Jasperfields

Tibetan Cultural Festival April 16-18, New Orleans, Lavin-Bernick Center, Tulane University. Tibetan food, merchandise, presentations, and discussions of Tibetan culture and philosophy. 723.1317.

Abita Springs Crawfish Festival April 17-18, Abita Springs, C.J. Finn Ball Park. Crawfish, Creole food, music, kids’ activities. 985.892.2065.

French Quarter Festival. April 17-19. New Orleans, French Quarter. (504) 522-5730 www.frenchquarterfestivals.org. Music on 15 outdoor stages, world’s largest jazz brunch, patio tours, art shows and music workshops. Complete French Quarter coverage

Fleur de Lindy Dance Festival April 17-19, New Orleans, various locations. Lindy Hop Swing Dance Festival, featuring New Orleans swing bands. 200.4695.

Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration April 17-19, Grand Isle. Celebration for birdwatchers and nature lovers with bird-watching tours, food, crafts, exhibits, videos, and birding trail maps and seminars. 985.447.0868, 800.259.0869.

LIHA Spring Powwow April 17-19, Gonzales, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. American Indian celebration with dancing, drumming, a symposium: “Native American Rights: The People and Events Behind the Movement,” crafts, and food. 837.6085.

Angola Spring Rodeo & Arts and Crafts Fest. April 18-19. Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. 225-655-4411. Inmate rodeo, crafts, food.

Eden Fest April 19, New Orleans, Mid-City on the Canal streetcar line, corner of Jefferson Davis Parkway and Canal Street. First Grace United Methodist Church sponsors a celebration of the earth, with music, a drum circle, art, children’s area and information on sustainable living from local “green” organizations. 488.0856.

Festival Internationale de Louisiane. April 22-26. Lafayette, downtown. (33… www.festivalinternational.com.Largest Francophone celebration in the country, with music, art exhibits, dance, theater, film, lectures, workshops and kids festival.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 24-26 and April 30-May 3, New Orleans, Fair Grounds racetrack, 1751 Gentilly Blvd. Continuous music on several stages, contemporary and traditional crafts, food, educational workshops. 522.4786. Complete coverage of Jazz Fest

The rest of the list can be found here at nola.com.

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The Mystic Krewe of Barkus rolled today.  We took Trixie to the Quarter and caught it at Armstrong Park. I love seeing the diversity of the dogs (and their owners). Always fascinating. We couldn’t get very close so we walked down to the corner of Dumaine and Dauphine to get a better spot.  This is one of my first videos and it is a little shaky.  If you hang in to watch the whole thing you will see my favorite float (the very last one).  So much fun.  The theme this year was BatMutt: The Bark Knight.

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The bonfire was and has been a wonderful end to the old year.  I was so happy to ring in the new year once again with close friends and my loving partner.  But the bonfire itself fell short.  I can not speak highly enough for those that fought so hard to keep the tradition going.  The NOPD, NOFD and the City tried to put it to rest forever.  Once the dust settled and both sides came to an agreement, the bonfire was on with rules.

It had a makeover…  They put barricades around the fire, the NOFD put the trees on the fire in orderly fashion and no fireworks near/in the fire to thrill/frighten us.  To me it lost its bohemian, pagan spirit.  I think the WWL post is off base putting a positive spin on a somewhat sterilized experince.  I could help but think as I stood near the barricade that it was almost spectacle and zoo like.

One woman, who I would like to think did it not only for her spirit but also ours, jumped the barricade naked and ran once around the fire.  I still think I want to go in the future… I love kissing my girl under the falling, snow like ash with the scent of pine surrounding us.  Or maybe we can find a different fire to gather around.  I need that fire.  It represents the clearing away and making room for renewed joy and happiness.

These were taken by my love…

Video from queenxxiv

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We left on the 18th to drive to Denver.  It was my intention to post from the road but it never quite happened.  I did do some writing and took pictures so I will get some of them up now.

I loved being on the road with my partner.  We managed to eat according to our new life style (vegan/fatfree) on the way there.  I need to be on the road more, to much time is spent sitting at my desk. Purposefully, I left the laptop at home and traveled with my N800.  It was perfect for writing, checking the weather and uploading pictures.

Favorite road sign on thee way there: “O.K. Used Cars” (not great just o.k. at least they’re honest).

Here is a pic of me and trix in the car on the 18th.

My amazing partner behind the wheel.

Fog on the highway heading north through Louisiana.

The sky at sunset.

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Seems like a while since I posted.  I will start with the most interesting and move on to the mundane.  The big news is snow in New Orleans. Yep, lovely white snow that actually stayed on the ground for a few hours.  The last time I saw snow here was Christmas Day 2005.  It seemed so much more wonderful.  It may have to do with my general happiness.  I was having a busy day at work and all I wanted to do was play.  The best part was watching my partner having fun and seeing the amazing pictures she brought home from the Quarter.

Bayou St John photos

Now onto the mundane.  I have been working way too much, finishing up classes, and getting ready for a road trip, very stressful.  I will be excited to actually get on the road, barring in snow or ice (my fear is diagnosable).

I am looking forward to post from the road.  We will see how it goes.  I have my n800 with internet access and my camera.  Should be lots of fun.

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If you happen to be in San Francisco or know a voter in California…

Read more about Proposition 8 and www.noonprop8.com

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We prepared our house, took pictures, moved valuables to a safe place in the house and took what was most precious to us. Trixie got into the car about an hour before we left to make sure she got the best seat.

I took a last look at the house and thanked it for providing me safety and shelter, reminded it that it is strong and has been here almost 100 years through many tropical storms and a few hurricanes and told it that we would return.  Hugged my loving partner and cried a little.

We got into the car around 9:30AM Sunday morning to head out.  Looked like most on our block was leaving with the exception of one person.

View Larger Map

We got onto I-10 at St. Bernard Ave and headed west to I-55, we were shocked that we were the only ones on the road.  Very… next day after “Night of the Comets”

That all melted away once we hit the airport exit.  Traffic backed up there and stayed that way off and on until we reached Jackson.

Some camera crews set up on the contraflow side of I-10 interviewing evacuees.

A traffic jam is great for people watching.  This truck was awesome, loved the Saints spirit.

This is near the I-12 exit ramp. During contraflow, all exits are guarded to ensure cars do not pull off.  We saw state police, national guards and MDOT standing guard.  We were on the contraflow side on I-55.  This put us north bound on the southbound side of the interstate.  It is a little surreal.

On two of the overpasses along I-55 we had well wishers.  The smiley face was a little weird but I think their heart was in the right place.

The trip took 14 hours from our front door to the hotel room.  The trip is usually ~5.5 hours.  Though tedious and worrisome at times it was wonderful to be on the road with my partner and dog.  I will leave you with this…

My loving partner holds my hand.

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I have loved Banksy for a long time. I thought we would have to go to London to see a piece by him.  New Orleans was honored to recive several anniversary pieces.  Here are some pics from our treasure hunt:

What a crazy day… last day preping and packing for evacution and driving around looking at Banksy art. An emotional roller coaster.
more pics: http://flickr.com/photos/jasperfields/

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This bar will close in the morning!  We are heading up I-55 after the countraflow starts.  We have accommodations until Thursday.  Today we moved the truck and wagon to what we think is higher ground and moved a gazillian things off the patio.  Now, I am off to finish packing so we can get to bed for tomorrow’s loooong journey.  I will write some more from the road  and will post some cool pics I took today.

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