Lollapalooza!

Happy Lollapalooza! It was Chicago’s monster music festival of the year – featuring around 60 bands over 2 days. THE KAISER CHIEFS, Brian Jonestown Massacre, CAKE, Blonde Redhead, The Black Keys, The Pixies, WEEZER, SAUL WILLIAMS, Dinosaur Jnr, Kasabian, THE ARCADE FIRE, DANDY WARHOLS and Death Cab for Cutie. Guess which were our very favorites? There was so much we couldn’t see, or were too exhausted to see. Jumping around in 100 F. degrees can take it out of you. Luckily refuge was found in the raining fountain just outside the gates – clothes and all. Day Two was a freebie! They gave us 2-day wrist bands on day one. YAY!

We made it onto Google!

Search for "wickedpark" and you shall find...

Not that you need to 'cos you're already here but it is still cool. Can't be said for some other blogs I know of Hmmm.

If you are the Google police please don't come after us because we didn't get permission to use your logo. Besides we are only crediting your place inthe world.

Music Music Music

Ozomatli, Tortoise, Andrew Bird, Les Savy Fav (crazy man), The Go Team, Broken Social Scene and so many more. We have been taking advantage of this musical city and its summer festivals. Two down and one awesome day at Lollapalooza coming up! Andrew Bird was incredible. To those music-loving friends of mine - if you haven't heard him look him up on the net. He will be big!

MC Battle - think 8 mile the movie. A hot, smoky, dark club somewhere in downtown Chicago (which luckily happened to be just up the road), where the city's dirtiest underground hip hop artists battled it out live on stage. It was wicked ...

Nomans Land

Back streets, overpasses and deserted industrial landscapes. Twighlight zones and secret urban passages. Anything could happen here so its best not to stick around too long.

Its all about Neon at Central Furniture, Wicker Park. The home of Low Low Lowest Prices and 100% Guaranteed Credit.


Short Cut 2003 - Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragnet. This sculpture is on loan to the Chicago MCA from Milan. I wonder if they realise the Tuesday farmers market held outside the gallery is using it as a centrepiece and shade structure.


Some of the more colourful all-American dream homes in historic Oak Park, the thinking ground of famous architect Frank Loydd Wright - a pristine neighborhood of stately homes and gardens bordered on all four sides by some of Chicago's roughest districts.

Times Square Craziness

New York

Times Square by night

and by day...


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Wall Street (Duh!)


I looked the steam thing up and found that steam is a utility in NY like gas or 'lectricity. There are little leaks here and there in the underground pipes and so - voila - steam rising.


Central Park. I like, I like, I like!


Manhatten from the Staten Island Ferry. Ample crap photos of the Statue of Liberty removed for your viewing pleasure.


The Guggenheim (which Josh calls the Guggilyheim)


Wandering the cool leafy streets and cafe culture of the West Village.


That's the biggest one of those I have ever seen!


Katz's Deli - famous for monster sandwiches.


Soho - markets for mazzy, a shopper and art lovers paradise at unthinkable prices.


Cooling off in Washington Square amid an eclectic mix of New Yorkers - street performances, musicians and open jam sessions.



Josh inhaling BIG NYC food items.


Hanging out on the fire escape of our hotel.


Ye Olde Carlton Arms

We stayed at and highly recommend this crazy painted house. Above are three photos of our room and one of the hallway. Every square inch within is painted by artists who have come and stayed. It has a very mixed 100 year history. Check it out if you like at www.carltonarms.com


Ed's Tower of Scrap

This is Ed and he as built this fire hazard within a community garden in East Village's Alphabet City. It currently stands at 52 ft but Ed, who relies on a walking frame while on the ground, does all the climbing, hauling and hammering himself and is determined to reach 70ft.

"I want to put a rocking horse up there. Then I'm gonna ride it. But y'know, I'll have to be careful because I'm gonna want to have a beer up there." -Ed.