Foo - 4th of July, tell me something good!

Okay, On the 4th or every single holiday I work more then I should. I dont get to go away and have something to look forward to. It's Okay, It my life.. but what are the rest of the population doing? tell me what it's like to have a normal life.. what are you guys looking forward to? any plans?anyone coming my way for a vaca?

Working, but I'm pretty sure there's a WC semi final on that day.

Sleeping in. Then I'll do whatever comes up first. After a long ride, of course.

I'm doing this thing called the "Boom Box" 4th of July ride (which is part of the Willimantic 4th of July Parade) with the bike club in the morning. I'm wearing my full USA Kit and riding my 5200 for that. Then going to two parties in the afternoon and evening.

Go up to my brothers big property in the hills, let off some explosions, fire some arms, soak in his hot tub, then ride the 1300' drop off of his mountaintop. Hit 42MPH last time with baggy loose clothing and one pannier.

Well girl, let me tell you. I spent about 20 years working in retail where holidays were just another work day. When we would get feeling sorry for ourselves we would just day, "At least it's not food service."

We are leaving Sunday morning to drive down to Tampa to visit my sister and her family for a few days. I will get in some riding with my brother in law, watch the Devil Rays and the Red Sox play, go to Ybor City, and eat too much.

BF is racing in Breckenridge, Colorado in the Firecracker 50. After that hopefully eating some yummy food and relaxing. We have a Marathon race to work tomorrow in Leadville, Colorado (his dad's race). Lots of traveling and having fun mostly. :)

I'm working - Saturday is the holiday here - and it's looking like it'll be an extra long day. For the weekend I'm going out of town....just to get away.

In the morning a group will cycle to a small town 25 miles north that has a very traditional "red, white and blue" celebration with a parade, ice cream and strawberry lemonade. In the afternoon and evening I'll go to the "Art in the Vineyard", an artsy fartsy affair with great music, artist from around the west coast, and wine tasting from 20 or so local wineries. It is held in a beautiful park on the river. After dark I'll be home holding my dogs paw as the fireworks drive her into a patriotic histeria, poor thing, she just doesn't get it! (neither do I).

Have a great time everyone, be safe!

Well, I have a 3 day weekend- Sun, Mon & Tues. I used a vacation day for Mon. I'm going to a
4th Of July Fiesta at my Mom & Dads. We're doing Margaritas, tacos, Flans and any other mexican dish she could find. Mom bought the girls skirts, and the guys hats.
Mom & Dad are winter Texans and Mom is in all her glory when she's the hostess with the mostess.
And the 4th was just screaming mexican theme
Other than that I'm prepping for painting(washing walls and hole filling) my newly vacant spare room.

Party at my place starts on the third, we'll be grilling and celebrating America pretty much straight until noon on the 5th.

We're trying to get a sponsorship from Ol' Glory energy drinks. Canned in OKC! Even has the pledge on the side. Between viewings of The Colbert Report and Team America: World Police, we'll listen to jazz music and play baseball.

Well girl, let me tell you. I spent about 20 years working in retail where holidays were just another work day. When we would get feeling sorry for ourselves we would just day, "At least it's not food service."

We are leaving Sunday morning to drive down to Tampa to visit my sister and her family for a few days. I will get in some riding with my brother in law, watch the Devil Rays and the Red Sox play, go to Ybor City, and eat too much.
not making me feel better... I AM IN FOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my family and I own a restaurant!!!! gesh did you have to come up with THAT example?:p

not making me feel better... I AM IN FOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my family and I own a restaurant!!!! gesh did you have to come up with THAT example?:p

Ouch!:roflmao:
I'm glad I didn't put a +1 after olebikers post, I thought about it.

Okay here we go: I work 4th of July morning, 2am - 11am (probably go in earlier to "surprise" people) go be in a stupid parade to sit on a stupid float for this stupid company, go to a picnic that my friend is having for 200 people (yes he's rich) go home and try to ride for a bit, go to my nephew's 18th birthday party, do the fireworks thing, go home, try to sleep, be back at work by 3am. I'm going to be hurting.

This is the first 4th of July weekend I won't be working since... I was probably in middle school.

But I am working Monday, which sucks, but almost everyone at the office is taking off and the commute will be a breeze, and heck, 3 out of 4 days ain't bad.

I dunno, but it may involve my bike in some capacity.

not making me feel better... I AM IN FOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my family and I own a restaurant!!!! gesh did you have to come up with THAT example?:p

Boy, I always know how to say the wrong thing.:o Here's hoping that business is good and the tips are generous.

Racing.

not making me feel better... I AM IN FOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my family and I own a restaurant!!!! gesh did you have to come up with THAT example?:p
A full rack o ribs, greens and some sweet potato pie please.

I like pie! :)

kinda started this morning with a 42miler, now "working" at home the rest of today. Have a buddy in town, and we're cavorting around town, probably end up in the mountains at some point, maybe some rafting, maybe some tubing, who knows. Took Monday off as a floater, so I'm kickin' it for a good four days. Tues the 4th will most likely involve a BBQ of some sort at someone's house. Low key, good times.

Awwww Blondie, I feel for ya! When I was a waitress, I had to work every holiday! Kinda got old after a while, but I did make more money on those days. Its kind of funny really. You would think most people would stay at home with the family for a home cooked meal or BBQ, but SO many people use holidaze as thier "lazy" days and go out to eat.

I'm going to my grandma's 80th b-day party. I can't believe she's going to be that old. She has always seemed so young to me. Ever the inspiration that you can be active well into your life, I have fond memories of her waterskiing, going for long walks every morning, and always staying fit. I love her so much.

Good luck, BDG! Hope it's not too bad for ya. I'll be doing some MTB'ing, drinking(responsibly), MC riding and...house cleaning.:( The good thing about Independence Day is that I've only had to work on my birthday maybe twice in my whole life. I don't care so much about the birthdays anymore, but it's nice to be at home during that time.:)

I'm gunna smoke some ribs, and grill some chicken drums and marinated turkey burgers. Then at night we'll either see a firework show, or go light some off. Lucky for me I still have some of my m-80s and firecrackers from a year ago.

just bought 2 shoe boxs full of firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other small fireworks yesterday for like 70 bucks. and then on the 4th of july we light them off into the pond by our houses, and at unexpecting motorcyclists driving down the street. sometimes we light em off at each other but eh its all fun. then we all have a huge sleepover party at someones house but dont sleep and at like 4 we tp all the stupid kids on our blocks houses, and they know we are coming so some sit outside with thier airsoft guns all night waiting for us to come, but if we see them we dont go to thier house and they stay up all night for nothing. then we all go home the next day and sleep

The best way to get to this is by bike, thousands will. Along with me.
Four hour trip by car one hour by bike.

http://www.july4thbristolri.com/parade.html

not making me feel better... I AM IN FOOD SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my family and I own a restaurant!!!! gesh did you have to come up with THAT example?:p

Approximatly where?

Here's how the US embassy in Latvia is celebrating. Latvians are not happy about this....



United States ambassador mentions warm welcome visitors from U.S. receive

RIGA, June 30 (LETA) - United States (U.S.) Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey expresses her gratitude to all Rigans for sharing their beautiful city with the people of the United States, and wishes the U.S. happy birthday, as LETA was told at the U.S. Embassy's Press and Culture Department.

This year, the United States of America marks its 230th birthday. On Sunday, July 2, the U.S. Embassy in Latvia will celebrate Independence Day in Vermanes Garden Park in Riga. All day along, the park will be closed to the public for a private picnic.

The embassy's representative Kaspars Ruklis told LETA that the embassy rented Vermanes Garden Park for the celebration from the Riga City Council but declined to name the sum.

No one at the embassy could also give an example to LETA where any central public park had ever been closed in America for a reception for officials.

But Bailey emphasized that it was a great honor to host the U.S. Independence Day celebration in Latvia, who is "such a great partner of the United States".

On Sunday, the ambassador will read the traditional U.S. President's Independence Day message, which reminds that "the patriots of the Revolutionary War acted on the beliefs that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. By advancing these ideals, generations of Americans have unleashed the hope of freedom for people in every corner of the world."

The theme of this year's event is "Studies in the U.S.", and the embassy encourages Latvian students to go and study in U.S. colleges and universities. Information about studying in the U.S. will be offered to guests during the event.

The embassy estimates that over 1,000 guests will attend the picnic in the park, including Latvian government officials, U.S. representatives and citizens, who will be allowed entrance by presenting their U.S. passports.

As reported, several Riga City Council deputies have expressed their disapproval of City Executive Eriks Skapars' (New Era) authorization for Vermanes Garden Park to be closed Sunday for the Independence Day picnic.

City Planning Committee Chairman Edmunds Krastins (People's Party) said that it is wrong for the popular park to be shut down all day, suggesting Mezaparks or some other location on the outskirts of the city.

"I do not think Rigans will be very happy with a closed park on Sunday," commented Krastins.

http://www.leta.lv/eng/fnews.php?id=C5C27EBD-BE2B-443A-9880-1D55E588E7A8

Umm, Independence Day is the 4th. I know Riga is ahead a few time zones but 2 days worth?

For me this is going to be a 4 day weekend. I'm looking forward to getting the DVDs I let my brother borrow back in October.

Once more to the lake...

5-day weekend at my brother's estate with the family starting today.

Augusta, here I come. Southern women...I'm riding in with spurs on!

Augusta, here I come. Southern women...I'm riding in with spurs on!

Just don't squat down with those spurs on and make sure you take them off before putting your feet on the coffee table.

Umm, Independence Day is the 4th. I know Riga is ahead a few time zones but 2 days worth?
Tell it to the Ambassador......it's all her idea.....

Boy, I always know how to say the wrong thing.:o Here's hoping that business is good and the tips are generous.
ty but I dont work for tips, Im a general manager. I couldnt be a server, not with this patience:D

ty but I dont work for tips, Im a general manager. I couldnt be a server, not with this patience:D
You could carry a hammer around with you.:D

I do:D

I do:D
Nice!:D

Something that has plagued me for quite a while now.....

Does anybody ever call the holiday "25th of December" instead of "Christmas"?

So why does EVERYBODY call this holiday "4rth of July" instead of "Independance Day"?

Just curious.

Something that has plagued me for quite a while now.....

Does anybody ever call the holiday "25th of December" instead of "Christmas"?

So why does EVERYBODY call this holiday "4rth of July" instead of "Independance Day"?

Just curious.
If anything, I think it's because it's one less syllable, tho I have heard "Fireworks Day" as well.;) "4th of July" has a nice ring to it, too...compared to "25th of December."

I'm looking for a better name than 9-11, just seem disrepectfully catchy...

1/2 bottle of beer , 1/2 can of jones apple soda, 2 bikes that need brake routing.... need to hide in the laundrymatt.

Well girl, let me tell you. I spent about 20 years working in retail where holidays were just another work day. When we would get feeling sorry for ourselves we would just day, "At least it's not food service."

We are leaving Sunday morning to drive down to Tampa to visit my sister and her family for a few days. I will get in some riding with my brother in law, watch the Devil Rays and the Red Sox play, go to Ybor City, and eat too much.

Go to the Green Iguana and have the crab cakes. UMMM!:)


I am getting up at my regular time (5 a.m.) and I want to ride a solo century. This year I've done 92 by myself, but yet to do a solo hundred. Thought it might be a good way to start the celebration. Get home by 11 a.m. or so and then go play 18 with a buddy and our families will cookout late in the afternoon (BBQ, Shrimp). Don't think I will be worth much on Wednesday. Vacation next week and we are going to Crystal River Plantation near Ocala, FL. I plan on riding 3 days and the highlight will be taking the family and swimming with the manatees (hopefully).

Nothing really special in terms of leisure. I'll be focusing my attention on my org's newest 5 month training class which starts on Monday.

Something that has plagued me for quite a while now.....

Does anybody ever call the holiday "25th of December" instead of "Christmas"?

So why does EVERYBODY call this holiday "4rth of July" instead of "Independance Day"?

Just curious.


Haha, I've always wondered the same thing myself.

Only reason I can think of is that "Independance Day" just doesn't roll off the tongue as easily like other holidays; Christmas, Easter, New Years, Halloween, etc.

I'm doing what every proper good son is doing and spending the day with my parents. I shall listen to how my mother thinks she's had a stroke, and to my father's reminiscences of things that have never happened. Crossword puzzle by committee will commence. There will be the saga of the cat being taken to the vet for it's toenail clipping, and the information that Your Mother Has Finally Learned How To Use All The Applicances In The Kitchen. Lunch is at 11:30. Naps will be taken from 2-3:30pm. Once everybody is awake has has some to drink, my father will inform us that he is going to the mailbox, and he hopes the mail has come because he doesn't want to go twice in one day. "Take your key card!" When he returns, my mother will quiz him on how many mailboxes are in use (which equates to the number of units that have been sold in their new condo.) Then at 5pm we'll eat meat at a restaurant and be served by a hostile food server. After that we'll struggle to decide if we should go back to their condo, or find a good parking spot to watch the fireworks display scheduled for 3 hours or so later. We'll drive past several parks and the waterfront, eventually going home. We'll watch several episodes of The Raymond Show, That Guy That Goes To Europe Show, and have a lengthy discussion of how The Question Show is so much better than The Spinner Wheelie Thing Show. All of which is being played on a $2000 high-def TV which my brother talked them into, but they only want basic cable because The Expensive Cable costs too much. By the time we should get back into the car and drive back to the fireworks viewing places, 2/3 of us will be in pajamas, and teeth will have been removed. "Would you like to listen to a video instead?" I'll be in the bathroom looking at the labels on bottles of pills. At 9pm an announcement will be made that somebody is going to bed. This is a lengthy process, involving changing of clothes again, taking more pills, an insulin injection, a little more food, trips to the bathroom and "John, which book was I reading?" A few minutes later I'll fold out the loveseat bed and the cat will squeeze down into the space under it and be able to get out again. From one end I'll lift the whole thing up on it's side and kick the cat out, which will run nto my parents bedroom. "What's wrong with the cat?" "Nothin'. I'm just playing with it." Snoring and sleep apnea will start a few minutes later. The next morning, it'll start all over again.
The best thing about the day will be the fact that neither of my brothers will show up.

So If you'd like to trade places for the day, my sweet Duathlongirl, and experience a holiday with a family, we could trade places.

I'm here, it's hot..the lake is gorgeous...the bike shop hooked me up with some awesome Vittoria Pro's and trued the wheels. Will do some single tracking when it cools down. Saw Landis miss the Prolouge start, and Hincapie pwn the Yellow Jersey. Brazil is out like Hans Ulrich, baked fried chicken is awesome.

60 mile ride\race in the early morn, then over to cousins' house for a barbaque.

well, Im looking on the bright side now.. this thread was about how much I work on july 4th vaca and i dont get to have fun but like to hear what other's do.. well... since my fall on the bike, the good thing is I had to take tonight off since Im not good for anything on cruthes and.. i still get paid:D

What did you hurt when you fell? How long on crotches?

Sorry I was so negative in my previous post. I'm a touch bit negative sometimes, and I'm not particulary looking forward to the visit.

Maybe we could all share memories of our favorite Independence Day celebration?

Mine was in Alaska. We had a few hours off the boat, so we bought some fireworks, took them apart, made a giant pipe bomb from PVC and blew a hole in the tundra across the road from the plant. Later, we were setting off fireworks for the amusement of the processors. Any time you're using a torch to light fireworks, it's fun!

[QUOTE=chromedome How long on crotches?

[/QUOTE]
I just noticed I said something naughty, but I didn't mean it. I meant "crutches."

Maybe we could all share memories of our favorite Independence Day celebration?

Mine was in Alaska. We had a few hours off the boat, so we bought some fireworks, took them apart, made a giant pipe bomb from PVC and blew a hole in the tundra across the road from the plant. Later, we were setting off fireworks for the amusement of the processors. Any time you're using a torch to light fireworks, it's fun!
:lol:That just reminded me of my favorite time. My brothers and I(I have two) liked to play "war" with our bottle rockets and roman candles and stuff. One year(I might've been a teenager, maybe younger) my younger brother and I were goin' at it pretty fiercely. He camped out on the front porch, waiting for me to come around the house, but I was ready with a bottle rocket. We both fired, his narrowly missed me, mine missed him...and went right into his bag of fireworks!:roflmao: I tried to help him put 'em out, but I was laughing so hard, I wasn't much use. He was not amused, however....;) Ah, good times!