A SPECIAL SATURDAY POST......."SUE ME"

This is a special call for everybody to join as a citizen of WHO DAT NATION to read and sign a letter that is being sent by Louisiana Senator David Vitter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell. The letter is to the point and so tells it like it is! Go to http://www.davidvitter.com/whodat....the letter is a good read! Support your stand on being a free WHO DAT!!!!!

Sing

"Those who wish to sing, always find a song."...Swedish Proverb

Find a song and sing, if you can not sing....hum!

Becky Allen and all.....

Becky Allen is an actress, singer and dancer. If you have ever seen her on stage you would crown her "Authentic New Orleans". I think it is tattooed across something on her body! She is eccentric, lively, fun and she can suck you into her characters. With her all body joy....she will pour the Big Easy all over you! When she is "Francis" in "And The Ball and All" ....she so reminds me of my Nana...(Francis) from Arabi! Tall tales and high steppin in the city of New Orleans! What Becky Allen does...is gives you a character and a memory....she reminds you of someone...a special someone!

Where ya at....Becky Allen....

"A dame that knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up"....Mae West

"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful."....Mae West

LEMON PIE

The desires of legendary characters that were hot and steamy were controlled single handed by Norma Wallace. "The Last Madam: A Life in New Orleans Underworld" by Chritine Wiltz is a hot read that will keep you on the edge of the bed! She was connected all over the Big Easy...with a list that produced many of satisfied clients. Zealous Jim Garrison was the New Orleans District Attorney at the time of the hay day of Norma, he forced her into discretion. But with discretion came some class to her clientele. Norma Wallace grew up in poverty....describing her first desire and let down with wanting a simple lemon pie from the local bakery as a child. This wanting and needing pushed her into a life that was big, bold and colorful. "The Last Madame" will take you thru the streets of New Orleans and will wind your own desires to find the famous addresses....just to take a trip back in time. Before committing suicide in 1974, Norma Wallace spoke into a tape recorder and left her large life behind. It is a glimpse into the world's oldest profession in the city between 1920's thru 1960's. With a slice of lemon pie, a flute of champagne and "The Last Madame" in hand, this can only guarantee a pleasurable time!

"Don't ask me what year (I was born) because I lied so much about that I don't even know anymore. My mother caught me lying about my age once. Then she started lying about her age, and I wound up older than my mother."....Norma Wallace

"I always did say there were three sexes, the male, the female and the otherwise."....famous words of Norma Wallace..."The Last Madame" of New Orleans

WE WANT TO BE IN THAT NUMBER

"Hope is the dream of a soul awake."....French proverb


Katharine Purvis wrote the lyrics to "When The Saints Go Marching In". The gospel hymn was published in 1896 and first altered in 1927. There are too many individual spins which have brought this gospel tune into present day life, they all can not be mentioned. The words that follow are a common version with much of the symbolic imagery pulled from the "Book of Revelation" in the Bible. The hymn expresses the desire of going to Heaven.... with hope for a new life. But for now we have the desire and hope of winning the SuperBowl!!! God Bless You Boys....take us to Heaven!!!

"We are trav'ling in the footsteps
of those who've gone before,
and we'll all be reunited
on a sunlit shore.

Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

And when the sun refuse to shine
And when the sun refuse to shine
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the sun refuse to shine

And when the moon turns red with blood
And when the moon turns red with blood
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the moon turns red with blood

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the trumpet sounds its call

Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed

Oh when the new world is revealed
Oh when the new world is revealed
Lord,how I want to be in that number
When the new world is revealed

Oh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in".........


Be full of hope and know victory is assured to all that Believe!!!
GO SAINTS!!!

MIAMI BOUND!!!

BLESS YOU BOYS!!! THANK YOU BOYS!!!

Back on Rice at 2727 Prytania

One of Anne Rice's favorite book stores is Garden District Book Shop. Located in her old neighborhood, 2727 Prytania.....it is a well stocked book store and contains a little magic within. You can certainly lose yourself in the large selection of New Orleans-related books! Author appearances are common...but I must take you back in time when Anne Rice arrived in a pine coffin delivered by a hearse! Now you tell me...who can beat that! Her last mesmerizing appearance at the famed bookstore was done by Skype...so you never know how one will appear! Go and lose yourself and envision Ms Rice in her ghoulish style and remember this is normal for New Orleans!!!

"I'm always looking, and I'm always asking questions."......Anne Rice

"Obviously, a writer can't know everything about what she writes. It's impossible."...Anne Rice

411 North Rampart

Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel was built in 1826 and served the city as a mortuary chapel for yellow fever. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the oldest surviving church building in New Orleans. The original name was Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua. Located at 411 North Rampart at Conti, the chapel was conveniently located near St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery, to help prevent the spread of yellow fever. Inside the Church to the left of the altar is a shrine to St. Jude, the patron for difficult and impossible cases. Just inside the door to the right is the statue of Saint Expedite, who is the patron Saint for everyone who needs a quick solution. With very little documented past...but some interesting stories...the Saint has many followers. Some say the crate that delivered the statue was stamped "EXPEDITE".....shipment, which was mistaken as the actual name! So a story and a life begins. Any way you want to take it, this statue of a Roman Centurion, is the patron Saint for quick help, urgent need, and to end procrastination....who doesn't need some quick relief at times!!

"How soon 'not now' becomes never." Martin Luther...1483-1546...German Priest and scholar whose questioning of certain church practices led to the Protestant Reformation....

Mardi Gras Indians

Mardi Gras Indians strut their stuff in big style...with elaborate feathers, beaded and sequined costumes, these very secretive tribes are colorful with ever present second liners, followers and devotees. Each Indian creates and makes his own costume, some weighing in at one hundred pounds! Dancing, singing, drum beating and keeping rhythm with tambourines, their route on Mardi Gras is always secret.

I will quote Larry Bannock, President of New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council..."Mardi Gras Indians-the parade most white people don't see. The ceremonial procession is loose, the parade is not scheduled for a particular time or route."

To explain it better, again I quote Larry Bannock...."The Spy Boy is the first in the front, he is the baddest of all the Indians... he is ahead looking for trouble. Only a chosen few can be Spy Boy. It's his job to send a signal to First Flag Boy when he sees other Indians. First Flag signals back down the line to Big Chief. Big Chief has a stick that controls the Indians. When he hits the ground with the stick, they better get down and bow to the chief."

Hail to Big Chief! A true grand symbol of Mardi Gras.

"The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities." Sydney Smith...English clergyman and essayist 1771-1845

PEACE KEEPING

Keeping peace is knowing when to speak and when not to speak. And when you do open up...saying the right words are needed! Peace keeping is not easy. Think about keeping peace with your own self, it is hard at times too!! Keeping peace....practice daily!

"Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.".....Martin Luther King Jr.

"Peace is costly but worth the expenses."...African Proverb

IKO-IKO

Hey now...Hey now...Iko-Iko...what does it mean? Some say it is an Indian Chant and it is about street parades in New Orleans. Who really knows, but it is a catchy feel good beat and the lyrics were written by James "Sugar Boy" Crawford in 1953. Here are the words from the Dixie Cups' famous release of IKO-IKO....

"My grandma and your grandma, were sittin by the fire, My grandma told your grandma, I'm going to set you flag on fire, Talkin bout hey now, hey now, Iko! Iko! an de'.
Jackomo fe nan e', Jackomo fe nan e'

Look at my King all dressed in red
Iko! Iko! an de
I bet you 5 dollars, he kill you dead!
Jackomo fe nan e', Jackomo fe nan e'

My flag boy and your flag boy, sittin by the fire, My flag boy told your flag boy, I'm going to set your flag on fire, Talkin bout...hey now, hey now
Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe nan e', Jackomo fe nan e'

See that guy all dressed in green, Iko Iko an de'
He's not a man, he's a lovin machine! Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe nan e', Jackomo fe nan e'......

There is nothing like a little IKO-IKO to jump start a party mood!!! Hey now...Hey now....

Right Place

Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack...The Night Tripper...was born in the right place! He is the boogie woogie king of New Orleans that will put a hoodoo spell and capture you with rhythm and blues. You can call it psychedelic rock. With names like Gris-Gris, Sun, Moon and Herbs, and Gumbo...lyrics with tributes to the spirit of New Orleans. Just his presence will let you know the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree...he has such a New Orleans groove! Sometimes you just have to pay the good Dr. John a visit...let him groove and move you right into a spell! Put on a little funk of Dr. John, it will send you to the right place!

"Music is a safe kind of high.".....Jimi Hendricks

Once the fog clears!

"All will be known once the fog clears".....from the Krewe du View website. www.kreweduview.org

Check out some of the sub-krewe names...Krewe of Comatose, Krere of Mama Roux and you gotta love this one...Krewe of Underwear!

You can get the history of the du Vieux at Mardi Gras Parade Schedule.com. What a story with colorful past and juicy stuff! But who doesn't like a little gossip! If I tried to translate, I believe I would leave out or I might add in. So go on your own little hunt. This Krewe keeps the true traditions of Mardi Gras.

Always a little raunchy, but enough of it to spread around...with uncensored satire, mule drawn floats and walking maskers! The Krewe parades around Farbourg Marigny and the French Quarter. Dr. John as King and Mother Miriam Chamani of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple as Queen. Get ready to be "All Fired Up"...this years theme! Mark your calendar with fiery red on Saturday January 30th at 6:30pm. This is sure to delight!

"You can't make up anything anymore. The world itself is a satire. All you're doing is recording it." Art Buchwald...American journalist

Moisant Stock Yards

Most people arriving in New Orleans come by air. Is this true? No.....but if you do come by air...your first sights and sounds are in the airport. Now with lively music and the Armstrong Art Collection, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has a chance to make a nice first impression. Formally know as Moisant Field and New Orleans International Airport, it was renamed to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001. John Moisant was a dare devil aviator who crashed into the property in 1910....so Moisant Field was named and claimed. The airport still holds the MSY identifier from the airport origins, Moisant Stock Yards. And of course we all know and love Louie Armstrong...such an appropriate name with an appropriate past! You can second line right on into New Orleans!

The airport has collected and built an impressive art collection called Armstrong Art Collection, valued close to a million dollars. In the central lobby is a grand style mural with Louis Armstrong and his Heavenly All Star Band. This 28x41 foot mural pays tribute to New Orleans legendary musicians and other great artists. As Louie Armstrong plays over the group with vibrant colors, this "Jam Session" has been subtitled "What You Loose On Earth Shall Be Lossed In Heaven". Artist Richard Cornelius created this awesome piece that just seems to shout...Welcome To New Orleans...home of jazzy music and a life full of color!!!

"Aviation is proof, that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible". Eddie Rickenbacker...pioneer in commercial aviation

"Don't let the fear of failing keep you from knowing the joy of flight." Lane Wallace "Flying" magazine January 2001

Party Animal

"I try not to drink too much because when I'm drunk, I bite." Bette Midler

Unknown ?

Who is this man? Mystery, curiosity, secrets, and food! Go to WWL-TV.com and seek out Napoleon's Reviews. Napoleon is the unknown food critic for WWL-TV. In a mystery shadow, he appears sometimes on WWL's Morning Show. So clever!

"Whoever wishes to keep a secret must hide the fact that he possesses one." Goethe...playwright, poet, dramatist...1749-1832

FOUR WORDS:

THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER!!!

12th NIGHT

Twelve days after Christmas celebrations, the city of New Orleans marks January 6th...the 12th night. The Feast of Epiphany...a Christian Feast...meaning "manifestation"...an indication of existence, by letting Christ's presence be known.

The city also lets the world know "It's Carnival Time"!! New Orleans is always ready for merry making and it starts head on with the celebration of Twelfth Night!

Merry making and masked revelers gather at the streetcar barn in Uptown for 12th night ride and proclaiming "It's Carnival Time"....all aboard a decked out streetcar. The Boss and Queen have arrived...throwing the first beads of the season. Phunny Phorty Phellows....is phull of tradition and still going into the streets with the announcement...the time is here...Carnival...let the merry making begin! PPP...for short...is a fun and lively Krewe for the proclamations of a new season of Carnival!

In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night"....Feste, Olivia's clown, reminds us of the foolish ways of people and to enjoy the present...you never know about the future.

Present gladness and gaiety...New Orleans can show all...no delay...put on a mask and assemble with family and friends! Let the merriment begin!

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying." Joan of Arc

The second annual Joan of Arc parade will be held on Twelfth Night, also Joan of Arc's birthday. Go to http://stjoankrewe.blogspot.com and read how love falls into action. I hope that with this dream, along with all the hard work, this krewe will grow larger each year with celebration!

Joan of Arc leading her troops in battle: "In God's name, forward boldly!"

PeRfEcT

"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." Anna Quindlen...American author