National Tonkoon's Vacation

[Bort]

*glares balefully at the stupid toddler that kept me from coming out to pretty much everything*

[Quality Start Machine]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

Looking forward to the day when we can see STonk and the Tonklets again.

And you, too. Or not. We're good either way.

[Yeti]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

+1. My wife, who was not sure if she could come due to being extremely hungover, was really glad to have come with me. She thought the Tonklets and STonk were fantastic...
...
...

And that's it

[R-V]

So how did that car seat from Amazon work out?

[thehawk]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

I was on my WALKMAN. Seriously, the only person who may have laughed more than you about was me.  For a second I was wondering if you took the 3 card monte discussion Fork and I had at Wishbone to heart and was having the kids do a bit of grifting to help pay for the trip.

Glad you all had a great time and make sure Htonk knows he will be hearing from HawkJr soon. 

[Brownie]

I wish I could have gotten together with the Tonks more than the once. You're Desipio's de Toqueville. Safe travels back to Europe, until you immigrate here for good.

[Saul Goodman]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

This is pretty great to hear, and even though I have much less history with you than most here I'm really glad you've enjoyed it so much.  Just my blind, unquestioning patriotism.  It sounds like you planned it perfectly and everything went as you'd hoped, and to top it off the Cubs are actually good now.  (A little West Coast next time, perhaps.  AT&T Park is perfect and SF MoMA should reopen in their new building by then, just to name two.  Plus, you get Stew.)

What was your favorite ice cream shop in rural Buttpuddle, Iowa, though?

[SKO]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

This is pretty great to hear, and even though I have much less history with you than most here I'm really glad you've enjoyed it so much.  Just my blind, unquestioning patriotism.  It sounds like you planned it perfectly and everything went as you'd hoped, and to top it off the Cubs are actually good now.  (A little West Coast next time, perhaps.  AT&T Park is perfect and SF MoMA should reopen in their new building by then, just to name two.  Plus, you get Stew.)

What was your favorite ice cream shop in rural Buttpuddle, Iowa, though?

Hey, the man actually went to Whitey's and I expect he gave it a stellar review, so back off.

[Tonker]

So, here we are.  After a day at the Museum of Science and Industry* and dinner at Hot G Dogs (again), we're about done.  Five weeks almost exactly since we arrived in Humboldt Park, we're packing up to head home tomorrow.

I said before the trip began that I was looking to try to experience a few weeks life as an American, to see a little bit of America as you guys see it, and I really think we managed that.  Yes, we did some touristy stuff along the way - nothing that didn't turn out to be really fucking cool, by the way - but five weeks was enough to really settle down, take our time, figure out how things work and, in the best possible way, not be tourists.  We even spent a couple of days doing not very much at all, which only served as yin to the busy days' yang - we never once felt like we were wasting time or not getting the most from our trip.  As holidays go, this one has been very much a game changer, and anybody who's been kind enough to meet up with us over our time here won't be surprised to hear that we have all completely fallen head-over-heels in love with American life and are very, very sad to be going back to the Netherlands tomorrow.

Without wishing to get all serious on Desipio of all places, I'd just like to thank you all for contributing in ways small or large to our holiday.  It's no exaggeration to say that we couldn't have done it without your help, advice and pro tips.  If nothing else, you should know that you have collectively had a significant hand in creating an experience that my children have absolutely adored, and will never, ever forget.

You guys are all right.

* I know I'm teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT WHAT A MUSEUM.  There must be at least a thousand things to do and the place is absolutely crawling with really, really cool and knowledgeable staff whose only wish is to make sure you have a good time.  If you have kids, or are one yourself, and you haven't been there yet, you're a cunt.

P.S. We bumped into Hawk on the El this morning.  We saw him get on, but he didn't see us, so we sent the kids down the carriage to say hello.  The look of confusion, slowly turning to panic, on his face as he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by Tonklets with no grown-up Tonk in sight, was something to behold.  I'm ashamed to say, I laughed long and hard before making myself known to the poor bugger.

This is pretty great to hear, and even though I have much less history with you than most here I'm really glad you've enjoyed it so much.  Just my blind, unquestioning patriotism.  It sounds like you planned it perfectly and everything went as you'd hoped, and to top it off the Cubs are actually good now.  (A little West Coast next time, perhaps.  AT&T Park is perfect and SF MoMA should reopen in their new building by then, just to name two.  Plus, you get Stew.)

What was your favorite ice cream shop in rural Buttpuddle, Iowa, though?

Hey, the man actually went to Whitey's and I expect he gave it a stellar review, so back off.

I did indeed.  We stopped in Iowa City specifically to visit Whitey's, and their ice cream was fucking delicious.  While we're on the subject of Iowa, though:

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Is that RedBeard?

[SKO]

well, as long as you agree the Whitey's was great.

[Slaky]

Fuck you for posting that thing

[CBStew]

Fuck you for posting that thing

At first I thought that it was my high school yearbook picture.  (Except that it is in color, which hadn't been invented when I was in high school.)

[Yeti]

Fuck you for posting that thing

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Fuck you for posting that thing