If you’re in the U.S., don’t forget to tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this Thursday morning. It’s nothing more than a three-hour commercial, but I’ve been watching it ever since I was a little kid and wouldn’t miss it. I even attended once! Much like a trip to the Statue of Liberty and spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square, once is enough. I froze my ass off. A pal of mine liberated about a dozen tiny bottles of Harvey’s Bristol Cream from a British Airways flight and brought them in a paper bag. Drinking amongst all those happy families and little children felt kind of creepy, but drink we did.
B. was created, Frankenstein’s monster-style, from the leftover balloons used in children’s parties at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Forbidden from playing with other children because of his jagged teeth and crazy-quilt stitching, B. retreated to a basement lair, where he obsesses over Albert Lamorisse’s film “The Red Balloon” and dreams that he, too, will be able to fly someday.
Surprisingly, NONE of these new balloons exist to promote a product. I guess you can classify them solely as artistic endeavors. It’s enough to give you hope. Here’s how Mr. Murakami dressed last year to march alongside Kaikai and Kiki. I’m hoping that Mr. Burton dons an appropriate outfit to march alongside B. Boy.
Exile on Pain Street 
watched religiously as a kid but stopped when i failed to recognize the new balloons – figured i was too old for saturday morning commercials (aka “cartoons”).i will watch this year as i prepare the pizza dough, slice the turkey sausage, and make the pesto for dinner…
Fantastic! Love the balloons and the costume
daisy: You’re handy around the house AND you know your way around the kitchen?! You’re quite a package, aren’t you?nurse: I love these creative types. They make things like commuting bearable.
Harvey’s Bristol can be quite lethal you know.
I like the balloons but the guy in the flower suit scares the shit out of me.
Pat: NOW you tell me!kono: I’m hoping Burton files his teeth to a point and wears a black cape and top hat.
Eeeh, drinking in public out of a paper bag – you’d fit in very well in Lancaster!
I too survived a trek (or two if memory serves correctly) into Manhattan for the parade. Froze our arses off both times we did it – the Missus and I took our kids way back when they were little. The kids dug it both years in spite of the cold. Happy Thanksgiving to you/the family. Thanks for the always-entertaining writing. Much obliged.
looby: In front of a bunch of children, no less! It’s all part of my proud past.AK: Happy holiday to you and your family, as well. Growing up as close to the city as you did and not taking advantage of the Macy’s parade just once would be a terrible lost opportunity.
I don’t think they such a parade here. But across the ditch, in Auckland, there is what they call the “Santa Parade” and this year it does look like Macy’s.I only know because an Auckland artist blogged it here:http://www.aucklandsketchbook.com/2011/11/farmers-santa-parade.htmlNote: Farmers is the name of an old-established department store.
I been watching it too since I was real young and love it every year. I think the new characters look fantastic.