Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of complaints about the unfortunate calendar placement of this year’s Fourth of July holiday.

It’s true — Wednesday is kind of an awkward day for a holiday, especially one that is traditionally celebrated with an elevated level of gusto. If the Fourth fell on any other weekday, it would be easy to make a long weekend of it.

Most workers don’t mind taking one day off, but two? That just seems a little excessive. I hemmed and hawed over taking Thursday and Friday as vacation days, and ultimately I decided against it. My reasoning was two-fold: One, I wanted to save those vacation days for an actual vacation, and sleeping in after staying up late to watch fireworks at Southgate Mall doesn’t exactly count as a vacation; and two, when else do you get a day off in the middle of the week?

I mean, think about it — how many times have you hit Hump Day wishing you could have just a small break before tackling Thursday and Friday? I’ve been there countless times, but I don’t think I have ever acted on my desire for a mid-week mini-vacation.

But now, it’s going to be handed to me — so why not take advantage? My guess is that Thursday and Friday will be some of my most productive workdays ever, as I will be feeling refreshed, recharged and highly patriotic.

Of course, this probably doesn’t apply to those of you who are planning an actual vacation around the Fourth. If you’re packing up the Subaru and heading out for an extended hiking/camping trip, good for you (I’m a little bit jealous).

But, if you’re planning to spend Independence Day right here in the Garden City, punching in Thursday morning might not be the most horrible thing in the world. Plus, it will give you an excuse to reset your desktop background to one of your awesome fireworks photos.

Brooke is a 2010 graduate of The University of Montana, where she ran track and cross country for the Grizzlies. She is currently working as a writer and editor in Missoula.

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