and why carnaval? so the first question, at least some people are asking, is why a half-white, half-lebanese guy from ohio heading up this organization? and i'll tell you, it was pretty easy, it just took 20 years of participation and commitment to the mission district and to the carnaval community. i've been involved, my first -- i took part in 1991 and i performed as a dancer, a d.j., a drummer. i became king and i also performed with over a dozen groups including aqra rela who are going to perform today. i guess could you say i'm culturally curious. and fortunately for me san francisco is, in my opinion, and i've traveled quite a bit, this is the best place to be culturally conservative. i'm sorry, curious. did i say conservative? yikes. now, there's one little tidbit i'll offer you that you won't find on -- i don't know if supervisor avalos has arrived, but you won'tfight find it on his web-page or wikipedia but i danced in a dance group with his wife and i d.j. their wedding reception. i'm going t