Oooh, and I almost forgot:

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

(To my treasured American readers. To everyone else, happy...Friday! Wheee!)

What to say about July 4th that hasn't yet been said? Let me count the ways:

1. It's the day when we can all remember and celebrate how the United States of America placed a solid boot up the proverbial British arse. Yay America.
2. It's the day when the movie studios release some of their biggest summer movies. Yay Hollywood.
3. It's the day when Americans eat a lot of BBQ'ed food (and God knows they don't have a lot of opportunities to do that), drink lots of beer (ditto), and set off fireworks. Yay horrible, disfiguring accidents.
4. It's the day when all Americans, black and white and inbetween, join hands, put aside all differences, and sing happy, joyful songs of love and friendship and acceptance. Yay you wish.

All in all, July 4th is very much like every other country's Independence Day (including ours): An excuse to get really, really drunk, wave big flags, shout nationalistic slogans, and sing anthems...loudly, annoyingly, off tune.

Happy 4th, y'all!  ¶ 00:22