The weather was moody again last week and it seemed like the seasons flip flopped on an hourly basis. Still I was in a pretty good mood and got out on Bike O Negative a few times and used it to do my shopping. Back on Saturday May 2 I had an appointment with my doctor. My blood pressure is better than it has been since 2000. She told me I had the BP of an 18 year old. My weight is the same as it was back in February so at this point I’m going to work on getting it down like I did last year. I think it was 14 lbs dropped in a month and I owe that all to biking and a better diet. Its not that easy at my age. I did explain some foot issues I’ve been having and there is obviously some serious bone degermation so she set me up with a podiatrist and I scheduled an appoint for later in the week.
What a drag it is getting old.
Now for the buzzkill of the week:
SMALL BUSINESS LICENSE from $200 to $1000 per year. FUCKING UNREAL
As of January 1, 2026, the City of Chicago implemented significant increases to small business license fees, with some rising by up to 400%. A primary example is the two-year regulated business license, which jumped from $200 to $1000.
The increases apply to both new applications and renewals, affecting sectors from retail to transportation.
I went nuts in the kitchen last week. Lots of Mexican style breakfast. Tremendous start to a BIG weekend! With very high ratings. At ASSMANS BAR & GRILL at Casa Diablo Chicago
7:14 and I think I made the right decision. Eggs, sweet Italian sausage, diced red and green peppers, onions and shredded cheddar on flour fajitas Great start to my day. Thursday 5/7/2026At ASSMANS BAR & GRILL at Casa Diablo Chicago
Making Hell Diablo salsa for Sundays post podcast BBQ at ASSMANS BAR & GRILL at CASA DIABLO.
After the foot doc I had to go here for blood work. It was a perfect day and the phlebologist was a lot of fun. I was the only patient so it was not a bad experience at all and I enjoyed the commute actually.
And the fun was about to begin. I was met with a team of Foot and Ankle Specialists at 2222 W Division which is in my first 2 neighborhoods of Chicago from 1998-2001. At one point a rather attractive female podiatrist was in shock and over of my ankle tattoo feature an image of the Human Centipede. I found it really really funny. I don’t think she did. Actually I got the impression that she was appalled. After my X Rays they gave me an Rx to take for a week a steroid and I will go back and they are going to schedule foot surgery on both feet which will mean 4-6 weeks recovery so I am putting it off till the fall. I’m not going to lose a little of what I have as summer in Chicago for something I’ve been living with for years. Arthritis runs in my family unfortunately so its now 10 years after my hip replacement and time for my foot bones to be shaved down.
McDonald’s is phasing out self-serve soda machines in all U.S. locations by 2032, transitioning to behind-the-counter beverage service to improve consistency and efficiency. This change removes customer-accessible fountains, ending the era of in-store free refills as part of a modernization effort.
Melita and i went to meet my cousin David Wain and his wife Kayte at the IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge. They had a reservation and it all started out nicely……. but didn’t end happily. Welcome to Chicago cousin.
I last saw David when he came for a visit in 2008 and he was here again as his wife has an attorneys conference here. Melita who just recently passed the bar exam (YAY). She and Kayte hit off immediately which was relief because David and I had a lot to catch up on. He was buying drink after drink and Melita not being a drinker and this would be the very first time I saw her pleasantly intoxicated. It was all in good fun. She looked fantastically professional and David standing at 6 foot 9 inches got a lot of attention and there I was in my one of my token cowboy hats. The Wains were guests at the hotel and the bar tab after a stretch was up around $1200. Melita had to leave and we were hanging out for one more round which Mrs. Wain paid for after David closed out our tab. Most of the other patrons were from Chicago and not guests of the hotel and at one point Kayte pointed out a hefty “hootchie mama”” at the bar with her breasts bare practically laying on the bar. It was really disguising honestly.
So with a tab nearing $1500 paid for by two guests of the hotel suddenly we were asked by management to move because some entitled types for some reason wanted our table. It was typical post 2020 riots Chicago and I wasn’t surprised but not happy about it. But David and I were accommodating but Kayte was livid. She got into a loud altercation with the manager and actually shoved him at one point. She was well within her right and I understand why she was upset but were weren’t going to win. Both David and I were holding her band and we finally got her out the door and I made my way back home via CTA. It was a long commute and I was feeling it for certain. We had a podcast the next afternoon.
I uttered words I never thought I’d say out loud, “I wish our fathers could see us now.”
It was nice to have David be part of my show which is now into its seventh year and a LOT of fun. We had some beer, tequila and vodka on the porch and I grilled some Hot Links and cheese burgers.
The MKULTRASOUND PodCast: Peter Guellard of DEATH BY LOVE Sunday May 10, 2026
With your hosts Alex Zander, Max Bravo and David Wain (Son of John and Cousin of AZ)
Peter Guellard is a Polish-American music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has been a prominent figure in the goth and industrial music scenes for over three decades. Originally from Poland, he moved to the United States in 1991 and is currently based in the Pittsburgh region. Guellard’s work spans several influential dark-electronic and industrial groups:
DEATH BY LOVE: His most recent project, an international collaboration with Polish singer Inga Habiba. The duo fuses gothic, industrial, and trip-hop with Middle Eastern influences; their debut album, 444, was released in February 2026.
Blitzkrieg: Guellard was the frontman of this seminal Polish goth band.
Dichro: A Pittsburgh-based project he led before pivoting to DEATH BY LOVE.
Collaborations: He has toured or recorded with notable acts such as The Electric Hellfire Club, Clan of Xymox, Closterkeller, Moskwa, Venus In Furs, and was the founder and frontman for 90’s industrial band Mace.
Beyond performance, Guellard is a highly experienced audio and video producer. Guellard has worked as an in-house sound engineer and stage manager for Pittsburgh venues and broadcasters like Club Cafe and WYEP. Peter cites Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) as a major inspiration for his “one-man-band” approach to using music workstations and electronics in production. In addition to his own music, he offers remixing and ghostwriting services for other gothic and industrial artists.
Playlist
DEATH BY LOVE – “God”
DEATH BY LOVE – “In Unity”
DEATH BY LOVE – “I Don’t”
THE COCKS – “Endless Hummer”
DEATH BY LOVE – “Forest”
THE ELECTRIC HELLFIRE CLUB – “Psychedelic Sacrifice Say You Love Satan Mix”
Van Halen “Happy Trails”
Scott Pete Hot Links (specifically the Hot Beef Polish Sausage) are highly regarded as a “Flavor of Chicago” product, known for a bold, spicy flavor and a distinct natural casing “snap” when bitten. They are premium, small-batch sausages priced around $6–$8 for a 20 oz pack, generally considered better quality than average grocery store brands.
