A 4th minus fireworks

No literal fireworks. No figurative fireworks.The 4th of July is a holiday, like New Year's Eve, that must be celebrated with others and must be celebrated BIG. At least, that is the way I believe it should be. There is no room for one on one intimacy on these days, no sir. These two holidays call for hundreds of thousands of public drunkards and some sort of defining moment. The dropping ball (Whatever happened to the "Big Apple" that used to drop???). The grand finale of the Macy's fireworks show. East River, not Hudson for you new comers. Yet, my 4th, for several different reasons, lacked everything even remotely defining or special about the day. There were fireworks, certainly, but I was not a spectator. The closest show being not more than a mile, if that, away.. and still I was not present. Sure, my house shook as I grew embittered, but alas, I did not move a stinkin' inch. I tried the other 4th approach- the big bash (that is getting smaller every year) at my Aunt Milly's house. Let's just say that there was no one left but my brother and the pool cover was already over.So, depression is setting in on a couple different levels. There's certainly no need for me to go into detail, however I will mention this: I have implemented some ego reaffirming strategies. I plan on celebrating the 4th tomorrow. Furthermore, I plan on convincing myself that tomorrow is the 4th. Being that today is the day prior to the 4th, I am able to plan accordingly. I will have a low key day tomorrow at the pool. Get a tan. Go swimming. Read a book. Celebrate the 4th of July. **Please note that there will be two July 3rds in the year of Our Lord, 2003, but no July 5th. The actual July 4th and ensuing celebrations will be held in place of July 5, 2003. Anyone mentioning the existence of July 5, 2003 from here on out will be considered an enemy of the state and will be disposed of quietly, or upon our discretion, not so quietly. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused.