Happy Independence Day to you all!

Yes, here in the US, Americans are celebrating gaining their independence from their former colonial masters, the British.

And by way of return, us Britons are celebrating, getting rid of a colony where they can't even make tea properly ;-)

Seriously though, I hope you all have a great day, wherever you are in the world.

I have a packed day ahead of me.

First off, I'm going to my first ever American 4th of July party/barbecue/pot luck.

In previous years in the US, I've always gone to a party of fellow Europeans. However, this always turned into a "Let's Bash Americans" event as the evening progressed, and frankly, made me ashamed to be British.

No, really, I can't stand people doing down an entire nation in one sweeping generalisation, especially when the people concerned are living in that nation's country!

So instead, this year I'm going to this friends and family do, hosted by a major KUVO volunteer. Should be fun.

I'll be leaving the party early, however, to go and host Rockin' In Rhythm - KUVO's jazz/blues crossover show. This is the second time I'll have hosted it, and knowing little or nothing about the blues, I'll have my work cut out for me. It's on at 7-9pm mountain time, tonight.