Thursday, February 7, 2008

Groundhogs, Mardis Gras, Ashes, Rats.

Just when the party begins, destiny turns the radio up. February is filled with joy. Imagine within three days:Groundhogs, Groundling and Grovelling.

Puxatony Phil has been coming out of his little groundhog condo for the last 115 years. This tradition, steeped in the hallows of leeches and farmer's almanacs, claims that if the rodent is scared by his shadow he'll retreat and there will be six more weeks of winter. In the same vein, if he's content to be out and about, with all these strange people in riding gear, that spring is just around the corner. I like the old school Groundhogs Day. You wake up, you screw up, you sleep up and then it's a brand new day. Who knew wit and wisdom could be so easily found with Bill Murray and Andie MacDonald? I also love that Groundhogs Day can be celebrated with Jimbo, Matty and Monica; three of my fave Groundhogs.

Beads for boobies, trinkets for testies, gotta love the day before Lent starts. Floats, Food and fun purmeate the streets of New Orleans as revellers reveal and relish the time together. This celebration of life embodies what New Orleans is to me, steadfast in the commitment to goodtimes. Live life for tommorrow we'll have to pray. I always think of my time with Sunil in the Temple Of The Unusual on Fat Tuesday. That little cajun restaurant, that little indian and I had some big fun. It was Fat Tuesday all year long.

Ash Wednesday is important but really, can't they go wash their faces? Denial is in order for the next forty days. I'm with them, I'm denying everything this year and hope not to be held accountable. Or held in accounting, God, that would kill me. Catholics everywhere we'll rejoice that St Patty's day won't be on a day of obligation, so they won't need special dispensation to eat meat on a holy day. Such ludicrous speed passes in a religion that................ I won't beat it up here. Not the right time.

Ah, yes, the Year Of The Rat. Chinese New Year has begun and all through LA the Chinese Population is gearing up. The Fire and Dragon Parade is set for the following weekend and I hope to get my monkey ass down there for it. Rat, not monkey. Hi, Nick!

No comments: