Showing posts with label Mardi Gras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mardi Gras. Show all posts
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Carnivale in Bologna
The oldest grandson is doing a semester in Europe in Bologna, Italy. They celebrate Mardi Gras a little differently over there. Here is a video typical of the parade he went to today. The floats are fantastic.....and some are towed by Lamborghini tractors.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Friday, February 20, 2015
Mardi Gras AAR
We survived another Mardi Gras. It's been a slow week at the office. Most schools have the week off and families take advantage of it to either go skiing or to visit Orlando. If you want to go to Orlando, don't schedule it for Mardi Gras week as the place will be full of New Orleans escapees.
Trash is a key indicator of a good Mardi Gras. The city used to publish statistics about the amount of trash generated. It's typically about 150 tons total or 5 -10 tons every day. By contrast, NYC only generates about 30 tons for New Years Eve. The city hired about 150 temporary workers to help pick it all up. And the city did an excellent job. By the next day, you would not know that a parade had passed by except for the hundreds of beads caught in the trees lining the route.
Despite the extra city services required for garbage and police, Mardi Gras this year was estimated to have a direct economic impact of $145 million to the city. Not to bad for the Greatest Free Show on earth.
Trash is a key indicator of a good Mardi Gras. The city used to publish statistics about the amount of trash generated. It's typically about 150 tons total or 5 -10 tons every day. By contrast, NYC only generates about 30 tons for New Years Eve. The city hired about 150 temporary workers to help pick it all up. And the city did an excellent job. By the next day, you would not know that a parade had passed by except for the hundreds of beads caught in the trees lining the route.
Despite the extra city services required for garbage and police, Mardi Gras this year was estimated to have a direct economic impact of $145 million to the city. Not to bad for the Greatest Free Show on earth.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Twelfth Night
The Mardi Gras season starts today. Mardi Gras is probably the biggest enemy of New Years Resolutions ever. Go get a King Cake and enjoy.
In other news, Nick Saban (The Most Hated Man in Louisiana) is here with his 'Bama Boys for the BCS Championship game. Given Nick's history, if you were him, would you dare eat any food in a public restaurant? Me, I'd bring all pre-packaged food and heat it up in my room.
In other news, Nick Saban (The Most Hated Man in Louisiana) is here with his 'Bama Boys for the BCS Championship game. Given Nick's history, if you were him, would you dare eat any food in a public restaurant? Me, I'd bring all pre-packaged food and heat it up in my room.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lombardi Gras?
The press began calling the Saints Superbowl Victory Parade last Tuesday "Lombardi Gras". I guess it was supposed to be a combination of the trophy name, The Lombardi Trophy, and Mardi Gras, which is today. But it doesn't make sense to me.
In French, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify. Hence, the translation for Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday", not "Tuesday Fat". Then, Lombardi Gras would mean "Fat Lombardi". But I don't think the intent was to imply that Vince Lombardi was overweight or that the trophy was greasy. I think the event should have been called "Mardi Lombardi". Not only does it rhyme, but it clearly indicates that the event happened on a Tuesday. Anybody else have any suggestions?
In French, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify. Hence, the translation for Mardi Gras is "Fat Tuesday", not "Tuesday Fat". Then, Lombardi Gras would mean "Fat Lombardi". But I don't think the intent was to imply that Vince Lombardi was overweight or that the trophy was greasy. I think the event should have been called "Mardi Lombardi". Not only does it rhyme, but it clearly indicates that the event happened on a Tuesday. Anybody else have any suggestions?
Friday, January 2, 2009
Portents of Mardi Gras
On my daily walk to the Travertine Tower I can see the city has started to erect the bleacher seats in front of Gallier Hall - a sure sign that Mardi Gras is soon to arrive. In case there was any doubt, King Cakes are sprouting on bakery store shelves.
Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler
Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler
Friday, February 1, 2008
Greasing of the Poles
The Annual Greasing of the Poles is a pre-Lenten activity that has been carried out by the New Orleans Royal Sonesta Hotel for over 30 years. A heavy lubricant is liberally spread over the vertical supports for the hotel's balconies to prevent over exuberent revelers from climbing the poles in search of beads. A press release from the hotel says it all.
"The practice of greasing the support poles was first initiated by the Royal Sonesta as a safe and creative measure to hinder overzealous revelers from shimmying up the support poles onto prized French Quarter balconies. In typical New Orleans style, this preventive exercise quickly grew into a ceremony and unique street party. Today Greasing of the Poles is a spectacle to behold attracting quite a crowd as well as media from across the globe."
"The practice of greasing the support poles was first initiated by the Royal Sonesta as a safe and creative measure to hinder overzealous revelers from shimmying up the support poles onto prized French Quarter balconies. In typical New Orleans style, this preventive exercise quickly grew into a ceremony and unique street party. Today Greasing of the Poles is a spectacle to behold attracting quite a crowd as well as media from across the globe."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)