Mardi Gras Space #83 (our volume only goes UP!)
set up and assembly of space #83 for the krewe of gemini parade:
disco gnome is placed on his shelf, disco ball is hung, and ron swanson observes.
this year had less axe, more sawzall...
the old mardi gras surprise!
tents are assembled, chandelier (new to us this year) wired, grills are loaded and the beats start out loud after the box is unloaded, we started things off with the cult.
we have a new sound system this year.
a guy from the space next door came over with a request, "can you turn that down? or play some Lionel Richie?" "sorry, this volume only goes UP!" he was not amused.
a few finishing touches... a sledge hammer comes in handy when you forget screws and drill.
the older boys came with us for the set up this year.
I think they had fun...
the guys keep arriving till the whole krewe is assembled.
the annual portrait of the main characters:
the future men of space #83
#1 son is really enjoying the roll of duct tape he received for his birthday. the young men adjusted the street sign. they were quite proud of themselves.
as the unofficial space #83 event photographer, I get asked to take a lot of pictures. "hey take a picture of me and my neighbor, and one of my ex-step-brother, and this girl I just met" etc. (I'm gonna try to include a few, you can email me for any specific one I didn't upload)
I think the point, he is trying to make is, "we are #1!"
there was plenty meat for carnivores. mardi gras happens during my annual vegetarian (pescatarian) experiement. I survived from a diet of nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, and a few beverages.
and the fire is roaring!
DANCING GIRLS!: the women and children start pouring in around 3pm (5 hours after us)
they waste no time and get that dancing started.
her hand was cold....
and the sun goes down... tension builds as we await the parade.
laser light show attracts a few new people.
more dancing and shaking....
people flood in from the street and a few neighboring sites. the people that had asked us to turn it down now join in on the dancing, their women and children can't resist our jungle beats.
some kid did some break dancing, the girls were shaking all the right parts, looked like a bunch of ants on a hot rock!
that gnome was operating at MAXIMUM!!! the daughter does not participate in the foolishness, she is a bit more reserved and just observes, with ron swanson. he also would not participate.
the krewe of gemini parade:
#1 son takes command of the laser and directs it into the street, and all over the parade. that’s my boy!
it turns out, the marching band can get a bit pissed-off if you get in the middle of them to take pics. watch out for the tuba man!
later, things got a bit saucey...
the old mardi gras reach-around
still hungry? how 'bout breast meat...
more reach-around, hey, I'm tryin to take a picture here.
which is it?
A: I got to axe you something
B: she's gonna give you the axe
and that was the end. I lingered (loitered) till the fire man came.
he gave me a stern talking to about fire safety and warned about the possibility of a ticket next year. but this knob only goes up... I think we'd call that ticket a fire fee. I gently reminded him that it gave them a job, coming to exterminate our fires. some people start them, some put them out, and a few dance around them.
ended the evening with another roaring fire. we roasted salmon strips I marinated in OJ, honey, sea salt and sriracha.