September 15, 2007
I think of Los Angeles as this big, metropolitan area. Which it is. But Simi Valley? Is a little bit hillbilly! I forget that the surrounding hillsides are big farming areas, whether it's citrus farms or horse farms. I overlook the many customers who come in wearing cowboy boots and cowboy hats and flannel shirts. I do not think of myself as existing in a farming community in the slightest, but the Simi Valley Days Parade proved me wrong.
There were rodeo groups and square dancing groups, Western-style horseback riders and 4-H clubs. I'm used to parades with caravans of classic cars; this one had a caravan of classic (and not-so-classic) tractors. Seriously. There were dozens of tractors! I didn't see politicians in their fancy cars, I saw baseball teams hanging out the backs of pick-up trucks. School marching bands. Wee cheerleaders.
We handed out water, since the bank was pretty much dead from the entire street being blocked off. Since no one really parked it in front of our office (as you can see), I spent the morning running up and down the street. It was hot, but a pretty enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning at work.
There were rodeo groups and square dancing groups, Western-style horseback riders and 4-H clubs. I'm used to parades with caravans of classic cars; this one had a caravan of classic (and not-so-classic) tractors. Seriously. There were dozens of tractors! I didn't see politicians in their fancy cars, I saw baseball teams hanging out the backs of pick-up trucks. School marching bands. Wee cheerleaders.
We handed out water, since the bank was pretty much dead from the entire street being blocked off. Since no one really parked it in front of our office (as you can see), I spent the morning running up and down the street. It was hot, but a pretty enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning at work.