Happy 4th, You

Happy 4th of July!

How went my weekend?

Went to April Mae June July's for her graduation party. Not a whole lot of people came, but I met some of her friends from how and it was pretty interesting. The backyard was set up real nice with bar decs (her dad used to own his own bar) and tiki torches around the pool, a keg in the garage next to a tent/bar.
It was a good time. We ate tons of food- italian beef sandwiches, cake and tons of veggies (April's a vegetarian if you didn't know). As it grew closer to 1 a.m., April's friends were growing antsy because they wanted to go to this bar, City Tavern, which as it turns out is mucho like Stix. For you guys, since you haven't been there- this is Stix- A little annoying... you know you don't want to go but you end up there anyway to see who came, because it's "the place to see people and be seen." Either that or you got drunk and figured you could put up with the crowds to get your groove on a little.
Anyway- to City we went, then back to April's to crash.
Slept in, or moreso than I have this summer. When we awoke, we got in the pool and laid out and swam all day with April's step mom, dad and step sister. I was working on a tan. Later we went to the mall to hit up Victoria's Secret. Suddenly her friend Mary called and asked if we wanted to take the train (the Metra, from University Park) into Chicago and watch the fireworks there.We went.
Taste of Chicago was happening down in Grant Park so we got some garlic cheese bread because they had run out of everything else and we already bought food tickets. We found ourselves a nice little standing area on a path next to some bushes. April ate her cheesebread, even though she had gotten flustered and dropped it on the ground. We did not brave those crazy crowds for nothing, I guess I don't blame her.
We watched an incredible fireworks show over Lake Michigan. When we headed back, we decided to walk around town before we hit up the train station. We walked down toward Michigan Avenue. I couldn't believe what I saw before my eyes. April was stunned too, and I wish I had brought my camera. Wall to wall people flooded Michigan Avenue and connecting streets. The people were taking over the city. It looked like something I had only seen in movies before. We walked. ON MICHIGAN AVENUE, around, downtown, across the river and past the Wrigley Building. Amazing. All the people, it was a little overwhelming, but at the same time, incredible. We stopped at Millenium Park, to make a wish in the new fountain. I found myself staring at the people. Trying to figure out who was a tourist, and who was a townie. All the bars were packed. I wonder how many people I knew were down there.
Around 11:15 we decided to go to the Randolph Street station and we caught a train back to University Park and drove back to Bradley. As soon as we got around 1:45 I showered and went to sleep. The melting ice from the vendors at "Taste" had run into the street... with all the people herding themselves through the maze of humanity, a sludgy substance had clung to April's jeans (which I had borrowed) and turned my green sandals a brownish color.
This morning I woke up and drove back to the QC. It rained a lot of the way, but strangely I wasn't scared of the rain on the road, as I have been usually since the accident with Diane and I on the way to Texas. The area hasn't had rain all month, and the grass is a hard, yellow hay-like mass. We needed it. Could have used it a day later. I saw on the news that East Moline had their 4th of July parade regardless, and many people had watched it from their car. All we need is another bout like that tonight, while I sleep. That's so peaceful, to fall asleep to the rain falling to the ground, and to wake up and go to work smelling fresh rain and enjoying the cool air.
I'm sorry I missed Emily's party. Em- your message, "I'd like to thank everyone from this weekend. It was the BEST weekend of my LIFE!! I hope I NEVER forget ANY of it!!! :-D (but sad cuz marc is gone :-()" makes me wish especially that I had been there. And I wish I coulda met Marc. But I guess it doesn't sound like he's going anywhere anytime soon. You should post some details, I'd love to hear about it!
Currently getting things cleaned up around the dorm, listening to some relaxing music. Garden State Soundtrack. I recently watched it again. The first time I had a hard time taking it all in. And it had to live up to the standards that Woike had implanted in my head. It's not as great as he says it is, but thought provoking, and overall good movie.
Have a great remainder of the holiday.