It’s the fourth of July and I feel like celebrating America today, not because I want to celebrate America so much as I want to celebrate my America — that is to say the reasons why the United States hold a special place in my heart. If you’re one of my American friends then read on, because this has something to do with you!
Unfortunately I won’t be making my usual summer trip to the States this year, and today I am reminded of how much I enjoy being there and how much I’m missing it right now.
I love America, I think I have loved America since I was a young boy watching CHiPs on TV and dreaming of becoming a California Highway Patrol motorcycle cop. Anytime I’m in a plane that touches down in the States I feel like I’ve come home. Whenever I leave America I long to return, and while I might not love the political swagger and arrogance of the country those things don’t alter the deep connection I have with the ‘land of the free.’
I’m lucky enough to know a great deal of truly wonderful Americans, some of whom I count among my closest friends. They have opened their homes to me, shared their lives with me, allowing me to experience America on a deeply personal level far outside of the bounds of any tourist book.
My America consists of the people who populate it, that is to say the people whom I know. From the winding roads of Boston’s North Shores, to the awesome landscape of the Pacific Northwest, throughout California, Texas and into the deep south, I am lucky enough to know people from very different parts of the country, all of whom have added color not only to their country, but also to me.
So today, as my American friends celebrate Independence day, perhaps you will forgive me this moment where I celebrate them; their friendship, their generosity, their diversity, and the continuing contribution they make in the life of their far away friend, me.
—
I didn’t get doubles
July 4th
Old Glory
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Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2009 at 2:51 pm
How sweet of you, Simon. America misses you too! I must say, some of my favorite vacation days have been ones we’ve spent together, traipsing along “still rough roads” or the wilds of Boston. Thanks for being a great guest!
Oh, and that pic of Donna and Andrew is funny to see–I just saw them last week and Andrew is taller than both of us, just graduated from high school and off to college in CA next year. Crazy, huh? :)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Oh wow, you’ve changed your blog design? Is this just for today or is the new look. I almost expect to see some “Yes we can” banner somewhere here! :-)
The picture of the flags is beautiful, and the montage of your friends is lovely – so many smiling faces. Lots of you with children too, and clearly they all love you too.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Wish you were coming to our party tonight!! We’ll have to argue with HPD without you. =)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Sweet post Simon. From these pictures, it seems obvious that America has embraced you with as much affection as you have her. You are missed this year.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I’ll resist the urge to say something about the amount of hot girls in your montage and instead I’ll say something nice about the flag picture.
Nice flag picture.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 7:22 am
I was just thinking about how much you would love the heat here the other day, it was about 105. Maybe you’ll be able to soak in some rays next year.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 2:51 pm
You know when some people say they’re one sex living in the body of the other, do you think maybe you’re one nationality living in the body of another? I love America, you spell American, you look American, for all I know you might even sound American too! So I’m wondering, do you secretly wish to be a few buckle sizes bigger and a bit less worldly wise? ;-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Simon speaks with a British accent until he starts to speak to an American or Australian, much to the amusement of his friends :-)
I have to say, his American spelling does irritate somewhat. I think you may be right Max, he’s an American trapped in a Brits body :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Wilvo, you must understand that I only spell American in order to further my efforts to conserve the planets resources. Spelling words like colour without a U saves valuable ink when printed and also reduces the time I need to spend using my computer and the power it uses. Just imagine how many trees would be saved if we all spelled like Americans! ;-)
While I cannot deny that my accent does change a little when in the company of others I will say in my defense that, unlike some people, my musical tastes, beverage preferences, clothing style, and hobbies remain much the same. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I understand the strong pull a country can have on you Simon. I’ve spent alot of time in East Africa and I definitely have left part of my heart there. I actually feel homesick at times, yearning to go back and if I hear something on the radio from Uganda that’s it…I can ‘feel’ myself back there. A place can become part of us, I’m sure.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Simon.
There aren’t enough pictures of me.
Your friend,
Heath
:)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 11:12 pm
What a nice way to celebrate the 4th! Happy Independance Day!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Ouch, you bitch :-) I think the ability to try and embrace new things, to evolve is a positive thing.
Remember, you have a 10 year head start on me mate ;-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2009 at 11:43 pm
A ten year head start?
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 12:05 am
Happy 4th to you also Simon. We’ll miss you out here this summer.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 4:40 am
Mirroring the sentiments of the many Americans who commented on this post, I will say that we (the Velez clan) also miss you.
Oh, and because I am a family man, I would like to point out that in the picture of me, the thing in my hand with the picture of a lady in a mildly provocative pose is NOT a girly mag. Rather, it is a kitschy album cover titled “Sexy Picknic.” And uh, I did not buy it, as terribly tempting as it was. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I was suggesting that I pretty much started forming my opinions in my 30’s. I would suggest that my likes/dislikes haven’t changed significantly in the the last 3-4 years. However, I’m always open to embracing things that are new to me. I was never a big fan of wine, I’m still not, and my taste in food has developed all on its own. Musical taste tends to be expanded when your friends/family introduce you to new music.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Ah, right, got ya Wilvo. I was a little confused there. As you know, despite the utter ‘ponciness’ of your love of expensive food, I am always delighted to taste your cooking which is, it’s fair to say, really rather good. :)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 4:20 pm
What an absolutely sweet post and all those smiling pictures.
I followed your links at the foot of the post too as I normally do and was especially moved by something you wrote in your post entitled ‘Old Glory.’
“I have travelled from coast to coast across America by road, woven a vast web of vapor-trails spanning thousands of miles in American skies, and walked among the skyscrapers that so inspiringly reach for the stars in search of the American dream. If home is where the heart is, then anytime I am in America, I am home.”
That is a beautiful and touching ode to my country. Thank you Simon.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Sexy Picknic? That’s hilarious! What kind of music is Sexy Picknic?
I Googled “Sexy Picknic” and found a band but couldn’t listen to their music. I did however find a great site featuring very attractive wallpaper for iPhones which is handy for my iPhone.
https://www.myiphonetricks.com/view/sexy_picnick-320×480.html
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 6:44 pm
@ Sindy – I did write that didn’t I! I actually went back to that post and checked. It’s not that i doubted you, it’s that I simply didn’t remember writing that. It’s true though, I do love the USA.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Regarding “Sexy Picknick” I just Googled that too. I think the music Philly found isn’t the same German stuff Anthony picked out in that Thrift Store in Birkenhead. For clarification purposes you can see Anthony and Sexy PickNick here.
WARNING : Googling “Sexy Picknick” is a task that should not be undertaken ligghtly. It is not suitable for the easily offended, the aged, minors, Daily Mail readers, Ted Haggart, Ann Coulter, people who believe FOX news is the news, members of the Moral Majority, Mormans, born again and again Christians or Biblical literalists.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 9:23 pm
hmm I tried to respond to a particular comment but it seems that it put my reply at the bottom of all the comments… So where ever this comment ends up, I’d just like to say that 1. I like this post very much. Wonderful tribute to your friends. 2. I found the comment about saving ink by spelling American pretty funny… thanks for the laugh.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2009 at 11:20 pm
As much as I would like to say that I have been to a thrift store in Birkenhead, which would mean that I have been to England, alas the thrift store in which that picture was taken is located firmly in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley in the big-little town called Fresno.
(Sigh) Maybe someday.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 7, 2009 at 2:08 am
@ Anthony -I have no idea why I typo’d Birkenhead in there! But man, let me tell you Anthony, the experience of Sexy Picknick would, I am quite sure, be FAR more off the wall if it had happened in the town I call ‘Birkenhell.’ Yeah, you might have your gang bangers and their guns out there in California, but I’m telling you, those chumps wouldn’t last 2 minutes in Birkenhell!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 7, 2009 at 2:12 am
@ Rachel – Thanks Rachel. Regarding the ‘Respond’ link, yeah it is pretty silly that it doesn’t put the comment under the one you are responding to. I’ve spent a little time looking at this issue but clearly haven’t cracked it yet. Sorry.
I’ve taken to writing the @ symbol then the persons name, that seems to work, but the comments are also numbered so you could always mention the comment number?
Oh and hey, come on Rachel, sort out your Gravatar picture! If you need my help with that hit me up on iChat sometime.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 7, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I find it sad that you, an fellow Englishman, would gush about America to such an extent. It’s a nice place to visit, I’ll grant you that Simon, but wherever I go in the world I am always more than happy to return home to good ol’ blighty.
Great Britain is indeed ‘Great.’ Maybe this summer you should spend a little time exploring the beautiful British Isles, YOUR homeland!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 7, 2009 at 1:57 pm
@ Philly Buster, thanks for the heads up on the iPhone site, I have a nice retro Apple logo on my iPhone now :-) Talking of iPhones, search the app store for ‘before i forget’ ;-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 10, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Fun post, thanks!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 12, 2009 at 10:07 am
Remember getting wet at the Waterfront because they didn’t turn off the sprinklers? LOL This year I was in VEGAS!!! Partied like a rock star!! Got into Rehab!! That was amazing!! Got pics on my facebook.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 12, 2009 at 12:08 pm
@ Melisa – I do indeed remember that Missy. Fun times indeed. I’m glad you got to go to Vegas, I am sure you had a blast! Sadly I can’t see your facebook pictures as I ditched facebook a while back. You know my email though. Anyway, glad you had a great 4th of July!