Get Awesome Mardi Gras 2006

 

The ressurection of the ninth ward float

Brian and Katie Peck Designed the original "Get Awesome" float for the "Mystic Krewe of the Flying Donkey". Alas, their home in the lower ninth ward sustained about 10 feet of water, leaving the float destroyed. The float and the mystic flying donkey mascott were removed from the rubbel a while back. The float without hope and the donkey , no longer flying, with only one scrawnny feather left on his back, sat in our back yard for about a month.

On the Monday before Mardi Gras (Lundi Gras) William miraculously brought it back to life, while Katie Tripplet and I made flowers, and Ryan sculpted a huge copper Fleur de Lis.

William also made our "Get Awesome" sign as a tribute to all of the loved pets lost in Katrina.

I hope that our float reminds people of the tenacity of the lower ninth ward. Most things are salvageable by the power of community.

Everybody GET AWESOME

The last day ...Fat Tuesday, yikes, we made it! We were all so glad to see it come near, and even gladder to see it pass. The achingly long (2 mile long) car-ride home was filled with so much anticipation to see our soft clean beds, that it easily paralleled our wait for this holiday.

The day was fabulous, as always. Everyone was there from all parts of the globe. The Panorama Brass Band served up another juicy helping of joy and laughter. They really make our Mardi Gras special every year!

I chose to re-run my costume theme, “Get Awesome" as a tribute to the true get awesome cowboy of Portland (if you don't know what that means, it's worth it to ask). I usually retire a costume theme after each use, but I have had a hard time letting this one go. In fact, next year, I may just have to get awesomer.

If Katie Peck is back next Mardi Gras, we will all "Get Totally Awesome". She was missed. Everyone who was not here to help us celebrate was missed.