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Renew yourself and re-New Orleans

And on Mardi Gras morning wake up early, take a deep breath and decide to poke a little fun at yourself. Dress up like Mr. Magoo, with a sign on your back saying "Myopic Newspaper Editor." Wander up St. Charles Avenue where families gather for Rex, and look for the Jefferson Buzzards. Try to catch Zulu (if they roll) at Jackson and St. Charles Avenues, and scream your throat hoarse for one of the ultimate Mardi Gras throws--a decorated Zulu coconut.


Or maybe go downtown to the "R" Bar and join the St. Ann walking parade which meanders through the French Quarter down to the river and ends with the strewing of the ashes of beloved ones on the waters. Or wander over to the Treme and look for some Mardi Gras Indians which we pray survived the Ninth Ward flood. Stay off of Bourbon Street if you like, but mingle along Royal Street with the costumed crowd. No need to get drunk or disrobe. Just let the music and the rhythms of the day waft you along. Permit your better judgment to be eroded at least a little bit around the edges and let a smile break forth, if only internally, at the utter silliness of it all.

I think that by noon you will have thrown your sign underfoot, put on some 20-20 glasses, and will be having a taste of our "cakes and ale"-a few beignets and a Dixie beer. My treat.