10/27/11

Keeping Your Spirits Up

So, I’m reading about Halloween treats. You know, snacks, candy, even mixed drinks and wines. And on some of the stories I found, from a few U.S. metropolitan newspapers, they are carrying on about how overlooked Halloween is, and what a great holiday it is to celebrate.

And I’m thinking, “What?!” Do you mean that the rest of America does not put the same energy or creativity into this time of year that we do in New Orleans? Do you mean that everyone is not going to celebrate from Friday lunch through Monday night? Will there not be parties and gatherings - mostly for adults - for four days? (And only then do we encourage the kids to have their fun Monday night.)

I’m practically speechless (thankfully not written-word-less) that...

Posted at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

10/20/11

Maybe It's Broke! Part 2

(The first part of this two-part discussion about ordering cocktails in dining and drinking establishments appeared last week in this space. You can read it here.)

Last week’s column certainly got some chatter, and the darn thing even went viral, picked up by several boards, inviting those readers, like we do here, to post their views on my views. Outside of a couple of comments that could be construed as personal attacks on my abilities to recognize a good cocktail, most of those who took the trouble to read and contribute agreed with me.

Being raised Catholic, and imbued with real/mock guilt/insecurities (name your poison), I never expect...

Posted at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

10/13/11

Maybe It's Broke!

A few nights ago I received a call from friends of friends. All parties, except me, are from New York or Chicago. These new friends, once removed, said that they were told to get in touch when they arrived in New Orleans and that I could assist them in making the most of their time here.

Flattering, but fraught with issues. Anyway, we did get together and these two were absolutely delightful in a Big City sort of way. They had, yes, seen it all and experienced most of it, but they found our little burg cute and unique. They were staying at a swanky hotel here and eating and drinking (a lot), which translates into spending money, so I was fine with the comments.

They really do love New Orleans and it was a pleasurable cross-cultural experience.

Keep...

Posted at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments: 4

10/06/11

Off-Road, for Just a Bit

If you will indulge me for just a few moments here, I want to go off track from my usual topics, but will come back to them before we wrap up here.

It’s just that I have to say once again that you and I living in New Orleans (and I hope you do) are the luckiest people in the world (cue Streisand and strings).

What this community is now experiencing is nothing short of miraculous. Given our situation before Katrina, and certainly our situation for several years following Katrina, we are now on such a roll that it is absolutely scary. It’s also astounding and gratifying. Brand new in this old town is a can-do attitude built on top of America’s most unique culture.

I know you are feeling it. You can’t help but be moved and...

Posted at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2