March 2011

Red Toro

It is strange to think that I have come back to New York to relax, but it is true. Perhaps it is more accurate to say I am in New York to clean up my act and take the lessons learned during the last 10 days of Mardi Gras and apply them to my passion that is my work. I sit here writing this blog after having had the one wonderful dinner New Orleans cannot offer. That is inspired sushi at Sasabune. You are not allowed to order at Sasabune and on the door it says "No Spicy Tuna Rolls. No California Rolls. Trust me!" It's true. Let them work their magic. It is the most healthy wonderful dinner in New York. And that kind of passion is admirable in any medium. I had one experience this week during Mardi Gras that one might consider unfortunate, but I found one of the most wonderful experiences of recent memory. During Mardi Gras people line up along St. Charles Avenue to see the parades during the day. Many arrive at 5 o'clock in the morning to set up their chairs and ensure a birds-eye view of the festivities as well as secure a better chance of catching all the beads that are thrown from the floats. I made the unfortunate mistake of stopping in front of an especially zealous woman during the Bacchus Parade. I have never in my life been treated to a tongue lashing similar to the one this woman was eager to dish out. I got both barrels and chose to move on down the road to a less coveted spot that was in view of the harpy I was fortunate enough to meet. I watched this woman and her husband for that matter retrieve an enormous amount of beads and gifts from the float during the parade. They had the most wonderful time. And by the end of the affair she was covered with different lengths of Mardi Gras jewelry. I must admit that I myself was covered with a number of beads. I personally prefer the hard plastic medallion variety and never strayed from this silhouette.