notes & things | 7/6/26
Am not feeling particularly patriotic this go round of July 4th, but we did wind up downtown along the riverwalk during fireworks for Js usual karaoke gig. Though no one saw much, due to the thick bank of fog that moved in after the temps changed. Just Chicago being its usual Chicago. We emerged from our movie outing (the rather meh SUPERGIRL and the awesomely brilliant THE INVITE ) and planned to walk a couple blocks over the bar around 10pm, only to find the tops of the buildings shrouded despite the crush of people we cut across making their way over to Navy Pier. Now actually, I see Navy Pier fireworks quite often so its not something I would go out of my way to experience (one of the best vantages is actually the lobby of Chicago Shakespeare Theater. I also used to see them every Weds when I was leaving out the studio years ago. ) Apparently LSD was a parking lot all for some flashes in the fog that looked like slightly colored lightning, though some lower, likely unsanctioned, ones along were visible along the riverwalk. The bar was pretty packed until closing after 2am. Walking back from the bar to the garage we parked in, the Streeterville streets were mostly empty and hushed, but the detritus--two random discarded sandals on a corner, a water bottle, random trash-- indicated a party had been there only hours before. It looked like we'd stumbled into the apocalypse. though making our way north, we saw 4am bars emptying out and the places open all night crowded with bar-goers. For us, it was a long night that ended in an all-night diner for a monte cristo and then home at dawn to crawl into bed.
We slept late today, but I did get some progress on a new play project still in the early stages, despite planning to take the day off (though I followed it up with a lengthy nap later.) Sundays are usually pretty slow and since the night before is is usually a late one (even if I am not actually out), so we are slower to get up for coffee and breakfast. This week, we have a few shows, including a Broadway touring production of SUFFS and Steppenwolf's CATCH AS CATCH CAN which we wanted to see before it closes, then perhaps the one I am most excited by--an opera version of TURN OF THE SCREW down at Roosevelt U, which should be fun. Last week, there were some heavy hitters in JOB at Writers Theatre up in Glencoe and UNCLE VANYA at a small storefront theater up in the neighborhood, both really great and more serious in their themes.
This weeks tasks include finishing layout on the eco-gothic anthology, which got pushed off from last week, plus finishing off some edits on upcoming chaps. I am aware that we are on the down slope of summer really. That it rolls faster after the 4th. Hopefully, I can still squeeze whatever is left of it out before autumn. I should also be getting the very first copies of the new book, so stay tuned on that front.
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