Get Your Costumes Ready
Get your costumes ready. It’s nearly Carnival Time — also known as Mardi Gras. Hi folks, I’m guest blogger Laurel — also known as Road Trip Mom — and the editor/owner of MomsMinivan.com. Formerly I also wrote a Katrina Returnee blog, but those days are long behind me now. I prefer to focus on the fun times that still continue at my former home in New Orleans. Like Mardi Gras – my favorite holiday.
That’s right, a real holiday — as in banks are closed, no school, no mail delivery, everyone gets the day off to eat, drink, and be merry. It’s actually more than just a holiday – it’s a whole season. New Orleans really only has two seasons: Summer and Mardi Gras. Just one more day until the debauchery begins. January 6th is Twelfth Night which marks the start of Mardi Gras season which then comes to it’s grand conclusion on Fat Tuesday.
One of my favorite Mardi Gras Day memories was the first Fat Tuesday following Hurricane Katrina. I spent it with my friend Devra. Being that it was the first Mardi Gras after Katrina we weren’t really sure what to expect, but we were not going to miss it, and we were going in full costume, of course. Mardi Gras is infinitely more fun if you are in costume.
We decided to put a spin on one of our favorite local dishes, Crawfish Etoufée, and wear it as our costume. We found some crazy crawfish hats and added little brown wigs, and covered ourselves from head to toe with rubber crawfish. We wore little signs that said, “Chef Special: Crawfish Et Toupee”.
We started out with a quick breakfast in the outdoor patio at Cafe Dumonde by the river (a popular tourist spot). Beignets and cafe au lait hit the spot and tourists immediately began to swarm us like papparizi wanting our picture. We obliged and then proceeded into the French Quarter for some bizzare people watching and more photo ops. Costumers were basically in two catagories that year: those in traditional “anything goes” costumes, and those in Katrina themed costumes.
We were in the anything goes group, as was this cute couple dressed as Got MILF? and these guys dressed as a fur burger and bearded clam. We also saw a guy dressed as the Yellow Brick Road. He had a whole group of people dressed as Wizard of Oz characters who were ….. following him. The French Quarter swelled with party goers and costumers galore. The overall turnout was huge, which says a lot for the spirit of the people of New Orleans.
Some of our favorite Katrina costumers were these folks wearing rubber inner tubes so they’d be ready for the next flood. We also saw people dressed as duct taped Rotten Refridgerators, Blue Tarped Roofs, and even Mardi Gras Maggots. We laughed out loud at the Ho Depot Ladies, Looters with Hooters, and my all time favorite Blind Levee Inspectors. (I posted all our photos at Mardi Gras Costume Pics.com)
We hit a few parades, listened to some live music, and enjoyed the sights. We eventually stopped in a restaurant for a little lunch — you would think it would be hard to find food on a day so crowded, but it never is. Parking is never a problem either if you know where to go.
After lunch, it was time to wave hello to the Internet Bourbo cam, and then go in for a little karaoke at the Cat’s Meow. I am not exaggerating when I say that we brought down the house with our rendition of “Respect” dressed as crawfish ladies. Gawd, I love singing karaoke. Especially when I’m wearing a mask….. and a score of rubber crustaceans.
As the afternoon went on, the streets became more and more crowded. It was a good time to try to find a balcony for a better view. I happen to know that there are several bars that will let people wearing cool costumes use their balconies for free. From our high perch, we danced to the music and taunted tourists below with our supply of beads while they waved and clamoured for us to throw them down. It was like being a rock star for a day.
At one point during our adventure, I took a photo of Devra using a trash can to actually throw away some trash. We wanted to set a good example for others. Maybe start a trend.
Eventually we headed home with our photos and memories of a wonderful day. Everyone should experience Mardi Gras at least once in their life. And you simply MUST wear a costume. You can be anything you want. And if you just can’t come up with a costume, you can always just wear your suitcase. That works too.
Posted by Laurel @
3:07 am |
Have A Very Bloggy 2008
Hello and a Happy Hogmanay to all readers of Deep Muck Big Rake. I’m Adam Tinworth of One Man & His Blog, and I’m another one of those blogging journalists that’s doing the rounds right now. And you’re stuck with me for your final post here of 2007. And I’m stuck with writing a post that no-one will read, because they’re too busy getting drunk, or recovering from a hangover, to be bothered with the interwebs. Ah, well. Never mind. Writing stuff nobody reads is what journalists are used to, goddamit! It’s a tradition!
So, let’s be traditional about this. Let’s do a “look back at the year” post. It’s what most publications do at this time of the year, after all. Why? Well, they’re easy, and you can knock them off in a morning before heading off to a boozy pre-Christmas lunch and an extended Christmas holiday while the sub-editors try and turn it into something readable during your holidays.
And what a year 2007’s been. I’ve been blogging since 2001, and blogging seriously since 2003. In those early days, a blogging journalist was a pretty rare creature. In the year just gone, they’re everywhere. And I mean everywhere. You can barely go to a magazine or newspaper website these days without being invited to read some hack or other’s latest musings on the day’s events.
Now, let’s be honest. Not all of these blogs are created equal. Some of them are pretty clearly done under duress. (“Write a blog post this morning, or we’ll take your whisky away from you.” “Noooooo! Anything but that!”) And some of them are just plain crap. No two ways about it, some hacks just can’t write without subs to pick up their backs. But it’s a start. And the more the journos blog, the more they get the hang of a conversation, rather than just talking at people. Hey, the sheer fact that there are various of us here writing guest posts on Becky’s blog shows that some of us have learned to do the conversation thing.
And it’s not before time.
(more…)
Posted by Adam @
2:23 pm |
Believe it or not, I wasn’t late to my own wedding
Hi. I’m Amie from Mamma Loves. I was so flattered when Becky invited me to guest post in her absence. And then what do I do? (And trust me this will come as no surprise to my husband, mother or friends.) I show up late!
How rude.
I hate being late. It’s one of my worst bad habits. In my defense in this circumstance, the holidays have me all screwed up and I thought today was the 28th. But isn’t that the way with folks like us who are always late? We always have an excuse. And really, there isn’t ever a good one. I recognize that others feel tardiness is rude. I don’t particularly. I don’t get frustrated when others are a little late. I know life gets in the way. That’s what happens to me. I think I can get way more done in an allotted period of time. Or I just really want a few more minutes of sleep in the morning. The thing is, it’s a bad habit. One I’d like to change.
Think I have any hope if I set it as my New Year’s resolution? Cripes, I have so many already. I’m not really a New Year’s resolution kind of gal. It seems so contrived. Either I’m going to try to do something or I’m not. It’s sort of like starting a diet on a Monday. Isn’t there some study out there that suggests that’s the worst day of the week to start?
The reason I’m even tempted this year is that I have eaten so poorly for the last few weeks and I could really use the excuse of the holidays being over to start anew.
Man I sound like I have a lot of issues. I probably do. I’m a blogger right? I mean I write about my life and put it out there for the rest of the world to read. I wonder what Freud would have had to say about blogging. Whatever. I say screw Freud. Sometimes words are just words…and sometimes they aren’t.
Well as you can tell my blogging skills are a bit rusty. I haven’t posted at all over at my place since the before the holidays. I really to appreciate the opportunity to exercise my muscles over here–can you say atrophy? I’m going to owe Becky some major links or something after this. Or she can just refer back to this post (or this one)every once in a while to feel better about herself. I mean really. It’s the least I could do.
Posted by Mamma Loves @
12:37 am |
Where should I begin…
Hello to the world through Becky’s blog. I’m Lance from Dad2twins.com. As with many of the guest bloggers that Becky bestowed with the high honor and privilege to be a stand in blogger, I have never actually met Becky in person. If, and when I meet her someday, I will make sure I bring a nice bottle of good Irish Whiskey or maybe even a few pints of Guinness with me so we can have long discussions about almost anything. I have been an admirer of Becky and her blog for sometime. Becky and I have had great conversations through email and blog entries and mutual comments on each other’s blogs for over a year. I do hope, before I finish my blog life, I know I will stay in touch with Becky because I have already decided she will be my editor when I finish writing a couple of the books I have started and threaten to finish in my lifetime.
Becky and I have something else in common. Norway. The Norwegian blood runs strong through my my family. I am of Norwegian decent. My people come from near the Arctic Circle. We are from Lesjaskog Norway. We even have some Sami in our family. As Becky spends Christmas among my people I am reminded of our heritage and how we still have a Norwegian breakfast every Christmas morning in our household. We have Rulepulse for breakfast along with Lefse. I won’t link to those, you have to discover those treats on your own. After that longwinded introduction, I don’t even think I will write about the actual topic I was going to write about. The Christmas meals sit heavy in my stomach and I am ready to sleep the next few days away. Our twins will not let that happen so I continue to dream of the lazy days after Christmas.
As I leave you, I invite you to discover this speech for yourself and the history behind it. It will give you some history into the name of Becky’s blog and how the term came about.I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I thank the two Jews for giving the Christians a break on Christmas day. I hope you all have a wonderful boxing day? Oh, and I wish Becky safe travels and I thanks for letting me sit in.
Come visit me if you get a chance.
Posted by Lance @
12:48 am |
These are a few of my favorite blog-things
Updated March 6, 2008: For a more updated list, go to You’ve Got Your Hands Full. I’ve posted a twins list and a multiples list with triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and sextuplets there.
This is for Mamma Loves, who posted some of her recent blog finds and asked what blogs we read.
When the kid bites,
When the phone rings,
When I’m feeling exhausted, frenzied, sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.
With apologies to R&H, here are a few of my favorite blog-things.
Life Through Our Eyes ~ This is the story of Suzanne, Joe and their quadruplets. I ran across this blog when Suzanne had a flat stomach and told the world she was growing four babies in there. Not once have I seen even a hint of deer-in-headlights shock registered on their faces. They have bright smiles, and they look happy. Suzanne always looks so put together. (I write as I sit in my pajamas. At noon.) I swear she has a stylist, makeup maven and fashion crew following her around. I’m amazed. They just posted the birth story, including videos. Check it out.
Think four is a lot? How about five-plus-two?
Wilkinson Quints ~ Jayson also has a blog, Quintuplet Dad (added to daddy bloggers).
You’ve Got Your Hands Full ~ Linda Jones is a journalist with 8-year-old twins, and writes about her own experience and posts articles about families with twins, triplets or more.
More blogs about multiples
Posted by Becky @
5:16 pm |
Wonder where the women blogging about politics are?
Someone at The New York Times did. Catherine Morgan started a list at Informed Voters. She’s at 200 and counting.
Posted by Becky @
11:29 pm |
Hallo, Danmark!
I swear. En far must know everyone in Denmark. Because darn near every one of them has been clicking through and checking out the daddy bloggers. See what you started, Lance?
So, hey, Danes … don’t be shy. Leave a comment.
:::It’s OK. I can read Scandihoovian.:::
Posted by Becky @
11:48 am |
And the winner is …
Heather McGuire! Congrats and enjoy. Thanks to everyone who played along. I’ve got another autographed copy to give away. (Thanks, Tracy!) Stay tuned.
Posted by Becky @
8:30 pm |
Dad2twins, meet the daddy bloggers
Daddy bloggers, meet Lance of Dad2twins. Give him a beer and show him around the place, will you? Thanks!
Posted by Becky @
3:56 pm |
Leave a comment, win a prize: MOTHERS for PPD Act
Updated to add: We have a winner! Announcement coming soon.
I saw that Tracy and Devra blogged about it. Then I saw that Sarah blogged about it. Then I saw lots of other people blogged about it.***
:::Hello, people (Devra, Sarah, Tracy)! You have my telephone number. Why didn’t you call me?::: So I’m late to the party. But, hey, I’m here, and it’s not over yet. Now where is my margarita?
Anyway, here’s the scoop. Today is Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act (S. 1375). Postpartum Support International, BlogHer and Postpartum Progress are supporting the passage of The MOTHERS Act — The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act. Sponsored by Sens. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., the act would ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about PPD, screened for symptoms and provided with essential services. It will also increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for PPD.
Tracy knows a thing or two about maternal depression. She wrote a book about it called The Ghost in the House: Real Mothers Talk About Maternal Depression, Raising Children, and How They Cope. (And I got to meet her IRL earlier this month.)
Leave a comment, and I will put your name in a hat for a drawing of an autographed copy of Tracy’s book. Better yet, contact your senator, then leave a comment, then win a book. (Sarah‘s giving away a book too.)
***Aw, jeez, I thought I was being so slick with a list, but I see that Katherine Stone at Postpartum Progress already has a comprehensive list. Oh well. Here’s my list.
Angie Pedersen’s The Blog of Me
Boston Mamas
Catherine Morgan
Central Sanity
Binary Blonde
The Chronicles of Munckin Land
Coping with Life
Fast Times @ Homeschool High
Flamingo House Happenings
Growing A Life
Healthy Concerns
The Integrated Mother
Just Us Girls
Kari’s Couch
life outside the box
MamasInk
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss Blog Directory
Mom of 3 Girls
Moms Speak Up
Not Calm
Ordinary Art
Planned Parenthood Aurora
PPD Survivor
Sharing the Journey
The Silent I
Silicon Valley Moms
Spin Me I Pulsate
Strollerderby
Surfette
This Full House
Work It, Mom!
Jill at Writes Like She Talks
Posted by Becky @
10:25 pm |
