And lo! Here is the next contributor, my fabulous and witty roommate, Miss Katie Burkes! Upon her return to the homestead this afternoon, pictures of her adventures from Thanksgiving were proudly touted....including those from the Thanksgiving Parade. Now, any of you kids with any kind of tradition are familiar with the parade, so here is Katie's experience with it. Enjoy, and let her take you back to "the day" (whenever "back in the day" actually was...)!
In 1987, a promise was made to the American public. A young ginger named Rick Astley sprung onto our TV screens and into our 8-tracks with the immortal promise that he would never give us up, let us down, run around and desert us. Furthermore, he swore to never make us cry, say goodbye, tell a lie or hurt us. Granted, these immortal words were spoken – or rather, sung – two years before my birth, however it did not make me believe Rick any less when “Never Gonna Give You Up” made its way through my ears, into the limbic system (obscure Dane Cook reference), and straight to my heart. In short, after hearing this beautiful song, my world was changed. I finally had someone I could depend on -- Rick Astley.
I bring up Rick and his hit ‘80s classic because Mr. Astley recently made an appearance in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which I attended, as I do every year. This particular year I was lucky enough to watch the festivities from the new VIP section – which were essentially large red bleachers – located in Duffy Square on Broadway. The parade commenced as usual with a slew of B-List celebrities and enormous inflatable cartoon characters (the highlights of this year: a Smurf and Buzz Lightyear). I stood in my VIP bleachers as obnoxious parents encouraged their children to injure me as needed to get a better spot, wishing , hoping – nay, praying – for a reason to be out here on this freezing cold Thanksgiving morning. The parade passed: Ronald McDonald…Pikachu… David Archuleta… yawn. Then I saw something on the horizon… a red and gold sign announcing the next celebrity of the parade. I craned my neck to read said sign as it was proudly paraded down Broadway. I was finally able to make out the name Rick, and a few seconds later, Astley. RICK. ASTLEY. Yes indeed, Rick was approaching. At this moment I turned to my father and excitedly announced Rick’s arrival, to which he seemed less than excited about. However, I assume this was because either a) he would have felt emasculated if he let out his true emotions and began screaming like an eleven year old girl at a Jo Bros concert, or b) he was so stunned and shocked to be within mere feet of Rick Astley that he was rendered speechless.
Within minutes, Rick’s float rolled in front of us. I immediately whipped out my camera, trying to capture every moment. I watched as he waved to fans (mostly moms) from his position aboard the Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends float. A tear of joy slid down my cheek (well ok, not really) as I watched him innocently play with the Imaginary Friends puppets on this float of promise. Indeed, Rick rolled (haha) like a champion, no, like a god in a peacoat.
But alas, even though this precious moment seemed like it lasted for hours, Rick’s float eventually moved on, ever so slowly, until finally it disappeared from my sight. One might think I would be upset with Mr. Astley for leaving me. After all, he had broken several of his promises: He did hurt me by leaving, he did let me down and he deserted me in the VIP section of Duffy Square with only my memories (and photographs) to sustain me. I was confused for a moment. Was “Never Gonna Give You Up” merely words to Rick?? Surely, he would not tell me all those things only to do the exact things he promised he wouldn’t. This was not the Rick I know and love. I felt so alone. And then, I realized something. This Thanksgiving morning, I was not in good spirits. I had to wake up at six thirty am only to stand in the freezing cold while the little girls around me screamed in my ears at Miley Cyrus. All in all, this was not shaping up to be the Thanksgiving I had hoped for. But Rick’s mere presence brightened my entire day. He knew that I wasn’t having a great morning, and he couldn’t bear to see me waste away my Thanksgiving feeling tired, cold and cranky. And so, by standing on that Foster’s float early on the morning of November 27th, 2008, Rick gave me the greatest gift of all. He reminded me of all good things in this world – a cheesy yet ridiculously catchy 80s tune, the beauty of New York in the winter time, the joy of a warm yet fashionable peacoat, the beauty of lip synching – and gave me something to be thankful for on this the day of Thanks. In doing so, Rick fulfilled every promise… to me and to every other person watching that parade who actually knew who he was.
And so, kids, when you go to sleep this upcoming Christmas Eve, be sure to listen closely. You may just hear the opening chords of “Never Gonna Give You Up” as Rick Astley travels the globe bringing joy and hope to all.
