So get up off the damn computer!

It is time to celebrate our independence because today the laws are slightly lax and blowing up things is accepted, even if just for a moment.

Blowing things up is such a great pastime.

Today is the day to spark up a joint if thats what you do, light the grill, and find a place outside the city limits to kill some bugs and risk our lives for a little excitement.

Do remember that drinking a lot makes you more flammable, and a little slow, so don’t drink and light fires. I had to say it because blowing people up isn’t as fun as blowing things up, like bugs.

The 4th of July is always a good time for me. Not because I am a patriot but because I have had so many good 4th of July moments. My parents are huge into fireworks! So much so that before I was old enough I had participated in a professional fireworks show. As soon as I could by law I was shooting fireworks as big as my head for a eager audience of thousands. (they only see the show you create and never you, but it is better that way).

I remember one fireworks meeting we had with a group call The Fire Ants. A few members had great big farms we could all meet on and shoot the best show we could all put together (which was pretty amazing to saw the least). We went ever year and it was like nothing you could see anywhere else (except the Pyrotechnics Guild International meets.). After the main show they let everyone shoot the smaller consumer fireworks in specific area.

To me, this seemed like the most dangerous part of the whole experience. Little kids are everywhere shooting off all types of things, and for the most part you don’t have to worry about them except for them running across something you lit. Its the older folks you have to worry about. Those who have lost the fear from doing this so many times. They become reckless and forget some of the basic safety issues, like not putting a firework on an unstable rock.

So we are all in this area, and a balding man lights a large box firework and quickly runs away. As soon as the first shot goes off, the whole thing tips over and is pointing at the crowed. The crowed starts to run in all directions, but the range on the firework is enough to nail people in the back as they run. The firework shoots and then spins, a dangerous game of spin the explosives to see who gets targeted next.

Luckily, years of playing with fire have given all of us cat like reflexes, and everyone was able to run and dodge the fire balls, but the fact that no one was hurt was mean luck. The laugh we all shared when the firework finally stopped was the best and most relieving of the show. Even though it had been stupid and dangerous, it was the most exciting thing that had happened, and to tell you the truth, that was one of the main reasons we were all out in a field in the middle of nowhere blowing things up.

I really enjoy the 4th of July for that reason, and many others. It just makes me feel glad to be alive, like I am really meant to be here for some reason. I never blew up all those times I could have, and that gives me more meaning to my life then it probably should.