People have been lighting off fireworks every night for the past week or so, making me wonder if anybody will actually have anything left for tonight. Jen's cousins came over last night and it was really nice to spend some time just hanging out and talking with them. It's rare that we get to do that. After awhile, we migrated out front to watch the neighbors setting off illegal fireworks in the street. They shared some of their sparklers with the kids too, much to their delight. It's definitely a holiday for the kids, since any real examination of the meaning behind it leaves me dissatisfied. Sure, it marks the birth of this nation, but I can't wholeheartedly get behind any celebration of this nation's existence. Like just about every other type of organization, it sounds pretty good on paper, but the reality falls far short. It's not really a democracy. We're not really free. Willing slaves maybe, but slaves nonetheless. That said, there is a lot of beauty on this continent we call home. Now, if we can only stop the government from destroying it in its indiscriminate search for profit and prestige.

Yeah, I know it could be worse. But it can always be better too.

Tomorrow it's back to work to try to make it better. Will it be enough in the long run?