What Happens on Bourbon Street

Before I left for New Orleans last week,  a co-worker said to me: "Leave the camera at home.  What happens on Bourbon Street, stays on Bourbon Street."  I laughed it off.  I never go anywhere without my camera, and was even worried that one memory card would not be enough for this 2.5 day trip.  But I was traveling with Scorpy and Bekah, and Scorpy assured me I'd be able to upload from my camera to her laptop and some CDs.  So the camera went in the bag.

Unfortunately, the camera went into to cosmetic bag.  Not the backpack full of nice dry clothing.  Not the purse with the wallet and day-planner and keys.  The camera went into the cosmetic bag with every bottle of shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion, etc. carefully sealed in zip-loc baggies.  Everything properly sealed except a brand-new, full-sized bottle of extra-hold hair spray. With no lid.  I think you're beginning to get the picture.

I arrived at the airport in N.O. with a couple of hours to hang around and wait for Scorpy and her hubby to arrive.  Sitting in a bar, starting to unwind and eagerly awaiting the long-anticipated meetup.  I reached into that cosmetic bag for the camera so I could record the look on Scorpy's face as we first met.  And as I reached in, I felt liquid.  Sticky liquid.  I pulled out the hermetically-sealed baggies full of shampoos and conditioner and skin lotion, and they were intact.  Pulled out the camera and set it on the bar.  Pulled out the can of hairspray and with a sinking feeling in my Cabernet-filled gut, realized the can was now completely empty.  Yup.  The entire contents had discharged all over the inside of the bag. And my once windblown and tousled bed-headed camera was now firmly paralyzed by extra-hold hair spray.  There was no running my fingers through it and having it fall perfectly back in place.  There was no glamorous shine and extra body.  And even though I pushed and prodded harder than any hurricane wind, the camera was frozen as solid as Farrah Fawcett's winged hairdo.  The trip hadn't even begun, and I'd killed my $400 source of potential blackmail great trip photos.

But you know what? Everything was uphill from there.  The worst was over.  Scorpy and hubby soon arrived, Bekah and her hubby joined us the next evening, and the weekend was a smash hit.  I bought a couple of disposables, and Scorpy and Bekah will be sending me CDs with copies of their photos (Scorpy- there's your first nag reminder).  So there will be pictures up here shortly.  Check out Scorpy and Bekah's sites soon because they'll no doubt have their evidence photos up first.

As you could probably guess, we had a blast. We drank Hand Grenades.  Hurricanes.  Margaritas.  Horny Crocodiles.  190's.  Hand Grenades and more Hand Grenades.  We collected beads, and I think Scorpy and hubby went home with at least 20 pounds worth.  We bought (and wore) feathered masks. We walked until our feet were burning slabs of flesh.  Listened to blues, zydeco, and jazz.  Shopped in the French Market.  I came home with twice as much clothing as I went with. We did a few things that shall remain on Bourbon Street, cameras or no.  And for Becky in Hawaii?  Yes. There were body shots and we have proof.  Bekah went first, but Scorpy was only seconds behind.  It took me a good 20 minutes after her. 

But the best, absolutely best part?  Meeting Scorpy and Bekah in person.  I was not surprised at all that we got along.  I was surprised that we got along even better than I anticipated.  We have widely disparate backgrounds and come from three very different parts of the world. I am older than Scorpy by more than a decade, and am older than Bekah's mother, but it didn't matter.  We had a kind of a magnetic bond before we joined up, and now it's like a crazy-glue bond.  And the hubs were great too, even though this was obviously an estrogen-driven bacchanalia. 

Maybe I'm extra gushy and sensitive about this, being that it was my first blogger meet-up. But honestly, I think it had more to do with the specific people involved.  They're wonderful, funny, intelligent, fun-loving, and I really miss them already. 

Scorpy, Bekah - let me know how soon you want to make reservations for next year!

Comments

[Bekah]

I had so much fun as well! And yes, pictures will be up on my site in just a few minutes here!!! It was awesome, we'll definitely do it agait next year. Hopefully for longer!

[scorpy]

I have been in some zombie-like state since arriving home. I only turned on my computer a few minutes ago, but checked you two out first.

I had an absolute BLAST! And shall immediately begin saving my pennies and, if necessary, standing on street corners in silver body paint, earning next year's airfare!

Loved the drinks. Love the city. Loved the food. Loved the shopping. Loved the people.

Good times, ladies, goooood times!
(First reminder noted, bytheway. It's burned, now just have to send.)

[Becky]

I wanna come, I wanna come! And, I swear to God, no body shots from this gal:) Even alcohol doesn't allow others to invade my space.

I love the line: the entire contents had discharged all over the inside of the bag.

I've met up with two bloggers so far, and I'm amazed at how well we've gotten along too. It just goes to show how well personalities really do come out in the posts, comments, e-mails.

BTW, I got my Everything Weighs shirt, but I'm wondering how it looks to have that tight across my boobs? What do you think?