Either the Revolution Just Started ...
 

or someone is having a huge fireworks display near me.

It's the revolution. Stock up on gas, water and cellphone minutes.

You do it your way, and I'll do it mine.

I spent the day at a gun show. I knew that it was coming, see ...

My way: stock up on beer. and duct tape.

As long as you have your duct tape and your swiss army knife you'll be fine. Rememeber: What Would MacGyver Do?

Was it a special date yesterday? After I turned the computer off, we heard fireworks too. It was the queen's birthday, I think, but that's not usually a call for domestic fireworks even in the UK.

I can't work out the time difference (translation - I am too lazy) but I have a Sikh temple two streets away and there were fireworks here last night too. I can only assume it was the same celebration - the martyrdom of Guru Arjan. The link explains the background, not the celebration, but it seems too much of a coincidence not to be connected. The local Sikh temple is pretty fond of fireworks to be honest, although that might be a Leicester thing.

I have a multi-faith year planner on my door for this very reason :)

I assure you that I don't have a Sikh temple in the neighborhood.

It did occur to me that the country club down the street (not the Cricket Club, but the other one, that's closer to me, and much tonier) had been announcing a special event for returned Iraq War vets and their families. The direction and distance seemed about right.

Of course, fireworks and recently returned war vets is not usually a good mix. Used to put my Vietnam Vet friend under the car at unexpected times.

There are plenty of Muslims here, but not so many (if any) Sikhs. The fireworks did sound like they might be coming from the large extended-family dwelling opposite our neighborhood, which is occupied by a Muslim family.

Because of my location (and the calendar) I now assume any fireworks are a religious celebration!

But to be fair, even with a low Sikh population, they have to celebrate somewhere. After all, people will travel to Forks :)

I bow to Wolf's knowledge of her own community's ethnic make-up though.

Hmm. Ours was either a wedding or graduation or similar -just had more firecrackers sounding like they were coming from the big house/complex/whatever/nobody-knows-for-sure, then a huge convoy of cars including white limos left with their horns blaring.