I'm reasonably sure that you've heard this old adage sometime over your lifetime. "And they pay me to do this!" My career of being a costume character is, at heart, almost always that to begin with. Summer heat does take it's toll. At Christmas, I definitely burn the proverbial candle at both ends to make maximum income for the season. But, sometimes, it goes into a kind of furry nirvana. This is a case in point from February 19th of this year, '07.

The party was at the Santa Monica Pier carousel. I've been there a few times over the years. Each experience has been fun for me as I do love carousels to begin with. I have had several rides on it each time I've been there. Unfortunately, I haven't always been able to ride a actual horse on it. Sometimes having to settle for the "sleigh seats" instead. It's my darn character feet. They're generally just too big. I could get up if I really tried but I'd not want to take a major risk in either falling or unmasking myself by accident. It's still fun, of course, but I wanna ride the horsey...I wanna ride the horsey!

The birthday girl took me by the hand and we walked over, hand-in-hand, over to the carousel. We had to wait at the little gate entrance there. This, in order, to be let in when the carousel finally stopped it's current ride. She never let go of my hand the entire time walking and waiting. Well, this time, I was able to do it and got on one of the very lowest horses that were the outside ones. In total joy and pure rapture was I, as I rode around and around waving at the parents and kids.

Now, if that wasn't enough, here's the clincher! The dear sweet birthday girl, Alexa was riding in the next row just in front of me. Her father was on the next horse to the left of her. Dad started "it" off by starting to sing "Yankee Doodle". But in a "la-la-la" wordless way. Alexa added her voice and then so did I. So as we kept going around and around on the carousel riding our ponies, we were "la-la-la" singing out the song. Over and over. It was both surreal and SO much good fun!

When the carousel finally stopped it's run we all got off and went back to the one side of the carousel room where they have the parties at. The carousel is the main focus, so although the kids are happy to see us, they are somewhat all over the place. The party kids get wristbands that allow them endless rides on the carousel. This, by the way, was my good friend's first gig ever as a secondary character to my main one. He's known about me doing them and asked if he could be able to do it too. He did a great job for a first effort. He has the talent to be a costumed character himself.

In a couple of minutes after I returned from my carousel ride, he was "escorted", as I was, by the kids for his ride. He too, felt the love that we were immersed in. He came out after the party on one of those natural highs that last for even days after. Been there, done that, had the joy. Many times!

Semper Furry! --Me Furry