Orange, TX--HOME COOKIN' and Alexandria, LA--MARDI GRAS!!!

Orange, TX

Apparently, Orange, TX is on the map when it comes to children's tours. Is it because of the superior stage quality? The acoustics of the theater? The fabulously luxurious dressing rooms? None of the above. It's because of the volunteer ushers, a group of local retirees, that create a bangin' home cooked pot luck lunch for the casts that come through their theater. Since children's shows are typically performed during the day, they make this lunch a ritual for all the hungry actors that perform on their stage. To a touring actor, this is Nirvana.

The food. A table full of delectible entrees prepared by Orange locals.

That's one happy cast and crew!

I was quickly becoming part of the clean plate club (numbers 1, 2, and 3!).

After lunch, the gentlemen helped with load out. Bless their hearts!

While Miss Laquita taught a few of us some dance moves!

Miss Laquita was the bomb.

MARDI GRAS!!!
After we gorged ourselves on food, we hit the road for Louisiana. How amazing, we would be in Lousiana for Mardi Gras!, we thought. Weeeeell, it seems that most of festivities in parts of Louisiana other than New Orleans take place on the weekend before, since it's the middle of the week and folks have to get to work and what not. This did not, I repeat DID NOT hinder our fun. Our motto? Create your own fun!

Jordan, Santi and I started the night out with an Irish Car Bomb. Good idea, right?

Mmmm...so tasty. :)

Something happened, I'm not exactly sure. Something about Caitlin daring Santi to kiss her...gosh, I'm not completely sure. But he got up and attacked her.

1. Caitlin is caught off guard.

2. The attack.

3. The elbow to the gut.

Next, there was some discussion of cup size. No, not cups of beer.

The following pictures depict the old adage: you can grab your friends, you can grab your boob, but you can't grab your friends boob...

Let the games begin...

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"The end."

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Alexandria, LA

After that fabulous night on the town, Caitlin and I were motivated enough to go out and explore Alexandria in the light of day. Just like the empty bar on 3rd street, most of the town seemed empty as well. When we stopped at a local coffee show, the man who fixed our lattes said "Shops? Oh, no, there aren't any shops. We're working on that. There are plans. Come back in 5 years!" He gaveus a big smile. Cute. We had a couple of delicious sandwiches and then walked along the Red River in the beautiful 75 degree sun...ahhhh....

This cutie guy was on the side of a building...not sure why.

Historical sights! YAY!

Caitlin makes a phone call at the phone booth. Except...she has to use her own cell phone, these phone booths had been gutted.

Big ups to Lousiana. At least the weather's nice.