*BANGBANGBANG*

...and not in a good way. The fireworks started a few days ago, but tonight is everybody's Test Drive. The Slaveway down the street has a fireworks stand that is constantly busy. Because we live in "unincorporated King county" I don't think there are any laws against setting off bottle rockets and other crap in the neighborhood. So far all they've done is make loud, sudden noise that has freaked me out a few times, but nobody is hurt. One blast sounded like it was right outside our open window (it wasn't), and I had to catch Grady when I popped my head out the front door to see if anything was on fire in my front yard. He was a little spooked, but recovered quickly. If it gets too bad he can go sit in the cave with Garret -- there's enough white noise and television in there to drown out a jet engine.

I'm good. Working through some personal issues, enjoying my new responsibilities at work, that kind of thing. I won't go into detail because this is a public post, but I've been trying to alleviate this lonely feeling I've been carrying around for a while now. Between budding work relationships and my band I think I'm doing okay. I'm a little stuck as to what to do once I get home, though.

This brings me to creative things. Tonight's extra rehearsal had all of us swapping instruments and making a lot of noise. A *LOT* of noise. Like cacophony noise. The only instrument in the room that sounded like it had any talent behind it was the keyboard, and that was because Ed already knew how to play it. Me, I forgot all my gear and couldn't hear anything beyond the drums. Ethan tried to tell me from behind the drumset what keys Ed was playing so I could follow along on his guitar, and Laurel was going to town on Ed's bass. It was all recorded. I don't know if I'm looking forward to it or not. Why did we do this? To come up with new material! We're a little burnt out on what we're doing now. It's time to grow.

I've been toying with the idea of a "craft night" at my house. I ran the idea past JLove, who thought it had promise, and then The Lamb, who seconded that thought, and then finally past the women I went to Las Vegas with, who thought it was a fantastic idea, and now I have to figure out when and how I'm going to clean my house in time. Craft Night wouldn't be at my place all the time, but I'd volunteer my house for the monthly or bi-monthly event. Still working out the details there.

I didn't expect to write this much. There must have been a lull in the fireworks that allowed me to concentrate for a full ten minutes.