So last night was my first night with good tips since I started delivering pizzas in June. I don't know what it is, but people are a lot stingier these days than they were when I first started. On about every fourth or fifth delivery, I get stiffed, and a lot of people think $1 is enough.

A good tip in Brainerd is $2, jerks.

The fourth was probably the worst night. I had all of six deliveries, half as many as normal, and I didn't get any tips until about halfway through my shift.

After work on the 4th I hooked up with Dylan and Amelia, which was cool, and watched the fireworks display over at the high school, which was also cool.

The only downside was that debris from the fireworks kept falling on us: I got thwacked in the chest by a fist-sized piece and from then on, I couldn't help but flinch as I watched various dark pieces, framed against the colorful sky, floating downward towards unpredictable destinations.

And now I'm on vacation. I have the next three days off, and I'm sure I'll fritter them away.