I’m not exactly sure at what point in my life I developed an extreme aversion to parades.  I just don’t understand the point of groups of people marching through downtown streets carrying signs or balloons or riding in cars or on floats while people lined up on the sidewalks cheer and wave.  I mean, I know that parades are held as a celebration of some sort and that they’re supposed to be barrels of fun, right?  But to me?  I think that they’re just plain boring.  Am I un-American?  I don’t know.  I just know that I hate a parade!  Well, hate may be too strong a word, but I really do dislike them. 

That being said, I seem to recall that as a child my parents took my sister and me to a few local parades, and I remember watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television.  I was kind of fascinated with watching the big character balloons such as Snoopy and Garfield float through the air and round the corners of those tall New York City buildings.  But even then, I was bored out of my mind by the marching bands, and the baton twirlers, and the number of flowers on this float, and the number of people it takes to carry that balloon.  Now, remember when I said that I’m sadistic?  Well, I think that the real reason that I watched was to see if one of those giant balloons would get snagged on a building or if Raggedy Ann would get tangled up with Superman.  Now that would make for some interesting TV viewing.

So, do you want to know what all this parade talk is leading to?  Yes?  Okay, remember when I told you that I was going to start volunteering for the Humane Society?  Anyone?  Well, on Saturday afternoon, I attended the Humane Society volunteer orientation so that I could learn more about what the organization does, how I can help out, yadda, yadda, yadda.  But pretty much my main intention was to volunteer for the Pat-A-Pet program, which involves taking your pet (in my case, Abby) to nursing homes or hospitals to visit with the residents or patients. 

So, after we discussed the Pat-A-Pet program, the volunteer coordinator started talking about all of the other programs:  blah-blah, fundraisers, blah-blah, special events, blah-blah, the need for a parade coordinator, blah-WHA?  Did I just hear coordinator?  As in, I, Lulu, can coordinate something?  Never-mind that there’s another word in front of coordinator!  It doesn’t matter!  If I can coordinate a bunch of slightly intoxicated adults to play musical chairs in my own backyard (or would that be coerce?), then I can coordinate anything!  Anything!  Even parades!  That I loathe!  So, I enthusiastically blurt out, “Me!  Me!  Oh, pick me!  Lulu can coordinate!  Lulu wants to coordinate!  Lulu must coordinate!”  Lulu has lost her mind.

But, because this parade coordinator thing really is for a great cause, I will suck it up and learn to tolerate love parades.  And it’s not like I’ll be coordinating the entire parade, y’all!  Basically, what it involves is registering the GHS for local town parades (mainly in the Fall), rounding up other Humane Society volunteers to walk their dogs in the parade or to carry a banner, and to actually walk in the parade myself.  Do you hear my silent cry, people?  Anyhow, that’s my update on the volunteering venture at this point. 

But, as usual, I do want to mention one more thing!  On Saturday, April 28th, the 2007 Duck Derby will take place at Atlantic Station in Atlanta.  The Duck Derby is an annual rubber-ducky race in support of the Special Olympics Georgia.  Basically, ten thousand rubber ducks (adopted by individuals) are dumped into the lake at Atlantic Station, and then raced for prizes.  The grand prize this year is a trip to St. Lucia.  And, come on, people!  Who couldn’t use a trip there?  All you have to do to participate is to click the link here, and adopt a single rubber duck for a donation of $5 or a Quack Pack of four ducks for $20!  You don’t even have to be present to win!  Or watch a parade!  It’s just that simple.  Hmm, I wonder if SOGA could use a duck coordinator?

See you back here tomorrow for Women are Fantastic Friday!

parade image: http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_parade1.htm