July 4, 2009

Independence Day, 2009. I was in New York for it. Two years ago, I went to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest by myself. I got up early to go to it, and I ended up meeting some friends down there who went with me to the amusement park after the contest and lunch. That was my first Independence Day in New York. Last year, I was actually in New Jersey, on the shore with the friends I just came back from the shore with. So I missed New York and any fireworks.

This year, I am back in New York, but I am broke. So today I had to work.

I got up early again to open the restaurant, only to have it be increasingly slow all day long. It was Independence Day, so there was a particularly joyful mood in the air, though at the restaurant it was pretty typical fare for a Saturday. I ended up working out a deal to leave early, and immediately afterwards went to the bar to meet with some co-workers before we all went our separate ways.

We enjoyed the afternoon. And drank some beer.

After that my plan was to go into the city for the big 4th of July fireworks festivities. I rode my roommate's bike to the studio quickly to grab some t-shirts to try to sell to passersby on the street in Manhattan. I didn't sell any.

But I did meet with a friend couple of mine who I hadn't seen since January, and brought them with me to another friend's rooftop to watch the fireworks. It wasn't entirely easy to see them, but we watched nonetheless.

After some awkward socializing and consequent bailing, my the couple and myself returned to our respective quarters in the city, and now I sit here ending the day with you.

My day could have gone better, but it could also have ended far worse.

I'm tired. I'm going to bed to start another day tomorrow.