I can’t remember the last time I was in the US for the 4th of July. I spent too much time thinking about this all afternoon, but basically it has been a while, eight years-ish. I am excited to be back, in a place that is starting to feel like home. I am closer to my family, I am doing work that I like, and my access to potable water and tacos has gone WAY up. It’s also a home with a helluva lot of issues, with an intensely problematic narcissist at the helm, and deeply rooted inequalities across all realms, but it’s home.

Without diving into a tornado of political head-banging-against-the-table (which I am tempted to do and is honestly almost too easy at this point) I hope you all have a safe and happy Independence Day. It’s a messy place, full of all kinds of people, from all kinds of places, and I am going to Echo Park to watch the fireworks and eat tamales to celebrate. Try not to blow off your fingers tonight.