Sometimes the literal tells less of the truth than the figurative. I wanted to send all my friends live-streams of the New Orleans parades, but I had seen them before, and when I checked again, I was sure: The live-streams totally fail. They are worse than bad; they depict the very opposite of the reality. Reductive, sanitised, forced talking heads making a miserable version of an ecstatic experience. Gimme that damn camera, let me at it.

The same is true with other YouTube videos of the parades. But there is one (or two, if you look): Easy Rider by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. Now this movie clip captures the spirit of Mardi Gras perfectly. The only problem is that it’s too short. I wanted it to go on and on, just like, well, Mardi Gras.

And then there is the musical selection. Yes, I know. Technically, “The National Anthem” has nothing to do with Carnival, but right now, at this stage, as this is posted, the party will be being believe me feeling madness chaos brass horns and swirling sound and existential dread detaching voices synthesise crescendo metallic synaesthesia tasting clear clarinet spinning turning holding on everyone everyone is SO CLEAR it’s all in love let’s fall in love its holding on That is where this party is at right now, at this hour, I assure you. I’ve long thought the blues / jazz horns of this song captured the spirit of New Orleans Mardi Gras perfectly.

I want a Star Trek Transporter.

Happy Mardi Gras, y’all.