The Things I Can Help You With

One of the candy bars in Megan and I's odd candy bar collection. This is Mypa from Nestle. It may be Greek. At least it sounds Greek. It was really good. Somewhere between a Kit Kat and Snickers.


You know about the BBQ by now...


A home they are completely rebuilding on Wabansia and Campbell. It's good to see people rebuilding beautiful homes. Unfortunately, it will probably have the aluminum siding and modern windows. But, still better designed then most of the new construction out there today.


This is the Scooter Dog or something like that from Scooters Frozen Custard on Belmont. As their name states, they are more of a custard joint than a hot dog stand. But, the Chicago Style Dog with Red Relish was really, really good. Check them out at: www.scootersfrozencustard.com


Belmont Street Fair


This vendor was working on his T-shirt prints by carving a woodblock. How very 1600s of him...


One of my MANY, MANY beautiful pictures of Alice Won. If she doesn't like this pic, she has no taste... Anyway, randomly met up with her for the Belmont Street Fair concerts along with Ronan


Here's Cursive at Belmont Street Fair. Has anyone else really noticed how completely awesome the bands are this year at Chicago's Street Festivals? I mean Nada Surf at Ribfest, Stevie Wonder at Taste, Tiffany at Gay Pride, C & C Music Factory and Vanilla Ice at something in Wicker Park. I <3 Chicago!


And here are the Redwalls also at Belmont Street Fest...

When Your Mission In Life Has Been Fulfilled

You know the routine by now. Here's the ol' Wednesday BBQ crew: SME, Amanda, Karli, Brent, and the lovely Angela...


Desperado


Megan and I headed up to Sawyer, Michigan to a friend's summer home for a cocktail party on Saturday. This is his place. It's for sale. If you are interested in the house, check out the website at: http://13927minnich.rubloff.com/


Waiting for the cocktail party to start, Megan and I headed to St. Joseph's (St. Joe's), Michigan for some food and pick up some party supplies. Here's a view of the lake and "Whirlpool Appliance Field" from downtown.


Ahhhh, Michigan beaches...






Megan hiding from me and the sun...


Us


OH MY GOD!!! IT'S KITT FROM KNIGHT RIDER!!! We found this in the parking lot of a restaurant and I spotted the trademark lights in the grill as soon as it came into view. For more info on my childhood hero, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Rider


Here's where to go for a good burger between Chicago, Illinois and Muskegon, Michigan. Visit: http://www.redamaks.com/


Megan loves burgers


"ARG.... Why the hell is that garbage truck so noisy this morning? Why won't it go away. Why is it getting louder? Why is it next to my apartment?" I look out the window to see they are re-roofing my apartment at 8am...


The photo doesn't do this justice. This load was precariously loaded onto the palette and was spinning like crazy. I was waiting for it to fall and kill a roofer or to be dropped through the roof crushing everything in my bedroom. Luckily, the earth survived...

Please check out our NEW (maga)'zine, NOW!!!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

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Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Mike Kraus

The Status of American Democracy: Part One

Just your friendly reminder to please check out our NEW (maga)'zine! We've added a new group page, which is linked below. So, please join!!!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

SUBSCRIBE To A NEW TOMORROW blog

**NEW!!!** JOIN our (maga)zine group

VISIT A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!


Nick showing off his hula-hooping skills on the Wii Fit. This would be far better if I had a video of him. I guess there's tons of those kinds of videos with girls on YouTube. God Bless YouTube...


The first streetfair I'll feature is Puerto Rican Days in my neighborhood. A festival for the overworked and underpaid. It's a decent time with a carnaval, art fair, music, and great Puerto Rican food.


A shot of the art fair portion from a distance...


Angela tending to her new garden. There's spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and many other veggies for the BBQ


Karli, Andy (looking good), Rosie, Tennessee, and Mike Nummerdor at Wednesday BBQ


Noah, SME, and Nick at the BBQ


Gracie, Tennessee, Brent, and Katie at the BBQ


You crazy hipsters riding modern versions of the old fashion bikes with the bike wheel in front and little wheel in back...


Here's the second streetfair I'll feature this week. It's the Old Town/Wells Street Art Fair. It's for the overpaid and underworked of Chicago. Favorite quote of the day: "The economy is getting really bad. I mean, I can't take cabs everywhere I want anymore. But, now that I know that the train station is by my house I take that. You wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is to take the train than it is to buy gas and pay for parking and all." from Paris Hilton-esque qirl. (for those who live outside of Chicago, trains are $1.75, gas is $4.50, parking is generally $20+).


Cool shot. Not sure why they all have white shirts on. Must be a wealthy version of a gang.








This is the crowd listening to Flock of Seagulls. The stage was set up in a terrible location. It was in a small parking lot behind a bar. So, we couldn't even get back to see the band because there were so many people. But, I certainly heard the rock!!!


See if you can spot the happiest girl at the fair!


Strange bug I found at the Sedgewick Brown Line stop.

Once again, please check out our NEW (maga)'zine and join the NEW Group page, linked below!



VIEW A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

SUBSCRIBE To A NEW TOMORROW blog

**NEW!!!** JOIN our (maga)zine group

VISIT A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

xoxo,

Mike Kraus

Shameless Self-Promotion

Just wanted to make sure my friends saw I posted another zine. To view it, go to the links at the bottom.



View A NEW TOMORROW No. 25 (February 2008)

View A NEW TOMORROW No. 26 (August 2008)

Visit A New Tomorrow's MySpace Profile Page

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Mike Kraus

The Moment That Sweet Nectar of BBQ Sauce Touches My Lips

Graffiti pasted up near my apartment. I think this is my favorite type of graffiti and I'm not opposed to it being posted on boarded up buildings and construction sites.


They whitewashed the graffiti wall next door to my apartment and started on another design. The new image is looking nice. It's a neighborhood theme with the city skyline and the Humboldt Park boat house. I'll take some pics of it when it's finished.


Karli, SME, and Frances at the wednesday night BBQ.


So much meat, so little time. Rumor has it that the BBQ is at Brent/Angela/Evan's place tonight. Is it true?


Here's Canstruction 2008. Basically, the concept is for organizations to design something creative or artistic out of cans, which are later donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Good cause. This is the CTA train.


For my sister, this is the "We Can Do It" lady.


OH MY GOD! IT'S THE STAY-PUFT MARSHMELLOW MAN!!!


This one was my favorite this year. They won last year when they shouldn't have, so I don't feel bad about them not winning this year.


Nothing like a cup of tea


Marina City. They did a real good job on this one. It even has the House of Blues and Hotel complex on it. In fact, there's even a little car jumping from the parking garage into the river.


Well executed, but almost identical to last years winner. Nice try guys...


I wish I could watch them make these.


This should have received an engineering award.


JAWS!


This is a real nice sculpture that won. It was a bit of a surprise, but it's well executed and well designed. I like the use of labels that give the water texture. Even the sail is done to perfection.


If this doesn't play to the home crowd, nothing will. What says Chicago more than Deep Dish pizza and an Old Style?


333 Wacker at night


Horner Park sky at twilight


RIBFEST!!! Leslie and Andy came down from Muskegon to celebrate. Too bad it was the rainiest weekend I've ever been in Chicago. There were so many T-storm, tornado, and flash flood warnings and watches. There was even a tornado that hit the south suburbs. Craziness. But, Megan's friends band, Alternative Roots, played the festival and all. It was still a good time between the rain.


Hecky's Rib Sandwich. I should buy stock in this company.


What's ribs without a side of corn. Kinda disappointed they weren't selling their baked beans this year.


This is what it's all about. Although, don't go to where this guy cooks. The Fireplace Inn is a terrible yuppie joint that sells average food for swanky prices.


Megan rocking out at the Savemore. Thank god they had A/C.


Leslie plotting to grind Andy


Frances and Leslie's club dance photo watching Alternative Roots


Leslie

That's it from Chi-town. Still doing the ol' job hunt. Some leads here and there. But, nothing too wonderful. So, if you hear anything, drop me a line.

xoxo,

Mike