Well at least there's one good thing about the economy. Women like cheap beads.

Yet.

Pedobear approves of the side-link....

abb3w: Pedobear approves of the side-link....

Wow that's...yikes.

$10 for 4 dozen Mardi Gras beads!

Link (new window)

/Oriental Trading Company FTW!

brigid_fitch: $10 for 4 dozen Mardi Gras beads!

Link (new window)

/Oriental Trading Company FTW!

No way. Go wholesale if you really want beads:

Link (new window)

60 dozen for $28. (47 cents for what you're paying $2.50 for.)

/don't work for them
//on a float

Anyone else see Made in China?

downstairs: brigid_fitch: $10 for 4 dozen Mardi Gras beads!

Link (new window)

/Oriental Trading Company FTW!

No way. Go wholesale if you really want beads:

Link (new window)

60 dozen for $28. (47 cents for what you're paying $2.50 for.)

/don't work for them
//on a float

Yes, a much better buy, but 7200 beads? I just want to decorate for a party next week, not start my own franchise. :)

/You work on a float? Cool. Wow, I miss NOLA--lived there in 1990 and still have my Hard Rock Cafe Mardi Gras shirt.

No, but I'll flash mine for chocolate.

If I remember correctly there was a recent article about suburban housewives working as dominatrix for income.

So yeah in NO they might be flashing for the mortgage payment.

Not safe for lunch (new window)

brigid_fitch: Yes, a much better buy, but 7200 beads? I just want to decorate for a party next week, not start my own franchise. :)

/You work on a float? Cool. Wow, I miss NOLA--lived there in 1990 and still have my Hard Rock Cafe Mardi Gras shirt.

There's a lot of opportunity with those 7200 beads.

You can get a camera, some beads, roam around and do a "Fark Presents: Tits or GTFO" DVD.

Package them with a tiny bottle of lube and sell them as "My First Anal Beads."

Use them in stop motion animation, and remake Golden Girls or Maude with Bead Arthur.

Turn them into wigs that are long hair by early 1960s standards, and tour as The Beadles.

Endless possibilities!

brigid_fitch: Yes, a much better buy, but 7200 beads? I just want to decorate for a party next week, not start my own franchise. :)

/You work on a float? Cool. Wow, I miss NOLA--lived there in 1990 and still have my Hard Rock Cafe Mardi Gras shirt.

60 times 12 is 720.

One of the biggest problems with the Quarter is the same problem faced by New York: the smell. I know it's a city, etc. But those are the only two cities where I was hit with a smell on the street that almost made me "toss my cookies," as they used to say.

Last time I was there I saw them spraying the street down with what smelled like a bleach solution, which helped a little. I was a little disturbed when I saw the bleach spray get awfully close to a hot dog cart.

i hear mardi gras butt beads are at a premium and hard to find.

My friend used to have an apartment in the Quarter and we would distribute "tainted" beads from his balcony. This consists of dipping the beads in vaseline which is invisible and, initially, not discernible to the touch especially if you are drunk. People usually realised what was up about as soon as they put them around their necks, thereby furthering the taint onto their clothing. A sling shot nailed to the window frame allowed for long distance tainting.

Good ol NOLA.

Linux_Yes: i hear mardi gras butt beads are at a premium and hard to find.

Well if you know where to look...

women don't usually flash their boobs for mortgages

Working in a bank would be a lot more interesting if they did.

Women have some screwed up priorities.

Worthless beads or mortgages? BEADS!

A bunch of cum dumpsters showing their bits for beads? Color me shocked..

Women don't flash their boobs for mortgages? Then what do you think is happening when a married couple buys a house together? I think the wife does more than flash boobs in that case. I haven't heard of a rush of single guys taking out joint mortgages with their best platonic female friends.

Ringtailed79: Women have some screwed up priorities.

Worthless beads or mortgages? BEADS!

Were you expecting some sort of logic?

I'm not saying that I would expose myself just for any rate... but it was a low fixed rate... the bra comes off.

thereadlines: One of the biggest problems with the Quarter is the same problem faced by New York: the smell. I know it's a city, etc. But those are the only two cities where I was hit with a smell on the street that almost made me "toss my cookies," as they used to say.

Last time I was there I saw them spraying the street down with what smelled like a bleach solution, which helped a little. I was a little disturbed when I saw the bleach spray get awfully close to a hot dog cart.

It's better, not amazing, but better. The company that does the cleaning has this lemon scent, that, while it doesn't totally eliminate that hobo-vomit-hooker-garbage smell, it does a pretty good job.

For Mardi Gras weekend, beads are, to paraphrase Seinfeld, "it's gold, Jerry, gold!

brigid_fitch: /You work on a float? Cool. Wow, I miss NOLA--lived there in 1990 and still have my Hard Rock Cafe Mardi Gras shirt.

Well, if "work" is drinking heavily and throwing beads and crap for 5 hours, yeah.

Shyla: No, but I'll flash mine for chocolate.

I have chocolate...please call me...

If you want to watch people get their asses beat in real time by New Orleans' finest, Mardi Gras provides many opportunities. Two of my personal observations:

1. Fat Tuesday was over and the cops ordered everyone off Bourbon St onto the sidewalks so the streetsweepers could come through. One girl about 19 didn't move fast enough and four cops descended on her ass and just wailed on her with their batons. We just kept moving on.

2. Guy decides to eat out his girl right in the middle of Bourbon St. A large group sorrounded them to watch the show. About ten cops moved in and proceeded to beat the living shat out of the guy. Left the girl alone though.


Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!

thereadlines: One of the biggest problems with the Quarter is the same problem faced by New York: the smell. I know it's a city, etc. But those are the only two cities where I was hit with a smell on the street that almost made me "toss my cookies," as they used to say.

Last time I was there I saw them spraying the street down with what smelled like a bleach solution, which helped a little. I was a little disturbed when I saw the bleach spray get awfully close to a hot dog cart.

I remember walking up Bourbon Street at 6:00AM going back to my hotel. It was like being in a futuristic disaster/zombie movie. The litter was knee deep; empty beer cups, food wrappers, handbills for stripper clubs and the smell; stale beer, urine,sweat, vomit and let's not forget, sewer gas. The sun was just coming up and the steam rising out of the manhole covers formed a kind of haze over everything. Wow, memories that last a lifetime...

Just like with just about any product you can buy today, they are 100% made in China.

/only retailed here

thatmanfromtexas I remember walking up Bourbon Street at 6:00AM going back to my hotel. It was like being in a futuristic disaster/zombie movie. The litter was knee deep; empty beer cups, food wrappers, handbills for stripper clubs and the smell; stale beer, urine,sweat, vomit and let's not forget, sewer gas. The sun was just coming up and the steam rising out of the manhole covers formed a kind of haze over everything. Wow, memories that last a lifetime...

Before Katrina, regular weekend nights in the Quarter were starting to resemble the key nights of Mardi Gras weekend. Flashing, shoulder-to-shoulder people in the streets... it was amazing. So, imagine the scene you just described... in late June... with it being oh, 85 with 60% humidity by 8am. I hadn't spent a summer day in New Orleans for years up until the weekend I am referring to... and I don't think I've ever smelled anything quite so foul. To quote the "Sports Guy" from his famous rant about New Orleans in 2002: "all they need to do is nail decaying bodies to the balcony to complete the aroma"

For mortgages they need a longer term con, aka marriage.

thatmanfromtexas: I remember walking up Bourbon Street at 6:00AM going back to my hotel. It was like being in a futuristic disaster/zombie movie. The litter was knee deep; empty beer cups, food wrappers, handbills for stripper clubs and the smell; stale beer, urine,sweat, vomit and let's not forget, sewer gas. The sun was just coming up and the steam rising out of the manhole covers formed a kind of haze over everything. Wow, memories that last a lifetime...

This thread would be more interesting if we told New Orleans stories. Here's one of mine:

I was in New Orleans for the bachelor party of one of my friends. I had to fly in for this and was the last to arrive on a Friday. When I finally made it to Bourbon street (around 1pm), I met up with my friends. They were already completely wasted, having spent the morning drinking and gambling on sports, then cards, then pool. The groom-to-be ends up puking in a urinal around 8pm and is taken out. His brother drops about $1k at a strip club, then stumbles back to the wrong hotel and passes out in the hallway, not to wake until the next morning. So that was Friday. Nobody saw either of these guys again until Sunday evening.

My New Orleans Mardi Gras story involves flying home on Mardi Gras day, aka Fat Tuesday. My family and I went sking for the holidays and flew back into New Orleans Tuesday night at 8 PM. I was sitting next a guy from Seattle. He started to get excited as we were about to land and I asked him why. His response was something to the effect of, "It's Farking Mardi Gras Man. I Am Soooooo Totaly Stoked!!!!!!" I just shook my head and turned to him knowing full well that I was about to crush his dreams. I told him that he was too late and Mardi Gras was over. I explained it to him and he just sat there in total disbielf. He thought I was messing with him and then he figured out that I was serious and he was screwed. He started to cry right next to me on the plane. I didn't know what else to say to him so I left him alone. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to say and at the same time on of the funniest things that I have ever been a part of. I've always wondered what happened to that guy.

/In case you don't know. Mardi Gras ends on Fat Tuesday. The party lasts for about 3 weeks leading up to it. After that day the party is officially over and the cops make sure everyone knows it. He showed up 4 hours before the party ended expecting to party hard for the next week. It was a sight I will never forget.

bacccc: Just like with just about any product you can buy today, they are 100% made in China.

/only retailed here

For those not in the know about these things. Before it all came from China what was tossed (albeit far more carefully) was Czech glass beads.

thereadlines: One of the biggest problems with the Quarter is the same problem faced by New York: the smell. I know it's a city, etc. But those are the only two cities where I was hit with a smell on the street that almost made me "toss my cookies," as they used to say.


Believe it or not, they've actually tackled this issue (the horrid smell) and have defeated it. Crews work extra now to pick up trash, hose down the street, and spray the sidewalks down with a lemon-scented mixture.

I was on a Bourbon St. Balcony last Mardi Gras for the better part of 7 hours.. and I swear, it smelled like I was in a park. (Well, at least when the day started.) Before Katrina, the trash & smell would pile up for days.

A few random Mardi Gras snaps from last year..

wireman2: Shyla: No, but I'll flash mine for chocolate.

I have chocolate...please call me...

Must be Cadbury or Dove DARK chocolate - none of that Hersheys crap. And if you have a LOT of it... well, lets just say you would have a very good Valentines day.

Shyla: wireman2: Shyla: No, but I'll flash mine for chocolate.

I have chocolate...please call me...

Must be Cadbury or Dove DARK chocolate - none of that Hersheys crap. And if you have a LOT of it... well, lets just say you would have a very good Valentines day.

What about dark-chocolate-covered beads? (Hmm, there's a marketing idea..)

Shyla: wireman2: Shyla: No, but I'll flash mine for chocolate.

I have chocolate...please call me...

Must be Cadbury or Dove DARK chocolate - none of that Hersheys crap. And if you have a LOT of it... well, lets just say you would have a very good Valentines day.

Just wait 20 years. The things you'll do for Hersheys....

Hey Shyla...


/EIP

I would have thought that someone would have posted pics of beads and asked for pics of tits by now :-(

What do you have to toss to have their pants cum off?

Now look what you made me go do... least I'm wearing my Mardi Gras beads....

My birthday is on Mardi Gras this year so I am getting a real kick.

/Hubby said we should have an "Ali gras" party for my birthday party and I told him to stfu
//He didn't realize what "gras" meant

brigid_fitch: downstairs: brigid_fitch: $10 for 4 dozen Mardi Gras beads!

Link (new window)

/Oriental Trading Company FTW!

No way. Go wholesale if you really want beads:

Link (new window)

60 dozen for $28. (47 cents for what you're paying $2.50 for.)

/don't work for them
//on a float

Yes, a much better buy, but 7200 beads? I just want to decorate for a party next week, not start my own franchise. :)

/You work on a float? Cool. Wow, I miss NOLA--lived there in 1990 and still have my Hard Rock Cafe Mardi Gras shirt.

Just for reference, the parade I'm in expects each person to bring 400 dozen throws.

I have pictures of beads for BIE. Seems fair to me.

/EIP

graphitesmoothie: 60 times 12 is 720.

I was told there would be no math.

dothemath: My friend used to have an apartment in the Quarter and we would distribute "tainted" beads from his balcony. This consists of dipping the beads in vaseline which is invisible and, initially, not discernible to the touch especially if you are drunk. People usually realised what was up about as soon as they put them around their necks, thereby furthering the taint onto their clothing. A sling shot nailed to the window frame allowed for long distance tainting.

Good ol NOLA.

Wow, we call people like that assholes where I come from.

clancifer: Anyone else see Made in China?

Yup. Pretty disturbing, actually.

thereadlines: One of the biggest problems with the Quarter is the same problem faced by New York: the smell. I know it's a city, etc. But those are the only two cities where I was hit with a smell on the street that almost made me "toss my cookies," as they used to say.

Last time I was there I saw them spraying the street down with what smelled like a bleach solution, which helped a little. I was a little disturbed when I saw the bleach spray get awfully close to a hot dog cart.

Keep in mind that many of the people who rail in print and to their friends about the smell are the very cause of it. I always get a kick out of seeing some assclown from Ohio, or wherever they come from, loudly complaining about the general state of sanitation on Bourbon St. while he's pissing on a bum and dropping his souvenir cup on the pavement.

What most tourists never see, thanks to the undeserved reputation of Bourbon St. as a bonafide attraction, is the real charm of New Orleans. The lower, residential Quarter. The Garden District. And instead of catching Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth, Soul Rebels or other legends at the Maple Leaf or Snug, they invariably pay to see some god-awful, 'blues rock' abomination on Bourbon in order to perfectly replicate a nightlife experience in, I dunno, Duluth. Topeka. Grand Rapids. And those thousands of People From Ohio? They stink up the joint. I lived on Royal St. for years, a scant 100 yards or so from Bourbon, and aside from the random asshole trying to piss on my front door, it smelled great. Jasmine, beignets, the oxygen from the river mist at dawn, all of it.
My point is that New Orleans is consistently judged by idiots who shouldn't be trusted to write a Britney Spears album review on Amazon. I'm not saying that about you - I'm just sayin' :)