#RoseParade
Showing posts with label tournament of roses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tournament of roses. Show all posts
2023 Tournament of Roses Parade
2023 Tournament of Roses Parade
2 January 2023
Pasadena, California, United States of America
Ohio State: 2019 Rose Bowl Champions
PASADENA, Calif. -- Urban Meyer says he decided to end his remarkable coaching career at Ohio State partly because of the stress inherent in this high-intensity job.
After his Buckeyes blew most of a 25-point lead in the fourth quarter and had to recover a last-minute onside kick to win the Rose Bowl, anybody could understand why this 54-year-old coach can't wait to retire.
But the stress is over. Meyer is going out at the top of his profession. And for the first time, he is a Rose Bowl champion.
Dwayne Haskins passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and Meyer headed into retirement with a 28-23 victory after the fifth-ranked Buckeyes held off No. 9 Washington's thrilling comeback in the 105th Rose Bowl on Tuesday.
After the confetti flew in the north end zone, the Buckeyes gathered around Meyer for one last celebration of their coach. He is walking away after going 83-9 at Ohio State with one national championship, three Big Ten titles and this Rose Bowl victory, the Buckeyes' eighth overall in the Granddaddy of Them All.
"I'm a very blessed man," Meyer said. "I'm blessed because of my family, (but) this team, this year, I love this group as much as any I've ever had."
Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon and Rashod Berry caught TD passes in the first half for the Buckeyes (13-1), who took a 28-3 lead into the fourth and seemed to be cruising to a blowout.
But star running back Myles Gaskin threw a touchdown pass and rushed for two more scores for the Huskies (10-4), scoring from 2 yards out with 42 seconds left.
The Huskies got no closer, however. Defensive player of the game Brendon White intercepted Jake Browning's pass on the 2-point conversion attempt, and Dixon recovered Washington's onside kick.
"We're going down as one of three teams in Ohio State history to win 13 games," Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young said. "Legendary team. Legendary coach. We're all legendary right now."
Meyer cited his health last month in his decision to step down. A cyst in Meyer's brain causes severe headaches that are even worse for a man who says he gets not just nervous, but "deathly ill" before big games.
Meyer largely refused to reflect publicly on his career during the month since he announced his plans. After he shook Washington coach Chris Petersen's hand, raised the trophy and walked off the Rose Bowl turf, Meyer finally thought about the journey that brought him back to his home state for a stellar seven-year tenure capped by this late-breaking thriller.
"Every week, every yard, every down, when we recruited these players, I just wanted to make sure that we made the great state of Ohio proud," Meyer said. "And once again, we weren't perfect, but we did a lot of good things."
After Southern California's epic win over Penn State and Georgia's double-overtime thriller with Oklahoma over the past two years in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl got another matchup packed with late-game fireworks.
Browning passed for 313 yards and Gaskin rushed for 121 in the final game of the four-year starters' landmark careers at Washington, which has lost three straight New Year's Six bowl games.
But after three poor offensive quarters, the Pac-12 champions made it awfully interesting late. The Huskies racked up 170 yards of offense while making three strong drives in the fourth, but they had fallen too far behind in their first Rose Bowl game appearance in 18 years.
"It was too little, too late, but we're always going to keep swinging," Browning said. "That's how we are as a team. We're never out of it."
Petersen dropped to 1-4 in bowls during his otherwise remarkable tenure at Washington, including consecutive defeats in the Peach, Fiesta and Rose.
"Very frustrating when you start the first half like we started," Petersen said. "I have no idea why. It's on me. It's not these kids. ... We'll go back to the drawing board on how to prepare these guys better to come out of the gate a little bit faster. But I am proud of how hard these guys play, and I never doubt that."
While Petersen likely will get more chances for his first Rose Bowl win, Meyer insists his three-decade collegiate coaching career is over. After starting out as a graduate assistant at Ohio State, he has been a head coach since 2001, achieving huge success at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida before his stellar run in Columbus.
These Buckeyes are Meyer's eighth team to finish with one loss or fewer in his 17 seasons as a head coach.
"He's a really tough guy," said Ohio State running back Mike Weber, who rushed for 96 yards. "Sometimes you never really know what he's thinking. He really doesn't show a lot of emotion, but I felt him today. You could tell he was giving his all. It felt a little different."
Although Meyer's final season began with an embarrassing three-game suspension over his mismanagement of domestic abuse accusations against former assistant Zach Smith, he propelled the Buckeyes to another dominant regular season despite missing out on the College Football Playoff.
This game could be Haskins' farewell to Ohio State as well, if the sophomore goes pro. The offensive player of the game and Heisman Trophy finalist became the sixth FBS quarterback to throw 50 touchdown passes in a season while picking away at the vaunted Washington secondary minus injured Taylor Rapp, the second-team All-American safety.
Gaskin became the fourth running back in NCAA history with four 1,200-yard seasons during the third quarter, but Ohio State increased its lead with J.K. Dobbins' TD run.
The Huskies finally scored their first offensive touchdown since the Apple Cup when Gaskin threw a TD pass to Drew Sample with 12:17 to play.
THE TAKEAWAY
Ohio State: The offense did enough to win despite punting on five straight late drives. Fans can only wonder whether this bunch of Buckeyes would have done better than overmatched Notre Dame or Oklahoma in the playoff semifinals.
Washington: The defeat wrapped up an unimpressive Pac-12 football season. The Huskies were the class of the conference, and they showed tremendous heart in the fourth -- but they'll be frustrated with a campaign bookended by losses to national powers Auburn and Ohio State.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: Ryan Day is now the 25th head coach in program history. Haskins could be the first quarterback drafted if he leaves, and he's just one key contributor who must be replaced. But Meyer has built a fierce machine in Columbus, and he seems certain Day is the man to drive it forward.
Washington: Replacing the most prolific quarterback and running back in program history isn't easy, but many Huskies fans are excited to see who's next. Petersen has built a powerhouse in Seattle, and Washington should be in position to contend for a trip to Pasadena almost every year.
Stanford Cardinal: 2016 Rose Bowl Champions
The 102nd Rose Bowl game was a blowout by the second quarter Friday, with Stanford well on its way to a 45-16 demolition of Iowa, when the Cardinal pulled the football equivalent of a three-card Monte on what seemed like a bunch of unsuspecting Midwest tourists.
Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan dropped back from the Iowa 31-yard line and reached toward the ground with both hands on the ball, giving the impression he had fumbled.
Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey, who got a head start on his 2016 Heisman Trophy campaign by racking up a Rose Bowl-record 368 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns, added to the hoax, diving toward Hogan's hands as if he was recovering a fumble.
Stanford had never used the play in David Shaw's five years as coach, and the Hawkeyes bit on the fake like it was a hunk of prime rib at the Lawry's Beef Bowl. Hogan stepped back and lofted a high-arching pass to Michael Rector, who was wide open on a corner route in the right side of the end zone.
Rector hauled in the pass for a 31-yard touchdown and a 35-0 Stanford lead with 8 minutes 22 seconds left . . . in the first half. It was that kind of afternoon for the Hawkeyes, who hadn't been to the Rose Bowl in 25 years and looked like they had no business being there Friday.
Adding insult to Iowa and its faithful fans, who accounted for more than half of the crowd of 94,268 in the Rose Bowl, was the name Stanford coaches gave the trick play that made the Big Ten team look so foolish.
"We actually call it Hawkeye," said Rector, who caught two passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns. "We just made that up. We knew their defensive backs and linebackers flew down hard. We thought if we faked a fumble, they'd bite hard on it, and they did. It was a great throw by Kevin, and fortunately, I came down with it."
Shaw, who has coached the Cardinal to three Pac-12 Conference titles and two Rose Bowl wins in five years, said the play has "been in the works for six years," adding that he first saw Boise State run it under coach Chris Petersen.
"I always liked it and was looking for the right situation to do it," Shaw said. "We've worked on it at different times. For this game, if was a group effort. It's one of those things when you talk about it, everyone says, 'No, we can't do that.' Then we look at it again and say, 'Gosh, that could be really good.'"
There wasn't much Stanford couldn't do on Friday. The sixth-ranked Cardinal imposed its will on the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes, dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and running up a 38-0 lead early in the third quarter before Iowa finally got on the board.
Iowa gave up an average of 18.5 points a game during 12-1 season. Stanford (12-2) scored 21 points in the first quarter. The Cardinal racked up 429 yards compared to Iowa's 287. Stanford had seven sacks in the game, four coming on third down.
Hogan, a fifth-year senior, capped a stellar Stanford career by completing 12 of 21 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and his last pass in a Cardinal uniform was a beautiful 42-yard bomb down the left sideline to Rector for a touchdown with 1:54 left in the game.
The Hawkeyes spent much of the afternoon grasping at air in their attempts to corral McCaffrey, the speedy and elusive sophomore who became the first player in Rose Bowl history with at least 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving.
McCaffrey, who broke the previous all-purpose mark of 346 yards set by Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis against Oregon in the 2012 game, caught a short curl pass from Hogan in stride and raced 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.
"We dominated up front," said Joshua Garnett, Stanford's Outland Trophy-winning left guard. "We dominated all facets of the game."
Football players often look for motivation in perceived slights during the week leading up to bowl games. For Garnett, it was a declaration by Iowa cornerback Desmond King, who said he was going to "pancake" Garnett.
There were also comments from other Hawkeyes who said they hadn't heard of McCaffrey until the Heisman Trophy show and that Stanford's offensive line wasn't much different than those they face in the Big Ten.
"They know who McCaffrey is now," Garnett said. "They said we're like a regular Big Ten offensive line. When you challenge guys like us, when you light a fire under us . . . we're the wrong guys to do that to.
"For us to dominate up front and prove to people in the Big Ten that we can scrap with them, get down and dirty with them, that means a lot. We showed them what Stanford football is all about. Once the whistle blows, there's nowhere to hide on the field."
The Christmas 2015 Roundup On The Bedlam
The old, and the new: Homura Akemi (the iPad 3, left) and Akagi Nagumo (the iPad Air 2, right).
Now, I have a new iPad, an iPad Air 2. Originally it was meant to be placed in a blue case, it ended up in a red case due to my fondness for Stanford, for USC, for Long Beach City College, for Lakewood High School, for my old fraternity buddies at the Order of Tong International, for Harvard (though their shade is deeper) even. And for the Liberals of Canada, but not for the Republicans of the United States.
But most importantly, it was chosen red for Akagi, the carrier with an appetite as big as mind and a wiseness incomparable. She is also Fubuki (Tanaka)'s surrogate older sister. If she were given a human name, her last name would that of her last admiral, Chuichi Nagumo. Therefore, the name of my iPad Air 2 is Akagi Nagumo, as depicted in my fanfic, Butteflies and Dragons, which will conclude at the end of the Rio 2016 Olympics.
So for my next check from The Stoppage Time, I need to buy a new wall calendar, new computer speakers, a new webcam, a new headset, and groceries. My next check from the Bar Foundation will go to the bill. The new laptop may not arrive until February because a lot of cash is going to fly out the door the next two weeks. That leads me to my update on Pangya. A lot has happened over on Pangya Island. Let's review!
- My main account is now a Top Master E.
- My alternate account is now a World Pro E.
- My alternate account now has the Jasmine Air Knight Set. The Jasmine Air Knights are currently A-rank Level 5.
- My main and alternate accounts have all Stufffed Santa Boo Stocking Rares, the Santa's Club Set, the Jolly Santa Club Set, Lucia's figure skating outfit, Spika's Christmas Rares, and all the hairbands. Oh yes, and Hana R's Christmas Outfit.
- My main account won a Kaz rare on the 10th coin of the Kaz Grand Prix event. It also won a second Kaz rare from a Premium Memorial Coin gifted from my friend ExcelsiorVindi (IGN: Basium).
- All the quits that I incurred (including the one I got cheaply from going ZZZ in GP on my alt) are expected to be removed at the next maintenance since I have been playing 4 n go tourneys and Event GPs on the grind.
- Madoka (a.k.a. the Classic Hana on my main) now has her own Christmas outfit. She looks fantastic in it.
- Classic Nuri, Azer, Classic Cecilia, Max and Kaz are one filled mastery slot and a 250 games played milestone each from completion on my main. Yay, only 500 tiki points to seriously grind for next year.
So it's been a very eventful Christmas and post-Christmas. I guess with Iowa and Stanford facing each other, it looks smart in hindsight to have iPads in black and red cases. Just need some removable decals and they are ready to be posing next to each other in Pasadena. Cannot wait to ring in the new year, and oh yes, my new iPad is jailbroken, meaning it can watch sports using Kodi. Time to give Akagi some bauxite-er, a recharge.
2014 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
2014 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, a set on Flickr.
This was a bummer. My main camera was already on a low battery when I started shooting. So I had to send my iPad over to do most of the heavy lifting. At least I got something out of it.
Rose Parade 2010 anecdotes
After a few days in which I set out to tie some loose ends here and there, I have tucked myself into writing on the 2010 Rose Parade and my thoughts on it.
I could have made this an entry on resolutions, but I do not believe in promises that can be broken the next day. That's where me and Phil Jackson share something similar-we don't believe in New Year's resolutions.
This time, I arrived earlier than usual. I took the 5:00 Blue Line, and via the Red and Gold lines I got there a few minutes past six. I claimed a spot closer to the grandstands. Last year I was near Colorado and Raymond. THis year it's Clorado and Fair Oaks.
This also marked the first-ever time I got to visit the Norton Simon Museum and sample some of the fine art that the late Mr. Simon had.
I seemed to be blowing my yellow vuvuzela a bit too much. One of the local CHP officers told me before I completed my countdown to 2010 in New York City, "I will give you my lunch if you promise not to blow that horn again."
I do have to owe it that guy; he along with others on the Boulevard, prevented me from getting really, REALLY starved.
I made up my mind as to who I wanted to win the game. I mingled with the Ohio State fans. "O-H?" I asked. "I-O!" they replied. By the time I had finished, I knew that the Buckeyes would win this game.
I was able to take plenty of photos of the ENTIRE parade. Last year, all I had was my cell phone. This time I had two cameras to take stock in all the action. Check them out at: bongaboi.deviantart.com.
I could have made this an entry on resolutions, but I do not believe in promises that can be broken the next day. That's where me and Phil Jackson share something similar-we don't believe in New Year's resolutions.
This time, I arrived earlier than usual. I took the 5:00 Blue Line, and via the Red and Gold lines I got there a few minutes past six. I claimed a spot closer to the grandstands. Last year I was near Colorado and Raymond. THis year it's Clorado and Fair Oaks.
This also marked the first-ever time I got to visit the Norton Simon Museum and sample some of the fine art that the late Mr. Simon had.
I seemed to be blowing my yellow vuvuzela a bit too much. One of the local CHP officers told me before I completed my countdown to 2010 in New York City, "I will give you my lunch if you promise not to blow that horn again."
I do have to owe it that guy; he along with others on the Boulevard, prevented me from getting really, REALLY starved.
I made up my mind as to who I wanted to win the game. I mingled with the Ohio State fans. "O-H?" I asked. "I-O!" they replied. By the time I had finished, I knew that the Buckeyes would win this game.
I was able to take plenty of photos of the ENTIRE parade. Last year, all I had was my cell phone. This time I had two cameras to take stock in all the action. Check them out at: bongaboi.deviantart.com.
Quick hits, December 27, 2009
I became Kenji Harima for a night. I had this dream that I was with Eri Sawachika. She was dressed in a short purple top, denim hotpants and leather boots. I said, "I just want to be friends with you. I already like Tenma and Yakumo and we just want to be friends." She then spread her legs, bit her finger like Kuroko Shirai and playfully said, "Liar. But I like you." All of sudden she took her clothes off and we copulated.
My mind was spinning. My heart was melting. And I came. My god, that felt good.
---
The USC Trojans...oh man! Dave Shinskie would only make for a Pac-10 QB backup getting peanut minutes in garbage time. They win the Emerald Bowl 24-13. Exuberant N-gelenos love Emerald Nuts. And I is one of 'em.
---
Lake Show, you give me heart-attack. Nyyaaaaargh!
But we win, 112-103, over the Sacramento Kings in double overtime.
---
Bring on 2010. I have decided to go to the Rose Parade on Friday.
---
Is it just me, or do I get a feeling Mikoto Misaka could be an at-large selection in the ISML a SECOND straight year?
My mind was spinning. My heart was melting. And I came. My god, that felt good.
---
The USC Trojans...oh man! Dave Shinskie would only make for a Pac-10 QB backup getting peanut minutes in garbage time. They win the Emerald Bowl 24-13. Exuberant N-gelenos love Emerald Nuts. And I is one of 'em.
---
Lake Show, you give me heart-attack. Nyyaaaaargh!
But we win, 112-103, over the Sacramento Kings in double overtime.
---
Bring on 2010. I have decided to go to the Rose Parade on Friday.
---
Is it just me, or do I get a feeling Mikoto Misaka could be an at-large selection in the ISML a SECOND straight year?
On Assignment: The 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade
I spent the last Wednesday of the old year and the first Thursday of the new year in Pasadena. As soon as I saw the USC Trojans destroy the UCLA Bruins and the Oregon Ducks crush the Oregon State Beavers, I knew that I would be doing something that I had never done, and something no one in my family has ever done either.
I first watched the Rose Parade as a child. The channel that has nonstop coverage was KTLA 5, which still has nonstop coverage today. But what made these two days special for me is that I not only get to watch it live, but actuall see the floats, the horses, the bands, and experience camping by the curb. It is unprecendented my my family to have seen the parade, IN ITS ENTIRETY, LIVE.
I herded enough cash (thanks to some gifts from my family and from my job at the Bar Foundation) to make this possible. The itinerary was as follows. Note: I will also add some side commentary as I go along.
December 31, 2008
4:00 a.m. Alarm bell on my cell phone rings. I wake up.
4:40 a.m. Shower
5:00 a.m. Dress into my special gear: a USC trojan shirt a USC sweater, newly bought brown pants, socks and my reliable black Nike leather sneakers, and my thick black jacket. I also had, at my disposal, a gray beanie with matching gloves and a muffler, my "Alaska hat" (a simple leather beanie with ear flaps and strings), and a few caps.
5:30 a.m. Breakfast. Honey Nut Cheerios, a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches (Monterey Jack toasties), some coffee and water. Oh yes, and also a bowl of Kettle Chips. Lightly salted. The only plain crisps I approve of. By Bonga's Assent.
6:00 Pack up supplies. A few papers to log the fun, a large black blanket, my iPod, Mom's camera, a couple disposables, and three rolls of film. I underestimated the amount of shots I needed, as well as the cold. Next January 1st, I'm bringing a sleeping back and SEVEN rolls of film. Or two boxes of threes and a disposable.
6:30 I walk to the bus stop at the corner of Easy Avenue and Hill Street to take Route 1 on Long Beach Transit to Wardlow Station. They had some road work, so I had to make a detour.
7:00 I arrive at Wardlow Station, and take the Blue Line to 7th Street & Metro/Julian Dixon. At this point, Japan in now in the New Year, with the Philippines soon to follow.
7:40 Transferred to the Metro Red Line heading toward Union Station, but first took a detour to Civic Center to purchase some trinkets from Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo.
8:00 I arrive at Kino's to buy a Konata Izumi accessory for my keychain...but they would not be open for another two hours. Like the Costa MEsa store, they don't open until 10:00 a.m.
I sat on a bench nearby and waited, scribbling some stuff on the log.
10:00 Kinokuniya opens.
10:10 I purchase the accessory, and a volume of a little one-shot by Arina Tanemura, "Mistress Fortune." Arina T. needs to consider drawing more buxom chicks. Seriously. Maybe a little mole or two, but there can only be one Mikuru Asahina.
10:20 Returned to Civic Center Station.
10:36 Took Metro Purple Line to Union Station.
10:50 Got on board Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station.
11:25 Arrived at Memorial Park Station.
11:35 Purchased Rose Bowl Game program and a red Tournament of Roses cap.
11:40 A native guy by the name of Will found a spot for me to camp on. Using a piece of pink chalk, I marked my spot: just a few feet from the merchandise stall. This location was great for a number of reasons: it was close to the Norton Simon Museum, where a majority of the grandstand watchers and cable networks were located, and it was just a 15-minute walk from Tournament House.
12:00 p.m. Walked to Norton Simon Museum, took shots of the rose.
12:10 Took photos of Tournament House and some of the bleachers on Orange Grove Avenue.
12:20 Snacked on some clementines by a tree on Orange Grove.
12:30 Walked back to viewing spot while taking another shot of the rose at the museum, now raised. Lunch. Some pasta, a bag of chips, and Blue Diamond Almonds. I should have brought a few more water bottles.
1:45 You see all these different cars going up and down Colorado Boulevard Antique coupes. Horsepower roaring on the asphalt. Broken down, rusted trucks. A limo. Another limo. A stretch Hummer. A caravan of police cars. A few open air convertibles showing their school pride out loud. This place had mostly USC supporters, though.
I was listening to some ZZ Top. I couldn't wait for the sun to go down. New year already passed by most of Asia and Russia.
For the next few hours, I wasn't inclined to leave my spot. I continued to watch the cars go by. Watched over Will's area, with the Oakley MP3 sunglasses blasting reggae music.
3:27 33 minutes till London rings in '09. 5 hours snd 33 until the ball is dropped in Times Square.
I saw more copues, still more Eliminator wannabes, motorcycles, mopes, cars with craploads of silly string attached to it, the occasional Metro Rapid bus, and countless chicks going in and out.
A little trivia: this year's court is made up of high school girls and college freshmen. And the Rose Queen, Courtney Chou Lee, has a moe feel to her. This could only mean one thing: all you jocks out there, at least one of these darlings may be available, if they aren't already...Who knows, one of them might end up making it big on Playboy. Whoa. Now THERE'S an ambition.
By the way, Courtney chose USC to win the game. She's love.
Really love. I hope more Asians get selected as Rose Queens and Princesses. It will say a lot about my folks.
Those mufflers are roaring up and down Colorado Boulevard as I write this. Just saw a broken-down Clampett-quality Ford advertising a company called "Rags Car Wash" heading east on Colorado. Ah, Colorado Boulevard. Home to the Weird and Wonderful.
Is it just me, or do all these Parade participant pretenders just want to be seen and heard?
5:00 p.m. A drunken boor who fell in with us a few hours ago was taken away by police after impeding traffic while taking photos, littering on the sidewalk (smashing a bottle of liquor), and fighting a couple near my area. I picked up my backpack, lunch bag and blanket as the guy, who was Will's bro, wrestled him down. Taking a photo, I observed something interesting as onlookers took notice.
"A guy in a red shirt taking down a transient in a blue jacket," I said to one of them, sneaking a contemptuous grin. "That can only mean thing: USC is gonna kill Penn State tomorrow."
He cracked up, shaking his head. I turned to the rest of the crowd and said, "Attention all you Penn State supporters! THIS is what's gonna happen to your team tomorrow! You have been warned."
Bored with the situation, I went to Hot Wings for the last (actually next-to-last) dinner of the year. A simple meal: a burger, fries, and a couple swigs of pink lemonade. $10. I had the owner keep the change as her tip.
Returning to my spot, I had a feeling that the last batch of pasta would be downed tomorrow morning. In reality, it would be consumed a few hours later.
6:15 p.m. A biker with blue sparkling lights passes by. Two hours and 45 minutes until the ball drops in Times Square. Five hours and 45 minutes remaining of 2008, 13 hours and 45 minutes until Rose Parade CXX begins. I am calm, I am collected, I watch a young girl cry in her partner's arms, America-style.
6:40 Professor Wes Weasely of the Division of Theremin Studies explains what a theremin is. It's a device used on the old Hollywood horror flicks of the past. In the spirit of the theme, "Hats off to Entertainment."
The secret invention was tested by me, Will and the rest of his crew, including a stout guy by the name of Kong. He's a load of fun. He makes a prognostication (a correct one, if you will) of USC winning the game. "You know, fuck all this talk about Penn State winning and all that. You might as well give your money to me, because USC is going to win this game." A lot of bookmakers are calling it too. So am I. OoooooOOOOOooooooo....
The next few hours are just relaxing on the concrete, saying hello to other passers by. Will asked me, "What music do you like?"
"Ramones, The Clash, The Rolling Stones," I said. "You are a PUNK! You're awesome!'
Flattering.
9:00 p.m. The ball drops in Times Square. The new year enters the bulk of North America and the USA. I sit back on thge concrete and reflect on what 2008 brought: the personal highs and lows, the tragedies and triumphs, graduation, grad school and other events that have happened. At the same time, I accept the fact that there will be a new agenda, a new administration a new sense of hope.
9:25 p.m. A car utilizing its windshield wipers as arms, and is coated in silly string, rides down Colorado Boulevard eastward. Another string of seven police cars heads east.
10:40 p.m. Half the country is in 2009. A shitfaced reveler hurls a bottle of Bundaberg in the direction of a group of revelers next to me. The cleanup crews head off to clear the shards as I take my spot behind the blue honor line.
That guy is going to be very lucky if he isn't caught for littering and endangering other people. And I mean VERY lucky.
By this time, I have already purchased two other programs: the official Rose Parade program, and a special program combining the game and parade, courtesy of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group. Total in programs: About $19.
11:00 p.m. I now make my move behind the blue honor line. '09 has arrive in the Rockies. God save us all, for we are next.
January 1, 2009
12:00 a.m. 1/1/09. The new year enters Los Angeles. Alaska in one hour. Hawaii in two, American Samoa in three. Everyon on the boulevard is screaming, banging pots and pans, and I am shaking my tin of almonds, dancing like a bloody lunatic, even collapsing on the concrete skyward, pointing to the heavens.
The Rose Parade starts in eight hours.
12:25 a.m. People are sleeping, and so am I. Now I direct my thoughts to the Parade.
1:30 a.m. A riot on Colorado Blvd. ensues, presumably between men and men from Pennsylvania and Southern California. First major arrests of the New Year.
1:45 a.m. A couple more transients preach blasphemous jibjab about the USA that would normally have them sent to the gallows in other, more oppresive lands like puppets on a string.
Up and down, fans express support for their teams. A Penn State supporter laid the boring claim that USC's teams are named after a famous brand condom bearing their name. Boring.
Will and his friends are always fun to hear. The live comedy skit job, the discussions about a former member of their posse, a longtime friend, "burning" (hustling) their alienated friends for $150.00 and Kong talking about getting all his ladies banged silly-only to be denied the opportunity when he came back from his errand-is something I will remember for the rest of my life, along with the Parade. The Colorado Boulevard Young Comedians Club. Keeping it real, honest, and fun. And there is the obvious disclaimer: if you are under 18, you are free to ignore the comedy near where I was spending the first night of the new year.
5:15 a.m. A local streetside entertainer sings his tribute to the new year on his makeshift portable keyboard. Two hours and 45 minutes to the Parade. We're flyin'. Every part of the work has entered 2009. And my back is hurting from lying on the concrete.
5:30 a.m. Parade of the Tow Trucks. While unofficially not a part of the Parade, those trucks are needed in removing cars that are on, or near, the parade route. I took my hat off to them.
6:41 a.m. The sun rises for the first time in the new year. The hawkers got to work. Mexican and US flags (in anticipation of the marching band from Puebla). Champurrado. More programs and cotton candy, as well as hot wings. Scarves, beanies, beads all around.
The Blaxicans - that's the name of their group. They are still at it, and even I joke with them.
6:45 a.m. 75 minutes until the Parade starts. I do a little jogging up and down Colorado to loosen the legs. In a mockery of drug addicts, I take 50 huffs of the fresh San Gabriel valley air.
8:00 a.m. The Parade starts. I start by taking shots of the skywriters, followed by some of the police motorbikes, a few snaps of a B-2 Spirit bomber at 9:00, myself with the expression, "Oh shit! The Parade's gonna start!!!", and then the floats, horses and bands.
As the Trojan Marching Band plays, I take photos, and flash the Victory sign. I was really fired up when they played "Tribute to Troy & Fight On!".
In the end, I used up all my remaining shots on my film, and on my cell phone.
10:30 a.m. I shook hands with the Riverside City College marching band staff and some of the L.A. County Sheriff's deputies and thanked them as the parade concluded. Behind them were some more tow trucks and even some protesters holding signs about predictable Christian fluff. It looked like a peaCE march in the background. I had to get the hell outta there in a hurry. Packing my bags, I left.
10:35 a.m. Took a special bus to Union Station, since the Gold Line was jammed.
10:48 a.m. Took the Red Line to 7th & Metro/Julian Dixon Station.
11:03 a.m. Arrived at 7th & Metro and got on board the Blue Line heading south to Long Beach, with a minute to spare.
11:30 a.m. Got off at Willow Station. Hydrated at McDonald's and walked to the bus stop on Atlantic to take care of some Credit Union business via route 61.
11:50 a.m. Took Route 62 from Atlantic & San Antonio Drive to 5th Street and Long Beach Boulevard.
12:00 p.m. Took Route 1 to Delta and 21st (still having road work done)
12:30 p.m. Arrived home. Mission accomplished.
I first watched the Rose Parade as a child. The channel that has nonstop coverage was KTLA 5, which still has nonstop coverage today. But what made these two days special for me is that I not only get to watch it live, but actuall see the floats, the horses, the bands, and experience camping by the curb. It is unprecendented my my family to have seen the parade, IN ITS ENTIRETY, LIVE.
I herded enough cash (thanks to some gifts from my family and from my job at the Bar Foundation) to make this possible. The itinerary was as follows. Note: I will also add some side commentary as I go along.
December 31, 2008
4:00 a.m. Alarm bell on my cell phone rings. I wake up.
4:40 a.m. Shower
5:00 a.m. Dress into my special gear: a USC trojan shirt a USC sweater, newly bought brown pants, socks and my reliable black Nike leather sneakers, and my thick black jacket. I also had, at my disposal, a gray beanie with matching gloves and a muffler, my "Alaska hat" (a simple leather beanie with ear flaps and strings), and a few caps.
5:30 a.m. Breakfast. Honey Nut Cheerios, a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches (Monterey Jack toasties), some coffee and water. Oh yes, and also a bowl of Kettle Chips. Lightly salted. The only plain crisps I approve of. By Bonga's Assent.
6:00 Pack up supplies. A few papers to log the fun, a large black blanket, my iPod, Mom's camera, a couple disposables, and three rolls of film. I underestimated the amount of shots I needed, as well as the cold. Next January 1st, I'm bringing a sleeping back and SEVEN rolls of film. Or two boxes of threes and a disposable.
6:30 I walk to the bus stop at the corner of Easy Avenue and Hill Street to take Route 1 on Long Beach Transit to Wardlow Station. They had some road work, so I had to make a detour.
7:00 I arrive at Wardlow Station, and take the Blue Line to 7th Street & Metro/Julian Dixon. At this point, Japan in now in the New Year, with the Philippines soon to follow.
7:40 Transferred to the Metro Red Line heading toward Union Station, but first took a detour to Civic Center to purchase some trinkets from Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo.
8:00 I arrive at Kino's to buy a Konata Izumi accessory for my keychain...but they would not be open for another two hours. Like the Costa MEsa store, they don't open until 10:00 a.m.
I sat on a bench nearby and waited, scribbling some stuff on the log.
10:00 Kinokuniya opens.
10:10 I purchase the accessory, and a volume of a little one-shot by Arina Tanemura, "Mistress Fortune." Arina T. needs to consider drawing more buxom chicks. Seriously. Maybe a little mole or two, but there can only be one Mikuru Asahina.
10:20 Returned to Civic Center Station.
10:36 Took Metro Purple Line to Union Station.
10:50 Got on board Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station.
11:25 Arrived at Memorial Park Station.
11:35 Purchased Rose Bowl Game program and a red Tournament of Roses cap.
11:40 A native guy by the name of Will found a spot for me to camp on. Using a piece of pink chalk, I marked my spot: just a few feet from the merchandise stall. This location was great for a number of reasons: it was close to the Norton Simon Museum, where a majority of the grandstand watchers and cable networks were located, and it was just a 15-minute walk from Tournament House.
12:00 p.m. Walked to Norton Simon Museum, took shots of the rose.
12:10 Took photos of Tournament House and some of the bleachers on Orange Grove Avenue.
12:20 Snacked on some clementines by a tree on Orange Grove.
12:30 Walked back to viewing spot while taking another shot of the rose at the museum, now raised. Lunch. Some pasta, a bag of chips, and Blue Diamond Almonds. I should have brought a few more water bottles.
1:45 You see all these different cars going up and down Colorado Boulevard Antique coupes. Horsepower roaring on the asphalt. Broken down, rusted trucks. A limo. Another limo. A stretch Hummer. A caravan of police cars. A few open air convertibles showing their school pride out loud. This place had mostly USC supporters, though.
I was listening to some ZZ Top. I couldn't wait for the sun to go down. New year already passed by most of Asia and Russia.
For the next few hours, I wasn't inclined to leave my spot. I continued to watch the cars go by. Watched over Will's area, with the Oakley MP3 sunglasses blasting reggae music.
3:27 33 minutes till London rings in '09. 5 hours snd 33 until the ball is dropped in Times Square.
I saw more copues, still more Eliminator wannabes, motorcycles, mopes, cars with craploads of silly string attached to it, the occasional Metro Rapid bus, and countless chicks going in and out.
A little trivia: this year's court is made up of high school girls and college freshmen. And the Rose Queen, Courtney Chou Lee, has a moe feel to her. This could only mean one thing: all you jocks out there, at least one of these darlings may be available, if they aren't already...Who knows, one of them might end up making it big on Playboy. Whoa. Now THERE'S an ambition.
By the way, Courtney chose USC to win the game. She's love.
Really love. I hope more Asians get selected as Rose Queens and Princesses. It will say a lot about my folks.
Those mufflers are roaring up and down Colorado Boulevard as I write this. Just saw a broken-down Clampett-quality Ford advertising a company called "Rags Car Wash" heading east on Colorado. Ah, Colorado Boulevard. Home to the Weird and Wonderful.
Is it just me, or do all these Parade participant pretenders just want to be seen and heard?
5:00 p.m. A drunken boor who fell in with us a few hours ago was taken away by police after impeding traffic while taking photos, littering on the sidewalk (smashing a bottle of liquor), and fighting a couple near my area. I picked up my backpack, lunch bag and blanket as the guy, who was Will's bro, wrestled him down. Taking a photo, I observed something interesting as onlookers took notice.
"A guy in a red shirt taking down a transient in a blue jacket," I said to one of them, sneaking a contemptuous grin. "That can only mean thing: USC is gonna kill Penn State tomorrow."
He cracked up, shaking his head. I turned to the rest of the crowd and said, "Attention all you Penn State supporters! THIS is what's gonna happen to your team tomorrow! You have been warned."
Bored with the situation, I went to Hot Wings for the last (actually next-to-last) dinner of the year. A simple meal: a burger, fries, and a couple swigs of pink lemonade. $10. I had the owner keep the change as her tip.
Returning to my spot, I had a feeling that the last batch of pasta would be downed tomorrow morning. In reality, it would be consumed a few hours later.
6:15 p.m. A biker with blue sparkling lights passes by. Two hours and 45 minutes until the ball drops in Times Square. Five hours and 45 minutes remaining of 2008, 13 hours and 45 minutes until Rose Parade CXX begins. I am calm, I am collected, I watch a young girl cry in her partner's arms, America-style.
6:40 Professor Wes Weasely of the Division of Theremin Studies explains what a theremin is. It's a device used on the old Hollywood horror flicks of the past. In the spirit of the theme, "Hats off to Entertainment."
The secret invention was tested by me, Will and the rest of his crew, including a stout guy by the name of Kong. He's a load of fun. He makes a prognostication (a correct one, if you will) of USC winning the game. "You know, fuck all this talk about Penn State winning and all that. You might as well give your money to me, because USC is going to win this game." A lot of bookmakers are calling it too. So am I. OoooooOOOOOooooooo....
The next few hours are just relaxing on the concrete, saying hello to other passers by. Will asked me, "What music do you like?"
"Ramones, The Clash, The Rolling Stones," I said. "You are a PUNK! You're awesome!'
Flattering.
9:00 p.m. The ball drops in Times Square. The new year enters the bulk of North America and the USA. I sit back on thge concrete and reflect on what 2008 brought: the personal highs and lows, the tragedies and triumphs, graduation, grad school and other events that have happened. At the same time, I accept the fact that there will be a new agenda, a new administration a new sense of hope.
9:25 p.m. A car utilizing its windshield wipers as arms, and is coated in silly string, rides down Colorado Boulevard eastward. Another string of seven police cars heads east.
10:40 p.m. Half the country is in 2009. A shitfaced reveler hurls a bottle of Bundaberg in the direction of a group of revelers next to me. The cleanup crews head off to clear the shards as I take my spot behind the blue honor line.
That guy is going to be very lucky if he isn't caught for littering and endangering other people. And I mean VERY lucky.
By this time, I have already purchased two other programs: the official Rose Parade program, and a special program combining the game and parade, courtesy of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group. Total in programs: About $19.
11:00 p.m. I now make my move behind the blue honor line. '09 has arrive in the Rockies. God save us all, for we are next.
January 1, 2009
12:00 a.m. 1/1/09. The new year enters Los Angeles. Alaska in one hour. Hawaii in two, American Samoa in three. Everyon on the boulevard is screaming, banging pots and pans, and I am shaking my tin of almonds, dancing like a bloody lunatic, even collapsing on the concrete skyward, pointing to the heavens.
The Rose Parade starts in eight hours.
12:25 a.m. People are sleeping, and so am I. Now I direct my thoughts to the Parade.
1:30 a.m. A riot on Colorado Blvd. ensues, presumably between men and men from Pennsylvania and Southern California. First major arrests of the New Year.
1:45 a.m. A couple more transients preach blasphemous jibjab about the USA that would normally have them sent to the gallows in other, more oppresive lands like puppets on a string.
Up and down, fans express support for their teams. A Penn State supporter laid the boring claim that USC's teams are named after a famous brand condom bearing their name. Boring.
Will and his friends are always fun to hear. The live comedy skit job, the discussions about a former member of their posse, a longtime friend, "burning" (hustling) their alienated friends for $150.00 and Kong talking about getting all his ladies banged silly-only to be denied the opportunity when he came back from his errand-is something I will remember for the rest of my life, along with the Parade. The Colorado Boulevard Young Comedians Club. Keeping it real, honest, and fun. And there is the obvious disclaimer: if you are under 18, you are free to ignore the comedy near where I was spending the first night of the new year.
5:15 a.m. A local streetside entertainer sings his tribute to the new year on his makeshift portable keyboard. Two hours and 45 minutes to the Parade. We're flyin'. Every part of the work has entered 2009. And my back is hurting from lying on the concrete.
5:30 a.m. Parade of the Tow Trucks. While unofficially not a part of the Parade, those trucks are needed in removing cars that are on, or near, the parade route. I took my hat off to them.
6:41 a.m. The sun rises for the first time in the new year. The hawkers got to work. Mexican and US flags (in anticipation of the marching band from Puebla). Champurrado. More programs and cotton candy, as well as hot wings. Scarves, beanies, beads all around.
The Blaxicans - that's the name of their group. They are still at it, and even I joke with them.
6:45 a.m. 75 minutes until the Parade starts. I do a little jogging up and down Colorado to loosen the legs. In a mockery of drug addicts, I take 50 huffs of the fresh San Gabriel valley air.
8:00 a.m. The Parade starts. I start by taking shots of the skywriters, followed by some of the police motorbikes, a few snaps of a B-2 Spirit bomber at 9:00, myself with the expression, "Oh shit! The Parade's gonna start!!!", and then the floats, horses and bands.
As the Trojan Marching Band plays, I take photos, and flash the Victory sign. I was really fired up when they played "Tribute to Troy & Fight On!".
In the end, I used up all my remaining shots on my film, and on my cell phone.
10:30 a.m. I shook hands with the Riverside City College marching band staff and some of the L.A. County Sheriff's deputies and thanked them as the parade concluded. Behind them were some more tow trucks and even some protesters holding signs about predictable Christian fluff. It looked like a peaCE march in the background. I had to get the hell outta there in a hurry. Packing my bags, I left.
10:35 a.m. Took a special bus to Union Station, since the Gold Line was jammed.
10:48 a.m. Took the Red Line to 7th & Metro/Julian Dixon Station.
11:03 a.m. Arrived at 7th & Metro and got on board the Blue Line heading south to Long Beach, with a minute to spare.
11:30 a.m. Got off at Willow Station. Hydrated at McDonald's and walked to the bus stop on Atlantic to take care of some Credit Union business via route 61.
11:50 a.m. Took Route 62 from Atlantic & San Antonio Drive to 5th Street and Long Beach Boulevard.
12:00 p.m. Took Route 1 to Delta and 21st (still having road work done)
12:30 p.m. Arrived home. Mission accomplished.
Giving new meaning to the epithet Rose Queen...or queen in general...
Dusty Gibbs is crowned as the 96th Rose Queen for the Rose Parade next Tuesday. That's nice...name your daughter Dusty and she will end up turning Pasadena into a complete laughingstock [sic] of its own tradition by being crowned Rose Queen.
Does this scream FIX!!!!1111!!1!111/"I don't think that's a woman." or what!?
Who is the first name of the next Rose Queen going to be next? Jake? Spike? Papillon!!?
Ohhhh, my head is spinning at a jizzillion Dean screams per minute. Someone get me tape and bandage me up Abiru-style. I have been mentally scarred to start the new year. Thanks a lot for taking away my interest, you Tournament of Roses bastards. And congratulations [sic] to Gibbsy, I guess.
Even though I am convinced that you are a guy in a girl's outfit. You lucky motherfucker...
Does this scream FIX!!!!1111!!1!111/"I don't think that's a woman." or what!?
| |
Contact: PASADENA TOURNAMENT
OF ROSES ASSOCIATION
Caryn Eaves or
Vanessa Flores
(626) 449-4100Devon Gebhart
(316) 371-1500 or
ROSE QUEEN® DUSTY GIBBS CROWNED AT OFFICIAL
CORONATION CEREMONYAs Her First Official Act, Queen Dusty Joined Tournament of Roses
President CL Keedy to Kick Off the Art-Inspired Roses on Parade Program
PASADENA, Calif. (October 25, 2007) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses crowned the 90th Rose Queen, Dusty Gibbs, today in an official Coronation ceremony at the Tournament House presented by Citizens Business Bank. As her first official act, Queen Dusty helped Tournament of Roses President CL Keedy unveil Roses on Parade, a new initiative designed to provide art for the public and funds to support art in Pasadena-area schools.
“I can’t think of a better way for Dusty to begin her reign than by joining me on stage to usher in this exciting art program,” said CL Keedy. “Rose Parade floats are a unique American art form. Supporting art education for our children through Roses on Parade will help us foster their unique and creative talent and hopefully inspire the next generation of local artists.”
Queen Dusty and the six Rose Princesses were selected from more than 1,100 Pasadena-area young women based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement. Dusty is only the fourth Rose Queen to wear the recently designed crown made by Mikimoto featuring 10 white South Sea pearls, 632 Akoya pearls and 6.09 carats in diamonds set in sterling silver. The handmade crown is valued at $100,000. Each of the six Princess tiaras are valued at $45,000, bringing the total value of the crown and tiaras to $370,000.
As an official ambassador of the Tournament of Roses, Queen Dusty, a 17-year-old Senior from Arcadia High School, will participate in approximately 100 community and media functions along with Rose Princesses Zena Brown, 18, Alverno High School; Chloe Ghoogassian, 17, Pasadena High School; Kelsey MacDougall, 17, La Cañada High School; Katie Merrill, 17, Pasadena High School; Courtney Rubin, 17, San Marino High School and Gaelen Stanford-Moore, 17, South Pasadena High School.
Roses on Parade
The Tournament of Roses launched Roses on Parade with the unveiling of the first rose in the collection by President CL Keedy and Queen Dusty. Sponsored by Citizens Business Bank and designed by local artist, Peter Adams, this rose will reside at Tournament House through New Year’s Day before moving to Citizens Business Bank in Pasadena.
“We are so pleased to be sponsoring the first rose in this important initiative,” said Chris Myers, President and CEO, Citizens Business Bank. “Supporting art programs for our children is so very important and we encourage others to join us and build another beautiful rose garden for Pasadena.”
The Tournament invited Southland sponsors to purchase the remaining 29 roses throughout 2008. Each sponsored rose will be 5’8”. Each rose will be painted by a different artist and displayed in a public area, creating a new rose garden throughout Pasadena. Sponsors will have the option of keeping their rose or submitting it to the cause to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. All of the roses will be brought together for one day to form a “new rose garden” at Tournament House next year during the Coronation ceremony. All proceeds will go through the Tournament of Roses Foundation.
“As a long-time resident of Pasadena and as current President of the California Art Club, I am honored to be the first artist to paint a rose for the Tournament of Roses Foundation and support our children,” said Peter Adams. “I chose to pay honor to Pasadena’s commitment to the arts and sciences, and have created vignette paintings on the rose and its vase to pay tribute to many of Pasadena’s famed landmarks, cultural institutions and important creative minds.”
In addition to the professionally painted roses, local students will be invited to promote their budding talent and paint smaller roses. The roses will be made available through the generosity of the John Hench Foundation and will also be auctioned off to support the arts. John Hench, a member of the Walt Disney Imagineering team and a member of the Disney creative team for 65 years, was passionate about art and animation and he wanted students of all ages to have an opportunity to learn these programs in the schools.
The 119th Rose Parade themed Passport to the World’s Celebrations will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands from throughout the nation. Following the Rose Parade, at 2:00 p.m. (PST), the 94th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will feature an exciting match up between two championship teams, showcasing the best of collegiate football. For additional information, please call (626) 449-ROSE, the 24-hour information hotline, or visit www.tournamentofroses.com.
Who is the first name of the next Rose Queen going to be next? Jake? Spike? Papillon!!?
Ohhhh, my head is spinning at a jizzillion Dean screams per minute. Someone get me tape and bandage me up Abiru-style. I have been mentally scarred to start the new year. Thanks a lot for taking away my interest, you Tournament of Roses bastards. And congratulations [sic] to Gibbsy, I guess.
Even though I am convinced that you are a guy in a girl's outfit. You lucky motherfucker...
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