Any Plans for the Fourth?

[TonyU]

So, anyone have any plans for the birthday of our great nation? Me, I'm just going to continue to relax and pack for Friday.

[Webmaster]

Sitting around being lazy and catching up on shows I have missed on iTunes. Ribs, assorted chow this evening, alcohol and good company with Dave coming over. Later after dark, it's illegal fireworks time!

[Abbax8]

At home taking it easy. Will watch fireworks tonight,maybe set a few off. Two of the sons are out of town for work so were waiting for them to return before we tie the feedbag on.

Dennis

[Cliff Hargrave]

I'll probably throw something on the grill and down a few adult beverages, but we are staying home. There is a big fireworks display on the water just down the road, we should be able to watch it just fine from our yard. Other than that, it's been a lay around and play on the net and netflix kind of day.

[KnghtAzrael]

I marched with my Fire Department in a local parade and then had to go to work the rest of the day missing any fun. Hope everyone has/had a safe and fun 4th.

[Erik]

Partially inspired by Tony and Cliff and their vacations I made darned sure I took the day off. Many of us were in the office working but I had put in enough Saturdays that I felt alright taking off this holiday.

It was supposed to be a great day and turned out... alright.

Took the wife and kids to see Despicable Me for $1 per ticket in a nice, cool, air conditioned theater. The baby needed feeding and the sound was too loud for him (he's only 2 months) so Mom took him outside. No biggie, but when our daughter realized this she got all anxious and it was hard to get her to settle down and enjoy the last 1/3 of the movie.

Then, lunch. My N. African immigrant wife insisted upon an All American lunch so we had burgers at Five Guys. That was nice and a bit of a surprise as she usually doesn't like fast food or burgers in general. Nice carb-free meal for me (removed the bun).

Came home, napped a little, the girl was being a pain about this but finally left us alone. I passed out on the sofa for an hour. Awesome.

Then, after a lot of fuss, we got the girl packed and we went to the beach in Alameda. Nice shallow water with little tide or waves but tons of wind yesterday. It was blowing sand everywhere, in eyes, mouths, on the baby, etc. Should have brought a kite.

My little princess played on her own, visibly disappointed that Mom was stuck with the baby. I tried to keep her happy, playing with her, but she didn't want to go in the water on account of all the seaweed and the sand was no good for sand castles - too dry. I felt like going for a swim and a run, the more gritty the environment the more satisfying the workout, but my duty was to the family, my daughter especially.

Promised her sushi (her favorite and she needed a morale booster) for supper but all the Japanese places were closed. Go figure. Had Mexican food of disappointing quality at a place that would have been awesome for a couple having some snacks and a few drinks.

Got home and the girl was scared of the fireworks and afraid that when Mom and I went out to light some off we would be locked out of the house (despite taking two sets of keys, not locking the door, and having a visiting auntie inside). Admittedly, the neighborhood looked like Star Wars.

We have tons of Filipino and Vietnamese neighbors and, apparently, they're really into fireworks and know where to get the mortars that launch the really, really cool ones. Car alarms were going off all night from the shock waves. Mom and I thought it was awesome. The little girl, who usually loves fireworks, was being a drama queen.

Well, time invested in the family is always a good investment, no matter how amusing it may (or may not) feel at the time.

Now, back in the office... kinda relieved, kinda still want to be with the family today instead, fun or not, my little girl needs some love and time.