If you're from the Mobile or New Orleans area, you've probably grown up celebrating Mardi Gras, or you at least, know people who do. Mardi Gras is one of those things you have a love-hate relationship with. Here's what you're probably thinking:

“I have to pee.”

Your bladder always decides that you’ve ‘gotta go’ at the most inconvenient times. Being outside without access to anything other than a Port-a-Potty that’s three blocks away is pretty inconvenient, especially since the line for it is a mile long.

“I’m hungry.”

It’s hard not to be, with all the smells wafting in the breeze. Funnel cake, corn dogs, Chicken on a stick, cotton candy; the list goes on, and so do the prices, unfortunately. You fork over the cash anyway though, because nothing is better than grease soaked concession foods.

“I wonder if I’ll actually catch something.”

You’re hoping for some moon pies, maybe some Ramen Noodles, or even those little bags of peanuts. Beads are okay too, but the things you really want are edible. Unless it’s the seven foot stuffed animals that the float riders tease you with, because you really want those, too.

“These people are getting too close to me.”

There’s a little kid stepping on your toes, his parents close behind giving you dirty looks. There’s that one annoying person with the butterfly net, and of course he’s holding it right in front of your face, trying to steal anything thrown your way. There’s another kid around the corner screaming because she wants her parents to buy her her a light up princess crown off of one of the merchant carts (you know, the ones that walk ahead of the floats, selling cheap wares for triple what they’re actually worth.)

“Is that so-and-so?”

You can’t tell from this far away, but you yell and wave anyways. Sometimes you’re lucky and they wave back, other times you just look like you are yelling for no reason. But hey, it’s Mardi Gras; no big deal. It’s pretty common, actually.

“When is this parade going to start?”

You know it starts at 6:30. You also know it’s currently only 6:15. For some reason, though, those few minutes of waiting before the parades roll trough are the absolute worst.

“I’m never going to catch anything.”

Then, BAM. As soon as the thought leaves your mind, beads hit you in the face. Be careful what you wish for.

“Yup; he’s drunk.”

There’s someone passed out under a tree with a bottle in his hand. There’s a cop over there, simultaneously trying to put cuffs on the belligerent guy while he supports his weight, because he’s a little too drunk to stand up straight on his own.

“I can’t wait for next year.”

Mardi Gras definitely has its downs, but they don’t outweigh the ups. You love it anyways, and you know you’ll be right back here again next year, yelling, “Hey! Throw me something, mister!”