Mardi Gras The Way It Used To Be

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the last big party day before Lent.  It's ALL about the beads! 

I spent a year in New Orleans in the late 80's. Back then the only time you saw beads being handed out for a flash of flesh was the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. After that, if you were still wearing the string of pearls around your neck, you were most likely still drunk from the last parade. Now? Hell, everyday is Mardi Gras on Bourbon street and beyond. For a city so rich in American, European, and musical history this is disturbing to me. What used to be two weeks of hardcore halfnaked babe watching, has turned into an everyday frat party with daiquiri factories replacing some storied jazz bars. Locally, I'm sure you can find a good Mardi Gras party tomorrow night and remember, if you still have the beads on come Wednesday, you're still drunk!!