A Talisman for 2010, Philadelphia Style

There's something inherently redeemable about wild abandon.  And every year, the city of Philadelphia redeems - yes, redeems itself hosting the Mummer's parade on New Year's Day.

Officially in its 109th year, it offers the full spectrum:  breathtaking, intricate costumes, props and floats; skilled music, dance and acting performances; gleeful foolishness; warmhearted public ambassadorship; profuse public drunkeness and unbridled fuckery. 


In short, it offers the total package of art and entertainment. 
For no charge. 
On the street. 
I daresay, it's magnificent.


The Mummer's first divisions - the comics, the wenches - these folks solidly encompass the latter half of the things I listed above.  (Mostly) Men in garish theme dresses, painted beyond recognition, clutching Bud Lights and each other, dancing in hapazard circles down the street with parasols. 

When you see it, you forget if you've had an unremarkable year. You feel, despite yourself, that this is a good omen, a best possible start.  Woe as you are and jaded though you may be, who can possibly feel anything other than amusement when this guy's coming at you?

It is good not only because it's glee busking you in the face, or because a subset of the populace not especially trained to entertain you, is in fact, letting down their guard to entertain you....but because there's beauty in the tradition of it, in simply persisting. 

Mini-you's learning to walk the walk.

It's all the more delightful when the tradition is carried out not because of religious dogma, family dysfunction, social mores or self-importance, but instead is followed because it produces fellowship and joy (and gleeful foolishness, warmhearted public ambassadorship, public drunkeness and unbridled fuckery.)

So while I struggled this past week with prioritizing all the things I resolve not to do (take things too serious, arrive late, act like an asshat) and all the things I now resolve to start (being more brave, opening up emotionally, flossing regularly), I took a second to think about the unbroken things that I already do, the traditions, if you will ...the things that, net-net, are just fine already.  And for a shiny, cold, Broad Street moment, it was all right. 

Thanks, you's Mummers.