It's a miserable, beastly hot Saturday afternoon in New
Orleans. I just came in from taking Rosie out -- I swear I worked up a sweat
just sitting on the steps in the shade, watching her go around and around in
circles. It even
smells hot.
Nonetheless, this morning some
9,000 crazy folk, dressed in white with red sashes and neckerchiefs,
participated in the
2011 Fiesta del San Fermin de Nueva Orleans --
The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans -- just a couple of days after its
famous progenitor took place in Pamplona.
Moogie was not among
the 9,000 but at least 2 of SIL#1's cousins were. One wore a red tutu instead
of a red sash. She looked adorable, at least she did in the picture she posted
on Facebook.
(Photos were stolen from the
NOLA.com and a Facebook friend.)
As we tend
to do down here, we added our very own twist to the festivities. First off,
alcohol is de rigueur. Obviously. If one is to get out in the heat
very early on a Saturday in July, one should be adequately lubricated.
Note that I did not say, "hydrated."
Next, there are no bulls.
Or even cows. Instead, the festival-goers are chased and bludgeoned with foam
bats by be-horned New Orleans Roller Girls -- members of the local women's
roller derby team.
The after-party will
take place tonight and is entitled, "La Fiesta de Pantalones" (The Pants
Party). Don't ask me, I don't know why there's a pants party with Spanish food
and Latin music, but it does kinda sound like fun.
Also, many of the
celebrations of Bastille Day kicked off
yesterday. I think my favorite is the Waiters Race, where a whole bunch of
waiters compete against one another by running with full trays of cocktails. At
Moogie's Mansion, we will be celebrating France's Independence on July 14th by
accepting delivery of a new mattress. Excitement abounds around here during the
summer.
Finally, here's a re-post of the lizard getting a drink,
downloaded from YouTube. The quality is definitely better than
the original.
And
UPDATE!! The Causeway is still the world's longest bridge over open water, after the Guiness folks added a new
category, "Longest Bridge Over Open Water (continuous)!" The Cheating
Cheater Chinese now have the "longest bridge over open water (aggregate)." So,
I guess sometimes, cheaters do prosper. But record-holding bridges are
record-holding bridges, as the article expresses!
About Cheating Cheaters
-- it seems that THE
Ohio State University "vacated" its wins for the
2010 season, including the Sugar Bowl, which was stolen from the Hogs by various
and sundry guys wearing stripes. But, apparently, the Suckeyes don't have to
forfeit and they don't have to return the money they got from the good folks at
the Sugar Bowl. So, I guess, sometimes, cheaters
really
prosper.
But, even though it may be hot, life is generally good down here
in southeast Louisiana.
It would be even better if some terrorist would
blow up the Golf Channel's transmitter. Just sayin'.