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Maybe one of the reasons I am such a fiend for swimming is I don't do too well in the heat. That's one reason why I was a lifeguard back in the day on Long Island. I don't care how hot it is, just take me to the water and I'll be fine. Today there would be no swimming. Sarah was giving away flour as part of the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival in Logan Square, a gentrifying hipster enclave in the heart of Chicago. It was in the 90s and hella humid. I hadn't slept much all week thanks to flimsy motel walls and too much caffeine for those late afternoon pushes. Maybe I'm just delicate. I wilted in the oppressive heat and got a little cranky. I knew just what I needed, but all the bars had that newly renovated feeling, staffed by high-attitude, low-service 'tenders. I finally found a promising place with an "Absolutely No Colors Inside" warning taped to the door. Inside it was all old-timers and $2 schooners of beer. Got into a long conversation about music with the guy next to me who couldn't believe I DJ 45s when I hadn't heard of this or that song from his storied past. After two little beers the third one was free. I've been in Seattle so long I'd forgotten there was such a thing as a buyback. There's something nice about it which goes beyond money. After that, 2 liters of water, and an hour or more in the AC I was ready to go out and face the heat. For some odd reason, Sarah loves this weather and there she was giving food away with a smile. |