I Heart People Watching

Every year, the "Salute to America" festivities are held downtown on the 3rd and 4th. I honestly can't remember the last time I went, but it's been at least 5 years. I decided to go with my dad tonight to check out the pre-4th happenings. I was so tired before we went, I almost didn't change out of my pink leopard pajama pants. After the fact, I'm glad I got my lazy butt off the couch if only for the fantastic entertainment provided by the fine citizens of Jefferson City and surrounding areas.

My mom was kind enough to drop us off downtown so we wouldn't have to search for parking. I guess this fact in itself proves that I'm grown up as I wasn't embarrassed to be dropped off by, or hang out with, a parent in public. But now that I think of it, I was never embarrassed by either of those scenarios...irrelevant thought. Dad and I headed to the feature entertainment, Aaron Tippin. Now don't get me wrong, I like country music. What I'm not a big fan of is close minded people with microphones. Let's just leave it at that. The concert provided a nice venue for people watching, but most of the people there were old and somewhat boring.

Dad and I decided to walk around downtown to check out the rest of the excitement. About every ten feet or so, someone stopped to talk to my dad. I swear, he knows everyone! After chats of various lengths, we'd walk away and I'd ask, "Who was that?" to which my dad would sometimes reply, "I don't know. They look familiar and I know I know them from somewhere..." So maybe it's more accurate to say that it's the other way around: everyone knows my dad.

I wish that I had a hidden camera to show the glamorous array of clothing on display, as my writing capabilities cannot even begin to explain to the spectacle. I've compiled a short list of the best (and by best, I mean most atrocious) outfits of the evening:
* Numerous homemade, puff paint, patriotic shirts...classic Jefferson City 4th of July apparel
* The denim-on-denim look...nothing says "Happy Birthday America" like jeans, a denim
"dress" shirt and jean jacket
* Jean shorts so short the pockets hang out, tastefully matched with an American flag bikini
top...classy, weather appropriate, and still patriotic
* "Clubbing" dresses and heels...obviously the smart choice for a downtown street festival

As I said, I can't do these outfits justice with my vocabulary. Next time I'll bring a camera. A few hours later, dad and I left with a bag of kettle corn, a funnel cake and more than our fair share of hometown entertainment.

Tomorrow I'm headed to St. Charles/St. Louis for a 4th of July party with HBFB. His brother and sister-in-law are having a party at their house which promises to be a good time. I'm a little nervous about him and his brother playing with explosives though. I plan on sitting at a safe distance, praying for our lives. It will be a short trip as HBFB has to work until 3:00 tomorrow afternoon, and goes back to work at 7:00 on Sunday morning, but what can I say? I kinda like hanging out with him...I guess :) People keep asking what I'm doing with all my free time this summer, and the answer is mostly hanging out with HBFB. Now, if I just could figure out a way to get paid for that, I'd be happy and rich! Don't worry, I'm tired so the schmoopiness has come to an end...for now.