It is February and Mardi Gras is coming, Feb. 24??? I think it has already started in New Orleans. A friend in L.A. lived there for awhile. Quite a place!!I miss Mardi Gras! I am far from a Louisiana native, but I lived in NOLA/Destrehan from 1998 to 2005. I REALLY miss the parades. We went last year with the kids and saw the kids parade in Metairie, which was fun. I need to order a king cake soon! The firm I am with has an annual mardi gras party. What I miss the most is the music!! I was able to go to a ball once that was SO MUCH FUN. I hope to be able to do that again one day. I've been there ( pre Katrina ) I liked visiting for a few days but certainly would not want to live there. I walked around near Bourbon ( side streets ) in the moprning. The area is OLD and quite dirty and smells like &^%$#. Fun time at night. I went to a bar around 4 pm with a friend. Asked for a Corona and a Miller. She came back with 3 of each ! Thats what I call a REAL Happy Hour !!Katie-