Drunk on a Wednesday Night...

Work is going to suck tomorrow!

I Just Want to Smoke...

When I woke up late yesterday morning I knew it was going to be a long day. On top of snoozing for 40 minutes, it was dark outside...the first morning of daylight savings, blah! I manage to sprint through my morning ritual with enough time to buy some cigarettes and still be on time for work. As I usually do, I go into the Circle K ready to buy my smokes for the day, except this time I had a $5.00 bill, I never carry cash. Finally, it's my turn in line. I tell the clerk, "One box of Marlboro Ultra Lights please" she rings up my purchase and says "$6.00" to which I replied, "what? have you bumped your head?" She proceeds to tell me cigarettes have gone up due to some new tax hike and she points to the sign at the register. Of course, I am very irritated with this, and I didn't pay any attention to the sign. The rest of the day is spent texting and bitching to anyone that will listen about the outrageous price I have just paid for 20 cigarettes, of which I smoked every one that day, why save them!

This morning starts out quite the same way...late, dark, and foggy. Finally, I leave the house and decide to skip my normal stop at the Circle K and give the BP a try. Much to my dismay, the clerk rings up my cigarettes and says, "that will be $6.00" I look at the counter and there is that same sign that reads, Don't Blame Us....DAMNIT! Once I arrive at work, I ask the other smokers and their reply is the same, "yes, my cigarette brand has gone up too."

I guess now is as good a time as any to quit smoking, but my problem is, why wasn't I warned about this. No one I have talked to knew of this "Tax Hike." I think we as smokers should have been given fair warning that we were about to be bent over. I already can't smoke in some bars, and I'm ostracized to the back in most restaurants...couldn't I have been given the common courtesy to stock up?

Mardi Gras 2009

Mardi Gras 2009 has been over for several days, however, I am still feeling the effects of the two and a half week party. It was such a good time this year. My Mardi Gras started out with a very special guest...Olga The Traveling Bra. Although she was a few days late getting here, it was an honor to show her a good time for Mardi Gras. Being late meant Olga missed one of the biggest nights I had throughout the celebration, Osiris Ball. It was such a good time, I think we'll need a bus to transport everyone that wants to go next year!

GB and his 6 dates to Osiris 2009

Next up, Conde Explorers and Pharaoh's, the Saturday after Osiris. Even though it was a struggle, we are troopers and Mardi Gras does only happen once a year, (thank goodness)!

A week off proved to be just what I needed since the next Saturday turned out to be a fantastic day for Mardi Gras revelers! Four parades rolled through downtown Saturday, Mystics, Maids of Myrth, Butterfly Maidens, and Marry Mates. Of course our posse stayed for all four of the parades and then some...we've never been known as the group that goes home early!

GB is such the entertainer and poor Olga kept getting dragged around

Another few days of rest after the all day and night festivities of Saturday and it's time for The Mystic Stripers parade (one of my favorites). Our Thursday night celebration is a large time, even though there is work to be done early Friday morning...that's never stopped us before, so why stop now?

And still...there's Olga

After a pop up trip to Malbis, we finally made it home to get a nap and prepare for Friday night...Crewe of Columbus. We decide Friday will be an early night, watch the parade, wait out traffic, and then home, however, that's not quite how it went. After an unexpected visit from Captain Morgan himself, an impromtu dance off, and other surprise guests (the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny) what was supposed to be an early night turned out to be a night to remember.

We were supposed to be home...sleeping!

After the last 2 nights, Saturday was a struggle, but it was MOT Ball and I was not going to miss that. With GB as my date, we partied like rock stars, well rock stars that had aged a bit. Nonetheless, it was still a great time! We made it home at a reasonable time...only because Joe Cain Day was Sunday and we didn't want to miss that!

GB and I at MOT Ball

Sunday finally arrives, Joe Cain Day. I am so excited about this day because I have never gotten to participate in Joe Cain (due to my exhaustion rate at this point). The day starts out by going to Joe Cain's house where there is a huge party going on. Keep in mind it is early, 11:00am, but by the looks of this crowd it could be midnight. Joe Cain's widows arrive, and even though we could not see anything, it sounded like a good time was had by all!

Joe Cain 2009

As the day went on, so did the parades, the Joe Cain parade, Krewe de Bienville, and Les Fem Cassettes finished off a very long day. As the day went on, I started feeling a little under the weather, but I neglected my body and kept going...turns out I should have listened because Monday morning I was at the doctor diagnosed with bronchitis! Even though several of us ended up sick, probably due to overindulgence, Mardi Gras 2009 was a blast! I am already looking forward to 2010!