Back from New Orleans. So much happened I don't know where to start. I was sort of dreaded going though, just another duty, another responsibility. But somewhere on this trip something inside me that was hurt healed. Some hard, unhappy piece let go, and just felt better. Maybe it was at the Vampire Ball listening to Voltaire. Or maybe it was earlier when Hungry Lucy took the stage and Jon and I danced (okay, we sort of swayed and got embarrassingly close in public, but in his boots and my dress real dancing could have been dangerous). Jon took me to my first concert back when we were just friends. It was My Scarlet Life. Maybe it was earlier yet, at the wine tasting in Pirate's Alley where I met some of the faces that went with the names on the board. Maybe it was later spending the day with my good friend Florence, Jon, and Charles. It's been years since Florence and I got to visit this much. Maybe it was trying to eat Beignet's late at night while most of us were wearing black. For those who don't know what a Beignet is, it's sort of like a doughnut, but less sweet and drowned in powder sugar. Powder sugar and black clothing do not mix well. Maybe it was the signing, talking to all of you, some who had come to the ball, some who had come just for the signing. By the signing I'd seen some of you enough to feel like you were familiar faces, which was very cool. Maybe it was one of the dinners at the Alpine or Table One, surrounded by good friends, good food, good conversation, and just good stuff. Maybe it was the breakfast where Jon and I watched Charles loose the fight with the flaky goodness of the crossiant. Damn you, Crossiant, damn your flaky goodness. Maybe it was the morning that Florence knocked on the door all fresh from her exercise while the three of us were still not fully awake. She bought Beignets. Maybe it was late night talks about everything and nothing with friends. There is something about New Orleans that makes you relax. It just does. Maybe not if you're living there and still trying to repair all the damage from Katrina. But for those of us who are just visiting, it worked it's magic. The magic that is New Orleans.