What is sleep? I have forgotten what it is like. Actually no, I did manage to sleep last night.....and I guess 8 hours on Friday, Saturday nights. I just don't like waking up right at 8:00 on the weekends. I wish I could sleep longer. But whatcha gonna do? Saturday was a blast, getting to hang out with Gayle and Hank. They really took too Adam and Carrie as well. After the Orphues open house (I got to get up on their float!!) we all went to dinner at this yummy pizza place. Then off to the C-Note lounge. Its on St. Charles, right on the parade route. Turns out Hank is a bead whore and likes to catch beads. Gayle on the other hand...hates parade (yet she rides in them....she can't explain that one!!) We left Gayle, sitting on the bar stool, making friends with the regulars and the rest of us went out and caught beads.....then we went back to the bar in between parades and after. Then they took us to Snake and Jakes. A little hole in the wall, out of place bar. Very cool. Now its just time to wait for everyone else to get here. Then the real fun begins.

I took some asprin as soon as I got to work this morning and suprisingly I feel the best I have all week. Hope that continues on. My roomie is sick with a fever however. I feel for her. Its not fun. After today, I have 4 working days next week...then I am off for 5 days!!! I am kinda excited about that. It could be just me, but there is a constant excitement in the air for Mardi Gras. I am looking forward to the parades this weekend!! Although I am kinda glad that they don't go on all night. I am also look forward to getting some much needed sleep this weekend. Need to get as much as possible before next weekend rolls around and everyone is in town. Its gonna go by so fast, but I will make sure to savor every moment. I was just kinda promoted at work. In a way. I will still be doing what I am doing, but I was given my own account today. Its a small one. But I will be taking care of the whole thing. Keeping it on budget, getting the traffic out and various other things. So now added to my title of Receptionist/office manager/administrative assistant is now Account Manager. WHOO HOO. No extra pay comes with it. Thats okay, as its definetly some great experience....and sometime in the future I could be way from the phones and working full time on accounts. Who knows???

Apparently I thought the last post was so important that I had to say it 3 times. I do remember it taking a long time to post...but don't remember doing it 3 times. Oh well. The craziness has subsided at work for now. Yesterday and today we had the guys putting in the new phones, a contractor in looking at one of the rooms to add more work stations, a casting call happening in the conference room and various other craziness. It makes the day fly by, but boy am I cranky. I hate that. I am beginning to think that the start of a cold...is actually allergies. Although Malcolm went home early Monday and today and was out yesterday, he has the flu and sinus infection, I told him that if I got sick, I was kicking his ass. Several other people agreed with me.
One fantastic thing I realized today as I walked down St. Charles Ave...is I have been a resident of NOLA for just over 6 months. I can't believe that. Sometimes it all seems like a fantastic dream and I will wake up back in rain dreary Seattle. I did have a small panic attack last night. If you want to call it that. I was sitting on the couch watching Season 6 Part 2 disc 1 of SATC. I have not seen the last 8 eppies and was very excited about that. In those first 4 eppies, Miranda gets married, Charolette struggles with the baby issues, and Carrie kinda does as well when the Russian tells her that he doesn't want more children. These characters are 38. I will be 30 in 6 months. I think I had what almost every normal women goes through. "Oh my god, what am I doing with my life, will I ever get married, will I ever have a baby?" It was a moment. Normally I am quite fine with my life, and am just going with the flow right now. Whats the rush? Now as I approach 30, I am having a few more of these moments.....its not a fun feeling.

If I am gonna get sick..........it better just happen. For the past month I have been battling something. A sore throat, headaches, and other aches and pains. Most of last week I wasn't getting much sleep. Lots of tossing and turning and waking up at 3 or 4 AM...I took exedrin pm a few times....and that didn't help much. I was falling asleep easier, but still waking up. This morning, on top of a sore throat was a major case of dizziness. That has subsided this afternoon. I haven't had a cold or gotten sick in almost a year. You would think of all my late nights, I would be more likely to get sick. I guess I have been lucky. And I am happy about that, for the most part. I mean this half way thing kinda sucks....and I need to have energy for Mardi Gras!! Its gonna be crazy and fun. I didn't realize it until yesterday, but I am gonna be going non-stop till after MG. Okay so this week is a tad bit quiet, but there are some things I need to get done around the house. I can't believe I am thinking about the weekend already. It just ended!!! Of course there are parades happening, and other exciting things going on. I guess I will have enough energy/adrenaline once everyone gets here. For my St. Anne's costume I have my wig, fun eyelashes, and some glitter. I also have a boa and some fun tights. I am just going to wear an old halloween costume, its kinda flapper style. Plain black. I was talking to one of my co-workers today and she has a box of "extras" that I can add to it to make it more fun. She has lots of fun ideas as she is in the Sophistocats/kittens. They have go-go dancers!! So they have really fun outfits. I don't know why I am continually suprised by how small the music community is down here. When Brian found out I was worked at Trumpet, he said, "Oh so you know Debra, I used to book her band at Harrahs" Debra and I talked about that today, and she said Harrah's is now just using DJs....less money. Oh well.

If I am gonna get sick..........it better just happen. For the past month I have been battling something. A sore throat, headaches, and other aches and pains. Most of last week I wasn't getting much sleep. Lots of tossing and turning and waking up at 3 or 4 AM...I took exedrin pm a few times....and that didn't help much. I was falling asleep easier, but still waking up. This morning, on top of a sore throat was a major case of dizziness. That has subsided this afternoon. I haven't had a cold or gotten sick in almost a year. You would think of all my late nights, I would be more likely to get sick. I guess I have been lucky. And I am happy about that, for the most part. I mean this half way thing kinda sucks....and I need to have energy for Mardi Gras!! Its gonna be crazy and fun. I didn't realize it until yesterday, but I am gonna be going non-stop till after MG. Okay so this week is a tad bit quiet, but there are some things I need to get done around the house. I can't believe I am thinking about the weekend already. It just ended!!! Of course there are parades happening, and other exciting things going on. I guess I will have enough energy/adrenaline once everyone gets here. For my St. Anne's costume I have my wig, fun eyelashes, and some glitter. I also have a boa and some fun tights. I am just going to wear an old halloween costume, its kinda flapper style. Plain black. I was talking to one of my co-workers today and she has a box of "extras" that I can add to it to make it more fun. She has lots of fun ideas as she is in the Sophistocats/kittens. They have go-go dancers!! So they have really fun outfits. I don't know why I am continually suprised by how small the music community is down here. When Brian found out I was worked at Trumpet, he said, "Oh so you know Debra, I used to book her band at Harrahs" Debra and I talked about that today, and she said Harrah's is now just using DJs....less money. Oh well.

Man did I have a blast last night or what??? I am dead tired to prove it. Seems to be a trend whenever the Bones are involved. First the Offbeat Awards....the awards themselves was kinda lame....and was over in a blink of an eye. That and I spent most of the time trying to find Carrie and Adam. I did see Pam and Earl the owners of Tropical Isle. It was fun to see them outside that enviroment.....they accepted the award for Big Al Carlson. Getting to see the Bone show up close and personal was fun too. First time I have been "front row" in awhile. Brian was a doll and drove me and Mel to Tips...and then I went straight to "work" and set up the merch area. All the way in the back by the door. I don't mind, I love helping the guys. Better sells this time. I got to finally meet Mrs. Mullins. Very sweet lady. End of the night....Brian gave me a ride home...it ended up being 4:15 when I finally got there...the Rads played till 3:30!!! Now its time for the parade!!

It better not be cold for MG...I really don't want it to be. I am just FREEZING right now....I think they have the air on here at work.

We have a new roommate. He is a med student at Loyola I believe, I think his girlfriend is a med student at Tulane....He seems very nice and laid back. He paid Liz for the Feb rent and is going to start moving stuff in this week. The other old roomie left on Sunday. Needless to say Liz and I weren't sad to see him go. Now to just hope and pray that everything works out for the next few months...then its decision time for me. My own place or not?

I think I am just destined to only hear about Jude Law sightings...I kinda know where he is staying, as somehow Adam found out. And every place he has been "spotted" is all around this area of my work. Yesterday it was Martin's Wine Cellar one of my co-workers friends is a manager there and she rang him up. He said that he loved New Orleans, how can you not? ....I think I need to start walking at lunch and hope I run into him walking the little dog that is with him.....apparently there have been Anthony Hopkins sightings as well, and everyone says how nice he is. I think I would have a coronary if I saw him. Sean Penn has been seen at Dickie Brennans and this martini bar down the street from work. And apparently the guys in Dukes of Hazzard (Sean William Scott and Johnny Knoxville are lovin Frenchmen street) i am living in a psuedo Hollywood.

Friday ended up being a weird reconnection with people in Seattle. I had talked to Kristina for a bit as stated in my last post. Later on Friday as Carrie and I were at the mall doing a bit of shopping, my cell rang. It was my gay boyfriend Michael!!! I hadn't heard much from him either since leaving. I think I made a few people mad when I left. LOL Its nice to know they didn't want me to leave. Carrie didn't know what to think of the conversation that involved a TON of laughing, quoting lines from "Strangers with Candy" and other various "maybe I shouldn't be saying this so loud in the middle of a store" items, I do miss him and have almost convinced him to come here for my Birthday. I am not holding my breath, but will keep bugging him. He wants me to go to Seattle for his birthday....he is having a costume party. 80s new wave. Now that would be a sight to see. I know he really just wants to dress up like Jem and the Holograms. Then later that night, as I was watching the final season of "Strangers with Candy" I got a text message from my friend Summer, who I swore fell off the face of the earth! Its always nice to reconnect. *side note* I left my phone at home this morning....forgot to pick it up off the nightstand. ugh. I had a fun time on Saturday getting to hang out with the Cowboy Mouth folks at Carrollton Station. Got to talk to Mary a bit, I am sad that she isn't going to be with the band anymore. I understand why she is leaving, but its not going to be the same. I mentioned that Donna was going to be staying with me, and Mary figured that she would be. I then told her about the gathering I am having at my house on the 5th and she said, "email me the info, I will try to drop in" :) :) I then got to meet Sonia who is taking Mary's place, she said she will be looking for all of us at the CM show on Lundi Gras, and she expects us to be in our ball gowns. She said she would pull us up on stage. LOL I doubt I will be in my ball gown. Although it will be a mad dash to get ready and head over there. I may not get to see CM though, depending on what time they go on....I don't want to miss any of Bonerama...and I have a feeling they will be hitting the stage first at the Ball. At least the Howlin Wolf is close to the convention center....maybe I will be in my gown. Speaking of Bonerama, I am excited to say that I get to catch them twice on Friday!! I know the sets will be short, but it should still be some funky music! However, I won't be able to "see" them much at Tips since I will be selling merch. I think. I guess I will have to check with Mullins again....we kinda left it up in the air.

I was just IM'ing with a friend in Seattle. Right before I left there, she told me that she was expecting again. I can't believe how the time flys....she is due in two months and is having another little boy. Their oldest is 2 1/2 and is just way toooo cute. I am kinda sad that I won't get to meet the newest addition right away. Tom and Kristina are two of my most favorite people in the world. I met Kristina back in early 2001, she auditioned for "Music Man" and was cast as Marian. This was her first stage show ever! She has a fantastic singing voice and had "fronted" several bands. Kristina and I just bonded....some people you just click with right away and know that you are going to be friends forever. The way Tom and Kristina met was very sweet, they had been dating for about 5 months or so when I met them. Tom spent every weekend out at the theatre with us, helping with sets and helping get the cabins ready for the shows. By the end of the run (June) Tom and Kristina were engaged. They got married only a few short months later. She had me as her "unofficial" wedding planner/stage manager. The wedding was soooo sweet and fun. Both of their families took me under their wings so to speak, since my family was moving out of the Seattle area. I spent Thanksgiving with them two years in a row, and there was constant brunches and night outs with them. Kristina was looking forward to doing another show with us in the spring and we had almost convinced Tom to audition as well. He can belt out a fantastic "play that funky music white boy" at Karoke. About 2 weeks before auditions, they came out to a dinner theatre I was working at. Kristina was a little sad that night and when I asked why she said "I can't audition" she had found out earlier that week that she was expecting. They had their honeymoon baby the day before Halloween. Jack is the cutest little guy. The last time I saw all of them...they had invited me to stay the weekend out at their house and to go and hang out at the theatre. They had moved across the sound closer to Tom's work, just a few miles away from the theatre. This was in late May. At that time I knew I was moving, but not telling people yet as I had to get a few things in order, to make it more "real". I didn't know at the time I saw them that it was to be a "goodbye" for now visit. Life just got busy for all of us and I didn't get the chance to see them before I left. I sure do miss these special people in my life. I can't wait to meet the new addition......when I finally get back to Seattle to visit.

The new roomie is moving out for sure this time I guess its actually gonna be okay. Liz mentioned the first day she was back that he was "peculiar" but that she could handle that and have someone there paying the rent. Last night when she came to tell me that he was for sure moving out, she made the comment "he sure is needy" So I am glad I am not the only one who thought this. He gave me a hard time last night for eating a Lean Cuisine. "you need to eat real food, things you cook with your own two hands" you know what??? BITE ME. I was hungry when I got home....and this is easier to make when your hungry and its just you your feeding. I don't know if he thought that because Liz cooked a big dinner the night before and offered him some, I was gonna do the same thing. Hell no. She took him to the grocery store on Tuesday and as far as I can tell...he didn't really buy anything. So...I guess its a good thing he is going. I am just going to hope and pray that we find someone in the next 2 weeks that we can rely on. That would be awesome. I do have a small option....but I would be leaving Liz alone and I just can't do that to her. Besides I love my house.....I am not sure I want to leave it just yet....I am going to need to decide if I am moving or staying in May.
I did spend most of last night talking to Vanessa, my best friend from HS. I haven't talked to her since her Vegas Birthday trip....the one where I didn't have that much fun. I was happy to find out that she is back at work after her 3 month mental break...she is off the antidepressants (which was part of the not a fun time in Vegas) and she finally told her parents everything that is going on in her life....I think things are actually improving for her and I am happy for that. Now if she could get out the Jerry Springer-inspired relationship, everything would be that much better.
I am going to focus on now everyone coming out for Mardi Gras and the good time we are going to have!!!! :) :) Now if I could just find something to wear for the St. Anne Parade.....

*sigh* the new roomie informed me yesterday that he is moving out. Liz still isn't back. I am assuming that bad weather on the west coast has prevented her from coming home yesterday. So she doesn't know about any of this yet. I thought about calling her the other day when he mentioned that he may move....but didn't want to ruin the last few days of her vacation. I guess he just wants to be around other law students 24/7. You think he would have thought of this before he moved. Of course this shouldn't suprise me...after all he did think Canal Street was the French Quarter. I guess the map we gave him, and me pointing it out did nothing to help. You think if you were moving to a new country you would have done a bit of research on the place but it doesn't seem like he has done any. He keeps thinking I am going to come up with a grand way for him to get groceries....uh considering I can only get groceries when Adam and Carrie go, I am not going to be of any help. I have showed him which way to go for the stores and said that busses and or cabs should work. I just don't get why you would come somewhere, and not want to get out and see/meet people. I know its hard doing that, but how else can you experience the place? Just because I don't want to go out every night/day to show him around, he stays home. Is it wrong of me NOT to want to show him around? I did invite him out to the quarter on Saturday when I went to look for a book, to show him where it really was. I left around 12:30 or so, and he decided to stay home because of jet lag....he did however come to Donna's with me later that night. I tried....thats all I can do I guess.

For once...I am not tired. I didn't move at all yesterday. Well I gave Liza a bath...that as ambitious as I got. Everytime I tried to read, I would fall asleep, everytime I tried to watch a movie, I would fall asleep. I think I was tired. I ended up taking my new roomie to Donna's on Saturday night to see Leroy and Craig play. It was a great as usual, however the MG song was more energtic than normal...I mean Leroy did the BOOTY SHAKE!!! I was just howling....Katya got up and played a few songs, Sister Teedy sang a song...at one point Katya looked at me and said "there are more musicians here than non" it was very cool. We had a great time. I did see Jason on Saturday too....first time I have seen him in almost a month...however we have talked a few times. He has been crazy busy with work, he worked everyday the week of years....working like 12 hours a night. That and he needs to decide what he wants. ugh. I swear this time, I am done. No more. On the roommate front....Anders is a nice guy....but I am not his personal tour guide. Yesterday he was kinda rude, because I hadn't done much....well dude, you know where the quarter is, I have shown you how to get around....now go!! I know he is new to this country and doesn't know anyone here.....but I can't make groceries appear for him. Hell I can only get groceries when Adam and Carrie go....since they are nice enough to take me. I told him where the closest grocery store is...about a 10 min walk....and told him that a cab or bus could get him there and back just as well. If I don't leave the house, he doesn't....if I do, he wants to go. I am happy that Liz will be back tonight, she can show him all the "student" hangouts.....OH and he mentioned on Thursday that he may want to move onto campus...or somewhere with more students....since he is the only exchange student in the law program this semester. Liz is gonna love that one.

I am so freakin tired. My legs ache....my whole body aches. But its all for a good reason.....a night of Bonerama can do that to a body. ;) They didn't go on till almost one and off at almost 3. I was there a little before 10, Mark had called and told me where he had stashed the merch stuff....and I wanted to make sure I got it all set up so more people could take advantage. I was in the back corner by the stairs and the sound booth. A few people did wander over to to look, but not many. The guys all eventually showed up around 11:00 or so. Most came over and said hi....Mark came over and asked for condoms. LOL they are trying to actually get some to sale...that will be cool if it works out. Bert wants magnets. Craig made sure I had beer at all times, and Brian kept me company for awhile. The second band was fine...but way too mellow for a MG kick off party IMHO. The Bones were really on fire last night....I thought the sound was awesome when I got away from my corner.....by the end of the night I had only sold 2 cds and a t-shirt....the guys were suprised I had even sold that much, as that crowd ususally doesn't buy things....But as Kristy pointed out, most everyone in NOLA has a copy by now. ;) (side note as I type this Bonerama is being played on WWOZ) Mark did ask me at the end of the night if I would sell merch at Tips on the 21st. I said if I can get over there in time...as I was going to the Offbeat awards. I think its doable to do both, since the awards happen first...I can see the Bones play, then head over to Tips after. After dealing with the money with Mark, I went out to catch a cab...there was no way I was gonna walk to the streetcar at 3:00 AM. the street was practically empty except for one couple waiting for a cab as well....I called one and proceeded to wait. Steve, Brian, and Craig all came out soon after....Craig didn't want me to take a cab, but I was live in the totally opposite direction from him. So he started asking who could give me a ride home....Bert was trying to decide whether or not to go home or go to a bar, so he was no good....Brian drove by after about 10 mins and saw us all still standing there, he was going to give me a ride home, but by that time Jeff the new drummer offered to give me a ride home. I think thats his name....i was the first "Bonerama babe" that he had met. He asked if it was true that all of us were in love with Doug....and I said um NOOOOOOOO. He is actually good friends with Doug and that is how he got the gig. He was a pretty nice guy.....he has been spending most of his time playing with Theresa Anderson. He will be playing the gig on the 21st for Offbeat and then Doug will play the Tips show. It won't be the same without Craig there though!!!

New roomie arrived last night. Took forever for him to get to the house, because the cab driver didn't know where to go. Um...end of the street car line buddy, I was giving the cabbie directions on how to get there. He was a little out of it after travelling 22 hours. I do feel a little weird leaving someone I don't know alone at the house....I have to keep my door open because that is where Liza's stuff is at (cat box, food) and I just can't leave her locked in my room all day today. She is too used to being out and about in the house. She was acting really weird after he got there. Running away and hiding, even from me. I had to track her down when I was going to bed and she was hiding under a chair. Not normal behaviour at all. She was perfectly fine last week when Jimmy and Sayle stayed with me. And earlier in the evening when Adam and Carrie were over for dinner she was totally fine. So I guess her behaviour has me a bit more weirded out. She seemed okay this morning.
Its gonna be a long day. I just got yelled at by Jim, and he isn't even here. He called from San Francisco wondering where his package was for this mornings meeting. He had told me before he left on Tuesday that when the creative work was finished it needed to be overnighted and arrive first thing. Well...James took over the project and sent out the work via Fedex. Apparently Jim wanted me to do it all and he was in a panic because it hadn't been delivered yet. So James and I track it. It was already delivered to the hotel....had been there for over 10 mins and the front desk had called Jim. He was out getting his breakfast. What a dork. At least I have a bone show to look forward to tonight. Of course since they don't go on till midnight tomorrow will be a long day as well. But it will be sooooooo worth it. On the "celebirity" sighting news...I saw the General Lee yesterday. In fact two of them. They are filming some chase scenes around my work today, and the cars are a few blocks away. I wonder if they will still be filming in the rain?

A new year has began. While 2004 had some great highs...it also had some great lows. I am looking forward to some great adventures in the coming year. For once I don't have any major plans....just to live life and see where it takes me. The past few days have been nice. I have had the house to myself. I have gotten some things done around the place, my goal tonight is to finally hook up the stereo. I have been in the apartment almost 5 months...its about time. Tomorrow brings in the new roomie. I am a little apprehensive about this. Liz is the only one that has talked to him. She talked to him via phone and they have exchanged emails. So neither of us has met him. However, it would have been impossible to have met with him before hand.....he is coming to NOLA from Denmark. He will be attending a semester of law school here. Okay so not impossible, just unreasonable. He arrives at midnight tomorrow. At least his plane does. So I get to sit up and wait for him to arrive. Liz doesn't come back to town until Monday night. It shall be interesting. Liz and I joke about her having good judgement, after all she picked me for a roommate. However, she also picked Soo, and Soo just couldn't handle it. To be fair, Soo is a nice person, I just think she should have given us more notice.....she just left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.