Mardi Gras 2010: A Recap

Mardi Gras is over. The King Cake has been devoured. All that is left is the baby. A reminder of what is to come next year, and the year after, and the year after that.


My brother and his g.f. came to visit for Mardi Gras this year. He counted and I believe we saw a total of 13 parades while they were here. If you add in the few parades Kev and I caught prior to their arrival, I saw a total of 16 parades this year. That's a lot of beads, my friends.

Each parade featured a few marching bands. Yay for the bands! I am particularly fond of the twirlers that wear the boots with the tassels. They also have taps on the bottom of their boots. This makes for a nice cadence when they go marching down the street. *Click* *Click* *Click* *SWOOSH*


Oh, my! Another gator. You know me and my gators around here. I love them. I really wish you all could have been here and caught the magnitude that is Mardi Gras. These aren't tiny floats. Lots of detail is placed in each and every one. It's a lot of fun!

This guy was from the Rex parade. I love how they use gold leaf to accentuate the flame flowers on this float. And the burning balls of fire coming out of his hands were interesting.

Sparkle, sparkle, BABY! This twirler's costume is fabulous. I appreciate their choice of the shiny dance tights. I believe we stopped wearing those back in the late 80s, but these girls love their shiny tights.

To the moon, Alice! I thought the face of the moon was sweet.

These flame twirler people were awesome! They did really crazy tricks with these - just make sure you aren't standing too close! You might get your eyebrows singed off!

The themes of each parade are often centered around mystical ideas. This winged unicorn was nice. I don't like these riders' masks, though. Kind of frightening. But, it is Mardi Gras and what is Mardi Gras without a little bit of terror.

On to the throws! We caught a bunch of interesting items this year. Here is the collection of stuffed animals we managed to catch. Oh, and a stuffed birthday cake!

Kev with the spear we caught from Orpheus. I LOVE THAT PARADE! I particularly love Kev's face in this picture. He looks quite menacing, don't you think?

A koozie from Muses. Yes, the Muses are wearing party hats. It was their 10th anniversary, after all.

Speaking of Muses, we caught a couple of all important shoes from these ladies. It's special to get a shoe. Plus, they are covered in glitter. Have I mentioned I like sparkly things?

Another interesting catch. Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Yes, we caught diaper rash ointment. This was from a more tongue in cheek parade. You never know when you will need some butt paste. I hear Boudreaux's is the best!

Toilet paper from the Tucks parade. They have a huge potty theme going on with this group. Lots of "toilet humor".

Speaking of toilets, we also caught a plastic toilet from Tucks. Even the toilet is in the theme of Mardi Gras! Need a purple, gold, and green toilet? We have one!

We have now entered into Lent. Mardi Gras is over. Sinning is done, or should be done, for at least 40 days. No meat on Fridays.

It's always a let down after Carnival season has passed. At least for me. We have such a good time with family and friends, and then poof! It's over. Time to head back to the real world with responsibilities and a lack of festivities. At least Jazz Fest is just around the corner.

Happy Saturday. I hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo

Oh, The Beauty of it All!

This is my absolute favorite time in NOLA. ABSOLUTELY! Not just because of Carnival (even though we have now entered into the season of Lent), but because of the beauty that is currently in bloom all around the city.

This tree is a Japanese Magnolia. I LOVE THIS TREE. I pink, puffy heart it. In fact, the blossoms look like pink, puffy hearts. They are large, exotic, and very delicate. Yet, oddly strong. They smell beautiful.

I picked a blossom off a tree the other day and placed it in a cup of water by my bed. The fragrance was a little overwhelming, but it was beautiful. The outside of the blossoms are pink, and the insides are white like a regular magnolia blossom.

A definite sign that spring is coming, the Japanese Magnolia tree blossoming is yet another reason why I love New Orleans.

On a side note, I am headed to a job interview this afternoon. Prayers and positive thoughts are greatly appreciated!

xoxo

Trame de Trame!

It's the Mystic Krewe of Barkus! The puppy parade of Carnival season! Yay for doggies! Yay for doggies in tiaras, especially!

This particular Krewe is a walking krewe. Dress your doggy up in a costume and roam with the pooches through the French Quarter. This year's theme was, "Barkus Goes Tailgating: The Dogs Go Barking In". The humans give out beads, of course, and also have doggy treats for the other doggies that come out to see the parade. Tres magnifique!

See the dog pushing his way under the banner? I think he was excited and wanted to be the leader of his pack!


This puppy was part of the royal court. I liked her float - keeping with the jazz theme of the city.

I don't know about you, but I appreciate a second line band being led by a trumpet player in a dog suit!

Happy Dog! This pooch is proud to sport the Saints' fleur de lis! Arf, Arf! Which translates to "GEAUX SAINTS!"


Here come the cheerleaders! Rah, Rah, Rah! SIS, BOOM, BAH!

I think he's the line backer for the Barkus Krewe! I'm gonna get ya! STAND UP AND GET CRUNK!

Sparkle DOGGY! Sporting the Saints colors in her collar and in her coat! Yay!

It's the QUEEN OF BARKUS! Hail Queen Barkus! She is a rescue dog who is chosen each year. She hit the puppy jackpot! She is treated to massages, pedicures, and special grooming. Because a lady has to look her best when greeting her loyal followers!

Overall, I love me a good doggy parade! It was kind of hard to see, but you get the idea.

Trame de Trame! Translation: WOOF, WOOF!

xoxo

But You're So Nice

The other shoe dropped yesterday. I was let go from my job. Not for a lack of trying, but I guess I just wasn't meeting expectations. I tried really hard at this job. REALLY HARD. So hard, in fact, that I think my monkey heart suffered further damage from all the stress. But, that's my problem, not theirs.

Therefore, no house right now. We are staying put. I get to job hunt, again. Oh yay! I will say, this go round, I am going to work for something that is familiar. Work with like minded people - creative people who understand people's souls.

I am not cut from the salesman's cloth. I don't know how to manipulate people into doing what I want them to do. Please don't read that as a jab at the industry. I truly believe in the mission that my former employer was working toward. Help the city of New Orleans.

I need to help the individuals of the city of New Orleans. People. With faces and names and stories. I'm a creative person. A nice person. A soulful person.

To say I'm sad about this loss, I will agree to the extent that I enjoyed having that paycheck. I enjoyed having a place to go every morning and working in a beautiful building. I enjoy the few friends I made during my four month tenure. But, that is about it. I won't miss the stress and the feeling that someone was gunning for my head every day.

"You didn't meet our expectations, but YOU ARE SUCH A NICE PERSON", they said to me. Hmmm...what does that have to do with anything. To me, it sounds like an insult. You are too nice to work here.

Thank you for the opportunity and for showing me, once again, what I am not meant to do in my life. Onward and upward, folks!

xoxo

What Dreams May Come

Here we go again! Back on the road to home ownership. Only this time, we get closets and a lot more square footage. It feels right. I'm just cautious.

We put a bid on this lovely home (it's a condo, actually) and after a tiny bit of back and forth, we have had our bid accepted. Now it's on to the home inspection and appraisal process. That part is easy, breezy. It's all the other financial hoops that are coming our way that make me nervous.

The last time we went down this road, we thought we were golden and then at the last minute, the rug was pulled out from under us. That's okay! You know why? Because it means that the Harmony house wasn't meant to be ours and opened the door for our TRUE future home.

I think Papa Dios knew that I had too many shoes to live in a house that didn't have any closets. We get three - count them - THREE closets in this place.

It has the charms of an old New Orleans home - claw footed bath tub, hardwood floors, big windows, phone nook - but also has a brand new kitchen, completely modernized. Yeah, baby!

I just pray that the next steps proceed with ease and grace. It feels different this time, which means it MUST be right. Or, maybe not right, just better.

I'll keep you posted on our home ownership proceedings - we are bound to have a few hiccups. As long as we get to sign on the dotted line, I think the hiccups will be worth it.

So, for now we are cautiously excited. Anything can happen at this point, but I have faith.

And Kev, darling man. I hope you know that when we finally get the keys to our house, you WILL be carrying me across the threshold. You didn't do that when we got married, so I think it appropriate for OUR first home.

Yeah, baby! Bring it on!

xoxo

Hangin' in the Vieux Carre

We went to our first official Mardi Gras parade, as New Orleanians, on Saturday night. This parade was the Krewe de Vieux. It's a very satirical parade that throws a lot of punches at the local government and overall culture of the city. Angry? Tired of the political climate? Frustrated with your "due process"? Well, say it with a parade!

I think I need to live here a bit longer to really understand these stabs at the establishment. Not sure what they were trying to say with this one, but it's pretty (and one of the more PG-13 rated floats).

It's election time, again. And this year, we get a new mayor. I think the city is so excited for a change in city leadership. There were lots of jabs at Mr. Nagin. Remember his "Chocolate City"?

I really think they did a good job capturing the likeness to the Mayor. Who knew he still talked on one of the first cell phones invented. Remember those?


Again, they don't much like the Mayor right now. But, I can't say I blame 'em. There's been a lot of water under the bridge (and over) with this one.

These ladies looked nice! I really like the turquoise petticoat.

The sea of sperms belonged to a float that was paying tribute to the Continental Airline pilots that got lost along the way. You can imagine what activities the pilots on the float (not real people) were partaking in. And the picture of the lady - those aren't her real "ladies". I know, I know. It's getting saucy up in here.

These guys had people dressed up as voodoo dolls walking behind the float. I liked this one!

Overall, the parade was a lot of fun. I would share more pictures but seriously, this site would get taken down.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday! And, just remember that if you are frustrated with your government, take it to the streets in the form of a parade! It might wake some people up or at least make you feel better!

xoxo

Men in Tights - The Buddy D Edition

The Buddy D parade hit the streets yesterday. For those who don't know, Buddy D used to be a sports caster here in New Orleans. He always said that if the Saints made it to the Super Bowl, he would wear a dress. Unfortunately, Buddy D died in 2005, but his legacy lives on and we attended our first Buddy D parade yesterday. The men of the city donned their finest dresses and set out to show their support for the Saints (and Buddy D, of course!).

I liked his choice of accessories. Because, it's all about the accessories!

Transformer Saint Dude. If you watch the games, I'm sure you've seen this guy in the stands.

Poodle Purse! He had matching fuzzy pink boots to go with his purse.

Even the wildlife came out to play! Maybe he was supposed to be the horseman of the Apocalypse?

Going for an "old lady chic" look....

Kev getting smooched (and looks like grabbed!) by some lady friends...


Helga says, "Dah, it's goooooood to be a Saint!"

Wow! The glamor! The mystique! These ladies sure knew how to dress!

I wonder if he borrowed that mink stole from his wife?


Even the doggies got in on the dress wearing action! Look at the lovely pink dress on that pooch!

This group of guys were perfectly choreographed! They had a whole routine - and they were good!

Batman! Shouldn't it be Batgirl? And I don't know very many girls that walk around showing off their panties.

Finally, the gold lady and moi! I'm kind of disturbed by how he, I mean she, is looking at me....

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Geaux Saints!

xoxo