Friday, January 9, 2009

Still Here

I saw remnants of bleachers piled near Pasadena City College on Tuesday. The crews are cleaning up. But these bleachers remained intact yesterday. They're the biggies, the ones you see on TV, right across the street from the Norton Simon Museum.

I think this is Pasadena's equivalent of not being ready to take the Christmas tree down yet.

26 comments:

Cafe Observer said...

Not There.
At PCC.

At least all the trash the visitors left behind for the rats right after the parade was cleaned up in just hours.

USelaine said...

Oh, I love the Norton Simon! Maybe the bleachers allow people to just gaze at it from afar...

Keith said...

A great after the "15 minutes of fame" are up photo. Now no one will even sit there for free.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Er... what are bleachers?

Jim Klenke said...

I like the lines. All that work for a little parade. Of course I watched it here on I think 3 different TV channels.

Anonymous said...

I used to have a neighbor who left his plastic nativity scene up thru out January. You know how we always get the hi winds after Christmas? Well heads would literaly roll. I was always picking up the head of baby Jesus and some wiseman from my front yard.

Petrea Burchard said...

C.O., it's amazing how fast they pick up the trash. What's even more amazing is HOW MUCH TRASH PEOPLE LEAVE! It's absolutely astonishing.

USElaine, the Norton Simon is a gem! We even have one of Rodin's Thinkers! Or did he call it Le Penseur? Je ne sais pas.

Ha! No kidding, Keith. Although I did see a woman running up and down them for exercise.

Dear me, Lynn, never let it be said there's no language barrier between the US and the UK. Dictionary.com defines bleachers as "a typically roofless section of inexpensive and unreserved seats in tiers, esp. at an open-air athletic stadium." However at the Tournament of Roses parade, they're expensive, reserved seats.

I wouldn't call it "little," Jim. It takes up plenty of room! And it fills the town with happy tourists for a couple of weeks, so I think it's worth it. Glad you watched it!

Petrea Burchard said...

This could only happen to you, Karin.

Anonymous said...

To be practical, I think the use for the larger sections of bleachers (portable stadium seats) is limited, so taking down the "little" ones in front of businesses and parking lots are a priority.

You'd think they could set some up for the Doo Dah Parade...but that would just be too organized!

Believe it or not, we used to have neighbors who had a plastic nativity scene and when the winds came, heads *would* roll. If there had been digital cameras at the time, I would have had a picture of a Michelin man sized/shaped guy, running down the street in pouring rain & 30mph winds after rolling baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary heads...as if he had bowled them intentionally, but changed his mind after his wife yelled at him. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wanna guess again Petrea?

HearkenCreative said...

I'm loving this post: it shows a little bit of Pasadena's urban/gritty side. And I'm going to have to go home telling my wife about rolling magi heads. That's priceless.

Anonymous said...

Lynn, I think part of the reason we call them bleachers is because they often consist of planks of wood that have bleached and splintered in the sun.

Watch out if you're wearing shorts!

Destitute Rebel said...

At least the cleanup Job was done here in Pakistan the cleanup will usually take days removing bleachers is a whole other blog post. nice shot.

pasadenapio said...

It all takes time. Sharp Seating is responsible for every single grandstand along the 5.5-mile parade route.

Our Public Works Department is responsible for cleaning up the streets and sidewalks. Crews start at opposite ends of the route, working both sides of the street, and meet in the middle.

Many, many trucks and workers are involved, picking up big, bulky items first (sofas, barbecues, etc. that have been left behind) and then gathering up the trash.

Ditto at the stadium after the Rose Bowl Game, which includes a huge recycling program as well.

Between 30 and 40 tons of waste are picked up from the streets and the stadium every year.

It's quite an undertaking!

Petrea Burchard said...

I recant, Karin. Apparently this head rolling thing happens to everyone but me.

Glad you like the shot, Rebel. It takes weeks to prepare for the parade and it takes a while to unprepare, too (see Pasadena PIO, above). And you're right about the clean-up. They're fast.

PIO Ann, thank you for adding your always-informative two cents. (Well, probably a few million in this case.) Gives me a chance to point out once again how great the clean-up is. The first time I saw that trash my jaw dropped. It about fell off when the trash was gone within hours. But a recycling program? You know I brag about Pasadena; I shall become insufferable.

Christie said...

Make it last! It only comes once a year!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Bleachers to me will forever associated with Grease. We just don't use the word in the UK. Nicley done long shot.

Mister Earl said...

Karin - Wise is the man who lurks in your front yard. Headless or not.

william wray said...

Ironic as soon as I moved here I stopped going...

pasadenapio said...

By way of comparison, the route of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade is eight city blocks.

Pasadena's is 5.5 MILES.

It's not so little, Jim, but I forgive you because you show great dedication by watching it on three channels!

Vanda said...

LOL Trish.

I saw the bleachers last Sunday, on my way to the flea market.

Mister Earl said...

Now the rovin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61.

Petrea Burchard said...

William: When I lived in Chicago I went to Chicagofest once. That was enough. I'll have to try the Rose Parade one day. I like your work. Did you know I linked to you once?

Seriously, Ann? Only 8 blocks? I am amazed.

Vanda: flea market. Next time, if you want company, me me me me me please. Though I don't wish to appear too eager.

Earl: 66. Close!

Anonymous said...

Petrea, if you want to see a real live plastic manger scene, go visit Vanda. She found one.

Mister Earl said...

Petrea: Route 66? But not Highway 61? Depends on who's telling the story. Speaking of Dylan, William Zantzinger just died.

Petrea Burchard said...

Mr. Earl, Colorado Blvd. through Pasadena is part of the original Route 66.