Happy New Year! Maybe that video camera was a bad idea...
Well, I hope everyone is finding their way here. I'm getting a bunch of frantic emails. The new URL is, as you see, www.uppercasewoman.com. I apologize for yet another video post, but I have been battling the same migraine now since Thursday (yes, I'm going to see my doctor this afternoon).
Yesterday we decided to head downtown on the train and indulge in the unique Philadelphia tradition of the Mummers Parade. While other cities slumber on New Year's Day, Philadelphia has an crazy all-day parade that includes much drunken debauchery. No, really. It's a crazy, crazy thing. Mardi Gras in New Orleans has got nothing on the insanity of the Mummers. We not only do it, we do it when it's fucking COLD.
I shot some video, of course. And put together a little movie. By the way, if it looks like it's just a bunch of drunk men dressed as women dancing, it's cause it is. If it also looks a bit like your plumber is wearing a sequined bat costume, it's cause he is. If it looks a bit like the costumes are racist and lacking in political correctness, well, it's because they are. There is really nothing else like the Philadelphia Mummers. Enjoy. Oh, and pay special attention at moment 1:40 when you see the drunken mummer collapse on the street and his buddy trying to get him up. Heh.
Happy New Year! May your 2008 be filled with love, peace, and lots of laughter!
Hoping that migraine clears up asap.
Posted by: Denise | January 02, 2008 at 12:50 PM
wow, that is .....something. I must go google it now to see the history of it all.
Posted by: MrsSSG | January 02, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Very interesting!!!
Hope you are feeling better. I guess the Topamax (sp?) isn't taking care of the headaches???
Posted by: Melissa in TN | January 02, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I definitely wasn't brave enough to go down yesterday! I had to watch to almost 2 minutes to figure out where you were standing, and you were right at the heart of the end! Maybe next year I'll go down and experience it up close and personal.
Posted by: Amanda | January 02, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Disco diva, so cute!
With all of the drunken craziness that you witnessed, aren't you glad you don't drink any more?
Posted by: Heather | January 02, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Good Lord woman! Tell us when you move, will you? You worried me!
Posted by: spacemom | January 02, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Holy Crap, did you stay for the whole thing?? You're brave, brave woman. I watched from the comfort and safety of my couch and warm living room. As a child, I was taught to loathe the Mummers because my dad was a Philly policeman and this was the worst day of the year for them, except for the cases of booze he got to bring home-- confiscated from revelers and mummers alike. As an adult, they've grown on me and I love, love, love the string bands
Posted by: Erin | January 02, 2008 at 09:49 PM
I was wondering if you guys would come down!
Lily and I did Broad & Washington.
It's better down there because it's closer to the Vietnamese restaurants.
And dittos on the string bands, the best part of the parade!
Posted by: Eric | January 02, 2008 at 10:08 PM
hummm could you hear the panic in my email? Imagine a day without your blog!
I was rather amazed at the parade you said it goes on all day Philidelphia must be HUGE to have that many people to have a parade last so long. Augusta is the second largest city in Georgia second only to Atlanta and the parades here are 2 and a half 3 hours tops!
Maybe its the lack of alcohol?? it did look like loads of fun and I loved disco tori!
thanks again for rescuing me when i lost your blog :-)
Peach
Posted by: Laura | January 02, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I hope your migraine goes away soon!
Also, I had a hard time for the past 2 days trying to get to the new blog, even with having the correct name.
Got scared there for a minute.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: Melissa P. | January 03, 2008 at 01:39 AM
How intriguing! Never knew about the Philadelphia Mummers, but was so fascinated (I'm from Texas and therefore clueless regarding this particular tradition), had to look them up. From Mummers.com:
1. Mummers tradition dates back to 400 BC and the Roman Festival of Saturnalias where Latin laborers marched in masks throughout the day of satire and gift exchange. This included Celtic variations of "trick-or-treat" and Druidic noise-making to drive away demons for the new year. Reports of rowdy groups "parading" on New Years day in Philadelphia date back before the revolution. Prizes were offered by merchants in the late 1800's. January 1, 1901 was the first "official" parade offered about $1,725 in prize money from the city.
2. The Mummers parade is a celebration of the New Year but is serious business in Philadelphia. Clubs work on the costumes and practice all year for their one day in the sun (...wind, rain or snow). There are many lively discussions over the scoring by the judges and adherence to the complicated set of rules the marchers must follow when being judged. String Bands are judged on their musical presentation as well as the costumes. Seeing and hearing a String Band performing live in the parade is a one-of-a-kind experience.
3. Comic clubs tradition from ancient Greek god Momus who was the personification of mockery, blame, ridicule, scorn, raillery and stinging criticism. Momus was expelled from heaven for his/her criticisms and ridicule of the gods. The comic clubs continue to raise controversy over these themes they use in the parade that make fun of current issues and news stories such as issues involving religion, ethnicity, and feminism. Many Mummers parade controversies over polices, such as the exclusion of women and the use of black-face, lasted many years.
Very interesting. And on a purely visual note, I loved the flashiness, drunkenness, and crazy dancing. Thanks for sharing.
Angela
P.S. Tori was so cute dancing - she's definitely got an ear for music!
Posted by: Angela | January 03, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Damn, now I'm homesick.
I miss the Mummers. There are no good parades in DC. We have protest marches, and festivals galore (it's a rare weekend when the streets aren't closed for something) but no good annual parades. It's probably because many of the people around here are originally from somewhere else, and never had time to develop traditions like this.
Next time, more string bands, please.
Posted by: Andrew | January 03, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Yikes, that must have been a sight to see.
Posted by: Melissa | January 03, 2008 at 02:14 PM
We must have walked right by you! We went right past where you were standing and watched from two blocks down Broad Street. B (same age) loved dancing with the mummers too! I had never been in person before, but it was a fun day.
Posted by: Jessica | January 03, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I found you, but the blogroll link doesn't work! I always click over to Sarah and Charlie from there....
Posted by: fyi | January 03, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Oh hell yeah, nobody parties like we do! PHILLY PRIDE. :)
Posted by: Dayna | January 03, 2008 at 05:15 PM
So sorry about the migraines. I've had them most of my life, but luckily they're rather rare and some copious amount of excedrin migraine will knock them out. Let us know what the doctor says.
Posted by: Ashley | January 03, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Woo Hoo! I even got bloglines to work with the new blog.
Oh- sorry about the shouting. I hope your head is better. Have you figured out any food triggers?
Posted by: Jill | January 03, 2008 at 08:02 PM
WoW! This parade looks like a ton of drunken fun. This wouldn't fly in CT, I think, besides the Pagan connotations the whole being drunk in public thing just doesn't fly with law enforcement. All the parade participants would be arrested, especially the dude that collapsed in the road.
I loved Tori dancing. She's go the beat! I've been looking for your blog for a few days now. I smacked myself on the head when I realized I forgot your name change *DUH* Everything's good in my little world now :)
Posted by: Chickenpig | January 04, 2008 at 08:16 AM
PS Sorry about the migraine. It's been a while since the last one. I was hoping you had them licked...I'm sure you were too :(
Posted by: Chickenpig | January 04, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Hey- I think I saw some of the mummers on New Year's Eve too! We were at the Please Touch Museum- cool place, by the way. They had a countdown to noon for kids, which was really fun, but SHIT was it crowded.
Hope you're feeling better.
Posted by: Meggan | January 04, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I hope to get to Philly for next year's parade! Email me if you get a chance--I'd love to know where is the best spot to be to view it:)
Posted by: Maven | January 04, 2008 at 12:11 PM
OMGolly! Life can resume. You have been found and your link has been changed... carry on....carry on...
Posted by: Ellie | January 04, 2008 at 04:02 PM
there you are! happy new year...btw, I don't see your banner but maybe that's just me? (running firefox on a mac)
Posted by: Stefania/CityMama | January 04, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Proud Philly girl that I once was, I can't believe that I've never been to the Mummer's parade. Well, this video is as close as I've gotten. Thanks!
And very much liked "Disco Tori" - with that poncho she looked like a Peruvian Christmas ornament. Very sweet!
Posted by: Alison | January 05, 2008 at 09:40 AM