On this Mardi Gras, there’s nothing more appropriate than to be partying in the streets of the French Quarter down in New Orleans. Instead, I’m sitting at home, reluctantly blogging, thinking up more excuses not to go to the gym.
I’ve never really celebrated Mardi Gras. One year we had a company event, consisting of dinner and drinks, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It was beyond boring. My then-boyfriend (we’ll call him Bro Ho) saved the day/evening for me. When I called him from a payphone (long before my cell phone), he promised to be downstairs in a cab waiting for me within 10 minutes, which he was. We still didn’t celebrate Mardi Gras. We simply went back to his apartment, watched TV, drank some wine and went to bed. About 3 years ago, Mardi Gras fell on the same day as Women’s Day, which nobody seems to care about in the U.S., but which is highly celebrated in Italy and other parts of Europe. My Italian then-boyfriend (we’ll call this one Bozo) actually wanted to take me out – on a SCHOOL night!!! He didn’t give me a flower, which is apparently customary on Women’s Day. We went to Sheba Lounge on Fillmore, drank rum and Cokes, listened to some live jazz and managed to rustle up a few beads. We continued the evening at Rassellas, dancing wildly to some DJ. Bozo couldn’t dance to save his life, but he was trying to emulate what the young guys around us were doing – some break dancing-type moves and jumping up in the air. It was quite amusing actually.
Since I won’t be carousing tonight, this gives me ample time to consider what I’m giving up for Lent. That was pretty much already decided last week, though. My Lent sacrifices will be my usual sodas and potato chips, along with cupcakes and macarons. I’ve thrown in shoe shopping and clothes shopping for good measure. Friends and co-workers think that’s an awful lot to give up. Well, I’ve probably been extra bad over the past year, if you were to know the truth! My boy, A., and I had a little debate today about whether Lent lasts 40 days or 45 days. I say 45, but he says 40. Someone on FB posted that Lent lasts until Palm Sunday and that the last week is considered Holy Week. I always thought that Lent lasted until Easter Sunday. Can anyone help to clear this up? On the other hand, I did NOT give up those calorie-laden, artery-clogging sisig burritos from the Senor Sisig food truck. In fact, there’s a very good chance that I’ll be scarfing one down tomorrow for lunch.