I love my furbaby soooooo much. I have named her Liza and she is a doll baby. I can't wait to go home and see her, but after work I am going to have dinner with Donna and her parents. Not that its a bad thing going to dinner with them....but I miss her. It will be nice to see Donna and her parents again though, they are a sweet sweet family, and I am glad she has them with everything she has been going through. They are so sweet that in fact, Donna invited me to spend Thanksgiving with them...so I am. :) :)

today is the day!!!! I get my new furbaby and I am soooo excited. Well before I get too excited I better check with Carrie and make sure the lady who has them right now is gonna let us take em today.

So here is the story. A lady that Carrie works with, found a box under an overpass a day or so after the evacuations down here in NOLA for hurricane Ivan. She saw the mama hanging out around there, and recognized her (there are a lot of strays here) She went and got the kitties, and the mama and brought them to her house. There are three babies. One all white with a little gray spot on her head, one all black kitty, well she may have some red in her too, and then mine...she is all black except for her chest and belly which is white. All girls. Mama is all white. They are 7 weeks old give or take. Sue took them where she takes a lot of strays for spays and nueters. They were cleaned of the fleas on them, and checked out a bit. We have visited the babies a few times...and if they were big enough, they were getting their first round of shots yesterday...and we get them today. Carrie and Adam are taking two. I can't wait to get her home and play!!!

i got to meet the guys from Better Than Ezra last night....went to their DVD/CD release party. It was a lot of fun, met some nice people....the DVD is excellent. I haven't gotten to listen to the CD yet as the batteries are dead in my portable CD player. I will try to post some pics later.

My first hurricane!! no no not the drink...but the real thing. So Tuesday I am feeling pretty darn good, cuz I found out that I got the job I wanted. Then I find out that people in the city are really starting to freak about the possiblity of Hurricane Ivan heading this way, especially since at that time it was Cat. 5. If it hit land at that Cat, NOLA would be gone. Seriously. I knew the storm was coming...I just wasn't in panic mode I guess. Well by the next day, we all kinda were getting there, and decided fairly early in the morning to get the house situated then head for higher ground. 6 1/2 hours in the car to go 80 miles, and we were in Baton Rouge...stayed with Annette and waited. And waited and waited. the storm moved more east, and was a Cat 3 when it hit land. It still did damage, in FL, MS, AL...but not really any here in NOLA. It was very anti clamactic...I don't think I will be jumping ship so fast next time...and there will be a next time. I just needed a little rain or a little wind to make all the stress worthwhile I guess.
On the up side..I am gonna go and see one of my boys tonight..fun kinda having two...well we will see how it all works out.

I had the best time last night. How can you not when you are seeing Leroy??? He took good care of me. Which was very nice. He played up a storm, sounded great, and after a rushed beginning (lost car keys caused him to panic) he really relaxed into the sets. I met some new people, made some good connections, one has potential..:) :)

Today it was the Saint/Seahawks game. It was a lot of fun, and of course the Seahawks won!! whoo!! I had a great time. But am totally exhausted now and ready for beddy bye and its only 5:50.

Okay...I am finallly all hooked up at home, and am going to attempt taking my written journal and put it online...lots of typing ahead. I apologize for the free flowing thoughts and the spelling. So here it goes:

My Move to New Orleans August 1, 2004

Its 6:15 AM, and we have been on the road since 5:20ish AM. We entered the freeway at 5:37 AM. I think we will call this day 1. Yesterday Scott (my Bro in law from now called BIL) and I loaded up a 5'x8' Uhaul trailer and part of their trailblazer. It only took about 3 1/2 hours. I was still paking some things as we went along. As soon as we were done, we headed to the downtown area so Scott could order a fresh salmon to be delivered in Phoenix next Saturday, then we went and had some sushi. By the time we got back to the apartment around 7:30-8 I felt like it was past midnight. A quick shower later, we all zoned in front of the TV. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I finally did around 10:00. Got a good 7 hours and now, with coffee in hand we are headed up the Snolqualmie pass. Bye Bye Seattle!! The plan right now is to drive to at least SLC tonight, Denver tomorrow, where we will stay two nights with mom and dad. We will then stop somewhere in OK on Wed, in NOLA by Thursday. I think I will be sick of cars by then. The realness of all this hit a bit last night as I realized that all my belongings were in a uhaul truck, sitting on the street. Then as I took the apartment keys off the key ring, leaving non. Then as we pulled out of Seattle. Craziness.
Going on hour 13 now. Juse entered Utah about 20 mins ago. Our 4th state today. We have at least one more gas fill up to go...then we will cut across to Wyoming tonight, so that will be 5 states in one day. Have been just doing a lot of reading and listening to music. I poured over my Offbeat magazine looking at all the bands I can go and see soon. Satchmo fest is this coming weekend. I had thought it was the weekend just ending. Suprise! I willl get to see Storyville Stompers, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, of course both will be without Craig, but sill a ton of fun. I am suprised on how fast today has actually gone. Maybe because I just know how long we were going to be in the car. That must be it. Probably another hour in the car, depending on what time it is when we get to Ogden, see how Scott is doing, since has drove all day....

Day 2
Stopped in Evanston last night around 9:30 MST. 15 hours on the road. We ordered pizza and watched Zorro, then crashed. Up by 6:45 this AM. Very funny picture in the Days Inn parking lot this morning. The SUVs with uhaul trailers all in a row. We are on the road now after a gass fill up along with coffee. Short day today. We should be in Larimer, WY by 1:30-2:00, see my aunt Shoni, then to Denver. That's about 1-1 1/2 drive. Easy compared to yesterday.
Saw Shoni, Wynn and Taylor for about an hour and half. Got to mom and Dad's around 4:00, ate dinner, watched some TV and got a good night's sleep.

Day 3
Slept in, watched soaps, played online, went out for drinks, watched Open Range, and headed to bed. It was nice to have a day of "rest"

Day 4
We were on the road by 6:30 AM. Mom loaded us up with some goodies; cookies, apples, grapes, carrots, crackers, gum. Right now now its 1:44 CST and we have been on the road for 6 1/2 hours. We just drove through Russell, KS home of Bob Dole. So far Kansas has been pretty unimpressive, its not bad, just boring. We are going ot drive to Salinas, KS about 60 miles or so then head South through OK. We should end up in Dallas this eving some time. If its not too late, we will get to have dinner with Dia nad Randy and perhaps stay iwth them. We haven't decided yet. I am starting to get a bit more excited. Tomorrow, I will be in NOLA after a year long absence. I can't wait to be in that city, feel the humidity, to just feel everything. Friday we will unload the uhaul into a storage unit, then Scott will be on his way. I will spend Friday getting a cell phone and a PO box set up. I will also look at some jobs, hopefully going in on Monday to a few temp agencies. It would be awesome to be working by next week. Mid-week.

Day 5
Last day on the road!! Last night we got as far as Lewistown, TX about 15 miles north of Dallas. Its a good thing Dia called when she did, we were right by where she worked! :) So we found a hotel (didn't want to sleep on the floor at their apartment) This was around 10:15. By 10:30 PM Dia and Randy came and grabbed me, Scott wanted to sleep. I don't blame him. We had a mini drama just north of Witchita. We stopped for gas and noticed that the tread was almost completly off the driver side tire on the the Uhaul. Luckily Uhaul responded fast and we were back on the road within 40 minutes. Dinner with Dia and Randy ROCKED!! I had the best time just gabbing away with them. It will be really nice to have some friends a tad closer to me. My freaky friends that is. I was back at the hotel at 12:30 AM. I was so completly tired that I couldn't sleep. I hate that feeling, that and knowing today we would be there just upped my excitement level. We didn't get on the road until 8:48 this morning...kinda wanted to sleep and avoid rush hour traffic. We are almost to LA, now (10:14) probably about an hour away!!! Tonight, Bourbon Street.

Many Days Later (almost 3 weeks as a NOLA resident)
Craziness has been surrounding me since I got here. Lets see going back...let me see what I can remember. The Thursday we arrived, we found the guest house pretty easy. It is right on Canal Street, about a 10 minute walk from the Quarter. We got settled inot the room, brought up the stuff from the SUV (TV, Computer, Ect) and then took the street car down to the Quarter. We went to Acme Oyster House, Tropical Isle, Lafitte's and Harrah's. NOt a bad night, OH I did leave Scott for a bit at Harrah's to go and see Doug Belote play. Of course by the time I got there he was done. Also saw Steve Suter getting into his car. We (Scott & i) cabbed it back to the room and crashed around 12:30-1:00. The next morning we got a late start, around 8 or so. We headed just down the street to the local uhaul place to unload and get rid of the trailer. Let me tell you that unloading a uhaul in the humidity with a hang over is NO fun. We hauled ass, or as much as we could seeing how we were feeling. We were done with the uhaul place around 1 or so. We ran back to the room, showered then headed out to grab a bite to eat at Mother's. We shared a Ferdi special, YUMMY!! A stop at Louisiana Music Factory was next where I picked up John Gros new CD as well as Theresa Anderson's. We went back to the room and took loooong naps. Later that night I headed out to Tipitina's, my first trip there!! Saw PGF, got to talk to John for a bit and Jason Mingledorff did a killer Rick James song. Scott stayed back at the room to sleep. I got back at around 12:30. Next thing I know Scott was waking me up. It was 5:00 AM and he was leaving. I am still getting that excitement/fear/stress feeling right now as I did at that time. I stood on the balcony outside my room and watched him drive off with the thought "That's it, I am all alone in NOLA, I really did this, am doing this, ther is no going back now" I then went back to the room and collapsed, both emotionally and physically drained. I spent that day, Saturday, feeling very disconnected. I walked to the french market got a Muffelatta from the Central Market, and went to Satchmo fest. first up was New Orleans Nightcrawlers, then to another stage to see Troy Andrews, at that point I met this lady who just started chatting. turns out se was from chico, and had come down to visit her musician "friend" she had met last time she was down here. We wandered over to see Rick Trolsen play and just basked in the sun. Pretty soon, I went to see Jeremy Davenport play on a different stage, and she headed back to the friend's house. I was out at the fest for over 6 hours!!! it was AMAZING the music was fantastic and I was having the best time. I went back to the room and read for awhile. Sunday, was more of the same, seeing Storyville Stompers, Ellis Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins! I was exhausted. Again a collapse in the room. Monday I was up and moving early, I went and got a local number, a new cell phone. Oh and on the way to the Quarter, one of the house guests asked me to lunch! Then at Radioshack, one of the sales guys asked me out!! What a freaking feeling let me tell you!! I ended up going to lunch with Derek, the house guest. It was okay. I spent the afternoon looking for a job and talking to some temp agencies. That night I took a trip to Maple Leaf to see PGF again. Another great show, Tony Hall and Raymond Weber sat in, they played with Harry's funk band. Afterwards Ray was convinced he knew me. Or it was a cheesy pickup line. I am leaning to cheesy pick up line. The rest of the week that followed or at least till Wed, was spent the same way, looking for a job and an apartment. I had an interview iwth a temp agency on Wed, and went to look at an apartment I loved. I grabbed some grub and headed back to the room and just chilled. Thursday I was going to go and see Tin Men play, but never made it that far. I blame it all on the killer Jack Daniels/cokes Eric at the Tropical Isle made and the cute Johnny Depp look-a-like that was there. I ended up hanging out and talking to those two boys for a long time. So Friday I was up later and just chilled. At some point I had finally opened up a PMB, So I had a NOLA address, which made it feel more permanant. I looked at a few other apartments as well, but I was really in love with the first one I looked at, so I contacted Liz and told her I was interested. She asked if I would come over on Saturday and have lunch with her and Sou, the girl she had just rented the other room too. So I did. And that afternoon, I gave Liz a deposit!! So now I had a place ot live, but couldn't move in right away. At first we thought I could move in on the 21st, which I really didn't want to do seeing that it was my birthday and we knew that the 22nd was out for the same reason. so we set our sights on the 20th. Sou then drove me the whole 5 blocks to Carrie and Adam's place where we hung out for a bit. Carrie drove me back to my room after a bit and we made plans to go see John Gros play at DBA later that night. We had a blast even though that jackass Crawford was with us. I didn't get back to my room until 5:00 AM!! I was dead, dead, dead. Especially since that previous night I had been up until 5:30 AM trying to keep Kristy awake on her drive to/from San Fran. Insane. I don't think I moved on Sunday until 3:30 or so. Unless it was to put more quarters in the air conditioner. Carrie called about then, we were going to meet in the Quarter to go to a fundraiser for a NOLA PD officer who was shot and killed earlier in the week. the fundraiser was for her 10 year old daughter. We figured for the $15 to get in, plus raffle $$ it was beyond worth it. We saw a ton of great bands including my cutie trombone player Andy who filled in with Bucktown All Stars, ate a ton of good food and had free drinks. We left around 11 that night, the fundraiser just ending. In the end, the daughter's elementary and HS education is going to be paid for by an anyon. donor, as well as a ton more money was raised. I crashed that night HARD!! The following week, again more of the same Job hunting and interviews. going back to the room and reading. There was usually someone in the lounge watching TV already, and usually it wasn't something I wanted to watch. I did go see cutie Eric at tropical isle again on Tuesday. He is young but a sweetie! I also caught one of Mark Braud's sets at Harrah's. Thursday night I went and saw Jeremy Davenport again. OH! That previous Monday, Ray called me!! Still trying to figure out how he got my number, I think it was from John. It was a short convo and haven't heard from him since.
Saturday dawned and I still hadn't moved. Thats because the boys living there, hadn't moved out yet and were doing it that day. So my move in day was now on Monday the 23rd. Saturday it was my birthday. I treated myself to some beingets, a psychic reading, some shopping, and then some chinese food. Soon Annette showed up and we were off, to try and get her a BTE ticket, see if Eric was working, eat some dinner at TGIF. Since Annette didn't get a ticket, she headed up the street to Tower and Virgin, I went in to the BTE show, stayed until about 11:15 then met Annette back out front. We headed to Carrollton Station to see John Gros play again, and proceeded to have a great time there. I was in bed about 3:30ish and barely moved on Sunday. Monday was well, yesterday and I moved into my new, fantastic apartment!! Its on the endo fo the St Charles street car line, on Dublin. It has sooo much space, I don't know what to do and thats just in my room!! I think I almost killed Adam during the move!! I was all moved in by 2:30 yesterday. Today was spent unpacking and going to the grocery store! I think that has been my biggest thrill, no more eating out! Tomorrow another interview and more researching/applying for jobs. I need me one of those BAD!!

2 weeks later
So the day after I wrote this...I got a call. A call people dread getting. Even though they never know when it could happen. My friend's Donna and Marvin were in a car accident. Donna was badly bruised, Marvin did not make it. :( God rest his soul. I spent the rest of the evening talking to everyone, trying to find out what happened, to try to make sense of it all. I was up most of that night, I know I wasn't the only one. The next morning, I talked to Donna and was just amazed over her strength. I don't think I could have handled this as well as she has. The rest of the week was spent making plans to be there for the service, to help Donna, and to say goodbye to Marvin. Life is crazy, fragile, and scary. to appreciate it each day doesn't seem enough some times. Donna has been an inspiration to me. and I know that everything I have gone through or yet to go through doesn't compare to what si is going through or is about to go through. I am so much happier that I moved when I did. for one thing I am closer to Donna now, so whenever she needs a friend, I can get to her a bit easier. And to know that I took this chance to move here, now, rather than just sit and think about it day after day. Life is fragile, its not a game of what-ifs. Last week I flew to Birmingham and met Andrea. After a fun shuttle adventure we arrived at the hotel, where Donna and her mom were waiting for us. We went over to her house and had a quick tour. soon after Dia and Randy showed up. The we ate. It was the first of many meals. With that done, we helped Donna go through some pictures to find some great ones of Marvin to put in a collage. It really was a night of tears. Tears of sadness, and tears of laughter. It was a very sweet night really. I did feel at one time what I thought, no know was Marvin. It was like a hug and a thank you. Andrea and Dia said at some point they felt the same thing too. The next day was the service. It was a very nice service. The first preacher that spoke of Marvin really helped with that. I think Marvin would have really enjoyed it. Afterwards it was more eating. Later even more eating and talking and laughing. Seeing Donna laugh and smile was fantastic. Andrea and I stayed until Saturday.
Saturday afternoon Adam, Carrie and I hit Southern Decadance down in the Quarter. Sunday, more of the same. It was wild and crazy and a ton of fun. Monday was a recovery day. Tuesday was a 2nd job interview with an Ad Agency, and now the waiting game....

Holy moly...really its been over a month since I last posted???
I have thought about it everyday...but only have so much time on the account at the coffee shop, but today, the computer at the house is hooked up...it was an ordeal. Tomorrow, I will post my travels/life thus far. Well parts of it. I wrote a lot of it down in a little journal. Not sure how far/much I can get done...