Has my perception changed...

or have the times? (or maybe a little of both)

When I was a kid, the 4th of July was my 2nd favorite holiday (next to Xmas of course -- people giving me things for free? HELLO!!). Now, being as I am an Air Force brat, my family's peeps were all of similar ilk, meaning I was around people who really believed in what the 4th stood for! I remember being generally just damn happy as I spent the day eating BBQ, swimming (if I was lucky), eating homemade ice cream, all capped by overprotective Mom chastising Dad for giving us sparklers while he and his friends set off the minor fireworks before the big show. I don't remember any particular 4th, but I always looked forward to it and have a pretty good memory montage worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting.

I still look forward to Independence Day and still believe in the ideals which are the basis of what it represents. I love this country and proudly served as a member of the Armed Forces. But now the day seems to revolve around getting used to the fact that the neighbors are going to be lighting fireworks for approximately 17 hours AFTER you've finished and are trying to get some sleep before work, ensuring the family dog is properly tranquilized so the fireworks don't cause a heart attack (maybe that's a California thing -- we don't have many huntin' dogs out here which are used to loud bangs); and plotting out the best route to drive home so as to avoid the approximately 3 million drunk idiots who all leave the fireworks show at the same time.

Happy Birthday America! Remember there is more to you than there is to you! (if you know who said that -- wasn't that a HYSTERICAL movie?)