If Ithaca Is Gorge-ous, Then Illinois Is Dell-icious...

Megan and I went to Starved Rock for the weekend. So, not much to comment on other than look at the colors and dells/gorges/canyons:


Days Inn swimming pool


Top of Starved Rock
















This is Starved Rock


Here's the island where all the eagles gather during migration or something






Peering way down Eagle Outlook or something


















An optical illusion makes me appear to be bow-legged...






















Funny graffiti. I like that this was someone's collaboration. Someone to do the writing. Someone to do the drawing. I also like the drawing of the McCain baby eater wears a cape...








Looking down at a man playing with his dogs from an outlook about 100+ feet up.


The company Megan and I keep these days...


















































We tried to stay in one of these cabins, but they were all full. They are pretty much always full. But, I like the Days Inn at Oglesby because it had a pool and hot tub!!!


Steps carved into the rock






Wasp nest














The main lodge at Starved Rock.










panorama!












My little splunker!








Megan on a cliff


Actually, we spent our weekend on a cliff




What does a port-o-potty have to do with a skunk with a gun?


In Peru, Megan and I went to a restaurant called "Mark Allen's American Cuisine" or something like that. It was really good and Megan and I were their mascots. I'm even wearing the same outfit. WEIRD!


Just south of Staved Rock State Park is Mathiassen State Park. The rest of the photos are from there.










Megan crossing the river




Me at "Goliath's Bathtub."


























WE FOUND THE "SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS" ROCK!!!




Notice the little man at bottom center meditating...










So, we took this shot and it looked like we were in front of a "green screen" or photoshoped or something. So, we had to retake it so it would look more "real," which it really is.


For some reason, it only looks more fake...


My little splunker again!


On the way home, Megan and I stopped in Ottawa, Illinois at Washington Park, which was one of the sites of the Lincoln/Douglas Debates. I wanted to continue my tradition of standing with the statues of presidents, but this town was way too smart for me. That fountain was really a moat about 3 feet deep with freezing water and sharks. So, I had to settle for a distance shot. But, you better believe that Ottawa better improve their statue security for the next time I am there because I am bringing wooden planks, rope, and more the next time I'm there. YOU HEAR ME OTTAWA!

That's it for now (which was a lot in this super blog). If you made it down this far, thanks for viewing. Also, next blog will be about Obama's election party in Grant Park (if I can get within a hundred miles of it).

xoxo,

Mike

Actually, Not Too Much To Discuss Leading Up To A Week That Will Change The World...

First, a few things to discuss:

1) I had my "annual review" at work. Everyone did. And I got a raise! Now, before you get all excited and start saying things like, "That jerk can afford to buy me some drinks at the bar now." or whatever; understand this. Since I've only worked there almost three months (one month for the review time), it is prorated. What does that mean in monetary terms? I have about 3-4 cents more in my pocket an hour. HELL YEAH! I was born to live in this kind of economy. Man, imagine how awesome I would have done in the Great Depression...

2) Along with my raise, I get a trip to Austin for a conference about Convio. For those that don't know about Convio, it's a computer database program that KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU.

3) So, I understand that there's a presidential election going on. Some local guy named Barracks Obammers looks like a contender. Anyway, I guess he's having an election party with a million or so of his closest Chicago friends in Grant Park. Anyone going? Mandy? You're best friends with him, right? I expect to see you there? Does anyone know if there will be snacks and/or if it's BYOB?

Now for the real business of the evening:


At the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) for Children's Memorial Hospital's Cocktails For a Cause event. It was a real good time. Lots of people (about 500) eating lots of good food (rabbit, roast beef sandwiches, chocolates), bidding on auction prizes (sports memorabilia, walk on rolls for Samantha Who? and My Name Is Earl) and such. What was nice for me was I didn't have to go to work until 4pm and then hung out at the MCA until 1pm. Not bad for a days work.


Here was my office at the MCA. It doubled as the auction warehouse. There is wine, posters, photos, baseballs, and all kinds of stuff.


The mayhem


Art and bruschetta


Cubs fans would like this. It's Ernie Banks, (I forget), Ryne Sandberg, and Ron Santo.


Autographed baseball. I think it's the White Sox, but not positive. I lost the auction directory...


One of my neighbors decided to gussy up the outside of their building. There was so much going on that I can't begin to describe it. Plus, I was on a very important mission of getting pizza for dinner when we spotted this. So...


As many of you know, Megan and working to officially be smarter than I am by getting her Master of Business Administration degree at Loyola. Look at all those intelligent graphs and well thought out statements on that paper. My homework from grad school looked exactly like it did when I was in elementary; all drawings...

That's about it.

xoxo,

Mike