Happy 4th of July!

I don’t what it is, but this year I appreciate our independence even more. It could be recent conversations with Corky, my father-in-law, about soldiers and policy. But I also think some of it stems from an upcoming election and our nation coming together to grumble about gas prices and such. Seems we’re all in the same boat.

I’ve always had a deep sense of patriotism – from tending to the flag in grammar school (making sure it was presented right on the pole, and stored in the proper folded fashion) to the ever-present Stars and Stripes outside the door of my house.

That doesn’t mean I’m brainwashed into believing everything our government throws at me – I’m quite the opposite. I’m just proud that I’m American.

Yesterday I exercised my right to help others at the Austin Tweetup Blood Drive. What a huge success…instead of the usual 40 online sign-ups, they received 100! Social networking has amazing powers.

I arrived on time, spoke with @DaveIAM for a bit and discussed how much fun it is to hear people try to describe Twitter to the retired volunteers at the front counter. After being approved, I was brought into the “bloodletting” room, where they sat me next to the Tweetup co-organizer, @MichelleGreer. It was nice to meet people you interact with online based on their common geekiness for all things social media.

Michelle was being interviewed by WKUT, the local PBS station. You can hear the interview here, and there’s a bonus image of good-looking fella on the page. Here are some images from my blood donor chair:

Erika from WKUT was nary seen without her camera, mic and earphones.

The bank said no images of needles, so I’m sure they won’t mind a blurry image of Michelle giving blood instead.

These kids were touring the facility and hammed it up when I brought out the camera phone. I think the boy in back is flipping me off.

Today calls for a nice, leisurely bike ride downtown for a picnic under the stars and fireworks with accompanying music by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Stacey is looking forward to riding for the first time in a long time, and I’m excited for us to get out with the Thompsons.

Be safe, and enjoy your Independence Day.