I *know* this wasn't SE PDX...well, it *was* for about a block.
One thing I have learned about myself. I am a rubbernecker. I admit it. I love to see a good car wreck (when no one has to go to the hospital.) I love watching the aftermath of a storm. I love the sight of broken trees after a lightning strike. Something about it makes me feel all oogie inside, and that electricity is palpable.
When I heard that those wacky kids at the Merc were gonna rip up the tape left by folks along the Rose Parade Route, I *had* to go along. Lynn asked me to take pictures, and since I grew up taking photos of everything, I did just that.
Let me make my position clear on this: I just plain don't care. One way or the other. I see both side's arguements, and it doesn't mean a hill of beans to *me*, but I do love me some rubberneckin' goodness :-)
I caught the start of the procession, after being able to find parking over by the Convention Center. Humpy (Wm. Stephen Humphries, editor of the Merc) gave a speech, bags were distributed, and they were off.
It was a modest crew, perhaps 30 people when I got there, along with a few journalists. About 10 minutes later, there were enough folks to fill a bus, and by the end of the max line in downtown, there were around a hundred.
Observations:
Some folks make this a party. They had their trucks open, were camping out, playing music and having a great time with their friends and their kids over dinner. Others...well...I didn't realize that baseball bats and open beer bottles were a fashion accessory, but I guess I could be wrong.
There were a lot of folks standing out on the parade route, guarding their spots, just plain itching for a fight. They were passed up under the Rules of Ripping (up tape.) If there were folks *there*, they were left alone. Camping out was encouraged, and those present were thanked for their support of the Rose Festival. Most were testy, but a few were nice about it.
Some surprises:
The folks *from* the Parade itself thanking those ripping up the tape (unsanctioned, I am certain.)
The DickHeads at the Hilton. OPENLY HOSTILE to everyone. They were actually YELLING at me to stop taking pictures of their hotel and their staff *on a public street.* meanwhile they were unstacking hundreds of chairs on Broadway. They weren't happy that we were walking through their stacks of chairs at all.
The attitude of the business owners surprised me. Reser's actually *spraypainted* the street and sidewalks with their logo in front of Ararrat.
Tape takes off "no parking zone", yellow tape. It just peels it right off. This causes damage. Masking tape just plain *doesn't* come off. Not once its been walked over.
All in all, it was amazing to me. I still dont' think I completely approve of either side in this controversy, but I will admit that the streets did look cleaner, and it *was* nice to see folks camping out and having a good time.
All in all, it was goooooood rubberneckin'
