4th of July

We had a pretty good holiday. I hope you all did too.

Michael got into the mood for pizza for lunch. Normally we go to one of the local places for that or to one of the two Greek places listed on our mutual blog because they just simply have the best pizza. I love Greek pizza. Well, we ended up going to try Uno Chicago Grill. I'd passed by there a couple of times and heard they had good pizza. Well, they sure as heck do! The deep pan is just the best crust ever. We think it's actual pie crust because it's so flaky and yummy (like a biscuit). They were running a special where we got a free personal size so I ate a piece of the larger one and one of the smaller. Michael polished off the smaller and had one of the larger. We were both stuffed because they don't skimp on the toppings and the crust is nice and fulfilling. I can't remember the last time I felt full through the half of a second slice of pizza. The larger size is not as big in diameter as most places but because it is denser, we figure that it all works out. We reheated the leftover pizza for lunch today and it was just as delicious. The crust was not hard at all. So, if you have one near you, try it out. We plan on going back because they have a huge menu. This one may just end up pn our favorites list!

After lunch we came home and chilled before going to Jon and Heather's (they live with her mom) for a bbq. They live way up 77 from us at in the middle of nowhere. Two others joined us, Corinna, who works with Jon, and Trevor, a regular customer at the store. I know the latter from my days of working there. Before they arrived, Jon lit the grill (he just bought it on Wednesday). The flames were impressive. And showed no signs of slowing down so they (he and Michael) decided to close the lid. Well, the top vent was still open but the bottom was closed off. Michael had the bright idea after about two minutes of checking on the charcoal. Yeah, I think the flames were just waiting for such a move because they backdrafted out in such a rush that Michael's arm was singed and even Jon (who was further away) lost a few ends. Michael's response to our concern, "Do you have any idea how many times I've lit myself on fire?" He kept thinking it was cool while the rest of us were like, "Holy crap!" In hindsight, I think we should have known that would not be the end of the fire excitement.

Trevor and Corinna arrived and we all ate and chatted. Afterwards we went inside and started a game of Indiana Jones Monopoly. Jon and Heather will be quite the easy couple to buy for because they both think kitschy stuff is cool. Michael and I consider ourselves easy to buy for though that's not what we get told. Hey, you want to spend money on us? Go ahead. We will like whatever it is. But I digress. Jon started out strong and buying up stuff. Heather and I had a hard time landing on anything we could buy. In the end it was a race amongst the guys to see who could buy what. But before we got too into it we went outside to do fireworks.

Good God, Jon and Heather had bought an arsenal! Actually, they said that most of them were buy 1 get 1 so I didn't feel too bad about not putting any moolah into that pot. Michael ended up taking over the lighting from Jon (just like he did the burger flipping) because, well, Michael loooooves boom booms. I swear, I don't know how his mother survived his childhood. The more I learn the more I wonder at his intact existence. Give Michael fire and he's a happy boy. Maybe he was a pyromaniac in another life.

Anyway, all was going well until Michael tried lighting two multi-shooters off at the same time. We think one bounced into the other and they fell over. Next thing we know, we have fireworks going off in all sorts of unpredictable directions. One flew straight down the road like a roadrunner. A few shot up in the air. Another went towards the field and woods across from the house (that had a potential for disaster trailing after it). But the two "best" ones came right after each other. The first headed towards the cars but safely landed behind Jon's car. The latter dove into a bush and promptly lit the thing on fire. Jon yelled that we had a fire and Michael yelled for water. Heather headed for a bucket of water while Trevor found some kind of tarp. Michael grabbed a bottle of water and I'm not sure what Jon went for. I'd been too far back in the bed of Michael's truck to move quickly so I stayed where I was. I don't know where anything is at their house so I figured it best to stay out of the way unless more help was needed. Corinna was probably in the same thought. Michael doused it first with the bottled water but Trevor got it out with the tarp. He was the hero of the moment. They poured some water on it from Heather's bucket just to be sure. Trevor said he felt bad about silencing God by putting out the burning bush. lol

The rest of the fireworks went off without a problem. They were very pretty. We retired to the game but Corinna bowed out to go home. It was 10:30p so I didn't blame her. The rest of us stayed another hour. Just before we getting ready to leave, Heather's mom comes into the living to say that she smelled smoke and we better check for a fire. Jon thought that she was just smelling the air that had gotten into the house from him bringing in the outside furniture. I said that we had better listen to her and check on the bush. Sure enough, Trevor no sooner leaves than rushes back in to say that the thing is on fire again. Michael and I went for the bucket again. I found a pitcher while Michael grabbed the bucket. I ended up filling that thing twice just to make sure. We doused it damn good this time and I stamped out an ember that tried to escape. And no, it didn't light up again. Let me tell you, that was fun. They don't have a hose which would have helped stop it completely the first time but I guess we needed the extra adrenaline rush for the ride home.

Overall, it was a good day. We made it home just before 1am. As Jon says, "Good times."

Busy Busy

This week went fast. I got a decent bit done though so that could be why.

I finished up with the FJ class. The students wanted to go to dinner last night so we went to Miyo's on Forest Drive. They wanted to buy me dinner. Isn't that sweet? Michael was able to join us and we had a good time. They're a great group of people. I still need to turn in my grades but that won't take long.

I made up the Summer II syllabus and posted it for my class. I also emailed them and sent a list of people who are selling their book. Go me. That class starts next Tuesday.

I did get some writing done on the dissertation. Val, Andi, get up off the damn floor. Smart alecs. I essentially have the next segment of my theory chapter down. I need to look into a few things to see if I want to add anything but I think it's fine right now. 3 more to go once that's tweaked.

Michael just splurged (on credit) for a 32" LCD tv for the kitchen. See, we have been rearranging stuff. We broke down the kitchen table (because we never use it anyway since we don't have the chairs anymore -- we've been planning on replacing them for ages but keep putting it off) and the living room table and put the pieces in the spare bathroom (until the attic is no longer an oven or someone wants them). We moved the treadmill from the spare bedroom to the kitchen because Chug's crate takes up too much space for me to use it in there. Now, we do have a perfectly good older tv dinosaur but since those are quickly going the way of the dodo and way a freaking ton, Michael wanted us to get a new one. And wouldn't you know, Best Buy was having a sale on their already low priced Dynex. We looked at them on Monday for the hell of it and they were the normal price of $379. But right now they are $300. Pretty good freaking deal and the picture quality is decent. So, while I am writing this, Michael is setting it up. This means I will be able to get back on the treadmill with something entertaining to look at. I can start catching up on all of the tv shows I've been wanting to see. Yay! Seriously, I can get back into the walking routine cause it is way too freaking hot outside.

So, now the kitchen has some space. The spare bedroom is a work in progress but that's only because there's room for bookshelves. lol Seriously though, I have been tweaking it as much as possible. We'll eventually get it together. . .and then we'll just want to change it again. lol Isn't that how it goes?

Have a good 4th!