"So what are you doing for Christmas and New Year's?" That is the question Craig asked me. He had a reason. Remember the daughter who is dating the Penn State Lineman? Well it seems Penn State is coming to the Rose Bowl, and so is the daughter. “No problem”, I said. She can stay with my family in Pasadena. If you were raised in the Pasadena area, then you know every New Year begins at the Rose Parade. Millions of people descend on your town wearing weird outfits that say Ohio or Michigan. The streets are lined with people camping on the parade route and parties are everywhere along the route. Insiders know where to go to watch the floats being built, and from what restaurants you can see the floats as they drive to their position in the parade. Then after the parade there is the walk or drive to the Rose Bowl itself for several hours of picnicking and team posturing. People say things like, “Hey, anybody ever seen a team from Texas A&M out here?” Someone will answer, “Do they play football at A&M?” Cruel and mean things like that are said between bites of Sushi, micro brewed beer and cult Pinot Noirs. After all this is California. If that doesn’t sound wonderful enough, the weather is always perfect.

How could I make this a wonderful experience for Christina? That is the name of Craig’s daughter. I knew what I would do. She will take me to the Rose Bowl game and I will take her to the parade. The deal was struck. I spent days wrangling for the best seats. You know, the ones right on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado where the floats make the turn and do their tricks for the cameras. Our seats are right there with those strange people who do the telecast. All for $500. You got to love scalpers. But, hey I say to myself. Don’t get hung up on the money. I will have tickets to the Rose Bowl game, right down in the student section, and Christina will have an amazing fun time in California. What could be a better way to start the New Year?

Three weeks the later, the call came. “Bad news”, said Craig. Christina is devastated. She broke up with her boyfriend and he won’t give her any tickets.”
“Why?” I shouted.
“Well,” he answered, “She probably doesn’t want me to tell you all the reasons but…”
“No” I interrupted. "I don’t care why she broke up with him. Why did she do it before she got the tickets?”
Craig didn’t have an answer. A few more weeks have now passed and Christina appears to no longer be upset. I on the other hand haven’t recovered. I am still grieving. Oh, I will still go to the parade. Look for me. I will be the guy sitting alone with the big sign I made for the cameras that says,” I will get you Craig.”