Today's (American) Independence Day; although I don't light any
fireworks, I think my festivities fairly appropriate.
American is transit. Although my migration from Christchurch to
Auckland isn't comparable to English fundamentalists striking into a
"new" land, I think one of the better things about the "American
character" is adaptability to new circumstances.
America is a melting pot and so is my day. I'm an American in New
Zealand, English-style meat pie for lunch, Indian food for dinner,
video games at a Chinese arcade, and drinks at a Mexican bar.
And America is overindulgent. Faced with the quandary of my 7th beer
costing $4.50 or buying a card good for 6 beers for $5 total, I am not
about to deny my heritage.