One Hundred Smiles: The Big Easy

So - I'm completely and totally aware that I've been ~~slightly absent~~ absolutely MIA since, well, April. Sorry, y'all.. but I've been doin' work. [and I gave the blog a makeover, I'll explain that, too. Just not today, sorry.]

I've been being a "big girl" lately -- and I just got back from my first "big girl" vacation that was fully funded by yours truly. Yea, I said it. All...by...MYSELF. BOOM. Now, to some of you, this may be no great feat, perhaps something you've been doing for years. Here's why this is a big deal... 1) Most of my vacations are "family" vacations.. paid for, well duh, by my family. 2) I am ~~smart with my money a~~ TIGHTWAD, by every definition of the word. Ask anyone. To be frank, I'm proud of it. Feel free to write it down. Note that sometimes being a tighwad sometimes makes it hard for me to actually let go of money!

Where did I go? The great city of New Orleans. Yes, Bourbon Street smells bad, but I expect nothing less. Here are the highlights -- I'll be brief. Since we got to town on Wednesday afternoon, we decided to hit up Acme Oyster House for an early dinner. I had my fingers crossed that since it was mid-week and NOT dinner time, perhaps the line wouldn't be out the front door. SUCCESS! Marinated Chicken PoBoy -- winning. Definitely didn't need the bread, the chicken was to die for. No, really. It was that good. Had drinks at Archie Manning's joint, appropriately called Manning's [original, I know.] Thursday was a straight relaxation day -- lots of lounging and a trip to the casino. Now, while I did call myself a tightwad, I broke down and dropped a little change on the blackjack table. The smart me would've walked away when I was $60 to the good... instead... I tried my luck and left ~~upset~~ uber pissed. Friday, took a totally "touristy" bus through New Orleans. I don't care how many times I see those above ground cemeteries, I'm completely fascinated by them. We also hit up Mother's [as seen on Man vs. Food] and had the Ferdi Special. It's the most amazing sandwich this earth has ever seen. It should be called the Sent from God, Heavenly [for your mouth] Special. Saturday, totally hit up Mardi Gras World. It's a huge warehouse where Mardi Gras floats are created and assembled for the 54 parades held in New Orleans during Carnival. They also make props for casinos, Disney World, Universal Studios, Cruise Ships... quite the laundry list of buyers. Saturday night, I almost showed my "Northcutt temper" in the middle of a restaurant. [I must caveat this brief story with this: I might be a tightwad, but I'm an awesome tipper. Ask anyone.] Story goes like this, Joe and I decide to have Mexican for dinner, venture away from the Cajun gig for a while. It takes a half hour to have our order taken. When we finally got to order our enchiladas and quesadillas for dinner, it took over an hour to get those. We were one of maybe five full tables in the entire restaurant. No big deal, nothin' but time. Then my glass sits empty for 45 minutes, easy. Make note, we've spent close to two hours in this restaurant. [Rule number one of being my server... do not let my drink sit empty. I'll reward you handsomely for it, I swear.] We ordered a dessert since it was our last night out -- he says "he's not sure" if they're serving that dessert. So, he went to check. Twenty minutes later, after he's walked past our table about 8 times, we ask him for the check. That's when he proceeds to tell us he "forgot" to come tell us they didn't have the dessert we requested. As we were leaving, I, for the first time in my life, left a waiter one nickel for his tip... Yes, I stiffed him on purpose. Simple words my friend, you do your job of being a great server, and I'll happily hold up my end by being a good tipper... you decide your fate pal. Hope that nickel spends well, ya jerk!

Most nights were spent on Bourbon Street, so I feel no need to provide the highlights. It is what it is.

Here are a few pictures, Instagram, of course. I opted not to take my "big camera" with me, this time!

Archie Manning making an appearance at Manning's