It's that time of year again. The Fourth of July. Or as I like to call it, Freedom day. Because that's why America was started right? A bunch of old gits wanted their freedom. Also known as the rich men that didn't want to pay taxes. So they riled everyone up, got them to hate the British Crown, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I will reluctantly concede that there is much more to it than that. Alright, perhaps a lot more. But a recent (being this year) realiz(s)ation of mine is that the United States of America as we see it today is quite different than the one that our forefathers (the old gits) set up way back when.
Political rant aside, now I can make it to the point of my post. I don't think of July 4th as much of a holiday; usually I hang out with some friends, enjoy fireworks, and then call it a day. Simple stuff really, and I see no need to make a huge fuss over the events that transpire. However, seeing as though I'm abroad, in a country that clearly wouldn't be celebrating it, I decided to go out and celebrate it American style: you guessed it, I went to McDonald's.
Where did the inspiration come from? Let's just say everyday this week I've been asked "what are you doing to celebrate the Fourth?", a question raised by my predominately Australian co-workers. A simple shrug was all I had. One of them was trying to come up with ideas for a Fourth of July themed birthday for one of his friends (all Australian) and I was of no help. All I could think about was grilling burgers and shooting off fireworks. Today's inspiration led me to the golden arches, where I sat and pondered the greatness of our country, and how we leave our mark across the globe through either a fast food restaurant or the bombs we deposit (drop) on some unfortunate country that has wronged us. The chicken sandwich (burger) that I ate reminded me of the obesity and laziness that many people in our country embrace, and as I tried to choke down my french fries, I realized that I was nauseated by what I was trying to eat. So I tossed it in the garbage - pretty much bringing things full circle, by doing what all great Americans do: create lots of rubbish (garbage). And now I sit before my computer, depositing these thoughts in a small corner of the webosphere (my new name for the Internet) wondering what the 5 people who read this actually think of the Fourth of July and my nonsensical ramblings.
My time in Australia is drawing nearer and nearer to a close - which is shocking. Time has passed by faster than I can remember. So many great things have happened in the past year, many of them marked with the great people I have met here. As I wonder what tomorrow (or two months from now) may bring, I've decided to try and think of one thing to write about per day that is unique to Australia and try and spit out 500 or so words. Stay tuned for that. It'll be, as we Americans like to say, awesome.
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