thing in his front yard to remind voters that he's a "family" man.


A pretty city shot...

That's it from Chi-town.

xoxo,

Mike

Hey Muskegon!

First time back in the Skee since T-day 07. So, here's what Megan and I did:


Megan at Lake Harbor Park. Unfortunately, there was a slightly cool breeze... Still nice though








Me and Megan


Nice sombrero!






Nothing wrong with a private paradise.




The theme of the weekend seemed to be "Jimmy Buffett."


The famous "Turtle" from Frosty Oasis seems to be like Heroin to Megan


Here we are at Kruse Park now.






As some of you know, Muskegon destroyed their downtown in the 70's by putting a roof over their main street to create a "mall," then bulldozed about 8 blocks or so for parking lots. After about 30-40 years, they realized that didn't work, so now they are trying to build a downtown again. Here's the old Comerica Bank building, which use to be part of the mall. It will be converted to condos, tax free until 2023, and pretty much the old Art Deco building in town, I think...


Here's another section of the old mall which use to be the old downtown. These are a few of the survivors.


The Century building somehow survived and now a furniture store.


The Frauenthal


This is by Richard Hunt. I never heard of him before this went up in downtown Muskegon. Now, I've seen him in a couple of places since he's a Chicago artist. Here's his website: http://www.richardhunt.us/ I'm a big critic when it comes to public art. The jury is still deliberating...


What a great name for a fudge company


Art Fair in Hackley Park with the Civil War Memorial


This is what I need to drive around in...


Pier at Pere Marquette Park




Channel to Muskegon Lake




Megan checking out the lighthouse


Muskegon Lake at sunset


The Cherokee Restaurant. All you need to know about this place is it's good food, cheap prices, and has nothing to do with Cherokee's: http://www.cherokeerestaurant.com/


I have to say, this is the first protest of any kind I've ever seen in Muskegon (Norton Shores). If there are protests here, it's time to bring the troops home...


My cousin Johnny Duff is married to Ruth. You may remember them from my trip to Miami last fall. The wedding took place on top of the dune at Michillinda Lodge: www.michillindalodge.com. Welcome to the family!!!


More lodge


Stairway to beach


Sparkly Lake Michigan


One of Ruth's relatives showing off on of their family traditions. They'll fit right in with our family...




My sister Lisa's new Boxer, Laila


Lisa with dog






At the El Bracero in Michigan City, Indiana, "We will be every day special."


Here's a nice little park on the Chicago River with a little waterfall. This is what I love about Chicago. You don't have to go far to find something interesting and nice you've never seen before. Everyday is a vacation...