Sometimes good things take patience and sure enough, I have just received some photos from my appearance at Mr. T’s Bowl in Highland Park on Dec. 21. As you know, I proclaimed Gus Hudson the Knight of Fun and Frivolity during the show that evening and photographer Patti Morrison was kind to record the goings-on. Her first photo shows me with the event’s emcee, Andrew of the band Andrew’s Bad Stuff. He is also known as Prince Andrew, Duke of Doo Dah and it is his job to take care of the queen during the parade. I intend to make him work hard- “Get me some more champagne,” “Please take Atticus for a little walk on the lawn,” “Is my Official Entourage hungry?,” etc. etc. Oh yes, Doo Dah will be so much fun! … For me, at least….

 

The rest of Patti’s photos show me knighting Sir Gus, him kissing my hand (as it should always be) and the two of

us grinning for the camera. Thank you, Patti!!   Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

I’ll admit it. I spent part of yesterday morning watching the 119th Rose Parade on my television while in my pajamas and sipping a mimosa. Still, I wonder what’s all the fuss. Sure it’s beautiful and, yes, it’s statistically stunning, but it’s almost the same every year. But the Doo Dah Parade takes the phrase “expect the unexpected” to heart. To further make my point, let’s have some fun and compare the two:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARADE LENGTH

Rose: 5.5 miles

Doo Dah: 5+ blocks

 

FLOATS

Rose: 46

Doo Dah: Unknown until the last minute

 

PRIZE WINNING FLOATS

Rose: 24

Doo Dah: Prizes?! We don’t need no stinking prizes.

 

FLOATS TOWED

Rose: 4 (Sierra Madre, Portuguese-American Community, Cal Poly Universities and Glendale)

Doo Dah: Who needs a tow? Just push the entry down the home stretch!

 

BANDS

Rose: 23

Doo Dah: Snotty Scotty and the Hankies for sure, then whatever bands that have survived the party the night before and managed to wrangle a flatbed truck and set up their gear.

 

BAND MEMBERS TREATED AT PARADE END FOR NAUSEA, VOMITING AND BLISTERS

Rose: 25-30

Doo Dah: Before or after the bars open?

 

EQUESTRIAN UNITS

Rose: 18

Doo Dah: Do dachshunds, beagles and pugs count?

 

HORSES SPOOKED BY FLOAT FIREWORKS

Rose: 3, including the USC Trojan mount

Doo Dah: None. Musicians with hangovers don’t like loud fireworks

 

DANCERS TREATED AFTER BEING STEPPED ON BY A HORSE

Rose: 1

Doo Dah: None. Although my lap might get bruised from my dog Atticus jumping up and down on me as we ride down the route in our classic convertible

 

OVERNIGHT ARRESTS

Rose: 22

Doo Dah: How many bands showed up intact for the parade? Headcount please…

 

LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSIGNED

Rose: 1,200

Doo Dah: Just enough to keep things safe without ruining the party

 

WEATHER

Rose: sunny; overnight low 45, high 75

Doo Dah: guaranteed to be sparkly!

 

GRAND MARSHAL

Rose: More than 100 “Bam” signs waved when Grand Marshal Emeril Lagasse’s car swung on to Colorado Boulevard

Doo Dah: At least one Starbuck’s that must be avoided when Grand Marshal Rev. Billy swings on to Colorado Boulevard.

 

ATTIRE

Rose: 5 Beijing Olympics characters in costume

Doo Dah: Hundreds of characters in costume (even some that dress that way every day)

 

DEMONSTRATORS ARRESTED FOR PROTESTING

Rose: 1 against China’s Olympic float (for carrying a placard that blocked spectators’ view)

Doo Dah:  None- they’re in the parade

 

WEIGHT OF THE QUEEN’S CROWN

Rose: 2 pounds

Doo Dah: just shy of 2 pounds, but even more sparkly!

 

Don’t miss the 31st Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Jan. 20. Visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.info for all the details!