<p>as well as pulling up from page 2 (makes me feel like such an old-timer!)… I could use a double, since I’ve decided to go with the “if you can’t fight them join them” logic. My daughter… who goes to one of those places we don’t mention in New Orleans … is heading into her first Mardi Gras. However you make that eek! scary face x 1,000. </p>
<p>I feel like a cross between a wimp mom saying things like, ‘Be good, sweetie,’ and the mom in Mean Girls with all-time-great, “Make Good Choices!!” </p>
<p>But I’m sure denizens of the alley have spent lots of time at Mardi Gras. Right? The one consolation was her telling me that a friend of hers who is from New Orleans said, “You really don’t need to go into the French Quarter… it’s plenty wild out here!” Some reassurance. This from a city that reminds visitors never to wear open-toed shoes on Bourbon Street. As they used to say, “Gag me.”</p>
<p>Well, the Alley denizens went virtually to Burning Man with SBmom. We will go to Mardi Gras virtually with your daughter. And any bead-gathering actions, BTW, will be virtual.</p>
<p>Do they still drink Hurricanes served in drive-thrus?</p>
<p>What u need to do is send her there with so many beads to begin with, she won’t feel the need to “ask” for more. We can start a “virtual” collection!</p>
<p>well I was pleased that her school already had a posting on their web site about where to recycle Mardi Gras beads. How many strands do you need, after all? It’s just what you do to get them that’s worrisome. She’s been well warned, however. still. the whole scene is worrisome, for an old-time mom.</p>
<p>I’ve got a few sets of beads (that I picked up at local “Cajun” type restaurants, and at the Rio in Vegas…thank you very much) that I can donate to the cause!</p>
<p>I find its easier to pretend my D is me, or my sister, or my roommate and then I’m less stressed about the normal shenanigans while equally stressed about truly worrisome stuff.</p>
<p>A few hurricanes can help achieve this maternal zen.</p>
<p>I have great memories of my time at Madi Gras. At least, that’s what everybody who was with me that night tells me! I’m still kind of fuzzy on what happened! :)</p>
<p>H and his buddies did a “ROAD TRIP” one year, driving non-stop from Central Illinois to New Orleans to spend a day and a half in Feb partying before driving back to school…one of his friends had a girlfriend there–they all stayed (for as little sleep was involved) at her apartment …before the trip was over, one of the other guys on the trip was sleeping with her instead. H tells the tale of how he and his dumped friend stayed out all night, partying with an old guy who ended up having H’s hurricane spill all over his white leisure suit! Oh, to be young and foolish.</p>
<p>yeah thanks you guys…this is very reassuring for the mom of a wonderful 18-year-old. I have my own stories to tell from when I was that age… but it’s not exactly the comfort I was after! As I said to my husband several week ago – she hasn’t done anything we didn’t do. To which he responded – “maybe, but she’s getting close.” The “we were smart enough not to get caught” argument doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. Bottoms up!</p>
<p>Ok – change of attitude and embracing of NOLA culture. I am, after all, the mother who made D get out of the car on our first visit to the French Quarter to take a picture of the Barbies-in-drag window display and pose under the “Huge A$$ Beers To Go” sign. Hurricanes are just 3.2 beer, right?</p>
<p>Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.</p>
<p>History:
Hurricane was invented during the World War II at Pat O’Briens bar in New Orleans and was named after the shape of a hurricane lamp. Pat O’Briens bar is still open today in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter and sells their original Hurricane cocktail mix at the bar.</p>
<p>Did they ever find “Eddie”, the guy who plays/played(?) the “money tray” at the piano bar at Pat O’Briens? I remember during the height of the Katrina disaster, that his relatives had not been able to locate him. I was sad…I think the guy is well into his 80’s…I did remember him, even though I may not have recalled everything quite clearly after nights imbibing Hurricanes on trips to NOLA…</p>
<p>talked to D last night – she was heading from her first “crawfish bake” at a frat house down to the parade. Fast forward – I text her this morning to confirm she’s alive. She texts right back – 9:30 her time. So I text back: are you up early or have you not gone to bed yet? “Mom! I was in bed by 12:30 and I’m on my way to the gym.” Phew. Must be saving those hurricanes for today’s parade.</p>
<p>Byt he way, do you think ther <em>really</em> still ike to serve a drink called a hurricaaane? Don’t you think it would stir up PTSD or something?? (thats Post traumatic Stress Disorder)… for which I guess they’d need a stiff drink!! All makes sense to me now!</p>
<p>I think they’re happy to stick with calling their most famous drink the"hurricane". However, I don’t think any bar down there is going to want to call their next invented concoction the “FEMA” (unless the drink really stinks! )<br>
(just my attempt at humor, not trying to drag the conversation towards any of the political threads!)</p>
<p>PS Ivoryk, glad to hear you raised an intelligent and fine young woman there. Madi Gras can be fun without having to go overboard. Let us know how it went for her after it’s all over. Can’t wait for the “you’re not going to beleive what I saw!” stories…</p>
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