MG2009 Incident Report and Lessoned Learned

Today started with the Wild Comanche Hunters hitting the street. They were incredible! At least 14 fully dressed indians on the street. Ty and the other kids were awesome! Ty never stopped dancing.

I certainly had a moment while walking through Central City. I know full well that I was strolling my 3 kids through the most violent neighborhood in the United States at 7:45 in the morning. We parked far away and saved traffichell in favor of a long walk. When we got back to the car, the neighborhood gang was chillin on the corner, and guarding our caddy. These kids were probably VERY bad, but they were gentlemen....no kidding in their treatment of the kids and Toni.

After dropping the kids off at home with Julia, Toni and I headed out again. Another great moment here, we parked downtown, then rode our bikes up to Bridge Lounge. Parked on the grounds of St. Aloucious (somebody correct my spelling) and rode up through the back of the Quarter then up to the MoonWalk. On the way, we ran into James, Shel, Leo, Eric and his clan. A lesson here in the simple joy of biking through the city. We felt like celebrities...everyone gave us a nod.

Then we hooked up with the Krewe of Julu. I don't know how to capture in words the moment of passing under the interstate with 700 friends but it is joy. Pure joy, mixed with a sadness thinking of all of those that are missing.

But speaking of those that are missing, I ran into the Krewe of Cayne, celebrating Cayneaval. My friend Cayne died an untimely death while in the custody of the Criminal Sheriff. All durring this carnival I have spotted her in the crowd and across the room. Of course she is gone, but my mind plays tricks on me. Today, though, she was out on the parade with me, and her friends gave me some of her ashes to spread. She would have been cool with me shedding tears for her down Decatur for her. A proper send off.

Happy Mardi Gras to you all. We all missed you and there was plenty of room for you all :)