Unless someone buys me a plane ticket tomorrow, it looks like I’ll miss Mardi Gras once again. Which is okay by me, if this National Geographic Traveler article is any indication. Most of their suggestions seem to revolve around how not to be a blithering idiot, like “be wary of scam artists” or “don’t pee in public“. It otherwise has suggestions for how not to lose your family, friends, net worth, and personal freedom. Sounds like a great time down in New Orleans, doesn’t it? I have to laugh at people who proclaim that they’re not giving up anything for Lent because it’s a stupid Christian holiday, and then turn around and whoop it up about Mardi Gras, which is essentially Carnival, which is essentially a way to go nuts before you give up things for Lent. Haha! They gotcha anyway, you anti-Christan rebel you! And for an interesting look at how trading beads for boobs supports sweatshops in China, don’t miss the award-winning documentary Mardi Gras: Made in China