The month of July was quite an eclectic one. Summer school progressed well. French was a breeze as expected, almost painfully so. It was quite a test of endurance day in and day out to survive terrible accents, the over exuberance of the teacher and all around disdain for summer school. Having friends is a great thing though, and makes the whole experience quite a bit more bearable. American Government and Politics was really quite intriguing and has inspired me to write a series of editorials in the autumn concerning the basic foundations of the American political system.
Shortly after returning home from the Fling I had the opportunity to spend an evening with a long lost friend. Matthew S. and I attended the same Spanish class before I moved to Switzerland and he and his family moved up to Washington. We got some Mongolian Barbeque (which he had never had before) and then went long boarding in my old neighborhood. We finished off the evening with chocolate shake from In N Out. It was good to catch up with him and just being able to hang out and skate.
Through out the course of July Matt W and Luke H frequented my back patio in evenings of discussion and comradery. Matt and I have begun to make a habit of buying those delicious hand-rolled cigars from one of the Local tobacco shops, returning to the patio and discussing all manner of topics from faith and religion to politics and society as far as women and relationships, all amidst the silky veils of that fine tobacco. We then have also added to our tradition a stop at In N Out to finish off the night. A most memorable moment the first time we all gathered there, having ordered and received our food we sat down. Matt, having examined the bounty that lay before for him, promptly exclaimed: "I can't believe $9.22 can get you so much food!"
Around the end of the month I was afforded the opportunity to aid a friend in moving. Don J and his family (who I know from church and working at the Mall) moved cross country. Don had given me some labor in January before I was formally employed, and I figured I owe him the favor as well as applying the principles or reciprocity and neighborliness. I gained from this labor, much like one of the Labors of Hercules, a pair of nice Aviator shades
The month was not all good though. Lyle Sladek, a World War II veteran, Math genius and a few other things besides, passed away. I first met him at a young age, during the hay day of my fascination with the Second World War. His daughter wrote a book, "Lucky Stars and Gold Bars" about his experiences leading up to and during his service as a US Army cryptologist in the Pacific and European theaters of the war.
I also got to visit Chloe R and her family out in Lancaster in an attempt to help them renovate a house that they own there. The day and a half spent there was well worth it and very much enjoyable.
I believe that covers the best part of my July. Ah I almost quite forgot! I was able to spend copious amounts of time watching television series of all manner in July. Breaking Bad, first and foremost of which was and still is really very well done, very dramatic, rather graphic and very very intense. The Big Bang Theory is very funny, though the bulk of the scientifically humorous jokes are to be found in the first two seasons. Tim Allen's Last Man Standing is a good natured, well rounded family Sitcom in which Tim is the face of "Outdoor Man" a fictional outdoor gear shop. He is married, and has three daughters. It is very reminiscent of "Home Improvement" but is more focused on his family and their interactions with each other and the rest of the world. Lastly I had begun watching "Falling Skies" a post apocalyptic drama follwing a group of rebel survivors after an alien race has invaded the planet, killed 90% of the population and begun "harnassing" children and teenagers, and using the harnassed kids to do their bidding. All around well executed and a Sci Fi show one can really get immersed in. That then encompasses my "Dog Days" of summer!
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