"Lagniappe"
is an expression used in South Louisiana that
means "something extra". Each
year the local schools get a day off from
school. It's called Lagniappe Day.
Mark and I were so lucky to attend the 2011 World Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini-Tramp Championships in Birmingham, UK just before Thanksgiving. While there, I did a little commentary for Acrobatic Sports TV, again. This time we just recorded two-minute wrap-ups at the end of each day of finals. CHECK IT OUT!
Also, CONGRATULATIONS to the American Women for qualifying to compete in the Summer Olympics on London!
At the end of the first day of finals at the 2011 World Trampoline Championships in Birmingham, UK, the Chinese Men surprise everyone – by placing second! Dong Dong, one of China’s two top performers, uncharacteristically crashed in the middle of his routine! No one was more surprised than him. Japan took the Gold in the Men’s Team Final.
For more, our 2-minute wrap-up is linked to Acrobatic Sports TV YouTube Page.
It’s been too long since my last blog. It’s been crazy busy here in New Orleans and blogging has been far from my mind. By “crazy busy” I mean Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, festivals, music, food, friends and so on. I don’t mean WORK! Life is good here whether I’m working or not. It was a good move.
These Flickr photo links give you a taste of what we’ve been up to:
Winter was magical in Scotland last winter. The enchanted memories will be with us forever. These are images from our walks and rides in and around Aboyne and it’s my holiday wish to you.
Today is my birthday. It has not been the same since 2001. In 2001, it was a day of horror. In 2002 & 2003, it was a day of mourning. In 2004, it became “Patriot Day.” It pretty much remained “Patriot Day,” until this year.
Now, it should be “Religious Tolerance Day.” It should have been “Tolerance Day” from the beginning. It’s more healing – not to mention life, time and money saving – to love, forgive and live in peace. War was the absolute worse thing to do. I was shocked when I heard war message roaring across the country. NOOOO! It was devastating news, especially since all the world showered their love on us in the aftermath of 9/11. War news broke my heart. It was just so wrong on so many levels. I still can’t believe we resorted to “war” and we’re still at “war.” Love heals all wounds.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
So, my birthday message to all is Love, Forgive and Live in Peace.
This Mardi Gras season with the Saints Superbowl win has exhausted me. As fun as it was, I’m ready to get back to work. It’s like Lent for a non-Catholic.
That said, here’s one last video from the crazy 2010 Mardi Gras season. We took our dog to the Krewe of Barkus parade which was held on the afternoon of Superbowl Sunday. I made a video featuring him while harnessing the theme of the parade and finding a funny narrative.
Headlines: “Cajun girl goes to Scotland and adores Highland Cows.”
When we travel to Scotland, it is traditional for Mark to drive past fields or farms with Highland cows to let me take photos. This trip was particularly special because of the heavy snowfall. These amazing beasts completely intrigue me.
That said, enjoy watching these Highland cows in snow in my little video I call “Highland Cows in Winter, 2010.”
Week Two of winter holiday vacation in Scotland. On Sunday, we got together with family friends/friendly family for an afternoon of sledging – or sledding, if you are American, like me.
I’ve been MIA on my blog lately. We had the craziest past few weeks and now it’s time to return to normalcy, whatever that is. I have to create “normalcy” because we finally made the official move from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
We’ve been in New Orleans several weeks considering and planning the move. Finally, we did it. We flew to L.A., tied up loose ends by reducing our obligations there significantly, drove back to New Orleans with all our worldly possessions (truck broke down twice in the Texas heat! Ugh!) and moved into our own little cottage in the Garden District.
During this time, the Louisiana Legislature passed the updated film tax incentive bills and the Governor signed them into law. With the new incentives and new home and new life, my hopes hinge on the theory that more features will be produced in Louisiana opening opportunities for my film career as a local talent in the Pelican State. By the end of the year, if this theory does not prove true, it’s OK. New Orleans is an exciting and lively town ripe with opportunity for creative individuals. Besides, the fun never ends. I feel very good about moving here.
