Happy birthday Nicholas!!

Today is your THIRTIETH birthday. Thirty. Man, you are OLD. But you know what, you have achieved some remarkable things these past thirty years. Sure, you've had your troubles - some that aren't over yet - but I think you are stronger because of it.

Thank you for being my big brother. I may be biased, but I think you've done a fabulous job. You protected me from all the bad things that went bump in the night when I was a kid - even from the monsters that you made up to scare us. I know now that there is no such thing as a wall rat. But even still, you kept me safe from it. You have shown be the importance of working hard and not being discouraged when things don't go the way I want them to go. And, I am pretty positive that you taught me every swear word that I know. You are currently about two hours away but I have no doubt that if I needed you, you would be here. In an hour and a half. You have made a special mark on everyone that has had the privilege of knowing you and I am honored to be your sister.



I pray that the next thirty years be filled with love, happiness, and success. I know they will be. Next year, you will marry the love of your life. Soon, you'll have that degree and we'll stop pestering you. Then, you'll reach that bar you've set for yourself in your career and be set for life. I know that you will succeed in every aspect of your life as long as keep the same determination and focus that you have now. After all, you and I, dear brother, are the more equal pigs.

As Seen in Shreveport: Mardi Gras Edition

As you know, this was the first Mardi Gras season that I've lived in North LA in three years. Baton Rouge isn't exactly New Orleans, but it seems like BR people get way more excited about MG than Shreveport people do. Though, Shrevers (that's what I just decided to call people who live in Shreveport) get more pumped about MG than those in Northeast Louisiana. Maybe that's just my opinion, but there definitely a difference. For example, Monroe has one MG parade. Shreveport has several. That's really the only difference I can think of right now.

Wait.

I thought of another difference.

This house.

Complete with inflatable jester.

Never before have I seen such a display in NELA. Heck, I don't think I've seen anything similar ever.

You can't see it, but a Lexus lives in this house's driveway. Proof positive that you can't buy class.

P.S. I'm giving up sweets for Lent. Prepare for crabbiness.

P.P.S. Sorry about the spacing. I don't know how to fix it.

Insert creative title here.

Make sure it has something to do with Mardi Gras because this post is Mardi Gras related. In fact, I'll "tag it" that way so everyone knows in case you, the creator of the title, fail to properly identify this post.

Here I sit, in my hotel room in the sprawling metropolis of Metarie, Louisiana, taking a break from preparing to kick part of the Louisiana Bar Exam's be-hinny tomorrow. I know, I had better pass it this time around.

Anyway, I'm not really posting anything of consequence, but I did want to show off my Mardi Gras wreath. After all, for every wreath there is a season. Or maybe that should be "for every season there is a wreath." Whatever.

Back to the point of this non-post.

This fabulous decorative piece was hand-crafted by several master artisans. The legendary Marla painstakingly wrapped the attractive ribbon around a base of post-consumer, recycled, straw formed in a ring for the traditional wreath shape. The groupings of the themed faces of jesters was then affixed by melting a glue-like substance and using a pressure-method to bond the shapes to the form. The mask was custom-selected for this project by Matt, reputed art lover and craftsman, and sits at a considerable angle on the wreath form in order to be aesthetically-pleasing. The three strands of gold, purple, and green beads are the traditional "throws" from a float in a Mardi Gras parade and are the primary support for a king's crown. The crown was contributed to the project through the support of Marla. At the bottom of the form is a representation of a saxophone which signifies the primary city associate with the MG, New Orleans. No, NOLA is not the birthplace of Mardi Gras, but it might as well be.

So here it is:

I know, you are wildly jealous and want one for yourself. Sorry folks, this masterpiece is one of a kind and not for sale.

Perhaps, if you are very talented and able to go to Hobby Lobby, you can make a similar one for your own door.