As revealed in More fireworks rules are overdue, I'm no fan of fireworks.
Reader responses to this piece represented a wide variety of views. There were people who thought we should ban the sale of fireworks, and others who lamented the fact that today's versions are less powerful than those of yesteryear and thought we should "bring back skyrockets". There were tales of distressed pets, disturbed sleep and students whose study for exams was interrupted. Some people called me a killjoy while others recommended I "build a bridge", "chill out", "stop whining" and "harden up".
I have hardened up. In fact, I've become even more resolute in my stance against fireworks. Last year I simply suggested that perhaps stricter rules should be applied to the private use of them. Specific days of use and curfews could have provided a compromise that was palatable to both the "fun police" among us and members of the bring-back-skyrockets brigade. (How ludicrous it is that the days on which fireworks may be sold are tightly restricted but people have free rein as to when they may be let off.)
But I'm officially past the point at which simple curfews and restrictions seem reasonable. This year the rain in Auckland on 5th November clearly curtailed many people's plans. Inclement weather meant last Tuesday's "celebrations" weren't as excessive as other years. I almost admired the spirit of the few intrepid sorts who nonetheless let off their crackers in the downpour.
Of course, that meant that less hardy people still had a stockpile of crackers to get through - so the unwelcome sounds of fireworks could be heard throughout the rest of the week. The rain that had seemed so fortuitous at the time had simply prolonged the firecracker season.
