Cold Spaghetti

In the car Saturday morning, en route to the first Holiday Season parade in New Orleans in 15 years, seemed a good enough reason to start the discussion.

“Will, do you know why we celebrate Christmas?”

(not totally ready to be engaged in conversation) “No.”

“Well, there area lot of different reasons people celebrate this time of year.  Christmas is around the time as the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year and right before winter.  People used to share food and clothes and other important things to help each other survive the winter.  That is one of the reasons we still give each other presents this time of year.”

(processing)

“Some people believe that a man named Jesus Christ was born on Christmas and they celebrate the day in church.  We don’t do this, but we have respect for others who feel this way.”

(engines starting to fire)

(Paul chimes in) “We believe that the holidays are a celebration of the everything we do through the year.  For us, it’s about being with family and remembering each other.”

(said to no one in particular) “Didja know some people go to movies and sing longsongs calledNargalitciesthatlast forhourswhileotherpeopleeatcandyandchocolatethattheir mommiesmakeandthenthey…….”

(To Paul): “Well, I guess that went well, then?”

—

Waiting for the parade:

One of the fantastic school bands.  This one was playing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” — which we felt, based on our conversation in the car that morning, to be perfectly suited for the season.

Here’s a little primer in how to handle a throw.  All that stuff you see on Cops about flashing for beads?  Let me set the record straight: THAT IS DONE BY TOURISTS FOR TOURISTS.  Further, it only happens in one place (Bourbon Street) which locals will tell you was built by the city to keep annoying frat boys (past and present) and their hanger-ons away from the rest of the city.  (I say that with fondness, as I think it’s fine that it’s there if you want it.  But know that it does not define the city, nor does it describe our celebrations.)

What happens is that a rider singles you out, gesturing that YOU are chosen for a certain item.  Below, this special chosen one was WILL, standing right beside me.  See the guy in the middle, pointing to Will holding at bag of fancy holiday beads?

He gets ready for the throw…

And Mommy has no more pictures because she dropped her camera around her neck to help The Little Man complete the deal.   Which goes like this: you indicate readiness, keep eye contact with the item, catch it, and then give the rider a “THANK YOU” or a thumbs up, or both.  It’s a polite, friendly interaction.  And it’s fun!

Paul helps Will put on an extra long set of beads.  (I think he’s teasing him here with ‘what’s that on your jacket?’)

So I’m still obsessed with paning and creative use of the shutter.  This got the effect I was looking for… blurry background paned on the moving object.  That’s the New Orleans Hornet, coming in for a high-five!

Here’s another… hey Mr. Hornet!

McD 35 puts on a show!!  EVERYONE dances through the whole parade.  I was trying to capture how they ALL are moving, without it looking like a bunch of blurry bodies.  The two carrying the sign — even they are dancing back and forth, bouncing the sign around to a choreographed routine.  No ordinary marching by a NOLA group!  Heaven help you if you can’t find the beat to one of these bands!

Kate, however, was very serious about the whole thing.  Although she did keep in time to the music by bouncing her hand on Paul’s head.

Cool winter sky.

My favorite, penguins.  Kate was into the action from a top my shoulders for this part of the parade.  I can hardly believe I’m in a picture…

Will took the high seat.

Will, post-parade, with his favorite throw: a paddle and ball set.

Happy Holidays from New Orleans!