I hate the 4th of July - Page 4

warch · 07-05-2007, 04:13 PM

I have come to hate fireworks.
My neighborhood has been under siege every night since Memorial Day. Dogs going crazy. Not just firecrackers, and the jolting M80s, I can take that in moderation, man. This year we have the full on rocket launched, raining down of shrapnel. Into the wee hours, 2- 3 AM. And its way dry.

I've asked one house of lads to stop, at least after 10 PM on a Monday night. They waited until I went back inside, then resumed. Ive called the cops on a few really bad overnights, but they have bigger fish. We've found canisters and debris from them in our yard- hello mower! chunk!

I have a feeling its going to take a major accident for anything to change. Maybe I should hose down the garage?

Meanwhile, we did get a nice slab of salmon grilled up last night! yum!

barefoot serpent · 07-05-2007, 04:24 PM

I like Andy's reply to the question: Why is it important to celebrate Independence Day?

Quote:

“Because we have to have a day that we spend a large portion of our discretionary income on fireworks and American flags that were made in a communist country.”

— Andy Norris, local business owner, Baldwin City

elSicomoro · 07-05-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warch

I have come to hate fireworks.
My neighborhood has been under siege every night since Memorial Day. Dogs going crazy. Not just firecrackers, and the jolting M80s, I can take that in moderation, man. This year we have the full on rocket launched, raining down of shrapnel. Into the wee hours, 2- 3 AM. And its way dry.

Sounds like those kids need some hobbies up there, Warch...what the hell is wrong with you Minnesotans?!

Just for the record, I'm not advocating letting kids get seriously scarred or injured in order to introduce them to the dangers of the world.

I'm just saying they need to burn themselves on a stove, fall and scrape a knee, etc.

theotherguy · 07-05-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycamore

Just for the record, I'm not advocating letting kids get seriously scarred or injured in order to introduce them to the dangers of the world.

I'm just saying they need to burn themselves on a stove, fall and scrape a knee, etc.

I didn't think you advocating letting them play with knives and axes. I have heard from some that think kids are being coddled when parents put on band-aids and kiss the "ouchies." I just think that is sad.

Long live the pretty packaged gun powder!

barefoot serpent · 07-05-2007, 04:41 PM

I love the 'family gatherings' with 4-inch mortars.

Quote:

Paola — A Mission man has died of injuries suffered in a fireworks accident in rural Miami County.

Brock Barrett, 25, was critically injured about 9 p.m. Tuesday when a 4-inch mortar went off as he lit fireworks at a family gathering in southern Miami County.

He died at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

elSicomoro · 07-05-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewguy

I didn't think you advocating letting them play with knives and axes. I have heard from some that think kids are being coddled when parents put on band-aids and kiss the "ouchies." I just think that is sad.

Agreed...I just didn't want to come across as callous.

Cloud · 07-05-2007, 07:13 PM

So, today is the 5th of July. It is the anniversary of my childhood burn injury. I always get a bit melancholy on this date.

For those of you who may not have heard this story (tho I tell it pretty often) -- I was 7 or 8 years old. For Indpendence Day, my parents had shot off fireworks in our backyard. The following morning (July 5) I went out while my parents were having breakfast and lit a sparkler. I think now that I must have dropped the match on my nylon negligee. This was waaaaay before the days of fire-retardant kids sleepwear, so --

WHOOSH! Up in flames I went.

Nowadays, they teach kids to "stop, drop, and roll." Me, like an idiot, ran around screaming, fanning the flames. My dad had to catch me and throw me in the swimming pool--the huge pool just feet away from me. I still remember being wrapped in a sheet and riding in my parents' car to the hospital. Don't know why they didn't call an ambulance--guess they thought this would be quicker.

So, yeah, I had 3d degree burns covering my entire right-side torso, from my armpit to my hip, including my breast. Months of hospitalization, skin grafts, surgeries all that. Grossness and pain, but I'm over it now. Mostly.

So, no, my personal opinion is--fireworks and kids do not mix.

Urbane Guerrilla · 07-05-2007, 09:05 PM

And that'd sure as hell do it, Cloud. Jeez, is that awful.

And what I really came back to this thread for was to mention that the Guacamole Kit sometimes if not usually also includes 1 shallot to be minced along with the garlic -- this time it didn't.

Bullitt, cilantro, oh yes.

Lemon juice is quite okay for guac, but lime juice fresh squeezed seems to add a little something special to the mix. Fresh ingredients are paramount.

Of course, by now with tomato, shallot, pepper, and cilantro -- you've got pico de gallo.

Elspode · 07-05-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seakdivers

good lord - how did you get my pic monster???

No way...we've seen you in a wetsuit. You were nowhere near that buoyant.

Elspode · 07-05-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefoot serpent

I love the 'family gatherings' with 4-inch mortars.

Hey, Barefoot...remember the guy five or six years ago here in KC who lit the mortar that didn't go off, so he looked down the tube...

I wonder if these guys were related.

Cloud · 07-05-2007, 09:40 PM

There's a private investigator in my town who only has hooks for arms, due to a childhood mishap with cherry bombs.

His name is J.J. Armes.

I am not shitting you, either.

Undertoad · 07-05-2007, 09:45 PM

Oh effing Christ!

I usta think it was interesting that my band teacher one year was Mr. Horn, but that beats all!

Cloud · 07-05-2007, 09:59 PM

Well, my doctor for all that plastic surgery?

Dr. Burner.

(hand to heart) True story.

Cloud · 07-05-2007, 10:00 PM

Mr. Armes used to be a client at a firm I worked at. I've shaken those appendages.

http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/armes.html

bluecuracao · 07-05-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

Hey, Barefoot...remember the guy five or six years ago here in KC who lit the mortar that didn't go off, so he looked down the tube...

I wonder if these guys were related.

'Were' being the key word here.

I used to love fireworks, when the dads would make all the kids stand far enough back and light the cones, and the bottle rockets--from actual bottles, pointed away from everyone. Then came the time when teenage boys started throwing lit bottle rockets. So, so stupid.

One recent 4th, an adult friend of ours, after a few cocktails, decided it would be fun to throw bottle rockets off his balcony. I officially hated fireworks after that. The personal-use kind, anyway.

07-05-2007, 07:13 PM	#52
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	So, today is the 5th of July. It is the anniversary of my childhood burn injury. I always get a bit melancholy on this date. For those of you who may not have heard this story (tho I tell it pretty often) -- I was 7 or 8 years old. For Indpendence Day, my parents had shot off fireworks in our backyard. The following morning (July 5) I went out while my parents were having breakfast and lit a sparkler. I think now that I must have dropped the match on my nylon negligee. This was waaaaay before the days of fire-retardant kids sleepwear, so -- WHOOSH! Up in flames I went. Nowadays, they teach kids to "stop, drop, and roll." Me, like an idiot, ran around screaming, fanning the flames. My dad had to catch me and throw me in the swimming pool--the huge pool just feet away from me. I still remember being wrapped in a sheet and riding in my parents' car to the hospital. Don't know why they didn't call an ambulance--guess they thought this would be quicker. So, yeah, I had 3d degree burns covering my entire right-side torso, from my armpit to my hip, including my breast. Months of hospitalization, skin grafts, surgeries all that. Grossness and pain, but I'm over it now. Mostly. So, no, my personal opinion is--fireworks and kids do not mix. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-05-2007, 09:05 PM	#53
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	And that'd sure as hell do it, Cloud. Jeez, is that awful. And what I really came back to this thread for was to mention that the Guacamole Kit sometimes if not usually also includes 1 shallot to be minced along with the garlic -- this time it didn't. Bullitt, cilantro, oh yes. Lemon juice is quite okay for guac, but lime juice fresh squeezed seems to add a little something special to the mix. Fresh ingredients are paramount. Of course, by now with tomato, shallot, pepper, and cilantro -- you've got pico de gallo. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course. Last edited by Urbane Guerrilla; 07-05-2007 at 09:16 PM.

07-05-2007, 09:40 PM	#56
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	There's a private investigator in my town who only has hooks for arms, due to a childhood mishap with cherry bombs. His name is J.J. Armes. I am not shitting you, either. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!" Last edited by Cloud; 07-05-2007 at 09:59 PM.

07-05-2007, 09:59 PM	#58
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Well, my doctor for all that plastic surgery? Dr. Burner. (hand to heart) True story. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-05-2007, 10:00 PM	#59
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Mr. Armes used to be a client at a firm I worked at. I've shaken those appendages. http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/armes.html __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-05-2007, 04:13 PM	#46
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	I have come to hate fireworks. My neighborhood has been under siege every night since Memorial Day. Dogs going crazy. Not just firecrackers, and the jolting M80s, I can take that in moderation, man. This year we have the full on rocket launched, raining down of shrapnel. Into the wee hours, 2- 3 AM. And its way dry. I've asked one house of lads to stop, at least after 10 PM on a Monday night. They waited until I went back inside, then resumed. Ive called the cops on a few really bad overnights, but they have bigger fish. We've found canisters and debris from them in our yard- hello mower! chunk! I have a feeling its going to take a major accident for anything to change. Maybe I should hose down the garage? Meanwhile, we did get a nice slab of salmon grilled up last night! yum!

07-05-2007, 09:45 PM	#57
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Oh effing Christ! I usta think it was interesting that my band teacher one year was Mr. Horn, but that beats all!

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