I keep accidentally deleting this book post so let's just post it with only one book in it

SO I DON'T DELETE IT AGAIN! Gah.

Changes, by Jim Butcher
Took a while to get into it. Didn't like how short the chapters were. But then once I got hooked I was WAY hooked. Not my favorite of his books but the best parts are up there with the best parts of any of them. If you're interested in noir urban fantasy with funny things in it, start at the beginning with Storm Front.
(77/200)

Then (Spring 1997) and Now, Live Music Edition

Then: Had never heard of most of the acts I saw.
Now: More often than not, motivated by legendary status and probable imminent death of some of the same acts.

Then: Spent all day at venue, arriving hours before first act.
Now: Stayed for an hour, went home, came back hours later.

Then: Stood as close as possible to stage.
Now: Yep. Right in front of the speakers. HELL YEAH.

Then: Avoided attending with friends because I was there for the music and didn't want to deal with social things.
Now: Invited friends, but they're all too old/busy/not-living-nearby.

Then: Danced and flirted with as many cute people as convenient.
Now: No, no, no, no. (Maybe if my friends'd come.)

Then: I could have danced all night.
Now: DANCE DANCE DANCE. (wheeze quietly for half a song). DANCE DANCE DANCE. (oof. huff.) JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP. (clutch fence, feel old but happy.)

Then: Was always surprised when I utterly lost myself to the song.
Now: You'd think I'd quit being surprised.

Then: Contact high.
Now: Indeed (whoa, have I lost my resistance). And an extra buzz from graffiti spray paint cans that were being wielded next to the stage.

Then: Sweat and singing and yelling and physical community and oh my god, the music.
Now: Yes, that.

Then: Would crash in Ari's bed, or walk home through bar-hopping crowds, singing to myself, depending on exhaustion levels.
Now: Made it home on foot, barely.

Then: Lilacs smelled sweetest at midnight.
Now: They still do.