Things are getting real weird this week. I mean real, real weird. Mardi Gras beads are stacking the necks on Bourbon Street, Carnival-goes are shaking bare bottoms on cobblestoned streets throughout the world and everyone’s totally cool with it.

Ever wonder why the annual week of “anything goes” debauchery?

The straightforward answer is: Carnival and Mardi Gras deliberately occur the week before Lent. That’s right. 40 days and 40 nights where some of us will give up our vices before Easter; also the inspiration behind 2002 Josh Hartnett/Shannyn Sossamon blockbuster; also the ONLY period of the year when Cadbury Eggs and Marshmallow Peeps grace the shelves of the candy aisles. A pretty monumental moment for the winter months.

As Mardi Gras rages on, those of us in the FW workroom are focusing on a less talked about element of the holiday. Carnival, in the most literal sense, is medieval Portuguese for “put away the flesh”. Funny considering the fact that, instead of putting our skins away, we flaunt near every bit we’ve got. The tradition was, clergymen would parade oxen through Colonial streets for a somber farewell. In those days many Catholic followers were obligated to give up meat leading up to Good Friday.

But, somewhere along the historical line, They said “give it up” and (some of us) said, “Cool. Let’s party first”.

So, whether you’re celebrating, observing, reflecting, or just trying to get to Friday, keep in mind that this day-drunk week of circus might not be as straight forward as you thought it was.

Here’s to giving up vices and temptation. But let’s not miss the fun in going out in glory.