Rishire Writes

To make everything clear, this is a reminiscent post, if you will, of last night. Thusly the title referring to today and not yesterday. Let us begin!

In all of my twenty years, I don’t remember actually celebrating the 4th of July. I’ve always recognized it, of course, because it’s pretty awesome that we’re free and all that. Would’ve been great if we had retained the English accent, but I digress. For some, the 4th of July is an extremely patriotic holiday that consists of barbecues and fireworks. For others it’s merely a day off work that allows for day drinking and fireworks (they’re integral for all 4th of July celebrations). I fall in the latter category minus the day drinking and with minimal fireworks. As much as I appreciate the sacrifice of “our” forefathers, this holiday, much like others that only allot for one day off, isn’t that much of a huge “thing” if you know what I mean. I’m not saying that it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of holidays; I’m just saying it’s no Christmas.

Anyway, I spent my 4th of July like many people my age–having a few friends over to my apartment, eating, drinking (water!), then going to a rooftop party to enjoy some weak fireworks and even weaker music. I’ve never seen the New York City fireworks show, but I’m not complaining. My great grandmother was killed by fireworks, so excuse me for not seeing the appeal. There were frequent power outages on the roof I was partying on, which generally killed the fun, for me at least. Most of the people there were a little too drunk to care. Personally, I think a party is all about dancing, but I guess a good conversation could be had on a rooftop. I met some solid people who I venture will not remember me when they wake up today, and I even came across a couple of lads from across the pond. If that’s not ironic, then I don’t know what is! Nothing like an American vacation for English bros on the 4th of July!

Although my roommate and I didn’t stay too long, it was still a successful excursion to Alphabet City. We did get unceremoniously baptized by a fire hydrant on our way, though, which was definitely the opposite of cool. Just to quickly put this anonymous rando on blast–we were walking down the street somewhere deep in Little Puerto Rico wearing our own versions of the American flag, when we came across a band of little ones playing with a fire hydrant.  It was like something out of an episode of “Hey Arnold”. With the burst of the fire hydrant facing the street, we figured we’d be safe walking on the sidewalk. Apparently that’s not how they roll in Little Puerto Rico. Some adult man who, I guess, was supervising the kids, hollered, “You can’t walk down here without getting wet!” Before we were able to run, we were being drenched. The only thing that didn’t get soaked on my body was my face. Needless to say, I showed up to the party looking like a wet dog.Well, that’s enough of that rant. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!