Lifestyles of the Easily Obsessed

Yeah. I need more hours today. Mike was up at 4:00am he (accidently) woke me up so I've been up since. I'm so tired. Its dark and rainy. I have no enery or motivation to do all this. And? My allergies are AWFUL! I want to scratch my eyes out they itch so bad. It's going to be a long, long, long day.

I was just looking at my calendar and realized that there is really only one more full week in October. Then its over. This month went really fast! Once November hits, it's all about the holidays! The time between Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras is my favorite time of year. So much festivity and fun. I was checking out some Christmas decorations in Target yesterday and found a few things I want to get. Maybe I'll procrastinate some more by making my Christmas shopping list? I need to start getting some ideas for the kids. They are so hard to buy for now. All they want are electronics and photography related stuff, which, is really expensive!

My idea was to skip the gift giving this year and go on a cruise for Christmas. Or just a few days in the Bahamas. No one else bought into it. The gift giving just isnt what it used to be. I remember as a kid always getting stuff I wanted. Everyone got stuff they wanted. Now everyone gets gift certificates because no one can think of great gifts to give. I think the problem is that people, in general, tend to just go buy things that they want or need instead of waiting for your birthday or christas or whatever to recieve it as a gift. That didnt used to be how it was. We never just went out and bought games and fun clothes and luxories on a whim. We waited until we were gifted with them.

I started a system long a go when Jimmy was little. Starting October 1st, the kids got no new toys or anything that wasnt absolutly necessary. All the new toys the companies were promoting on Saturday morning tv? Nope, you have to put it on your Christmas list. I still do that. When Connor and I were at Target the other day he saw a video game he wanted. And while he does have enough money to buy it, I wouldnt let him. I told him he needed to put it on the list and hope Santa brings it (does he still beleive in Santa? I have no idea. We finally told him there was no tooth fairy!). There was a guy standing by us and he chuckled and said what a great idea that was.

I try to do it for myself too. There are quite a few books and DVD that have recently been released or will be soon. I will hold off buying them so my family will have some ideas of what to get for me for Christmas.

On a happy note for today, I am wearing a pair of jeans I bought for Mardi Gras but have not been able to fit in since then! And they are comfortable! And they arent even "stretch"

Oh! Make sure you watch Comic Relief on November 18th! This year all the proceeds will go towards helping families in New Orleans rebuild their homes! How awesome is that!!! And...even more exciting..Bonerama is going to be the House Band for the event! ROCK STAR! If the spirit moves you, please consider making a donation

And now I must end this and get to work. I have to leave early to go to bowling so I need to go bust my ass for a few hours!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:34 AM | Comments (1)

October 11, 2006

Book 80-City of Beads by Tony Dunbar and a Little Catching Up on My Kind of Boring Life

I haven't been in a reading mood since the fall tv season started. Even with tivo I have been spending my free time with the tv rather than a book. However some shows are putting on reruns already so I've had a chance to read a bit at night. This book is the second in the Tubby Dubonnet series by Dunbar, set in New Orleans. A fun, light read. Dunbar manages to include actual environmental concerns in New Orleans in his murder mystery. I have the rest of the books in the series (thank you Amazon used books) and will probably read them over time.

Speaking of tv, I've been giving some of the new shows a try and not likeing very many of them.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip- I tried to watch the first eppie but it put me to sleep. I had tivo'ed it and tried to watch it during the day but it coulndt hold my attention so I didnt bother trying to watch it again.

Brothers and Sisters- Tom Skerritt! Sally Field! Balthazar Getty! Calista Flockhart! Ron Rifkin! Patricia Wettig! I was so excited about this show because of the cast! It's turned out to be kind of dull. I cant get past Rifkins character being the evil Arvin Sloane and I keep thinking he's plotting some world takeover and expecting to see some Rambaldi artifact on his desk. They killed of Tom Skerrit too soon. I can't see this show lasting. Great cast. Boring storyline.

Six Degrees- I'm having a hard time getting into this one as well. I'm expecting it to be cancelled. I can't keep track of all the characters and what their story is.

Heroes-Underwhelmed me. I expected more and was disappointed. Not holding my interest at all. Just to weird.

Jericho-I didn't expect this to be great, but it sounded kind of interesting but it's ending up being really cheesey. I read on E! that its supposed to get better, so I wont give up on it yet.

Justice-I heard it was cancelled already. Like B&S, I cant let go of the Alias personas of the characters. Victor Garber will alway be Spydaddy. And his hair freaks me out. If it continues I'll watch it for Garber and I like the fast pace of the show and how they show what actually happened at the end.

The Nine-Probably the best of all the new shows. Only saw the premiere and I'm sucked in already. Im so interested to see what happened during those 52 hours. I adore Tim Daly and Kim Raver is much less annoying than she was on 24.

I continue to be obsessed with Lost, Nip/Tuck, Gray's Anatomy, Prison Break, Survivor, ER and House. And General Hospital is my guilty obsession. Shhhh.

On the work front, this week has finally slowed down a bit. It's fall recess starting this evening so the kiddo's are vacating campus for a few days. It will be nice to get caught up on my paperwork and see my desk again. On a less happy note, the skunks are back! AGH! It stinks to high heaven in here today. My eyes are burning. My head is throbbing. I taste skunk in my mouth. This is not good.

On the home front we are busy as usual. Mike has his annual trip to Notre Dame coming up soon. We started prepping half of the downstairs for painting, and right now the only thing holding us up from finishing is my inability to settle on some colors! Too many to choose from!

On Friday we are meeting with the principal at Connor's school. No, Connor isnt in any trouble, but there is a boy in his class that is causing some issues. He's seriously disturbed. He needs some help. There are tons of red flags popping up with this kid. He hates Connor. Mike and myself, along with several other parents are really worried. Its come to the point that I worry about sending my kid to school. This other kid, he will be the kid that brings a knife or gun to school and kills someone. The warning signs are there and something must be done. The Principal is awesome and he sees the problem. But he needs some parents to back him up. Its going to be ugly.

Happy Hump Day y'all! Go hump something and celebrate the glorious fall we're having up here! I'm hoping the weather hold up and I'm able to head up to Bushkill Falls this weekend for some prime leaf taking pictures!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:38 AM | Comments (2)

October 03, 2006

Soulmates Found

I interviewed NINE people today for the Alternative Spring Break trip. NINE. Thats alot of talking let me tell ya.

I loved them all. Despite what this next generation might look like-self absorbed, spoiled, instant gratification seeking brats with entitlement attitudes- (what?? sorry thats what I mainly see walking into my office)...but anyway there are some really really great kids, no, young adults out there.

I met some really fantastic folks today. They have huge hearts and they CARE! They are as appalled as I am about whats going on in New Orleans. Or rather what nots going on. Who knew there were kindered souls here in Wilkes-Barre? I wanted to hug each of them. Some of them have never been on an ASB service trip before but the situation in NOLA has moved them to want to become involved. Some have wanted to help out in NOLA since Katrina but had no resources to do so. Im so proud to be part of such an amazing group! I am so excited to start working with them and to introduce them to the magic of my beloved city.

I still have 4 more interviews to do on Thursday and two of the other coordinators are also doing interivews. I cant wait to get the whole group together!

I want to teach them everything I know about the city! I hope that they fall in love, with New Orleans and return again and again and again. And I hope that they return home and share their newly found love with their friends and family, and bring back the message that NOLA is NOT OK! The students seem to understand this already. Some more than others.

I love to see the city from the eyes of someone who has never been there, it helps me to see different things as well. I hope to not only teach these kids, but to learn from them. They really have alot to offer. Kids like this give me hope for the future.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 06:08 PM | Comments (4)

September 24, 2006

U2 Loves New Orleans

My friend Stacey just called. From inside the Superdome. Standing five feet away? Bono. Yep THAT Bono! U2 is in New Orleans to celebrate the re-opening of the Superdome tomorrow. Locals were invited to come and be on the field during the pre-game show of U2 and Greenday. They had a run through tonight and Stacey is there representing with the Arabi Wrecking Krewe!

How incredible must it be! I can't wait to hear all about it from Stacey! I hope someone is taking pictures! Bono is the ULTIMATE rock star. One of the greatest performers ever. If you ever have a chance to see U2 I highly recommend it!

I've see them three times, way back in the day,before they were the super duper rock stars they are now. They were super stars but on a bit of a smaller scale. Just a bit.

Two times were unremarkable. Nosebleed seats. Great music. Fun times with friends. But the third time...wow the third time ranks up with the top all time concert experiences I've ever had.

It was a completley spontanous event. It was some random weekday. I was at work, and had the radio on in my office. U2 was playing in Hershey the next day and I had been unable to get tickets. Out of sheer luck, I heard the DJ announce that U2 was rehearsing at the Hershey Arena that night and they decided to open it up to the public. First come, first served. I immediatly called the guy I was dating to tell him. He called his friend who was and probably still is a HUGE U2 fan. He makes my Harry Connick obsession look mild. Then I called my friend Molly and we all decided to meet up and drive to Hershey after work and see if we could get in.

Somehow we all managed to score some tickets, none of them were together and none of them were on the field, they were all over the place. Molly and I ended up separated from the rest of the group and were scoping things out. If you didnt have a field ticket, there was really no way to get on the field. There were these huge steel barricades all around the perimeter.

All of the sudden U2 took the stage...it was total chaos! People started scaling these steel barriers and jumping from them onto the field! Molly and I looked at each other and the next thing I knew Molly was at the top! I climbed up after her, not even thinking and dropped onto the field. We took off running at full speed as security guards were chasing people! We managed to blend into the crowd and avoid being excorted out! WHEW!

Our next goal was to get as close to the front as possible...Molly led us up to the third row and we made eye contact with some guys who let us stand on their chairs with them! A little flirting goes a long way!

The show went on FOREVER! U2 puts on such an amazing performance! We danced and sang and gushed over Bono!I get all excited just thinking about it!

So I hope Stacey is having an incredibly memorable evening in the Superdome with U2. Oh, and Harry Connick Jr.is there too. Watch the pre-game on ESPN tomorrow to see it all for yourself!

Geaux Saints!

And thanks to U2 and Greenday for caring about New Orleans.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:35 PM | Comments (3)

September 22, 2006

I'm So Freaking Excited I'm Afraid My Molecules May Fly Apart!

I just had a lunch meeting with our Community Service folks here at work. Every year Wilkes (as well as many other colleges) sponsors Alternative Spring Break, where instead of heading south the beaches to drink yourself silly and end up on a "Girls Gone Wild" episode, you ship off to some horrid, depressed, poverty stricken location and volunteer to help them in some way. In the past Wilkes has gone to Peru, Kentucky and Auschiwicz. This year....THE TRIP IS TO NEW ORLEANS! I cant stress enough how proud and excited I was to hear this.

I met with the coordinaters to talk about my experiences there post-Katrina and what they could expect. I have so much to share with them! And the best part? They asked me to be a staff advisor! I get to go on the trip! Well, I need to discuss it with Mike, but it would be so incredible to be down there working for an entire week! And helping people discover the beauty that is New Orleans! I hope it works out that I can go. If not, I'll continue to lend my expertise and help them in any way I can.

Its going to be a very exciting 5 months. We were talking about the kick off meeting having beads, and beignets and all kinds of fun stuff! There will be fundraisers and maybe a Mardi Gras theme party to wrap things up! This is so up my alley! I need to go dance now!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:25 PM | Comments (5)

The Yankees Are Coming!

The exciting news here on the home front is that the Yankees Triple A team will be moving from Columbus OH to Scranton PA! Thats awesome news for us! This is big Yankee fan country! We built a baseball stadium back in the 80's which has been home to the Phillys triple A team until this year when they decided to move to Allentown.

Although I am not a baseball fan, I think it's pretty cool and its so great for our area. Apparantly the ballpark has a huge list of people requesting season tickets already and they expect it to sell out!

In other news, I've had some success with my fall shopping. You can see some of my purchases on flickr
I still need to add more color to my wardrobe. Everything I own is black, brown or gray! I need more blues and greens and reds and purples to get me through the long dreary winter. Unfortunatly the fall trends are pretty damn fugly! Who decided skinny jeans, leggings, tunics and duster sweaters were a good idea to bring back?

Have a nice weekened everyone. Its supposed to rain here but warm up a little, I'll take that!

And make sure you watch the Saints pre-game on Monday night! See if you can spot the Arabi Wrecking Krewe on the field!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:23 AM | Comments (2)

September 15, 2006

Wrecking New Orleans

It's hard to figure out where to begin to describe this experience.

I have alot of friends that love New Orleans as much as I do, and that have been really supportive of the rebuilding efforts. However, we all felt we werent doing enough. We really wanted to be there, physically contribuing to the effort. It's so easy to just write a check, but it doesnt give you the same satisfaction as being there, with the folks were were affected. Hearing their stories, imagining their trauma and seeing first hand, the devastation. Pictures on the internet and tv dont have the same impact as seeing it in person. You dont get to experience the eerie silence, smell the mold, the leftover katrina smells, or physically sift through piles of rubble, looking for something, some remainder of a family's life in that house that you can salvage for them. Sure, its just "stuff", easy for us to say. But to these families, its their whole world, reduced to a pile of stinkey, moldy, waterlogged, toxic, filthy, bug and rat infested debris. Take a minute, and imagine your home, your possessions, your childrens pictures, your daughters wedding dress, your grandfathers war medals, love letters from your husband....turned into this:

So, anyway. Some of my friends and I had an opportunity to go to New Orleans for a long weekend. We made arrangements to work with the Arabi Wrecking Krewe. The most wonderful hard working group of people I have ever had the honor of meeting. We were scheduled to work on the home of Ms. Jones in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. I don't know if any of us were really prepared for what we were going to see. The AWK had entered the house a few weeks ago, so the fridge and all the kitchen and living room debris were already gone. The closets and bedrooms and bathrooms were still filled with the Jones' personal effects.

The plan is to gut the house down to the studs. Then it can be treated for mold. This house was particularly difficult as there were several layers of plaster and cement and the floor was buckled terribly. I don't know if everyone is aware, but the city only gave residents one year to return and have their homes gutted. One year to the day of katrina hitting. Not taking into account that most people werent even allowed back in to see their homes until MONTHS after katrina. Some families are scattered so far across the US they have no means to get back to even see if their homes are worth gutting. So many homes to this date have not even been entered. Now that the one year mark has passed, the city can go in and bulldoze any blighted property and reclaim the land. Then they will probably sell it to developers. In some cases thats a good thing. The homes cant be saved. But in other cases, people want to save their homes, but they dont have the means to gut it. The sick and elderly...how can they do this work? They are dependent on volunteer groups and the waiting lists for groups to come in and gut your house are long so there is no assurance they will get to your house before its too late. Its such an incredibly crazy situation!

When we arrived we were greeted by Shiek and Shannon who explained to us what needed to be done and Shannon explained some safety precautions such as how to wear the respirator masks, wearing gloves, eye protection, and drinking lots and lots of water. Before we had gone down I had asked stacey what people do when they have to go to the bathroom while on site and she said its never been an issue, that even though you are drinking A TON, you sweat it all out and usually no one ever has to pee. I didnt beleive her. But we were there for about 7 hours and not one of us had to use the bathroom the entire time!

Driving to the home, I felt like I was in another country. A war zone. Deserted houses everywhere you look. The brown line on every home. It was freaky to go from one street where there was very little water and turn the corner and the line was at the rooftop. Or there was no line because the houses were completley submerged. As we drove to get there I had images flashing through my mind- of people trapped on these roofs, swimming through these streets to try to find dry land. I imagined what it was like back then.

Entering the home for the first time was so surreal. Again, I had to remind myself that I was still in the good ole United States of America, and not some third world country. I almost cried, but managed to hold it together. It was so overwhelming. Where do we start? I first tried working with a sledge hammer but quickly realized I don't have the upper body strength to keep that up for long. And it was going to be a long day, I didnt want to wipe myself out in the first hour. I saw some of the other girls using crow bars instead to attack the walls so gave that a try, it was much better. We were not warned that every time you take down a wall, a whole family of cockroaches was going to come pouring out! I shudder just thinking about it! Thankfully my head was covered with a bandanna and a hat! I didnt want those suckers getting in my hair!

We all got busy doing various jobs, knocking down walls, shoveling debris, searching through the rubble looking for salvagable items, and the dreaded wheelbarrow emtying. I only did it 3 times. Then I gave up. It was HARD to maneuver that thing and I kept tipping it over. I stuck to smashing and shoveling.

The neighbors next door have a FEMA trailer and they were so kind to make us a delishious lunch! Around that time, Ms. Jones herself showed up. This woman was incredible. Such a positive outlook and incredible spirit. We all know her son and we were so honored to meet her and be able to work on her home. It made the experience *that* more special. She told us stories about her home and her children and the Harry Connick Jr. backstage pass we found in a closet. We were exhausted but she gave us the inspiration to keep going. We wanted to do as much as possible to help this amazing woman.

By the time we were done, we had taken down just about every wall and removed most of the debris. The pile in front of the house was enormous. And yet going back in to pick up tools, you're hit with the realization of how much still needs to be done on this one house. And then you look around and see all the houses that need to be gutted and rebuilt and you feel this sense of despair. Where is our Army? Our Marines? Why are they not down here rebuilding these neighborhoods? Oh yeah, they are too busy rebuilding Iraq. The devastation in NOLA is the fault of the US govt. 1)The destruction of the wetlands. 2) The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) 3)the faulty levees. So our govt has a responsibility to fix what they screwed up. But thats not happening. Its a disgrace.

I'm still so moved by what I saw, and what I experienced in New Orleans. I hope to go back and help again, and again and again. I strongly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an opportunity to do some good in this world. So many people need so much help. There are lots of organizations looking for volunteers: AWK, Habitat for Humanity, ACORN, Lean on Me, Gulf Restoration Network, church groups.....way too many to mention....and they are all doing waht they can to rebuild this so very important AMERICAN city. Don't forget them. THEY ARE NOT OK!

More of my pics can be seen here.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:55 AM | Comments (7)

September 11, 2006

Home Again

I'm home from New Orleans. It's so very hard to put my experience with the Arabi Wrecking Krewe into words. I will try however. I need time to digest the experience. Those folks are my heroes. Shiek, Brian, Shannon, Stacey, Craig, out there every weekend. I have so much more to say, some pictures from our day wrecking Ms. Jones house. I'll be back later to share the experience.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:35 PM | Comments (5)

August 29, 2006

Do Not Forget Them

A year ago today we all watched in horror as Hurricane Katrina devastated our Gulf Coast and then as the levees in New Orleans failed, flooding over 80% of the city. You've all seen the rescues, the folks dying in the streets and abandonded on the highway and the Convention Center. Heard the horror stories of the hospitals and nursing homes that couldnt evacuate the critically ill and elderly, and the scenes of destruction that will stay with me for a very very long time.

I've thought long and hard about what I would write today. There just arent approproate words. All I ask is that anyone reading this do a few things.

1. Take a look at the NOLA blogs on my sidebar. Read those folks blogs. They are living in the trenches. They have first hand knowledge of what is and is not happening in NOLA and what still needs to be done. And there is much to be done.

2. Donate. There are many worthy organizations. I suggest:
Arabi Wrecking Krewe
Tipitinas Foundation
Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund
Habitat for Humanity NOLA
Louisiana SPCA

3. Shop NOLA. If you can, go visit. spend some money. If you cant actually go there, shop at some NOLA merchants. The holiddays are right around the corner, check out some of these stores for some beautiful and unique gifts and help the NOLA economy
Shop for New Orleans
Magazine St. Merchants
Jackson Square Merchants

4. And most importantly, Don't Forget Them. They need us.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:19 AM | Comments (2)

August 27, 2006

Ernesto

Does it make me a bad person because I am relieved that Hurricane Ernesto is now projected to head east towards FL instead of Louisiana? Sorry Floridians...I'd rather this thing go anywhere else. NOLA has had enough. The levees are not ready. They dont need another hurricane.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:13 AM | Comments (3)

August 26, 2006

Book 72- Breach of Faith by Jed Horne

This is probably one of the best accounts of what went wrong in New Orleans that I have read so far. Of course Horne is one of the Pulitizer Prize winning Times Picayune writers so its no surprise. This book is a pretty comprehensive look at what caused the flooding in New Orleans. I found some of the details of the investigation really fascinating. Horne also manages to tie in some of the human factor, telling the stories of some New Orleans residents, their evacuation horrors, what they found upon returning to their homes and their plans for the future. It was a great blend of science and personal accounts.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)

August 24, 2006

I Know I Just Had A Vacation, But I Really Need An Escape Right Now

I'm just a bundle of burnt out, fried to a crisp,ball of emotions. I'm crankey, I know it, you don't have to tell me Mike. I cant stand being near myself. My mood goes from rage to sorrow...really nothing else. I thought yesterday that my head was going to explode from all the shit going on here at work. And then I worry that someday soon I may not even have a job...

I have so much crap I need to take care of and I keep procrastinating and then I get pissed because I feel like I have to take care of everything...all these little details...pay the bills, call the insurance company, call Connors piano teacher, call about Jimmy's financial aid, I need to see my eye dr, order some gift baskets and mail thank you's to some friends, get all of Connor's school suppies and uniforms ready, we've been out of contact lens solution for 3 days but no one buys any....coming to work early so I can leave early so Jimmy can leave for work...and all the stuff I need to do at work to be ready for classes next week and I find myself sitting here, frozen, overwhelmed by having to do too much and I dont accompish anything.

I go home at night and Im just too tired and drained to do anything but sit on my ass on the computer and watch tv. Sleep is my escape. I'm snapping at the kids and at Mike constantly over NOTHING. But everything is seeming like a big deal because I just cant deal with anything right now. So I find myself getting angry about everything. Mike wants to buy a new pair of sneakers. It pisses me off. Someone left the toilet seat up and the dog is drinking out of the toilet. Pisses me off. Someone parked in "my" spot at work. Pissed me off.

Then this morning, I read Stacey's blog and now I'm a blubbering mess.

And I cant take the day off and go home because I have so much to do! But what am I doing instead of working? Wasting time venting about it. I have no motivation. No desire.

I'm angry and frustrated because it seems no one cares about whats going on in New Orleans (or what isnt going on) and people are not OUTRAGED about that situation. I know the NOLA folks are but what about the rest of America? What is your excuse. My own family and friends. Co-workers. I don't want to be around people who care so little for their fellow Americans. That cant see the unjustices. Between Spike Lees movie (which I havent seen yet, but I've heard enough about to feel like I have) and the book I'm reading, Breach of Faith. I'm completley outraged by the incompetence of our governement. I think most Americans are still under the misconception that the destruction of New Orleans was caused by the hurricane...when it wasnt. NOLA survived the hurricane. It was the faiulure of the levees combined with the loss of wetlands that basically doomed NOLA. And people knew about these weaknesses long before Katrina and nothing was being done to remedy it. Katrina was really only about a Category 3 Hurricane she she passed thru New Orleans.

And yes there were screw ups at all branches of the govt, but the Feds need to step up and HELP THESE PEOPLE. Why arent there military construction and demo groups down there gutting and rebuilding homes? Oh, thats right because they are too busy over in Iraq. So NOLA is left to fend for itself. But so many people cant get back. They have no means. And no where to live if they did come back. FEMA trailers didnt arrive until what? June? Thats unacceptable.

People, do some reading, click on those links of NOLA bloggers this week and see whats going on down there. See how much work needs to be done and how much help is needed. Its so great that individuals want to go volunteer and help, but it needs to be on a much greater scale. Someone said there needs to be a Call To Action...there does. There needs to be a large scale effort to get this city back on its feet- not just housing but medical care, schooling, law enforcement, the basic infrastructure: roads, public transportation, water, waste disposal, electricity....

With the one year mark almost upon us, wont you give some time to read the truth? And if you are moved to do so, make a donation to a group thats helping people. The Arabi Wrecking Krewe is a great group of people. Or the Tipitina's Foundation. And then to help "w" remember that people still need help, send a bottle of water to the White House. Don't just sit there while this great American city dies. What if it was your city? Wouldnt you wnat people to care?

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:52 AM | Comments (5)

August 22, 2006

That Rotten Old Town That Everyone Loves

Check out this new song/video by Grayson Capps

I love him. Loved him before the storm. Love him more now, even though he's moving to TN.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)

August 17, 2006

Heading Back to New Orleans

I'll be back in town September 7-10th! Its official! The main reason being to attend Bonerama's recording of their third CD at Tip's! Hopefully will get to cram in some other activities as well!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 12:34 PM | Comments (2)

August 10, 2006

Good Reading

Fortune Magazine has a really great article on the rebuilding of New Orleans. You can read it online here

It's long, but it's worth the read

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:12 PM | Comments (2)

August 09, 2006

We Had Summer Last Week Apparently

I'm sitting here on the couch covered up with a blanket. It's....chilly.....this morning. Typical for PA, once August comes, the nights get cool and the days are nearly as hot. It seems that the week we were gone, we had summer in PA. There was a heatwave with temperatures in the high 90's. We missed summer. Summer is way too short up here which is one of the reasons I can't wait to get out of here. I love summer. I hate winter. Winter starts in October and can go on until May, thats just way too long!

Vacation was just awesome! Destin was so beautiful and we had such a great time with Ron, Stephanie, Chase, Mallory, Gayle and Hank. Good friends really make a vacation all that much more fun. One of the highlight of our time in Destin was taking the Pontoon boat out for the day. It was so much fun to be able to jump right into the Gulf and swim, look for crabs and relax in the sun. The real fun came when it was time to head back to the harbor and the motor died! At first it was amusing but when the harbor didnt have a boat available to come get us and instead sent two sea-do's to tow us back, the amusement factor soon died. They were only able to tow us back at about 3 mph or else the spray from the sea-do's would soak the entire boat! After about an hour or so of slow going, we were rescued by a man in a speedboat! Took about 3 minutes to get back on that baby!

We spent some time in Baytowne, which is just the most charming, beautiful, luxorious resort. You would never have to leave, it has everything. Our time in Destin was way too short and Connor keeps asking when we can go back. He loved playing in the waves!

We left Destin and drove to Baton Rouge. Mike wants to tell the tale of that leg of the journey so I'll leave that alone for now. Baton Rouge was great! The tour of Tiger Stadium was pretty exciting, even for a non-football fan like myself. Mike and Connor are still talking about the fact that they go to go on the field and in the lockeroom.

New Orleans was just fabulous as usual. I can never get enough of that city. I didnt get to NOMA, which really saddens me as the Katrina Exposed eshibit is only temporary and now I won't get to see it. I was vetoed however, Mike and Connor really had no interest in going out to see it. We ate...alot. Went to Satchmo Fest, swam in the pool, shopped, spent some time with some friends, went to the zoo and the aquarium. By the weekend, Connor was ready to come home. He was pretty much vacationed out and missed the cats. We had to stop in any store, gallery or yard that had a cat so he could pet them.

Stacey took us on a brief drive through the 9th Ward on our way to Craig's house on Thursday. It was extremely sad and distressing seeing so many homes that are still untouched. Each home equates to a family that has not returned. Entire neighborhoods deserted, probably forever. It made my heart ache to see this. There was a noticible change in the city. Most of the places we ate at had maybe 2 waiters working. Most shops were only open from 10-6 or so. Restaurants were either open in the morning or at night. Even at the hotel, I counted 3 housekeepers. To clean all those rooms. We werent able to check in until about 6:00 pm because the room wasnt ready. Housekeeping didnt get to our room each day until dinner time. Those gals were working HARD! They also seemed to be maybe a cleaning service, they werent the usual housekeepers the Place D'Armes had in previous years.

During the week, the FQ was pretty deserted, not many tourists. Of the tourists we did see, there were alot of families which was nice to see! I love that so many parents were exposing their children to the beauty and charm of New Orleans. There is no other place like it! Surprisingly, Port of Call was still PACKED on Wednesday! We waited over an hour for a talble. Outside, in the dreadful heat, dripping in sweat and being attacked by mutant mosquitos! We were all covered in bites by the time we finally got in. I also got attacked by a bee or wasp or some stinging type insect at the zoo that flew up the leg of my shorts and stung me about 5 times before I managed to get it out! My entire leg swelled up, it was pretty gross.

On the weekend, things picked up a little, there were more people, more businesses open. Still alot of places not open yet or not coming back. Lots of boarded up businesses. More noticible this trip than at Mardi Gras. Even the airport was less busy than usual.

There is still so much to be done in the city. So much that it makes my head spin to think about it. The one year mark for Katrina and the failure of the levees is almost here and all the help that was promised to this great city has yet to materialize. We cant forget. We cant stop helping. Over the next few weeks Im sure all the media out there will revisit NOLA and there will be alot of coverage on whats been done in the city and what still needs to be done. Don't forget about all the people who lost their homes, their neighborhoods, their lives. They deserve better than this.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:35 AM | Comments (3)

August 05, 2006

Book 65- The Five People You Meet In Hell by Robert Smallwood

Picked this up in a little shop (along with about 8 other books) and started reading it right away. Its a super quick read about the authors experiences in the French Quarter in the days immediatley after Katrina and the odd assortment of people he meets up with. Some neighbors, some friends, some desperates. I found it so interesting because I am so familiar with the area he describes and tried to imagine what it was like here, blocks from where the author lives during that time. Its hot and humid now but we have the benefits of a/c and cold drinks. Those who braved post-K NOLA didnt have that. He talks about all the gunfire at night and rumors of executions of the "undesirables" by the police. Looting supervised by the police. People dying in the streets. Fascinating read for anyone who loves New Orleans or is interested in first hand accounts of life after Katrina.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2006

Doin' Our Part

Today we did our part to contribute to the New Orleans economy. We helped alot. It was fun. I think I'm going to need another suitcase to get all our stuff home. And there are still a few more things I really am thinking of going back for. But not the $1400 print I fell in love with.

There is something about the New Orleans water, its just fabulous for my hair! I noticed this back in 2002 and its still true today. The water makes my hair so soft and my curls so bouncy. Our water at home is so hard and chlorinated but down here, its just wonderful. Of course once I step outside, the bounciness is deflated by the humidity.

Not sure what we will do tomorrow. I really want to go to NOMA and Poppy's book signing. Connor probably doesn't. Stacey will be wrecking so I cant drag her to NOMA with me.

I only took a few pics today. We spent a few hours at the zoo and then shopping which really doenst make for exciting pictures. Dinner was at Remulade, Connor's choice. I wanted to go to Palace Cafe but they were closed today. Then I thought Mr. B's but they arent back yet. We still have to get beignets too.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2006

Just A Quick Note......

We've spent two full days in NOLA and managed to eat at 3 of our favorite places already! Port of Call, Central Grocery and Fiorellas! I have probably gained 10 lbs since we got here!

Today we visited the Aquarium, it was a bit sad for me, knowing so many of the animals died. I missed seeing our favorite shark with the deformed jaw, and we found out that Patience the penquin (the one they showed waddeling down the purple carpet when the penguins returned to NOLA) died on Monday. We spent the hot afternoon swimming in the pool then headed over to Craigs house for the presentation of a very generous donation from a group of Japanese Jazz Musicians to the Arabi Wrecking Krewe. I got all teary, it was really touching. Then all the musicians jammed for awhile and it was so much fun! Great to see Craigs house coming along, very distressing driving thru the 9th Ward and seeing how little has been done. How much devastation there is. Just mile after mile after mile of homes, untouched since "the thing".

I had the strongest feeling of deja vu driving thru there, it totally freaked me out.

Tomorrow we are planning on taking Connor to the zoo, not sure what else. Satchmo Fest starts so we'll probably catch some live music at some point.

The streets are so deserted down here. NOLA NEEDS TOURISTS! Come on down and spend some money! Volunteer with a group! Something. Anything. Shop NOLA stores on line. I get incredibly sad looking at all the closed businesses. Some of my NOLA pics are up in the gallery. I'm too tired to capttion them right now...

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)

July 24, 2006

My Foot Will Probably Turn Gangreious and Fall Off.....

So many things on my mind today, I should have been writing down notes to myself, I've forgotten half of what I wanted to write about!

I just had a really yummy lunch from The Pierce St. Deli, in Kingston. I've eaten there before and really like it but I always forget about it when I'm thinking of places to grab some lunch. I had an eye doctor apt. this morning so I passed the Deli on the way back to work and popped in for a sandwich. I got the half a sandwich/cup of soup special since the soup of the day was Piggie Soup. Oh.my.god. It was so tasty! Full of cabbage and big chunks of ground beef in a rich tomato broth. I just had some Italian turkey on a roll for my sandiwich and a small side of potato salad. I could have had more of the soup, it was really really good!

Speaking of food, that reminds me that I finally braved the scale and hopped on Saturday am. I lost 8 lbs! Yay me! 22 more to go! I've been walking anywhere from 3-6 miles every day and I guess its starting to pay off. I've walked over 9 miles in the pat 24 hours! I'll fit in my summer clothes just in time to put them away for the winter! I finally had to give in and order some new shorts in a larger size or else I'd be having to go around naked on vacation....It killed me to do so but the old shorts are just so tight and camel toe is so nasty so I really had no choice.

I mentioned I had an eye dr. apt this morning. It was my last post surgery eye exam so I could be fitted for new contact lenses. This was probably the most thorough eye exam I have ever had. I will never go to another eye dr. And the dr. was so patient and explained EVERYTHING to me and showed me how inadequate my old contacts were and the reason I could never get really clear vision out of them was because I have an astigmatism!!! HELLO! How did the other eye dr. not find this? So they had to order me some contacts and we'll try them out and see how they are. Hopefully they will be here in time for vacation or else I'll be having to wear my dorky old glasses the whole time.

In other health related news I had a big blister on the heel of my foot. It was killing me the whole time I was walking this morning and its in a really odd place, its actually not the heel but more on the bottom of my foot in the heel area. By the time I got to work I couldnt even walk on it so I steralized a needle and popped it. It felt so much better but now my foot hurts and I keep thinking its getting infected and it will turn into a pussy oozing mass of infection just in time for vacation. But at least I can walk .

Finally, take a few minutes and check out the New Orleans Wiki. especially the Rising Tide Conference page. It was put together by a couple of NOLA bloggers to bring together all the information on rebuilding New Orleans. It is SO FULL of great information! They did a fantastic job on this! I wish I could attend the Rising Tide Conference! To meet all these bloggers would be..........intimidating,lol! They are all so well informed and well spoken I would probably turn into some mute starstruck moron anyway!

4 days till vacation!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 12:17 PM | Comments (2)

July 14, 2006

A Little Bit of NOLA in my Town

So we finally did something fun last night! I had heard that the Storyville Stompers were going to be playing at the Red Barons game and Mike has been talking about going to see a Barons game, so I figured last night would be perfect! Since I really hate baseball it gave me something to look forward to! It was pretty fun and everyone entering got Mardi Gras beads to promote the concert on Saturday, From NEPA to NOLA, a fundraiser for Katrina survivors. So all you folks from NEPA go check it out! Its a great cause and two fantastic bands. (I would be there but I have another commitment in Philly) I have to say I wasn't as bored as I thought I would be and didnt even pull a book out! (But I put one in my purse just in case). I love to people watch and the guys sitting behind us had some pretty interesting coversations going on so I was eavesdropping on them for a bit. From them I leard that a Starbucks and a Cheesecake Factory are coming to town! Nice!

Connor had a GREAT time and it was worth it for me just to see him having so much fun. The Barons blew it in the bottom of the 9th. Connor and Mike were sure it was going to go into extra innings, just because I was there and it would have been torture for me!

I read a great post by Lois Dunn today, talking about how the Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki Al-Faisal, "gets it" more than most Americans. It's a shame when other countries see the value in the great city moreso than our own citizens. But thank goodness they do, at least someone cares.

Have a great weekend everyone! I'm off to Philly for the Southern Comfort Experience! If you're there, look for me! I'll be wearing a Dirty Coast shirt and cheering on my guys (and gal) from Bonerama and Cowboy Mouth!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:42 AM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2006

Two Weeks

Remember that scene from "Total Recall" where the people are going thru security to go to Mars and they ask this lady how long she's going for or something and she replies all slurred "two weeks"? And then in "The Money Pit" whenever Tom Hanks asks how long a project is going to take, the reply is "two weeks". So for years now Mike and I have adopted that as our standard timeframe reply.

"When are you going to do the laundry?"
"two weeks"

"When do you want to go to see a movie?"
"two weeks"

"when are you going to the store to buy some food for our bare cupboards and fridge?"
"two weeks"

Ok, so maybe its only funny to us.

But now the question is

"when do we leave for vacation"
"TWO WEEKS"!

Finally, that all important two week marker is upon us. Two weeks from right now I will be last minute packing and getting ready to head to Philly to spend the night so we can catch a 6:00 am flight (ok it seemed like a really good idea at the time) to Pensacola to start our vacation!!!

I know some of you are thinking "what? Pensacola? You're not going to New Orleans"?!?!

I'll wait until you pick yourself up off the floor.....

Ok? Yeah we are going to NOLA, but we are taking a detour on the way there and stopping off in Destin for a few days, then driving to Baton Rouge, then on to NOLA. We have so much planned for this trip, it will be nothing short of a miracle if we can cram it all in. I'm starting to wish we had booked a few more days in NOLA, but we do have to get back to work. But still.....it's never enough time in NOLA.

We are so looking forward to this vacation. So many friends to see and we've never been to Destin so we are very excited! And Mike and Connor cant wait to see LSU when we go to Baton Rouge!

Lots to do before then, I havent even started packing yet! Anyone have any ideas how I can drop 10 lbs in "two weeks"?

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:56 AM | Comments (5)

July 11, 2006

These Folks Are My Heroes!

I know I've spoken before of the Arabi Wrecking Krewe, well, they got a really nice write up in the Times Picayne newspaper today. Take a minute and read about the incredible work these folks are doing. For free. To bring back New Orleans.

Then go book your vacation to NOLA. Summer hotel rates are at an all time low! Restaurants are offering specials. There is still much music, food and fun to be had in NOLA and they need YOU to come and help them recover! Then, while you're there, contact the Arabi Wrecking Krewe and give them a hand. If you cant physically help them, take a look at their wish list or send them a donation. They are doing such an incredible job and could really use some support.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:02 AM | Comments (5)

July 06, 2006

Beads To Bush

I meant to post about this back in April, but I forgot. But I loved this and thought it was sooo great! I havent heard any updates about it ..... First Draft has started the Beads To Bush project. It's simple really. Gather up some old Mardi Gras beads, and send them to Bush with a note, telling him you are a New Orleanean, a friend of New Orleans and that you want the levees to be rebuilt (better)!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:27 AM | Comments (1)

June 19, 2006

Book 49- The Storm by Ivor Van Heerden and Mike Bryan

The Storm was a scientific look at Hurricane Katrina, the (lack of) response and what went wrong to cause this incrdedible disaster. It was very interesting and very technical. Some of the most scientific parts went right over my head, but for the most part the author does explain things very well, even for the unscientific mind. Van Heerden has an incredible background in studying environmental issues and with the LSU Hurricane Center, among many other impressive associations, too numerous to mention (Read his bio if your interested). He was on the of experts frequently called upon for interviews about what was happening in NOLA after Katraina. In this book, he presents all his information on the situation in NOLA before the storm, the conditions that helped Katrina develop into such a monster and detailed descriptions of the failure of the levees and why the Army Corp of Engineers is responsible. He also presents a chapter on what must be done to protect NOLA in the future. After reading this book, you really hope that Van Heerden and others like him are in charge of designing and building new protection systems in NOLA and that his expertise is not ignored by the politicians with ulterior motives. It took me a long time to get thru this book but it was well worth it. I learned so much about hurricane formation and the faults of the NOLA levees.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:30 PM | Comments (1)

June 15, 2006

How to *bleep* Evacuate

Saw this over on Dangerblonde and had to post a link, its pretty funny

How to *Bleeping* Evacuate (this is a family blog, so I need to censor)- Link not for those with high morals or no sense of humor. I think Stacey will get a kick out of it. We like to roll in the gutter together.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:52 AM | Comments (2)

June 12, 2006

A is for Alberto

So, we have our first named storm of the season, Alberto, bearing down on FL now. Although I don't wish these storms on anyone, I'm relieved it isnt going towards NOLA. Only 46 more days till our vacation and I'm already overly anxious. The time between now and when we leave is so busy, I know it's just going to fly by. We keep adding more things to our already crowded weekends. I just found out the Storyville Stompers will be playing at the Red Barons game on July 13th so we are going to get tickets for that game! Yay! I hate baseball but I'll sacrifice to see the Stompers! I wish Craig was going to be playing with them but I dont think he will be.

Check out Spencer Bohren when you get a chance. He has a new song "The Long Black Line" that he debuted at Jazzfest. The song title of course refers to the high water mark that the floodwaters left all over NOLA when the levees broke. The song was very warmly recieved at JF and I hope that people outside of NOLA take some time to listen and try to understand what everyone there is going thru. It's haunting.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:29 AM | Comments (3)

June 06, 2006

Vacation On The Horizon

I've got just about all the details worked out for our summer vacation and I am so anxious to JUST GO! We have a nice long vacation planned, with stops in several cities, visits with a bunch of friends and I start cracking up just anticipating the insanity that will ensue! Just a few loose ends to tidy up and I need to go get a new suitcase since the airline killed one of ours at Mardi Gras, broke the wheels right off the sucker....

Mike found a fun little surprise at Target for The Dark Side, which will make things very interesting. I can't say any more about that in case any of them read this. Shhhhh. Its a surprise from Chesney.

We are ending our vacation in New Orleans of course. I drove myself MAD on Saturday reading all the menus from the restaurants I want to go to this visit. I was STARVING and even though we were going out to dinner, I knew there would be nothing to compare to the items I was salivating over. Vernon has a very important message on his blog today, from this past years president of the Krew du Vieux. Go check it out if you're still wondering where to go on vacation this summer. New Orleans has something for everyone! After reading that I am all the more excited to get down to NOLA.

Vacation seems so far away but I know the time will fly, we're going to be pretty busy. In June we go to Knoebels for Connor's school picnic, are having a yard sale, have our church's picnic, fathers day and Mike is going to a concert with my brother. July brings a long weekend for the 4th with cook outs and parties, a trip to Philly for the SoCo Experience and then, its vacation time! I also have to work two Orientations during June and July and I'm going to a Conference in NYC on June 23rd. We also hope to put down a new floor in our upstairs hall sooner rather than later. And somewhere in there we need to mulch and plant flowers. See, lots to keep us busy until vacation!

Today I am off to more resume hell. And kicking it into high gear at the gym. I had my 6 week follow up at the eye dr. and he said my eyes are healing beautifully! He is very impressed with the difference. I still have to go back in 8 weeks for an eye exam as my prescription has changed drastically and I need new glasses and contacts, but he said I have to wait until they are fully healed and all the swelling is gone down. Yay! One of these days I'll have to post a before and after pic of my eyes.

Ok, off to the resumes.....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:44 AM | Comments (2)

June 03, 2006

Book 45- Katrina and The Lost City of New Orleans by Rod Amis

Amis writes

"New Orleans is a city of versions," we are told. You don't get lies, you don't get facts. You get each person's "version" of a story, of an issue, of the city.

"There were two New Orleans, Louisianas... The shiny, glitzy, bead-tossing town of Mardi Gras, ghost walks, and creole crawfish. And then there was the boozy, brawlin' Nawlins, that would peek out at you from between store front facades.

This book is Amis' "version" of New Orleans and like it or not, its very heartfelt. You can see how much he loved and continues to love this city, despite all the ugliness. The poverty. The racism. Amis talks about the things people don't like to talk about, that they like to sweep under the carpet and throw a couple of layers of mardi gra beads over to hide it from the tourists. It's a fascinating and sad look at one mans life in NOLA before Katrina. Great book, lots of Amis' thoughts will stay with me for a long time. He makes me laugh and makes me cry. I love this passage:

Things go slow in New Orleans. What do you do when the heat index tells you that it feels like 110 degrees Fahrenheit , even if the thermometer says its only 96?

You mosey, I suspect. You amble and take things a little easy. Except here in New Orleans folks that thing a Big Easy. That means things don't quite happen whne they were planned.

Ah, "New Orleans Time"...I've become very fammmiliar with it!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:20 AM | Comments (0)

May 26, 2006

Book 41- Dispatches From The Edge by Anderson Cooper

Wow. What's not to like about Anderson Cooper? Handsome. Intelligent. Compassionate. Humble. This book is a fascinating look at the past year of Cooper's experiences out in the field, mixed with vignettes from his first few years reporting abroad and how his fathers death and brothers suicide have impacted him. Also a few glimpses into his life as the child of Gloria Vanderbuilt

I find this all so fascinating because way back when I started college my first major was Communications (ok so it was really my second major. My first major was biology. But I freaked and switched before my first class)(maybe I should have stuck with it and learned how to type and use spellcheck). I wanted to be one of those people covering the foreign news. Not necessarily on camera, but behind the scenes, operating a camera or producing. But being a single mom and a foreign news correspondent aren't really compatible. So I switched to a safer major- Education. Then switched again.....and again....and again....but anyway....

Cooper has witnessed some horriffic world events- the tsunami in Asia, the wars in Somolia and Iraq, the famine in Niger, but what I was most interested in, was his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath in New Orleans. You can tell how affected he was, even after seeing the horrors overseas, by the tragedy taking place, right here in America. The one quote that stuck with me after I finished reading it was this paragraph:

I don't want to go back to New York, to my job, to the way it used to be. Stories about missing coeds in Aruba and runaway brides, stories that tittilate but aren't as important. I talk to friends on the phone but don't have much to say. I want to yell at them "Don't move on! Don't go back to your normal life, get caught up in the petty falseness you see on TV!" Its the same feeling I had weeks after my brother died, I was back at school and everyone else seemed to have forgotton.

I think that sums up alot of people's feelings when it comes to the Gulf area. Everyone has moved on. Ellen Degeneres had a great show on yesterday about how little progress has been made in New Orleans, now 9 months post Katrina, and she is begging people not to forget. To not move on. I think thats an important message. Yay for Anderson and Ellen for keeping the message out there, for reminding people that there is still so much to do.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:25 AM | Comments (2)

May 23, 2006

Book 40- The Great Deluge by Douglas Brinkley

I really don't have the words to adequatley express how incredible this book is. Its a huge book and in my world it has come to be known and The Book. It's a pretty comprehensive look at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While most of the book is about New Orleans, there is a chapter that gives mention to the heroic men and women in MS as well. (Biloxi, Gulfport, Waveland, etc) He is not kind to Mayor Nagin, everyone at FEMA, W, and many others. The first hand accounts from the survivors and the first responders are heart wrenching. This is the first comprehensive look at Katrina- from the Hurricane to the levee breaks to the complete mismanagement by the local, state and federal government.

It was a difficult book to get through. I learned not to eat my lunch while reading it, as it was sure to make me lose my appetite. I may be overly emotional when it comes to NOLA in the first place but there were many many accounts that had me outright sobbing. I urge everyone to read this book. Whether you're from NOLA, love NOLA or want to see how screwed up our government is.....this book certainly doesnt make me feel safe and help me sleep at night. I'd like to hope that lessons were learned from Katrina,but Im not optomistic.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:44 PM | Comments (0)

Book 39- Twice A Survivor by Hank Klimitas

Twice a Survivor is basically the diary of Hank Klimitas as he lived on the second floor of his flooded home in the days following Katrina, refusing to be rescued. I was a little disappointed in the book. I was expecting to be a bit more in depth. My brother had a heart transplant so I was interested in hearing more about Klimitas' double lung transplant and how it affected him. I was annoyed to find that he CHOSE to stay in his flooded home and didnt evacuate or seek rescue when he heard boats and helicopters. For someone who was given a second chance at life, I was angry that he seemed to not be more appreciative. To risk injury, illness, running out of anti-rejection medication, violence, death.....it made me less sympathetic to him. I realize he didnt think the flooding would be so bad, but I do think it was irresponsible of him to not seek rescue sooner. I was glad to read that he was eventually rescued and reunited with his family and is doing well.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 03:54 PM | Comments (1)

May 21, 2006

*Sigh*

I'm so sorry New Orleans. I dont understand how this man who abandoned those in greatest need during a time of crisis could be re-elected. A man who had no plan to save his city and apparently has no plan to rebuild it. I just shake my head. I really hope Ray Nagin proves me wrong. I really hope he can unite the city and make it better. I hope New Orleans isnt the biggest loser.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:02 AM | Comments (5)

May 17, 2006

Today It's Still All About NOLA

I have New Orleans on my mind alot this week. I suppose its a combination of the upcoming Mayoral election, the reports out about the Complete and Utter Failire of the Army Corps of Engineers to properly protect New Orleans and the impending beginning of hurricane season. I'm really itching to get down there, to do something- to spend money to knock down some drywall, to support the economy- something. In my tireless internet searches for any and all information on NOLA, I did find a way that I, and you dear readers can help out the Colleges and Universities of New Orleans.

Jen posted about the Katrina 5k run/ walk to benefit higher education. The folks that live in NOLA, obviously can physically participate, but the cool thing about this walk is that they have come up with a way for all of us who love this city but cant be there to be "honarary participants". For a $25 entry fee you will recieve a t-shirt with the hopes that you will wear it on race day to bring awareness to the race and the plight of the schools. Or you can just purchase a t-shirt for $10. There is also a tote bag available for $10 as well. I say send in the $25. Skip your Starbucks for a week. Pack sandwiches for lunch and dont go out to eat for 2 days. It's such a great cause! If you can get 100 people in your organization to participate, you can have your shirts personalized. I think its a fabulous idea that will help all of us who love this city and want to support the rebuilding feel like we are part of the solution.

Two sites you dont want to miss, I've mentioned them before but they bear repeating: Katrina Flooding Interactive Graphic and Nagin Timeline. Make sure you check them both out, very interesting and informative links.

I've mentioned Dirty Coast before, they have some of the most fabulous t-shirts and they are just really nice guys. They have added two new designs to their inventory. Also if you check out their Cafepress site, they have additional styles available over there. Blake from Dirty Coast also started an essay contest which sounds really fun and I cant wait to read all the essay's! I think I'll work on one to submit, even though I'm not a great writer:

My t-shirt company Dirty Coast is going to give free t-shirts and stickers away to the best essays written about people's relationship with New Orleans. There are 4 categories for essays.

1) Nola Converts: You did not grow up here, but you moved and
converted to the culture. Share your unique experience and why you
love this city and what it means to be a New Orleanian.

2) The Displaced: You have not been able or have recently returned.
Share your experience while you were away and the ways this effected
your relationship with New Orleans.

3) Natives: You grew up here, you have family here, it is all you
know. What is next for you and your city and how will things change
for the better or worse from here on out?

4) Nola Lovers: You don't live here but you know you have a connection
with this city in some way. Whether it is annual pilgrimages for Jazz
Fest or Mardi Gras, how are you connected and how have you or will
help support the city's rebirth?

RULES
The essays can be any length. Images are a plus. We have the right to
publish those that are submitted under a Creative Commons licence. All essays will be posted on the Dirty Coast website and voted on by site visitors over the next few months. Winners will be presented at a Dirty Coast party (TBA).

PRIZES
Winners will receive:
First place in each category -> 100.00 gift certificate from Dirty
Coast (5 shirts @ stickers)
Second Place in each category -> 60.00 gift certificate from Dirty
Coast (3 shirts @ stickers)
Best essay -> 1 of each shirt design we have & stickers (value of 360.00)

HOW TO SUBMIT?
You can either post your essay to the Humid Beings Forum or email me your essay at blake@dirtycoast.com

DEADLINE
All essays must be submitted by July 1st for voting online.
Winners will be announced July 20th.

So start writing y'all!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:18 AM | Comments (3)

May 16, 2006

Changes......

All of my memories associated with New Orleans have always been very positive happy ones. Memories of great food, even better music, beautiful buildings and fun times with good friends. It was such an exotic place that made me long to be there as often as I could. Strangely enough on my last trip there Pre-K I had such an odd feeling, that I needed to see all my favorite places and eat at my favorite restaurants. I want to say it was a premonition of doom, but who would beleive me, its easy to say that now. But walking the streets, just 5 days before that monster hit, I just felt so meloncholy, it wasnt anything I could put into words, just this black cloud hanging over me, making me so desperate to cram in everything I could, to pack every moment with a memory. I had to touch things and stare at them. I had to commit it all to my memory.

Because I was having those feelings I started thinking and wondering if my feelings for this city would change if I was ever to have a negative experience there. Would I love it less? Would I have any aversions? Would my memories and plans for the future be tarnished? I tossed those thoughts out to a fellow NOLA lover around that time and she shared an experience she has that while certainly distrubing, didnt lesson her love of this amazing city.

So, when Katrina hit, it was like nothing I ever could have imagined. But it changed my perspective on the city. I have learned so much that I don't see the city from the tourist perspective anymore. It's not just food and music and festivals. While that's a very big part of New Orleans charm, there is/was a dark side to the city as well, a side that tourists don't see or choose not to see. I was one of those folks. While I realized it existed, I didn't let it permeate my vision of the city.

Katrina made it impossible for anyone to ignore those areas. All the poverty, and crime and poor schools and corruption existed way before Katrina, but she burst it all wide open for the whole world to see that alternate side of NOLA. There was no hiding it anymore. No pretending that it didnt exist. All these problems were plastered all over the front page of every newspaper in the US.

So now New Orleans has the opportunity to rebuild the city, and rebuild it right. Address all these problems that have existed for decades. And it won't happen overnight. The crime and the poverty didnt happen overnight and the remedies wont be fast either. But there has to be a start right?

So that brings us to the Mayoral Election that is happening in New Orleans now. May 20th is the official election day when the citizens of New Orleans will choose the next mayor, the man who will lead them into the Renewal of New Orleans. And I'm nervous.

I was watching the debate on MSNBC tonight which is what prompted this entry. I've watched several of the debates, and have read countless articles regarding the candidates and their views on the issues and their plans. I probably know more about this election than many of the people who are voting. And thats what scares me. Of course thats nothing new where elections are concerned. How many of us really educate ourselves that much on all the candidates in any given election. Hell, I know more about the New Orleans Mayoral race than I do my own local elections. But, I think this is one instance where the voters really need to be educated. They need to know as much as they can. Now, I'm just a bystander, I dont live in NOLA. I have friends who live there. We visit twice a year, but still, I'm an outsider. Maybe that makes me a bit more objective. Maybe it makes me a little more ignorant to the realities of living in New Orleans.

Regardless, I have an opinion on this. And the more I see of Ray Nagin and the more I learn about his term as mayor, the more I really hope Mitch Landrieu wins on Saturday. Nagin came into office as an outsider to politics, vowing to battle the crime and corruption in the city. Unfortunatley, crime actually rose to an all time high under his control. He also failed to come up with any type of conprehensive evacuaton plan after the Hurricane Pam simulation, which showed that thousdands of New Orleans poor would be unable to leave the city on their own. I think the whole country is aware of his shortcomings during the Katrina disaster. I realize it wasnt ALL his fault, there is plenty of blame to go around, but he has to take responsibility for not evacuating and not having a comprehensive plan for evacuation. For Christ's sake, the NOLA SPCA had an evacuation plan and safely removed all the dogs and cats in their care well before Katrina made landfall!

Check out this Nagin TimeLine on Landrieu's website. It's pretty interesting and enlightening. Now, I know some of you are thinking "well we don't know how Landrieu or anyone else would have performed in office before Katrina. Whats to say they wouldnt have fallen into the same patterns?" Good question. But, what about the past 8 months? Knowing he is in the nations spotlight, Nagin hasnt done much to improve his image. It's 8 months post-Katrina and the city is still a disaster area. Sure the French Quarter is up and running but take a drive outside that area. Take in the 9th Ward, St. Bernard Parish, Lakeview. Talk to the people who lived there, if you can find them. Most of them don't even know if they can or want to move back. The city is hurting for its workforce. It's nice that tourists are able to return but so many of the population is still scattered throughout the US. What is being done to bring them back home? To ensure their safety? To improve their standards of living?

I think that New Orleans needs new leadership. It's the city I want to call home some day. I want to make sure it's still there when I'm ready. I hope Mitch Landrieu is the man to make that happen. Only time will tell.

PS- I started off this entry a few hours ago and have just been tossing words out in an attempt to clear my head. I posed the question that I had pondered almost a year ago- about whether or not a negative experience would affect my relationship with NOLA? Well, I have to say that after this most horrible of situations my love for this city has only grown. Even after seeing it at its worst, with all its evils exposed, my love endures. Even stronger.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:18 PM | Comments (1)

May 15, 2006

Chilling

Make sure you check out this Interactive Flooding Timeline of New Orleans from the Times Picayune....its rather disturbing and combined with what I'm learning from The Great Deluge, its downright chilling.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)

May 10, 2006

Book 37- Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans by Chin Music Press

This is an incredible little book. And I do mean little. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Chin Music Press decided to gather some essays of the "voices of New Orleans", to hear their stories, their memories of this fabulous city, in their state of mind during the worst disaster to ever hit the US. It's hard to describe this book. It's the kind of book I wish the people who dont get NOLA would read and hopefully gain a better understanding of what makes this city so special. But part of me knows that these people will never get it. And thats unfortunate, not only for them, but for the rebuilding of NOLA.

This is only the second publication by Chin Music Press, and its so much more than a book, it's a work of art. From the eye catching cover to the red fabric place holder, to the 19th century engravings that illustrate the book. It's a book that when you see it, you can't help but pick it up, touch it, explore it.

Anyone who loves New Orleans should read this book. (I know I say that alot about the books I read). It gives me hope because the spirit of New Orleaneans is strong and proud and they will not let this city roll over and die.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:25 PM | Comments (0)

May 04, 2006

Eyes, TV and some NOLA for Good Measure

So, I've noticed a weird side effect since my eye surgery- my eyes water like mad in my sleep. I wake up a few times a night and my face is all wet, like I'm crying in my sleep. Sometimes even my pillow is wet! Its very werid and I will definatly mention it to the surgeon when I go back for my 6 week checkup.

Check out this GREAT article by Peter King in Sports Illustrated about the outrage he feels after visiting New Orleans for the NFL draft. He's pissed about the nations so called "Katrina Fatigue" and makes some great points:

Am I ticked off? Damn right I'm ticked off. If you're breathing, you should be morally outraged. Katrina fatigue? Hah! More Katrina news! Give me more! Give it to me every day on the front page! Every day until Washington realizes there's a disaster here every bit as urgent as anything happening in this world today -- fighting terrorism, combating the nuclear threat in Iran. I'm not in any way a political animal, but all you have to be is an occasionally thinking American to be sickened by the conditions I saw.

I am outraged. Are you? This guy went down to NOLA to cover the Reggie Bush story and came away with a whole lot more. We should all be outraged by the lack of response.

Did you watch LOST last night? Holy crud! The last 5 minutes just blew me away!!!! Its for scenes like that I don't read spoilers!!! WOWZA!!!!!But Yay, I'm so glad SPOILER ALERT

Ana Lucia is dead! I hated her character! Good riddance!!!
Alias and Lost the best 2 hours on tv. Too bad Alias is almost done for good.

My boss is on vacation for two days. I have a desk full of paperwork to plow through, about a dozen resumes waiting for my blessing or to rip them apart, and have to plan Connor's birthday party. And STILL waiting for word about whats going on with my job!! PEOPLE! Its not nice to play with us like this! Just tell us already!UGH!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)

May 01, 2006

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Kalypso's New Orleans

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:57 AM | Comments (7)

April 27, 2006

The BEST New Orleans Shirts I've Seen So Far!

If you are looking for some really funky shirts to add to your summer wardrobe, check out Dirty Coast. They have the greatest New Orleans themed shirts I've seen so far! I just ordered 4 of them and want to get the rest too! Great job to the folks at Dirty Coast!

One of my favorites:

and this one is a MUST HAVE!

So head on over to Dirty Coast and order up some fantastic shirts. First 200 orders get 20% off~ Free shipping if you order 3 or more!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:49 AM | Comments (2)

April 01, 2006

Book 27-Roux the Day by Peter King

This was a cute little mystery set in New Orleans and focusing on one of the most interesting and sought after aspects of the city- THE FOOD!

This installment of the Gourmet Detective Series finds, the "detective" in New Orleans in search of a a famous "chef's book" belonging to one of New Orleans most famous restaurant familes. Instead he finds murder, forgery and a group of women chef's who call themselves "The Witches". The descriptions of the food were more interesting than the story itself. I enjoyed the book, its that kind of "beach book" that doenst take too much thought. A fun quick read for anyone that loves food!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:40 AM | Comments (0)

March 27, 2006

Book 26- Managing Ignatius, The Lunacy of Lucky Dogs and Life in New Orleans

This book was AWESOME! Its another that had been on my "to read" pile forever and I kept bypassing it for some reason. I picked it up last night when I realized that Grey's Anatomy was a rerun and I was up half the night reading it! I couldn't put it down! I finished it on my lunch hour today.

I've been going to New Orleans for over 10 years now and have seen the Lucky Dog carts around town. I've been known to eat a Lucky Dog or two as well. Stacey has a tradition of eating a Lucky Dog on Mardi Gras night. Mike and I have a tradition of having one while waiting for our flight to leave NOLA from the airport. Other than that I never really gave them much thought. I read A Confederacy Of Dunces years ago and that inspired me to buy this book (along with Ignatious Rising, The Life of John Kennedy Toolebut they sat untouched for lets see, about 4 years now? Wow.

The author is (was?) the long time manager of Lucky Dogs. The subject of the book are the wacky yet loveable vendors, those guys and gals you see pushing the carts around the quarter. The book takes place mostly in the 70's-80's era New Orleans before it was cleaned up for the 1984 Worlds Fair.

What I found most interesting however was what I found when I turned to page 138, a picture of one particular vendor, Smitty! Now, Stacey certainly knows who Smitty is and Connor and Mike were just as excited as I was to come across information on our very own favorite Lucky Dog vendor!

Ok, so we actually only met him once, but he left such a lasting impression on us that we named one of the neighborhood stray cats after him. It was so interesting to learn more about him, and his eccentricities and realize how long he had been with the company.

This is definatly a book I'd go back and read again. Its so entertaining and full of fun information. And I cant wait to get back to the FQ to see if Smitty is back and buy a hot dog from him. Go look for him the next time you're in the city, the corner of Bienvielle and Bourbon....Stacey, ask him what the clue is,lol!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:10 PM | Comments (3)

March 26, 2006

Book 25- Desire Street, A True Story of Death and Deliverance In New Orleans by Jed Horne

It took me over 7 weeks of off and an on reading to finish this book. THere were many times when I wanted to give up on it but I have that weird obsession that I HAVE to finish a book once I start it, no matter how long it takes. I was determined to finish this over the weekend, I was getting tired of it hanging over my head so I just took a few hours and made myself plow through it.

Deisre Street is based on the real life story of Curtis Kyles, who was charged withe the murder of Delores Dye in early 1980's New Orleans and sentenced to death. It's an exhaustive look at the lives of those involved in this case, the lives they lived in one of New Orleans most dangerous and notorious housing projects and how Curtis Kyles was framed for this murder and sentanced to death, then to have the Supreme Court overturn that conviction. Kyles was tried 5 times for this murder! It' more than just the story of Kyles, its also the story of racism in New Orleans. The events that took place are interesting, but at times the author seemed to go on and on and on and take forever to say something that could have been said alot more succinctly. Maybe thats the typical trait of the southern writer? Just like the south, things move slow, no one is in a hurry? Maybe its just my yankee temperment that wants things to move quicker? Anyway, I am glad I finished the book afterall. It's a very complex book, about a very complex city. A reminder that New Orleans is not all Mardi Gras and Bourbon St......

Note: Harry Connick Sr. and his staff plays a key role in the events that inspired this book, which is a bit disturbing since he is not exactly portrayed in a kind, honest manner. I dont know much about the politics of NOLA, except from books, articles I have read, and I know they are very complicated and often very crooked, so it was no surprise on my part, but Harry fans be warned!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:28 AM | Comments (1)

Book 24-My Juliet by John Ed Bradley

This was a really wierd book. I bought it after enjoying another book by Bradley, Restoration. It sounded intgriguing, and was also set in New Orleans. However, the main character, being insane, make the book hard to follow. It was interesting,but incoherent at times. Rambeling and slow moving, it did pick up towards the end. Just an odd book overall.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)

March 15, 2006

Book 21- Prime by Poppy Z. Brite

Prime picks up two years later in the life of Ricky and G-Man, and their New Orleans restaurant Liquor. I've loved Poppy Z. Brite for a few years now, ever since I discovered her books. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I've come to love her even more, through reading her blog. She's an interesting person with a great perspective on what's going on in the city and she's not afraid to say whats on her mind. She and Chris Rose have been a great source of comfort, amusement and information in the past 6 months.

I enjoy her writing style, and the fact that New Orleans is the setting for most of of her books.I have to say that the books featuring Ricky and G-Man have been my favorite, and its nice to read on her blog how much she enjoys these characters as well. I cant wait for the third book, Soul Kitchen, to be released later this year.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)

March 11, 2006

Katrenema- A video

Check out this powerful and tear jerking video Katrenema: State of the "Forgotten Part" of the Union Address.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)

March 04, 2006

Book 17- 1 dead in attic by Chris Rose

I started crying as I begain reading the first words of this book and didn't stop until well after I had finished it. I expected that because Chris Rose has that kind of effect on me.

Stacey picked me up a copy of this book when Chris Rose had his book signing a few weeks ago. He signed it to me, "Lisa, come home to Louisiana". I'm trying Chris, one day....

Chris Rose is THE voice of post-Katrina New Orleans. This book is the compliation of his editorials that appeared in the Times Picayune in the months following "the thing" as he calls it. I love Chris Rose. LOVE. HIM. He tells it like it is, and these days, it isnt pretty.

Chris Rose is one of theose people that "gets it" and he communicates it so beautifully, so poignantly. The book is peppered with some touching photographs taken by Charles Varley and is dedicated to Thomas Coleman, the man who was " 1 dead in attic", one of the thousands, the one who inspired this book. All proceeds from this book go towards the Tipitina Foundation and Artdocs, two very wonderful organizations.

Reading this makes me think all over again, "how the hell could this have happened in America. In 2005.?" How could we have failed all these people? We cant let this happen ever again. We can't forget and we cant stop helping.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:26 PM | Comments (1)

Book 16- My New Orleans- Ballads to the Big Easy by Her Sons, Daughters, and Lovers

I read this book on the plane to New Orleans last week. It was the perfect book to prepare me for my first return to the city post-Katrina. This book is a love basically a love letter to the city written by some of her most famous citizens; Wynton Marsalis, Poppy Z. Brite, Roy Blount Jr, Ella Brennan, Paul Prudhomme, Christopher Rice and many more. Each contributed a piece, voicing their thoughts on their city in the days following Katrina. They speak of what makes New Orleans so special, they capture her spirit, the spirit that was and that will be again. This is a book I know I will return to again and again, its so full of beautiful passages and descriptions, I know I wont ever tire of reading it.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)

February 16, 2006

5 Days Folks......

And I'm actually calm. Calmer than I was last week at this time anyway. I have accomplished just about everything on my "to do" list except for a few things I cant do until the weekened anyway. The long range weather forecast for New Olreans is going to drive me insane however. I checked it yesterday and it was calling for temps in the 70's for most of the week. So I dug out shorts and capri's from the summer clothes. Now today, its saying cold and rainy all week. UGH!

So, trying not to think about it and hope for the best. The only things left to do are pick up Mike's tux, grocery shop for the kids, clean the entire house, and pack! I have the suitcases open on the bedroom floor and whenever I think of something I want to take or come across something, I just keep tosing them in there. So now I have two huge piles of clothes to go through and decide what to take and what to leave home. I will probably wait until Monday night, when I have a more accurate weather forecast. Tuesday I am working, Mike is taking a personal day and then Tuesday night we are heading to Philly to stay over so we dont have to fight rush hour traffic in the morning to get to the airport. Holiday Inn Park and Fly rocks! Just a little more than it costs to leave your car at the Philly airport for a week, if you can get a spot there.

Connor took a King Cake to school today. As we were walking in with it, some of his former teachers saw us and got all excited "Its King Cake Day!!!" Everyone loves the King Cake. The kids look forward to it every year and love to see who gets the baby.

I have about 50 reumes to critique before I can leave for vacation so I better get to that. Some of them are damn awful. I have a headache just thinking about them.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:26 AM | Comments (2)

February 03, 2006

A Must Read

Please, take a minute and go over to The Gumbo Pages and read today's entry titles "Life In New Orleans" and then send it along to everyone you know...it's an important message. And 5 months after Katrina, we can't let people forget about New Orleans

Thanks

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:57 PM | Comments (2)

January 31, 2006

Book 11- Time: Hurricane Katrina, The Storm That Changed America

This is actually a kind of cross between a magazine and a book, but I'm counting it. This is kind of an overview of the disaster, mainly focusing on the devastation in New Orleans. There is a timeline of the approaching storm and the local, state and federal governments responses or lack there of. The pictures will haunt you.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

Book 10- New Orleans by Stuart M. Lynn

Stacey gave me this book, she thought either Connor or I would love pouring through all the old pictures of New Orleans. I didnt even have a chance to glance at it because the second I took it from my suitcase, Mike absconded with it and I forgot about it. He finally returned it to me and I took some time last night to absorb this fascinating book. This book was published in 1949 and looking at the pictures of well known and some unknown properties was just fascinating. We loved recognizing some of the landmarks we hunted for this past summer on our NOLA Treasure Hunt. It was gratifying to know that we were correct on some of them!!

We also identified a bunch of homes, buildings, gardens, etc that we really want to go see onour next trip and photograph them to compare how they have held up. This book is a beautiful photographic essay of historical New Orleans, broken into four sections: Architecture, Courtyards & Patios, Ironwork, and Cemetaries. The author also provides the locations of each of the pictures and a brief decsription of the property. The photos are all in B&W and make it so easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with this city.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:11 AM | Comments (2)

January 30, 2006

Book 9- Restoration by John Ed Bradley

Kristy passed this book on to me a few months ago and I've finally worked my way down to it on the pile. Another book that I wished I hadn't waited so long to read. It's a captivating mystery centered in the art world of New Orleans, but also touches upon the sensitive race issues of the south. I enjoyed Bradley's writing style and will be looking for other books by him.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:13 PM | Comments (1)

January 28, 2006

Book 8-Blue Dog Saloon, A Tale of Old New Orleans by James p. Callahan and T. Stanley Bradley

I've had this book for so long and kept bypassing it in favor of other books. Now I'm sorry I did! This was a GREAT read! At over 500 pages, I read the entire thing today, I just could not put it down!

Set in 1898/1899 New Orleans, this is the story of Pete (the Pope) and Tom (the Emperor) and a year of their adventures and misadventures in the Storyville District of New Orleans. The only disappointment was that book ended, and left the reader hanging, wondering if Pete and Rita ever find their way back to one another. Its an adventure, a love story and a history lesson. Anyone familiar with New Orleans will appreciate all the cultural references, some that are still in existance today.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:48 PM | Comments (1)

January 24, 2006

Random Catch Up On My Life

I had to stop for gas after work today as my gas tank was nearing empty, so I had to go out of my normal route home to stop at a gas station and that put me behind schedule by about 10 minutes, which meant I got stuck in traffic. Normally I leave work at 4:25 so that I avoid all the courthouse, prison and hospital traffic, but today, got stuck smack dab in the middle of it. Which allowed me to write this really great and interesting blog entry in my mind. Of course now..... Completley forgot everything I was thinking. And the stuff I remember, really wasnt that interesting in the first place.

I've really been neglecting writing any entries of actual substance. Work has been rather busy so I don't have time to sit and write. By the time I get home from work, make supper, clean up, help with homework, clean up anything that needs to be cleaned, get my lunch ready for the next day, iron clothes,feed the hogs, er I mean dogs....I'm too mentally drained to even think about it. I've even been too tired to read latley and thats not like me. I am giving myself this luxory tonight because I left the dishes for Mike to clean up. I still have a ton of things to do, but Mike is home tonight so I'll get some help.

Lets see, whats been going on. Oh! Connor started his own blog! Its so cute. Stop by and check it out (often) and leave him some comments. He's obsessed with people commenting. He plans on writing stories and posting pictures of our zoo and vacations and what not.

As Connor mentioned on his blog, his team won their game on Saturday wtih SECONDS to spare! Who knew 4th grade basketball could be so exciting! It was a real nail biter! The whole gym was freaking out, on their feet, yelling and cheering! I had taken my camera with me but got so wrapped up in the game I completly forgot to even take it out of my purse! Bad mommy! I'm going to need valium by the time he's playing HS B-ball!

We leave for Mardi Gras in less than a month! WOW! Time really did fly. I'm so excited. And scared. It will be my first trip back to New Orleans since Katrina. I'm prepared as much as I can be for the devastation and plan on contributing greatly to the economy. I'm sure I will have a million gazillion bazillion pictures when we get back. I'm so not ready to go. I need more money. And to lose 15 lbs so I can fit in my clothes.

I've got the house all decorated for Mardi Gras. I'm probably the only person in the Wyoming Valley that decorates for Mardi Gras. I'll be ordering our first King Cake for Mikes birthday on February 11th. I've started making my list of all the things I want to do during MG. There isnt enough time in the day/night to fit in all the parades, concerts, restaurants, bars, sightseeing, volunteering and shopping that I have planned. I guess I'll sleep when I get home.

Good news! There was a Mole Woman sighting! She is alive! She's really making herself scarce latley but we have evidence that she is alive, and not buried in the Mole Yard. The other day the Mole Kid came over to our house and knocked on the door. Mike said "She was selling Mole Scout cookies".

My eye surgery is scheduled for March 9th. I cant even think about it or I will panic and back out. But my eyes have been really bothering me alot latley so I'll be glad to get this taken care of. If you missed my rant about my eyes, I have Ptosis- weakening of the eyelid resulting in droopy eyelids. Since it is affecting my vision, the insurance company will pay for the corrective surgery...thank God. I'm tired of looking like I'm stoned in every picture....the nurse assured me that I will only miss two days of work and the bruising and swelling should go away within a week. Fabulous...

We got our first gas bill of the winter..I nearly shit my pants! $468! For the month of December! Thats more than double what we normally pay and it hasnt even been that cold! I already keep the thermostat set at 68 and put flannel sheets and tons of blankets on the beds. I'm hoping for an early springg...

Thats about it for us...same old, same old....January has got to be the most boring month.....maybe I'll go actually read my book for a little while before I fall asleep.....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 06:45 PM | Comments (1)

January 10, 2006

Book 4- Fabulous New Orleans by Lyle Saxon

I bought this book quite some time ago but was a bit intimidated by it. It was written in 1928, and I was afraid it would be dull and tedious to read.

After I read Why New Orleans Matters, someone commented that I should read this book so I decided to give it a whirl. I am SO glad I did! This book was wonderful! Lyle Saxon is a fabulous writer and he had me drawn into his story of discovering New Orleans immediately.

While this is a history of New Orleans, its not done in the typical way. Its more like a novel with the city as the main character. Saxon includes excerpts from newspapers and other historical documents of the times to illustrate many points and they are so fascinating. Makes me want to revisit the Presbytere and Cabildo on the next trip to New Orleans. So many of the things Saxon writes still hold true today. There were times when I thought I was reading a current account of the city! Although much has changed, at the same time, so little has changed.

Near the end of the book, Saxon touches upon all the challenges New Orleans has faced and overcome throught history- plagues, rat infestation, flooding, wars to name a few....I found this statement to be of particular interest:

"I wish it were in my power as a writer to make the reader realize the importance of the things which I have touched upon so briefly here. If I could make him see that they were important, he would see, automatically, that they were interesting in themselves. There is something so excessively American in this determination to get ahead, and to continue to face of all odds. It does not seem a Picturesque struggle, for it is too near us, too much of our own times. But it is this curious quality of indestructibility which is most characteristic of New Orleans to-day."

Indeed, and still today, despite the overwhelming destrucion, another chapter of New Orleans history will show how resiliant this unique and wonderful city is. I hope that 80 years from now, my great grandchildren will be reading accounts of how New Orleans overcame this latest in the long list of tragedies and came out even better.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:16 AM | Comments (1)

January 09, 2006

Map of NOLA Flooding

I came across this animated map that shows a time line of the flooding of New Orleans. It really puts things in perpsective to what 80% really means.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:23 PM | Comments (0)

January 03, 2006

Book 2- Mardi Gras As It Was by Robert Tallant

This was a really fascinating book. Robert tallant describes the entire history of Mardi Gras up until the publication of this book in 1947. Its filled with facts, stories, legends and antedotes about every aspect of Mardi Gras, from parades to balls to masking, to Krewes and so much more. What was amazing to me is how little Mardi Gras has actually changed over time. I found this quote to really encompass the gist of Mardi Gras:

"Mardi Gras is a spirit. I believe it is an immortal one. It is certain that it is at least as immmortal as mans ability to make believe to escape the dreariness of the everyday life that is most mens portion, to have fun, to laugh, and to play. .........I think if there is any world left in which human beings still laugh and still, even on rare occasions, have fun, there will be a Mardi Gras and that it will live through whatever catastrophes occur, as it survived the perishing of Greece, the destruction of Rome the centuries of pain and plague that we call the middle ages, the perilous journey to the end of the earth that turned out to be America and all the wars. .....that is why Mardi Gras is not a trivial matter but a very important one. In a way it is a symbol of the art of being human, and wherever people are still human, wherever they enjoy living, it will exist in some form"

Those wordss were written over 60 years ago...they are so profoundly relevant this year, for this Mardi Gras, the first Mardi Gras following Hurricane Katrina, when people are argueing that there shouldn't be a Mardi Gras...those words need to be revisited, because Mardi Gras is not a singular event,something that can be controlled or held at will, its' spirit will persevere because Mardi Grasis so intricatley entwined into the very being of New Orleans.

Any fans of Mardi Gras or New Orleans history will really enjoy this book. For being 60 years old, its so timely and the writing flows easily and Tallants stories suck you right in.

Really made me excited to be heading down to Mardi Gras....in 50 days.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:03 AM | Comments (1)

January 01, 2006

Book 1- Mardi Gras Madness, Various authors

I started this book on New Years Eve and finished it off on New Years day. MGM is compilation of 11 sort stories, centered around Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It was a quick, fun read, great for getting in the Mardi Gras mood.

The stories all focused on the dark, macabre side of Mardi Gras: vampires, ghosts; the things that happen in dark alleys while the party goes on, the real "farewell to the flesh".

Each story was really engrossing and I found myself wishing most of them were full length books...

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)

December 30, 2005

Book 58- Fat White Vampire Blues by Andrew Fox

One of my goals for my Christmas vacation was to finish up all the books I had started and cast aside for one reason or another. This book was the last of them! Mission accomplished!

I started this book back in August on the plane ride home from New Orleans. Stacey had given me a few books that she thought I would enjoy and this was one of them.

I was about 6 chapters into it when Hurricane Katrina hit and it sat untouched for the entire month of September, as I was too numb and distracted to even think about reading. I tried to get back into it, but I had so many negative associations with the book that it was impossible. Every time I looked at it, images from the hurricane flooded my mind...

This week I was determined to finish it, to overcome the tie my psyche had between this book and katrina.

I'm glad I was determined because it was a really cute book...Interesting to see NOLA thru the eyes of a vampire and to understand all the issues that a vampire faces...if they were real that is...and if vampires do indeed exist, NOLA would be the place for them to live....

So..I finished up the challenge at 58 books. With only one more day in the year, its doubtful that I will read anymore in the next 24 hours.

So beginning January 1st I will be starting the 50 book Challenge 2006. I already have a nice stockpile of books to get me started!

Happy reading y'all!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:55 PM | Comments (1)

December 29, 2005

Book 55- Why New Orleans Matters by Tom Piazza

Since Katrina roared ashore, I've been reading every scrap of information I can find on the city. I had already accumulated a nice collection of books written about or set in NOLA but now it became my mission.

Someone recommended this book to me and I recently found it at my local Barnes & Noble. I admit, I started crying right there in the middle of the bookstore, just reading the back cover of the book, because the words were so true. I get so frustrated argueing NOLA's case to people who dont get it. So angry, so sad. Reading that small paragraph was like finding a long lost friend, someone else who gets it.

I couldnt wait to read it, but I had to make sure my environment was right. I didnt want to be tired or have any distractions. I wanted a quiet house, with some NOLA music playing softly in the background so I could sit and absorb the book. I finally got the chance and this book touched me on so many levels. Every sentance was an affirmation of how I feel! I found myself re-reading certain passages and reading them out loud, wanting the whole world to hear them.

Piazza captures the culture, the history the beauty and the ugliness of everything that makes New Orleans so unique, and why this city is so very important to America. One editorial review sums it up quite well: "he asks us all to consider the spirit of this place and all the things it has shared with the world -- grace and beauty, resilience and soul. 'That spirit is in terrible jeopardy right now,' he writes. 'If it dies, something precious and profound will go out of the world forever."

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:24 AM | Comments (1)

December 14, 2005

The Government Could Take A Lesson From These Folks

The news the past few days has been rather discouraging. The Bush Administration refusing to take any money away from Iraq to help get NOLA back on its feet. Even though they had no problems givning millions to NYC after 9/11 (and lets not even talk about the millions and millions they gave to buy the victims family's silence), but anyway...no help for levee rebuilding, no help for Entergy, pretty much a big slap in the face to all of NOLA.

Despite all this, I know there are so many folks who will NOT give up. They will NOT allow the government to euthanize the city. One group of such people is The Arabi Wrecking Krewe. Just a bunch of NOLA citizens, taking back the city one home at a time. One neighborhood at a time. Making a difference. They are doing this on their own time, with their own money. The spirit and determination of this group of guys and gals is just amazing. They are out there every day, cleaning, trying to help people recover salvagalble items, tearing out drywall, scrubbing mold. They totally rock!

So if your looking for a way to help out, check out their website. If you want to help but cant be there, they are putting together a wish list of things that they can use to help in their effforts to bring back this fabulous city. I know some of you have some Home Depot Gift Certificates just laying around,collecting dust.... pass em on to the Wrecking Krewe!

They are not giving up and no one else who is from NOLA or wishes they were should give up either. So continue writing those letters, be heard! You know how your kids keep nagging and nagging and nagging until finally you give in JUST TO SHUT THEM UP?! Well, be that nagging kid. We need to make sure that NOLA is constantly in the faces of those fat cats in Washington.

In my opinion, every single one of those officials, from George W , the cabinet, the entire Congress, should be required to spend thier break in NOLA, living in FEMA trailers and spending their days doing clean up. Screw this walking around in their nice suits saying all the politically correct things. Time for them to get their hands dirty and pitch in to help correct the biggest MAN MADE disaster in the history of the United States. Let them live and work among the people who call New Orleans home, see for themselves what they are so willing to just write off.

As you can see, I live in a fantasy land. But the sky is really pretty here and it smells like magnolia and gumbo....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:23 AM | Comments (4)

December 12, 2005

Book 54- Madeleine's Ghost by Robert Girardi

I picked up this book because it was set partly in New Orleans, but had no idea what it was going to be about. It sat on my "to read" pile since July, untouched while I worked my way through every book James Patterson ever wrote. One in awhile when trying to decide what book to read next, I would glace at it and pass it over in favor of something else.

I loved this book, its a combination love story and mystery, its the story of Ned Conti, graduate student, living in NYC, in what he beleives to be a haunted apartment. He begins working on a job, documenting the life of candidate for Catholic Sainthood. The novel switches very easily from Ned's present life in NYC to his past in New Orleans and what drove him to NYC. I was honestly surprised at the end of the book, I didnt see the twist coming. This is a haunting book, the kind that stays with you long after you've finished it. I dont want to say any more without spoiling the book for anyone that wants to read it.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:30 PM | Comments (1)

December 04, 2005

Book 51- Very New Orleans by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler

Wow. I completed the 50 book challenge and then just stopped reading didnt I? I havent read a book in A MONTH! Shame on me. In my defense, after completing the challenge, the pressure was off and I decided to tackle watching seasons 1-4 of 24. Everyone I know watches this show and for some reason I never got into it. Since it is coming back in January, in place of my much loved PRison Break, I thought I would give it a shot. So I have been deeply absorbed in the life of Jack Ryan and all the going on's at CTU. I finished Season 3 last night and I have until January to get through Season 4. Lots of time. I have all of Christmas break. Last Christmas break saw me racing to get through all the previous Seasons of Alias. NOw that I am utterly and completley obsessed with that show, they up and cancel it on me! I blame Ben Affleck.

So anwyay. I was out doing some Christmas shopping on Thursday night at Barnes and Noble. And as has happened before, a book literally jumped off the shelf at me! Very New Orleans is one of those cute little books that just catch your eye. Its a pretty colorful cover and all the water color illustrations throughout the book were also done by the auther. The is a note in the beginning of the book from the author stating that this book went to press just as Hurricane Katrina was hitting the Gulf.

This book is more of a New Orleans Encyclopedia than a story. But its engaging and the author tells the story of NOLA in little snippets accompanied by beautiful artful depictions of the glorious city. The feeling I got after finishing this book was that "she gets it". Not everyone gets NOLA, but Gessler certainly does. I even learned a few things about the city I hadn't heard before! There is also a small note on the back of the book that the publisher is donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to Hurricane Katrina Relief Organizations.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:53 AM | Comments (1)

November 30, 2005

Treezilla-The Finale!

It's done. My tree is standing, decorated and lit up. Now to keep that sucker alive until Christmas. Its drinking a TON of water daily. We keep refilling the stand and an hour later its dry again. I ended up getting three separate extension cords with multiple outlets on each and dividing the lights up between the three and plugging each of them into different outlets. It seems to be working for now. Luckily with all those lights on tree we really dont need any other lighs in the living room! So, without further ado, I give you Treezilla '05!

That's just the bottom half. There is another 5 feet that extends up to our bedroom. I cant get a good shot of it. So last night after downing some Red Bull, I was on a mission to get the house straightened up. Because I am nothing if not OCD about my house being messy and the past few days I have been consumed by thoughts of my messy house. I was so tired of wading thru boxes to get from one room to another and having to move boxes to get into the bathroom, so I decided to just take all the rest of the boxes of Christmas Decorations and put them away in the cellar. If I havent put a decoration up yet, its not going up. And serioulsy, do we really need any other decorations with that friggin' tree?

So as I was packing up boxes, the smell hit me. That damn cat pissed somewhere. At first I thought it was on the tree skirt or the garland, but no, they were fine. As I started moving things around I picked up one of the fun cube things that the cats love so much and IT WAS DRIPPING WITH CAT PISS! That little bitch pissed in the cube! What is her problem! Why does she keep peeing on things! I was sooooo mad! Thankfully Mike wasn't home because he would have dumped her ass out in the street. So I tossed the cube in a garbage bag and stuck it outside and then had to scrub the floor with Clorox. I am so thankful for tile floors! It wasnt hard to clean up and the smell was soon replaced by the smell of bleach, which really smells a whole lot nicer than cat piss. A few sprays of Pine air freshner and we were set.

Then I decided to tackle vacuuming up all the pine needles. My living room floor had about an inch of pine needles all around the tree and under it. So I shop vac'ed them up until I clogged the shopvac. Have to get that unclogged today and finish up.

Here is Connor's project. He wanted to do a Mardi Gras themeed tree after seeing a purple tinsel tree in Kauffmans. I found these cute trees on ebay and he put our NOLA decorations on them. I think he did a great job!

In other news Jimmy is back to work. Yay! He got re-hired at igourmet and he worked from 9:00 am to 7:00pm yesterday. If you're looking for a different and yummy gift for someone check them out. They have some really neat gift ideas, if you like cheese,lol! Actually they dont have just cheese, they also have coffee, desserts, fruits, all kinds of gourmet foods and what not.

And what entry would be complete without a mention of New orleans. I'm glad to see the media doing some more coverage lately.

I was reading an article yesterday that there are alot of jobs in NOLA for certain trades, such as construction, demolition, hotel and restaurant, because the people who worked in those positions are still unable to return to the city, as their homes are uninhabitible. I've also read a few interesting articles about the frustration of "Northern Carpetbaggers" coming down to NOLA and taking up the good jobs and housing that SHOULD be going to real New Orleans residents. Thats so sad. Opportunists suck. NOLA needs help for sure, but the residents also need to be able to go home and get a job and find a place to live. Professional jobs and affordable housing are scarce now....

Even thought there are plenty of jobs in some blue collar areas (not so much in professional jobs however) there really is no where for workers to live. Some companies, like Mothers, are housing their employees in trailers behind the restaurant. Housing prices have skyrocketed. I was even amazed when Stacy told me what the apt. below her is going for now! Some folks are commuting 2 hours each way to get to work in the city because they cant afford to live there. Its really a bad situation. Places need employees so badly but there is no where for them to live! Most of the residential areas have been WIPED OUT!This picture just astounds me. The lighted area is Metairie , then the 17th St. Canal and the darkness is Lakeview.

Heartbreaking isnt it? That was a beautiful residentail community. Now its gone. Just one part of the 80% of New Orleans that has been destroyed.

I also watched part of the town hall meeting with Mayor Nagin yesterday. Alot of people had some very excellant points to make about how NOLA is being neglected by the Feds and the rest of the country. We can rebuild fricking Iraq but forget about one of our own cities....just so WRONG! Especially considering its the governments fault that the city was destroyed. If they had paid attention and listened for years, the wetlands would have been protected, the levees would have been built correctly in the first place. They MUST be held accountable for their role in this devastation.

Ok, thats my NOLA rant for the day.

Taking the day off from the gym. I did a really really intense weight workout yesterday and I can barely lift my arms today. My entire upper body is so sore. But thats a good thing! I'll go tomorrow and make up for resting today.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:36 AM | Comments (2)

November 23, 2005

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! And Another Entry That Ends Up Being About New Orleans

I am officialy on vacation! It couldnt have come a minute too soon. This morning when the alarm went off, I just wanted to cry. I just need an extended time away from work, where I can stay home and nest and catch up on all the things Ive negelcted and spend time with my family and relax.

I feel incredibly guilty because I skipped the gym today. I was really honestly about to change and go but I decided that I needed to stay at work and finish up all my paperwork before vacation so when I go back Monday, I go back to a nice clean desk. So thats what I did. I'm regretting it right now, but come Monday, I'll be so glad I'm not faced with a mountian of advisee notes to write up and files to put away.

On Sunday I listed a crap load of CD's on Amazon Marketplace. I've sold almost 30 of them! Yay! Extra $$ for Christmas!

Sidenote: there is a special about Hurricane Katrina on PBS right now and it still hits me hard.....this really happened....and I am in shock....I still cant beleive this happened....Im glad for shows like this to remind the nation that no one came to help....and that is unacceptable. And NOLA still needs lots of help.

I'm going to watch this show....finish this entry up later....

ok, here it is nearly 12 hours later. That NOVA special-The Storm That Drowned A City on PBS was really good. Afterwards the Frontline: The Storm episode was about Katrina too, and the goverment response, or lack there of.....both were really good and make Mike and I so angry. SO ANGRY.

I read alot of blogs written by people who live/lived in NOLA. I feel so bad for the folks that want so badly to return to the city but cant, because they have no where to return to. Their homes are gone,and as I understand it, affordable housing is hard to find. There just arent enough places for the residents to return to. They need to find housing so they can return to their city and hopefully their jobs. We keep hearing about the desperate need for workers in NOLA, but someone told me most of those jobs are in the hotel/restaurant industy, alot of service positions. So people who worked in professional positions not only have no home but no job either. So even if people are able to return and find a job and a place to live temporarily while they rebuild their home...where are they going to rebuild? In the 9th Ward?

I read an article that in order for the levees to be repaired in time for the next hurricane season, crews would need to be working 24-7 (excuse my paraphrasing, I cant find the article now...I'm going on memory)...so that would mean 3 crews working 3 shifts for the next 9 months or so. Is the Federal Govt going to pay for that? They should!!! MAKE LEVEES NOT WAR! The rebuilding of the levees is crucial to the rebuilding of NOLA. No one is going to go back and rebuild in an area that will most likley flood again should another hurricane the size off Katrina comes through. Or bigger. What if a bigger, stronger hurricane hits next year? NOLA needs to be prepared for this. According to all the weather experts, we are in a period of bad hurricane action. Not only are we getting more hurricanes but they are so much stronger. What are we up to, Gamma now? I'm already nervous about next years hurriane season.

This situation is just so mind boggeling...every time I woke up during the night, these thoughts would start running through my head and I couldnt fall back to sleep. Its an impossible situation. but it doenst have to be! Dont forget about NOLA folks. When you are with your family, giving thanks for all that you have, take a few moments to remember the survivors of Katrina and what they are facing and all the difficulties yet to come.

Right now I'm waiting to hear Mayor Nagins decision regarding Mardi Gras and if its going to be limited to 6 days....I would not want to be in his shoes right now.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2005

Where Did the Past 10 Months Go?

Seriously. Wasn't is just Spring? Summer is over already? I feel like I've been in a coma and woke up to find out entire months have passed by with no recollection. Crazee. I'm writing September off as a complete loss since I spent the entire month sobbing and watching Fox news reports from New Orleans and obsessively refreshing nola.com and searching the internet for any morsel of information about my beloved town.

October was spent catching up on everything I neglected for the entire month of September. Now here it is November 1st. Wow. Only 5 weeks until Franks. of course as Stacey can attest, Mike has been counting down to that since Mardi Gras.

I was at the gym yesterday and FOX news had a special report on live from NOLA, about Halloween and then about the garbage situation (there is NO WHERE to put it all) and I was just overcome with this overwhelming sense of loss and sadness, again. Just feeling that NOLA is never going to be the same. It will come back, but it will be different. I'm so glad I got to spend as much time there as I did, getting to know this very special city, but so sad that so much of it is lost. I'm so glad that Connor was introduced to the magicalness of the city. It's going to be a long road back, back to what though I wonder? *sigh*

I took some pics of my furbabies last night after spending time feeding the ferals.

I love this shot of Bingo

And Gumbo, our possessed kitty

VooDoo was not cooperating

Cant forget the puppers! Here is Trooper

Bayley

And Sage

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:36 AM | Comments (1)

October 17, 2005

Death in the Mole Family

Yesterday Mike and I were hanging out at home, he was watching football, I was goofing off on the internet. He noticed a local police car pull up in front of our house and one of the jackass locals get out. "What the hell is he doing here" Mike started bitching because it looked like he was coming to our house. We cant stand this guy. He's got the "big fish in the little pond" syndrome.

Anyway, he didnt come to our house, but went across the street to the Mole People. Hmmm, interesting. So of course we went to peer out the windows. The Mole Man was standing on his porch and he and the cop went into the other side of their double block where the Mole Grandma lived.

"Ut-oh", I said, "I bet she fell or something" and sure enough we heard the ambulance siren in the distance. The Paramedics drove down the street (the wrong way on a one way I might add" and they got out with their bag and went into the house.

Not two minutes later then came back out and put their bag back in the vehicle. "Thats, not good", Mike said "Shes dead".

Soon the whole street was filled with Mole Family flocking to the house. The funeral home guy arrived too. And theres the Mulvey family standind watching in our front window, Mike with a beer, Connor with his bag of Tostitos, like it was Sunday afternoon entertainment. I morbidly joked that maybe we should turn our couch around to face the windows so we dont miss anything.

Connor stood watching for them to bring the body out. He is so much his fathers son. Mike asked if we should send something to them? That should be interesting, since we dont even know what their name is, should we send a bagel basket to "the Mole People"?

RIP Mole Grandma.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)

October 12, 2005

What I've Been Up To

It's been busy again. Time is just whipping by and I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster and I cant get off to take a break. Ok, so maybe its not THAT crazy, but its been rather busy.

Work is crazy. So much going on. Which is good, job security and all that but last week sucked really bad. My secretary was off all week due to a family emergency and my boss was sick so she was coming in late, leaving early and ended up taking Friday off so I had to do three in class presentations and take care of the on campus recruiter on my own...CRAZEEEE!

It's "Fall Break" now which means the students are off until Monday but I still have to go to work. Hopefully it will be quiet and I can get my desk cleared off and get organized.

I went to Kohls. WhooHoo right? Well, remember I live in a city that is 20 years behind the times. We just got a Target last year for crying out loud! The people here still think the Olive Garden is real Italian food and line up for hours to get in. So I thought I would check out Kohls since people I know kept saying how great it is. My opinion: two thumbs down. Crappy, poor quality merchandise (Daisy Fuentes is their name brand in womens clothing???) and the prices were rather high. I bought a shower curtain because I liked the pattern but its so chintzey I doubt it will last long. And it was $30! If I want quality merchandise I'll stick to the better department stores we have (Kauffmans, Bon Ton, JCPennys) and if I want cheap I'll go to Target. If I want really cheap I'll go to Wal-Mart.

I started going back to the gym! Yay! I havent gone to the gym since we got back from New Orleans. At first I used Katrina as an excuse...I was too obsessed with watching the news every single moment of the day. Then work was just too busy to leave for an hour a day...but latley Ive been feeling sluggish, having trouble sleeping, feeling bloated and crankey. Not to mention that my pants were getting tight. So I kicked my ass back to the gym. Two days in a row now. I'm going to be really really sore tomorrow.

Speaking of Katrina, this hurricane has really caused my New Orleans obsession to spiral OUT OF CONTROL! I'm constantly looking for information on whats happening in New Orleans, ways to help with relief efforts, talking to my contacts down there. I read about 30 blogs from people who are currently in NOLA or lived there. I check them several times a day in case someone updates with a morsel of information. I wear my NOLA shirts and jewelry and am always looking for other merchandise to bring about more public awareness. My obsession is become a sickeness. I still burst into tears from stories and images coming out of the city.

I finally heard back from my eye doctor today. Here I thought they had submitted all the information to the insurance company and we were just waiting for a decision from them. Nope, they havent submitted anything yet! Why, I'm not quite sure. But the nurse called today to see if I wanted them to submit a request for correnction of one or both eyes...ummm...both! She told me I do have loss of vision in both eyes and hopefully my insurance will see it necessary for me to have correcive surgery. Keep your fingers crossed.

The kids are all doing well. Connor has a new teacher in 4th grade that he was nervous about because she subbed for his class last year and she was really tough. He likes her now and she says he is doing wonderfully. He is still taking piano lessons and wants to start trumpet too. He's playing basketball and is in a bowling league. Doing better at basketball than bowling. But we did buy him his own bowling ball recently.

Jimmy is halfway through his 3rd semester of college. He continues to do well without trying. He says hes been lookig for a job, but I'm not sure how hard he's been looking.

Otherwise the only thing I've really been doing is getting sucked back into fall tv. I've dumped a few shows that I initally thought I was going to like and have ended up with the following

Monday- Surface, Prison Break (BEST new show of the season)
Tuesday- Biggest Loser, Commander In Chief, Nip/Tuck
Wednesday- I was watching The Apprentice"Martha Stewart until they moved it. So now its just LOST and Invasion
Thursday-Alias, The Night Stalker and ER

I'm still not totally hooked on The Night Stalker and Invasion. I gave up on Bones, Reunion, Supernatural and The Amazing Race. I've also abandoned my former favorites of The Apprentice and Survivor because they are up against better shows. I'm pretty much over reality tv anyway. They should have ended Survivor with the All Stars.

Prison Break and Commander In Chief are my favorites among all the new shows. They are both outstanding.If your not watching them you should be!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 06:41 PM | Comments (1)

October 10, 2005

Book 48- The Brothers Neville by Art, Aaron, Charles and Cyril Neville

Wow. I'm having a very hard time reconciling the lives of the men in this book with the Nevilles I know as superstar New Orleans icons.

I have such a new found appreciation for the Neville Brothers, for the Meters and so many other black musicians who grew up in New Orleans. For the odds that they beat, the obstacles they had to overcome. It's just amazing that not one of the Neville Brothers ended up dead, through drug abuse or the violence that they faced.

It's an eye opening book. Its one that anyone that enjoys the tunes of New Orleans needs to read.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:59 PM | Comments (1)

October 03, 2005

Shopping For Charity

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, I thought I would share some really great sites out there where organizations are selling merchandise with proceeds going towards Hurricane Relief. You have to buy gifts so why not help out some worthwhile causes and get some great gifts for your family and friends!

If you know of any other sites, please leave me a comment with the URL!

Of course the first is the Connick.com Hurrican Relief Fund. Get a "Freakishly Strong" t-shirt and proceeds go directly to New Olreans Musicians.

Preservation Hall has some fabulous shirts for sale to benefit The Musicians Relief Fund.

Presents For A Cause have t-shirts designed by Teri Hatcher that benefit The American Red Cross

Alex and Ani have St. Christopher bangle bracelets benefitting Project USA which will be helping families affected by Hurricane Katrina

Little Lily has "Best Friend" charms for sale, proceeds going towards the SPCA of Louisiana.

RopeADope has the fabulous "ReNew Orleans" shirts, money going towards the Preservation Hall Musicians Relief Fund.

The Renew New Orleans Foundation has the fabulous bracelets Ihave featured on my sidebar. Those proceeds will be benefitting various non-profit organizations in New Orleans.

What It Means Organization has some cool t-shirts benefitting the Greater New Orleans Fundation

Abita Beer has a bunch of cool merch and Restoration Ale that will benefit the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.

Shout! Factory is donating proceeds from the Sale of the CD Box set "Dr's, Professors, Kings and Queens" to The Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

As seen on the Emmy's Michelle Roy has created beautiful Magnolia pins, with 100% of the profits going to the Red Cross.

The New Orleans Police Department is accepting donations and selling some really cool shirts to benefit the New Orleans Police Foundation.

Jeweler Ann Dale has created a beautiful Katrina Relief Badge with proceeds going to Hurricane Relief Fund at the Community Foundation of Acadiana

Rounder Records is releasing a CD "A Celebration of New Orleans Music" to benefit the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund

The Madame Alexander Doll Company has issued a limited edition doll "The Spirit of Mardi Gras" to benefit the K.I.D.S charity.

George Huff is donating all the proceeds from the sale of his single "Brighter Day" to Katrina Relief.

The Breast Cancer Site has these pretty Katrina Relief bangle bracelets. The Breast Cancer Site will fund 1.0 % of a mammogram for each Hurricane Katrina Relief Bangle Bracelet purchased. 50% of the proceeds from each bracelet purchased will go toward Hurricane Katrina relief.

Hibernia Bank is selling ReJazz New Orleans beads. According to their site, the money for these beads will go towards rebuilding New Orleans.

Desire NOLA is a non-profit dedicated to helping bring business back to New Orleans. They have some cool t-shirts available for purchase.

Fig Street Art Studio is a site offering products designed by New Orleans artist JK Schwehm, whose studio was destroyed by Katrina. He has his artwork available along with t-shirts, greeting cards, ceramic tiles and some really beautiful Christmas Ornaments! Really pretty and unique stuff here!.

You can get a cool Rebuild Our Coast shirt and help support Operation Cajun Christmas.

Pasado Animal Shelter has the most adorable and touching shirts for sale to support their shelter. The shirts are available for humans and dogs and are in memory of all the Katrina animals. They also have some cute holiday cards for sale.

The Good Times Will Roll Again- have cute shirts with proceeds benefitting Habitat For Humanity and Desire Street Ministries

Target has an exclusive CD for sale beginning November 1st with 100% of the proceeds going towards Hurricane Katrina Relief.

Tuff City thru Funky Delicacies / Night Train Records is releasing a new CD entitled New Orleans Will Rise Again. All proceeds from this release will be donated to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC). The CD contains rare New Orleans music ranging from Aaron Neville to Joe Barry, and previously unreleased recordings from the likes of Jessie Hill and Luther Kent. Executive producer Aaron Fuchs describes the compilation as songs of faith, hope and New Orleans-ness

I found this beautiful ornament on Amazon.com
Not sure if it will be available in Target stores: Target and HARVEY LEWIS will donate 50% of the retail price of this ornament to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
The luxe silver-plated ornament features green-blue enamel and is studded with crystals
Made of zinc alloy with silver plating
A HARVEY LEWIS ornament accented with Swarovski crystals
#he Swarovski trademark is used by HARVEY LEWIS DESIGNS, LLC under license from Swarovski
Price: $14.99

More fun CD from Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert and Our New Orleans- A Benefit Concert For The Gulf Coast.

504 t-shirts to benefit the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund

Get your "Make Levees, Not War" t-shirt and help support the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund

Katrina Fridge shirts are giving proceeds to the Louisiana SPCA.

Proud To Swim Home merchandise to benefit Katrina victims

Proud To Call It Home merchandise

Save NOLA has great shirts, sweatshirts, hats and totebags with 100% of the proceeds going to organizations helping to rebuild NOLA, such as Habitat for Humanity

So get out your wallets, credit cards and checkbooks! Spend some money for some great causes!!!!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:56 AM | Comments (1)

September 26, 2005

Feels Like Fall

Its funny how fall descends upon the Northeast right on schedule.

Right before we left for vacation, what seems like a lifetime ago, I remember noticing that the leaves on our tree were changing already. Just a little. Then school started and the mornings were noticibly cooler. Condensation on my car windows in the morning. Struggeling to decide what to wear to work because although mornings were cool, by noon it would be 90 degrees again.

Now, two days into "fall" and the temperature is cool and the humidity is gone. The past two days have been gray and gloomy. The leaves have started falling from the trees, pumpkins and gourds are in the store now. Today I actually have long pants on! Although I really love fall, I'm sad because it also means winter is just around the corner. Fall never lasts long enough. I can deal with fall- sweaters and boots, apples and pumpkin pie, shushing through the leaves. But winter will be here all too soon. Bitter cold. Snow. Freezing rain. Shoveling. Insane gas bills. I HATE winter.

But for now, I'll just enjoy fall, even though I'm not quite ready for summer to end. Funny how spring, summer and fall seem to fly by but winter drags on f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Got my Renew New Orleans bracelets in the mail today! They are so cool! Have you ordered yours yet?

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 04:44 PM | Comments (0)

September 22, 2005

The Healing Powers of the Bone

I've tried countless times to write a fun and witty review of the Bonerama shows this past weekend but I just dont have it in me right now. Dont get me wrong the shows were just sooo amazing on so many levels,but I'm still having trouble thinking about anything other than how my friends are doing and what is happening in New Orleans. Now throw Hurricane Rita into that mix and the brain is just on overload.But if you want to see a really cute picture of me, Mark Mullins, Wendy and Tracy- check out Wendy's blog

The first thing that made this weekend so special was being with my friends. With people who understand my passion for New Orleans and who share my despair over the past three weeks. People who "get it". I feel like the people in my day to day life, have moved on. They expressed their shock and outrage, they donated to The Red Cross and they feel they have done their part and they are done. They don't get my continuing focus on New Orleans. They don't understand that this is a situation that is going to require the attention of the entire US for a very very long time. Most of them just don't have the emotional investment in New Orleans that my friends and I do. And that does make me sad. Part of my heart is in New Orleans and its ripped to shreds.

I'm still an emotional wreck about the devastation. It doesnt take much to send me into a frenzy of tears. Yesterday, it was the People Magazine article. The one with the story about Charmaine Neville's attack. And the woman who saw a man attacked by an alligator while trying to escape. I sat sobbing as I tried to read the magazine. Today, it was a paper Connor wrote for school. The topic "Something Important to Me". Connor wrote about our summer trip to New Orleans. About all the things we did and the people we saw, all the food we ate and the music we heard. He ended it with this sentance "This trip is important to me because New Orleans is destroyed now." Yeah, sobbbing again.

The second thing that made this trip so special was seeing the Bonerama guys. Seeing them in person, hugging them, seeing with my own eyes that they are safe. And seeing them do what they love and beingg so optomistic, it gave me hope. I think that until last weekend, although I tried to be hopeful, it just wasn't happening. But if these guys, some who have lost EVERYTHING, can have hope for their futures and for the future of New Orleans, it gives me hope as well. All of these guys and their families have been on the forefront of my mind since Katrina made that turn towards NOLA. So it was very reassuring to see them in person and hear first hand that they are all doing "ok"....as best as they can under the circumstances.

And the most important part of the weekend was the music itself. The music of New Orleans. It was so therapeutic, so healing to be there and feel it wash over me, envelop me, like a favorite blanket. It was comforting and soothing. Healing, it started to heal my soul. It was so powerful, feeling the spirit of New Orleans alive in that room, alive through the music. The music is going to be a huge part in bringing back the city, because despite the death and the devastaion and the heartache, the music is living on, in cities all across America. New Orleans soul is being shared with the entire country. So when you hear of a NOLA band in your area, go see them. Experience the healing powers of the New Olreans music.

There is a great website out there that everyone must check out. Its The Renew New Orleans Foundation. They are a non-profit organization trying to raise money for several NOLA organizations. You can check them out on their website. They are selling a Renew New Orleans bracelet that just rocks! I know every cause out there has a bracelet, but have you ever seen one cooler than this?

And the proceeds from these sales will be going to organizations such as the NOLA Police Department, Covenant House of New Orleans, The Lions Club and Kids smART. Its only $5 and its a really pretty bracelet and you'll be helping out some real worthwhile causes. So go order a few dozen for your family and friends!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:13 PM | Comments (2)

September 08, 2005

And I'm Still Begging for Donations.........

It's been awhile since I've updated. I haven't felt like writing. In fact, I haven't felt like doing much of anything. It's been a rough week, watching everything going on in New Orleans. And as I say that, I feel so stupid because my pain is NOTHING compared to the people who are living through it, not just watching it.

In addition to obsessively wathing CNN, FOX and MSNBC, work has been very busy with the new semester. And Connor is back to school so we have homework and projects and all the regular household chores that need to be done.

I've also been busy bombarding my e-mail list with reminders to donate to the Relief Fund and helping to coordinate a clothing drive with my church. If you are reading this and you are looking for a good cause to give your money to, please consider our fund. We are making a difference to quite a few people. We have helped several families who have been left homeless by Katrina. And the good thing is, the money goes directly into the hands of the people that need it. DIRECTLY. There is no agency with administrative costs, there are no lines to wait in or forms to fill out. Someone needs it and they get it within 24 hours. We have collected a nice amount but its NOT ENOUGH. We need more. There are many people that need help.

Hmm, on my ride home from work I had all kinds of interesting things I wanted to say bopping around my mind. Seems I have lost them...

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)

September 01, 2005

A Small Way to Help

We received word today about one of Harry's trombone players, Lucien Barberian. He is an AMAZINGLY talented man and if you've ever been to Preservation Hall or Palm Court you may have seen him performing there.

Lucien and his family managed to evacutate to Shreveport, leaving behind everything they own, except for Lucien's horn....there are 10 of the in a 1 bedroom apt right now and they have NO money! And without those gigs at Pres. Hall and Palm Court, Lucien has no way to support his family.

Please visit Luciens site, and order one of his cd's!! Its easy and will only cost you $20! If you've ever bought a CD by some over produced pop-tart or American Idol, then you can certainly spare a few bucks and get yourself a really great CD by a truely talented man and help him out. This money will go directly to him in a few days. These CD's will make great christmas gifts too!

Thanks everyone!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 06:34 PM | Comments (1)

Just When I Think It Can't Possibly Get Any Worse

Every day, I wake up and before I put on the news, I think, "There has to be a turnaround, it has to be getting better today", and I say a little prayer and I turn on the news. And I sit, shocked and disheartened (and are those words really stong enough to convey anyones feelings??)

I have so many things running through my head and I don't even know how to put them into words. I'm going to try, bear with any rambeling that may occur:

First, I am thankful that my friends are safe. Thankful that they are ALIVE! But so incredibly sad that most of them have most likley lost everything they own. And have no idea when or if they can ever return to the city they call home. They have incredible struggles ahead of them, struggles that most of us cant even imagine.

My dear dear friends at connick.com have set up a fund to help out our musician friends that lost their home and their livleyhood. If you are so inclined, please help them out. These are Harry Connick's band members. They are people that I personally know, they have families to support and no source of income right now. They are wonderful, caring people. Some of you have met various band members and know how much they mean to me.

Harry himself is in New Oleans right now. He sent out this message on his website:

I haven't slept in days. Although I now finally know that my immediate family in New Orleans is safe, I have not heard from many, many friends and other family members.

It is hard to sit in silence, to watch one's youth wash away. New Orleans is my essence, my soul, my muse, and I can only dream that one day she will recapture her glory. I will do everything within my power to make that happen and to help in any way I can to ease the suffering of my city, my people!

Harry's not just talk. As many of you may have seen he is currently at the Convention Center in New Orleans, risking his own safety to try to help bring aid to the multitudes of people that are dying as they wait for aid. Aid that they were told they would receive at the Convention Center! Harry is the only "person of authority" at the Convention Center right now! Is it any wonder I admire this man so much?

Harry will also be headlining a benefit concert tomorrow night, along with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Wynton Marsalis and more. Please tune in and open your wallets! PLEASE!

I'm repeatedly astounded by the images coming out of New Orleans and my feelings are rollercoastering from despair, anger, relief....

The thousands of people that didnt evacutate! Part of me is angry at them for not leaving when they were told to, but at the same time I realize they probably didnt have the means to evacuate? So I get angry at officials for not having a plan for getting all these folks out of harms way. The people in the hospitals- why didnt they get them out? Knowing the "doomsday" scenario was about to come true, how were they thinking these people would survive? I realize this isnt the time to criticize or second guess, I'm trying not to, but I can't help but feel more could have been done in advance of the storm to get people out? Maybe I'm wrong,I dont know all the facts.

Where are all of these people going to go? The numbers are astounding.

I have a profound sense of loss for the city I love so much. New Orleans is (yes IS) a unique and beautiful city. This city is so specail and anyone that has ever been there can attest to that.It is so much more than Bourbon St. and Mardi Gras. I mourn the losses that many never be replaced, the land marks and musical and historical icons........

Speaking of which, Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussant, all among the missing. Please pray that they are safe.

The looters are just PISSING ME OFF! I can completley understand taking food, water, diapers, flashlights, things necessary to survival. But the massive THEFT of electronics and non necessary items (like weapons!!) and the destruction are UNFORGIVABLE! Those people deserve to be shot! They are not contributing to any rescue efforts, they are not even trying to save themselves, just taking advantage of this disasterous situation.

So, hey, all you bloggers out there,how about spreading the message. I remember when the tsunami hit, every blog I read had a mention of it, every blog had a link to the Red Cross! This is our own country, our own citizens that DESPERATLY need you help! We need to keep this on the forefront of everyones mind!!!!

And things are going to get worse, for everyone. This hurricane is going to affect all of us. Please, I'm begging, please please donate to some relief organization. If anyone cares about my beloved musicians from New Orleans, contact me privatley and I can give you specific information on their situations and how you can help them.

I need to get away from the tv and internet coverage for awhile.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:41 AM | Comments (1)

August 31, 2005

A Day of Prayer

Gov. Blanco of Louisiana is asking for a national day of prayer for New Orleans. The situation there continues to grow worse and the people of this city need your prayers desperatley.

Please, no matter what your faith, take a moment to say a prayer or send some good thoughts and strength to this devastated area.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:18 AM | Comments (0)

August 30, 2005

Glad I'm Not The Only One Having These Thoughts

Please pop on over to Two Babes and a Brain and read the fantastic post questioning the lack of aid from the celebs and other nations.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:55 PM | Comments (1)

Katrina Aftermath

I feel I need to say something, but my mind is numb. Yesterday was a day filled with anxiety, waiting to see how hard Katrina would hit the Gulf and New Orleans. I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained by the time Katrina moved away from New Orleans, and I dont even live there. But part of my soul is there and I as overcome with grief, more so than when my own town was flooding last year.

I was hopeful for a bit yesterday, seeing news reports from the French Quarter, with no flooding. But then, as the night went on, more news from other areas of New Orleans- extensive flooding, homes completley submerged, residents trapped in their attics, riding out the storm on their roofs. Roads are completly impassable due to all the fallen trees, they will need to be cleared before the rescue caravans can even get into the city. 10,000 people are stuck in the Superdome with no a/c...the power grid is destroyed.

Today, is looking to be a grim day. Rescue efforts will continue. Casualty reports will start coming in. Flood waters are still rising in New Orleans, this is not over. My head is spinning, trying to comprehend the extenet of destruction. Where will all these people go? How will they rebuild?No power, no fresh water- mosquitos carrying disease,looting (bastards!) My heart is broken. I feel so helpless.

Please, everyone, there is something we all can do. Make a donation, big or small, if you can only spare $5, please spare it. Give up your coffee or cigarettes or beer for a week. Dont buy those new shoes that you don't really need. These folks down in the Gulf area have NOTHING. They need every penny you can spare. If you don't know where to donate, the Red Cross is good organization. They are first in the line of relief efforts and I know there are caravns of Red Cross Workers just waiting to be able to get into the hardest hit areas.

Please take a look at the blogs below. Leave those folks a comment, let them know you are thinking about them. Let them know you care. Send in your donation, encourage your family, friends, co-workers to do the same.

To my friends who live in New Orleans, I am praying that you are all safe, that you have homes and jobs to return to, that recovery from this disaster is quick. Take care and be safe.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:33 AM | Comments (1)

August 28, 2005

New Orleans Blogs

Some of my favorite blogs are written by folks who live in New Orleans. If anyone is interested in some first hand accounts, check them out

Queen Kat
Bayou Dog
Beats per Minute
Bobby's World
Crabapple Lane
Harmony St. Charles
Humid City
Life In New Orleans
New Orleans Metroblogging
Suspect Device
Southern Fried Girl
And my good friend Stacey

Keep them all in your thoughts. Except for Stacey, I havnet met one of these people, but reading their blogs every day, makes me feel like I do.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:50 PM | Comments (2)

Pray

I am glued to the tv and the internet. I can't wrap my mind around this. I can't express the sorrow I am feeling for the people of New Orleans. This city......its got a hold on me and I'm feeling the loss already.

I've been thinking about a man Mike and I got to talking to on our last day in the ciy. Now, anyone that knows Mike knows he likes to talk to people and LOVES to mess with people. He talks to all the street people, and while we are smart enough to not fall prey to any of their scams he has been known to give some people a few bucks now and again.

This particular gentleman sat down near us on the Moonwalk. We were relaxing and he didnt bother us. We noticed some mullet jumping out of the water and he started chatting with us about them.

He asked us where we were from and how long we had been in NOLA. He told us he had been there for just over a year, came from MN. He told us his story and who knows how much truth there was to it. We didnt care, he was friendly enough and didnt ask us for any money. Just wanted to chat. He showed us his leg, very gangreous, swollen and black. Told us he was homeless and was having his leg amputated on Monday, which would be tomorrow. He was actually excited about this, because then the government would declare him disabled and he would be entitled to benefits, and be out of pain. My heart went out to him, a man so down that losing a limb was the bright spot in his life. We ended up giving him some money, he touched us and maybe he was scamming, but whatever, today I am thinking about him. How he wont be having his surgery tomorrow. Wondering where he is. He said he slept under the bridge. Had his own piece of cardboard. I hope he is somewhere safe.

I hope everyone is safe.

So anyone reading this. Say a prayer for the people of New Orleans. Barring a miracle, an act of God, there may not be a New Orleans come tomorrow.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:14 PM | Comments (0)

August 27, 2005

I'm So Nervous

That bitch Katrina is heading straight towards New Orleans...everyone help me blow her in a different direction. I'm so sad already, if this hurricane hits New Orleans....I just can't bear to think about it.

If you pray, please say a prayer that this magnificant city is spared.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:03 PM | Comments (3)

August 26, 2005

Photos

The vacation photos are up!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:24 PM | Comments (1)

Book 44- Frankenstein: Book Two, City of Night

I wasn't too excited about the first book in this trilogy but felt obligated to read the next one and I am glad I did, the story really picked up speed in Part Two and I'm a little frustrated that Part Three wont be out until next summer.

So I dont forget where this left off I'm just making some notes about Part Two here so I can refresh my memory when Part Three comes out.

Cindy and Benny, the New People Assassins are sitting in Michaels kitchen waiting for him and Carson, trying to figure out who Deucalion was. Cindy still longing for a baby and convinced someone conjured a voodoo spell on them.

Erika Five, after finding the hidden room with the chamber filled with some weird liquid and some type of object, then being beaten by Victor, is sitting on the porch drinking when she sees a naked albino dwarf running around the yard. He speaks to her "Harker" "Hate him". Erika gives the dwarf a picnic basket of food and sits to wait, figuring out how to be the perfect wife

Arnie is hidden away in Tibet

Nick, Gunny, Hobb and Azazel are about to enter the tunnel they found in the dump after some mysterious creature snatched the bodies of the the dead they just buried.

Deucalion returns to the theatre to meet with Carson and Michael after running into Victor at the priests home. They are preparing to face off with Victor and The New Race who are starting to fall apart all over the city.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)

August 25, 2005

Let The Post Vacation Depression Commence

We made it home in record time despite all the traffic getting out of Philly. I haven't unpacked one thing yet, well, except my laptop.

I can't beleive the difference in temperatures. When we left the airport, it was really sunny and I was fully expecting to walk outside into a sauna, but SURPRISE! It was cool and breezy! Jimmy said its been cool all week, and its supposed to go down to 59 tonight. Thats QUITE a differene from the 95+ temps we've had in New Orleans all week. Plus the 1000% humidity.

I have my doors and windows open here at home, we dont even need the a/c on. I have to admit, its very comfortable, even for me, someone who loves the heat. I can deal with this, but I'm not looking forward to the snow.

I cant even face unpacking right now. And not both our cathedral window blinnds are broken. I don't even know where we should look for replacements. These windows are 20 ft tall! Thats basically all the damage we found when we got home. Well, that and VooDoo has a strange bald spot on her back...I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight...those mattresses at the hotel are not that great. And I missed my pillow.

I'll update about our trip, the two books I completed and all my pictures over the weekend....too tired right now.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:51 PM | Comments (0)

I Don't Want To Go Home

We go home today. It kind of makes me sad, but knowing I will be back down here in 6 months (maybe sooner) makes it a bit easier.

Knowning I'm going home to a house probably covered in dog and cat hairs, huge piles of laundry, an empty fridge, school starting and that broken blind on the cathedral window makes me want to dig in my heels and stay a bit longer.

It was a great week, we really had fun with Connor, its so great to see things through his eyes. It was not our typical NOLA vacation. We really took it easy this week, with the heat we really didnt have a choice,lol.

Part of me wants to get back home and eat nothing but salad for the next two months. I need to hit the gym...we ate ALOT this week. But it was sooooo good.

Till, next time.....bye my most favorite city ever.......

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:58 AM | Comments (3)

August 24, 2005

Picture of the Day for Wednesday, August 24th

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)

August 23, 2005

Picture of the Day for Tuesday August 23rd

Two for today- Breakfast and dinner....

Sorry about the glare, but I was too hungery to figure out how to get a non-glare shot....

So that was breakfast at cafe Du Monde and dinner at Port of Call.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:08 PM | Comments (1)

August 22, 2005

Picture of the Day for Monday August 22nd

This one is for Leon from Connor

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)

August 21, 2005

Picture of the Day for Sunday August 21

Jazz Brunch at the Marriott

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)

Picture of the Day for Saturday August 19th

Stacey, Queen for the day at her Rockin' birthday party!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:19 AM | Comments (1)

August 20, 2005

Picture of the Day

Me,Mike ane Stacey enjoying the first of MANY Pims Cups at Napoleaon House....how many you ask? So many we didnt even notice Michael Keaton sitting 5 feet from us.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:49 AM | Comments (1)

August 19, 2005

Happiness Is............

Waking up in New Orleans.

I'm sitting out on the patio, enjoying the quiet morning. When I came out of our room, I had to let my laptop adjust to the temperature change for a few minutes, let the condensation evaporate.

The sun is shining, its really really hot already. We actually ended up in bed early last night, exhausted.

Connor and Mike are awake now so we are off for breakfast. I give you the picture of the day for Thursday, August 18th:

Mike enjoying oysters at Remulaude.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:08 AM | Comments (2)

August 18, 2005

Buh-Bye!

We're packed,the car is gassed up and we are just about ready to roll. I've been ready for hours....Mike doesnt see the need to get to the airport 4 hours before our flight leaves however. If it was up to me...we'd probably be there already.

If I have some time, I'll drop a note or picture.....have a good week y'all!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 05:51 AM | Comments (4)

August 17, 2005

Book 42- Louisiana Lament by Julie Smith

Another fine Julie Smith mystery....had me engrossed from the beginning, I would have finished it days ago if I had any kind of attention span these days...I'm too distracted to really say any more....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:08 PM | Comments (0)

August 16, 2005

Down To The Wire!

This is it....one more day to get through and then we are off to New Orleans. And while I am completley and utterly excited, it also means that summer is over.

I found the list I made back in May of all the things I wanted to do this summer and I cant cross one single item off! How pathetic is that?

I have no idea where the summer went. Between Mike's schedule, Summer Orientation, weddings and Connor's College for Kids program and basketball camp, it didnt leave much time for anything else. We've been so busy all summer, that it will be really nice to get away and see our friends and just relax. And eat. Alot.

So, now I must get off my butt and take the four laundry baskets full of clothes upstairs and decide what to pack. Stacey and Hank both said not to bring any clothes, that its too hot,lol!

Ok, I'm going. Really I am.....here I go....

Can someone help me up?

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:42 PM | Comments (2)

August 11, 2005

One More Week!

ONe week from right now, we will FINALLY be back in New Orleans! About this time we should be finishing up dinner and some liquid refreshments with Stacey and probably hanging out at our pool, letting Connor swim, cathing up, laughing and possibly drunk dialing. If you number is my cell phone, be warned.

I had a very productive day at work, got alot crossed off my list, just a few more things to take care of and I can leave for vacation wihtout any stress. Next week I have an in-service training on Monday and Tuesday and some meetings on wednesday so that will just fly by!

I wish my personal life was fallying together as smoothly as my work life. If I had 7 solid hours a day to devote to my personal life, it might be....I did get my new contacts and ordered Mikes. Consulted with the eye dr about the specialist feeling my script was incorrect. he re-checked everything and maintains they are the right prescription. I ordered new lenses for my glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses which cost a butt-load of money...but I need them, sometimes my eyes are just too tired to put contacts in.

Connor finishes up basketball camp tomorrow. His team is in the championships and he's very excited. He's had a great time and the coaches said he amuses them. He is so his fathers son. Connor is more amused by the dead cockroach they found in the locker room.

Oh, and little brag, we got a letter and a certificate in the mail that Jimmy made the Deans List! What's so amazing is the kid never studied, did his projects the night before they were due and says he never cracked a book. Just think how well he could do if he really tried? He's always been like that. In 12 years of school, I dont think I ever saw him do homework. He always did it in school. Things come naturally to him. So despite all his complaining about how he hates college, hes doing well anyway.Ha.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:20 PM | Comments (3)

August 07, 2005

A Great Weekend

I had another productive weekend! Finally getting some things checked off all the lists. Friday I never got to the gym because my boss is just as bad a procrastinator as I am. Not a good combination. At 12:45 she came to my office and said give her 15 minutes to do her Advisor Portfolio information and then she wanted to get together to finish up the book we are putting together for our freshman class. Ok...sounds good to me.

3:00 rolls around and she's still not ready to meet. Now, I get to work a half hour earlier than we are supposed to and I skip my lunch (or rather I eat while working) so that I can get to the gym every afternoon, otherwise I wont go. Ideally, I would like to go to the gym first thing in the morning but my schedule just doesn't allow for that. And most days after work, I need to pick up Connor or I'm just too wiped out or have errands to run so if I don't get to the gym sometime between 2-3, then forget it, I'm not going.

So back to my weekend. I was annoyed that I didnt get to the gym but it was too hot and humid to run at the track. Thursday and Friday we saw temperatures over 100 degrees! Mike and I didnt feel like cooking, too hot to cook so we ordered pizza from one of our favorite local restaurants, Villa Foglia. Villa Foglia makes an Old Forge style pizza that is out of this world! Perfect crust, tasty sauce and great blend of cheeses. And its so cheap. We get two trays for $15. We could exist solely on Old Forge pizza by eating at a differnt place each night...mmmmmmmm, good stuff.

Anyway, Saturday I was up EARLY and we had a cold front move in over night so we had a slightly chilly morning. I decided to take advantage and headed out to the track for an hour long workout. Mike had been off Thursday and Friday so the house was clean! I didnt have to spend my weekend cleaning. Except for the bathroom because....PIGS! WHY CAN'T THEY PEE IN THE TOILET!!!?????

Connor and I spent the day playing in the yard and I got some really stupid looking tan lines from my bathing suit top. Then Mike and Connor went to play mini-golf and I headed to the mall! I got the most amazing deals! I got 15 new shirts for myself and 4 for Mike for less than $80! And I finally got Connor a new suitcase! My eyes were bothing me by the time so I just headed home and watched "A Love Song For Bobby Long" and fell asleep on the couch.

Today I was up early again so I did another long workout at the track, came home and did laundry and relaxed reading my book.

I counted 10 days until we leave for vacation. I am so ready for this. Tomorrow we enter the single digits. Connor has basketball camp all week. Next weekend at this time I will be doing laundry getting stuff ready for NOLA.

I was talking to a friend this weekend, a friend who has never been to New Orleans. She can't understand why we keep going back to the same place. She asked if Harry or Bonerama was playing, was that why we were going? No, none of my favorite bands will be playing. She doesnt understand what it is that we love about New Orleans. We booked this vacation back in April, after Mardi Gras, when all we wanted was to get back there. No thoughts of what bands would be playing or who would be there. People don't "get it". What it is about this city that draws us to her. It started long before I ever knew who Bonerama was or The New Orleans Nightcrawlers or Cowboy Mouth. I became aware of those bands and so many others as a result of my obsession with New Orleans. My love affair is with the city itself. The food, the music, the characters, the history, are all parts of what make it so wonderful. I don't even know how to explain it to people who have never been there, or to people who have been there but dont feel it or arent "embraced" as another person under the spell recently desribed it. Maybe its the Voodoo, maybe it is a spell. Whatever it is, I dont want to be cured. I dont want to lose the longing I feel when I'm home or the sense of relief I feel when I am back in New Orleans.

My family and some friends may not understand, but I am glad to know there are others out there that feel the same as I do. That share my love and affection for New Orleans.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 04:38 PM | Comments (1)

Fellow NOLA Lovers, Rent This Movie!

A few months ago Wendy told me about this move, A Love Song For Bobby Long, that she had come across on Netflix. It was set in New Orleans. She hadn't seen it but thought I might be interested. I checked it over, but the description didn't really appeal to me so I never rented it.

Last month, my hairdresser told me he had seen a movie that I would love, A Love Song For Bobby Long. But still, I never rented it.

Well, just this week, another person that shares my love for New Orleans that I have, asked if I had seen the movie yet. She said the opening scenes alone made her want to run out and get the soundtrack. That made three people. I think it was time for me rent this movie.

So last night, I stopped at Blockbuster and picked it up. I still thought it sounded like a bad movie. I didnt expect to like it. I didnt even suggest that Mike watch it with me because I didnt want to hear him complaining about ANOTHER dumb movie I rented. So I sat and watched it by myself. I couldnt tear my eyes away. The opening scene and song were just beautiful.

New Orleans is a difficult city to capture the essance of on film. If you've never been there, you an't get a true feel for the sights and sounds and smells and tastes that are portrayed. I think that this movie does a decent job of capturing the city. She is almost a charater in the movie...

Although I only rented to movie to see New Orleans, to see the streets and bars and hear the music, I enjoyed the story of Bobby Long as well. It was a touching movie. Scarlett Johansen and John Travolta are wonderful and very believable.

Mike turned it on this morning to see the scene that takes place in The Cameilla Grill and ended up wathing the whole movie.

I'm surprised this movie isnt more well heard of. Rent it. Then order the soundtrack

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)

August 06, 2005

Book 39-Letters From New Orleans by Rob Walker

I couldnt wait to read this book! I And now that I have, I kind of have mixed feelings about it. It got wonderful reviews but I'm still not quite sure what to make of it.

Letters is a compilation of stories that were first e-mails and letters from the author to friends after he and his girlfriend moved to New Orleans from NYC.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I loved reading about Walkers experiences in the city and some historical aspects on things such as the Desire Housing project, something not normally written about in tour books and historial accounts. He writes about Mardi Gras and Bourbon St and some of the interesting characters of New Orleans, such as Ernie K-Doe and his funeral.

And although Walker says he loved New Orleans I didnt get that feel from him, reading this book. I guess because he looks at the real New Orleans, not the glamourized version so often found in books in movies. He touches on some of the "ugliness" of the reality that is New Orleans that most tourists dont see, or dont want to see. And maybe thats why I found it a bit disconerting...because part of me is still so enamored with this city that I don't want to face the negative, I still want to see my city through my rose colored glasses. Maybe this book opened my eyes to a part of New Orleans that I pretend doesnt exist?

I do reccommend reading this if you like New Orleans as much as I do. Its a quick read and each "letter" is relatively short and full of interesting facts and observations.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:28 AM | Comments (3)

Book 38- A Guide To The Historic Shops And Restaurants Of New Orleans by The Little Book Room

I recently found my next two books, or rather they found me, as books about New Orleans have a way of doing. I swear they do, I will be wandering a book shop and have had books literally fall off a shelf at my feet, making sure I notice them. Its really the oddest thing. And my next two books ffound me as I was doing some research for an addition to my website (stay tuned for that!). So I grabbed them, brought them home and devoured them both in a day.

This first one, A Guide To The Historic Shops and Restaurants of New Orleans was a fun little read. I have read so much about the history of New Orleans itself, so this was an interesting lesson on the history of some of the most famous, and some little knows, restaurants of the city. There are some beauutiful pictures to accompany the facts. Each description is pretty short and it made for a quick read. But it's also something I know I will return to again and again to pick up little facts that I may have missed in the first reading.

The book mostly focuses on restaurants and bars, a few shops and only two hotels. That part I did find disappointing. As I read thru I was hoping that more buildings would be covered. Maybe there will be a Part II? There are cerrtainly enough buildings with interesting histories in New Orleans to write volumes about.

Anyone with an interest in New Orleans history will enjoy this little book.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2005

Two Weeks!

2 weeks.

Two more weeks until I am back in my most beloved city. It's always such an amazing feeling stepping off that plane, just being in the New Orleans airport, I feel like I'm home.

I can't wait to walk through the streets of the French Quarter. Smelling all the scents and hearing the sounds. Seeing my favorite places. I could just sit at Jackson Square and be happy. I love introducing Connor to all my favorites places. Of course Mike and I will toy with thoughts of moving again, because that's what we always do.

Seeing some good friends is icing on the cake. I would be content to just be. In New Orleans.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:15 AM | Comments (4)

August 01, 2005

Book 37- Frankenstein, Prodigal Son, By Dean Koontz

I used to read Koontz all the time, but his stories just started getting too weird and far fetched so I haven't ready anything by him in a few years. But I picked up Frankenstein for some reason and later discovered it takes place in New Orleans!

Not the greatest story of a real life Dr. Frankenstein, creating an army of New Breed to take over the world, already infiltrating New Orleans. I finished it but it didnt pull me in or have me on the edge of my seat. Of course now I find out its the first in a trilogy so I'll have to read the next two just to see the outcome.

The book would have been more enjoyable if the lead characters were fleshed out a bit more. I feel like I hardly know them, there is no emotional investment in their welfare. And not enough mentions of the landmarks and cityscape of New Orleans.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2005

Time To Ge Nervous....

Hurricane Dennis is currently projected to hit somewhere between Texas and Florida with my beloved New Orleans laying smack dab in the middle of the projected path...I'm trying to will it to veer away from New Orleans...I'll be obsessively checking the weather channel to keep an eye on Dennis' progress and keeping in touch with my NOLA peeps on the situation down there..

This hurricane season is off to an early start, makes me very very nervous...

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 12:15 PM | Comments (2)

June 28, 2005

Hot Town, Summer In The City or How I'm Preparing for My August Vacation To New Orleans

It's summer here in Northeast PA. Its a beautifully sunny, hot and humid summer. Finally. Winters seem to last forever here and summers never long enough. Its been in the 95-100+ temps for the past few days and everyone around me thinks I am nuts because I am revelling in this!

I complained and whined and moaned all freaking winter about the cold, and snow and did I mention it gets really cold here for a long time? So I made a pact that I would never complain about the heat if we ever got lucky enough to experience it. Last summer sucked bad and we didnt get much sun and heat. This summer is off to a great start wtih lots of sun and blistering heat. And I love it. I do!

I am the only freak on campus who does not have a/c turned on. I refuse. I want to sit here and sweat. I want to feel the heat. I think my bones are still chilled from the winter. I have my windows open and am enjoying the fresh air. Now, we have the a/c on at home because seriously, our bedroom- a loft with no windows=unbearable heat. But here at work, its just glorious. I'm not even that hot really. I'm very comfortable. A slight breeze comes thru my window occasionally. I'm not sitting in the sun, my office is dark and pretty cool. I'm wearing flowy skirts and tank tops and sandals.

I also figure its good to get a feel for what New Orleans will be like when we head down there in 51 DAYS! For some reason the humidity in New Orleans is more humid than humidity any where else. You walk out of an air conditioned building and you are instantly soaked with sweat, running down your back, your neck, just everywhere. Its intense. Its almost tropical. I've never experienced anything like it. I cant wait!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:00 AM | Comments (2)

May 30, 2005

Last Day of the Long Weeknd

How is it that long weekends seem to go to by quicker than regular ones? I swear it was just Friday? Now all of the sudden it's Monday and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Yukk. And I like my job. I just hate going to work. Well, at least we can say we had a very productive weekend. Didnt accomplish everything we wanted to, but we did a good deal. The biggest thing we did was rent a rug shampooer and clean all the carpets in the house. That took all day Saturday. But it was worth it, just gives the house a nice fresh feeling.

I gave the living room a big overhaul as well. Tossed a bunch of Connors toys and games that have been sitting gathering dust for months now. We moved the computer from our bedroom down to the living room and moved a bookcase out of the LR into the DR.

Then we just about finished cleaning out the cellar. THere are a few more things down there that we need to get rid of but the back room is empty now so I can get an estimate on getting a cement floor poured back there. I swear if thats all we do this summer I wont care, I'm so tired of that smelly, musty dirt floor. Then we can get some shelves and have more storage space down there. Cant put anything on the floor now or it gets damp and ruined.

Then I for some godforsaken reason decided to pull up the carpet from the upstairs hall. It needed to come up, it was really old, threadbare and smelled from the dogs laying on it. What we didnt anticipate (and we should have given past experiences dealing with the so called improvements the former owners of this house made) was that the floor underneth the carpet was going to need to be replaced. We figured it would be cheap hardwood, nothing fancy, nothing worth refinishing,but what we did find just pissed us off. We know all the work they did was half assed but this was just rediculous. Apparently before the lay down the new carpet right before they sold us this house, some of the planks in the hall needed to be replaced. Instead of replacing them with some nice quality lumber, they just tossed in any scrap wood laying around. There are pieces that are chipped, warped, big gaps and other various pieces of CRAP! So now we have to rip them up and replace them. I have to see what my dad says, we may be better off ripping it all up and putting new down....I hate stupid cheap ass people. Here's some pics of our lovely hallway:

So for right now I tossed some old rugs and sheets down over it until we can figure out what we want to do.

The weather has been so schizophrenic that we have done absolutley NO work in our yard. Friday was the only really nice day we had. Saturday was cold and rainy. Yesterday was insane. Sunny and warm for a half hour, then cold and rain, then back to sun, then more rain, sun, rain, sun, rain....it was CRAZY!

Mike and Turbo finally had their cajun feast last night!

They devoured the crawfish, sausage, and the shrimp stuffed chicken. Turbo forgot to take the crawfish pie out of the freezer so they are saving that for another day. Hes going to make stock out of all the crawfish shells and make some seafood gumbo or something too. All I know is crawfish STINK! The rest of us ate burgers and BBQ chicken.....

Today, maybe we will just relax. Or maybe we'll paint Connors bedroom......

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:42 AM | Comments (1)

May 29, 2005

New Orleans Photography

I have ALOT of pictures of New Orelans but I dont have a great camera and I'mn not the best photographer. I'm always looking for beautiful pictures of my favorite city. I came across this site.

This gentleman, Alexey, Sergeev, haas some of hte most beauitiful pictures I've seen of New Orleans. He has a great eye and a real talent. Check out his home page for links to all of his photography of many places other than New Orleans......

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)

May 19, 2005

Mike's Package

Last week I had mentioned so some folks that Mike was home waiting for a very exciting package to arrive. Well, it arrived all right. He has been on cloud nine ever since. It was not a leg lamp as Stacey guessed.

So what was it then? I arrived home to find this:

In case you can't tell, that's Mike kissing a crawfish.
We received 10 lbs of crawfish

In addition to the crawfish we have alligator sausage, crawfish pie, and a cajun shrimp stuffed chicken! Its a New Orleans feast!!!!!The second part of the package is due to arrive today!

Mike sampled some of the crawfish but we are waiting for my brother to be off from work so we can cook up all the food and they can pig out. Me, not so much into seafood.But that cajun chicken is calling my name. I just enjoy seeing Mike so happy. It doesnt take much.

Thanks so much to our dear dear wonderful amazing friends for making this all possible! We love you guys!!!!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:49 AM | Comments (3)

May 03, 2005

I Don't Feel Any Older

So another birthday has come and gone....if I really stop to think about it, its quite depressing. I think birthdays started bothering me at around 35 when I realized I was now closer to 40 than to 30. It's not that I really mind getting old, because I dont feel 38. I know I dont look 38. I dont get carded anymore but most people assume Im about 28 or 29. Thats what my students tell me anyway.

Its just hard to comprehend that I am 38. When I think of my parents I always think of them being in their 40's....but if I'm 38 that means they are in their 60's and my parents can not be in their 60's! They dont look their age either. My grandmother died last year and she was 80 but she could have passed for 60. I guess we have good genes. I'm very thankful for that. I see people my age, or younger, who look so much older. But they act "old" too. I still feel 28 and live like I did when I was 28. Ok, maybe not so much. I'm too tired to live like a 28 year old,lol.

This past weekend we were at my nephews First Birthday Party and were catching up with some old friends we used to go out with every weekend. Everyone is married with kids now and no one goes out much. It was about 5:00 and people were getting ready to go home. I joked that 10 years ago we all would have just been waking up. Its true. Mike and I spent many a Saturday sleeping away hangovers, getting rested to head out for another late night. Now 10:00 is late! We go to bed around 10 when we used to just be going out at 10:00. My how things change.

Being at that party also made me realize how thankful I am I had my kids young. Mike and I were the first in our group of friends to get married, first to have kids. Everyone else is just having their kids now. I cant imagine keeping up with a baby now. I am so glad I had them when I was younger and had the energy to stay up all night with a crankey baby. Babies are EXHAUSTING! I know Mike would love to have another but there is no way in hell I am going thru that again. I didnt like being pregnant and as much as I love my kids, I love that they are somewhat independent now. Starting over with a baby ......not me......*shudders*

I've been a mom for nearly 20 years now. It was hard being a young mom, but I would never change that. Its nice now that Mike and I are getting some independence back. We can do things that we enjoy. I'll just wait for grandchildren. Hopefully about 10 years from now...

Wow, really got sidetracked there...back to my birthday. We actually celebrated it on Sunday because Mike had to work 3-11 last night and Jimmy had night class and I had to work all day so we wouldnt get any time when we were all together. Mike and the kids got me a pink mini ipod (LOVE IT!!) and had it engraved "Dig The Bone!". I was really surprised and touched that Mike would think to engrave it with something fun like that. If any of you readers dont know what that means, you still havent checked out Bonerama then have you? What are you waiting for??? Anyway, that really meant alot to me.

We went to dinner at my parents. Turbo usually cooks dinner on Sunday but he had to cater a 1st Communion Party, so my DAD cooked! WOW! He made sauce and we had a great pasta dinner! Thanks Dad! It was delishious!

Yesterday, my actual birthday was not as much fun. I worked. Then went grocery shopping. Then made dinner (Steak, baked potatoes, corn on the cob). Did the dishes. Checked Connors homework. Did a load of laundry. Whoop-de-do. I really know how to live it up dont I! I watched a fun movie set in New Orleans, A Murder of Crows and went to bed. Mike got home a little before midnight and managed to wake me up to give me a birthday kiss before my birthday officially ended. Birthday over.

In other news, my poor Sage has hurt her leg. Shes been limping for the past two days. Mike had to carry her downstairs yesterday. I've been giving her some ascripton and she seems to be ok. Shes getting old now. But shes still hardheaded and stubborn. Mike blocked the stairs off before he went to work and somehow she managed to completley get thru his roadblock with out disturbing a thing! Hopefully its nothing serious and she will be back to normal soon.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)

April 20, 2005

Book 15- Southern Fried Divorce by Judy Conner

Last week I stopped at Barnes and Noble after work so Connor could buy a gaming guide he had been saving his money for. I was walking around, just browsing while Connor looked at some game guides. As I walked up the main aisle, the book nearly jumped off the shelf at me. The bright yellow cover caught my eye and the words "THE BIG EASY" reeled me in further.

The complete title of the book is "Southern Fried Divorce- A Woman Unleashes her Hound And His Dog In The Big Easy"

I have a very intense obsession with all that is New Orleans. And I love reading any book set in New Orleans, or about New Orleans. I loved this book because the author did and continues to live in New Orleans. The story itself is a rambeling humerous account of the authors life after she left her husband and how their relationship continued after they divorced. Its a great example of how to have a civil divorce. The writing is light and funny. The mentions of restaurants, bars, streets of New Orleans made me feel so at home. I really enjoyed this book, but now its been about 2 weeks since I finished it and started writing this review that I'm at a loss for what to say,lol!!!!

The book made me want to book a flight to New Orleans and head to the F&M Patio Bar for a dance on the pool table! I'll have to add that to my list of things to do on my next visit!

All my fellow NOLA affecionados out there...grab a copy of this book, it will make your longing to return to the city a little more painful, but Judy Conner makes it worth it.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 07:24 PM | Comments (1)

April 16, 2005

The Brainwashing Worked Just a Little too Well...

We went to Lowe's last night to buy paint and painting supplies. We are starting with the hall/stairwell, upstairs bathroom and kids rooms. Also ripping up the carpet and dont know what we are doing with the floor yet....maybe just a runner...anyway..

We were picking out paint and Connor was amusing himself looking at all the paint color samples. He asked if he could pick out the color for his room. We decided to amuse him and let him show us what colors he would pick. His choices? PURPLE, GREEN and GOLD! Yes, the child wants a Mardi Gras room!!! After we explained to him that we need to stick with neutral colors just in case we ever sell this house...he agreed to plain old boring white.

He's also been looking at houses/apts/condo's for sale in New Orleans and found an apartment complex he likes and picked out the floor plan he thinks is best for us. They even accept dogs.

I don't know where he gets it from.....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 09:15 AM | Comments (2)

March 13, 2005

Book 9- Feet on the Street by Roy Blount Jr.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I actually read it twice before I felt I had devoured it enough to write about it. And even through each of those reading, I would re-read certain passages over and over, often saying them out loud, to truely feel them. I don't even know where to start because this book was a perfect "ramble" thru New Orleans. For anyone who has been there, you will feel like the author was right there with you, seeing, eating, hearing, smelling the same things as you. For those of you that havent been there, this book will make you feel like you are.

When I read a book like this, that just really excites me I wonder if locals(and I mean the folks who were born and raised there, not the people who fell in love and moved there.) apprecite the city as much as I, and other frequent visitors do? Do they take it for granted? Do they love it just as much? Do they think Im wacked for all my gushing abour every little thing about this city?

It's also something I think about every time Mike and I wish we could move to New Orleans...would we still find magic in everything about the city if we lived there? Would it become old? Would it always be mysterious and decadant?

Ok, onto the book.

First of all the title, "Feet on the Street". Anyone who has been to New Orleans, has probably at one time or another been approached by some young men, who say to them, "betcha I can tell you where you got your shoes". Its a scam that is synanomous with the city itself. Many people fall for it, thinking "has, easy $20, this guy wont know were I got my shoes from"...then they are surprised when they are told "you got your shoes ON YOUR FEET and your feet are on (insert St. name), in New Orleans....".....

Each chapter of this book is a different "ramble' or saunter throught a different aspect of the city. Each ramble is topped off with a little lagnaippe as well....a little extra treat for the reader. Iusually keep a brief journal of my trips to New Orleans. Just descriptions of where we went, what we ate, who we saw; and reading this book is like reading someones journal of their visit and love affair with one of America's mostg beautiful and colorful cities.

Blount touches upon everything that makes this city unique-the history, the orientation, the food, the characters, waiting for "the big one" to reunite the city with her man, the river. He touches up on topics such as slavery, and prostitution, he makes we want to research and learn more about the colorful past of my favorite city. He does have a love for oysters that seems to pervade every chapter, something I cant relate to as I do not have the same affinity for that paricular food.

He mentions places I have been to, places I love, the same street people I've seen and photographed. His writings of the food, the chefs, the restaurants made my stomach growl. It was bad enough I crave Port of Call burgers and Fiorellas chicken, now he has me craving food I've never tried! He inspired me to pull out my Commandars Palace, K-Pauls, and Brennans cookbooks and prepare some recipes that will hopefully fulfill these cravings until I can get myself back to this wonderful city.

He talks about various street preformers that make me feel like I'm reading of mutual friends, because I know EXACTLY who he is talking about! The man in the straight jacket (affectionaly nicknamed "dog balls" by Mike)

I could illustrate this book with my memories.

So many things I would love to quote from this book, sentences and passages that could have come from my own mouth, if I were only as eloquent as Mr. Bount...but I would end up repeating the entire book here...so instead of me doing that how bout y'all just pick up a copy of the book and read it....

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:23 AM | Comments (0)

March 01, 2005

Book 8- Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Street of New Orleans by John Churchill Chase

I loved this book. It wasn't an easy read by any means. Full of history, facts, names, dates and events but it was thoroughly engaging.Everyone knows I am obsessed with everything New Orleans. A few years ago someone recommended the book Beautiful Crescent to me and I poured thru it in a matter of days. After telling them how much I enjoyed it they suggested a few other books to me'Frenchmen, Desire....." being one of them.

Written by John Chase who was a special lecturer on history at Tulane Univeristy, Frenchmen, Desire, Goodchildren is a very detailed account of how so many of the streets and areas were named.

Its such a complex book, there is no way I can summarize it. Anyone interested in history or in New Orleans would enjoy this...

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)

February 12, 2005

Book 6- Return To Mardi Gras by Richard Sherman

I really looked forward to reading this book, and purposely held off until we were getting ready to leave for Mardi Gras. I've have seen alot of really great reviews for this book and had high expectations for it. While the book does have a fabulous detailed description of what Mardi Gras in New Orleans is like, it took nearly 2/3 of the book to get to that point. If you want to learn all about Mardi Gras, just skip to the middle of the book, in the subheading "Mardi Gras"

Return to Mardi Gras is about a 30 year old attorney, Jim,living in New Orleans. Jim has an affair with a young court reporter named Aimee and ends up leaving his wife and young son to move to the French Quarter to be with Aimee. I found this part of the plot to be really disgusting. Jim's adultry was glamorized and I just kept feeling myself becoming more and more repulsed by him and Aimee. Aimees character was completley unlikeable, in my opinion. I was hoping thru out the book that Jim would come to his senses and go back to his family.

The book had a very slow beginning and the writing style is irritating. Jim talks to himself alot but the way its written I kept thinking he was talking to someone else. Also the dialogue was often stilted and not at all realistic. The author doesnt write as people would actually be speaking. And some of the passages dragged on and on and on and on.

But....you wont find a book that goes into such great detail about New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Its as if they are actual characters in the book. Having been to New Orleans several times, I loved reading about many of the familiar landmarks,and knowing all the streets and establishments the characters described. It was very easy to picture everything that was going on.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves New Orleans or Mardi Gras or anyone who wants a REAL look at what Mardi Gras is like.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)

10 Reasons Why We Should Move to New Orleans

1. My allergies and sinus problems are non-existant in New Orleans
2. My hair is more manageable in New Orleans
3. Connor's psoriasis goes away
4. The New Orleans PD is recruiting like crazy
5. No snow
6. So much GOOD music
7. The food
8. No open container laws
9. LSU!
10. Mike can get a job as a Kenny Chesney impersonator.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)

January 27, 2005

Do you know what it means, to miss New Orleans?

Ah, New Orleans, I'll be on my way "home" soon. It's funny how it does feel like going home every time I return to New Orleans. The city just has that effect on some people. It gets in your blood, it becomes part of you and you a part of it. And you have a constant need to reunite those parts. Its not something thats easily explainable, you have to experience it. I found a quote on a random message board that I think best sums up  this phenomenon :

You feel her soul. New Orleans, that is. She is alive, an entity separate from all others. You come here, she grabs you. Once you're home, you feel homesick. She is all who have come before and have fallen in love with her. She grabs you and you must come back to visit your heart. You can feel hers beating. She's elegant, she's seedy, sometimes gorgeous and seductive. She'll sometimes lift her mask and show you what you don't want to see, the ugliness. You can feel her touch in the fog of a December morning. Her scent follows you home with your souvenirs. If she doesn't want you here, you'll know, because you'll never feel her essence......

Such a perfect description. I've met many people who have fallen under her spell and just a few who visited and were not enchanted. Their loss as far as I'm concerned.

December 1994
I first fell in love with New Orleans (NOLA) back in 1994. Mike and I wanted to take a cruise for our honeymoon. As we poured over dozens of brochures describing various ships and ports of call, I kept coming back to a specific Carnival cruise that docked in New Orleans for one day. The ship was one of Carnival's smallest and oldest, not one of those glamerous, mega, city sized ships you see today. Neither of us had ever really talked about New Orleans as a destination. I had always been intrigued by the city, since I was a little girl. I remember my Uncle Bob visiting NOLA on business and he had to write a report about his trip. He was a wonderful writer and he did it in a story format that included his ventures 1400 to Bourbon St. and conversing with a large  talking rat. That always stuck in my mind. So we decided to book that cruise.

On the day we were to visit NOLA we woke up to an announcement that there had been an oil spill on the Mississippi and they had closed it to boat traffic. We were devastated, because it looked like we were not going to be able to visit NOLA!  The cruise ship tried to calm everyone with free mimosas and  Bloody Mary's while they waited for word and decided what to do. Eventually we were allowed to dock! It was a few hours later than scheduled so we didnt have as much time to explore the city. Mike and I chose not to do an organized tour and hit the town on our own.

Now, here we were, two bunyocks from Northeast PA, let loose in New Orleans. We had no idea what we were in for. We had no idea there were not Open Container Laws in NOLA! Mike was so excited to be able to buy a beer in just about every store we walked into and then walk around drinking it! We were starving and just wandered into Mike Andersons on Bourbon St. for something to eat. We reall had no idea about all the fabulous restaurants and cuisine to be found in NOLA. We bought some souvineers, went to the VooDoo Museun (even then we thought it was cheesey) and just spent the rest of the few hours we had walking about the French Quarter. One of our fondest memories and something that just summed up New Orleans to us was an old man in a Santa suit, sitting in a wagon with a bottle of Jack, playing the saxaphone in front of Woolworths. While we didnt get to see much of the city, a piece of it stuck in our hearts. We vowed to return again one day.

February 2002
Over the next few years  we got busy with life, having kids, buying a house, losing jobs, getting new jobs, Mike going to the State Police Academy and all kinds of other events that we didnt get a chance to return  until February of 2002 . During that time we also bought our first computer and that little piece of NOLA stuck in my heart helped me to find out all I could about this city. I had lists of places to see, eat, drink. I made "friends" with a few people who lived there. I had pages of suggestions of hotels and attractions. Then my Aunt Sue and Uncle Al called to tell me they were planning a trip to NOLA. They are big Bob Dylan fans and travel around the country to see him play. Well, Bob was going to be playing in NOLA, they were going and they knew Mike and I were in love with the city and invited us along! I have to say that it was during that  trip that we both lost our hearts completley to the city. We spent a week, exploring every street, alley and courtyard. We ate, we drank, we took tours. We fell in love. We toyed with the idea of moving there. We cried when our plane left the airport to return us to our lives. We promised we would not wait 8 years to return again.

March 2003
By this time we were completley obsessed with everything that is New Orleans. I had made friends with a bunch of people planning on attending Mardi Gras in 03 to attend the Orpheuscapade Ball. Mike and I jumped on the opportunity to return. That turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Just so much fun, playing in NOLA for a week with some new freinds, and introducing my brother to this wonderful place. Mardi  Gras is just such an insane time. If you really want to experience the charm of New Orleans, dont go during Mardi Gras. If you want to attend the biggest and best party on earth, then make sure you get to a Mardi Gras.   

Since that time we have returned to NOLA in August of '03 for Satchmo Festival and in April of '04 for French Quarter Fest. We are now getting ready to head back down for our second Mardi Gras and a week of fun with some good friends.  I cant sleep I'm so excited. My mind has left already and has taken up residence somewhere around Jackson Square. I can't wait until my feet are walking along Decatur St. and I can smell the beignets and jumbalaya and hear the zydeco and jazz.

Maybe thats why New Orleans leaves such an impression on people. It is a city that really attacks ALL your senses.  The sights of the street performers, the charming old buildings and iron latticework, St. Louis Cathedral, the Mississippi river. The smells and tastes  of all the foods from beignets to gumbo to red beans and rice.Or the smells of vomit and urine on particular streets!!!  The sounds of the music coming from every open dooryway. I love that in New Orleans you constantly hear music being played, but never Top 40 radio crap.

7 days.

And yes, I really know what it means to miss New Orleans.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:08 PM | Comments (1)

January 26, 2005

Snow Repreive

Whew! Woke up this morning expecting to find no less than four inches of snow on the ground. Was happily surprised to see just a dusting, less than an inch. The weather people had us all in a panic again about the possibility of 4-8 inches of snow overnight. So I went to bed grumpy, tired of the snow and woke up elated when I looked out the window! Connor on the other hand was not so happy. He actually broke into tears when I got him up for school and broke the news that there was not a delay. He's had a dealy every day for the past two weeks due to bitter cold or snow so he was mighty disappointed.

Mike and I had our yearly discussion about where we plan to move to when we retire in 18 years. We both agree we are not going to spend our old age trapped in our house because we are afraid of falling on the ice or having heart attacks from shoveling snow when we are 70.  Of course since Mike can retire after 20 or 25 years on the force ( I forget which) we will still be pretty young when we do retire. So while we havent picked a definate location, we both want to be within driving distace of New Orleans and the beach, but out of hurricane area. So, we have some time to really decide. Then there is always the option of just buying an RV and driving all over the country, exploring. That might be a fun way to spend a year or two.

Speaking of New Orleans, a week from now we will be packing up and getting ready to leave! Yahoo! Im so incredibly excited....I may kiss the ground when we arrive.  I've been listening to my Mardi Gras music all week, everyone at work is tired of hearing about it already...still havent touched that list I posted a few weeks ago! I need to get moving!!!!!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)

January 23, 2005

Book 4- "Neon Rain" by James Lee Burke

I bought this book, probably two years ago when I went thru a phase buying every book I could find about New Orleans, set in New Orleans or that even vaguely mentioned New Orleans. I have enjoyed many of those books, but found it very difficult to get into this one. I started reading it countless times, put it down in favor of something more interesting. It must have fallen behind my nightstand awhile ago and I came across it yesterday, covered in dust and dog hair (just outed myself about how often I clean back there).  I was bored, tired of watching tv so I started reading it again, this time determined to get thru it. I finished it a few hours ago. I was finally able to get thru it. But that doesnt mean I enjoyed it.

This book is the first in the "Dave Robicheaux" series. Set in New Orleans, Robicheaux is a New Orleans cop who has just found out that someone is out to kill him.And he finds a dead body while fishing in the bayou. And he struggles with alcoholism, and he argues with his partner, and he meets a woman he's attracted to, and he gets beat up, a few times,  and we meet up with many many different criminals who may or may not be associated with the government..... The book is confusing and I found myself having to re-read pages to figure out exactly what was going on, and hwo the characters fit together. A flow chart would have been nice.  But I plodded away and was very glad to turn the last page. I was glad at the end that Lt. Robicheaux decided to leave the city of New Orleans, because I dont want to be tempted to pick up another book in this series because of the location.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 04:23 PM | Comments (0)

January 13, 2005

Book 3- Mean Woman Blues by Julie Smith

Mean Woman Blues

I finished this book in about 2 days. I love nothing better than being able to catch up with an "old friend" and its been far too long since we've heard from Skip Langon! Ive been having real attention span issues of late and a quick engaging book was about all I can handle right now. Nothing too deep or complicated.

Smiths latest book reunites Skip with her nemesis Errol Jacomine who is still out to kill Skip. What I enjoy most about this series of books is not just Smiths style of writing but the multitude of references to New Orleans landmarks and attractions ..........and food!  Smith really manages to capture the essance of New Orleans!  It took me awhile to really get into the first of the series, but once I did, I immediately ordered the rest of them from Amazon!  Great reads for crime/mystery fans and for anyone who loves New Orleans

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 01:33 AM | Comments (0)

January 09, 2005

The Days Events

My CopperTone Tan-
I use scented moisturizer everyday. I try to use ones that are seasonally appropriate. I had a fabulous Spiced Pumpkin for fall and I just finished up the last of my Pomander Orange Spice from Christmas. So after my shower I was thinking about what scent I would go with during this in between seasons time and I had a scent inspiration. I could smell Coppertone suddenly. It was like "deja scent"! In the summer I usually use Coppertone as my moisturizer to kill two birds with one stone -moisturize and protect from harmful UVA/UVB. But use my COPPETONE in the winter? In January? Is that a scent faux pas? I decided to go with the impulse since I have a nearly full bottle of the splendidly smelling sunscreen sitting on my dresser. Today I feel like I should be at the beach!

Coppertone lotion is one of my favorite scents in the universe. ......its so subtle and fresh and stimulates all kinds of memories.....its that whole "beach" smelll. This past year I aslo discovered "Beach" by Bobbi Brown and proceeded to buy every product in that scent. But I save that for special occasions like concerts and parties because it costs a hellava lot more than Coppertone. Restoration Hardware also makes a wonderful line of products in "Beach House" scent. There is lotion and sheet spray and laundry products! mmmm!!!! I cant wait for spring to start using them. And I don't see the "Beach House" products on their site anymore. There is a scent called "Shore" which I'm thinking must be similar? I'll have to check it out next time I'm in NYC.

A New Dryer and a New Vacuum!
Mike and I finally hauled ourselves out to Lowe's to look at new dryers. Cripes, who knew there were so many clothes dryers! So complicated and so many to choose from. I wanted one that said "start" and you push a button and it runs. I don't need a computer operated dryer that regulates itself and can tell when my clothes are dry. Although some of them were really cool looking, I really just need a basic dryer. I wash lots of towels and jeans and if I expect the men in this family to ever do any laundry, it MUST be a very simple procedure. So we ended up with a pretty basic Whirlpool that will be delivered on Tuesday. We also decided to get a new vacuum. I killed ours yesterday. Killed it. Dead. We go thru vacuums pretty quickly around here. So I refuse to spend alot of money on one that I will burn the motor out on in a few years. I always thought I would want a Dyson Animal Vac, but I just cant justify spending $500 on a vacuum cleaner. I have several friends with multiple pets and they said the Dyson didnt hold up any better than a regular old Hoover. One friend had hers die after a year. I dont think the Dyson company tested these machines in homes with 6 animals. If I have to replace my vac in a few years, I'm going for the $60 vac. And the other big complaint of other multiple pet owners is the "bagless vac"....no messy bags right? Well, you still have a messy container you have to empty EVERY time you vacuum and then you have to wash it out or it starts to stink! Now who wants to be bothered with that? I vacuum two sometimes 3x/day! I cant be taking extra time to empty and wash the cannister! I'll take my old bags and remove it, put it in the trash and attach a new one. Simple. Done. No Mess. No smell.

Weekly Dinner with Turbo and the Parents
Turbo made dinner tonight for Jimmy's birthday. His birthday is on Tuesday but Turbo made the big dinner tonight since he works on Tuesday and wont have time. Besides, Jimmy is probably going out with his friends on his actual birthday. Jimmy requested Chicken Franchaise. So as sides Turbo went overboard and made rice (for Connor), pasta, twice baked potatoes (a little starch anyone?), mixed steamed vegetables, salad and of course Ice Cream Cake for dessert. Jimmy always requests Ice Cream Cake for his birthday...my mom always complains, because its not really a cake you know...He still has to wait for Tuesday for his presents though, hehe. Mostly because I havent bought them yet.

In Other News
I put up my Mardi Gras Decorations today. Because I'm weird like that.  Makes me feel more festive and helps get us in the mood for our trip. As if we needed any help. A few pics of some decorations in the photo albums

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)

January 06, 2005

Twelfth Night

Its January 6th! Twelfth Night! Kings Day! Russian/Orthodox Christmas! Call it what you want, but it signifies the start of Carnival Season!

28 days until we leave for New Orleans!

To commemorate this day, I've altered the design of my blog to mark the occasion. A little loud but its only temporary.

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!!!!!

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)

January 05, 2005

Wintery Mix

The weather prediction for today into tomorrow is a "wintery mix" which basically means the weathe guy has no freaking idea what the weather is going to be like except its going to be cold and there will be precipitation.

Woke up to rain. No big deal. D 1400 on't have to shovel rain. Turned on the tv. All the schools are on a 2 hour delay? Why? Well, the "wintery mix" has started in central PA. So I go about my business waiting for Mike to get home so I can trudge off to work. By the time the hour passes, the rain has turned to a combination of snow and sleet. Mostly snow. I contemplate staying home as there is a good inch of slop with a snow covering. But dedicated employee that I am, I decide to make the trek in. Actually, I just don't want to waste a good vacation day on this. So I get in the car and start driving to work. The roads are icy and the snow is still coming down. The DJ on the radio informs me that most schools, including Connors (which is about 1/2 mile from my office) are now closed. I'm thinking it must be really bad. I continue driving to work, and the closer I get, the better the roads get. By the time I get to work, a mere 14 miles from my house, the stuff coming down is only rain. Not a drop of snow down here. And they closed all the schools?

3 hours later and there is a little snow coming down. But its not sticking. I'm so glad I came into work. IN addition to not using a valuable vacation day, I have a lunch meeting which means FREE LUNCH! We ordered from a local deli and I orderd a cajun roast beef sandwich. MMMMMM. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Closest thing I can get around here to the Ferdi Special from Mothers Restaurant in New Orleans

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)

January 01, 2005

One For Mike

GO LSU! Kick Hawkeye Ass! Let the phone wars begin.

Posted by dolphnlvr6 at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)