Hotdogs, Fireworks, and a Missed Day at the Park

This fourth of July weekend finds me in the Bay area and, for the first time since starting this blog, away from Mimi and Sumie.  My mission: find an apartment and have a great time at my friend Mike's wedding. 

The apartment search deserves a chapter of its own, but the summary so far is that Sumie and I will definitely find a neighborhood and apartment in SF that we'll love.  We're just not sure if it'll happen before we leave New York. 

Last night was all about providing Mike with an appropriate send-off.  The boys gathered at Mike's house for drinks, dinner, and mild debauchery.  This was made all the easier given that Mike's cul-de-sac was having its annual 4th of July block party - complete with aggressively illegal fireworks. 

The show began with an announcement that the fireworks were going up.  No warnings to stand clear, keep a safe distance, or to watch for falling embers; just a friendly request to stop what you were doing and look up.  Let's just say it wasn't the safest of all shows. 

When the show started we were watching from the relative safety of Mike's garage.  But this view just wasn't "American" enough for the 4th of July.  We had to take it up a notch, so we piled into the bed of Mike's pickup truck.  This was far more appropriate setting, but perhaps not the wisest choice given the rapidly escalating inebriation of the men with the matches.  One misfire went up only 10 feet or so before deciding to shower everyone with blue flame.  Another didn't even leave the ground.  Those of us still in the truck, now a decidedly unsafe and sane place to be, were subject to a massive concussion as the charge blew.  Here's a view of the carnage.  This is not the sun.

But the fireworks were, amazingly, not the most dangerous feature of our night with Mike.  This honor goes to "the Balrog."  Sprung from the bowels of an Oscar-Mayer hell, this was a hot dog doused in easy cheese, wrapped in hamburger, and served with a garnish of more cheese.

But even this was not deemed sufficiently dangerous.  Therefore, it went back to the shop for an application of mayo, salsa, and a greasily fried egg.  Those who partook said it was tasty.  It seems that most have survived the experience (at least so far).

Though I'm excited for the wedding today, and incredibly thankful that I can be here for Mike, I can't help but miss Mimi.  The older she gets the harder it is for me to be away.  Sumie took her to the park near our apartment the other day and she played it up.  I've put her on the swings several times before, but she was always anxious.  With Sumie, though, she lit up.  She also went on to play with the little fountain.  Apparently she loved it.  Yes!  My daughter likes the water! 

I can't believe just how much one can miss in a day or two when a child is this age.  It really is fleeting.
Steve