Independence Day 2019

This morning I got up and dragged myself out of bed by promising myself coffee. I had three things I wanted to do this morning, and trying to decide what to do first was a challenge. They ended up happening in this order.
1. Exercise. I had just started my coffee when Cab decided that instead of going to the gym he would go for a run. I asked if I could tag along and he said yes. I've been jogging for a minute, walking for a minute or two on and off... Cab ran for 20 minutes straight, walked once and ran for another 10. Although his running pace is so much slower than mine, his stamina is excellent. We went nearly 3 miles in 30 minutes. 

I took a shower and cooked an egg, and we started on
2. Building the fence. Cab's neighbors started replacing the rotted fence in the backyard, and I said I would help him do his little section with the side gate. Yesterday we tore out the old fencing and went to buy the new supplies. Today we put most of it up. Problem was that the fencing didn't come out quite even, and I don't have the kind of saw we need to cut a fence board in half longways. So it didn't quite get finished, but it's way better, and it matches what the neighbor did.

Old rotten broken fence and gate

More rotten wood on the gate frame

What we put up today. I need a table saw to finish. 

3. Yesterday I put the songs for No Shade into sets, and today I wanted to make notes about which preset I would use in my vocal effects processor, and which songs needed a capo. I set up my amp, microphone, tablet, computer, effects processor, and just as I was getting started (and while Cab was gone somewhere) his kids showed up to spend the 4th. Along with them were some extra boys who are Parker's friends. They were all excited because they had been drinking energy drinks, and had fireworks. I felt pretty uncomfortable playing rockstar with my mic, amp, and guitar in the living room with them all around, but I needed to practice so I just tried to keep it down a bit. I made it through one of the sets.

I went out and cut some sage and oregano from the herb garden and used it in a pork tenderloin recipe which I cooked on the grill outside. When it finished Cab asked me to go with him to meet the mom of his childhood friend who was visiting. They were interesting people but I didn't have much to say.

Last year on independence day we had just moved in with Cab, and we hung out at his house and watched the neighborhood fireworks while Cab drove Uber. This year was a slight upgrade. Cab and I had made a Costco trip and bought the $60 safe and sane firework collection to split. Parker did his half just before dark, with his friends, then he went to a friends house near creekside where they have an awesome fireworks show.

That's Parker running with smoke bombs while others watch. 

Ruben waited until it was darker to light his fireworks, and Cab continued the Uber tradition. Ru had some beautiful fountains, one really scared me because it was so intense. I'm sensitive ;) I came inside due to the cold, and the booming continued long into the night.