Day 18

I detest fireworks. There, I said it. Call me lame, a Scrooge, a fun-killer, whatever you must. But I stand by this take.

It’s New Year’s Eve and the pops and bangs have been resonating through the air since 7pm. If you must celebrate with these ridiculous explosive projectiles, at least have the courtesy to contain them to a short timespan around midnight and be done with it.

The fireworks haven’t bothered my newborn fortunately, but my anxiety-riddled dogs are certainly having a bad time. Even highly medicated with calming music playing, they are constantly startled and panting at these unknown thunderous booms. When a momentary respite of quiet falls upon us, I lower my guard and even I’m jarred when the fireworks kick up again.

I just don’t really see the point of these displays. I’ve never been more than mildly amused after witnessing a fireworks show. And given the negative externalities from injuries to participants, unwanted noise pollution, and scattered trash, the math doesn’t add up to me as to how we still forge ahead with this tradition.

One more firsthand story…I was pretty young at the time, probably single digit in years accumulated. My family went to a fireworks show I think celebrating the Fourth of July, not New Years. We watched the show from the shoreline of a large lake on this warm evening. The skies were clear, but as darkness filled the sky, the winds kicked up and began gusting strongly towards the crowd. After the fireworks show was over, we packed up our terribly uncomfortable folding chairs and marched to our parked vehicles. As we walked what looked like black ash was falling from the sky. The wind was blowing remnants from the fireworks hundreds of feet towards the fleeing patrons. Some of the burned debris was still lit, so there were embers floating down to the ground. As we reached our cars, my grandfather was horrified when he approached his convertible corvette. Some of these hot embers had ended up on the fabric top of the sports car and left permanent burn marks. Needless to say, he was not happy.

Not that anyone cares, but I propose a motion to society that we end fireworks for good. I’m open to any and all suggestions for replacement entertainment. Who seconds my motion?

So long for now. (Thanks for enduring my rant).

Felix