Many readers write in to ask, “Bob, where are you going on vacation this year, because we want to make sure we don’t run into you?”

My advice is, visit The Ledge, opening today at the Sears Tower in Chicago. If you’re out on The Ledge and some other guy is there, he won’t be me.

What are people thinking, going out on a clear thingy that lets them look 103 floors straight down?

Do you know how many of these things fall off the sides of buildings carrying visitors to their death every year? I don’t actually know the answer, but I just assume it’s a lot of them.

I also assume they made this thing from cheap coffee table glass, and stuck it on the side of the Sears Tower with Elmer’s Glue, because that’s how I would do it.

But don’t just listen to me. There are plenty of really important Chicago people, like Oprah Winfrey and sometimes Barack Obama and that Bob Newhart psychologist guy. When you see one of THEM out on this contraption, you let me know.

The Ledge slideshow

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Children on “The Ledge” look down through a glass floor 1,353 feet above Wacker Drive in Chicago, July 1, 2009. The Ledge is part of Skydeck Chicago located on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower. REUTERS photos by Frank Polich

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This blog’s top five most popular posts for June reflected the well- rounded interests of my readers.

They clearly are absorbed by space, flocking to a post about chicks from other planets. Also the presidency - Obama eating a candy bar - and the legal system, in the form of the Phil Spector trial.

On top of that, they were fascinated by media coverage of a potential air mishap, and a post that combined travel, exercise and the arts.

It’s a wonder they don’t give college credit for reading this thing!

Here are the top five:

5. Hamana-hamana-hamana…

4. Just drive in circles while I finish my candy bar!

3. Stand up Mr. Spector. Oh, Sorry!

2. The real, actual, genuine arrival sign!

And the number one most popular post for June:

1. It don’t get no stupider than this!

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Above: Model presents the latest collection by Larisa Katz of the Netherlands during Bahrain Fashion Week in Manama, May 30, 2009. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Right: President Barack Obama eats a snack in his limousine as he arrives in Dresden June 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Fabrizio Bensch

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It’s me, Blog Guy, the aspiring photojournalist you’ve been mentoring. Congratulate me, I just shot my first presidential event, and here’s my shot! What do you think?

Um, it’s pretty much in focus, I’ll say that for it.

And?

Good use of depth-of-field. I like those lights in the background.

Thanks. What else? Don’t be afraid to be critical.

Well, I was just wondering, did  you shoot from the same angle as the other photographers?

Funny you should ask. I barely saw them - they were standing across the room, in FRONT of the President, which seemed funny to me. I bet they got nothing but crap.

No doubt. You just keep doing what you’re doing. Someday this photo could be on the front of the Obama $1,000 bill. Or on the back of it, at least.

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President Barack Obama discusses fatherhood and mentoring at an event in the East Room of the White House, June 19, 2009. REUTERS/ Larry Downing

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Blog Guy, have you seen that video of President Barack Obama killing a fly with his bare hands?

Sure. I’ve watched it 82 times so far. It’s important footage because of the history of presidents and insects.

This has happened before?

Yes. There was the famous cicada attack on George W. Bush about five years ago, as you can see in this photo. That ended when the Secret Service wrestled it to the ground.

I also recall a story about Bill Clinton and his fly, but that may be a different sort of deal.

That’s interesting. I was afraid you were going to talk about Richard Nixon’s bugs.

Oh please. That would be much too obvious. 

Watch the video

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President George W. Bush is chased by a cicada as he walks up the steps to Air Force One, May 25, 2004. REUTERS/Larry Downing

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Ooookay, guys, I’ll admit it was a dumb idea to just drop by the ambassador’s residence here in Paris without calling first, but who knew he’d be out on a weeknight?

Y’know, he told me to come by if I was ever in France, but I guess folks always say that.

I even got him a bottle of duty-free Sambuca at the airport, too. Let’s give him five more minutes - I bet he just went up to the corner for some gum.

These concrete steps are really uncomfortable. Herb, go jiggle that doorknob and see if he left it unlocked. Maybe we can find some leftovers in the kitchen.

I’ll tell you one thing, this is the LAST time I go overseas without planning some stuff in advance!

You guys wanna go see some more damned paintings? Yeah, me neither…

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President Barack Obama talks to aides as he sits on the steps of the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris in this handout photo taken June 7, 2009 and later released by the White House. REUTERS/Pete Souza

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Mr. Spielberg, I know we didn’t plan to make any more Indiana Jones movies, but this opportunity is just too good to pass up.

Forget about Harrison Ford. We’re recasting the part with - are you ready? - President Barack Obama!

We’ve already done some screen tests, and he looks PERFECT in the hat! And as you’ll see, he was BORN to say the classic Indy line, “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go”

But here’s the neatest part, Mr. Spielberg, Obama has actually submitted his own script!

It’s not bad. It has Nazis and Commies and aliens, and then in the big climax he gets them all into a room and calls for “new beginning.”

Just picture it, Mr. Spielberg, he cracks his whip and says, “This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.” And then the credits roll…

Oh. Well, okay, I guess he wouldn’t mind if we reworked it just a bit, Mr. Spielberg.

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President Barack Obama tours the Egyptian Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx in handout photos taken June 4, 2009 outside of Cairo and later released by the White House. REUTERS/Pete Souza/The White House/Handout

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Blog Guy, can you clear something up for me? I saw photos of President Barack Obama and other major European leaders at the D-Day ceremonies in France, but there is one guy in a uniform who isn’t identified.

Yes, I noticed that, too. I believe he is Captain Kangaroo.

Excuse me? Why would Captain Kangaroo be with world leaders?

He was a war hero in World War II, fighting alongside actor Lee Marvin. So it makes sense.

Not really, since a) that Lee Marvin/Captain Kangaroo urban legend has been widely debunked, and b) Captain Kangaroo is dead and c) you’re a total moron!

You know, I think Captain Kangaroo was a NAVY captain, so it must be someone else. Maybe he’s the head of the military junta that runs Belgium. I’m glad I was able to help.

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Above left: Captain Kangaroo

Left: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks with U.S. President Barack Obama as they walk with Britain’s Prince Charles, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown before a ceremony in France to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day, on June 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eric Feferberg/Pool

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This photo from yesterday, showing a presidential snack, has me baffled.

See, the president just landed in Germany on Air Force One. He gets off the plane and into his limo, and suddenly, HE’S EATING A CANDY BAR!

Hold on! They don’t have food for him on his plane? Was there a vending machine on the tarmac and he just couldn’t resist some rich chocolaty nougat goodness, or what?

“I’m sorry Mr. President, but the captain has begun his descent. Food service has ended. You’ll have to wait until you’re on the ground.”

“But I’m the President of the United States! I can SEE a fricking pile of peanutty milk chocolate bars over there!”

“I’m sorry sir, but rules are rules. If I make an exception for one person….”

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President Barack Obama eats a snack in his limousine after he steps off Air Force One in Dresden, Germany, June 4, 2009. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

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Okay, everybody here at the ad agency is really pumped that Barack Obama agreed to be in our Canon camera advertisements, and I think the creative team has turned out some great copy to go with the photo:

“You’re only President for a few years, and they go by so quickly. That’s why more of us Presidents trust Canon to capture our cherished Presidential moments than any other camera.

“Face it. If I don’t record my presidency, then who will, so I never set foot on Air Force One without my Canon EOS.

“Yes, we Canon…”

Bravo! That’s great stuff, team. Now, how are we coming along with the Obama Wheaties commercials?

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President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer’s camera backstage prior to remarks in Mesa, Arizona, in this handout photo taken February 18, 2009 and later released by the White House. REUTERS/Pete Souza/The White House/Handout

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Listen up, people! The graduation ceremony at Annapolis is coming up, so sign up for your Goofy Act with the President.

The White House has graciously offered to let you get photographed  doing one spontaneous thing with the President, but you have to decide in advance.

Sign up here for hugs. We’ve also got fist bumps, elbow bumps, chest bumps, and folks who wanna stick out their tongue with Obama in the background.

Earl? You want to SHAKE HANDS? Are you out of your freakin’ mind? You never quite fit in, do you?

Good God! Lonnie, no! You cannot assume an Elvis Presley Las Vegas stage position with Obama! Okay, I’ll ask…

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U.S. Naval Academy grads interact with President Barack Obama at graduation in Annapolis, Maryland, May 22, 2009.

REUTERS photos by Larry Downing and Kevin Lamarque

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