Fireworks over Lake Michigan?

OK...so I went to Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend to experience that annual event that is the Taste of Chicago. And, tasted is exactly what I did. I had toasted ravioli, and jerk chicken, and a ginormous (yep, that's my word, and I'm trademarking it) turkey leg, and some mango dusted fries with chutney, and some noodles, and...well...you get the drift. My favorite taste came in the form of a sweet potato cheesecake. That joint was off the chain.



Enough talk about the Taste...let me get to the point. Anyways, picture it. Chicago. July 4, 2008. I am in the 3rd largest city in the nation, and of course, I expect to see fireworks to celebrate our country's independence. I had heard that fireworks were done on the 3rd, but I was like...what real American city in their right mind would do fireworks on the 3rd and not the 4th? Anyways, we find out that there would be fireworks both at Navy Pier and Grant Park at 9:30. So, my friend and I make our way through Millennium Park, through the Taste (of course, while scoping out what we were going to be tasting the next day) and Grant Park, take a few pictures, and then go to find a spot along the waterfront so that we could enjoy the fireworks, particularly since the Fourth is one of her favorite holidays. So, we find a spot, sit in the grass and just people watch. Then, 9:18 rolls around and the fireworks begin! Mind you, everyone was told that they would start at 9:30; however comma, clearly someone's watch was wrong. Anyways, we are enjoying the fireworks and hearing all of the children in awe. And, then it happens. The fireworks stop. But, here's the catch: it's 9:22/9:23. My friend and I look at each other and both of us are like...I know that's not it. This silence and dark sky must MUST be indicating that it's time for intermission. That is what we thought...that is, until we start seeing people get up and headed out. And, in my spirit, I'm thinking...I just know that the great city of Chicago did not just try the tens of thousands of people that came out to see fireworks with that 4 minute show? I just KNEW that good ole Chi-town didn't let all those masses of people drive from the suburbs to see that short ass sh*t! But, apparently, I was the one that was Boo-Boo the Fool b/c that is exactly what reality was.



Thoroughly disappointed, we got up, made our way through a massive crowd, and met some friends for dinner and drinks.

Pet Peeve #7653547

...bad ass kids in church, or better yet, the parents who let their kids act a fool in church. Here, I am...sitting in church...trying to get my Word on...and my inspiration for the week. Unfortunately, for me, there were two bad ass lil boys in the row in front of me, whose parents seemed to be oblivious to the fact that they were acting a fool. But, I told the devil that I was not going him stop me from getting my Word...so I tried my best to tune them out and to concentrate on the message. That is, until these lil fools decided to get down on the floor and start climbing under the seats. And, I'm talking about...they were wayyy under the seat to the point where one of their mothers had to get on the floor and pull the kids by their ankles to get them up. My thing is...is you had not let his bad ass get down on the floor in the FIRST place, there would not have been a scene. But, now, b/c you didn't make your little terror sit down and be still in the first place, you have managed to interrupt my Word. And, now I have to say an extra prayer to put myself back in the right spirit.

So, for all of you parents out there, if you are not going to control your child at church, send your child to children's church or sit in the balcony...because I go to church to get uplifted...not to have to pray for forgiveness for sitting in church and giving you and your child the evil eye!