Well, this is awkward!

It would appear that God, too, hates freedom. I state this based solely on the wrath of [the aforementioned] storm that struck DC and MD last night right before the Capitol Fourth business.

Thankfully I was nestled in the reborn Capitol Lounge with a Hefewiezen, watching the Italy/Germany game on the edge of my seat until the (goddamn) Italians took it all away in the last two minutes of double overtime periods. Two goals, right on top of each other. I can't begrudge the first one: Grosso had been in the entire time, I believe. That's 120 minutes of running, people. Let the man have a kick! But it was a heartbreaker for the Germans. They played some nice soccer.

But back to the Almighty and his problems with liberty and justice for all. As the game was winding down, the satellite picture went down. There was nearly a riot, but then the entire bar just scooted around to look at the 2000 other tvs in the bar. But then an awed voice said, "Jesus. Look outside. . ." and we all turned to see a black sky outside the windows at the other end of the bar . Trees were bent, rain was falling sideways, and tourists were running for their lives. We all had a 2.4 second "Mmmmm. . .too bad." moment and then turned back to the tvs and our nachos. Tourists had to be evacuated from the Mall into the Smithsonian buildings! They went from 110 degree heat indexes to almost being struck by lightening. Like I said, somebody upstairs does not appear to be a patriot!

The rain actually broke the spirits of a few people--as we were walking back to the car in the light sprinkle that followed the rain, we ran across a woman who had at one time been reasonably attired. She was now wearing a bra and shorts and standing in a puddle in the middle of C Street, SE. She had obviously thrown in the towel. Or had forgotten her towel. She looked demented and drenched. Completely maniacal look on her face. We actually crossed the street to get around her.

But then the sun came out. Of course, the ground was soaked and there were many wet bottoms in the DC area, but we got to watch Stevie Wonder and. . .Elmo? on the Mall and then watch the fireworks. (Minor program note--the timing of the music-fireworks-1812 Overture was off. The music seemed cued for the PBS filming, and then the fireworks ended without music. Not whining, just saying I noticed, Capitol bitches.) As with any good fireworks display, particularly one accompanied by patriotic music by Sousa, I cried a little, much to the head-shaking perplexitudinality (woohoo!) of my friend. What can I say? I'm a sentimentalist. Can't hear that music, watch fireworks exploding over the Washington Monument, see kids clapping and leaping with joy, and not suddenly be overcome by Hallmarky feelings.