Well, it's that time of year again, when Democrats and progressives gather to share ideas, innovations and bevvies in a spirit of solidarity and fun.
Some of 'em, at least.
Most of us are stuck in our little enclaves, too broke, too busy or just too bloody hot to dump everything and jet across the country for some old convention. And you know what? We're way cooler!
If I'd succumbed to the temptation to drag myself to Vegas this week, I'd have missed the 2010 New Orleans International Piano Competition, where twelve of the world's budding prodigies strut their stuff on the ivories. Or Tales of the Cocktail, our annual celebration of all things imbibable, the must-be-there event for mixologists and aficionados where lost weekends last the whole week long. Glam and gam fans won't want to pass up tonight's show at the Big Top/3 Ring Circus, Oh You Pretty Things, a burlesque tribute to David Bowie.
And, hey, if you find yourself too optimistic about life and the future, you can always pop out to Kenner and check out the ongoing oil spill hearings.
That's just a brief glance the specials this week. A short piece like this has scant room to mention the year-round attractions our city boasts. One example: the National World War II Museum, where visitors can learn about the struggles in two theaters and on the homefront to defeat the Axis forces that threatened the freedom of millions, with unrivaled collections of period pieces including
Congressional Medals donated by veterans
A genuine Enigma machine
Period images we could learn a lot from today
plus literal tons of planes, tanks, jeeps and, of course, Higgins Boats.
Not a big fan of cocktails and war? Well, we do have something of a reputation for fine dining, unique music and architecture, culture and all the fun that can be found in the original Disneyland for grownups (LV being but a pale imitation--new money and Christmas lights).
In fact, there's really not a single reason I can think of why I'd want to be anywhere else this week. Who needs some crummy old NN10, anyway?
So, my fellow refusniks, time for the annual roll call. Who you, where y'at and why is that cooler than anything happening out Babylon way?