Friday, August 31, 2007

Living On Holiday

I read this phrase somewhere a long time ago, liked the sound of it and decided to go for it.

Now I know I got to have a few responsibilities, but can’t they be making the travel arrangements, packing the suitcases, get the travelers checks ? Can’t these be the things I got to do. But noooooooooooo, I gota work, I gota bring home a pay check, I gota do some house work and cook a few meals. I don’t mind, really I don’t.

I actually got it made and come real close to living on holiday. One thing that keeps me in the holiday mood is Mardi Gras. I get to do something Mardi Gras related all year round. Yesterday I bought 100 nerf footballs at the Dollar store. I got to have something to throw Mardi Gras Day.

I have been enjoying Mardi Gras to the max for the last 15 years. That’s how long we have been celebrating the Mystic Fish. It’s fun getting everything ready for the parade and reception and the party the night before. The golf tournament is fun as well.

But a few years ago things changed and now I get to fool around with Mardi Gras all year long, or as much as I want.

A few years back I was invited to join one of the older more established organizations. We have meetings (drink and eat) all year round. So whenever I’m around these guys it’s all about the parade. Who’s gonna ride where, what do the floats look like, how much money do I owe for my bad behavior from last year. You know, important stuff like that.

A couple times a year I go down to Mobile and visit my friend who builds the floats for KORs. It’s a lot of fun to check out the floats as they are being rebuilt, my favorite is when the building part is done and they all get a coat of white primer paint. It’s as if the floats are all covered with a very even blanket of snow, it’s something to see. Totally abstract to what you see on the streets.

There is so much involved with my year long love affair with Mardi Gras and really the best part is spending time in Mobile with all my friends and family.