BING! BANG! BOOM!

Ha Ha YES, it's that time of year again <clasp hands and rub them together>.  I am referring to the ritual we Americans have of setting fire to everything and anything that explodes in order to celebrate our freedom to blow stuff up.  Needless to say this is definitely my favorite holiday.  One, because I am a little too comfortable with fire, and two because it means that my birthday is right around the corner.  My birthday happens to be my second favorite holiday (I suffer from a terrible disease known as self-absorption).

Everything about July is so much fun.  Fireworks, birthday presents, more fireworks, parades, fireworks as birthday presents, and the heat.  I love hot weather... well hot dry weather.  Skateboarding down my street when it's 101F outside is one of my favorite things to do.  Just the idea of being able to go outside in nothing more than a pair of shorts and be completely comfortable, even in the middle of the night, fills me with joy.  As a random side note, I of course have never done this myself, but I hear that if you combine a couple of screamer fireworks, an empty two liter bottle, and some saran wrap, you've got yourself a good time.

I realize that the fourth of July isn't only about creating home-made RPGs, and I do consider myself a patriot.  It saddens me to see that being proud of your country is out of style now days.  I know that America has done some ugly things in the past, and that we are and will continue to do ugly things, but I still firmly believe that America was founded by inspired men and that she is the greatest country on the earth today.  I am not ashamed to admit my love for my country.  I am a gun-toting, root beer swilling, God fearing American and I'm proud of it dang it!  Pardon my language there, I got a little carried away.

I think that everybody should spend at least a few months in a third-world country so they can appreciate how good we have got it.  When my brother, father, and I went to Peru and Bolivia, I saw what being poor actually meant.  I saw how a country and people look when their government couldn't care less about them.  While you may not agree with everything going on in the USA, I hope you are at least thankful to live in a place that has brave men and women willing to risk their lives to maintain our freedom, and that we don't live in a place where the government (intentionally) screws us over.  Again I apologize for the language, my inner hick is showing.

I love our country and the blessings we have for living in it.  I love that every year we can all gather with family and show our appreciation for our country by setting it ablaze.  As my favorite person ever, Robert Kirby, says, "What better way to show your love for your country then paying to replace a large chunk of it?"

P.S. I believe that the book 1776 should be required reading to everyone living here.