Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Blackout
Electronic blackout due to excessive party time coming up. Don't expect to hear from me again until after the 5th. I thought I would start today, but business kept me grounded just a little longer. Not that I'll be totally out of it, but probably only taking the time to deal with things that are unavoidable/necessary. Happy Mardi Gras everybody!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Audubon zoo
Part of my birthday activities was to go visit the zoo. It is pretty good! Not as good as San Diego, but I thought the exhibits were well-designed, and since it was cool winter morning, and a parade day, there were very few people there. If you like zoos, I recommend a visit here, next time you are in town.
I also learned here of the Loup-Garou (werewolf)and the Honey Island swamp monster. Scary fellows, they are...
Parades galore!
So, what's all the fuss about Mardi Gras, Carnival, parades, and the like? Okay, well, Carnival starts immediately after the 12th night of Christmas, and fills the gap until the start of Lent, which is itself determined by the timing of Easter, which is set by both the Spring Equinox and the lunar cycle. Confused yet? Look here, it explains it all.
Starting about 2 weeks before Mardi Gras (literally translated to Fat Tuesday), there are parades. Krewes make floats and costumes and march a several mile parade route. Over the two weeks and around the city, there are dozens of these parades. To join a Krewe is a several hundred to several thousand dollar investment, often involving waiting lists and such. See the schedule to get an idea of the scale of this. Now, if I've piqued your interest and you want to read more, this is a good website to get all your questions answered.
Now then, enough lecturing - here's the pictures! I saw three parades last Saturday - it was quite fun, and they pass just two blocks away from my room.
Finally, here is a short video I took that encapsulates the experience. A large float drives by, one of the costumed people tosses me some beads, and before you know it, the next act is right behind.
These floats are crazy to see coming. The crowd rushes up to the sides, clamoring for cheap trinkets, and you can see them launching rapid-fire at all angles from the float. The crowd does pretty well, and catches probably 70-80% of the stuff, which must add up to tons of material. Sadly, it seems to be kind of taboo to pick up stuff that lands on the ground, which means... well, better not to think of it.
Starting about 2 weeks before Mardi Gras (literally translated to Fat Tuesday), there are parades. Krewes make floats and costumes and march a several mile parade route. Over the two weeks and around the city, there are dozens of these parades. To join a Krewe is a several hundred to several thousand dollar investment, often involving waiting lists and such. See the schedule to get an idea of the scale of this. Now, if I've piqued your interest and you want to read more, this is a good website to get all your questions answered.
Now then, enough lecturing - here's the pictures! I saw three parades last Saturday - it was quite fun, and they pass just two blocks away from my room.
Finally, here is a short video I took that encapsulates the experience. A large float drives by, one of the costumed people tosses me some beads, and before you know it, the next act is right behind.
These floats are crazy to see coming. The crowd rushes up to the sides, clamoring for cheap trinkets, and you can see them launching rapid-fire at all angles from the float. The crowd does pretty well, and catches probably 70-80% of the stuff, which must add up to tons of material. Sadly, it seems to be kind of taboo to pick up stuff that lands on the ground, which means... well, better not to think of it.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Haaaappppy birrthday, deeeaaaarrr SanchoTramp.
Happy birthday to me.
And so ends what, if I'm lucky, I'll look back on as the worst year of my life (how fitting that it would be a prime number - I've never particularly liked those). But don't worry about that Noah (see Bill Cosby's "Noah and the Ark"), the past is done, and time keeps on slippin', slippin' into the future (see Steve Miller Band).
Heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends for all the good times, phone calls and messages, gifts, food, shelter, companionship, advice, perspective, patience and encouragement. I am a fortunate and privileged person, indeed, to have so many "peeps".
Now, then -it's getting late, and I still have 3/4 a bottle of wine to drink....
Happy birthday to me.
Haaaappppy birrthday, deeeaaaarrr SanchoTramp.
Happy birthday to me.
Heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends for all the good times, phone calls and messages, gifts, food, shelter, companionship, advice, perspective, patience and encouragement. I am a fortunate and privileged person, indeed, to have so many "peeps".
Now, then -it's getting late, and I still have 3/4 a bottle of wine to drink....
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Burning the candle at both ends...OUCH!
This week has gone so quickly! As Mardi Gras ramps up, I feel like I'm getting swept into a vortex, and time is going by faster and faster. Today, though I have decided to take a break and recuperate a little bit. The decision was made easier by the 20 minute coughing fit at 3am...Don't worry! It's still just a cold.
I've been pushing myself a bit this week because my friend Sara has been in town for the American Meteorological Society conference, so still getting up to go to work, but also staying out a bit late to hang-out w/ her whenever we had the chance. I learned this week, BTW, that the AMS conference is cursed with bad weather. Ice-storms in Santa Fe, this week, and they had other examples too. If you are ever going on a vacation in January - make sure you don't overlap w/ the AMS! Because of the inclement weather, I've been taking the streetcar - or at least intending too, but I've missed it more often than not, so hoofing the couple miles to Canal Street.
Oh yes, by way of proof, here are the weather observations from the last week:
Don't get me wrong - It's all been very much worthwhile, and very cool to get to hang out with Sara. It'd been three months since I last saw her, but it has felt like longer. We had a good time exploring around, and she graciously bought me a couple really good dinners. Thanks Sara! The food highlight was a rum, carmel soaked and pecan covered bread-pudding dessert. Delicious!
Yesterday was also my first Habitat for Humanity build day! Obviously, the weather was unpleasant, but it was a very satisfying day. For the most part, the group was painting and installing siding on the house. Here we all are at the beginning of the day -Sara was being bashful ;)
The neighborhood around this house is alive, but even now, more houses than not are gutted wrecks. It felt very good to see the difference in the house at the end of the day. Maybe I'll get to go back next weekend and see even more progress.
I've been pushing myself a bit this week because my friend Sara has been in town for the American Meteorological Society conference, so still getting up to go to work, but also staying out a bit late to hang-out w/ her whenever we had the chance. I learned this week, BTW, that the AMS conference is cursed with bad weather. Ice-storms in Santa Fe, this week, and they had other examples too. If you are ever going on a vacation in January - make sure you don't overlap w/ the AMS! Because of the inclement weather, I've been taking the streetcar - or at least intending too, but I've missed it more often than not, so hoofing the couple miles to Canal Street.
Oh yes, by way of proof, here are the weather observations from the last week:
Don't get me wrong - It's all been very much worthwhile, and very cool to get to hang out with Sara. It'd been three months since I last saw her, but it has felt like longer. We had a good time exploring around, and she graciously bought me a couple really good dinners. Thanks Sara! The food highlight was a rum, carmel soaked and pecan covered bread-pudding dessert. Delicious!
Yesterday was also my first Habitat for Humanity build day! Obviously, the weather was unpleasant, but it was a very satisfying day. For the most part, the group was painting and installing siding on the house. Here we all are at the beginning of the day -Sara was being bashful ;)
The neighborhood around this house is alive, but even now, more houses than not are gutted wrecks. It felt very good to see the difference in the house at the end of the day. Maybe I'll get to go back next weekend and see even more progress.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Back in action
The cold lingers, but I've feeling much better and could not sit around anymore. So, I've some stories and pictures to share with you.
I went to see the Krewe de Vieux, on Saturday night, which kicks off the
Mardi Gras parades. Starting next weekend, there will be at least one a day until Feb. 5. It was a pretty impressive sight. Several thousand people crowded the parade route on either side - dancing, yelling and watching. The parade itself was small floats, pulled by mules, and followed by several dozen costumed, dancing Krewe members, and each contingent backed up by a 6-piece brass percussion band. At one point, the music was good enough I actually found myself wishing I still had my old instrument and former skill at playing it. I saw the parade three times, because it makes a loop in the French Quarter, and the last time I was perched on a 4 ft. tall window ledge. It was fun to see people's reactions on the sidewalk as they passed by and realized those happy feet on at their neck height belonged to me (generally surprise, then concern, or "right on!"). A picture of me at the end of the night with my "flair".
On Sunday, I wen to the Audubon aquarium, which I thought was really good - surpassed in my experience only by the Shed Aquarium in Chicago. They've all kinds of cool animals and exhibits, including jellyfish, seahorses, penguins, sharks, turtles, and other stuff. I got to touch a ray in a "petting" tank. Yep - they feel the same on you hands as they do on your feet. No fear of getting stung here though, the barbs have been removed. Mostly, I'll let the photos I took speak for the experience...
Then, I went to play ultimate frisbee, with a group I saw playing last week. Dude, I am very far out of shape! But, I hung with them, and it's a mellow crowd, so all was good. I am sore all over today from the running.
Today, I went to Bayou Senette State Park. Not a very impressive looking place, but it was relatively quiet and got me a little bit of a nature fix after two weeks in the city. I'm having fun with the Flickr badges, here's another one!
I went to see the Krewe de Vieux, on Saturday night, which kicks off the
Mardi Gras parades. Starting next weekend, there will be at least one a day until Feb. 5. It was a pretty impressive sight. Several thousand people crowded the parade route on either side - dancing, yelling and watching. The parade itself was small floats, pulled by mules, and followed by several dozen costumed, dancing Krewe members, and each contingent backed up by a 6-piece brass percussion band. At one point, the music was good enough I actually found myself wishing I still had my old instrument and former skill at playing it. I saw the parade three times, because it makes a loop in the French Quarter, and the last time I was perched on a 4 ft. tall window ledge. It was fun to see people's reactions on the sidewalk as they passed by and realized those happy feet on at their neck height belonged to me (generally surprise, then concern, or "right on!"). A picture of me at the end of the night with my "flair".On Sunday, I wen to the Audubon aquarium, which I thought was really good - surpassed in my experience only by the Shed Aquarium in Chicago. They've all kinds of cool animals and exhibits, including jellyfish, seahorses, penguins, sharks, turtles, and other stuff. I got to touch a ray in a "petting" tank. Yep - they feel the same on you hands as they do on your feet. No fear of getting stung here though, the barbs have been removed. Mostly, I'll let the photos I took speak for the experience...
Then, I went to play ultimate frisbee, with a group I saw playing last week. Dude, I am very far out of shape! But, I hung with them, and it's a mellow crowd, so all was good. I am sore all over today from the running.
Today, I went to Bayou Senette State Park. Not a very impressive looking place, but it was relatively quiet and got me a little bit of a nature fix after two weeks in the city. I'm having fun with the Flickr badges, here's another one!
| www.flickr.com |
Friday, January 18, 2008
A lost week
Hello out there? What's going on with everybody? Lemme know how you are spending the three-day weekend, eh? It's been a pretty quiet week. I've been doing not much of anything, as I've been going to work, and trying not to be sick the rest of the time. A pesky, nagging cold fought back last Monday or so, and I've been trying to get over it all week. I think I'm on the upswing again, though. So, all-in-all, I think this has been one of my most boring weeks yet on my trip. The two-a-week soccer games fell through, since one was rained out, and another a scheduling conflict got us booted off the field. :(
I'm getting the hang of New Orleans, though. It really is not that big - smaller than I thought it was. Smaller than San Diego. Hopefully I'll be up to a lot this weekend. Aquarium, zoo, soccer, ultimate frisbee, a day at a state park, maybe some fishing... I went to a NO Hornets basketball game tonight. It was disappointing - college ball is much better, except possibly, for the cheerleaders. It's too bad the Bobcats got blown-out. I wanted them to take the Hornets down a peg for leaving Charlotte several years ago.
It's rainy and dreary out -I think I will pack it in early one more night, do some reading (Wow, that's a novel thought!) and figure out the rest tomorrow....
I'm getting the hang of New Orleans, though. It really is not that big - smaller than I thought it was. Smaller than San Diego. Hopefully I'll be up to a lot this weekend. Aquarium, zoo, soccer, ultimate frisbee, a day at a state park, maybe some fishing... I went to a NO Hornets basketball game tonight. It was disappointing - college ball is much better, except possibly, for the cheerleaders. It's too bad the Bobcats got blown-out. I wanted them to take the Hornets down a peg for leaving Charlotte several years ago.
It's rainy and dreary out -I think I will pack it in early one more night, do some reading (Wow, that's a novel thought!) and figure out the rest tomorrow....
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