Rose Parade 2022

New thing today, watched the Rose Parade on time live from start to end from 8am-10am, instead of just catching replays or bits here and there. Also loved this 2022 Grand Marshall LeVar Burton! I have a strange affection for the Rose Parade. I don't actually like it that much, but something about waking up on New Year's day and watching some of the parade or having it on in the background during the morning is kind of a tradition. My favorite memory is a hungover drunken morning sometime in college, and the parade playing in the background. I also think we saw it when I was a little kid, miserable waiting in the wee hours for it to happen. We watched the parade live when I was an adult when my cousin was a dancer with KC and the Sunshine Band float one year. Mom knew the secret Pasadena parking spots and watch spots. 

I know next year it will play January 2, so I'm not sure how i'll feel about that. But, just... waking up and having it on in the New Year makes it feel, like a new year, like new beginnings are possible, or just another stamp in time. 

This year was kind of hilarious because I love KTLA coverage but the sound was all off. We kept overhearing the announcer at the parade route - who was very good - but also very loud interrupting and discordant with the KTLA news anchors and announcers. We also kept hearing LeVar Burton with a mic and yelling "Happy New Year" over some of the commentary, which was pretty funny. Overall though I love watching it on TV (or laptop) or from a cozy home listening to random commentary, instead of trying to watch it in person as it looks like it would be miserable. KTLA always does a great job and I like their coverage. I also liked their morning show when I had to be at work at 6am, KTLA is my favorite morning show. 

Additionally the miniature therapy horses were adorable, and I was amazed that the LAUSD marching band played "Beggin" a song that just came out in (I think) in August 2021 - so it was cool to hear it and be like, what is that, and be able to spot it. Floats are floats, not a huge fan, but one year we did go to Sierra Madre and walk around the floats parked - so you could really appreciate them. I would recommend that and do it again too. You can smell all the flowers and plants, you can see up close all the handiwork, and it was just amazing. 

I suppose what I love most of all about the Rose Parade are all the other memories connected to it, and the way this tradition, for some reason, has a soft spot in my heart. 

Throughout the morning we had the parade on but I tuned out here and there. We had breakfast and I played some video games so I wasn't glued to the parade the entire time. I don't even like parades, but I think the tradition of New Years morning, bleary eyed and watching commentary and video on the Rose Parade is something of a tradition. Happy New Year 2022!