The Masks of Comedy and Tragedy ~ Mardi Gras 2006

February 28, 2006 marks two anniversaries: The 150th Mardi Gras celebrated in New Orleans, and the 6th-month post-Katrina.

It is a magnificent feat, Mardi Gras, in and of itself. What looks to the rest of the world like some chaotic bender of a drinking party, is really very deep-rooted in local traditions - some of them mysterious and secretive. It is for families in a much larger fashion than for the breast-baring tourist. Our police department shines as the highest regarded expert force in terms of crowd control. There are special songs, King Cakes, beads and doubloons, Zulu coconuts, parking tickets (MY tradition to get at least one every year) and parade route parties.

The parties.

I used to live on a parade route - in the apartment above the bike shop in an eclectic neighborhood of Magazine Street. Long after I moved out, I still returned, even years later with my kids - to Herwigs Bike Shop to watch parade with Cheryl and her crew. Well, Cheryl sold the bike shop and the shotgun double built above it - so the Thoth Party is no more.

Bryan's Granny lived on Philip Street, in the heart of the Garden District - so we could always count on her home as the base for any of the parades that took the Uptown route. We probably spent the majority of the weekend through Fat Tuesday at her home, where she had hot dogs, king cakes, SO many visitors - and she had some ins so that she could supply us with the treasured Zulu coconuts and Bachus pendant beads before the parades. Alas - she passed away two years ago and the house was sold.

Many a year I've spent at the Deutsches Haus for the Endymion Parade. The Deutsches Haus took in too much water that sat for way too long. Not to mention the routes have all been modified to suit the shortened police availability - so no knackwurst, Warsteiner or "Ein Prosits" for the Über-Krewe this year.

Many changes.

Some around the world will wonder why we need a Mardi Gras when there is such despair, depression, homelessness, loss of possessions and life and livelihoods. I could argue that the economic boost from the tourism makes it worthwhile. That showing the rest of the planet that the show must go on exhibiting our can-do attitudes is the reason for Mardi Gras this year.

But really, it is particularly BECAUSE there is despair, depression, homelessness, and great suffering and loss - that we NEED a Mardi Gras this year.

Under a Cajun moon I lay me open . . . There is a spirit here that won't be broken. ~ Thomas Dolby "I Love You, Goodbye"

If I was a GOOD wife . . .

If I was a good wife, maybe I would have waited? You know - made a moment?

You know how difficult it is to find the JUST the perfect gift for a birthday or Father's Day?

I found it today! The PERFECT gift for him. It would have meant much adoration on Valentine's Day . . . and would have been a much admired Father's Day gift.

I found it on the floor of the garage.

I was sweeping tonight and I heard it ring out against the concrete.

As long as I've known Bryan, he has always worn a simple, silver chain around his neck, with a celtic cross enscribed with the NOPD badge. It was a gift from a fellow officer, and while I am unsure of its origin, I know it holds great significance among the officers . . . sort of a secret society with a very special honor code. It had been a gift.

The day his father passed away, I noticed that Bryan's chain was gone. He had not missed it until then. We searched high and low. Bryan often wondered in this past year since his father's death, if he didn't put it in his Dad's pocket, along with the Scapular and picture of the boys that I asked him to pass along to him. He was cremated with those things.

Today, mundanely sweeping the garage - I heard it sing and there it was. I have prayed that I would find it. For a brief second, I imagined him opening a very special gift and discovering the chain within. What a memory that would make!

Instead, I walked inside. Told him to open his hand - and tearfully closed his hand around mine.

100 Days

Today was Owen's 100th day of school - at long last! Usually it happens earlier . . . but yea - hurricane.

Speaking of a 100 days - it's also 100 days until hurricane season.

Odd co-inky-dink, eh?

Wikipedia ~ more than you ever wanted to know

Hurricane Katrina

Some very interesting reading, for sure.

WHOA - Back it up a moment here . . .

That FEMA bailout package to the tune of $85 billion dollars that the feds keep pounding their chests about having so generously "gifted" to our region? Well folks - that figure includes all of the flood claim payouts to POLICY HOLDERS.

That ain't no gift, Pally ~ that's proper settlement of contract.

So let us back that figure out, that we may get a clearer picture. I hear the estimate for flood insurance payouts is roughly $23 billion for the gulf coast region.

Now let's talk about the "Business-As-Usual" overspending the feds are so good at. Things like spending $60,000 per FEMA trailor, or $179 per square for FEMA blue tarps. Go price a full sized travel trailor yourself to see just how wasteful that is. Our permanent roof shingles cost us $110 per square . . . yet the temporary TARP that taxpayers paid for was that much more expensive? Gee whiz!

Also included in that FEMA "bailout" figure are the high salaries paid to FEMA contractors and workers.

Then let's add Louisiana's long overdue gas and oil royalty payments -- about $3 billion per year if we were to be paid the same percentage as other oil/gas producing states . . . add that retroactively over the course of years we've been robbed of it -- and frankly, we could well take care of ourselves thank you very much.

Not a big deal. Just don't stand up there addressing the union, pounding your chest extolling the virtues of your generosity. We thank you - sure. But give credit where it is due.

BAM!

Perhaps you've read what Chef Emeril answered when asked what's happening in New Orleans?

"Nothing. The mayor's a clunk. The governor is also a clunk. They don't know their (nether sections) from a hole in the ground. All my three restaurants got hit. I've reopened Emeril's, but only a few locals come. There's no tourists. No visitors. No spenders. No money. No future. No people. It's lost. It'll never come back."

People here in N'Awlins are stark-raving mad at the non-native celebrity, vowing to boycott his restaurants. Emeril even had to apologize for his statements, claiming that the stress of the situation had gotten to him.

But . . .

The mayor is a clunk, especially lately. The governor is also a clunk . . . and his business did suffer greatly as many did . . . there are very few tourists . . . very few spenders and so he, understandably, sees a bleak future.

How can anyone really debate that, much less hold it against him?

Much ado about nothing other than the opinion he is rightly entitled to.

If things don't change, and quickly - the City of New Orleans will never be back.

There are still vast areas lacking utilities. The Mid-City firm I work for had, until just yesterday, only one option for takeout - and that place dramatically limited their menu, not having gas for their ovens. Traffic signals are still out all around town - many local businesses and chains remain closed, and storm debris still clutters the streets and sidewalks. There are entire areas of ghost-town, where there are absolutely no signs of life.

There are new PSA's now too . . . warning folks of the signs of depression and post-traumatic stress both of which are expected to be on the rise come June 1 when The-Season-That-Must-Not-Be-Named starts again ~ and then there are the cases of "Anniversary-of-Loss" depression and anxiety. Mental health officials suggest that there will be bouts of wide-spread panic anytime any storm headed any direction hits the Gulf of Mexico, that will affect young and old alike. "If you can't sleep, if you find yourself becoming extremely angry or sad, if you feel overwhelmed . . . " and so it goes.

SO let's kick it ^UP^ a notch - shall we? How do we do that? We consider our upcoming elections with great care. We do what we can to help ourselves and our neighbors. We stay as positive as we can for our children and community . . . an infraction that perhaps Mr. Lagasse is guilty of after all . . .

Believe me - you do NOT want Smell-O-Vision here!