Summer

Twins in Maine, originally uploaded by ZelenyOko.

Summer's been pretty good to us this year: lots of BBQs in the backyard with friends, a thriving garden, tons of World Cup soccer to watch and a family camping vacation. The only real complaint has been the heat.

Anyhow, we had so much fun camping in Maine a few weeks ago, we're going there again. This time, we're bringing a couple of friends. We're heading out tomorrow morning. I've already got vacation brain on. We'll be back on Tuesday. Whee!

Independence Day

How do Americans celebrate our Americaness? By blowing up explosives and charring hunks of meat over fire. That explains a lot, doesn't it?

The thing I appreciate most about my home country is the right to critize it, so here's my rant of the day. I am disgusted by the anti-immigration factions in this country. If it weren't for your ancestors moving to this country for a better life, you wouldn't be here. Don't tell me they didn't. I doubt that you're Native American, sparky. If so, feel free to be bitter about immigration. You've every right.

My great-grandfathers came here to build the railroads. My grandfather ran a laundry. My father ran a restaurant. I sit at a computer for 8 hours a day. What's Jasper going to do for a living? I have no idea, but like his father, it'll be better than what his father did. This is the dream. Not just an American dream, but it is a dream that immigration makes possible.