# Am I Jaded or Are Fireworks Kinda Boring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 5, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326 "2003-07-05T01:58:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/1 "2003-07-05T01:58:25Z")
Okay, maybe this is colored by the fact that this is the second year that I haven’t been to the fireworks on the fourth (or any other time) because of Baby tlw, who isn’t yet old enough to apreciate anything other than “Oh, big scary noise, take me home!” Or maybe it’s an opinion that’s been brewing for a while. I think fireworks are kinda boring. Yes, they’re loud and bright and pretty, but to me, the thrill of fireworks has always been the setting for them. A bunch of fireworks out in the middle of nowhere? Yawn. Fireworks over a city I don’t care about? Snooze. Fireworks in Pittsburgh were always nice. They’re out right above the point where the three rivers meet and the music is cool (not all patriotic, provided by a rock radio station) and with all of the plate glass buildings and water there are cool reflections. But seen them once, you’ve seen 'em. Same with New York – fireworks here are okay, after 9/11 it seemed kind of important to have this big show (not that I saw it) but again, if you’ve seen 'em once, and you’ve seen 'em. The only display that has always managed to stop me in my tracks is the DC display on the fourth, over the mall with the Capitol and the Washington Monument. In that setting, the fireworks somehow have more feeling. Fireworks at Mount Rushmore might bring a lump to my throat too, but that’s about it. As I type this, the NYC display is airing on NBC with lots of shots of the Macy’s, Coca-Cola and Jeep logos, cheesy pseudoinspirational music (I swear this song is being sung by Marilyn McCoo) and occasional interspersions of patriotic cum jingoistic banter. And its just dumb. It’s not exciting at all, and I don’t think it would be if I were outside watching it person, either. Blah. So yeah, hmm, fireworks. Boring. Or am I just jaded? ---
**Author:** ![Phnord\_Prephect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@Phnord\_Prephect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phnord_Prephect)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/2 "2003-07-05T02:10:29Z")
I agree completely. It’s july 4th, it’s 9pm, and I’m in Dallas Texas. All I gotta do is go outside and see all the fireworks I could possibly want. I’m not gonna. No desire to. I’ve seen fireworks displays before, this won’t be any different at all. The professional displays are nice but there’s no way I’m gonna get involved in THAT crowd and THAT traffic, just because it happens to be a certain date. Now, if it’s a bunch of drunken fools in a field somewhere and someone breaks out a batch of roman candles, THAT is fun. Roman candle wars, anybody? Or blowing plastic army men up with black cats. Fireworks CAN be fun, just not like that… I need an element of danger, I guess! ---
**Author:** ![Eilsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c68b51/32.png) [@Eilsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eilsel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/3 "2003-07-05T02:14:28Z")
Well I used to love to go and sit on the beach w/the kids and watch them … but the past few years noise has really affected me. It actually hurts to hear loud noises or lots of noise. The only thing exciting for me about fireworks was watching my kids’ faces…that was worth it all. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/4 "2003-07-05T02:20:17Z")
When I was in Japan, I saw fireworks. Oh my goodness, I saw fireworks. The only thing I can compare it to is the 3-minute finale over the Mall in Washington – except it was like that nonstop for an hour. And that was just a small local show. There were guys in a police boat, sake in one hand, monster fireworks in the other, dropping them off the back of the boat to time them to go off with the identical ones in the sky. Not exactly OSHA-approved, but my heavens, what a show! After that, I’m kinda jaded on fireworks, too. But it was fun tonight watching Papa Tiger relive his misspent youth – although he’s still complaining that he couldn’t find the GOOD stuff, the M-80s, cherry bombs, etc., that are the fond stuff of memory from said misspent youth. 😃 I do enjoy going to a fireworks show, though, to see kids around me – it helps bring back at least a little of the magic. That magic gets harder and harder to recapture as an adult, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/5 "2003-07-05T02:20:25Z")
You are _ **so** _ jaded! Obviously, you have never built your own bombs and rockets. Knowing about the high-precision compounding and assembly that goes into professional pyrotechnics makes them a thrill that just won’t quit. Fireworks designer, now there’s a dream job if ever there was one. That’s right up there with mattress tester and restaurtant critic. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/6 "2003-07-05T02:32:01Z")
I went to go get some movies about an hour ago at the other end of town where the fireworks are shot off. When I came out with my movies (Whoo! Finally get to watch _Nemesis_ again!), I threw them in the car seat, got in, and drove off without even looking at the big sparkly things going off about a thousand yards away. In other words, I don’t care either. Snore. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/7 "2003-07-05T02:34:33Z")
DON’T SLEEP AND DRIVE! Fireworks just now starting around here. Yawn. ---
**Author:** ![Eilsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c68b51/32.png) [@Eilsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eilsel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/8 "2003-07-05T03:00:25Z")
Maybe you have just not see the right kind of fireworks NCB… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ghostrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58f4c7/32.png) [@ghostrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghostrider)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/9 "2003-07-05T03:15:20Z")
I’m goin with the crowd on this one. And the music they usually play, as tlw noted, doesn’t make it any better. Last time I really enjoyed fireworks was some years back out in Stony Brook on Long Island. We got to a place where you could see way up an inlet and out into LI Sound, and there were little displays going off just all over the place as far as you could see. Every little town was doing its bit, along with more than a few waterfront property owners. Nothing grandiose, nothing spectacular, just hundreds of folks doing what you do on the 4th of July. I hadn’t had that kind of feeling about the 4th since I was a kid, & haven’t really again. Our town here in NJ does a nice little display but they tend to ruin it with the recorded music. That was the other nice thing about that night on Long Island - no music, precious little sound from the fireworks since most were too far away, just the sky being lit up for miles & miles. ---
**Author:** ![Eilsel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c68b51/32.png) [@Eilsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eilsel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/10 "2003-07-05T03:19:12Z")
So you’re down south are you? I’m up near Sandy Hook! Nice fireworks on Sea Bright beach tonight I hear… ---
**Author:** ![ghostrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58f4c7/32.png) [@ghostrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghostrider)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/11 "2003-07-05T03:24:50Z")
Me? Ah, my “Location” actually refers to the Meadowlands. It’s close enough for most folks who don’t know these parts. Need tix to any Springsteen shows? ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/12 "2003-07-05T03:26:09Z")
Official displays are a snooze. Re-enacting the bombing of london during the blitz with my action figures in the backyard is a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/13 "2003-07-05T03:46:27Z")
**Aesiron** , you won’t be able to see any fireworks if you’re in **Kn\*ckers’** pants. Come on, now! Oh, wait… :smack: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/14 "2003-07-05T03:49:23Z")
So who’s watching my pool party?! ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/15 "2003-07-05T04:55:29Z")
I just got back from seeing fireworks on the beach at Long Branch. I don’t care what the rest of you say, I love fireworks. They were pretty, and we sat by the ocean and enjoyed the crowd of families having a good time. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/16 "2003-07-05T05:00:11Z")
OMG - you are sooo jaded! We ended up at (surprise to me) at the Water’s Edge restaurant - outdoor patio…right on the East River with the Manhattan skyline glittering before us. Many boats and yachts were on the East River, so close you could almost reach over and pass them a cocktail! The Macy\*s fireworks from this vantage point, and watching them reflected on the skyscrapers, was absolutely magical! We could see all 4 or 5 fireworks barges in unison! It was the most magical 4th of July EVER! And what a gorgeous night…light balmy breeze…and the crescent moon above… Then we went to a party at an apartment on East End Avenue - around the corner from Gracie Mansion…the apartment had 3 balconies right on the water… I had so much fun! _yawns_ Time to dream of sparkly stuff… ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/17 "2003-07-05T05:11:12Z")
You are jaded! At least, I like the professional displays. Backyard fireworks leave me unimpressed. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/18 "2003-07-05T05:14:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phnord Prephect \* > \*\*I agree completely. It’s july 4th, it’s 9pm, and I’m in Dallas Texas. All I gotta do is go outside and see all the fireworks I could possibly want. I’m not gonna. No desire to. I’ve seen fireworks displays before, this won’t be any different at all. > > The professional displays are nice but there’s no way I’m gonna get involved in THAT crowd and THAT traffic, just because it happens to be a certain date. > > Now, if it’s a bunch of drunken fools in a field somewhere and someone breaks out a batch of roman candles, THAT is fun. Roman candle wars, anybody? Or blowing plastic army men up with black cats. Fireworks CAN be fun, just not like that… I need an element of danger, I guess! \*\* Watched the Breckenridge (sp?) fireworks tonight, from my front porch in Richardson, and they were awesome. I lived in Dallas proper up until 6 months ago – and just tonight realized the advantage of having no trees around! Stay away from the main attractions, and find a little piece of the road. ---
**Author:** ![Kanelda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Kanelda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kanelda)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/19 "2003-07-05T05:52:27Z")
They CAN be interesting, but for the most part I don’t care. Went to watch a few folks set some off across the street, but that was only interesting because I got to actually see the people and hear things like “OW! I burnt my finger!” and “CAAAARR!!” Plus I got to mosey out in my pajamas and head back in when I felt like it. ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326/20 "2003-07-05T13:09:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phnord Prephect \* > \*\*I agree completely. It’s july 4th, it’s 9pm, and I’m in Dallas Texas. All I gotta do is go outside and see all the fireworks I could possibly want. I’m not gonna. No desire to. I’ve seen fireworks displays before, this won’t be any different at all. > > The professional displays are nice but there’s no way I’m gonna get involved in THAT crowd and THAT traffic, just because it happens to be a certain date.\*\* Couldn’t agree with you more, **Phnord**. I’ve lost interest in fireworks a LONG time ago. I live minutes from Parliament Hill in Ottawa and I could simply go on the roof top of my building and have an unfettered view of the fireworks on Canada but simply don’t. Same with the fireworks in Hull, across the Ottawa river (different countries put on displays once a week during four weeks in August, and they’re a great success). And in THAT case, I wouldn’t even have to leave my apartment! I barely glance at them. They really don’t do anything for me. And there’s no way in hell I’d fight traffic for an hour or an hour and a half for about 15 or 20 minutes worth of loud noise and (for the most part) _déjÃ\_ vu_ pyrotechnics. Maybe if I had kids, my point of view would be somewhat different, though. But they too get bored easily…😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-jaded-or-are-fireworks-kinda-boring/186326.md?page=2)