A typical New York scene- police barricades, road work, hoards of people... and a Care Bear. Not just any Care Bear, mind you, but TenderHeart, the one with the large heart on its belly. Even as a semi-seasoned New Yorker I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks and watch as the character made his way into stores, greeting patrons for what seemed no reason. He wasn't asking for money, he wasn't performing, and he certainly wasn't doing the Care Bear stare (don't even pretend like you don't know what that is, you totally had the VHS tape.) I decided to do a little research on this six-foot teddy and boy does he get around...
TenderHeart has been all over this great city and clearly has no shame. Google image search confirms that he has volunteered at charity events, gone sightseeing with the best of them, and even snagged a girlfriend while on rendezvous in Coney Island. TenderHeart, if you're reading this- I suppose Disney World isn't the only place where normal people and furry costume people can walk amongst each other nonchalantly, but last time I checked I didn't have a fanny pack on or a turkey leg in hand so please use your magical rainbow to return to a theme park from 1986. Thanks.
Hi there! You happened to catch me while I was on my way to the Uniqlo Store in SoHo so I could buy some t-shirts with my picture on them that were available there at the time.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Coney Island, at least not yet...that picture above was taken in Ocean City NJ the day after I appeared in the DooDah Parade. Regarding theme parks, I did appear at Dorney Park near Allentown PA from 1988 through 1992, after which we Care Bears were replaced by The Berenstain Bears (who have since been replaced by Snoopy and the Peanuts gang).
Also I was not a passenger on that New York Sightseeing bus, I was in the process of walking the route of the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in reverse, 2 weeks and 2 days after fellow Care Bears Grumpy, Cheer, Funshine & Oopsie came down this way on their float. I myself was in the Macy's Parade from 1983 to 1985.
Personally, I think walking among normal people is a nice way to show that you care.
I hope you Keep On Caring!
Tenderheart Bear
what a grumpy person. He was not asking/begging for money, he was not bothering you or anyone else. He was just out for a walk and maybe bringing a smile to someone that he passed. AND yes he has done a lot volunteering at charity events and marches in the smaller parades around town. It make the wearer happy, as well as maybe some of the others that pass by. That's OK in my book and is a lot better then the hustlers that are on the street in a costume looking for money.
ReplyDeleteThere are those of us who go out into public to perform in animal costumes for exactly the reason you state in your sentence, "I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks and watch..." Yes! Some of us enjoy the feeling of causing a slight twist in reality to folks so caught up in the mundane world. Some of us hate the word "normal." We prefer the magical or the whimsical. The world is a messed up place as it is. Why do you find fault in a little escape from the hard, cold, world? Most of us have our feet (or should I say paws *lol*) planted in reality most of the time. We just enjoy the insanity of performing as animal characters from time to time and hope that it can bring smiles to faces. Hey, if nothing else you can say to yourself, "Well...at least I'm not THAT guy." If that's what it would take to make you feel better about yourself, then the feeling is mutual.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything that can brighten your day more quickly than the sight of, or being greeted by a whimsical character? A visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland or most other theme parks having costumed characters will demonstrate the popularity of these little guys, and you will find that the lines for the "meet and greet" events are LONG!
ReplyDeleteI have the pleasure of being able to call the person in that Care Bear suit a friend, and a kinder, sweeter more gentle person you will not find. His purpose? To make people smile!
For the author of this post, If you are so disturbed by these people dressed up as kids characters as an honest job, do somethig simple... don't look at them and that's that. I saw that you asked them to please go back to an 80's themepark right? Well then I am asking you to please kindly go back to the brothel in England where you were born and worked from the age of 15 since the prostitutes aren't liked there either XD
ReplyDeleteIt's called satire, Anonymous!
ReplyDelete1. The blog is funny and you are not. I don't think child prostitution is something to joke about you sicko.
2. Lighten up, it's Christmas!!!!
I for one think its great that he is walking around making people smile and bringing some caring to total strangers. and he does all this for his own personal reason. not for money not for fame. but because he cares and wants to spread a little caring to those he meets. maybe you should have went up to him, and asked him for a care bear hug, and then maybe you would understand. if I was in NY and saw him I surely would go and meet him, and get a care bear hug :)
ReplyDelete