The Streets of Philadelphia - New Year's Day Version

What the hell is happening, friends? I'm back to work after nine days off in a row. I feel sort of like I'm in the Twilight Zone. I'm zonked. You know that song The Streets of Philadelphia?

This is what the streets of Philadelphia look like on New Year's Day:

Bat cars. Golden slippers. Costumes. Merry mayhem. Bands in formation, poised to take their place on the street in front of the judges (Joseph A. Ferko String Band pictured above). Mummers work hard all year for this one day. It's like their Super Bowl.

This is what the skies in Philadelphia look like on New Year's Day

Mumfetti in the air near City Hall. A captain looks out on his band. Teddy bears are shot into the air and parachute down from the the sky.

More glimpses of my day and my people...disregard my fat guy in a little coat appearance - I'm wearing three layers, mofos:

Scenes from Ferko String Band (and one of our BFF Frank looking fierce with Uptown String Band in the lower right corner):

Click here to watch Ferko's routine.

I hope you were able to watch the parade live, on TV, or via live stream yesterday. It's many things, this mummer business, and maybe you have to grow up in Philadelphia to truly understand it and appreciate it; but when it comes down to it it's a great, storied, long-standing tradition that's only held up on the backs of its members and their families. Mummery takes up a lot of time.

Thanks to all you mummers out there - from first prize to last, you certainly entertained. It was my first time back on the street in years. I only saw some wench brigades, the fancies, and the first six bands in person, but whether I saw it live or on TV, I really enjoyed the parade this year. A little slow (and can the fancies be first?) but not too many sucks in it.

Where are my January Spending Freeze people? On day two I want to buy all the things BUT I WILL NOT. However, I do suggest you satisfy yourself by entering some giveaways, like this one for a $75 Target Gift Card that I'm taking part in on Till Then, Smile Often; or this one pinned to the top of the Lower Bucks County Moms Facebook Page that has a huge list of prizes.

Now, excuse me while I roundhouse kick 849 cups of coffee in the face and make them my bitch.