One of the many reasons why I love living in my Sweet Home Chicago is street fair season. We have one virtually every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We Chicagoans need to get out and celebrate our often ridiculously hot and steamy summers because we know that our mostly ridiculously cold and freezing winters are going to arrive before we know it.

So my friend Michael and I headed to the Andersonville Midsommarfest. It takes place every year in the old Swedish neighborhood. Along with Swedes, the LGBTQ community is well represented here these days. It’s a great way to start the summer. Lots of alcohol and the eye candy isn’t bad either!

So how does it equal aviation geek? Two ways. Andersonville is known for it’s many stores that specialize in home decor. Just how many overpriced tchotchkes does one person need, you ask? Well, you never know where the next moment of geek might come from so you have to keep an open mind. We stopped in front of the Slaymaker gallery. They had the coolest art prints! I was advised by the staff that they have over 38 different pieces from airports around the world! Must. Have. One! Three little problems: They were closing for the day, I have zero space left on my walls, and I don’t have the money to spare. In other words, nothing I can’t solve. And I will.

The second moment of geek came at the street fair itself. I spied a gentleman with the most unlikely t-shirt. When I asked him if I could take a picture, we started chatting of course. His friends said something to the effect that I shouldn’t get him started because  he may never shut up. A fellow aviation geek!!! The t-shirt wasn’t just an urban hipster’s ironic statement as I had feared. I let him know that his shirt would end up on my blog. He was totally cool with that. Seems we’re everywhere!