The Big Weekend Begins

I was awakened this ayem at ten to six by the merry tinkle of glass breaking. When they delivered the paper this morning, they managed to break one of the panes of glass in my front door, which I discovered when I stepped out the door to pick up the paper. Not a big problem, but they won't be out to fix it until next week some time since everyone will be on Mardi Gras schedule until after Tuesday. (BTW, it's very important not to get arrested during MG, because you won't get a court appearance until Ash Wed.!)


A word or two about Mardi Gras balls. The original purpose of the MG ball was to present the daughters of the socially prominent families to society when they reached the age to start husband hunting, and that still holds true for the myriad straight balls held every year. The gay Carnival balls that I go to started as a satire of the straight balls, (most of which are dreadfully dull!) and proceded to become one of the most entertaining parts of the MG season. The gay krewes are mostly comprised of gay males, but there are some women members; the Krewe of Amon Ra picked a female king for the second time this year. There are two more gay balls this weekend, both usually spectacular and known for their huge costumes. I have an invitation to the one Sunday night, but not for the one Sat. (that could still change...)

This should be the last journal entry with no pictures for a while. I'll be going into the Quarter everyday, except maybe Monday, so there will be lots of pics. This city will be rolling 24 hours a day until Wed. morning!