It was Mardi Gras.

So, this weekend. What a freaking blast. Mellisa, Jason, Mary, Nicole, Andrew, Morgan, and Emily, along with all of Mellisa's family can testify.

Since I've moved into the "Deep South" (Mobile area and Auburn). One thing I'm glad I encountered here is Mardi Gras. I've participated since I was 15 years old. I didn't understand it but knew it was for me the second they said, "Oh, there's no school Monday and Tuesday. It's Mardi Gras." I was hooked.

Mardi Gras comes in all shapes and sizes. We've got (or used to have) New Orleans Mardi Gras. I remember a certain friend who was tricked out of 20 bucks and a gay ole' time on Bourbon Street...I've been with one person, I've been with groups. It's always fun, and it's ALWAYS what you make of it. I've seen so many titties, I've lost count. I've almost been arrested, twice. I've peed in front of people. I've even "earned" some beads. (I'll never forget that red-headed 50-something w/the big hair and sloppy make-up). It's fun. My brother went this weekend and said it was packed, but clean and orderly, like New Orleans has never been.

Mobile Mardi Gras is one notch down on revelry and a little angrier in spirit. Everyone knows Mardi Gras started in Mobile, but no one respects it for that. You have the occasional shooting at a parade, but otherwise, it's family friendly and you score w/beads and moon-pies. I've yet to see titties at a Mobile parade, but I imagine it happens...I like to imagine it happens.

Moving to the beautiful eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope and Daphne; probably Robertsdale and Foley all have their own Mardi Gras parades. They're on the extremely family friendly side. Like if Disney had a Mardi Gras parade and didn't give them a Disney-sized budget. Don't get me wrong, they put a lot of work and money into these things every year. The floats are fantastic, creative and artistic. Everything's taken seriously to that point..and everyone works to make it fun.

I've been fortunate enough to have been invited to one of Fairhope's Mardi Gras Societies, The Knights of Ecor Rouge, Mardi Gras Ball two years in a row. I don't know the Knights' history, I don't know what else they do throughout the year.. I can guess they have fun doing whatever it is they do. These guys are crazy fun. They start the drinking mid-day and forget their troubles for one fantastic night full of more drinking, catered roast hog and beef, live music, and of course dancing. There's good dancing, bad dancing, spastic dancing, you name it, we did it. I will remember these events the rest of my life and hope to continue adding more balls and revelry to my history. (I know how that sounded.)



I recently blogged about a good day I had. It was a day that kept me happy to be human. Mardi Gras does this to me, too. It keeps my endorphin levels up. The alcohol helps, but stresses from work, from money, from you name it, melt away like a moon-pie in the rain. Every year, it's a miniature vacation for me. It only takes a weekend to keep my spirits high for weeks.

Recently, I started participating in the Lent tradition as well. This year will be the third year I sacrifice something for those 40 days. I'm not catholic, but if it came down to it, I'd probably pick it as my religion of choice. That or Judaism. (That's another blog, maybe). I really feel, cosmically, spiritually, whatever: to be able to have as much fun as I've had during Mardi Gras festivities, I should pay a price. A price I pay willingly. Don't get me wrong on that, Mardi Gras has cost me some cash in the past (see $20 reference above, for starters). Besides, balance and sacrifice are good for the soul; everyone knows that.

To end my story, I post a link to some pictures I took this weekend. A lot have kids in them, a lot have beads in them, some have me yelling. My friends, old and new, were perfect company and look good in formal wear. I know that's what you're here for, but I hope you enjoyed my take on Mardi Gras, Gulf Coast-style.







Mardi Gras 2006















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MySpace users to get their own cell phones

This in no way is an endorsement, but I thought whoever's reading from the MySpace link might like to know about it.



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Wow.

Had to post it.

People are so fast with these things nowadays.

These probably could have been funnier, but, hell the incident only happened 36 hours ago or something like that.

Dick Cheney Shot me T-Shirts.

I'm Starting an Army.

I'm starting an army and who's with me?! MySpace is dead to me (or will be soon).

So far, if you've agreed with me in the slightest, infinitesimal way, I'm counting you as with me.

Kate: You're with me in spirit. I need that, you're my backbone, my "home-girl".

Brooke: God-Damnit Brooke, we can do this. WE Can Go All the WAY! You know, in the blogging sense.

Keith: My soul brother, my man...You know where I'm coming from and I can feel your support.

Sally.....oh. Sally. When the revolution starts, I'll ask you again.."Are you with me?!" I know what your answer will be.. I think I know what your answer will be...

Anyone else?! Anyone else hear my call? Let me know.

Please.

p.s. here's some photos of Katie's new puppy. I think they should call her Maebe or Tilly, that's the best I could do. Everyone vote here, it's their choice of course -- Mike and Katie.






I mean COME ON! Damn that's cute.

Look What I Can Do.

I Just found out i can blog from my phone. which is where i sent this from. wow this took forever.

How to: Make a Camera Out of Paper

Pretty interesting way to make a pinhole camera that uses 35mm film that actually works. There are a few example photos and also instructions on how to make your own. Have fun.

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MySpace = the AOL of Blogging

My first "real" blog, I hope, is the first of many.


I'm tired of the MySpace lag.






I'm sick of pages like this:





So I've got a little bit of news that I'd tried for hours to post on MySpace.

Cheney Shoots a Guy
Our Vice-President "accidentally" shot a man while out hunting with him. If I get the details right, the guy went to investigate a kill and on the way back, "snuck up" behind the S.O.B while he was in the middle of a shot. The guy ends up being dead (so to speak) in the line of fire.

He's okay now, and I'm sure it'll make news ASAP.

That's all for now. Still just testing out this new blog. We'll see how far I go with it.

Thanks for following the link.

-Wes