liberté is my new perfume

i am sitting here on the 4th of july, in france, a country that knows its fair share of revolution(s).  it knows its liberty.  it knows its strikes.  it knows its coffee.  it knows its politics.

what is there to say about american independance?  the 4th of july means so much and so many things to so many other people.  frankly, i don't get into the whole patriotic thing.  it really isn't me.  wearing my flag or colors.  waving a flag.  standing to watch a parade with marching bands that make me anxious with their loud drums and cymbols.  i don't eat hot dogs.  i don't eat deep fried snickers bars.  and frankly, i think every day is an occasion for fireworks.

so where does this leave this american in paris?

i'm not sure.  other than i don't feel that i have to wave the flag, sing the national anthem or wear the colors just to prove that i am an american.  isn't it enough that i pay taxes, that i vote, that i express my opinions, that i use my passport, that i have served on jury duty, that i recognize what freedoms i have (and that i recognize the ones that i don't have)?  isn't that enough to make me a good citizen?