December is the time of year I look forward to most in Tallahassee. Not only is it Christmas time but there are several parties to attend, as well as host, in addition to the annual events such as Market Days and the Winter Festival - which includes the lighting of downtown Tallahassee, the Jingle Bell Run (which my husband, daughter, and I run in every year) and the Christmas parade.
Over the years, you learn the ins and outs of attending these fun activities. For those of you who attend these events, you know just how crowded they can be, and if you want a good spot to view the parade, you must get there early to set up camp. And that is what we do. For the last two years, we've chosen a spot behind the guard/gate outside the Tennyson (condos - just a block from the main stage of the festivities). A friend of mine (who's aunt and uncle live in the Tennyson) helps me save a spot and watches the area while we run the Jingle Bell Run. As she, her husband and her siblings (shout out to Stacey, Lane, Michael, and Nicole and thank you) did for us last night.
We got there at 5:15 (the race started at 6:15) and we set up our chairs. The police had just put up the guard/gates, and so, no one would be seated in front of us...or so we thought. At this time the area was sparse with people but as it does every year... that would soon change.
The Jingle Bell Run is a 3K (1.6 miles for those who don't know kilometers) and an event that everyone can do whether you're a runner, jogger, walker, stroller pusher, bike rider, skate boarder, dog walker, man, woman or child. And anyone and everyone does. Some are serious runners that try to beat their time, and some (like me) just like to finish without stopping (and yes that means I ran the whole way... and my time last night was 21 minutes 45 secs...just ahead of David and Ella. I know. Not a good time for a runner but I'm not really a runner. I prefer to be running to or from something and in that case I can run faster). David and I tagged teamed running with Ella and so our speed was not consistent. In any event, the race is a mad house and as one friend described her and her son's experience last night in the beginning of the race - they were in "stroller hell". And I completely understand. The first half mile you're jogging (at a very slow pace) just trying to weave your way through the crowd. And depending on where you start in the crowd, depends on how long you'll be weaving around those who walk. If you have a child in tow, this can be a bit more complicated and you have to be careful to keep a close eye on your child because they can get trampled in the beginning (although I don't think anyone has ever seriously gotten hurt running this race).
For those of you who don't live in Tallahassee, the downtown area is quite hilly, which makes the run a bit tougher. You're given an hour to get through the course before the parade starts and about half of the runners finish during the first half hour. But the last 30 minutes tends to be a lull in events and the time when the parade route gets seriously crowded.
As I mentioned earlier, we had staked out our area before the masses came and my friends were there when we finished the race...good thing too because the masses were already starting to encroach on our territory. There was a family of three to our left and they kindly stood in their spot, but on our right was a gaggle of children (about six), that in the beginning kept to their side, but in true mass fashion, slowly maneuvered their way into our path. These children were around the age of 10 and mostly girls. Another child a few years younger than my daughter of 8 was part of the group and she stood next to my child. A little thing that I had no problem sharing our space with, but the others...not so much.
Not long after the parade had started, some other folks walked up and stood behind the girls. I actually heard one say, "we need to find a place to squeeze in" (as she eyed the space in front of me and my friend Stacey). I was amazed how the group of girls and the adults behind them screamed loudly for no reason and would hang over the guard groping for any piece of candy and cheap beaded necklace they could get their hands on and all were clueless to me, my friends and my daughter whose space gradually dwindled.
I have to admit, I was getting a little ticked. I know. I sound like the Grinch or worse Ebenezer Scrooge, but I didn't get there at 5:15 to save a spot for these inconsiderate people. However, the majority were kids, so I sat back in my chair (with little to no view of the parade) and let them enjoy themselves. Hell, the main reason we were there was for my daughter to see the parade. And so, I put up with the gradual encroachment, screaming little demons and rude adults (the ones to my right).
I have to say, even though the little boy on our left slowly shifted closer to my daughter, he was a very nice child who made sure my daughter got candy and necklaces and for that I thanked him several times and even told my daughter to share any extra she got with him. And because of his kindness, I had no problems with him. In addition, I insisted my daughter say "thank you" every time she was given something. I want to say the little boy next to her did the same. The other kids (the hoodlums to my right) weren't as thoughtful and at one time, even grabbed a girls bag as she tried to give them candy. The poor child walking in the parade was practically mugged.
At this point, I was constantly texting with Stacey who had gone upstairs to her aunt and uncle's condo to watch the Florida State game. And, it was also at this point when I thought of my next blog. As I sat there thinking about what I'd be writing, I actually starting laughing at the ridiculousness of it all (my annoyance, the kids butts in my way and, of course, what the title of my blog would be). Titles for consideration: Parade of Butts, Butt Parade, Merry Buttmass, I Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Parade with a View, All I Want for Christmas is for Parents to Teach Their Kids Some Manners... among others. Stacey had the brilliance to suggest I take pictures and that made me laugh even more. So, of course, I did.
My friend Julie (hi Julie) showed up around this time and sat in the seat next to me. She too felt a little claustrophobic from the wall of people that was slowly closing in on us and at this point it had become a joke and well as a nuisance. But we dealt with the tiny glimpses of the parade that was apparently making its way down Monroe St. That is until the little beggars started fighting over a crappy piece of candy that they could buy at the store any day of the week. At this point, I had had enough and finally put my foot down. Julie and I told the girls to stop. The space they were in (which at this point was my space) was limited and no place to be fighting. The girls stopped and stared at us (bah humbug is probably what they heard and that must have caused confusion in their one track minds). I wasn't sure how they would react or whether or not a parent would come up and defend them (to no surprise that didn't happen). But to my surprise, the girls stopped.
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| Ella is in the blue coat in the middle. |
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| The encroachers on my right |
The moment was like the parting of the Red Sea or when the rain clouds roll away and the sun comes out (I think I even heard angels singing). Not only did the girls stop but they moved back to their space and the rude adults behind them had suddenly disappeared. Now granted, it was toward the end of the parade and the space to their right had probably opened up, but either way I got my space back just in time to pack up my chairs and see the big fire truck with Santa and the Mrs. waving to the crowd. Whoopti doo...
As we headed out, the thought of not returning next year actually flashed through my mind. Even my daughter had mentioned getting bored and said the kids next to her yelled so loud that it hurt her ears. But I know I will be back, but next time, I'll be prepared and have already devised a plan with my ever so helpful cohort Stacey on how to keep from being invaded by clueless (and late arrival) parade watchers. We'll be blocking off our section with several chairs in a semi-circle fashion or rope (if we can get a way with that). And if that doesn't work, we'll be upstairs with Stacey and her family watching the parade from the 12th floor. Yes, I know, my daughter won't get the experience of having beads and hard candy thrown at her head, nor will she have to endure a bunch of kids pushing and shoving their way in front of her or yelling in her ears. And if candy and beads is what my child wants, hell, I can buy a bag of each and throw them at her periodically in a condo on the 12th floor in the warmth and comfort of a friend's home. At least then I can ensure that she'd get the beads and candy, and I would actually get to watch the parade.
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