Well!



Usually, I've been much more immersed in Mardi Gras, than I have been this year.

Last year, I was working uptown, and to get home I had to pass through the path of almost every Mardi Gras Parade that was happening.

This year, I am both working and living on one side of all the madness; I don't have to cross Canal Street or Napoleon Avenue to get home. And also, I am on the scooter, which makes everything easy and fun.

So... so far, I have no pictures of the early big parades to post. I've just been way to busy with work to get out for them.

Robert went to some of them; he was at the one were that person got shot... I think it's important for people who have not been to our Mardi Gras to understand how very big it is. I think people envision that there is some festival spot where people gather for Mardi Gras parades, like maybe a stadium or a park. In fact, the parades cover many miles and wander through many neighborhoods in New Orleans, and Metarie, (a suburb), Chalmette, (another suburb) and other areas. During the ten days before Fat Tuesday, you are likely to be told that you can't get something done, (like have your phone line repaired...), because "it's Mardi Gras". Traffic is disrupted, streets are closed and a whole lot of people are busy throwing this huge party; either riding on floats, or appearing on stage in the elaborate balls or doing the enormous amount of support functions that need to be done. On Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, the entire city closes down; the banks and civil offices are closed, there is no mail delivery. A lot of the bus lines and the St. Charles Street car shut down because they can not cross the parade routes.

Throughout the area, there are probably a million people partying on the streets on Mardi Gras day. All the bars are open, of course, 24/7 from Friday to Tuesday and people get pretty whipped. We get away with this enormous mad street party because we have had a lot of practice. All these new people come every year with all their energy and enthusiasm, and we help them have a good time, we try to keep them out of trouble and mostly succeed... but if they didn't show up, we would still do it. There are all kinds of carnival marching clubs that have been doing their thing for anywhere from 10 to 100 years. If anyone comes to see it, that's great! If not, it will still happen, because it's tradition.

Tonight, Robert and I went to what is probably one of the most amazing Gay Balls, the Armeinius Ball. The costumes were amazing and huge! The theme was "Armeinius Goes Looney", as in Looney Toones. The stage set and the costumes were brilliant! At least half of the costumes were in the category of "How did they do that?!" I mean, we are talking about presentation costumes with 12 foot high head-pieces; almost 20 foot high.... And they were all very funny. This krewe had a float last Southern Decadence, that was a sign on the back of a pick-up truck... all it said was "Armeinius. We're Proud of Our Balls!" hehe, and they should be.

I'm sure that some of these costumes will make it to the streets on Mardi Gras Day. I'll try to get some pictures. And this year, since my camera fits into my pants pocket, I'll probably be able to get those pics up on line by Wednesday nite. (Last year, my camera got clipped in a crowd. Fortunately, luca had taken some very good pics...) (They will have to rip my pants off to get the camera this year, hahahaha.)

I was complaining for a bit to Robert, my next door neighbor and dear friend that we had no visitors this year, (and that is unusual), and Robert said, " Well, this year we get a rest. We'll enjoy Mardi Gras this year on our own."

Well, that's true enough.

Still, wish you were here, it's sooo much fun!

durlx

pee ess, there will be pics and more story, prolly Wednesday morning...