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Fireworks
I am always somewhat disappointed by fireworks shows. It's not that they aren't spectacular (check out the finale of St. Louis' 4th of July show above), it's that they are all the same. Why hasn't there been the same type of innovation in fireworks as there has been in almost every other technological product? I'm not even asking for Gandalf or Fred and George awesomeness. Just something more creative than heart shapes and twirly white things.
But that's fireworks shows, when some unseen person on a barge or a computer is setting them off. It's a whole different story when you do them yourself. Then even the smallest shells are thrilling and unbelievably cool.
Doing something yourself carries a lot more weight than watching others do it. This is especially true when experts are involved. We expect so much out of experts of all sorts that we can often be disappointed. On the flip side, our lower expectations for friends and other normal people lets us revel in even their smallest accomplishments. For instance, art in museums doesn't excite me unless it's really crazy, but if a friend paints something with any sort of skill I'm really impressed. The same goes for sports, photography, writing (friends, isn't my so so writing really awesome?), cooking, and much more.
PS: The best place to set off fireworks is by a lake. My suggestion is to fire them horizontally over the water. You'll get awesome reflections and some great photo opps. This is one I took on spring break of my freshman year down in Georgia:
