The rest of the 4th.
El and I went to dinner at her exroommate’s new house. The first thing I noticed: no air conditioning. I’ve been totally spoiled by having it at 614. Life in the summer is spent shuttling from a/c to a/c. Mmmm.
Dinner was good, although noticeably lacking on grilled ex cow. Sigh. I had to bring my own beer too, but at least I was allowed to bring it. 
After dinner, we met up with my brother on the lakefill for fireworks. It was a great show. I love how every year, there’s a new type of firework to ooh and ahh over. This year, it was this round one that was made up of circular flourishes. They also had a few of the ever popular smiley face ones.
My brother loves fireworks. I think El enjoyed his oohing and ahhing more than anything else.
The bugs weren’t even too bad.
Watching the Evanston fireworks reminded me of the first time I’d seen them: from the lawn of Norris, 10 years ago. 1993. I was in CTD for the first time. All alone, since Kuwie and Ciaran had decided not to go. Searching for friends. Young and tiny. Thick gray glasses wearing geek amongst the geeks. Shudder.
For my brother it was even longer: 15 years. He called his friends Kate and Albert to remind them how old they all were. This spawned more calling.
Boom.
You mean it’s been 10 years since the infamous command to Nathaniel?
“Nathaniel! Shut the $*@^%!# door!”
Heh heh heh…..