Independence Day

Americans really do embrace their Independence Day on 4th July. We were still tired from the flight followed by the huge Disneyland day so only ventured as far as the local mall where Oscar and Ruby saw a movie and I planned to do some shopping then sit and have a coffee with my book. What I had forgotten was that firstly I don't really like shopping, and secondly this is not the place to drink coffee so I sat and watched families walk by with children and adults alike dressed in patriotic slogan t-shirts, and any article of clothing which could possibly be fashioned from the American flag, including shoes. We could hear music from the street parties, all American themed, so lots of Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar Mellencamp etc. Perhaps here, like in Australia, Independence Day is celebrated by one part of the community more than others. Just as we're not all young and free, people here are not all free and some have plenty they need to be brave about, but let's not spoil a good BBQ.

The fireworks started from lunchtime, although I didn't quite get the point of that given the daylight factor, and continued on until well past midnight. It seemed there were fireworks in every direction and crackers being lit in almost every second back yard, which is what I know some of you have been up to in Darwin this week. Our host Octavio kindly put a ladder against his house and set up some chairs for us on the roof along with some almond flavoured sparkling wine!?!? for us to drink as we watched the fireworks from nearby Disneyland which were spectacular as you can imagine. For a moment I did consider what a hazard identification analysis of this activity might look like. Ascending a ladder propped against the house to sit on plastic chairs atop the rooftop of a verandah, drinking alcohol barely two meters from the head height electrical main running from the back of the block to the roof top while fire crackers and rockets exploded in the yards around us, falling who knows where, with Ruby barely able to sit still in her chair each time one exploded overhead. I completed a quick risk assessment and decided to limit myself to one glass of wine and told Ruby if she didn't sit on Oscar's lap she couldn't go back to Disneyland the next day. Clearly the Victorian Magistrates Court should never have issued me with an OHS Entry Permit !!!

Happy 4th July everyone.