Mardi Gras Rerun
Back in 2009, my birthday fell on Mardi Gras (well, actually it was on Ash Wednesday, but I figured "close enough") and I took myself there. Back then, I wrote a series of open thank-you notes to the trip; I'm rerunning them here. Y'all can read them while I dig out my copy of Dr. John's cover of "Iko Iko."
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Dear Officer Z:
I know you denied it when I said so first, but you honestly did go above and beyond the call of duty. Seriously. I hope you try going to Katz's if you ever get to New York because it reminded me a lot of the place you sent me.
--
To the woman from Tennessee and the bicyclist on Esplanade Street:
Thanks so much for being my good-luck charms on two different occasions. I started getting tons of throws after the woman from Tennessee gave me all of the ones from around her neck, insisting "you keep these, I've got tons and I"ll get more. Happy birthday." And the bicyclist on Esplanade chatted with me about the unreliable nature of the bus long enough for the bus to actually finally come. You helped my luck turn!
--
Dear Debbie and Phillippe:
Oh, you guys were great. I kept talking up your shop to other New Orleans folk I met, hoping you'd get business. Thanks for the spice mix lagniappe!
And thanks for tipping me off about pinning a dollar to your shirt...
--
Dear Alex:
Thanks for the shot of bourbon and trying to get me to come along with your friends after the Bacchus parade, and I hope I didn't look too alarmed when you asked me. I may email you after all, even though I suspect you may not remember who I am...
--
To the two Japanese girls at the Orpheus parade:
Your enthusiasm was infectious, and it was also sweet of you to spontaneously turn around and give me some of your beads when you saw I didn't have any.
--
To Chris and Christina:
Thanks for walking me to the Quarter after Orpheus -- Damn, now I'm going to have to take a stroll down Camp Street next time I come back. Except it may not be as fun without stopping to take pictures of Chris in his zombie mask every five minutes. (Christina: thanks for the Jack Daniels punch, too!)
--
To Jesse:
I only just now learned your name after looking up your cafe online. Thanks for being a delightfully offbeat place to check email.
--
To Amy, T.J., Gina, and the kids:
Thanks for showing me a great time on the day of Mardi Gras proper. I think that picture Amy took of your two-year-old trying to decorate a tree with parade beads is one of my favorites.
--
Thanks also to the woman sitting outside the bar who heard it was my birthday and toasted me, saying, "any day that you wake up alive is your birthday."
--
Dear S.,
Thanks for checking out the Quarter with me later on. Here's to trivia machines and tool sheds.
--
To the three strangers at Johnny White's bar --
Thanks for jumping up and dancing the Time Warp with me as Mardi Gras ticked out.
--
Dear New Orleans:
That was the best damn birthday party I've had in a long time. Thanks.
--
Dear Officer Z:
I know you denied it when I said so first, but you honestly did go above and beyond the call of duty. Seriously. I hope you try going to Katz's if you ever get to New York because it reminded me a lot of the place you sent me.
--
To the woman from Tennessee and the bicyclist on Esplanade Street:
Thanks so much for being my good-luck charms on two different occasions. I started getting tons of throws after the woman from Tennessee gave me all of the ones from around her neck, insisting "you keep these, I've got tons and I"ll get more. Happy birthday." And the bicyclist on Esplanade chatted with me about the unreliable nature of the bus long enough for the bus to actually finally come. You helped my luck turn!
--
Dear Debbie and Phillippe:
Oh, you guys were great. I kept talking up your shop to other New Orleans folk I met, hoping you'd get business. Thanks for the spice mix lagniappe!
And thanks for tipping me off about pinning a dollar to your shirt...
--
Dear Alex:
Thanks for the shot of bourbon and trying to get me to come along with your friends after the Bacchus parade, and I hope I didn't look too alarmed when you asked me. I may email you after all, even though I suspect you may not remember who I am...
--
To the two Japanese girls at the Orpheus parade:
Your enthusiasm was infectious, and it was also sweet of you to spontaneously turn around and give me some of your beads when you saw I didn't have any.
--
To Chris and Christina:
Thanks for walking me to the Quarter after Orpheus -- Damn, now I'm going to have to take a stroll down Camp Street next time I come back. Except it may not be as fun without stopping to take pictures of Chris in his zombie mask every five minutes. (Christina: thanks for the Jack Daniels punch, too!)
--
To Jesse:
I only just now learned your name after looking up your cafe online. Thanks for being a delightfully offbeat place to check email.
--
To Amy, T.J., Gina, and the kids:
Thanks for showing me a great time on the day of Mardi Gras proper. I think that picture Amy took of your two-year-old trying to decorate a tree with parade beads is one of my favorites.
--
Thanks also to the woman sitting outside the bar who heard it was my birthday and toasted me, saying, "any day that you wake up alive is your birthday."
--
Dear S.,
Thanks for checking out the Quarter with me later on. Here's to trivia machines and tool sheds.
--
To the three strangers at Johnny White's bar --
Thanks for jumping up and dancing the Time Warp with me as Mardi Gras ticked out.
--
Dear New Orleans:
That was the best damn birthday party I've had in a long time. Thanks.