The weather was so perfect. The Saint Anne's parade was one of the largest, longest, and slowest moving versions of its incarnation ever, I'm told by oldtimers. The city's spirit was absolutely stellar. The Krewe York contingent got endless tribute by way of being a photographer-magnet and other revellers coming up close to scope the group out at length. Mr. Twist was highly popular, especially after the first several blocks when more than half his costume all of a sudden disappeared leaving quite a nice bit of tan-able skin on view. I kept hearing people say, "Look at the puppet!" And then their companions say, "Look at his body!" Andrea B rocked in that brassy NYC way, fresh from her duties at a free kitchen in St. Bernard's Parish. Daddy's umbrella was better than having a body guard, the way people would part in front of it. And the Empress, -what do you say? She out gorgeoused whole blocks worth of the gorgeous. The parade was exhillerating and exhausting, I literally passed out afterwards. Truely a post-apocalyptic celebration.

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I second that emotion seven, what a trip!
I guess we should start at the beginning...

Here we are, right after greeting King Zulu and torturing the tortured mayor, at the famous Cafe Du Monde having beignets.

seven, The Empress & Basil Twist
seven, Daddy & Basil Twist

And now for the big day, MARDI GRAS!!!

Krewe York marches with The Secret Society Of Saint Anne Walking Parade.

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Here are The Empress and I, getting ready to rumble.

Basil, Empress, and Daddy at the luscious and disquieting archive of Haitian art collected by the Empress' miraculous brother.

Here is Basil Twist and Editrix Abby Ehman.
Sitting on Basil's head is our new friend "Debbie". Debbie was a big hit at the parade as you can imagine.

(Don't ever march with Basil Twist because he gets stopped every two feet by a fan wanting a picture. It's like going out on the town with...
Debbie).

This is seven's winning skull umbrella. You can't tell here but it's like twenty feet high. You could see it for miles (which came in handy).

seven & The Empress
(And I think that is Nancy Isla's gay friend "Jizz Bucket" leaning against the wall but I'm not sure).

Marching with Krewe York is former New Yorker and downtown tornado... the ever-(fill in the blank) Andrea Booze-Wah!.
Andrea is in New Orleans now with girlfriend Dana feeding the people of St. Bernard Parish.
(When she said that she was marching with us she added, "Mom, make sure you warn them about me, okay?"
We did.)

The Incredible Andrea Booze-Wah!

Here St. Eve (aka Absinthe Domination) has a little message for the "Christians" who had a little messsage for us.

and here is another.

Utopia Parkway Go Go Boy Layard and his roomate Jonathan with Basil and Debbie on Canal Street.

Jonathan, Layard, Basil Twist & Debbie.

Spend your day with a Knight!

Pyramid Queen, Ryan Landry.

more later...

Oh how wonderful! It sure looks like Y'all had a ball. I thought of you all and kept having to stop myself from dashing to the airport and joining you as a surprise but alas it looks like you had a great time. Gorgy pics. I can't wait to hear more details. Brilliant look as a group, but Basil's puppet has left me speechless. Welcome home. I sent beams of protection to you all.

Basil & Debbie meet another Puppeteer from New York and have a muppet moment on Canal Street.

Gettin' radical wit da faeries.

Tee-Shac (L) and the girls
(Goblin, you have to help me with the names)

thanks Gobbs,

Tee-Shac, Sandy, Link & Scotty

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The Empress with New Orleans local color.
(her brother Dave)

Empress and Daddy your costumes are brilliant! Chi Chi you look great!! Totally original, yet so steeped in New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition.

You should have seen her costume steeped in white powdered sugar after she snuck off for some beignets!

(just kidding)

A couple of Abby's friends from "Santacon" marched with us as well.