Alot has happened in the past week or so but despite that (with a small delay) we are excited to finally bring to you our Mardi Gras Celebration for 2011. Through the next 4 days we have quite a few competitions and contests for anyone wanting to enjoy themselves and possible earn some money in the fine city of New Orleans. So without further ado I bring to you the events that we'll be sponsoring.

RoRoG then sets his bodyguards to begin handing out fliers with a list of all the events that New Orleans will have this year.

Story Contest

For those of you who were looking to stretch your creative muscles here is an easy opportunity for you to prove just how much of a lush you are. The following Story Contest dares everyone to tell the best (and funniest) drinking story possible. As with all true excellent drinking stories we expect a bit of exaggeration will be necessary to tell the story of how you had a run-in with a ninja oxen in a cathedral. (I'm still a bit sore from that but whiskey was involved so get off me.) Anyway from the judges we wish all of you luck and a speedy recovery from your hangovers.

Rules:

* Your story must include all the key words, it would be preferable if you marked them in bold and/or italics for judging convenience (The words are listed below)
* You may use any verb tenses you wish but changing the keywords' meaning through prefixes or suffixes will not be permitted
* The keywords may have multiple parts of speech in which they can be used and the judges look forward to varied and creative usage of the keywords.
* You may use the words in whatever order you wish
* You may send your entries in to me (RoRoG) with the Subject Line: 20 Word Story.
* You may not use the example I presented above in the description.



Words:

* cathedral
* dorito
* saline
* tenaciously
* cobbled
* verification
* salt
* bridge
* ninja
* oxen
* towel
* bedbug
* belittle
* hovercraft
* The H
* chopstick
* pyramid
* backgammon
* tongue
* peanut



Rewards:

* The best story will receive $3,000,000, the 2nd best story will receive $2,000,000 and the 3rd best story will receive $1,000,000.

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The Masquerade of The Shadows

The Shadows are hosting a Masquerade Ball. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Whoever is judged to have the most intriguing, creative response will win $2,000,000. Everyone who attends will receive a prize.

In order to make this a true Masquerade, we will be concealing the identity of all who attend.

To participate, send your personal costume descriptions and response to RoRoG or Egwene with the subject line Masquerade Ball. She will assign you a pseudonym and add your response for you to the party which will be displayed in the streets.

Since it is a party, everyone is welcome to submit as many replies as they wish. Guests are encouraged to interact with one another.

A party guest's identity will not be revealed unless all parties agree after the close of the contest, March 9th at 0:00.

Remember, while the party is in full swing, anyone who responds directly into the party, thus revealing their identity will be disqualified from winning.

Once Egwene receives the first entry, she will start the party with the following description:

The Grand Lounge of the Riverboat Treasure Chest was decorated to the nines. The walls were covered with drapes in hues or purple, green, and yellow. Lilac flower petals were strewn on top of each table. The lights were dimmed in order to offer anonymity to guests who wanted to make the most of their flamboyant costumes and disguised faces.

Come join in the fun! The more the merrier!

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New Orleans Trivia

For those of you who know the most about the history of the fine city of New Orleans, this event is perfect for you.

We have organized a list of 11 questions regarding the history of the New Orleans and the history of The Shadows. The questions were designed specifically to be answerable even if you did not have direct knowledge of the events but some effort will be required if you wish to get a prize.

The questions can be found Here!

Rewards will be given out to anyone who participates based on the number of questions they get correct with special bonuses given to anyone who answers all the questions correctly and an extra special bonus for the first person to answer all the questions correctly. Please send your entries to RoRoG with the subject line New Orleans Trivia.

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The Dharma Initiative Looks to Bring Your Art to the French Quarter Contest!

The city of New Orleans and The Dharma Initiative are looking for all of you up and coming or professionals to bring out your latest fashions. They latest tailored suites are in demand and we are hoping to have some of you guys and gals bring in some of the latest trends in suite making. The event is sponsored by George Jung inc.


We are looking to hold a street competition to get everyone out there a chance to show off there talents as suit makers. Giving anyone and everyone a chance to get there products out there. We are going to be picking a winner for each member of my hierarchy. So the suits will be made for Batman, Falcon and myself. If is up to you if you want to focus on the making of one suit or take the challenge of winning all three.


The following prizes will be available for the winners of the contest.

• 1st place prize for the suit of BostonGeorgeJung: 10 credits
• 2nd place prize for the suit of Batman: 7 credits
• 3rd place prize for the suit of Falcon: 5 credits
• An extra-special reward will be given for anyone who can complete a Crew Crest for The Shadows and Godfather RoRoG

At the bottom of the flyer it says: "The competition will be ending on March 9th at 23:59 so please get your entries in soon."


In the small print below the date you can barely read the following:

"We ask that all contributions be shown here in the streets during Mardi Gras. We thank everyone for there participation in advance. Good luck to everyone involved!"

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Fun At The Casino!

The Riverboat Treasure Chest Casino is celebrating Mardi Gras in grand fashion. This weekend through Ash Wednesday ONLY, you play… WE PAY.

New Orleans will monitor casino visits and will offer the following prizes:

• The person with the highest number of plays between now and 0:00 March 9th will receive $500,000
• The person who wins the most money between now and 0:00 March 9th will receive $1,000,000
• And because this is supposed to be a party, the person who proves to be the most unlucky this weekend will receive $2,000,000

It is always a pleasure to see events like these take place, especially when there hasn't been one for a while and given the tragic events that occured over the last week. I will surely be taking part in this event.

Bravo Godfather

Yarrr, you'll be sure ter be seeing a lot of this Bubble Blowing Bastard about in New Orleans over the next couple o' days. Nothing better than a party, and lots of rum! I'll be encouraging all of me members to take part in the festivities, and I wish all yee landlubbers the best of luck!

BubbleBeard stubles off into the distance, singing to himself "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life fer me yo ho yo ho!"

Dates for any of these events? Like when do submissions end, etc.

Unless posted otherwise, the deadline for all is March 9th at 0:00

Twisted walks out into the streets and quickly posts up her submission for the Bring art to the French Quarter contest, taking one final look and making a last minute adjustment, Tucking her supplies in her back pocket smiling as she turns and walks away.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/Twisted21187/Finished%20Pix/BatmanNew1.gif

It's always nice to see the traditions upheld. I look forward to seeing another grand Mardi Gras celebration held in New Orleans' inimitable style.

(Sorry error in the coding this is the correct link for my entry...  http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/Twisted21187/Finished%20Pix/BatmanNew1a.gif   )

Ricketts wanders over, full of Mardi Gras cheer (and quite a lot of whisky).

"I used to be something of a suit maker myself, hell I wasn't the best but I damn well tried hard. I decided even though I've been out of the game for a while, that in the spirit of celebration that I'd attempt to create something unique for Batman. I certainly hope he likes it."

With that, Ricketts lights a cigar and carries on his way.

"This will certainly be a fun celebration in New Orleans. "


Bamboo heads back to New Orleans as the celebration would surely bring in tourists. Lots of work to be done, and money to be earned.

Twisted again hurries out into the streets and posts up another entry for the Bring art to the French Quarter contest, taking a deep breath she tacks up her design for BostonGeorgeJung, making her normal last minute adjustments she smiles, Turning she heads off into the gathering Mardi Gras crowd in search of a drink.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/Twisted21187/Finished%20Pix/BostonGeorge1.gif

Twisted twists herself around almost forgetting the other entry she had in her bag, Maybe she has already had a little to much to drink, she returns to post her final entry for the contest, she tacks up her design for Falcon, again she makes a couple of adjustments to make it look its best, Pulling a cigarette out of her pocket she lights it, as she takes a deep drag and exhales slowly, she turns on her heel with a kick in her step she heads to the local watering hole.

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/Twisted21187/Finished%20Pix/NewFalcon1.gif

After his recent foray back into the field of suitmaking, Ricketts felt like he had re-gained some of the enjoyment he felt after finishing a piece. It was this enjoyment that spurred him on to create more...

"After some careful consideration I decided I would create two more suits, to fit Boston George Jung, and Falcon. I hope you like them gentlemen."

Ricketts tips his hat and carries on his way.

Lil Wayne Hears about the events happening in New Orleans and makes his way there,

"Sound great I look forawrd to taking place in this."

He walks away to start work.

Aalyshah walks in looking at the ground... "I may not be the best but I figured I'd give it a shot. So here is my suit made for BostonGeorgeJung

Stumbling out of a local bar Twisted makes her way back to place her crest for The Shadows, Making her final adjustments once again she twists around and heads back into the party at the bar.

"Well Here goes.."

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j374/Twisted21187/Finished%20Pix/TheShadows.gif

Batman :  http://i56.tinypic.com/142sn0o.jpg

There has been a slight change to the Mardi Gras plans, please submit all future 20 word stories to the street speech taking place just down the road

Ricketts returns once more, having been to a seminar on crest making. He hadn't made many before and he felt it was about time to see what he could do.

"This is my last piece of work, and hopefully it is to sufficient standards. I give you my submission for the crest of Godfather RoRoG."

Ricketts tips his hat to the judges and carries on his way.

Falcon  http://load.hostphotofree.com/5f7ed4b20963f63913c29744a1e53ecf/lunapic_129955092679304_14.gif