Mardi Gras Madness - Part 3 - First Weekend of Parades with the Pussyfooters

Here comes the girls!

Technically, Mardi Gras is the last day of Carnival but we use the terms interchangeably. Carnival starts on 12th Night, January 5. The Phoney Phorty Phellows take a streetcar ride, throwing beads and what not to those that come out to see them. I was meeting a friend on the Avenue and was running late, so I missed the first pass and almost missed the second pass. There are parties this night as well as the Krewe of Joan of Arc that marches through the Quarter.

Me, mid-step-turn.

In New Orleans, the majority of parades start 2 weeks prior to Mardi Gras day. I'm in the Pussyfooters, a woman's dance group, and we were invited to perform in two parade the first weekend, Krewe of Cleopatra and Krewe of King Arthur. Both parades are about 5 miles long and took about 3 hours to complete. That's a lot of dancing and marching! But it is so much fun, and it's always a thrill to spy someone you know along the route. What was fun about these two parade is the first one was at night, the second the day, each a different experience. The night parades are more of a blur because you can't see, but even in the daylight, you aren't always sure where you are. The crowds blank out the landmarks and cross streets. It's fun to be able to see the people in the crowd and interact with them.

Here's a bunch of photos on Flickr from the King Arthur parade. We glow in the daylight!
Here's a video of us performing one of our dances in the same parade.
Here's a video of us from the Krewe of Cleopatra parade.

It's such an overload of senses. We have our own music - this year with a live DJ! - then there's the yelling and crowds noises, music from other groups and marching bands. We use hand motions and whistles (you'll hear them in the videos) to alert everyone about an upcoming dance. Sometimes you miss both until you realize everyone around you is dancing so you just jump right in. Like I said earlier, visually it can be a complete blur, but then you spy someone in the crowd you know and they just pop out at you. That's usually when I mess up. LOL And then there's the smells. There are horses and mules in the parade -ugh- but you also catch whiffs of fried chicken, BBQ and boiling crawfish along the route as well. Yum!

St. Charles Avenue in the Lower Garden District.

In front of Gallier Hall downtown. I'm the one in the pink wig. ;-)

Canal Street.

Mardi Gras Madness - Part 2 - Stomper's Ball

I'm a child of the 80s so I love dressing up and dancing to 80s tunes at the 610 Stomper's Ball. This year's theme was "Headbanger's Ball" but I had already got pieces for my Madonna wannabe costume before the theme was announced. Even though the ball was the night before the Krewe du Vieux parade I just couldn't miss it. Before the ball, I got together with some of my girlfriends for last minute primping. That really took me back to high school and college days.

Band reunion! LOL

I love the varieties of 80s wear.

I look like the love child of Madonna and Robert Smith.

Our friend M as Paul Stanley.
She was crowned Queen of the costume contest.
The King was a Freddy Mercury look-alike. LOL

The 610 Stomper's performing their new dance.

Mardi Gras Madness - Part 1 - Krewe du Vieux

For the past few years G and I have been in a subkrewe of Krewe du Vieux (KdV), the Krewe of PAN. Our original subkrewe was suspended (looong story) but we reformed with some of the other members and got conditionally accepted into KdV as Krewe of SPANK. (See what we did there?) KdV doesn't normally accept new subkrewes but we were an exception. G was elected co-captain of SPANK and I secretary. Since being accepted in September, we've been super busy getting by-laws written (ugh) getting incorporated, filling up membership, collecting dues. The unique thing about KdV is each subkrewe comes up with their own theme, decorates their own float, comes up with and/or makes their own throws and costumes. However our float was stolen out of the den (another long story, we have an idea who took it) so we had to improvise. Luckily one of our members had a mule drawn carriage lying around (only in New Orleans, right?) so we used that. All the floats are pulled by mules or people.

The weather was fantastic that evening (never a given) so the crowds were huge but pretty well behaved (also, not a given). We had a blast marching through the Marigny and Quarter accompanied by the Lagniappe Brass band, winging penalty flags at the crowds and handing out other throws. Doug McCash, art critic for the T-P said our penalty flag throws were the best of the parade. Woot!

Here's a few pics, more can be seen here.

Moi with a "Vilma for Mayor" sign.
©Ride Hamilton

Our "float" ©Ride Hamilton

G marching. ©Ride Hamilton

Happy Halloween!

Home At Last!

Back home and am writing this post from my computer instead of my phone!

Yesterday we ventured to the Westbank because I needed to pick up a prescription from Target. After navigating Target's automated phone system I managed to talk to a person to confirm the store was indeed open. Power over on the WB was spotty too. Didn't see much open on Manhattan Ave. and the traffic lights worked up until Whitney Blvd. The pharmacist at Target told us they were running generators. Must be some serious generators to power up a whole Target with AC and food coolers. We got what we needed and headed back to our house. The power at the bridge must have been down because they were not collecting tolls, unless it was because of the "state of emergency" we were under. Greg cleaned up more debris in the yard and emptied refrigerators. Our can was already full so I had to "borrow" space in neighbors cans.

We headed back to our cousins for showers and AC. Friends called asking to borrow our air mattresses. The power was on at her office and they were going to sleep there if the power at their house didn't come back on. We met them at our house to give them the mattresses, then met up with the Seminole Club people to watch the FSU game at a restaurant (FSU creamed Murry State 69-3!). During the game a neighbor called to tell us the power was back on. We stopped by our house after the game to discover no power. A few friends has posted on Facebook that their power had been restored only to have it go away 10 minutes later. We checked on the cats and house when our power came back on. We had already decided to stay with our cousins again so there was no reason to chance it and headed back to their place.

We are back home now, getting everything out back into place, doing some cleaning, washing towels that were used to sop up rain water. Need to go to the grocery, but so does everyone else who got power last night so I'll wait a little while. Just so happy to be safe and back home!

Issac Aftermath part 2

Got mail delivered today. Was hoping trash would be picked up but no. Power still out but saw trucks around. Walked up Magazine Street to Jefferson-no power. PJ's had iced coffee so we both got one and walked back home. Our neighbor Bill left a copy of today's paper for us.

Cleaned the yard up and the house. Leaves everywhere. And hung the towels we used to sop up water blown through windows up to dry. Our friend Dr. A invited us to come hang out at her office that had AC. We really needed that. I even fell asleep sitting in the chair! So tired and the heat really saps your energy.

Got home to the past three days of newspapers on our steps. Now resting comfortably at our cousins' who have power. Looking forward to a good, cool night's sleep. Reading the Twitter posts more power has been restored even in the past few hours! As we're we leaving our neighbor pulled up. He had just returned from Baton Rouge to buy a generator. Now I know our power will get restored soon!!

Isaac Aftermath

We are still without power much like many of our friends. We had some people over yesterday so we could grill the uncooked meat in our freezers. We had burgers, pork chops, pork loin, turkey breast, tuna and salmon. Today we need to clean out the fridge. The freezers are still good and cold. We filled up containers of water and stuck them in the freezer to freeze before the storm hit. It keeps it colder much longer. Being with out power, we have missed the overblown drama of the weather channel and CNN - this gleamed from other peoples posts. We are really only aware of our area and friends and neighbors. We haven't driven anywhere yet, to stay out of the way of the clean up efforts. Today we'll go for a walk again to see what's open and what's going on. Twitter has been a great source of info. I've never been on it is as much as the past few days. The skies have cleared so that means its going to get hot. Fun.

Issac part 2

Been trying to stay busy and work on my photo album from my wedding. We got married in 2003. Better late than never. But I can't sit still. Rain has stopped but wind still blowing with gusts.

It's pretty hot and sticky so I opened the door on our side porch that's covered to get some air movement.

G walked around to check house. Looking good. Here's a shot of him securing our gate. You can see the downed power line hanging off the dumpster. Glad we moved our cars otherwise the line would have fallen on them.

Bad flooding south of us but no reports of any major flooding in the city. I highly recommend solar powered stuff. We have 2 radios and this phone charger. Works good during the day. City is now under dusk to dawn curfew and we've been asked to limit flushing due to sewerage issues. Water is fine.

I'm keeping in the loop on WWL radio, and Twitter. Signing off for now.

Hurricane Issac

Today marks the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the Federal Flood. We are spending the day in the dark, listening to Hurricane Issac whip wind and rain around. Big gusts of winds but thankfully no flooding by us in the Irish Channel.

Our cats Gonzo and Harold seem confused. This is Harold's first hurricane, Gonzo's second. Hana, our our 12 year old cat, is snoozing peacefully on the bed. She's been through this a number of times.

So here we hunker waiting for Issac to move on.

A New Purrpose in Life

I'm not going to start this post talking about how it's been such a long time since I posted. Oh wait, I guess I just did. My excuse? Mid-life professional crisis. Just shy of 20 years I've been a graphic designer and I have suffered a burn-out of epic proportions. Last time I was feeling burned out I starting teaching at Delgado Community College and that helped relight the spark. But alas, I haven't had the opportunity to teach since 2006 and try as I might, the thrill is gone. You maybe thinking "suck it up" but when you are a business owner you have to love what you do or the business suffers as well as your soul.

Last Fall I experienced an "ah ha" moment. While sitting at my cats' vet's office, I spied a gal wearing scrubs that had "Delgado Vet Tech" embroidered on them. I didn't know exactly what a vet tech was at the time but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I wanted to work with animals and I was excited. I researched the program at Delgado and enrolled in January. There were a few classes I would need to take before I could apply for the program. Some of the classes I took back at FSU would qualify to fulfill prerequisites, but I needed biology and computer literacy. I'll let the irony of that last class sink in. Moi? Who taught computer classes at Delgado had to take one? The advisor who enrolled me asked if I had taken one when I was at FSU. HA! I'm not even sure if they had computer classes back then. Going back to school was a very interesting experience. Delgado's campus was familiar which helped and being a community college, there were people of all ages. I really enjoyed biology and bio lab and I will admit I did learn something in the computer class. I worked hard and got all As which I was proud of.

Delgado only accepts applications for the vet tech program once a year, in May. I would be completing the pre-reqs but what was missing is the 100 hours shadowing at a Veterinary office. Between studying and my graphic design business I just didn't have time so I decided to post-pone applying until the next year. I did have the idea to start a pet sitting and dog walking business in the mean time. That took a lot of time once I finished classes but I got incorporated, insured and now have a second business Petit Pet Care. While all this was going on, I talked to my friend and client, Michelle, who is the owner of Zeus' Place, about pet sitting. She said they needed a hand this summer and asked if I would be interested in working for her. Of course! I've been working part-time there now for a few months and I have learned a lot about animal care which can only be an asset to my new career path. Plus I get to care for dogs and cats, which I love. Play with a rescued kitty to help socialize it? Yes!

Will I still apply for the vet tech program? Not sure yet. There are a few other classes I can take that are required for graduation but not to apply that I can go ahead and get out of the way, which I will do. If you know me, you know I am a huge animal lover. I even have a blog dedicated to my cats, Gonzo for Cats and might start one for my pet sitting business. I'm excited about my new career path and have been enjoying learning more about pet care and animal behavior in addition to my lifelong ownership of various pets. The pet care industry is booming and there are several local pet sitters I have been talking with who have been very supportive and swear there is definitely room for another. I am still part owner of my graphic design business but not as active. My business partner, who has been amazingly supportive, has taken over the reins as I travel down this new and exciting path. Wish me luck!

Thinking Pink!
So many reasons to think pink!
1) Pussyfooters start up dance practice! Woot! Got to look good for the Mardi Gras parades. We recently performed for a fundraiser for Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. It was so much fun to put on the pink wig and corset and shake our groove things for a good cause.
2) October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the color for that is pink. I'm going to be walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on the 22nd. If you would like to donate to me team (pretty please!) click here.
3) I'm going to the Halloween Tea at the Windsor Court on the 23rd (busy weekend, but that's October for you). The gals I'm going are all going to dress up as the pink ladies from Grease. The Audubon Insectarium is bringing "creepy crawly guests" with them too.
4) Baby shower this month friends adopting a little girl. I have a second shower to go to this month too but they aren't announcing the sex of the baby.

Maybe I should put Pink Panther on the Netflix que? Hmmm... that might be a good Halloween costume.

Come on September!

Ugh August. I hate August. Thank gawd it's almost over. A crazy month with the East Coast getting a one-two punch of an earthquake followed by Hurricane Irene. Here in New Orleans we are in a drought, in spite of the fact it rained every freaking day in July, but hardly at all in August. And we are also on day three of a marsh fire burning out of control in NO East. The city was blanketed in smoke today. Makes me cranky, super cranky. So it's time to look back over to some of the good time in August - go to a happy place if you will.

I think it's saying something that I didn't do a post for 08-29-11 the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. But I think that was because of all the above distractions. I came across this graphic on Tumblr - very nice.

http://stephanieshift.tumblr.com/post/9555965725

The husband and I always do something to mark this day. One year we drank a nice bottle of wine we bought in CA that we had been saving. This year we went to dinner at Coquette, a wonderful French inspired restaurant in our 'hood.

The annual Rising Tide Conference was this weekend. It just gets better every year. And it's great to see all folks we've met thanks to the blogsphere. I did miss the annual group proclamation of FYYFF. Very cathardic to yell that with a whole room full of people. After the conference I got all pink and sparkly and joined my Pussyfooters sisters for the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras. Something else I can cross off my New Orleans Bucket List. It was fun but dammit was hot. A full day of stuff to remind me why I live here. Sunday I had drinks with a friends who was visiting from out of town and one of them asked me a question along the lines of "have you ever thought of living somewhere else?" Yes of course I've day dreamed about living other places. I was in NYC earlier this month and I was ready to not come home. I think I gave him a look of horror though based on how he back peddled and tried to clarify what he was trying to say. That probably wouldn't have happen two days earlier when I would have yelled "YES and get me the hell out of here."

Driven to Distraction

It feels like living in New Orleans is just a series of distractions. Once we got through the holidays, we had Mardi Gras, followed by St. Patrick's Day, French Quarter Fest and JazzFest, with all sorts of other festivals sprinkled between. I've started a post-JazzFest diet to work off off the food and libations that go along with said distractions. For me though, JazzFest is the BEST distracation of all. You can't beat the variety of music, food and arts & crafts. This year there was no rain the entire time - first time that's happened in 12 years. 

Thursday, Day 2 for us.

Gentilly Stage the second Saturday, day 3 for us.

Sunscreen and hats are very important.

The Decemberist rocked the Fais Do Do stage the first Sunday.

Actually, it's been weeks since we've had any rain. I have to water my garden every other day, my allergies are out of control, my car is covered in dust and pollen and my office building is sinking. Now our attention gets focus on another distraction, the rising Mississippi River. It's flooding parts of Memphis and other areas of north. Levees have been blown up to relieve the pressure on them and spillways are being opened. We have the Bonnet Carre spill way upriver from New Orleans that was opened Monday that funnels water into Lake Ponchatrain, which an event unto itself. There is talk of opening the Morganza spillway, which is upriver of Baton Rouge. It's going to flood thousands of people who live along the Atchafalya River, but there's no way the powers that be will let Baton Rouge or LSU flood.

Am I worried? Eh, not yet. Though I was thinking now would be a good time to make sure our "disaster kit" is up to date.

To come: my JazzFest schedule.

Grassroots Mardi Gras marching groups opt for spunk and sparkle over pomp and prestige
Published: Thursday, March 03, 2011, 9:00 AM
By John Pope, The Times-Picayune
Article in the T-P about marching groups with great photos of the Pussyfooters and other groups.

NOTE: The Pussyfooter started 10 years ago, before Katrina. :-)

Slide show of photos from the shoot above.

Krewe du Vieux 2011

G and I are in Krewe of PAN and sub-Krewe of Krewe du Vieux and our parade was Saturday. Unlike the huge super-krewe who pay professionals to make their floats and costumes we all do it all ourselves. Our theme this year was "S'il Vous Played" and everyone costumed as a huckster, sham artist, what have you. There were several meter maids, garbage collection agencies, corrupt politicians, card sharks and mimes. The crowds this year were huge! Probably because the weather was mild. It's usually freezing cold for our parade.

I was a fortune teller.

Our float. The hands were motorized.

G as a politician.

A great video of us appears on YouTube:

What I've been up to...

The 610 Stomper's Ball -their theme was 80s and/or prom wear.

My get-up for the Pussyfooter's Blush Ball

One month to Mardi Gras day!

I had all these grand delusion of posting about the building up to Mardi Gras. But I've just been too busy to post! So instead, just enjoy this wonderful video.


Mardi Gras 2010 from Cottage Films on Vimeo.

Party with a Purpose Blush Ball is tomorrow night!

Wow. It's been a VERY busy January gearing up for the Blush Ball. Weekly dance rehearsals, shopping for costume accesssories, creating the decorations to make the big black hole that is the Howlin' Wolf all pink and sparkly and FUN. Sending out email blasts and Tweets. Marketing meetings. Spamming my friends on Facebook. Selling ball tickets and raffle tickets. As usual I have over committed myself. LOL! But the payoff should be worth it. Ticket sales have been very strong. Our goal was "over 60" items for the raffle, we have around 175! And some really amazing stuff too. Gift certificates for restaurants, bars, spas and salons. I personally got gift certificates from Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry, Lakeside Shopping Center, Finn McCool's and Mid-City Yacht Club plus some tickets to the 610 Stomper's Ball next week (thanks everyone!).

Our goal is to raise $10,000 for Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. We may actually EXCEED that figure. I got to create a BIG fake CHECK to present to Metro.

Big @ss check!

The Pussyfooters colors are pink, orange and silver and they are all about being sparkly. I didn't own anything pink before joining but not I own a TON of stuff. Claire's Boutique is a good source for pink and sparkly. Fake nails, glitter pink lip gloss and eye shadow, pink gloves and sparkly earrings. It's been fun getting in touch with my inner 12 year old girl. LOL. And I've met some great ladies.

Is it pink? check. Does it Sparkle? check.

I'm very exciting, and feeling a little (OK a lot) overwhelmed by tomorrow. A bunch of us are showing up at the venue at 9am to clean and decorate. Then I have to go home, get dressed, go back around 7pm for dress rehearsal. And THEN the party begins! OY! I'm not planning on doing much of anything Sunday. Just relaxing. And trying to wash all the glitter off me.

UPDATE: We raised $14,000 for METRO!

JAN. 29, 2011:
Blush Ball Fundraiser!Party with a Purpose!
Fundraiser for Metro Center for Women and Children (METRO)
The Pussyfooters are celebrating our 10th Anniversary by raising $10,000 for Metro Center.

January 29, 2011
Howlin' Wolf
907 South Peters
9pm - 2am

$30 advance tickets - buy from your favorite Pussyfooter
$30 plus service charge - buy on-line
$35 tickets at the door

• Featuring Big Sam's Funky Nation and DJ Brice Nice
• Performances by the Pussyfooters and the 610 Stompers
• Firehouse Cook-off by the Firefighters of New Orleans
• Win a chance at over 60 fabulous prizes in our Raffle. Tickets $5 each or five for $20. Buy now from a Pussyfooter or at the Ball. Drawing Jan. 29. Need not be present to win.

METRO's mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence and aid survivors of sexual assault through advocacy, intervention, empowerment and transformation. Click here to learn more about METRO.

Click here to download the poster. (PDF)

Click here to download the press release. (Word doc)

Click here to read article about the Blush Ball by the Times-Picayune.

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'