No Mardi Gras
For the second year in a row, we will not be participating in any organized Mardi Gras activities. No one we know seems much interested in celebrating Fat Tuesday. I know that this is Ohio in the middle of the winter; but the bars and clubs have been dead when we go out. In fact, one place that welike has resorted to having ladies night on Saturday night! Even then, there doesn’t seem to be critical mass and there is almost no energy. We can’t remember a time when everyone everywhere was in this much of a funk. I even know a couple of guys who dropped out of going on mancation.
Is everyone so depressed in your area? I know that this is the time of year that people get the wintertime blahs; but the gloom that has settled seems to be more than that. And, if you know of any place in Ohio (bar, club or private get together) that’s off the hook chain whatever, please let us know. We’d love to get out of the house and forget about life for awhile.
I think it has more to do with the economy than depression. With so many folks out of work, budgets are tighter than a virgin on her wedding night. I know we’ve cut back as well, even though I’m still (luckily) gainfully employed.
I tried to go out dancing a few weeks ago and when we got there I just wasn’t feeling it. The place was pretty packed though. I think its hit me (cabin fever) to a point I know not how to enjoy myself when I’m out lol. There is really nowhere decent to go out around here anyway.
I hate to say it, but the financial situation in the country getting a little *too* real. People are worried, upsate, scared. I think we’ve hit a point where it’s pretty visible in everything. Having been a past resident of Ohio I know they are already part of the rust belt, so it’s hitting harder there. I just keep thinking the only way is up from here.
Keep the home fires burning (and don’t forget to take pics!! LOL)
My city has for the past few years in February had a winter carnival. (Lieutenant-Governor’s Ball (I am at a loss to describe what a lieutenant governor is – here the poluitical function of a governor is split off from the social parts and the two are respectively the premier and the lieutenant governor. so much for civics) It could be anywhere from -5C (about 8F) to -40C (-40F) but it’s usualy well attended. This year there were 23 centres (community halls, etc) each with a different ethnic group’s food, music, dance. Everything from Icelandic, Jamaican, French Canadian, German, Salvadoran, Italian, British, Scots, Irish, Ukrainian, Polish, etc. (My memory fails). It’s purpose is to combat ‘cabin fever’ and IT WORKS.
Cheers Yondan
Mr. Manic Depressive: The economy is really bad, and unlike when we’ve had down times before, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for a quick turnaround. Everyone seems to be planning for the worst; which, of course makes things even worse. In many ways, the economy has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. We’re both still employed as well. With so many people out of work, we feel lucky too.
Viemoira: This is not the happening place either. It’s during the summer and, of course, when people have more money. But things are as dead as I’ve ever seen them. It’s almost as if people don’t expect to have a good time if they go out so they don’t even bother to try. Right now it’s hard to spend any money on anything and not feel like you’re “wasting” it.
Dirty Debbie: The problem is the less people spend the worse they make it. Nobody is buying anything so that makes it harder for the people who sell things, which is almost everybody. Except for the government and some non-profit organizations, the sale of goods and services drive most corporations. We didn’t get any new beads; but we still took some pictures on Tuesday.
Yondan: That’s nice. We don’t have anything organized by city or state government to help people deal with winter. Some clubs have events for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. But they often have so high of a cover charge to get in that isn’t worth it. So, cabin fever is rampant; especially since we aren’t as hardy as the people where you live. We don’t do nearly as much socializing in the near zero to below zero temperatures that we have in the winter as we do on warm summer days.