After some quality time with Wendy and Darwin, Tyler and I rushed out the door to see the fireworks in Wascana Park on Canada Day. We had snapped some pictures of the sunset from Wendy's balcony and in the distance could see that a massive thunderstorm was looming on the horizon. Online it said the fireworks would be going off at 10:30, but if the weather wasn't cooperating they'd go off sooner. We hunted down a parking spot in suburbia around 10 or so, and just as we opened our doors we heard it - the first firework went off. With that we decided to take a jog.
We didn't end up missing much, but ended up just outside the Legislative Building and found a spot next to the west wing stairs. The last time I'd seen the fireworks in Regina was during a summer semester in 2007, this time they seemed way better. It did start to pour rain about halfway through, but we were able to take shelter in the door well at the top of the stairs. It was actually quite an energetic scene with everyone fleeing Wascana while the fireworks continued overhead. It was a good show that continued even after we left the park. The lightning that night was just as epic.
No amazing story today, just a few cool snaps from a late night walk along the hill above downtown Medicine Hat.
What I'm loving most about summer so far is that I'm busy in a way that feels way healthier than it did last year. While the lack of extra editing work is taking a small toll financially, I'm pursuing more creative avenues and giving myself projects, I'm blogging in a way that has been really rewarding these days, and I'm finding time to see more people and take time out. Wednesday night was a prime example.
I met up with my friends Keith and Taylor down at Local for beers and a chat. We've all known each other since we were kids and despite it being months since our last meet up, things always go right back to the same old dynamic. Not surprisingly, I snapped a few pictures, and we discussed how brilliant it would've been to have documented some of our childhood games and creations as thoroughly as I do now. Keith had an epic Lego collection that dominated the pool table in his parent's basement, and years of our after school hangouts were spent there. Even just talking about some of that stuff again is like a boost of energy - the burger helped too.
From there we went back to my place to replay one of our later Super Nintendo tycoon-style addictions, Aerobiz. The objective of the game is to dominate the world by building an airline and linking cities, and while perhaps a bit more refined than virtually shooting one another, I think we'd agree there is something very gratifying about defeating your friends with business savvy and forced bankruptcy. Competitive strategy games were always popular with us, and it's kind of funny thinking about how much we all seemed to share an interest in geography, history, and war. I'm not sure I have anyone else to blame for why I became so addicted to Civilization II.
The visit was welcome and overdue, and it seemed to nicely compliment my nostalgia trip in Regina last weekend. That said, I'm ready for a rematch anytime, gents.
