I was very, very wrong.

[flvegan]

The 12 hour onslaught of fireworks is already in full swing. It sounds like fucking Afghanistan (no offense to our folks actually in harm's way) around here, and it's only just shy of 5pm.

I had hoped that the economy would mean fewer fireworks this New Year's. I was very, very wrong.

Enjoy the Tramadol, pups. Daddy's getting a beer.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. You must live in an interesting neighborhood.

I've never heard fireworks on New Year's Eve around here, at least not "amateur" ones. Maybe it's just too damn cold. We do get them from time to time on the 4th of July, but usually the cops manage to shut down anything bigger than Roman candles.

Must suck to have assholes firing those things off all day and night and scaring your dogs.

[TZ]

8. We don't really have them here either.

We aren't exactly warm at this time of year but not in the same category as you guys (although perhaps windchill of 19 today helps).
I have on a rare occasion heard one or two firecrackers after midnight but thats it.

[Common Sense Party]

2. You are kidding.

At the risk of being insensitive and politically incorrect, of what nationality or ethnic origin are your noisy neighbors?

I only ask because the only times I've seen/heard fireworks set off on New Year's were when I lived in Argentina and when I had some Mexican neighbors.

I was just wondering if this was some cultural phenomenon that I, in my pasty white Midwestern upbringing, missed out on.

[flvegan]

6. Typical Florida melting pot mix.

Very middle class, more white than anything else. There are a number of folks around me that set them off. None on my street, but more like 4 streets over, maybe. It's twice a year, every year (this and the 4th). It's also illegal. BUT, thanks to a loophole, if you sign an affidavit saying the fireworks are for varmint control, you can buy them.

Can someone tell me how those huge kaboom mortars are for varmints?

[Common Sense Party]

7. For varmint control?

[Common Sense Party]

10. And 4 streets over, they still bother your dogs?

Those must be some HUGE boomers.

Criminy.

[flvegan]

12. I'm talking professional stuff, here.

We get smaller stuff closer in, but they aren't so bad.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Your poor dogs.

For most of us humans, it's just annoying after all.

[Xipe Totec]

4. We're in the middle of a freaking snow storm up here

so, fireworks are probably going to be de minimus.

Yay!

[supernova]

5. Aww poor pups.

I await with bated breath the onslought of midnight rifle discharges.

:eyes:

I love country living, I really do.

[Blue Diadem]

9. We're lucky. The gun shooting fools have moved.

I never knew which way they were firing but knew it was across the street in the farm field somewhere. There's only been a few times on New Year's Eve when we've heard fireworks. Mostly I think because it's too cold.

edited to add:

I hope your pups will be able to relax a bit. It's awful when they're so scared.

[Dangerously Amused]

11. I'm sorry that your neighbors suck so royally.

:(

Maybe the extra fireworks are in celebration of Bush's last full year in office?

Extra hugs to the sweet babies.

:hug:

[Common Sense Party]

13. Next year, maybe your neighborhood can try what they do in Naples

(Italy, not Florida)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5423251.ece

Naples women go on sex strike over firework injuries

[FloridaJudy]

14. Fireworks have been banned here

We're experiencing a drought. I hear the occasional fire cracker, but fortunately all my critters seem to take it in stride.

[csziggy]

21. Even when there is a drought my idiot neighbors set off fireworks at the drop of a hat

They must be on a budget this year - they don't have the big ones and the number is pretty low. Some years I find their rockets out in the pastures. Fortunately since the horses grew up with that on one side and the private firing range on the other, they are more laid back about the explosions than I am. :eyes:

[KG]

15. heh. fireworks don't bug my doggie, but thunder gets him kinda whiney.

[bif]

16. You should hear the gunfire around here at midnight

It's unbelievable. Forget fireworks, we've got the real deal!

[Mike 03]

17. Los Angeles. When I lived in Los Angeles, people firing firearms into the air was a huge issue.

I don't recall fireworks being very popular, but guns, including automatics, were frighteningly popular.

The small town we live in now is relatively serene, but given the difficult economic times, I have to say there has been more activity on the police scanner.

[LeftyMom]

18. We don't have these problems in civilized places.

Join us! It's bliss! /Treehouse of Horror

edit: I think the ghost kick fix killed fake tags

[DS1]

19. It's 9.8 degrees here, feels like -11 with wind

I don't think matches would even light :scared:

[femmocrat]

20. Aw, sorry flvegan.

We had a snowy, gusty, squally day, so I think the pyromaniacs stayed in today.

It's calm now (but about 19 degrees), so I expect them to get out their shotguns and fireworks by midnight. The dogs are sound asleep in their crates, so maybe they will just curl up and not freak out. (I hope!)

[RushIsRot]

22. I live deep in the woods more than 4.4 miles off a paved road.

I considered going out at midnight and firing off my automatic pistol, BUT then I wondered where all my brass might go as well as my lead. I just stayed inside and enjoyed being warm.

It has been quiet here in the woods this New Year's Eve and New Year's Night/Morning/Day.

I'm not complaining, just reporting.