Glimpses of South Pasadena: Oh, the Doo Dah day...

Monday, January 19, 2009

Oh, the Doo Dah day...

It was just a quick Metro ride from South Pas to Pasadena yesterday morning. Madcap fun filled the streets as the Doo Dah Parade made its way through Old Town. Check out the silliness on my overflow blog here.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...: I see Walking man on the left. Curious, do you like him, hate him or have no opinion on him?; January 19, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Mister Earl said...: I also took the Gold Line to the Doo Dah. I left about 8:45 am, and my one-car train was quite full.; January 19, 2009 at 7:00 AM
Judy Williams said...: A zillion things came to mind the moment I saw this, but mostly the symbolism of an elderly man riding alone, as he gazes out the window. It could be a train, it could be a bus. Is he watching his life pass him by? Is this "the final ride?" THEN " Road to Nowhere" by the Talking Heads popped into my head. I hope you don't mind me indulging my love of lyrics on your blog, by taking up space but I just love that song.

Well we know where were goin'
But we don't know where we've been
And we know what were knowin'
But we cant say what we've seen
And were not little children
And we know what we want
And the future is certain
Give us time to work it out

We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
Well take that ride

I'm feelin' okay this mornin'
And you know,
Were on the road to paradise
Here we go, here we go

Maybe you wonder where you are
I don't care
Here is where time is on our side
Take you there...take you there

We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere
We're on a road to nowhere

There's a city in my mind
Come along and take that ride
And its all right, baby, its all right

And it's very far away
But it's growing day by day
And it's all right, baby, it's all right

They can tell you what to do
But they'll make a fool of you
And it's all right, baby, its all right

Were on a road to nowhere; January 19, 2009 at 7:38 AM
Yakpate said...: I was out of town until last night and missed the Doo-Dah... so thanks for providing these fun glimpses on this and your overflow blog!

As to Walking Man... odd, but that impossibly wide-legged gait has been commandeered by fashion models for their runway walks... try that gait in 6-inch stilettos, Walking Man!; January 19, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Walker said...: Simple picture but puts me right into the scene. Terrific.; January 19, 2009 at 8:52 AM
dbdubya said...: PA - When the Walking Man was first installed at the Mission Station, I didn't think much of him. Kind of a silly, irrelevant piece of art that didn't really fit South Pasadena. I still feel the same way, but I'm slowly warming to him as he ages gracefully. He was originally shiny and new, but the patina is now darker and he's maturing nicely. Somebody needs to tell him to slow down, though, and enjoy South Pasadena's charm. Whatever's waiting for him, and whatever he's carrying in that briefcase can wait.; January 19, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...: The shot's so interesting, watching passengers watching the journey. Love it!; January 19, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Jane Hards Photography said...: Who watches the watchers?I'm sure as a writer, like me the photographer, you people watch and fill in the blanks.; January 19, 2009 at 4:52 PM
dbdubya said...: Elderly? What are you saying, Judy? The passenger doesn't look elderly to me, but I guess it's all relative.; January 19, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Mister Earl said...: Yeah, Judy. I agree with DB. An innocent guy, not unlike myself, hops on the Gold Line to head for a fun parade on a Sunday morning, and suddenly people are speculating that he's a lonely man on his deathbed! As Freud supposedly said, "Sometimes a train ride, is just a train ride. And Sometimes a parade is just a parade."; January 19, 2009 at 8:05 PM
dbdubya said...: Hey Mr. Earl - in your earlier post you mentioned that you also took the Gold Line to the Doo Dah Parade. Is that you, by chance? If so, nice Tommy Bahama shirt.; January 19, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Mister Earl said...: Not me, DB. I was wearing my Grateful Dead / Lithuanian Basketball Team yellow and green tie die shirt with my green upside down cow baseball cap made out of hemp. This guy looks much too distinguished to be Mister Earl. Besides, I probably would have known it if Laurie and her family were across the aisle from me.; January 19, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Anonymous said...: This is the first time I've seen Walking Man. I love the way Laurie framed his stride within the shape of the window. The sculpture reminds me of a combination of the work of Giocometti and the lesser known Italien sculptor, Pericle Fazzini.The juxtaposition with Riding Man is poignant. Sometimes it's just better to save one's energy...and ride. Maybe he has his costume in his briefcase(? !). He looks rather expectant to me.

We didn't make it to the parade this time, so appreciate the vicarious experience!; January 19, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Hi kids,

Welcome Lynn!

Thanks for checking out TWO blogs today. The parade was really fun -- as was the train ride there. I really cannot say enough about the joys of living in South Pasadena, but being on the Metro line a few stops away from cool things in either direction is pretty sweet.

Judy, I love that Talking Heads song! But I gotta go with Mister Earl and Dbdubya... the dude isn't that old! Either that, or middle age has definitely skewed my perspective... (But wait, Jude... you're older than ME!)

As to Walking Man, I was thrilled that this snap on the way out of the station managed to frame him in the window, with the clock tower in the other. I love that little square so much. And I definitely love Walking Man, too. My little girl calls him Dog Man because when we first moved here and she saw him, she noticed that each of his legs is on a separate concrete square, with an empty square in front of him. She asked, "Where's his doggie?" It really DOES look like he is extending an arm for a leash...

Anyway, I think he's a fun addition to the area, and I love the rusty way he's blending in.

I appreciate all of your comments today, and every day. Til tomorrow...; January 20, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Mister Earl said...: I just noticed what looks like a reflection of Walking Man in the window with the clock tower. I'm wondering if that's what it is, and how it came about. Seems very surreal.; January 20, 2009 at 5:15 AM