Tell the Truth Day: Fireworks

Honestly…

I noticed earlier in the week that July 7 is ‘Tell the Truth Day’. I had asked my social media audiences what truths they would like to have uncovered. The responses were mostly funny ones, like ‘how many licks to the center of a Tootsie Pop?’ and ‘who is your favorite Stride Pro Wrestling fan?’ There was one on the serious subject of opioids, but to answer it, it would involve a lot of digging and I didn’t have the time to tackle that before this deadline.

So I’ve decided to freestyle and drop a big truth of my own.  I am not a fan of fireworks. Don’t get me wrong, I like the 4th of July. I love our great country, but when it comes to the fireworks, I’m in a ‘been there, done that’ kind of mindset. I would never discourage anyone from going out and seeing a fireworks display, and I’ll admit I will stop and watch fireworks when the opportunity arises. But I don’t go out of my way to seek these opportunities.

I think part of my aversion to fireworks has to do with my profession. For the past 14 years, I’ve been the co-anchor of a morning newscast. That means I get up very early in the morning. These days, I get up at 1:25 a.m. So when people near my neighborhood celebrate July 4 with fireworks two or three days before and two or three days after the holiday, it makes for a lot of sleepless nights.

Again, I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade or fireworks display. But I just am not a fan. Just like some people aren’t into a lot of Christmas lights or other may not eat turkey on Thanksgiving. I never ever planned to say anything about this publicly but recently a Facebook friend posted something similar. Then I had a conversation with some coworkers who validated my feelings.

So please, don’t read this as a diss to America or my patriotism. And maybe I’d feel differently if I slept like normal people do.