Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2008

Gearing up for the late night balloon inflation viewing in the Upper West Side!


Buzz under wraps so he doesn't float away!

Herald Square

Flyin' high


Who's that monkey in the middle waving?

Team Buzz ready for our NBC debut!


Deflating Buzz with Mom

And the day is done! Buzz gets loaded back up into his truck for safe keeping.

This past Thanksgiving I had the amazing opportunity and honor of being a balloon handler for the Buzz Lightyear balloon in NYC! 2008 marked the first year that Pixar featured a balloon in the parade. The night before the parade, Pixar hosted a pre-balloon party at a lovely house in the Upper West Side, followed by a massive balloon inflation viewing along the neighborhood streets. It was crazy to see rows of giant character balloons underneath their protective nets, ready to set sail. 

Parade day consisted of a 3AM wake-up call and trek to the Warwick Hotel for a 4AM costume change, with a 9AM parade start...crazy schedule, but totally worth it! 

To conclude the monumental holiday, Mom and I had an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner with family friends in the Grand Suite of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel...yep, that's right: binge eating and binge sleeping in a palace. 

Best Thanksgiving Day ever! 

paper selfie


one of my favorite colleagues at Pixar, Ben Butcher, inspired me to create a self-portrait out of paper. I present to you a paper & Sharpie version of Kelly B!