Well the last blog update I did was over a month ago (oops). There's so excuse really, considering I could sit down and write on one of three computers or my phone, but, I haven't. Maybe it's only fitting that I start writing where I left off last time, in Lower Alabama.
I'm writing from downtown Mobile, where I am staying the weekend for work. I'm here for a story on a band that has played in Mobile's Mardi Gras for a zillion years. This is actually my first Mardi Gras ever, which I'm a little ashamed to admit. I guess like the rest of the world I always associated it with New Orleans, and since New Orleans and I don't jive (though I might be ready to try again at some point).
Anyhow, people in Mobile will very quickly tell you that theirs is the original Mardi Gras. And they are way into it. My friend Steve, who works at the paper here, has been raving about it for all the years he'slived here, but I never quite got it till I was stuck in a crowd of screaming adults going nuts over their "catches" of beads, cups and other random trinkets thrown from the floats tonight. All of the sudden I could see myself diving after them (note: *see* being the key word).
To clarify: I was actually at a parade in Fairhope this evening. It's just across the bay. I booked my way down here (following all speed limits of course) just in time for a non-Mardi Gras interview. Visited Page & Palette, a 40-year old independent bookseller, walked around downtown, and had a delicious dinner at Mateer's on Church Street. Stayed for the parade -- it was their 25th year, so people were going nuts (relatively nuts at least; it's a family friendly kind of event).
It would be a great time, except that I am sick. Even worse, poor Shane is at home and feeling even worse. Luckily my Mom is able to help with Nate (thanks Mom!) But I'm in for the night, and was lucky enough to get a hotel in downtown Mobile, which will be my home base for the next two days.
Hoping to get some rest, get enough material for my story, and catch some beads. And Moon Pies -- that's the big score here. Yeah, I could get into this Mardi Gras thing ...