Independence, American-Style!

Hello, fans (assuming we have any? I kid). I would have posted sooner, but Levi's computer wasn't working on Tuesday (friggin' Levi...). Anyways, it's been a relatively uneventful week, and it looks as though it's going to remain pretty uneventful over the next couple of weeks, as much of the OPK cast is on vacation. But we've got some good videos coming.

So, last week I posted about the presidential candidates. Until then, it had only been speculated that Jon Huntsman would run. Five minutes after I left Levi's house, I heard on the radio that he had announced his candidacy. Ugh. Honestly, it couldn't have been five minutes before I got to his house? But it's okay, you know why? The United States of America celebrates its 235th birthday on Monday!

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, right up there with Thanksgiving (a.k.a. Turkey and Football Day). Here are just a few reasons it's awesome.

('Merica!)

For one thing, it's the one day of the year it's cool to be über-patriotic. On the 4th of July, you can let your freak flag fly. You can wear a stars-and-stripes shirt and you won't look weird (okay, it's still weird, but on the 4th of July, it's mildly more acceptable). And listening to patriotic music isn't just accepted, it's expected. The following is a list of my favorite 4th of July songs:

1) "America," by Neil Diamond. Because no 4th of July is complete without it.

2) "Born in the U.S.A.," by Bruce Springsteen. Same reason as #1, even though the average person only knows the chorus.

3) "Party in the U.S.A.," by Miley Cyrus. Yeah, I know. Really? But you know something? This crap is catchy. Brownie points of you listen to the Notorious B.I.G. mix.

4) "Oh, Say Can You See?" and "America the Beautiful," are both totally appropriate, but not "God Bless the USA." I think what gets me on this is Lee Greenwood's voice. It scathes me. Besides that, even to the very patriotic, it seems kinda jingoistic.

5) "The Star-Spangled Banner," as played by Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix may be overrated, but this guitar solo squeals America. Besides, most classic rock bands are overrated. (Sorry, but sometimes you gotta roast the sacred cow. And speaking of roasting cows...)

It would be egotistical to claim food is best in the U.S., but let's be honest; nobody does gluttony quite like us. People around the country fire up their grills in celebration, creating a waft of assorted meats.

(dang it, China's doing it better than us again...)

But that isn't the only aroma in the air. Let's not forget about the fireworks. Fireworks are a hazardous beauty (although they don't have the same effect in pictures).

(ooo! ahhh!)

This is the smell of America. Fireworks (made in China, or sometimes Mexico), brats (German), franks (German), and hot dogs (German-American). That's the smell of three different countries. If that ain't America, I don't know what is. Apparently, the only thing made in America is freedom (I know that was cheesy, and I think I heard some Canadians scoffing, but I couldn't resist).

So, I hope you all have a happy July 4th. I know I will.