D’uh, they are both interactive (I LIVE for comments-hint). Well readers, as you know (or you don’t and should read my archives), my parents are visiting from MA and they hey have never ever been to Mardi Gras before. So, I spent the day explaining (too freaking cold to go to a parade today) why Mardi Gras parades aren’t the typical Massachusetts 4th of July parade that just passes by and you wave (& maybe you get a piece of gum thrown at you, though I rode in one a couple of years ago in and was scolded by the parade police for throwing candy – someone might get hurt – puh-leeze. I think I liken Mardi Gras to a spectator sport. Seriously, Mardi Gras virgins, you have no idea what you are missing!!! And for those of you who mistake Mardi Gras as a a girl-flashing event, that is sooooo not the typical MO of a parade or the festivities surrounding it. Locals bring their kids to almost all the parades and you too can travel to Louisiana and bring your whole fam damily and all of you will have a good ole’ time! As long as you situate yourself somewhere where a bunch of families are parked and not a group of drunk college kids & the Girl’s Gone Wild film crew near the French Quarter – no problema!!!

As for cost comparisons, blogs are fairly inexpensive to run, but dang, my time is expensive folks! Today, culture shock really set in at our house. I can honestly say that I never thought about parade expenses before I moved here. Most hometowns pay for their own parades…right? Oh wait, you have to be invited to ride on “most” floats and buy your owns “throws?” You gottabekiddingme? This past summer, hubby was invited to ride in the Original Krewe of Orpheus and CHA-CHING CHA-CHING! Ball tickets, ball gown, new shoes, hair coloring (well my roots are showing), pedicure (can’t skimp on that), new shoes, babysitter, parade riding fee (big bucks), throws (at least $500), rental tie and vest (who wants to wear the same one next year) and by-gosh, that is at least a couple of grand. Now try explaining to your parents who have a Mardi Gras “L” on their forehead,that you can’t put a pricetag on this honor (well you can) and that it gives back so much. My mom said, “What are you getting back, a bead and cheap stuffed animal?” I say, “No – so much more.” This is part of of the culture here and we are happy thrilled to be a part of it.

As for Kiss My Gumbo, don’t fret New Orleans, Louisiana, world…you will continue to get a daily dose over me long after Mardi Gras season 2008 has come and gone. Consider it lagniappe. I, Greta, the Princess of Positive love my forever home (1 year anniversary as I write this)!

BTW – went house shopping for the rents today too. I think they might really buy a house in Old Mandeville – Snoopy Dance.

This post can be found at NOLA.com and my fantabulous personal blog.

2 Replies to “Blogs are like Mardi Gras Parades”

  1. You teared me up again from missing it. I’m writing a long post for you from my child’s eye memory view, but I am having a lot of difficulty functioning in any way right now VERY frustrating – so I know I said come by today but I want to it right. ORPHEUS! HOW COOL!!!!! I saw that’s what the beads were! Oh my God love it for me. And I hope your parents feel it.

    I hope you’re having a good day today.

    I’m doing this little bits at a time. (It won’t end up being a big deal. It’s just that moving at all is a big deal.) My camera is sticky.

Comments are closed.