It’s good to be king

In October I had the good fortune of being selected king of the Krewe of Hyacinthians – an all-female carnival club in Houma. I didn’t know what to expect as I had never been a king nor was it something I actively desired. But, the experience has me convinced that being a king is a sure cure for the mid-life crisis.

The selection of king varies from club to club, but in Hyacinthians the king is chosen by a krewe member who aspires to be queen. During the summer, my close friend, Laura Cancienne, asked if I would be her king should she be selected queen. I accepted and haven’t had a single regret.

Knowing that over 300 women now call you king is a great feeling – curing the mid-life crisis. However, it doesn’t come without its side affects. Being king is known to cause “cranious swellous” – a swelled head. I was taking a bath two weeks ago and called to my wife to send in the maids – it was just a joke, but she was convinced I had lost my mind.

A friend must have agreed, because he sent this story to me:

A middle-aged man looked at his wife one day and said, “Honey, 25 years ago we had a cheap apartment, a cheap car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 25-year-old blonde. Now, we have a nice car, big bed and plasma screen TV, but I’m sleeping with a middle-aged woman. I don’t think you’re holding up your side of the bargain.”

The wife told him to go out and find a hot 25-year-old blonde, and she would make sure he once again lived in a cheap apartment, drove a cheap car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV.

This Sunday I receive my own reality check as the Krewe of Hyacinthians Parade rolls and my reign ends. I will miss the fantasy, but the experience has helped me greater appreciate what I am blessed with in my kingdom at home.