OT July 4th just around the corner

Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
spent solid propellant and gunpowder.

It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real independence
means.

In article <a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
> it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>
> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real independence
> means.[/color]

I hate the bottle rockets. The powerful city leaders have made them
illegal here, but somehow a few still manage to find some. When the
damn things go off I run for cover. Just a reflex I guess.

I'll be glad when the fourth of July is over with.
--

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:36:12 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
>it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>
>It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real independence
>means.[/color]

You could sign up for the US Military and go to Iraq....

I hear <from my son> that you can hear some SERIOUS explosions and
that smell.....

.....and it is NEVER over....lol

"mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
> it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>
> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
> independence means.
>[/color]

I remember when I was a kid, the fireworks in Blue Island seemed to last for
hours. Now you're lucky if they last 20 minutes. Didn't they try to ban
fireworks shows about a decade ago?

Probably lead by the PC crowd.

I've stopped singing the Hillary Hurl every time I catch Hillary on TV
lately. Don't have enough hours in the day . . . And if she doesn't run
in 2008, she's sure one of the busiest non-candidates . . . . Can we send
her up into space on the end of one of those fireworks?

Charles of Schaumburg

"mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
> it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.[/color]

I *LOVE* the smell of solid propellant and spent gunpowder!

But I have NEVER been down there for a display. Even when I was living in
Chicopee, we went to either South Hadley, or usually Amherst.

Imagine...ME being surrounded by thousands of Liberals on the 4th of
July!!!! I've been going to Amherst since I was a teenager, in my very first
Corolla 1200.
[color=blue]
>
> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
> independence means.[/color]

They have to spend too much of their budget on Law Enforcement there. How
many shootings/stabbings have there been since Jan 1?

And, I'm surprised it's not Salsa blasting from the cars with the 'Dubs'

"Scott in Florida" <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote in message
news:6lvk92pkef413cd8jg433kc8pmm9gib6g9@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:36:12 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>>traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>>only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
>>it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>>I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>>probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>>spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>
>>It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>>differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>>American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>>youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>>independence
>>means.[/color]
>
> You could sign up for the US Military and go to Iraq....
>
> I hear <from my son> that you can hear some SERIOUS explosions and
> that smell.....
>
> ....and it is NEVER over....lol
>[/color]

I recall only having to run for cover once when a firework went berserk. I
can't imagine intentionally being shot at 24/7. Maybe that's why the cut-off
age for enlisting is 36 afaik.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
news:Z8wmg.10727$k27.189@trndny06...[color=blue]
>
> "mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
> news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't
>> know it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.[/color]
>
> I *LOVE* the smell of solid propellant and spent gunpowder!
>
> But I have NEVER been down there for a display. Even when I was living in
> Chicopee, we went to either South Hadley, or usually Amherst.
>
> Imagine...ME being surrounded by thousands of Liberals on the 4th of
> July!!!! I've been going to Amherst since I was a teenager, in my very
> first Corolla 1200.
>[color=green]
>>
>> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>> independence means.[/color]
>
> They have to spend too much of their budget on Law Enforcement there. How
> many shootings/stabbings have there been since Jan 1?
>
> And, I'm surprised it's not Salsa blasting from the cars with the 'Dubs'
>
>
>[/color]

You know where Baystates corporate headquarters are? It used to be Big Y's
headquarters. Anyway, the nice high level parking area of theirs used to be
a favorite spot for watching the fireworks. That whole parking area is gone
now. They're getting it ready for more office building(s).
I could be wrong but I think spfld won't be shooting off fireworks over the
ct river or over anything. I don't see why fireworks can't be shot off
cheaply by the fire dept. Weren't they the ones to do it before that
nationally renown family convinced the city father's to go computerized and
with choreographed music over the radio?

Spfld also doesn't do the Taste of Spfld anymore. I remember when organizers
got a lot of sh!t about serving pancakes out in the open. Boy, we do have a
few party poopers around here don't we? I think the wrong people are getting
shot. LOL

"n5hsr" <n5hsr@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:8Z-dnSmX1MQmHgfZnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
> news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't
>> know it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>
>> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>> independence means.
>>[/color]
>
> I remember when I was a kid, the fireworks in Blue Island seemed to last
> for hours. Now you're lucky if they last 20 minutes. Didn't they try to
> ban fireworks shows about a decade ago?
>
> Probably lead by the PC crowd.
>
> I've stopped singing the Hillary Hurl every time I catch Hillary on TV
> lately. Don't have enough hours in the day . . . And if she doesn't
> run in 2008, she's sure one of the busiest non-candidates . . . . Can we
> send her up into space on the end of one of those fireworks?
>
> Charles of Schaumburg
>
>[/color]

Only if you get FAA permission first. I heard they don't even like it if you
fly model airplanes above 400 feet. And speaking of rockets, you have to
notify them when and where you plan to shoot off model rockets.
I guess I'll have to register my tennis ball launcher if things keep going
as they are. Probably have to show an ID for the isopropyl alcohol.

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:21:51 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Scott in Florida" <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote in message
>news:6lvk92pkef413cd8jg433kc8pmm9gib6g9@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:36:12 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>>>traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>>>only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
>>>it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>>>I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>>>probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>>>spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>>
>>>It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>>>differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>>>American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>>>youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>>>independence
>>>means.[/color]
>>
>> You could sign up for the US Military and go to Iraq....
>>
>> I hear <from my son> that you can hear some SERIOUS explosions and
>> that smell.....
>>
>> ....and it is NEVER over....lol
>>[/color]
>
>I recall only having to run for cover once when a firework went berserk. I
>can't imagine intentionally being shot at 24/7. Maybe that's why the cut-off
>age for enlisting is 36 afaik.[/color]

I think the US Army had made the age higher.

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:21:51 -0400, mark_digital© wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Scott in Florida" <askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote in message
> news:6lvk92pkef413cd8jg433kc8pmm9gib6g9@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:36:12 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
>> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>>>traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>>>only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't know
>>>it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>>>I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>>>probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>>>spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>>
>>>It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>>>differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>>>American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>>>youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>>>independence
>>>means.[/color]
>>
>> You could sign up for the US Military and go to Iraq....
>>
>> I hear <from my son> that you can hear some SERIOUS explosions and
>> that smell.....
>>
>> ....and it is NEVER over....lol
>>[/color]
>
> I recall only having to run for cover once when a firework went berserk. I
> can't imagine intentionally being shot at 24/7. Maybe that's why the cut-off
> age for enlisting is 36 afaik.[/color]

That happened when I was living in Pittsfield. I was about 10 feet from
the guy shooting them off, and they were going off right over my head! And
Pittsfield used to do 90 minutes; one of the best displays anywhere! That
was before GE closed Transformers, of course, and there was MONEY in town!

Well, the guy lit one, and he kind of peered over at it, and then he
started RUNNING, and I figured, if HE'S running, then *I'M* running too!

It went up about 20 feet (if even that far) and WHOOM!!! all over the
place. The 'charge' went off at about 5 feet, 15 feet behind me. I already
had my ears covered, but the shock almost knocked me on my ass!

WHAT A RUSH!!!!! (um, did I mention I was on an 'herbal enhancer' at the
time? We're talking a LOT of years ago!)

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
news:d0Img.10886$k27.10530@trndny06...

<snipped>
[color=blue]
> That happened when I was living in Pittsfield. I was about 10 feet from
> the guy shooting them off, and they were going off right over my head! And
> Pittsfield used to do 90 minutes; one of the best displays anywhere! That
> was before GE closed Transformers, of course, and there was MONEY in
> town!
>
> Well, the guy lit one, and he kind of peered over at it, and then he
> started RUNNING, and I figured, if HE'S running, then *I'M* running too!
>
> It went up about 20 feet (if even that far) and WHOOM!!! all over the
> place. The 'charge' went off at about 5 feet, 15 feet behind me. I already
> had my ears covered, but the shock almost knocked me on my ass!
>
> WHAT A RUSH!!!!! (um, did I mention I was on an 'herbal enhancer' at the
> time? We're talking a LOT of years ago!)
>[/color]

Was that a "wow, man" moment?
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
news:TdadnQhwrZg2IQfZnZ2dnUVZ_v6dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
>
> "n5hsr" <n5hsr@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:8Z-dnSmX1MQmHgfZnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>> "mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
>> news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>>> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the fireworks
>>> only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster people didn't
>>> know it was over and they waited around while I hightailed it out.
>>> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>>> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell of
>>> spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>>
>>> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>>> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>>> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>>> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>>> independence means.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> I remember when I was a kid, the fireworks in Blue Island seemed to last
>> for hours. Now you're lucky if they last 20 minutes. Didn't they try to
>> ban fireworks shows about a decade ago?
>>
>> Probably lead by the PC crowd.
>>
>> I've stopped singing the Hillary Hurl every time I catch Hillary on TV
>> lately. Don't have enough hours in the day . . . And if she doesn't
>> run in 2008, she's sure one of the busiest non-candidates . . . . Can we
>> send her up into space on the end of one of those fireworks?
>>
>> Charles of Schaumburg
>>
>>[/color]
>
> Only if you get FAA permission first. I heard they don't even like it if
> you fly model airplanes above 400 feet. And speaking of rockets, you have
> to notify them when and where you plan to shoot off model rockets.
> I guess I'll have to register my tennis ball launcher if things keep going
> as they are. Probably have to show an ID for the isopropyl alcohol.[/color]

Damn. We used to shoot off model rockets in the 80's didn't need no stinkin
permission. . . .

Charles of Schaumburg

"n5hsr" <n5hsr@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:nNadnc99WNkrwAbZnZ2dnUVZ_qadnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
> "mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
> news:TdadnQhwrZg2IQfZnZ2dnUVZ_v6dnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "n5hsr" <n5hsr@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:8Z-dnSmX1MQmHgfZnZ2dnUVZ_oGdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=darkred]
>>> "mark_digital©" <xxx976@comcast.com> wrote in message
>>> news:a7mdnR20I9b9pwfZnZ2dnUVZ_oqdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>> Used to be a one hour fireworks show and it took two hours to fight the
>>>> traffic on a normal 15 minute commute back home. Last year the
>>>> fireworks only lasted 20 minutes and the finale was so lackluster
>>>> people didn't know it was over and they waited around while I
>>>> hightailed it out.
>>>> I hope the weather is fine and the wind blows in my direction since I
>>>> probably will stay home and watch it on the news. Just love the smell
>>>> of spent solid propellant and gunpowder.
>>>>
>>>> It seems the rockets don't go as high, sound as loud, or have much
>>>> differentiation between them. And it's not uncommon to hear Glad to Be
>>>> American drowned out by hateful sounding rap music coming from some
>>>> youngster's cars. I suppose they're trying to show us what real
>>>> independence means.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I remember when I was a kid, the fireworks in Blue Island seemed to last
>>> for hours. Now you're lucky if they last 20 minutes. Didn't they try
>>> to ban fireworks shows about a decade ago?
>>>
>>> Probably lead by the PC crowd.
>>>
>>> I've stopped singing the Hillary Hurl every time I catch Hillary on TV
>>> lately. Don't have enough hours in the day . . . And if she doesn't
>>> run in 2008, she's sure one of the busiest non-candidates . . . . Can we
>>> send her up into space on the end of one of those fireworks?
>>>
>>> Charles of Schaumburg
>>>
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Only if you get FAA permission first. I heard they don't even like it if
>> you fly model airplanes above 400 feet. And speaking of rockets, you have
>> to notify them when and where you plan to shoot off model rockets.
>> I guess I'll have to register my tennis ball launcher if things keep
>> going as they are. Probably have to show an ID for the isopropyl alcohol.[/color]
>
> Damn. We used to shoot off model rockets in the 80's didn't need no
> stinkin permission. . . .
>
> Charles of Schaumburg
>[/color]

Oh yeah, things have changed. Not only do you need permission, but once
they have your name be prepared to wait a LONG TIME at an airport. My
son-in-law shoots model rockets with his buddies and he always gets the
shake down at airports before being allowed to proceed to his flight.
I remember when farmland was off limits to government interference. You
could drive unregistered cars, go as fast as you wanted. You could sleep
under the stars, piss anywhere you wanted. Get drunk, nobody cared. Shoot
rockets until you went broke.
When will do gooders realize others have to have fun?? I mean good wholesome
fun. Fun today means going to a organized event and you can't bring in your
own food and drink. Even camping isn't the same. No outdoor fires, no
drinking. Why bother? No, they want you to remain uptight just like them. 24
hours a day.
See what happens when too many have a college degree? When this country had
more blue collar we knew how to have fun.
I'll tell you a secret about do gooders. Their idea of fun and mischief is
to go in a corner and shut off their cell phone.

On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 05:24:10 -0400, mark_digital© <xxx976@comcast.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>I'll tell you a secret about do gooders. Their idea of fun and mischief is
>to go in a corner and shut off their cell phone.[/color]

One could only hope that they all do that....

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 21:55:11 -0500, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
> news:d0Img.10886$k27.10530@trndny06...
>
> <snipped>
>[color=green]
>> That happened when I was living in Pittsfield. I was about 10 feet from
>> the guy shooting them off, and they were going off right over my head! And
>> Pittsfield used to do 90 minutes; one of the best displays anywhere! That
>> was before GE closed Transformers, of course, and there was MONEY in
>> town!
>>
>> Well, the guy lit one, and he kind of peered over at it, and then he
>> started RUNNING, and I figured, if HE'S running, then *I'M* running too!
>>
>> It went up about 20 feet (if even that far) and WHOOM!!! all over the
>> place. The 'charge' went off at about 5 feet, 15 feet behind me. I already
>> had my ears covered, but the shock almost knocked me on my ass!
>>
>> WHAT A RUSH!!!!! (um, did I mention I was on an 'herbal enhancer' at the
>> time? We're talking a LOT of years ago!)
>>[/color]
>
> Was that a "wow, man" moment?[/color]


LOL! Oh, yeah, man. And after a brief interlude (of about 45 seconds while
everyone collected themselves) the show continued for about another hour.