Life. Liberty. And the pursuit of happiness.

Now that I've heard the final strain of Sousa's "Stars and Stripes" I feel ready to reflect on the great American way, whatever that is. Feelings of patriotism don't come to me often, but hit hard when they do. I love my country but resent the way the dudes who presently govern it. Nevertheless, my life in this country is idyllic, so I have to represent and be thankful. Lots of it is kind of ironic, like how the PBS special I just watched was sponsored by Lockheed Martin. That busts up that whole "liberal bias in public broadcasting" thing a little for you, doesn't it? Anyway, I digress.

So today I experienced the gamut. Let me tell you, I got called to a lunch meeting today. That's right, a lunch meeting on the Fourth of July. The richest part was that the whole thing got a little messed up with no-shows. Often times Americans get screwed in the workplace, and evidently national holidays are not exempt. I love my job so much that I'm basically over it, but it seems about right that even something you love/tolerate daily sometimes go a little nutso. But after that I had some good quality hanging out time, talking about financing cars and mortgages more grown-up stuff. I took my first manual transmission lesson today, though, and it went great! See what I mean the American way --- things can go a little wrong and it still turns out right. I feel like I am lucky because not everyday is all about things going terribly wrong. That's a blessing no matter whose country you're in.

I've also been working on my lifestyle matching my expectations. I have started buying less stuff, and doing more wanting what I have. That's been a pleasure --- I serve iced tea in a pitcher, I can find all the bowls in my cabinet, my floor doesn't crunch to walk on it thanks to the Dyson. All this rather than buying a new pitcher, using the closest available thing that resembles a mixing bowl and wearing shoes because the floor is nasty. That feels like combatting the evil capitalistic forces at work encourging us to want more, bigger, better and NOW! So take that, corporate America. My America doesn't work that way.

My America encourages saving more money, buying less, investing in quality rather than quantity. My America embraces the unique qualities in each of us. My America celebrates our differences and our commonalities. My America has a generous spirit, not a greedy one. My America recognizes that life is a delicate balance, and all the pieces must be in place for any one to function to its greatest capacity. My America loves nature and beauty and friends and family. My America encourages the betterment of all its citizens. My America knows peace.

The Fourth of July always seems to mark the middle of summer for me. As a child, I knew the Fair was approaching, school shopping and school days still were a bit in the distance, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. This summer marks something different for me, but seems to hold the same promise of adventure as those childhood years. Times and people change, I can only hope to change my life and my little corner of America for the better. Now there's some heavy stuff. But right on, America. Well, at least the good parts.