Yes, it is the 4th of July everywhere. Intellectually, I completely understood and thought I was prepared for the fact that nobody else in the world gives a damn about that day but us. Most Americans, even, don't really care. It's just our God-given right to that day off dedicated to eating outside and high explosives. I like that. Most Americans like that.
However, I was completely unprepared for how weird it was going to be today. I am not a big patriot by any means, but it is so strange to be here in the UK while everyone is celebrating back in the states. I get messages from friends who are cooking out today. We are going to be watching a webcast later this evening of our old neighborood's BBQ. It's on the news, etc. It's all just weird.
So, my family and I--we will celebrate. We are going to invite our new British neighbors over for Dogs and Burgers and make them enjoy this day dammit! AND I am going to spend the evening listening to the White Sox game on MLB.com!
But--I'll have to wait until Guy Fawkes day (Nov. 5th) for the fireworks to go on sale here!
Enjoy the day. Be Patriotic, but not the nationalistic/jingoistic/Fox news/Karl Rove version of it! (That's part of the reason I left in the first place!)
--tomb
