First off, I feel the need to explain something about my previous column. When I wrote it, I was drunk. Hope that helps explain all of the lines that don't make much sense and I apologize for anyone who may have been offended.
I just returned from ringing in the New Year with the proverbial bang in New Orleans. Given how much notoriety my previous trip to the Big Easy has, this trip had a lot to live up to (If you don't know the previous story, just ask someone...my friends relish the opportunity to tell it). That said, this trip did not disappoint. In fact, in nearly every category (except brushes with death) it exceeded the 2001 Mardi Gras trip. To more effectively compare and contrast the two trips, I would like you all to take a look back at my colum from July 9, 2002. In this 2001 Mardi Gras-inspired column, I lay out a list of rules to follow whenever travelling with friends. Let's take a look at how well we followed them this time around.
1) DO NOT DIE - We did so well at this one! Not only did we all return home alive, we avoided any of those oh-so-close moments that seemed to plague our trip last time. Sure, that may have lowered the excitement level one notch, but I don't think anyone will complain.
2) DO NOT GET ARRESTED - Two for two. Not only did we avoid this one, but Jeff managed to turn thjs one on its ear by getting
12-24-03 - Presents and Predictions
12-11-03 - Baytown Nights
10-3-03 - A Night in D.C.
10-2-03 - Thoughts
10-1-03 - Some Movie Reviews
9-24-03 - Glenn's Thoughts
9-22-03 - Austin City Limits
Archives
1) "Don't Fear the Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
2) "Orange Sky" - Alexi Murdoch
3) "Reptilia"- The Strokes
4) "Don't Give Up On Me" - Solomon Burke
5) "Blue Christmas" - Bright Eyes
6) "Saint Simon- The Shins
7) "Molly's Chambers" - Kings of Leon
8) "I Luv U" - Dizzee Rascal
9) "God Loves Ugly " - Atmosphere
10) "Rock Hard Times"- The Eels
3) DO NOT GET THE CAR STOLEN - Not an issue on this trip. We weren't as cheap this time, so we didn't have to park in as sketchy of locations as we did two years ago.
4) CHOOSE YOUR VACATION PARTNERS WISELY - This rule should not be underestimated. And this is the one that we did oh so very well this time around. Nearly everyone brought their 'A' game...copious amounts of liquor were consumed, public spectacles were constant, and a respectable number hook-ups occurred. Sometimes the group dynamic clicks in an interesting way. Just before midnight on New Year's Eve, the whole group went to watch a fireworks display down by the river. At midnight we exhanged kisses, shared memories from the previous year, called friends who weren't there, and huddled together for warmth. It was like we stepped out of the closing scene of an episode Dawson's Creek...and I liked it.
5) DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, KILL - We aced this rule too, but I did see a homicidal look in Caroline's eyes when I asked a particularly pointed, drunken question that silenced a previously raucous group of twenty-five people. It is amazing I have any friends.
6) DO NOT COUPLE UP (DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS) - Everyone in our group was single...amazing, sad, and true...so that eliminates any possible exception to this rule. I wish I could say that we all passed with flying colors, but a few people definitely seemed to be playing boyfriend/girlfriend all week. I would love to use this space to chastize these awful individuals, but it would be a wee bit hypocritical, since I was one of the most egregious offenders.
7) DO NOT WORRY ABOUT LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES - We certainly managed to hold true to his rule...at least during the trip. A good number of us did things that we would not have ever done if our main concern was long-term consequences. Good job team! Now that the trip is over, some of these consequences are beginning to take shape, for better and for worse. Let's reexamine this rule in six months, and see if we still think it should be included.
ADDENDUM: 8) ALL BEDS MUST BE COED - Michelle was kind enough to introduce the most popular rule of the trip..I think we all owe her a thank you on this one.