Are you ready for the 4th yet?

I'm in Qatar right now heading home from Penang.  I will physically be home for the 4th but mentally...not so much.

We moved far enough from downtown you can't hear the city's fireworks (at least we couldn't on Cinco de Mayo), and we've got Clonidine for the dog to counter whatever the neighborhood shoots off. Didn't get reservations at the place we usually stay in Silverton where they do their display on the 3rd; I was too slow this year.

No, I'm not retired and I have young kids, so it will be a day of sparklers and pop-its followed by an early turn-in with the hope that the drunk idiots don't wake up the kids, let alone set the house or the neighborhood on fire.

We bought one of those giant flamingos last year.  When about 20 people get in it, the floor rips out.  Guess the load limit is real.

In reply to frenchyd :

 Getting it ready. 

A few firecrackers here the last few nights at 2am , 

I am sure it will be crazy July 3rd and 4th nights , 

All fireworks are illegal here but that never stops anyone  ,   and I worry about the fires they can start...

JakeOG said:

We bought one of those giant flamingos last year.  When about 20 people get in it, the floor rips out.  Guess the load limit is real.

We used it when we got married and our grandchildren loved it. They jump around and wrestle it’s neck down. Fall off into the lake.  Laugh and splash around like crazy. 

Nothing yet.  16 year old daughter will do her best to ditch her parents.  

Bought Roman Candles a few weeks ago.  Illegal in Illinois but you wouldn’t know it.  

Like last year, it’s looking like this one is gonna kinda suck. Woking all day, then hauling ass home to grill and do fireworks. The local awesome fireworks place closed though, so I guess I’m hitting one of those goofy stands in the walmart parking lot :/

In reply to californiamilleghia : There is absolutely nothing as cool as sitting in a boat almost directly  underneath the fireworks .  The echo as they go off, looking at them up in the sky and then reflected down on the water.  

The lake I’m on have three big fireworks displays 

One I’m anchored almost underneath, one at the opposite end of the lake and one at the Lafayette  country club you can watch over the trees .   Of course they go on at the same time but if you swivel your head fast enough you catch the best of all three.  

Then there are always a few private fireworks that almost rival the public displays.  Just about the time they all settle down the rush is on.  Every boat on the lake (10,000 or more) tries to go through the Chanel’s at the same time.  Bow to stern, inches apart jammed in like sardines!  

It takes really serious skills.  Yet everyone seems to be happy and enjoying it!  I must admit I’ve never watched the launching ramps when those who don’t live on the lake take their boats out.  

Ive heard it’s seriously funny  

I've never had any interest in seeing 4th of July celebrations before this year, but I tell you what, this year I'm gonna watch.

^Working 24 hours, 8am-8am. 

Please be careful. 

What happens on the 4th?

Is that like, your version of Canada day?

Got $100 worth of consumer grade toy fireworks. I really miss getting commercial fireworks. Since we didn't get invited anywhere this year, I guess I'm doing it here, so throwing some smoked pork in the crockpot, some corn on the grill, and playing with fire and things that go booom most of the day. 

Rain or no rain, there will be a bonfire. 

You guys are a little late. The party was on the first. 

I noticed Frenchy has some French's mustard there on the counter.  

Based on past years there will be more than enough home fireworks going on in my neighborhood until about 2am.  

In reply to stuart in mn :

This has already been going on for a WEEK in my neighborhood. Not sure when that became a “thing” but it’s really berkeleying annoying.

DON’T YOU PEOPLE HAVE JOBS!?!?

I’d love to go out to AMP. They really have a kickass celebration; food trucks, moto-cross guys doin flips & E36 M3, helicopter rides. 

But 

1: I don’t like being on the road on “amateur night.” 

2: It’s cool of the AMP folks to extend an “olive branch” to the local folks who are constantly fighting to shut the track down, but by sundown, the place looks like a full-fledged nascar infield E36 M3 show.

Good people watchin. Not so good as far as “family friendly fun” goes.

RX Reven' said:

I'm in Qatar right now heading home from Penang.  I will physically be home for the 4th but mentally...not so much.

Had a great time on my last trip to Malaysia.  I could drink the white coffee by the gallon.  Best of luck on the long trip back.

Woody said:

^Working 24 hours, 8am-8am. 

Please be careful. 

Is the reports as fun as it was on thanksgiving? That thread was awesome. 

Also- I work the 4th. And the 5th. The local island folk will do all the fireworking for me, unless I decide to sneak into Disney. I do have LOTS of liquor though. 

ShawnG said:

What happens on the 4th?

Is that like, your version of Canada day?

Yep, but with less maple syrup and toques. 

Ready to rock here.  Family coming in to stay a few days check.  Piles of fireworks check.  Birthday presents for my firecracker girls party check.  Melatonin for knocking out Great Danes check.Tons of grub for the crew check.  2” black powder cannon ready to go check.  Shredded newspaper confetti here we come.

Planning on wash, clay bar, polish, wax my FJ and my S2000 on the 4th 

should be a productive day