Given the enthusiasm for two of my photos here on the Sift, I thought I’d post larger versions of them. They were taken at the Krewe of Caesar parade in Metairie on Saturday, January 26, 2008. This year’s theme was “Dreamland Vacations.” The dragonhead is one of three on the front of a double float. The tiny lights embedded in the heads add an extra effect.





The other float has a Mayan theme. It’s kind of dragon looking also. I’ve included a side shot of the float as well. See more shots from the parade here.

When I started using my digital camera, I accidentally hit the shutter button. It wasn't until I reviewed my images that I noticed the cool accidental images I took. So now I'll shake the camera on purpose. Yes, I've dropped the camera already once, but not while shooting. Anyway, the photo above is one of those images. This shot is from the Krewe of Bacchus parade and includes blinking bulbs from the float. To see more of the blur pics I took this past Mardi Gras click on pic lab.

The Dancin’ Dawgfighters appeared in Krewe d’Etat’s parade on Friday, February 1, 2008. This carnival organization is known for its satirical floats. Instead of a king, it has “The Dictator.” Instead of a ball, it has “The Revolution.” Here are photographs and a video of the Dancin’ Dawgfighters.

So what’s the best way to catch a lot of loot at Mardi Gras? Just show your enthusiasm and the riders will reward you. Among the trophies caught by this group: a whip and a Peewee Herman doll. They partied next to my group today, Mardi Gras Day.

Happy Mardi Gras!

New Orleans dogs have their own carnival organization, Mystic Krewe of Barkus. This year's theme was "Indiana Bones in 'Raiders of the Lost Bark'". Many of the dogs were dressed with jackets and hats just like Indiana. Some of them even had a boulder to pull around - on wheels that is. Then others wore what they wanted ignoring the theme. It seemed like the owners were having more fun. Well anyway, here are a few shots. I'll have more on my photo journal blog soon.

Actuallly this is one of many "Lost Barks."

One of several rolling boulders.


 

Otto and Willi are long haired dachshunds that were born on December 25, 2006. Yes, they are brothers from the same litter. Otto is black and tan while Willy is red. Each time I visit them they have to bark at me incessantly. Before I leave we are friends. I went with them on an outing this past Sunday.

New York Times:

Brad Renfro, Former Child Movie Actor, Dies at 25

TMZ:

Brad Renfro Laid To Rest In Hometown Funeral; Actor Reportedly Had A Son

You already met Shadow, the weinereimer. Well he celebrated Christmas with pals Razzoo, Tobasco (both golden retrievers) and smudge (a dalmation). All four of them were sporting  their "jingle bell collars." Smudge guarded his "doggie cane," in his doggie stocking, the whole time I was there. Shadow still thinks he's a lap dog.

Smudge 

Razzoo

Tobasco

Shadow

This Carnival Season is very short since Mardi Gras falls on February 5th, 2008. That day is also Super Tuesday (presidential primary elections) for a large group of states. Louisiana's primary is not until February 9th, 2008.

Anyway, the Christmas decorations come down and the Mardi Gras ones go up.

Here's my Mardi Gras wreath:

And here's some trivia about the New Orleans Mardi Gras colors purple, green and gold.

Let the good times roll!

Years ago chain letters were sent by mail. Then there came chain e-mails. Last year I was tagged by a fellow blogger and asked to tag three more bloggers. It was the same idea as a chain letter/e-mail. Now vloggers are tagging other vloggers on YouTube. YouTuber, nerimon (see video below), unleashed this upon YouTubers in his vlog on December 21, 2007.

Each vlogger who is tagged is asked to reveal 5 facts about herself/himself and then name 5 vloggers to continue the tag chain. He states that he thinks it would be a good way to learn more about fellow YoutTubers on the site and that he hopes that the chain will keep going.

My cousins have quite a sense of humor. Proudly displayed in their den is a "Round Tuit." So now when anyone says "When I get around to it," you'll know what they're talking about.

Someone from a blog community has tagged me. I am looking for six more people who wished to be tagged so I can continue the linking. It's a silly way of driving traffic to my "dot art" blog, but I still want to give it a try.

But before you get all excited, please read the ground rules and all the questions asked before you say you want to participate. Click on the link:

Faery Ink Press

Every year NORAD (North American Defense Command) tracks Santa as he makes his journey around the globe. The display is in real time. This year Google Earth teamed up with Santa Tracker to create a Santa Tracker 3D experience.

Norad Santa

Why Does NORAD track Santa Claus?

Meet SiftBot’s older Metairie cousin, GustaveBot. He’s a little camera shy, but I convinced him to have his picture taken. While he was here he had to check out the VideoSift site.

The other day I was in the French Quarter finishing up my Christmas shopping when I spotted SiftBot with some friends at Café due Monde. They were listening to the Holy Cross band play Christmas carols. Here you see them enjoying their beignets loaded with powdered sugar.

And guess who else stopped by, pigeon!

This morning when I turned on the radio in my car there was a report that from the middle of a police encounter that mentioned mace and tasering. Then I heard a brief radio report after. Only when I returned home did I see that events were not quite widespread as I imagined. 

This morning a vote was scheduled concerning the demolition of four public housing projects. There was a confrontation with protesters in the council chambers and two incidents at the gates outside. Someone was tasered inside. Two women were tasered outside. In the second gate encounter, many were maced. The story is still taking place. There is a rain today which affects the outside protesting. One reporter I watched said there were about 100 people outside the city council.

Sunshine Law - refers to a Louisiana law concerning "open meetings." 

Here are some video and articles from the clashes:

WWL Television

Fights erupt in council chambers

Council meeting starts after delays due to fights, shouting

Pictures from the protest 

The Times-Picayune

Council seems ready to approve demolitions

Photos: Housing debate heats up

Live Updates on Demolition Vote from Council Chambers

I'll post more when as I find information. 

This is a sight gag from the home tour I spoke of in my last post.  In this particular corner of the library you see a closet door and a bookcase to the left of the door.

And what do people worry about having in their closets? Any guesses?

The picture below is the same corner of the room . The book case has been moved to the right revealing a door to the back stairs of the house. Yes, I captured the tour guides having to look at their scripts. I was in the first tour group.

And of course the back stairs . . .

What do you do when you have 8,800 teddy bear objects? In Ricky A. Lenart’s case, you open up your house for a home tour. A joke in college turned into a collection of teddy bears – antiques, collectables and the ordinary ones. People just kept giving them to him. As for the house, when he first moved in all the rooms were painted a pastel green. Gradually he has redone each room. Each Christmas, he decorates the house and yard with lights. In each window there are animated bears. Here are a few photos below. The rest of the pics are here - more will be added this week, including the Sherlock Holmes study with sliding bookcase.