Drippy day

I didn't make it to Ostia today, the weather was really iffy all morning
and then ended up being wet all afternoon. It did clear up enough for two
hours of busking, though, which was nice! We've rescheduled for Friday.

Rome is a news junkie's paradise - not only are there two free morning
papers, but an evening one as well. Not exactly in-depth coverage, but
enough to get a grip on what's going on in Italy and the world. And I get
to read about things like a crack-down on the counterfeit merchandise
street vendors (they confiscated 59 pens!) in an area where I've busked
(Campo dei Fiori). I'm glad they didn't get any purses because there was
a guy selling them there who was really kind (I accidentally set up too
close to another musician; when I realized my mistake I packed up to leave
and this guy said "you're better than he is").

The papers here are reporting that Mardi Gras in New Orleans was a
smashing success, while the Washington Post (I check in every few days to
keep my eye on US politics) is more skeptical - any clarifications from
the locals? How did it go? I was impressed that the Post talked to tarot
readers and buskers, but the ones I know tend to qualify everything as
either a smashing success or dismal failure without any "pretty good".

I hope that this finds everybody doing well!