Cali

I got back from Cali this past Tuesday. It was a fun, fun time. Just what the doctor ordered. Except for the getting the nasty cold part. That was/is no fun. Anyway, so I flew into San Fran on Wed morning. We got to Sac around noonish. Vanessa was getting off work early, and wasn't quite home yet. So I turned on the TV to watch "Days of Our Lives" (which I have totally been sucked back into this past month) It wasn't quite on yet, the noon news was just about to finish up. And guess who they interviewed not 2 minutes after I turned the TV on? Mr. Matt Perrine of Bonerama. And guess what else? Almost all the guys were there, and they played a little "Crosstown Traffic" I was quite amused by the fact that they were there. Vanessa showed up soon after Sami's wedding was delayed (again) and we went out for food and coffee. The Bonerama gig that night at the Radisson Grove was a ton of fun. It was very nice to get to see the guys finally. Also to get to see Phil and Donna. And to meet Lisa, her husband and children. The guys played a few more standards than I was used to hearing them play, but I loved it. Vanessa loved it as well. The next day Vanessa and I got pedicures and I got to see a bit how much the area has GROWN. I had been back to Sac 2 years ago for our 10 year reunion, but it just seems to keep growing and growing! We had a mellow evening which was much needed. Friday I hung out at the apartment till it was time to hit the road for San Fran again. Vanessa had me drive part way, she really hates bridges. I mean really HATES bridges. I have no problem with them....but you have to remember I haven't been driving that much in the past 2 years, and dealing with the traffic on the bay bridge while trying to get directions is NOT a good idea. We made it to the hotel in one piece, then headed out to the Boom Boom Room with Kristy and Greta. I was glad to finally meet Michelle finally!!! And of course to see Jodi again. One of my sister's old friends from HS even came by. As Mark said during the first set of the gig "we aren't fuckin around" It was killin. Really. Although I missed part of the 2nd set...we had to take Vanessa back to the hotel. Oops. Little bit too much. Saturday I had breakfast with my sister's friend, I guess my friend too. Then Kristy and I began the trek to San Diego. It took a tad longer than it needed too...but we had fun. And some good entertainment as the evening wore on. The show in San Diego was beautiful. I know the guys sounded good..but damn, it was beautiful. I got to see Sarah and finally meet Jason!! We had a great time and had to say goodbye after awhile, to make the trip back. Kristy, the more obviously crazy one of us, had to work the next day. We made it back to her home with an hour before she had to be to work. CRAZEE. I love the little town she lives in. It was very cute and surrounded by vineyards. A wino's heaven. I even got to see her cute classroom!! I felt all special.

It was really a good time, and there were times when I did forget about reality. But now, we are back. But the reality is improving. I am going back to NOLA on the 13th with my sister and Dia. To salvage. See if my house is livable. Hopefully in the next few recent months...I will be home for good. And that will be nice.

Why Mark Mullins will one day rule the world.

• Ribs w/bbq sauce, white shirt, no mess
• The watch/compass
• He too, will one day know all the words to "My Hump", "Hollerback Girl" and "Juicy"
• For being cool about you know what.
• Jay Leno loves him (or at least the band.) ;)
• The Line, there isn't ONE.
• for being the BEST big brother I never wanted
• Is this enough ass kissing to make the "list" go away? :)

More to come on my trip to Cali to see my friends. I am sicker than a dog right now. Hopefully no one else gets it...but Kristy said she wasn't feeling good today. :(

Monday.

I shouldn't care about Monday's right now should I? No. 3 weeks without work, without being at home. Its kinda starting to take its toll. I have not been by myself in 3 weeks. For someone who is fiercely independent that is very very hard. I do hang out in the bedroom, but to be social all the time is hard. I don't know its hard to explain. I would love to be able to just be with myself (not that way you sickos) ;) for a few hours.

I have been down the past fews days, living out of a suitcase, or in my case duffel bag is hard. I don't know how some people do it. Don't get me wrong...I am very very appreciative for the place to stay. Dia and Randy have been fantastic. It just gets. I don't know.

I am ready for some fun. To try to forget for a few hours. That's not asking much is it? Cuz I haven't gotten to do that.

Too Cute

I got a call tonight from my aunt. In the back ground I could hear my cousin, the baby of the family "I want to talk to her!" My aunt eventually gave her the phone (she is 5) and the first thing she said to me was "Are you okay??" It brought tears to my eyes. I haven't seen her since she was maybe 2. I talked to both her and her older sister, and when I was talking to the older one, she said her sister wanted to talk to me again. "I can't remember what you look like!" I think that means I need to get my butt back up to Montana to visit. Both girls have said that they will give up their rooms for me. That's a HUGE honor you know! I ended up emailing them some pictures of Liza and myself and the youngest responded to the email (via my aunt) "my cousin is pretty" I love that kid. They also both think that Harry Connick Jr. is my boyfriend. We are letting them think that.

If you happened to miss it...Bonerama had a segment on CNN yesterday. They were taped during their Baltimore gig on Wed. night. Craig called me last night at about 5:20 cst and said that it had been moved up and was airing at 6:55 est. and would I mind posting about it. I did better. I tried to call everyone from connick.com in my phone. It was a nice spot. I was proud of them. It has been running on CNN headline news all evening now. Usually in the last 5 minutes of the hour. Its a slightly different version than the one last night. The clip should hopefully make it up on to the Bone website in the next few days.

Time for some fun.

I am going to Cali in less then a week. Gonna hang with Vanessa, my best friend since oh....7th grade. I will hopefully see my friend Mar and her hubby as well. I will also see Ms. Kaney. and these guys I happen to know....they are in this band. I think I have mentioned them a time or two before....Bonerama. They are awesome beyond awesome. At least I think so and I don't care what anyone else thinks. They will be on CNN tomorrow night (hopefully) around 10 pm EST on the Aaron Brown (?) segment. Rock on. I will see them in Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego. Nothing like hearing some funky music that reminds me of home, and then hopefully after coming back to TX, going home. I will be counting the days till the first Maple Leaf and Tipitina's gigs! It will be a lot sooner that I had originally thought!!

St. Rita's Debacle

I am so mad about this I could spit nails. There is NO excuse for why the owners left 34 elderly people there to die. None whatsoever. I watched Headline News tonight, and was just getting angrier and angrier. (Not liking Nancy Grace may have had something to do with it as well) If the owners refused help, via the buses or by not calling their ambulance service.....why the HELL didn't one of the nurses, nurses aides or any of the other employees freakin pick up the phone and do it themselves???? Okay, I can understand that some of them, maybe even all of them, were afraid to lose their jobs, benefits, and what not. Guess what??? You don't have those jobs now. And in the long run, what is more important? People's lives? Or your job. You can sure as hell bet that I would have taken the risk of being fired. I mean, if they (the owners) had balls enough to fire me after all was said in done...I would have sued their asses and probably would have had my pick of lawyers. As for the gentleman being interviewed by Nancy Grace (if that is what you call what she does) who lost his father. He lived in the area. He said he lived 2 miles from the home. He said so did his sister, and his brother, who was a firefighter. He said his father was in good health. So my guess is they all evacuated....well maybe not the firefighter, but the rest did. WHY IN THE HELL did they not go get their father???? Why did they leave it up to the home?? They got themselves to safety..but not their father?? I would have made sure that the home was empty before my ass got out of town, had it been my parents. I don't understand the mentality of some people. There are more people to blame than just the owners. Those 34 people didn't deserve to die. Not that way. Not when more people could have done something to save them.

A Bit of Home

This morning when I stepped outside...it was a bit like home...it was humid, and just getting ready to rain. I soooo felt at home at that moment. It was a nice feeling. I know I am strange to like the humidity, but I thrive in it!! Or at least I like to think I do. I did receive a link to a map, that said that at one point there was 4.6 ft of water on my street. Not enough to get to my upstairs apartment...hopefully enough to keep away looters, but enough to ruin the items in the basement. I can live with that...as long as there was no looting. Word is we MAY get to get back to our houses to access damage around the first week in Oct. I am kicking myself right now, because I haven't gotten a LA driver's license. Since I didn't have a car and rarely drove, it hadn't been a huge priority. But now, I may need one to get back into my house. Dia asked me today how I was doing...and really all I could tell her was I was still numb.

Reality

Yesterday I filed for unemployment. As of right now my employers have no use for me. Today I finally filed with FEMA. Not that I am expecting anything from them. But it really set in reality that I have no home. I know Dia and Randy want me to feel at home. And I am getting there, but its not MY home. The home I had created in the last year. Home is more than just where you lay your head at. Its your place of comfort, its in your heart. I am hoping that one day I can live there again. The uncertainty of whether or not its still livable is awful. At this point I don't care about personal items. Yes it would be nice to have back my year books, my diplomas, my HS pictures, my pictures that I have taken my whole life. I may still have those I may not. But what I really want is my home. I was and still am very proud of my home. To take the risk, move across the country, without a job or a place to live and to do it well. Well its something I am proud of. I love the city of New Orleans. She is part of me and I am a part of her. One day we will be reunited.

Once again I have the most amazing friends. Thanks to Rome, I have some clothes. To have to wear the same things over and over again isn't any fun. What doesn't fit me, its going to the shelters here. And its alot that is going. Jackie, Andrea, Erica, Tarai and Donna sent a wonderful package for all of us here at the house. It touched us very much. And we will all enjoy that to the fullest.

Family and Friends....that's what is the most important to me right now. It should be for everyone.

From Chris Rose(he rocks)

From the Times Picayune.
Dear America,I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana. We have arrived on your doorstep on short notice and we apologize for that, but we never were much for waiting around for invitations. We're not much on formalities like that.And we might be staying around your town for a while, enrolling in your schools and looking for jobs, so we wanted to tell you a few things about us. We know you didn't ask for this and neither did we, so we're just going to have to make the best of it. First of all, we thank you. For your money, your water, your food, your prayers, your boats and buses and the men and women of your National Guards, fire departments, hospitals and everyone else who has come to our rescue. We're a fiercely proud and independent people, and we don't cotton much to outside interference, but we're not ashamed to accept help when we need it. And right now, we need it. Just don't get carried away. For instance, once we get around to fishing again, don't try to tell us what kind of lures work best in your waters. We're not going to listen. We're stubborn that way. You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard. We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we're suspicious of others who don't. But we'll try not to judge you while we're in your town. Everybody loves their home, we know that. But we love South Louisiana with a ferocity that borders on the pathological. Sometimes we bury our dead in LSU sweatshirts. Often we don't make sense. You may wonder why, for instance - if we could only carry one small bag of belongings with us on our journey to your state - why in God's name did we bring a pair of shrimp boots? We can't really explain that. It is what it is. You've probably heard that many of us stayed behind. As bad as it is, many of us cannot fathom a life outside of our border, out in that place we call Elsewhere. The only way you could understand that is if you have been there, and so many of you have. So you realize that when you strip away all the craziness and bars and parades and music and architecture and all that hooey, really, the best thing about where we come from is us. We are what made this place a national treasure. We're good people. And don't be afraid to ask us how to pronounce our names. It happens all the time. When you meet us now and you look into our eyes, you will see the saddest story ever told. Our hearts are broken into a thousand pieces. But don't pity us. We're gonna make it. We're resilient. After all, we've been rooting for the Saints for 35 years. That's got to count for something. OK, maybe something else you should know is that we make jokes at inappropriate times. But what the hell. And one more thing: In our part of the country, we're used to having visitors. It's our way of life. So when all this is over and we move back home, we will repay to you the hospitality and generosity of spirit you offer to us in this season of our despair. That is our promise. That is our faith. Chris Rose for The Times-Picayune Chris Rose can be reached at noroses@bellsouth.net

Wonderful Friends

I haven't felt much like blogging lately..I mean what can you say but the same ole things? But today has been a good day. Finally.

I may get to see the boy soon. A wonderful friend has offered me some of his frequent flier miles, in order for me to go and see him. That makes me happy.

The email I just got from my theater friends in Seattle, in which they held a bake sale for me at one of their work places. She included pics....and they are so so sweet. I mean really, the food looked AWESOME. Maybe I will post them...maybe I won't.

And I get to go to Target soon. Yes that excites me. ;)

Good News day!

Roger and Elyse are safe and in NJ!!!! I got an email from her today. I had been so worried! She said that Roger's brother left the city this past Saturday and that at that point their house was fine!! They live fairly close to me.

Yesterday we went for some normalcy. Or at least tried. Dia and Randy had a party, one that had been planned before the storm hit. It was a very nice distraction for all. Lots of food and drink was consumed. I even got some much needed sleep. Slept from 1 AM until 11:30!! Today everyone feels as though they had been hit by a train.

My mom found a link for unemployment for people in the disaster area....so I am hoping to sign up for that. I couldn't find my way around on the site earlier today, gonna try again in a few.

One of the levee's is fixed. Its a step closer to me getting home!!

Verizon Wireless ROCKS

I got text message earlier saying that there had been a non-refundable credit added to my phone. I thought maybe my mom had done it. I got online to check and see how much time was left (I do the pay as you go deal so I don't go crazy on the cell) and my balance was $999.40. I called Verizon to see who did that so I could say thank you...and it was them. They are giving everyone in the affected areas $1000 credits on their phones. I am so beyond grateful.

Pray

Or whatever it is you do...good mojo..send thoughts...voodoo rituals....I took the pic on the left from Lisa's website. Its so hard to believe that that was 2 weeks ago....today. It was at my birthday celebration at Donna's. My friend Elyse made me that crown. She took the pic of Lisa and I. Elyse and her husband Roger are missing right now. I am so sad. I met Roger and Elyse because of Bonerama. They are fans as well, and I would see them at all the shows.....we got to know each other that way. If you have ever gone to Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Fest or pretty much anywhere there was music and you saw the people dancing up a storm like they just don't care...and are actually GOOD at it? Chances are it was Elyse and Roger....I hope they are found soon. They lived close to me as well, in fact a block from the Maple Leaf..and from what I have heard that area is fairly dry, but damn those looters for making it not safe.

Awake still

I don't always want to take tylenol PM to sleep. I hate that I have been crying everyday at least once. I never thought something like this could happen to me. And its not just me. Its millions of people. I am one of the VERY LUCKY ones. I know this. Maybe that's why I feel so terrible. Seeing these people that are helpless. They had no options. They don't deserve to die. Dia and I are talking about going down to Reunion Center to help out in anyway, serving food, donating...whatever. I think that may help. Or it will make me feel worse. I won't know till I try. Today at Wal-Mart, my fellow refugees and I were called survivors. It was very surreal. I am now gonna go find my kitty and get her to snuggle with me and hopefully fall asleep.

TGIF?

When Dia and Randy said last night that today was Friday, I couldn't believe it. Its almost been a week since this all happened. It still kinda seems like it was yesterday, sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. Today will be much easier than the past two. Since last night a couple more NOLA refugees came to Dia and Randy's to stay for a bit. Its nice having others around the house. *I can't believe its after 1. I didn't wake up till just after 11, thanks to some Tylenol PM* I am going to have to make a decision soon as to what I am going to do for the next few months. I am going to make it at the beginning of the week...I need to start doing something, so I don't go too stir crazy.

If you didn't see it already, Harry was on the Today show again this morning...I just watched the video link. Its a bit heartbreaking. Hopefully others will now see why I love this guy so much. Not only is he a talented musician...but well, he is a very giving guy. Not only to us fans, but he wants to do so much for the city right now and the people stuck there....he is amazing..and like Matt Lauer said...if he can't sing tonight at the concert (his voice is shot right now) then just him getting up to tell his story would be powerful. Plus he does do more than sing....he did really start as a piano player. And is an amazing one!!

From the guys

Harry Connick Jr's official statement (he is also being a special correspondant for NBC today/tonight and taking part of a benefit tomorrow:

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 in my power to make that happen and to help in any way I can to ease the suffering of my city, my people!

Mark posted over on Bonerama's board. Craig sent me an email last night (I still haven't heard from Roger and Elyse) saying his house was under 20 feet of water. Leroy and Katja lost both their houses, the one they have spent the past 2 years renovating, and the one they are living in till it was finished. These guys have grown up in New Orleans, this was their entire lives. Their income, was playing gigs around town. That is gone. Wives and girlfriends have lost jobs as well because of this. Most of the guys in the big bands have kids. If there are some of you out there reading, who aren't part of the "freaks" as we are lovingly called at connick.com please please please consider donating to this fund. It will go to these guys directly. If you don't feel comfy doing that...Wil Wheaton is hosting an online poker tourny. Have some fun..help some people. Thank you.