Yesterday was Independence Day. I called home to wish a happy holiday to my parents. In the conversation Mom told me to watch out for terrorists and that if the nuclear power plant up there was taken out that I should call the NY relatives and tell them I'm ok. Such a happy thought.

I spent most of the afternoon at a party with a lot of people I didn't really know. I'm bad in situations where I don't know anyone. I told Derek as he was walking around that I was probably going to play his shadow and follow him around because I didn't know what else to do. Turns out he didn't know many people there either.

On the way back from the party Nick called and said that since it was raining like mad up in Orlando the people we were going to meet and go out with weren't going out anymore. I ended up watching the rest of Robin Hood, not making a timely decision on going to see fireworks, and watched the Macy's fireworks thing on TV instead. Deciding something wasn't right, Derek turned the off the lights in the living room and tried to get the surround sound to work. It didn't, but the sound of people shooting off stuff outside made up for it. In true bec's-a-wiseass tradition I watched with my sunglasses on because the explosions on TV were just too bright. :P

As we sat there on the couch it dawned on me that this is my first 4th of July away from home. I'd thought about 4ths gone by once or twice during the day, but this was different. I missed the family BBQ's and everything that went with them - even the years we had them at our house and were stuck cleaning most of the morning. And as all of this is going through my head Derek says he wishes he were in New York. I told him I did too, except I'd be a little further north watching my uncles set off everything possible while their wives sat inside making comments about how they may as well just burn dollar bills.

Among the cheesy stuff to go with the fireworks was a variety of famous people doing a little monologue about our country. One came on talking about heroes and I couldn't help but ask Derek if he thought those people, the heroes of our country, had any idea what an impact they were making when they did what they did.

I know I criticize people a lot. I know that there are many times I'm disappointed in how people in this country work. Everybody's a critic and I am no exception. Yet while I'll continue to think that the guy who put the pledge on trial is an idiot and that there are some things that don't need an American flag plastered on them I will always believe I live in a beautiful and amazing country. I'm lucky to live in a place where I'm allowed to criticize. I'm lucky to live in a place with diversity in every form. I'm lucky to live in a place built by people who stood up for what they believed in.

Realizing how lucky you are to live in America and taking a moment to pause and be thankful for the people who made this country what it is is what the 4th of July, our Independence Day, is all about.

This year I wasn't home with my family. I didn't sit outside gazing skyward in a crowd of people going "oooh" and "aaah." I didn't see my dad go out to the front porch and put the flag out as he did every morning, saluting it before he went back inside.

This year it was a departure from going through the motions of the holiday that made me truly appreciate it. I was reminded of all the pride I felt in my country when I was a kid long before I knew to be judgmental and condescending.

Amazing how the smallest things can trigger the greatest emotions...

Captured At:1210

Still Reeling

Last night I caught dmb show number 9 and I didn't even have to travel out of state to see it.

Bry and I got to our seats around 730 or so and listened to the opening band. We were seated in section 2, row E, dead center. When the opening act was done and the crew was setting up the stage a guy showed up 2 rows ahead of us. He was wearing a yellow hat, an Iverson jersey, and had a backpack full of blowpops that he shared w/everyone within throwing distance. The lights went down and the band took the stage. A few seconds later the guys next to Bryan and the guy in the yellow hat (why am I thinking "Curious George" here?) make some sort of connection and ask us if we'll switch seats with their friends up in the 3rd row. Well, you don't have to as us twice. Let the night begin. :)

Now I've read dmb reviews by people who could tell you what the band is wearing and gone "how sick is that." But for some reason I could do this for last night's show. I remember the first time I had an inside seat for a dmb concert. I remember the first time I sat up close. Last night I was in as much awe as ever. You'd think it would die down after all these years, but there are a few times I think I caught myself just staring. I remember telling my mom I hated homilies in church because I always felt the priest was looking at me when he turned in our direction. She said it was because I was looking at them. Last night's show was no different. See I don't know if it was the guy we switched seats with holding up a sign or the girls dancing like lesbians in front of us, but there were several times he looked in our direction and I couldn't help but wonder. I will also admit that I've never done that before. But enough of my starstruck ramblings, there's a show to talk about.

"Marry me dave" - random guy

Enter the encore. Dave took the stage solo and played Long Black Veil. I've never heard him do it solo before and I really liked it. I didn't think they were playing this anymore, but I suppose he needed a departure from Gravedigger. The band came back and after the usual bass intro the jammed the hell out of Watchtower. Nothing like an aggressive closer. :)

Bry and I talked about the show and the band quite a bit when we got out. He had no idea how ripped Boyd, the violin player is. He was surprised to see Leroi without the glasses at a few points and didn't like the guy who's been touring with them to play the keyboard. He said it was great, "hell yea" he'd do it again, and hopefully next time he won't be broken when he goes.

It's interesting how every show I go to I get even more excited for the next one. I suppose that once the bug bites me I'm in for it. I'm seriously considering picking up a lawn ticket for the 2nd night of SPAC. Granted I haven't had a lawn seat for dmb since my first show, but I'd hate to miss out on night two. So the question is going to be whether I spend more money I don't have to feed an addiction or whether I let it go. I guess we're just gonna have to wait and see what happens.

Captured At:1515