It started simple enough. About 8 or 9 years ago my family and our good friends, the Benners, who lived across the street from us decided to get together for to celebrate our independence with some food, music, and a few fireworks. Our first show was mostly a few artillery shells, and a few cakes thrown in for good measure. Nothing too extravagant. It was a lot of fun. Especially the fireworks. Each year it seemed we’d buy a little more and a little more, until soon the better part of our block was looking forward to the show on the 4th. Sadly, the Benners moved away a few years back and I thought about abandoning our annual tradition. Another group of neighbors had no intention of doing that however.

And so it is, that what was once small but respectable display by a couple of guys, has grown into an all day event with no less than five households on my block participating in the celebration. My contribution, which was pretty substantial once upon a time, has diminished as the years have gone by. Not because I’m necessarily buying fewer fireworks, but because my neighbors keep upping the ante! Just take a look at the picture above. People from all over the neighborhood seem to wander over to watch our show an we’re pretty proud of that. We’re also pretty happy that, so far, we’ve not had any injuries or mishaps of consequence.

Tomorrow (actually later today I guess) will start with one last trip to the fireworks store for a few last minute items. Followed by the food, music, games and socializing, all the while anxiously waiting for the sun to set. And then the show will begin. Hopefully our best yet.

If your in the area and want to watch or better yet, participate, feel free to stop by. email, call, or tweet for details.

• I cracked 1.5 million in Geometry Wars. I’m coming for you BillyBlaze314! Not really. I’m pretty sure he, and anyone else that has topped 2 million in this game, is a cyborg. Genetically engineered superman are real. These high scores are irrefutable proof.
  
  
• I got to ride a Segway! What an awesome contraption. A shame I can’t think of any justification for owning one… yet.
  
  
• We went to see Superman Returns over the weekend. My review: Meh. The Spiderman 3 trailer, however, looks sweet.
  
  
• Another year of fireworks with no severe burns. This year our annual neighborhood fireworks display lasted well over 2 hours and was a blast (get it!? ha!) as usual. Sadly my string of 8,000 firecrackers had to be re-lit a couple of times. Next year I’m going to keep them rolled up I think.
  
  
• My 10 year anniversary approaches and we’re going on a cruise. Neither of us has been on a cruise before. I can’t wait to see Gopher, Doc, Isaac, and of course Captain Stubing.
  
  
• Shortly after the cruise I’ll be heading to WWDC in San Francisco for that latest in Apple developer edutainment. If you happen to be going to WWDC as well let me know. Always nice to meet other Mac developers face to face. There aren’t so many of them here in Nashville.