Happy 4th!
By matersfish
@matersfish (6306)
United States
July 4, 2010 8:23am CST
Happy Independene Day, my fellow Americans - and/or others celebrating because you love fireworks and hotdogs. 
When we were kids about, oh, 15 years ago, I remember a friend of mine was at a cookout at about 4pm. It was a solid 102 degrees outside and he was sweating like he stole something. Suddenly, he just flips out. He falls down onto the ground and starts flopping around like a fish. His tongue was out and dirt was flying. He was making noises like Slingblade...
He was alright in 5 minutes, but we laughed SOOOOO hard. 
I guess it was "heat frustrations," as we were told by the parents who threw ice water on him while we were doing imitations in the background.
I know it's wrong but, dang, that's my best 4th memory. 
Anybody got any memorable memories from the 4th?
When we were kids about, oh, 15 years ago, I remember a friend of mine was at a cookout at about 4pm. It was a solid 102 degrees outside and he was sweating like he stole something. Suddenly, he just flips out. He falls down onto the ground and starts flopping around like a fish. His tongue was out and dirt was flying. He was making noises like Slingblade...
He was alright in 5 minutes, but we laughed SOOOOO hard. I guess it was "heat frustrations," as we were told by the parents who threw ice water on him while we were doing imitations in the background.
I know it's wrong but, dang, that's my best 4th memory.
Anybody got any memorable memories from the 4th?1 person likes this
2 responses
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
4 Jul 10
My most memorable Independence Day celebration took place the year of our country's Bicentennial celebration, in 1976.
I lived in Baltimore, Maryland, you know, where The Star Spangled Banner was written. Baltimore has some great history, but...
I went down to Fort McHenry, where the actual song was written after a great battle. Supposedly, there was to be a spectacular fireworks display. The fireworks were pathetic. They sent up one every 2 or 3 minutes. It was sad.
BUT, one thing stood out and will stay in my memory forever. One of the fireworks did not explode in the sky. It came back down and landed on top of the fort, THEN it exploded. It caught the roof of the fort on fire. 
That got more of a reaction than any of the fireworks. Fire trucks came barrelling in, then had to slow down to a snail's pace because people would not get out of their way. What a mess!
Of course, the fire trucks got more cheers than any of the pathetic fireworks. I don't know why they were so bad, especially with the significance of Fort McHenry and the country's bicentennial!
At least I have fond memories of the fire trucks. 
That got more of a reaction than any of the fireworks. Fire trucks came barrelling in, then had to slow down to a snail's pace because people would not get out of their way. What a mess!
Of course, the fire trucks got more cheers than any of the pathetic fireworks. I don't know why they were so bad, especially with the significance of Fort McHenry and the country's bicentennial!
At least I have fond memories of the fire trucks. 
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
4 Jul 10
No barbeque for me today. Right at the moment, at just after 5 p.m., it's 99 degrees outside. It was up to 102 today and is supposed to get to 100 or above every day this week. Actually, it was SUPPOSED to only get up to 92 today but reached 102. I guess that means that it could quite possibly get closer to 110 or even above by Wednesday, when they're calling for a high of 102.
Humidity is also very low. I wonder if fireworks have been cancelled anywhere because of the extreme fire hazard this year. I'll have to check that out.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
4 Jul 10
Oh, I would have seriously been conflicted. I mean, the roof is on fire!!!! What else do you usually need for a good time? But pitiful fireworks = FAIL.
Nothing like a downer turned barely averted catastrophe to remind us all why it's good to be an American. 
On a non-fireworks note: I've been to Baltimore recently and I'm willing to bet it was nicer in 1976 for some reason. :/
But you gotta love the fire trucks!
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
4 Jul 10
HAPPY JULY 4th TO YOU!!! 
The fireworks are my best memories EVERY year!!! About 25 years ago I was living in Washington DC. I didn't attend any of the celebration events as the crowds were soooo LARGE. However, just after dark & when I knew the fireworks would be going off, I'd drive up & down the parkway near where the celebration event was being held. The parkway was ALWAYS empty as just about everybody was at the event awaiting the fireworks. One particular year, I pulled over on the side of the road & sat on the hood of my car. It was a warm, clear night & the fireworks looked particularly beautiful.
The town I live in now has a pretty display, but nothing of the magnitude that DC had back in the good old days!!! The best part of it now is that I live close to where they hold their event, so I don't have to leave home to watch some GREAT fireworks!!! I also have one neighbor that shoots off thousands of dollars worth of fireworks every July 4. He's kind enough to wait until after the town display to begin his display. With the 4th being on Sunday this year, I got to watch the fireworks display last night & OHHHH what a display is was!!! 
The fireworks are my best memories EVERY year!!! About 25 years ago I was living in Washington DC. I didn't attend any of the celebration events as the crowds were soooo LARGE. However, just after dark & when I knew the fireworks would be going off, I'd drive up & down the parkway near where the celebration event was being held. The parkway was ALWAYS empty as just about everybody was at the event awaiting the fireworks. One particular year, I pulled over on the side of the road & sat on the hood of my car. It was a warm, clear night & the fireworks looked particularly beautiful.
The town I live in now has a pretty display, but nothing of the magnitude that DC had back in the good old days!!! The best part of it now is that I live close to where they hold their event, so I don't have to leave home to watch some GREAT fireworks!!! I also have one neighbor that shoots off thousands of dollars worth of fireworks every July 4. He's kind enough to wait until after the town display to begin his display. With the 4th being on Sunday this year, I got to watch the fireworks display last night & OHHHH what a display is was!!! @matersfish (6306)
• United States
4 Jul 10
I live in Virginia about 40 minutes or so outside of DC and remember my parents taking me there one year! So I know what you're talking about. Of course, I can't remember any detail too vivid, but I do remember that I've never seen so many fireworks. I think the reason we never went back is because it was always too crowded.
We have many celebrations around here at the carnival, in the city, at the fairgrounds, etc. But nothing like what I remember from there.
And I'm totally jealous now. You got to see fireworks already AND your neighbor is like a fireworks ninja.
All I have are snakes and sparklers!!
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
4 Jul 10
fireworks ninja 
I like that description. He lives in a run down home & dresses as though he has little income. You NEVER see him outside except for this particular Holiday. He must save ALL his money for the July 4 celebration. May God BLESS him for making soooo many people happy with his annual display of patriotism. 
I like that description. He lives in a run down home & dresses as though he has little income. You NEVER see him outside except for this particular Holiday. He must save ALL his money for the July 4 celebration. May God BLESS him for making soooo many people happy with his annual display of patriotism. 