aggravatedOut we go to the in-laws. The bulk of the day passes fine, good times for all. I manned the grill, we had a good time, I did a little computer teching, and what have ya. Eventually, it gets dark enough to start fireworks. Now, we've got two caches of fireworks, one bought locally, and one bought out at the Indian Reservation. Off it starts...and from the very beginning, I'm already waiting for the shit to go down. There's quite a crowd, and the shit is being set off no more than 10 feet away...not smart. On top of that, the firing is all being done by Scott and Brandon, the teen nephews of Di's, and a bunch of their friends...who have all been drinking...even less smart. Also, keep in mind we're out in the country, and it's been pretty dry lately...and let me also add that among the spectators in attendance are at least two old people who can't exactly move out of the way and dodge quickly...see a catastrophe brewing? I did.
We had to get on to Bug a couple times about getting too close to the guys lighting shit off, and about running around with sparklers right next to where the fireworks have been dumped on the ground, but eventually, we just got him to stay with us. That was nothing. It started with the stray shots going out into the dry field, and the one that started a small fire on top of the barn. It progressed to the bunch of smaller shells that one drunken bastard tipped over as he lit it, and managed to blast them all AT THE HOUSE. A few more stray shots, and we had to deal with anlother fire. Now, you'd think someone would have done something by this point, but no, everyone just these drunken idiots keep going. Somewhere in here, I got up, and wandered to the shed for a bucket, which I filled with water and kept nearby, since I had mentioned earlier what a good idea it would be to do this, and apparently those that agreed didn't actually DO it. I'm glad I did, because one rather sizeable rocket, which was lit in spite of the fact that it's stick was broken off (insuring it's lack of control) got a few feet up, spinning madly, and started drifting in my direction, I was on my feet with this huge bucket in my arms when I turned around, and watched as it settled on a course...right into the oldest of the two (i.e., the one that can't move much without help). Thankfully, before I drenched the poor woman, it bounced off, lodged for a moment in the chair, and then drilled itself into the ground and exploded. While I put out the fire, everyone rushed to see if she was OK (she was...shocked, but unharmed). Now, an INTELLIGENT person would have at LEAST waited until we got settled again, but no, these mongoloids are just going ahead and lighting MORE, with people still milling around (keep in mind the fact that they were already settling shit off too close anyway). Di and I decided this just wasn't fun anymore, and we left.
I was dumbfounded that someone wasn't putting a stop to all this, or at LEAST trying to police it more. I hate that I sounded and felt like the old fart, but we're talking fire and explosives here. Just like a gun, you have to be smart and safe, and respect what you have for what it is. Maybe I was just raised with a little more intelligence and responsibility than the rest of these yahoos, but it was REALLY pissing me off...I'm not sorry I left, not in the least. I guess I was disappointed in the adults for letting this go on, but most of them were drinking, too. Fine, I sound like the old fart...be that as it may, I'm also assured of NOT getting hurt or hurting someone else, all because I thought what I was doing was cool.
Hopefully, the rest of you had a safe and enjoyable time tonight.