Day 1065: It’s Black And Gold Forever

The FYYFF: It’s Black And Gold Forever fundraiser party for the Ashley Morris Memorial Fund was set to start at 8pm. Nothing starts on time here, but I was worried about being horribly late when D and I entered One Eyed Jack’s at a quarter to ten. Fortunately for us, the Arena Bowl crowds, the sudden and heavy rain and the general Saturday-night-in-the-Quarter rodeo had snarled up traffic so badly that half the talent hadn’t yet shown and the opening act had just gone on. Jewish Standard Time sounds a lot like Indian Standard Time, yet another reason for a HinJew merger.

Walking on Chartres to One Eyed Jack’s, D and I received a free concert from Huey Lewis, whom we heard was playing at or outside the Hard Rock Cafe. “The Power Of Love” followed us into the fundraiser. Once officially wrist-banded, Jeffrey, Menckles and I sauntered into the main area to find the bloggers on the right hand side of the room, while the Rollergirls and their posse lined the opposite wall. I think Jeffrey likened it to a school dance, the sexes segregated to either side of the dance hall, while I pretended we were the Jets or the Bloods and stepped onto Rollergirl territory to see if a fight would immediately ensue. No one noticed; all eyes were focused on the stage as Supa Saint prepared to go on.

Things soon got going. Oyster spoke on behalf of Rising Tide, after which Ray re-read his What Is Ashley Morris? to thunderous applause. Hana, Ashley’s statuesque and strong widow, thanked all of us for being there and helping out. Hana and I both noticed that every time we’ve done anything Ashley-related in the last few months, it starts to pour outside. We’re both not superstitious, but the coincidence is a bit funny-eerie.

Bloggers I ran into, in order of encounter: Ray, Loki, Oyster, Jeffrey, Tim, Liprap, Michael Homan, Celcus, NOLA Cleophatra, Adrastos, Mark Folse, Patrick, Dangerblond, Bec, Cade Roux, Candace, NOLADishu, DB, G-Bitch, Mr. Clio, Christian Roselund, Becky Houtman and Humid Haney. Jason Berry was there, as was LisaPal who brought Huey Lewis over from his concert. If I didn’t mention someone, no offense.

Following the speeches came the auction and raffle. Oyster bid on and won a dress for Lovely, one freshly stripped off a member of Fleur de Tease. Haney got his wife a necklace created by Niki Fisk, a local jewelry maker, who just so happens to have attended high school with one of my cousins. Glad to know she is still in New Orleans. Mark Folse won one of Ashley’s cigar ashtrays.

I have crappy luck when it comes to winning anything, so imagine my surprise when I got not one, not two, but three pieces of art at the raffle. My booty includes a painting of a voodoo doll by Varg, Who Dat by Rex of NOLA Rising and Frankenstein which looks like the work of Tard Monster by Unknown Parts. I’ll have to check with The Dingler.

The night ended with D, Folse and me at Fahy’s, where Katie didn’t beat D and me for not showing up in eons. Fahy’s was where I first met Ashley Morris on Ash Wednesday 2006 and asked him where he blogged and what he had written. “Oh, you know, FYYFF and Sinn Fein.” “That’s you?” I responded, “you’re great.” Ashley smiled and said, “Here, have a cigar.” With a bad cold, I declined his offer, but had to smile. FYYFF and Sinn Fein, Ashley, we will never forget.

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