Well its carnival time again here in the city. Yes, Mardi Gras. Tonight is what's known here as "Lundi Gras"- the Monday before "Fat Tuesday"- (Mardi Gras day). After a full season of parading, consuming "beverage", costuming, and second lining (a N.O. style dancing in the street) the city celebrates its unique culture in a way only it knows how. Where elaborate balls for each Krewe (Mardi Gras organization) presents it's King and Queen in a grand extravaganza where spectators dress in tuxedos and beautiful evening gowns as the pint sized "ladies in waiting"  step timidly across the ballroom floor in their first taste of the flavor of our own New Orleans royalty. Where young women (the "maids") dressed in galantly themed costume, (complete with full sized backpieces that require shoulder brackets and strategic movement), nervously  await their turn to be escorted by their "duke" (in coordinating costume) as they are introduced one by one by their names and the names of the characters in which they personify, trying to remember to smile and "acknowledge" the audience at each corner of the auditorium by the rehearsed gesture,  (a slow passing of the right hand, palm up, from left to right, two times, one to the lower level of seated guests, one to the upper level), and when their "reign" is almost complete, in the final leg of their procession, they gracefully make their way back toward the stage, stopping dutifully and gracefully to acknowledge the "Captain" of the Krewe (who nods in return through the eyewholes of the sequin covered costumed, from which, in keeping with tradition, his identity is never revealed to the audience.) The presentation of the Queen follows with much anticipation such like that of guests at a wedding as they wait to see the upcoming bridal gown. The color of the gown is dictated by a traditional rotation of the season. A stunning queen costume that is gold one Mardi Gras season will in turn be silver the next,  then gold again, then silver.The audience stands as the brass band plays the entrance melody of her majesty as the microphoned voice now at a louder volume  dutifully commands "ALL HAIL THE QUEEN". The audience's approval of the always galant costume is echoed in the voices and applause of its revelers. It truly is that of a regal ambiance. Now for the "majestic ruler"...the brass section builds melodically with even louder intensity as  the highlight of the ball commences. His majesty is about to enter. It is a long awaited evening for the Mardi Gras enthusiast to finally experience being "king for a day".   An experience that the crowned reigning king, bearded and in period wig, will no doubt cherish forever; costumed in the prerequisite tights and a sequinned decorated cloak ,the king regally takes his ceremonious walk, commanding the attention of an audience of revelers offering applause and hails only fit for a king. Trailing long behind him is his impressive train, beautifully emblazened with his Krewe's  trademark emblem,  followed only by the dutiful pageboy, at the ready to tend to His Majesty's immense and almost unforgiving train; its rythmic "swoosh" concurrent with each exerted step the king must take to pull its weight as he embarks on his  grand walk, acknowledging the crowd, with septor in white gloved hand. He gracefully proceeds to the stage to be seated at his throne beside the queen. The commencement comes to a close while in another area of the center preparations are busily  ;being made for the next phase of the ball; celebration with food and drink. The court, their families, and ticketholders now move to the reception hall. The evening has now approached the hour of partaking in ambrosia, nector, song and dance,  (in other words, we tawkin' seafood gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etoufee, muffulettas, oyster somethin' or another, king cake, ect., not forgetting  alcoholic beverage and "second lining" to a choice live jazz band.) It will be a night the king, the queen, and maids and dukes will not soon forget. Well, perhaps parts of the evening WILL wind up kinda hazy considering the after party but thats here nor there...............................hope ya' took offa work tomorrow dawlin'...In talking about parade season, what many people may not realize is that when Mardi Gras season is over and the costumes are taken off and the floats are pulled back into their "dens" and  the beads are caught and the dabloons are picked up and  the streets  cleaned, it is already time to begin preparing for next carnival season. It is an all year preparation in this city for the new themes of Krewes and floats and costumes that are featured the following year. From seamstresses and costume fittings to floats being taken apart and redecorated to the Krewe kings hosting parties and maids having  "teas" or champagne brunches at Brunning's. From stocking up with "throws" from beads to cups to stuffed animals to panties to even the now ritual "moon pies", its like no other carnival in the world. It's an all out experience to see Mardi Gras in New Orleans, be it as a tourist who sees our tradition from a "hands on" point of view---[word to the wise--STEP ON THE DABLOON BEFORE YOU PICK IT UP. This establishes it as being caught (unspoken rule) and prevents the "hands" from themselves being stepped on!!!!  A New Orleanian's advice! ] or appreciating how the rediculous notion of having to "grease" lamp posts in the Quarter has actually become a well known tradition. (every Mardi Gras these lamp posts are "vaselined" to deter potential "climb happy" revelers from attempting to defy gravity, and yes, they do try). Or be it as experiencing the tradition of Mardi Gras from the perspective of a krewe member who gets to ride on a float (anyone can be able to) or from the special priviledge of being a part of a Mardi Gras organization and attending all of the festivies or reigning in the court of a krewe's ball.I dont know, maybe like if a girl was in her 20's got that behind the scenes view. I dont know, maybe in particular, that girl from the suburbs with the New Orleans "yat" accent who was blessed with the opportunity to become royalty for a season.  That which was I. I, in a season that I will forever look back upon  with an appreciation not  easily articulated in words that could equate to what resides in the heart and in the minds eye. Memories like my dad and some of his friends and colleages drinking the Miller Lites while they shot the shit while they built the floats and while they built that calliope that still rolls in the Krewe of Zeus on Lundi Gras  while they loved every minute of their social gatherings in the name of New Orleans tradition. Or Memories  of a girl in her 20's  being able to reign as a maid since her father who loved chose her to reign with him as he enjoyed the opportunity to be a "Duke".  Or Memories  like my mother and I having the opportunity to attend elegant luncheons for the ladies (maids, mothers, and wives of the court) and tasting the best corn and crab bisque around town at the atmospheric setting at Commander's Palace on St. Charles Avenue, and teas at beautiful homes where grand pianos occupied lavish foyers and gazebos dressed up backyards and where the outdoor sounds of a spring afternoon were sweetened by the beroque sounds of a live harpist playing the angelic instrument in the corner of a tastefully decorated courtyard. Yes, my mother and I felt like royalty. Memories of dress rehearsals and practicing the proper way to"curtsy" and of the "Corronation Ball" and the "King's Party" in a beautiful home not far from Al Copeland's (Popeye's). Of the maids photography session complete with our presented tiaras for our Krewe's turn in a half page pictorial in the Times Picayune. (The photographer's direction, however, had me looking a bit stiff and  "overposed" in the photos unfortunately) So here's my shot at being in the newspaper for once, and there I am, in all my so called glory-- seemingly GAZING AT A LANDING UFO with a look of shock and sheer amazement. Its a real keeper. Ultimately, as well as obviously, it was the time of a lifetime.  I was honored to reign as "Alexandria" as a Maid in the Krewe of Zeus in 1993 and cherish all that it entailed. I have my beloved late father to thank for my  memorable opportunity. My daddy. And also, of course, my place of birth. It's one of the reason's why this city, aah, yes, "the Crescent City", "the ol' Big Easy", "N'awlins" (tho locals dont really pronounce it that way, for the record) {unless you happen to be Frank Davis}  or " the birthplace of jazz",  "home of the dome", "the most unique city in the world", "New Orleans", call it any of these and people will know of what place you speak.  For us, we call it one more thing---" home".        Ringing truth to the popular bumper sticker once seen regularily rolling down any roadway from Veterans Highway to Canal Street, maybe on the car you were behind on Canal Street or Poydras, or cruisin past the locally owned shops that comprise Magazine Street or on the car in front of you on Tulane as you passed the "No Left" signs for a mile; the bumper sticker that simply states "NEW ORLEANS--PROUD TO CALL IT HOME"           editor's note: Remodified stickers can now be seen rolling  the sentiment of "NEW ORLEANS--PROUD TO SWIM HOME" down any given highway.The moral of the story is that there is truth in what they say....there is no other city quite like this in the world.We hope you enjoy your stay.