Is it Mid-June Already?

I always know when it's the middle of June, because my neighborhood becomes filled with the sounds of the Fourth of July. Bottle rockets streak into the air, roman candles ignite the alleys, and the gunfire blends into the celebration like a metaphor I can't put my finger on.

It is most illegal to have fireworks in Los Angeles county, but hooooooooooooooooooooooooooly shit does that not stop anyone. A couple years ago, I was hanging out with my friend Alex on the fourth and we got on top of his roof to watch the fireworks go up all over San Pedro. His house was situated on top of a large hill we call Palos Verdes, and it's possible to see all across the harbor. You could easily see the fireworks shoot up and blossom in their pyrotechnic grandeur, while barely making out the tiny sirens racing across the city trying to shut down this illegal display of patriotic celebration.

In my neighborhood, the celebration of Independence Day goes on for about 40 days and 40 nights. I don't think I was in Long Beach the last two years, but I can only imagine the chaos and anarchy that colorfully explodes across the sky all night, because if every other night in the summer is any indication, it's that these people are goddamn proud of their independence.

Do we even celebrate our independence anymore? Or do our internet-surfing, latte-swilling, Tivo-ing, iPod-shuffling asses take it for granted? Maybe we don't take the independence for granted, but does anyone plan a Fourth of July party asking themselves, "How can we celebrate Adams, Jefferson, Washington, and ol' man Ben Franklin on this day?" NO! Generally, we are found asking, "Is Sharleen a fucking vegan?"

Don't get me wrong- I'm not trying to persuade you to reconsider your freedoms while swilling Pabst this year. I plan on getting plowed on Dutch import beer and grilling Korean ribs, that I'll get from the Russian supermarket I drive to in my Japanese car. So not only am I not caring about the founders of our country but I'm spitting on their graves at the same time(as if it hasn't been done before).

Remember this thought as you fire up your gas/charcoal grill- those brave souls that die for this country to keep us free and Tivo-ong, will be remembered in an alcoholic-fueled, gun-powder soaked, meat-feast hundreds of years later, which is the highest achievement one can receive in this country.