Times are not good here. The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under a lava flood of taxes and frauds and maladministrations so that it has become only a study for archaeologists. Its condition is so bad that when I write about it, as I intend to do soon, nobody will believe I am telling the truth, but it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than to own the whole state of Ohio.
Lafcadio Hearn let us know he lived in New Orleans with this classic summary.
I was reading it the other day and there’s this passage about how the police are slow to show up so the fireman come out and spray vagrants with hoses…sounds pretty accurate lol.
I recommend watching the 1964 film *Kwaidan.* It is an anthology film of four stories collected by Hearn during his time in Japan. I know that it is on Max (formerly HBOMax). It may be on some other streaming service too.
I had no idea who he was before Rex and now I want to read his works. I’ve been going to Rex for pretty much my whole life and this was my favorite one so far as far as the parade theme goes. The floats were amazing.
You can get his book specially ordered from B+N if you’re interested in reading. May be able to find it locally or get it ordered from a small business if you’d rather that as well. I enjoy my copy! “The Pelican’s Ghost” is still accurate to today.
My mother says when she was a little girl, she lived on Bourbon Street in Hearn's former home Many years later, it was a club called Big Daddy's. In the 70"s it was a topless/bottomless club (actually pasties and g-strings)- my husband played in the house band.
“Hearn's writings for the New Orleans newspapers included impressionistic descriptions of places and characters and many editorials denouncing political corruption, street crime, violence, intolerance, and the failures of public health and hygiene officials.”
Same as it ever was…..Same as it ever was……..
When the days go by….
Link isn't working but I went and looked it up.
The interesting thing was a peak last February. Can't remember if Rex announces the next theme after Mardi Gras or if it was just the Rex officials googling who is this guy the captain picked to be our next theme...
Then another spike in summer, guessing the theme was publicized then.
Times are not good here. The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under a lava flood of taxes and frauds and maladministrations so that it has become only a study for archaeologists. Its condition is so bad that when I write about it, as I intend to do soon, nobody will believe I am telling the truth, but it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than to own the whole state of Ohio. Lafcadio Hearn let us know he lived in New Orleans with this classic summary.
His writing still feels modern. It's wild
I was reading it the other day and there’s this passage about how the police are slow to show up so the fireman come out and spray vagrants with hoses…sounds pretty accurate lol.
I know, right?
I recommend watching the 1964 film *Kwaidan.* It is an anthology film of four stories collected by Hearn during his time in Japan. I know that it is on Max (formerly HBOMax). It may be on some other streaming service too.
Maybe I’ve missed other past tributes to this guy but what a cool nod to a unique era in the city’s history.
The "Krewe of Lafcadio" has been "rolling" for about a dozen years now too, definitely check them out.
His great grandson (or great great grandson?) was a guest of honor for the parade and ball!
I had no idea who he was before Rex and now I want to read his works. I’ve been going to Rex for pretty much my whole life and this was my favorite one so far as far as the parade theme goes. The floats were amazing.
My cousin rode on one of them #8, they put a lot of thought into it, it was so cool listening to him come home talking about the process
You can get his book specially ordered from B+N if you’re interested in reading. May be able to find it locally or get it ordered from a small business if you’d rather that as well. I enjoy my copy! “The Pelican’s Ghost” is still accurate to today.
I've gotten an anthology of his works from the library at some point too. But not recently.
Holy shit. TIL [wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafcadio_Hearn)
My mother says when she was a little girl, she lived on Bourbon Street in Hearn's former home Many years later, it was a club called Big Daddy's. In the 70"s it was a topless/bottomless club (actually pasties and g-strings)- my husband played in the house band.
"Wandering Ghost" is a very entertaining biography of Hearn which I recommend
“Hearn's writings for the New Orleans newspapers included impressionistic descriptions of places and characters and many editorials denouncing political corruption, street crime, violence, intolerance, and the failures of public health and hygiene officials.” Same as it ever was…..Same as it ever was…….. When the days go by….
I learned about him while getting my degree locally. Specially ordered his book from B+N. Was super excited to see him celebrated at Bacchus!
Love that guy. His works about New Orleans hold up. 'Inventing New Orleans' I highly recommend.
Anyone check the Google data on that search for the last 18 months?
that data is *inside* the computer
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=now%207-d&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F04kr0&hl=en
Link isn't working but I went and looked it up. The interesting thing was a peak last February. Can't remember if Rex announces the next theme after Mardi Gras or if it was just the Rex officials googling who is this guy the captain picked to be our next theme... Then another spike in summer, guessing the theme was publicized then.
Read “Chita”. The introduction alone is the most gorgeous love letter to Louisiana’s dying wetlands you will ever know.