What are you American bastards doing on the 4th of July?

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Well then? Hmmm? Don't look at me that way, answer the question.

If anyone in NYC-area wants to do something with me and My Special Friends (TM - I really don't need to keep listing their names on the board do I?) drop me a line and let me know, btw.

― Ally, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

To answer my own question:

The 4th is going to be a production this year. Starting on the 3rd, I will be playing baseball! Woo, how exciting is that? After we lose pitifully in front of Steph (who weaselled out of playing) and Ramon, we will all be heading out to get drunk on the corporate card. Then some of us will be hitting the town at various other locales.

Haven't decided on my plans for the 4th. One idea is going to the Seaport, but you have to get there at like 11am otherwise they won't let you in - I mean, wtf? The show doesn't start til late! The other current idea is sitting on my roof getting drunk and screaming at passersby. That's probably what's going to happen, knowing how lazy I am. We might also head down to Merchants to visit Cesar.

Thursday is up in the air, though I do believe I will be stopping in at a record company to pick up my lovely giant autographed Manics poster.

Friday we are going to Washington DC. Where else do you go on the weekend after the 4th besides the national capital?

― Ally, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am gaurdign a gallery on the first of july .
Then i am goign to the legisalture and watching the fire works with DAvid .

― anthony, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Coming home from a trip to my parents, then spending the rest of the day with my good friends Karen, Chris and Chelsea at the home of the latter two, where they have a great backyard to sprawl in on a hot summer's evening. BBQ of some sort is expected, but thanks to everyone's culinary bent we'll probably come up with something other than hot dogs. They live just close enough to Disneyland that we can see all the fireworks as well. Rock.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Hmm. That's an excellent question. Given that I'm only getting Wednesday off, I don't think I'll be doing much. Damn. I should purchase illegal fireworks & set them off in neighboring flower beds. That's The Spirit of '76 for ya right there.

― David Raposa, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'll be playing top hits in Carroll Gardens, in a friend's back yard. Because Brooklyn is Better. From her roof you can see the East River fireworks (put on by the infamous Grucci family), the Jersey fireworks, and whatever it is that's way down past the Verrazano Narrows. I am NEVER going down to the river again, jostling and bumping a bunch of khaki-shorted doughfaces to get a glimpse. 4th of July on a Wednesday = DUD. If this were Britain we'd just have two unofficial "bank holidays" this week and everything wd be fine but noooo.

― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Enjoying a day off, even if it is only one day in the middle of the week, and it is my payday, meaning I won't be paid until Thursday. Having over about 40 relatives for a cookout, an annual thing since time began, I think. 4th of July was my grandfather's birthday and even after he died we still continued on with the tradition of celebrating together. My neighborhood is well known for its mass quantities of illegal fireworks, so I will pull up a lawn chair at dusk and enjoy the show, whilst swatting away tons of mosquitos.

― michele, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I will listen to the second American Analog Set record, which though not called The Fun of Watching Fireworks - that's their first - strangely does include samples of fireworks and an instructional recording about how to enjoy fireworks. I guess they put them on the wrong record.

― Josh, Sunday, 1 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Headed down the coast to the posh, artsy community of Laguna Beach for a barbecue at my friend Ranney's parents' house. Maybe I'll pop into the world-reknowned Boom Boom Room for a drink or two. But I doubt it, it gets a horrible washed up gay porn star kinda crowd--not the sort of place I'd imagine Stephin Merritt would hang out in much, really, despite that mention in "San Diego Zoo."

And I wanna be back in LA to see my friends' kids let off the fireworks I bought for them today.

― Arthur, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm not American but I will try and get in the spirit by eating a Hot Dog from McDonalds.

― Pete, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm not a dentist but after eating I always chew Wrigleys.

― Emma, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I usually celebrate 4th of July by listening to Vindaloo and indulging in other rampant Brit jingoism. It's not a day I particular ever enjoyed celebrating, as the neighbourhood kids used to celebrate it in the States by beating up the nearest British Person they could find. Usually me.

― masonic boom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I reckon that when all the Americans are watching their fireworks, getting drunk, partying, and not watching what everyone else in the world is doing, that we should sneak back over there and colonise them again! Ha! Imagine their surprise!

I just say this because I almost came to blows with an American tourist in a pub because we weren't doing anything to celebrate the Fourth of July. The pub was in Oxford.

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm becoming convinced that someone slipped you an Asshole Magnet (TM) when you were younger, Kate. I'm amazed you never killed anyone.

I was going to spend the fourth singing on the Boston Esplanade with the anglewodd Festival Chorus as part of the Boston Pops show, but their managament booked a bunch of guests who didn't want to use the chorus, so we got cancelled. BASTARDS. I was going to have everyone watch me on TV, too.

Oh well, there's still Holiday Pops...

― Dan Perry, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think having your big firework holiday at the time of year when it doesn't get dark til late is stupid.

In his book Three Theories Of Atlantic History the historian Paul Armitage suggests that Independence Day should actually be called Interdependence Day, as the decleration was not so much a severing from the British as a plea for help from the rest of the world (in particular France in an enemies enemy sort of way) to aid this new nation. Where this stands in the history of American Isolationism I am not sure, but I quite like this contrast.

Happy Interdependence Day anyhow.

― Pete, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Kate. I'm amazed you never killed anyone.

How do you know I haven't?

Mwah hah hah. Actually, I shouldn't joke. I did come close once.

― masonic boom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Sure hope the asshole magnet was switched off when Kate met me... Hmmm....!!!

― , Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I guess it'd be unpatriotic for me to give warning that sneak attacks when the Americans have MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF EXPLOSIVES EASILY REAIMED TOWARDS YOUR APPROACHING MILITARY is a bad idea, right? Cos I'd be warning you not to do it, instead of letting you come and laugh as your troops are blown up in a pretty Grucci display.

― Ally, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I shall be drinking "Ice Ass" in tehw hammock as i watch explode.

― Mike Hanle y, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I plan to sleep til noon, and that's about it. Actually being bothered to do anything seems so tiring.

― Nicole, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

NEW PLANS!

I along with my wife, her sister, and her sister's girfriend shall attend a cookout at a fabulous friend's, then retire to the Charles River to watch the pretty rockets. Rock.

― Dan Perry, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ah, we wouldn't invade with our military (if we still have one), and most of the US missiles are probably based here anyway. No, we'd invade with crap pop groups, really annoying mockney TV chefs, and maybe the Royal Family. Oh, we already did. Oops.

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's a terrible plan, you have already seen how well those have gone over in this day and age. It's not the '60s, you know, and since your royal family was foolish enough to kill off Diana, no one cares because the rest of the lot are bloody ugly. We Americans only like pretty people, your pop stars and royalty are crap! BWAHAHAHAHA.

― Ally, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i have off on the fourth, and ill be in nyc, and ill probably get drunk. where and when and with whom are yet to be determined.

― amy, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well your American Britney Spears luvs our Royal Family member Prince William.

― Emma, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's true. And you really went for The Spice Girls as well. And so many Americans still seem to love the Royal Family, and not understand why so many British hate them. Never understood that: I'd have thought you'd be glad to get rid of them. Hell, maybe on the Fourth of July all the British could take the Royal Family, put them on an island in the middle of nowhere, and leave them there. Then we'd have something to celebrate every year.

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You know, I've been saying it for years... SELL THE ROYAL FAMILY TO THE AMERICANS!!!

Preferably for a Big Brother style TV show- they stick all the Royals (even minor peerage as well, we'll throw them in the bargain) in a giant house filled with cameras, and then you can VOTE THEM OUT as you decide you hate them. Only here's the good part, when you vote them out, they are EXECUTED, preferably GUILLOTEENED, French Revolution stylee.

And I'm a raving monarchist as well... I mean, imagine if the British *didn't* have the Royal Family, and actually had themselves to blame for voting in cunts who ruin their lives? Who would they grip about then? Honestly!

― masonic boom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh, and Paul, I *did* have my asshole magnet on when I met you. Just remember who I'd spend the entire night with previously... D'oh!

― masonic boom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ah yes. Good point! I must have an asshole magnet too, with the same polarity. So when we were together we repelled assholes! Of course.

And yes. Guillotine the Royal Family. It'd be great fun.

Oh bugger, wasn't I saying last week that you can still be hung for committing treason?

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

And you really went for The Spice Girls as well

Ahem. Two hit singles is not "really [going] for the Spice Girls", luv. "Really [going] for the Spice Girls" is making all their singles, even the godawful ones, #1, making their solo albums hits, actually selling reasonable amounts of Holler, putting them on the covers of Hello! every single week...shall I keep going? ;)

Let's face it, the Spice Girls just weren't generic looking enough to really last in the US. Unlike, for example, Destiny's Child. You have to go thru some sort of mix-morphing process to become famous in the US, in which you become more "attractive" but lose any distinctive characteristics that actually make a person attractive.

I do have a question though: why do people in the UK have this impression that the USers all are royals crazy? I will admit they pop up on the cover of things like the ENquirer from time to time, but could one USer on this board tell me if they know anyone who is obsessive or even particularly interested in the royals? Particularly now that Diana ceases to be? I'm wondering about this little stereotype because no one I know cares a bit about the royals; can't even name them besides William and Charles. It's a bizarre stereotype.

― Ally, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think the tabloids are Diana-crazy, and anything tangentially related to her (kids, ugly Dumbo-like husbands with fuck-all taste in women, token leaders / meddling old bats) gets swept in this obsession. Tabloids != the US populace

As far as I know, though, the general US obsession ended as soon as the wedding went off the air.

Here's a super-stupid question - does the UK recognize July 4th in any shape or fashion?

― David Raposa, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well, we do have it as a date. I mean, we don't just go from July 3 to July 5. But really, US cultural arrogance is climbing to new heights if you think the whole of the western world wants to celebrate with you on July 4.

― Emma, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It's not generally done for countries to commemmorate wars that they lost, no.

(Exception - Japan has a Hiroshima Day of some sort, doesn't it? But that's the awfulness of a single event)

It's such a lottery, really, the marking of events - I mean, Guy Fawkes, for instance. Exciting story and all that but really, it's pretty much the one secular historic day we celebrate which makes it a bit overrated.

― Tom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I really doubt most Americans think the world celebrates July 4th. Though really they should, cos the fireworks are wicked.

― Ally, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

London, or my part of Fulham anyway, is full of homesick Americans letting off 'bangers' on July 4th. The noisy fucks.

― Andrew L, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I've had the misfortune to run into way too many Americans (and plenty of other people) who have a strange infatuation with the Royal Family. I'm not saying all Americans love the Royal Family, but it is scary. I mean, they're not even entertaining! If they could do something (such as juggle, or tell jokes) they'd be much better...

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

According to Bill Pullman, July 4th was going to be the day the world celebrates Independence Day because the Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum with his kerr-azy computer science defeated the aliens. You mean that was made up?

― Nicole, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

In Britain we celebrate July 4th as much as the Americans celebrate France's July 14th.

― chris, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ah yes, President Pullman. I was gutted when he lost to Bush. Just goes to show how ungrateful the voting public were. Pullman saves the free world from the alien menace and yet they still vote for an incompetent.

Actually, let me rephrase that. No-one did vote for Bush, did they? Just goes to show how ungrateful the vote-riggers are...

― Paul Strange, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If they could do something (such as juggle, or tell jokes) they'd be much better

Caution! This kind of thinking leads to It's A Royal Knockout and Prince Edward's 'career'.

― Tom, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Maybe GWB is part of the space alien conspiracy that fueled that bloody destructive first-lady-killin' romp on July 4th.

― Ally, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Hot damn, there IS such a thing as a stupid question! I wasn't asking per se whether you CELEBRATED the 4th, Emma. Really, I was just curious if there was any sort of underlying bitterness in the UK coffer re: the US.

Well, actually, there's another boner of a statement, since it seems as though the ENTIRE WORLD gives the US the bird more often than not. And it's probably deserved.

I'm afraid to really think about whether the majority of Americans know that the 4th of July isn't a world-wide holiday. I mean, they probably rail @ non-Christians for not celebrating Christmas.

And, really, what is the Fourth of July anymore? Is it about independece? Nope. It's about beer & firework sales, and beach trips, and annoying traffic, and old coots sticking their US flags out on the porch and ranting about when they were our age, and how us damn kids have no idea what this holiday really represents. And they're probably right.

― David Raposa, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

National holidays = classic.

Nationalist holidays = dud - this St George's Day I went back to my parents' and their whole area was covered with English flags, and it just felt creepy and aggressive.