Carnivalescence
Convalescence: n. 1. Gradual return to health and strength after illness. 2. The period needed for returning to health after illness.
Carnivalescence: n. 1. Gradual return to health and strength after mardi gras. 2. The period needed for returning to health after mardi gras.
In my experience, carnivalescence usually lasts at least one week. Even if the carnivalescent isn’t really sick or weak, there is still a lack of interest in any social activity, or even routine errands. Some folks might say that sounds like depression, but no, it’s just the brain saying “Okay, you’ve had your fun, now let’s just sit on the couch, drink cocoa, and watch Court TV for a week.” Even a mundane activity such as talking on the phone or reading a book is shot down by the brain as being too taxing.
Hence, I am posting at 9 on a Saturday night, in my loungewear, drinking mineral water, ready for bed in an hour or so. I don’t even know how I’ve mustered up the energy to write all these words. That’s not to say I haven’t been working or anything, in fact I’ve been sheetrocking my house for the last few days, but any kind of interaction with the outside world is just not something I want to be a part of. And I suspect that’s why the only posts on here lately have been about 1) yelling at people from the confines of an apartment, 2) renting movies from Blockbuster to watch at home. I totally understand. We’re all carnivalescing.
In fact, the only observations I’ve made about the city since Tuesday are the following: A) Traffic light at St. Charles and Napoleon seems to have stopped working, this might be fixed by now, but I would gladly have it broken as a trade for B) the traffic light at Napoleon and S. Claiborne, which is finally operational. C) The lines at Whole Foods on a Saturday evening are actually not as bad as you’d expect, although I imagine they’re much worse on a weekday, and D) Whole Foods is still expensive and I still hate it, but carnivalescents often feel the need to pamper themselves with luxuries.
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I know what you mean. It has taken me DAYS to get over this Mardi Gras. And it didn’t help that I stayed by a friend’s house Uptown instead of the FEMA trailer in St. Bernard, so I spent the whole time getting intoxicated off the copious hot water, the dishwasher, and the general “room” in which to lounge around. Back in the trailer, I’ve been subject to an awful hangover…
glad the light at Napoleon and Claiborne is working - my uncle (who rarely drives that direction and is woefully unaware of general direction, apparently) and I had quite the time watching people trying to navigate the thyroid-defecient stop sign there. I had a great time - although I think I hit carnivalescence Tuesday around 3pm. :-( (starting drinking at 9:30 am could have had soemthing to do with that. That, and the fact it was mimosas and I have an itolerance for wines and chanpagnes.) I was sooooo tired and sorched by the sun - I couldn’t even contemplate hitting the Quarter later with my tourist brother and sister-in-law. I hung out with my aunt and drank a few beers while watching American Idol (a first for me - the Idol part, not the beer. I think the beer was the only think that made Idol watchable)
Anyway - it was a great Mardi Gras for me - totally irresponsible to leave Memphis on a Monday morning, drive all day, party all night, parade all day Tuesday and then drag myself out of the city around noon on Wed. I had several pissed off co-workers who thought I hadn’t covered my ass before I left - whoops- no THEY hadn’t read their email and followed the isntructions. I think they were just mad I actually DID what they wanted to do. They made nice after I started dispensing the Rex beads on Thursday. (the Zulu are mine - alllllll mine.) My husband was remarkably supportive - he knew I needed to see the city for myself, and to help in the only way I can - money. So, beans and rice for a week in exchange for a couple of muffalettas, a vat of olive relish, 5 t-shirts, a baseball hat, a car magnet, lots and lots of empty beer cans, and quality time with my cousins and extended family. Not a bad deal.
Happy Carnivalescence!
A.
Carnivalescence. That’s wonderful. And so true. Took me until Sunday to start moving in vaguely productive directions again.
Makes me even more grateful that my school always gave us the week of Fat Tuesday off.