07-05-2013, 12:19 PM
So I've had this plan for the 4th this year - to go to the cliff ridge that overlooks the Boardwalk and Seabright beach and watch fireworks. I had heard that there was this huge scene at the beach that was insane. I was dismayed to discover that there is no official fireworks show at the Boardwalk or on the bay. The only one was in Scott's Valley. But I went down there anyway and it was insane. The cops had closed the streets past the Brewery, fenced off the beach access, including my ridge lookout, installed portable street lights and checkpoints, and were heavily patrolling the area. The fine for fireworks or alcohol was prominently posted everywhere - $1000 just for the 4th. Nevertheless, there was a huge crowd of people milling about on the cliffs and many of the homes were hosting Frat party scale gatherings, complete with live music, lights...and fireworks. There were dozens of firework ninjas, shooting off fireworks on the beaches and from the streets and backyards. The cops tried to catch them - there were some busts. Over the wharf and across the bay, more rogue fireworks could be seen, but nothing like what was going down in Seabright. Some of those firework ninjas had full scale industrial fireworks. It was insane - like a war zone - some ninjas brought some serious explosives to the table. I watched for a while and then decided to return to my veranda to quench my beer thirst as my family opted to stay home and comfort the animals, and the scene just wasn't as fun without them.
Well, as fate would have it, two of the major firework ninja camps were right next to our bungalow - one on Seabright a few houses down from our street and another on the next parallel street, the one that our veranda faces. That street had taken it upon themselves to close down, hold a street party during the day, and keep fenced off into the night. They were shooting off major show fireworks - it was the closest I've ever been to such pyrotechnics except for working the pit at Van Halen and that Shoreline symphony show when they shot the fireworks too low and we had to treat dozens of patients for ash in their eyes. And I had the perfect seat on my veranda until the neighbors across the street started shooting off some more safe and sane fireworks and the smoke came my way. So I crossed the street to join them, which was a nice introduction. They had a lot of fireworks. It was very enjoyable - a far better show than I saw at the beach.
Today, the streets are totally clean, save for some burn marks. I just took the pom for a walk and couldn't find any spent firework debris.
Well, as fate would have it, two of the major firework ninja camps were right next to our bungalow - one on Seabright a few houses down from our street and another on the next parallel street, the one that our veranda faces. That street had taken it upon themselves to close down, hold a street party during the day, and keep fenced off into the night. They were shooting off major show fireworks - it was the closest I've ever been to such pyrotechnics except for working the pit at Van Halen and that Shoreline symphony show when they shot the fireworks too low and we had to treat dozens of patients for ash in their eyes. And I had the perfect seat on my veranda until the neighbors across the street started shooting off some more safe and sane fireworks and the smoke came my way. So I crossed the street to join them, which was a nice introduction. They had a lot of fireworks. It was very enjoyable - a far better show than I saw at the beach.
Today, the streets are totally clean, save for some burn marks. I just took the pom for a walk and couldn't find any spent firework debris.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse