How do you celebrate your independence day? Anything in particular that is done? Or is it just lots of partying, parades and fireworks at the end of the night, like us?

It depends on whom you're asking.

For (well, some of) the religious people, there are some additions to the daily prayer. But mostly, it's a secular holiday, so yeah, lots of partying in the evening (though not that many parades nowadays). During the day it seems like the national celebration method is going out to any piece of grass that can be found, and barbecue-ing there, with all sorts of as-much-food-as-possible.

There are definitely fireworks, though. I love fireworks.

Good luck with the wardrobe, ita, as well as with the paintball.

My place is usually in decent visit-readiness more often than not.

Not today, however. No one gets to come visit.

I don't even have shoes for paintball! This is stupid.

Timelies. I just got back from the farmers' market. I was hoping for eggplants and tomatoes, but it seems I'm a bit too early for that. But I still got some greens and strawberries and sweet potatoes and various dairy products, so pretty good day.

Looks like it's about to start raining soon, though, and I've got to study this afternoon, so not as much fun then.

ita, IME, anything in dark colors (I tend to wear black) that is long-sleeved will work. More layers just means that balls are less likely to break and less likely to hurt. Turtleneck seems like overkill, but, then, I've never seen anyone hit in the neck. Plenty of mask-shots, though.

I'm wearing my nightclothes. Grey men's work pants and a black, longsleeved mock-turtleneck top.

They're not inherently nightclothes. It's just where they've been allocated. Running shoes I guess, and I need to find another layer for my top, either under or over.

I've decided it is in my best interests to invite people ove to my place every couple of weeks or so. It forces me to straighten up and de-clutter and clean things that may not get cleaned in the normal weekly cleaning.

I used to do that, but then I moved to Belmont.

No one ever wants to come to Belmont.

I was hoping for eggplants and tomatoes, but it seems I'm a bit too early for that.

We don't get organic, locally grown tomatoes until August, or late July at the earliest.

I've decided it is in my best interests to invite people ove to my place every couple of weeks or so. It forces me to straighten up and de-clutter and clean things that may not get cleaned in the normal weekly cleaning.

I spent all day last Saturday cleaning, and then when my family visited me on Sunday, they still found things to criticize. So this week my apartment is messy again, and I can't get motivated to clean. Why bother?

Hey, Hec! How are you doing? Yes, I'm a skipper, I have no idea, I'm sorry.

they still found things to criticize

Is it the sort of place where it's about them and not you, and therefore if the place were spotless, they'd criticize you for the floors being so shiny they can see themselves in them and get confused? Or am I just being mean?

do you enjoy a clean place? if so, then that is reason to bother.

Also? families criticizing is unfortunate.