It's not a bad thing, it's just a--well, a weird thing. It's actually nice, in a weird way, to know that all these folks are coming to town for the parade and the big game, and that places so familiar to us are places they've seen only on TV. I once knew them from TV as well, long ago.
If you're coming from out of town, don't get any weird ideas. I took the photo in September. It's colder now. Not Wisconsin cold. Oh god, no. Not even Oregon cold. We'll all be bundled up in our parkas but don't mind us. You guys might want a sweater.
28 comments:
The idea of Southern California having a "weird period" makes innocent English mind boggle, Petrea. Surely every day down there is weird?
Dive, you're referring to Lala Land down the road. Pasadena prides itself on being more bourgeois (there used to be a church on every corner) and the Tournament of Roses is still run in an old-fashioned way, with men in white suits and gloves, and Queens and Princesses who are put through an intensive charm school course before the big day. But the float decoration down by the Rose Bowl definitely adds a surreal element to the scene in the photo, with pirate ships, trains and fire-breathing dragons parked there. I love seeing it all take shape, and hope you'll get down there again just before the Big Day to take another photo, Petrea.
"you guys might want a sweater" lol
I know exactly what you mean.. When we lived in the Valley and the marathon came through our neighborhood,our area got quite crowded. Almost like a rumbling about to start- hmmm,kinda like the reminiscent sound of the northridge earthquake.
Petrea, this link will give u info on that heavenly bamboo... this gal lives out where I do and our cross pass at the local farmer's mkt.
http://grassisgreenerblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Heavenly%20Bamboo
The extended weather forecast says 80 degrees and sunny on parade day. Can probably leave the parka home.
Dive, Bellis has given you a good answer, which is basically that Los Angeles is the exception, not the rule. But you bring up interesting questions: how can we gauge southern California "weird?" And against what yardstick can we measure the innocence of the English mind?
Thanks for the link, Kalei. Yes, I think it's that rumble you describe. It builds all week. Maybe I imagine it.
Book Dragon, if Michael is right, even I won't need a sweater!
Oops - I came here looking for "Zen Monday." I guess I need coffee or, even tho I'm not in Pasadena, its a "weird" period for me too.
Just scroll down, Kevin, I'm here for you.
We almost don't need a sweater up here either Petrea! Still no snow and unseasonably warm!!! And a lot of visitors from Lala land!!!
Yes, it is expected to be a bracing 78 degrees today!
32F in my NorCal neighborhood this morning. Definitely more than a sweater and long pants---needed a jacket and mittens and a hat and my hands are still icy.
80F? I think island-wear is in order.
Then again, growing up, we used to PRAY for snow on Jan 1 (or 2nd this year) so that the droves of people from the east and midwest wouldn't move to CA because of the great weather for the ToR and Rose Bowl. Never worked, but it was always nice to hope!
And yes, weird is relative. Weird in Pasadena isn't the same as weird on Melrose or Venice. I do sort of wonder how they'll tell the difference between the usual Parade attendees sleeping on the sidewalk, vs Occupy folk. ;-)
The city has given the movement a spot to be in, so Occupy will officially be here for the parade. I don't think it's going to be difficult to distinguish them, though, because they'll have signs. "Go Wisconsin" isn't the same as "We are the 99%."
I take exception to the term LaLa land. It's a carpetbagger term brought forth by outside agitators.
Hi there, just discovered your site via PDP. : ) I've visited California several times over the years and enjoy laptop-traveling from here in Cleveland. As someone raised in northern Michigan (less than a mile from the Wisconsin border) I had to laugh at the varying perception of what qualifies as cold weather!
LAPIO, I have no idea who you can take that up with, but it seems you have your hands full.
Hi LGreenWriter. We've got some Michiganers visiting on the block right now and they said there's very little snow on the UP right now. Terrible news! But yes, one gets acclimated to California warmth.
lalaland, tinseltown & carpetbaggers? gotta read more about that!
PDP: either this week is weird, or just U & I R. Relatively weird.
It still gets quite nippy at night, although maybe midwesterners consider temps in the 40s to be downright balmy.
As long as I don't have to look for parking I like this weird time of year here.
Relatively speaking, Cafe, U & I R both weirdly good.
I was a Midwesterner once, Susan, but my badge has been taken away.
Looking forward to your photos and commentary concerning this "weird period". :-)
My nephew and niece-in-law are coming from Central California for the parade. I spent an hour today trying to figure out how to get them from their hotel in Alhambra to the VIP parking area for the parade. With all the street closures, it's tricky but I did it! I'm going to surprise them with warm, comfy Tournament of Roses fleece jackets.
I was going to go down and pick them up at the crack of dawn on Jan. 2 and bring them up here, but now that I'll be riding on a float in the parade (ahem) they'll be on their own. Let us pray...
I'll do my best, Ms. M.!
PIO, you're going to be on a float!!! Which one, which one? Oh, now I wish I had a ticket! I'm claustrophobic in crowds but I'd brave it to see you. Tell us more!
@Susan...last week our temps dropped to single digits at night...Brrrrrrrrr!!!
… there's a parade this weekend?
I was thinking.....you know the weather will be just as beautiful on New Years as it is in your picture don't you? Doesn't matter what we say, no one pays attention to the fires or mudslides, just the beautiful weather on the 1st.
Yes, J, that's why we're hunkering down with supplies.
BD, I should have checked the forecast before I posted, but I've been out sunbathing and can't be bothered.
don't worry, there's no parade this weekend.
Right you are, Cafe.
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