A Boston Fourth of July

Yes, I am in the midst of a job search. Yes, I have been applying to jobs all day (on a Saturday, on a holiday weekend.) I cannot, however, let another second go by without posting these videos.

I had the pleasure of sailing on Old Ironsides this Fourth of July and then watching Boston's spectacular fireworks display after enjoying the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. I felt like I was watching the world's best fireworks display while hanging out with friends in my backyard.

2013 is the first year in more than two decades that the Boston fireworks did not air on TV because CBS didn't renew the contract. People need to see these. They were spectacular. The music was perfect, the timing was impeccable, there were more than a few tears being wiped away in the city that night.

I've watched this video three times since Independence Day. It "pauses" twice in the middle, but the feed comes back quickly, so just enjoy :)



Without a doubt, the most incredible part of the night was before the fireworks when Officer Dic Donohue walked up onto the stage to conduct the Pops as they played I'm Shipping Up To Boston. Holding his crutches by his sides, he waved the baton and Boston's unofficial anthem filled the air. He had tears in his eyes and a big smile on his face. Officer Donohue was wounded as a first responder during the Boston bombings and subsequent gunfight. He is an American hero, through and through.

I will never forget watching half a million people jump to their feet to cheer this man on. Everyone near me was sitting before Officer Donohue took the stage. The minute he was announced, EVERYONE jumped up. We sang, we cheered, we danced. We celebrated the moment.

What a moment. What a night. What a city. What a country.



Here is a video I took of the 21-gun salute on Old Ironsides:



Even cooler, here is a video I took of the 17-gun salute for the Coast Guard, taken from below deck on Old Ironsides. I was just trying to stay out of the sun when I found myself in the middle of the action! My favorite part? It's two girls loading the cannon! You go, girls!!!


I like their concentration and teamwork. I like how they are in it together. I like how they celebrate a job well done at the end.

Over the past couple of days, I've been reminded over and over again that sometimes it's enough to rejoice even in the smallest of victories. With that in mind, I leave you with this quote from Firefly:

Simon: "You have the Alliance on you; criminals and savages. Half the people on this ship have been shot or wounded, including yourself... and you're harboring known fugitives."
Mal: "We're still flying."
Simon: "That's not much."
Mal: "It's enough."

Against all odds, we're still flying. All of us. And... for now... it's enough. It's enough for Old Ironsides. It's enough for the Pops. It's enough for Officer Dic Donohue, and for his wife, and for his family. It's enough for the people of Boston. And, it's enough for me. If we're still flying, the story isn't over. There's still time to change the plot and the arc of our stories.

As always, here's to new beginnings. Here's to having another chance to get it right.

Happy Independence Day.