Running of the Bulls. AKA SFNO2013.

7th Annual San Fermin in Nueva Orleans

This happened Saturday...

^^  14,000 people and counting.

^^  The running route (red) and meet-up point (yellow)...

All my derby girls from TCK showed up on Friday night.  Total hen-fest, gabbing, catching up, comparing outfits, discussing stockings and socks and pub-crawls... oh, my!!  Husby thought it was quite awesome to be the only guy in the house and opted to stay home and smoke a brisket for the post-Bull-Run-dinner.  We finally all got settled in and in bed around 2:00 AM (3:00 AM for me - I was excited and my insomnia kicked in).  

Alarm clocks started going off around 4:30 AM.  Too early!!  Spicy-ass Bloody Mary cocktails were mixed and we were all imbibing by 5:15 AM.  Since the ferry hasn't been running regularly, we called for a taxi and headed over to the Sugar Mill.  The taxi ride was about $20 for the five of us - so definitely affordable at $4/each + the tip.  We all had VIP access, which included a free open bar (Sangria, screwdrivers, gin-and-tonic, Hurricanes, and Bloody Mary cocktails were just some of the drinks provided) and all the food was catered by Rouses Market (mini Muffulettas, roast beef, ham, and turkey wraps, fruit trays, cheese trays, petit fours, and mini fruit tarts)...  delicious. 

 ^^  Dark delicious Sangria and a wickedly strong Bloody Mary.  Breakfast of Champions!!

We had a group of men dressed like Elvis Presley in our area (if there is more than one, are we supposed to refer to them as "Elvii"???) and two of my girls posed with them:

^^  Knotta Cupcake, who was a skating bull - posing in all her derby glory with the sneery impersonators...

^^  Breasaurus, who was one of the runners - showing off her Elvii love with some cheezy gangsta moves...

We even had representatives from the Westboro Baptist Roller Derby League (WBRDL)... they mock and wave around crazy signs which are all in reference to WFTDA rules (essentially the roller derby "bible") and act all sanctimonious.  I joined on general principle... as an atheist, I thought this was really fucking funny and quite brilliant, actually (along the lines of True Blood's "God Hates Fangs")...

^^  Protest, protest, protest!!!  

^^  Quad loves us!!!  

There were so many people there - and everyone had something funky going on.  Here are just a few random shots from the event:

^^  Almost-naked Blue Bull runner...  he was looking all cray-cray.

^^  Even though we greased Dr Krak up with the thickest, most viscous sunburn lotion ever (seriously, it was like zinc), she still got burnt.  Her temporary prison tattoo (of the bull) might not be so temporary...  oops.

^^  A mock Cardinal getting his ring kissed by our own Angst Muffin...

After the Bull run was over, we headed over to a local bar which had it's own in-ground pool out back. It was pretty fucking awesome.  We hung there for about 2 hours (and drank more copious amounts of booze) and after that, we taxied on home to The Point.  Everyone crashed for a couple of hours for a nap, and at 7:00 PM some of our friends who didn't attend the SFNO2013 festival popped over for beer, wine, cocktails, and dinner.  Husby had everything ready for us... a smoked beef brisket, German potato salad, various styles of chips, bread and butter, and a Southern Comfort pound cake.

Then... we hit up Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.  Round two.  Everyone survived.  I have no pictures of this because my phone had totally croaked by this time.  Knotta Cupcake's phone got fried in the sun (literally - all it had was a green screen and it made chirpy noises out of the blue), Breasaurus' camera didn't shut off right and ran down the batteries, Angst left her phone at home, and I have no clue if Dr Krak took any shots while we were in the Quarter.  All I have to say is this... it's probably best if there WERE no pictures taken that night.  As it is, I don't think that any one of us would pass scrutiny for public office.  

If you get a chance, you ought to come next year.  This is a fantastic event, which is FULLY adult-oriented (for any of you child-free, child-less, or empty-nesters reading this) - children are not permitted into the VIP sections, strollers are not permitted along the running route, and IF someone does take their child, they MUST be supervised by their legal guardian at ALL TIMES.  It's a bit pricey, but well worth it - and it happens during the low tourism season here in New Orleans.  Which means that flights are really cheap, hotels have great deals, restaurants and attractions are not crowded at all.  Viva Nueva Orleans San Fermin!!!  :0))

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Thundering. Thursday.

One of the most awesome things about New Orleans happens to be the (almost) daily afternoon thunderstorms.  I love them.  The Choggie, however, is NOT a fan.  She's crammed up under my desk - on my feet - which are gradually falling asleep.  It's so dark out right now it looks like twilight (and I'm not talking about that idiot who writes about "sparkly" vampires - I'm a "True Blood" kind of girl) and it's raining.  Our weather forecast doesn't look so hot for the festivities this weekend:

^^  Thunder-y every day!!

^^  Choggles is currently sitting on my feet.  Her head is the only thing that is NOT under my desk...

I'm super excited because four of my roller derby sisters are coming in tomorrow night - and then it's the Running of the Bulls on Saturday!!!  Husby and I have also decided to have a throw-down-hoe-down on Saturday night - while I'm boozing with the bulls, my better half will be smoking a beef brisket (an all-day process).  We'll be serving it on fresh po' boy bread with a choice of spicy ho'made BBQ sauce or a more traditional debris sauce.  Crackers, chips, dips, veggie tray, and LOTS of booze (okay - cheap wine and beer) will round out the party nicely.  We'll also be making a Southern Comfort pound cake (utterly delicious) for dessert.

Yesterday, I popped over to the French Quarter to pick up some tees for our upcoming weekend festivities, and popped in to The Red Lantern to get some socks to wear on Saturday (knee-socks for derby girls are pretty much mandatory!!) and I found the coolest little owl wristlet bag that has enough room to hold all necessary items.  It was a little pricey, but well worth it.  Check it out:

^^  Sorry it's a little blurry - but the caption reads "It's the little things".  <3

^^  Beer socks!!  I'm going to wear them with my black low Chuck Taylors - sexy, eh???

Annnnnnnnnnnd...  I dragged my friend A. over to The Company Burger (scroll down for the menu and booze listing) so that I could get my delicious fix.  At first, A. was a little wigged out that they don't put lettuce OR tomato on their burgers (they don't even have it on hand - the back of the staff tee shirts reads "BYO L & T").  Personally, I'm okay with this because lettuce always ends up wilt-y and nasty from the heat of the burger AND I prefer my tomatoes on their own or in a cold crisp salad.  Needless to say, A. is now a convert and has agreed that the lack of tomato and lettuce are not that bothersome (this was AFTER she tasted the awesomeness of their burgers).  Go on, it's okay to drool:

^^  Single with onions, cheese, bacon, pickles, and ketchup... small order of red onion rings and tots...

And this has pretty much summed up my week thus far.  Although, after looking at the picture of my delicious meal, I must say that I could probably totally go and grab another one.  Alas, my hips and ass would NOT appreciate this type of a meal TWICE in one week.  :0((  So, just because I'm feeling defiant, I'll leave you with this:

^^  Vag power!!

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Jam-Packed-July.

Unlike June, the month of July is bound to be busy-busy-busy.  It's not just my birthday month (I still cannot believe that I am going to be a whopping 38 years old) - but it's a New Orleans Festival kind of month.  Although the weather will feel like we are out frolicking in the middle of a fiery hell, the booze is sure to be icy cold and company is guaranteed to be utterly fabulous.  :0))

Coming up in a mere four days (July 13th - to be exact) - is the 7th Annual San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (Running of the Bulls).  Roller derby girls dress in black and red while wearing Viking horns on their heads (to emulate the bulls), while men (mostly) dressed in all white with red sashes RUN to get away from the bulls.  Oh, and the bulls are armed with wiffle-ball bats - where they beat the poor runners with if they get caught.  The festivities start EARLY (NOLA-style) at 6:00 AM (looks like I'll be drinking my breakfast... hahaha) and end around 1:00 PM.  Everyone will be returning to my house for a siesta, and then at 7:00 PM, the party will re-start at my domicile.  There will be lots of beer and lots of wine and lots of good friends.  Excitement!!  I love to throw a good party (people usually joke that they couldn't run for public office after attending one of my soirees) and the company will be excellent.

^^  San Fermin in Nueva Orleans 2012

**Picture courtesy of www.nolabulls.com

 ^^  My tee-shirt that I received with my VIP Package

^^  My kerchief, VIP Bracelet (AKA "Booze Permit"), and Beer Number

One of the most awesome things about The Running of the Bulls is that there are NO children allowed in the VIP tent (because of the copious amounts of alcoholic beverages) and strollers are prohibited along the skating/running route.  Any and all children under the age of ten MUST be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian (which certainly narrows things down when baby carriages are not allowed).  Once again, New Orleans is catering to those without children - probably one of the last cities in the United States to do so.  ::double-fist-pump::

Another great thing that will be happening in the Point over the same weekend as the Bull Run, is the re-opening of our local library.  It's been under construction for about 10 months (it was closed when we moved here and that was in mid-October).  It's literally only a few blocks away from our house - which is great - because we won't have to go all the way to the Algiers Library (which is about a 15-minute ride down the Parkway).  

^^  Who doesn't love a local library???

The next weekend AFTER the Running of the Bulls and the re-opening of the Hubbell Library, there is the up-and-coming Tales of the Cocktail starting on July 17th and running through the 21st.  Here is a brief description:

"The five-day event, from July 17-21, will feature a series of seminars, mixing competitions, "spirited" luncheons and dinners, complimentary events and invitation-only events. Popular and up-and-coming liquor brands will be showcasing their latest products in tasting rooms. And, as always, there will be "Spirited Awards" given out in sixteen different categories, including "American Bartender of the Year," "Best American Cocktail Bar," "World's Best Cocktail Menu" and more. The top four nominees for each category will be announced on June 7, 2013 on www.TalesoftheCocktail.com."

Depending on my liver recovery from the weekend of the 13th, I may or may not make it to any of the festivities offered by Tales of the Cocktail.  I'll probably need to save my liver strength for my birthday... 

Which we will be celebrating a few days early (the husby has to go on a TDY - Tour of Duty - for a month at the beginning of August).  So, he won't be "technically" missing my birthday, but he'll be busy arranging and packing things, so we're planning the festivities a couple days early.  I'm so stupidly excited because we are going to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas for the extra-special PENGUIN EXPERIENCE.  I have been looking forward to this since we purchased our membership back in February!!

^^  Oh, Mr Penguin... how I love thee!!

And here is my most favorite video of a baby penguin named "Cookie".  I can't play the video very often (with sound) because it drives poor Choggie absolutely apeshit crazy (and she starts looking behind EVERYTHING trying to find the source of the noise).  And although "Cookie" is currently living at the Cincinnati Zoo, we have just had three new penguins born here in New Orleans.  I certainly hope that they are available to at least see (even if we can't touch and hold them).

After the Aquarium, I anticipate going out to eat somewhere... but the "where" has yet to be determined.  I always lean towards my tried-and-true Cajun-Creole happy place, K-Paul's, but I'm also looking at some other places where we haven't tried yet.  Quite honestly, I'm in the mood for an awesomely dirty-deluxe burger from The Company Burger - but since I can go there pretty much any old time, I probably won't choose to go there for my birthday.  

So, it's looking like my July is going to turn out FAR BETTER than the previous month.  Things have been just so depressingly crazy - it's about time I have something positive to look forward to!!

Happy-happy-happy!!

x0x0

The Month of June: Lost. The Recap.

My apologies for being absent since the beginning of June.  I have no excuse, really, but I have been VERY busy (and sadly it wasn't for travel).  Right after my last entry, I started taking a labor-intensive 90-hour course which has to be completed within 30 days.  Most of the material is very dense (with quite a bit of legal-ize thrown in for good measure), so it's taken me quite a while to digest and memorize the pertinent information.  And just for the record, I'm not very keen on taking online classes - so I've had to literally force myself to NOT procrastinate.

So... just a recap for the month of June (and believe me, some of what I've been dealing with has been dooze-O-licious):

• Choggie had to go to the vet because she was scratching excessively.  Come to find out, she had fleas.  Choggles has been a part of our family for WELL over 10 years and has consistently been on Frontline (TM).  When we established her with a vet here, he switched her to Advantix (TM) and it doesn't work for her.  So, we had to get her scrubbed and dipped, flea-bombed the house, sprayed and disinfected her many puffy dog beds, treated the carpets and furniture, and sprayed the back and front yard areas. And to add insult to injuries...  the Chog had her anal glands depressed while she was at the doggy hospital.  I think she's still traumatized.  :0((  Hell, I know I'm still in a mood because my house smells like a chemical dump.  Blah.

^^  Our beloved hünd..

• Next, the air conditioner went tits-up in my Honda del Sol.  Considering the car is over 20 years old AND still cranks, handles well, and runs like a charm (I took this car to Germany on the Autobahn - THRILLZ!!), the husby and I decided to pay to have a new AC installed over at Royal Honda (across the bridge in Metairie).  They even rented me a CAR (on their dime).  Seriously.  The customer service is top-notch.  I would recommend them to ANYONE.   If you're new to the Greater New Orleans area, don't hesitate to call them.  Superior Honda, didn't really want to fix my car, and only pushed me to purchase a "newer model car"...  well, fuck them.  I adore my del Sol with all the love in my wicked little heart.  Besides, she's a manual and I can go topless in it.  There's very few cars available with those two characteristics.  Pfffft.

^^  5600 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70003

• And if the air conditioner in the car going out just wasn't bad enough, the air conditioner in our house totally shit the bed.  Died.  Kaput.  Gonzo.  OUT.  Living in New Orleans, NOT having air conditioning is really miserable.  The temperatures were hovering around the mid-90's with the humidity being close to 100%.  Since we live in an urban area, opening the windows isn't really an option, so NO CROSS BREEZE.  So, I bailed out.  Went over to the neighbor's house, drank cocktails, and then passed out in their blissfully COOL air-conditioned guest room.  Husby opted to spend the night here with the Choggles - but my Yankee ass was not about to sweat to death in a miserably hot (and not in a good way) house.  Hell, a cold shower was even out - because the pipes are not far below ground and COLD water is impossible to come by.  Lukewarm was about as chilled as it could get.  At least the we had an HVAC technician out early on Sunday morning and he managed to get our system limping along until the new parts come in (sometime in the next 7 - 10 days).  

• Slowly, but surely, I'm turning into a sloth again.  Previous to my car being in the shop (which it was there for well over two weeks), I had been going to the gym every weekday morning AND going to the pool to swim afterwards.  Well, I haven't been doing anything EXCEPT eating and lazing around the house.  It didn't help that my rental car didn't come in until the last four days of my Honda being in the shop - and "registering" a rental car on base (where the gym and pool are) is a pain in the ass.  And I'm having a whole lot of problems with getting my motivation back.  So, I'm going to do my best to get back on track.  To put it in the words of that moron Fergie (of the Black Eyed Peas):

"I be workin' on my fitness!!"

This has been the summary of my shitty month of June.  I'm really hoping that July improves DRASTICALLY - I don't think I can deal with any more of the cray-cray bullshit that has been plaguing me.  I hope everyone's month has gone better than my thirty days of hell.

x0x0

Musical Wednesdays. Our First Time is Coming Up!!

Details, details, DETAILS!!!

Husby and I usually pick up our local independent paper - The Gambit - and besides the off-beat articles, they have a listing of all the different things to do (usually in each individual neighborhoods).  So, we were amazingly happy to see that Algiers Point will be holding a free concert every Wednesday night until July 17th.  They do request that patrons do NOT bring their own coolers/drinks - as they sell water, soft drinks, beer, and mixed drinks - and those proceeds go to keep the concerts free.  Since I'm planning on having a Hurricane, I'll just treat myself to one once I get down to the concert/mini-festival... I'm sure there will be some food vendors, too...

Which means... we'll be able to walk to the levee with our folding bag chairs, meet some friends, and hang out for an evening.  :0))

Drum roll, please...

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

@ Algiers Ferry Dock

200 Morgan Street

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Free Admission

Presenting:

Bag of Donuts 

Band Info

^^  Bag of Donuts (stage make-up free!!)

**Photo courtesy of the Bag of Donuts Facebook Page**

********************

Algiers Brass Band

Production Info

Band Info

^^  Second Line 

**Photo courtesy of the Algiers Brass Band**

^^  Artist portrayal of the Algiers Brass Band

**Credit for photo will be given as soon as I find out who the artist is.  Otherwise, this image is supplied by Google**

********************

I'm going to Instagram it up - and I think that husby might be taking his Canon (which takes way better shots than my iPhone 4S - but my phone isn't too shabby!!) and I'll be sure to get some good pics of the shows AND the crowds.  New Orleans people love to dance and shake their money-maker (after they've had a libation or two) and don't mind posing for pictures.

I'm seriously looking forward to a mid-week night out!!  :0))

x0x0

Week-ending. Improvements.

This weekend has been pretty crazy, yet productive.  On Saturday morning (at 0'-dark-thirty), I loaded up the car, picked up breakfast, and headed over to Harvey to help my two friends with their yard sale. Of course, I ended up with books:

^^  I haven't read any of these yet...  (still trying to get through Koonz's "Odd Thomas")

And I also received a lot of clothes (especially shorts and capris - I didn't realize how much weight I actually dropped - SIX SIZES - squeeeeeeeee!!).  So, I was happy-happy-happy that I didn't have to go shopping (which I detest - trying on clothes, getting frustrated, and then ending up kind of pissy about the whole shebang).  I'm usually not the *thrifty* type, but I'm pretty sure my husband is thrilled that I didn't blow the bank.  :0))  Besides, I fully anticipate losing more inches.  So, when these new-to-me clothes get too big, I'll just pay it forward to someone who can use them.  Karma, baby.

 ^^  I don't care how long I live here in New Orleans, I still love looking (and taking pictures!) of all the palm trees.  I was sitting underneath this one... quite shady, actually.

On Friday (okay - my days are sadly out-of-order), I went with A. to Lowe's and picked up some tropical plants for our tiered deck.  It needed help, desperately.  We have a bunch of elephant ears growing wild (and I think they look pretty good), so we picked up tropical ferns, Boston ferns, a pretty purple wandering Jew, and some smaller accent pieces for the other side table.  This is where I'm at thus far:

 ^^  View of the happy table, chairs, umbrella, ferns...  A. thinks I need some sort of indoor/outdoor carpet under the table.  I'm a bit torn on that one...

 ^^  Coming around the corner from the entrance...  I'm still working on that other corner, so no pictures yet.  I feel like I'm creating a secret garden, because there is NO indication that any of this is back here from the outside of the fence.  I love that aspect...  something that looks bland and generic from the outside, but lush and beautiful once you walk inside...

^^ KMart had these lights on sale...  24' of 100 lights for $6.99.  The cool thing??  If you bought one, you received a second box for half off.  So, I ended up buying four boxes.  :0))  White decorative lights are the bomb-diggity all year round.  So it's not like they'll end up in a closet somewhere...  I'll use them regardless of whether or not it's inside or outside.  

So, after the gym tomorrow morning (I'll be leaving here at 9:00 AM - but setting my alarm clock for 7:30 AM so that I can get my housework out of the way), I'll go to the pool for about an hour to do laps, and then I plan on finishing up the back porch.  I've also got some Mardi Gras beads to hang up.  And then, I'll be close to having a proper New Orleans "courtyard".

We also have a series of Wednesday Night Concerts in Algiers Point starting this week.  I'm going to get the info and post tomorrow.  Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!!  

x0x0

At This Juncture:

We're back to our regularly scheduled blog.