Fourth of July 2002
Today was a quiet, leisurely day. The perfect way to spend a day off from work. I got to sleep in… more or less. The cats were a bit rambunctious this morning. Go figure. Jess, Sandi and I went to see Men in Black II this afternoon. I enjoyed it. Went driving for a while and then came home.

And then… off to seek works of fire! I considered going to see the display in Sandy, but I decided to head into Salt Lake and try to see the ones at Rice-Eccles (U of U) Stadium. I also wanted to be far enough away from the stadium so that I didn’t get caught in the traffic coming from the stadium (and surrounding area). I found a spot near Trolley Square (about 10 blocks from Rice-Eccles); the way that the streets are laid out and since the stadium is on a hill, I had a decent view. It wasn’t perfect, but I was able to escape before the masses came down the hill.

I can’t define what the “magic” of fireworks is, but there is… something. I remember my grandparents taking me to see fireworks displays when I’d spend summers in West Virginia. I would be excited (and that may be an understatement) all day before we’d go. We’d get to the shopping center and I’d stare up into the sky… amazed. Year after year. And almost every time, I’d go home with a headache, from all of the thunderous “booms.” But it was worth it. Every time.

I see that kind of wonder and awe in the faces of children at fireworks displays. They look into the sky, but they don’t see controlled explosions of chemical compounds. They see something else. Something… magic. And, to me, that’s very cool.

Peace.