50 Book Challenge

#52 Undomestic Goddess-Sophia Kinsell

Judging

We had an interesting conversation this morning here at work. We have a few people who have been here for a few months...doing lets say some freelance. One of these people decided to start making comments about Nagin. I know a lot of people don't like him. This person decided to harp on Nagin's latest foot in mouth comment. Ya'll know the one. About the "hole in the ground" It was suprising that this person hadn't heard what the mayor of NYC said about NOLA first. Pretty much about why we can't get shit done. Our mayor doesn't have a filter. He speaks first, deals with later. Which I know EVERY single person has done more than once in their life. I was cheering last night when Wynton Marsalis said, "people need to stop armchair quarterbacking, need to stop critizing (including himself) need to stop judging" He then introduced the mayor.

It amazes me when I said to this person its not fair to judge him so harshly, "what would you have done in this whole situation" Walk a mile in someone else's shoes for once and see what it would be like. Their response was..."that is stupid. " Seriously. Very intelligent. That is because they don't know what they would do in this kind of situation and it is a whole of a hell lot easier to sit back and think "I wouldn't have said that, I wouldn't have done that, I would have done it this way, and it would have been better" I am sorry no one is that perfect. Far from it.

There are people all over this country jumping all over his case. Maybe they need to take a look on what their OWN mayor's are doing and are saying. I am willing to bet MILLIONS that they don't know half of what is happening in their own backyard.

Judging. It must make people feel better....kharma is a bitch and it will bite you in the ass.

I am not defending the mayor's statement. I am defending a human being who makes mistakes.

What it Means

A year ago today I was in tears, scared, and not sure what was going to happen. I know I sure as hell wasn't the only one. I didn't think that I was going to get to come home ever again. I know for a fact that I wasn't thinking that a year later I would be 2nd lining down Poydras street.

Yesterday started off on a rather odd foot. I headed to work as normal, when I was a block away, I could see alot of the people standing outside. As I got closer one of the guys in the shop said, "the power is out" It had been out since about 6:30 or so. There was apparentley a fire in one of the underground lines, it blow a man cover off, smoke was billowing. The power was out from our building all the way down to the river. So we were told. We hung out for awhile, then around 9 when it was made clear that the power wouldn't be on anytime soon, we were all sent home. As it turned out? It came back on about 9:30 AM. An unscheduled day off.

I headed home and chilled for a bit, then I went out to enjoy the city like Lisa suggested. I went down to the Quarter and ate a bit of lunch at Napoleon House. I then headed back down to the CBD area. I had been told by Sheik that is where the Treme Brass Band was meeting for the 2nd line. The 2nd line was to go from the Convention Center down to the Superdome. When I got there, I saw a ton of people that I hadn't seen in awhile including Uncle Lionel, Rob Espino, Bruce, Craig to mention a few. There were a small contigent of Arabi Wrecking Krewe'rs there as well....Brian got to play with the Treme. The parade was to start at 2, it was more like 3 or 3:30. Before we got started, the band would play a few songs and it was amusing to watch the reporters, photographers, and camera men flock to them like they were gods. I can not explain the feeling that overcame me when the band started playing "I'll Fly Away" as we danced down Poydras Street. I had chills. Not only was the band playing and several members singing, but the crowd following them was singing at the top of their (our lungs) There were people lining the streets cheering and dancing. I almost lost my group at one point. I got sidetracked by a certain anchor of CNN. Anderson Cooper. He was just hanging out behind the barricaded street, watching the parade with his dog. I snapped a few pics and shook his hand. By the time we reached the Super Dome we were all soaked in sweat. Not only was my ankle swollen, but the entire foot. It was worth it however. I don't know how the guys in the band did it. They didn't stop playing, and the water that I did have left only got as far as Craig and Rob at the end.

A few of us decided to head out to find a bar. Only requirements? AC, beer, water and food. We ended up at Mother's. Pretty much back at the beginning of where the parade had started. We had just gotten our food when General Honore walked in!! We then headed up to the Circle Bar. At this point I should mention we were still walking....we hung out there for a bit, then it was time to walk BACK to the NO Arena where we met up with Grace and Kristen. We took in the concert that Wynton Marsalis had organized featuring the following people (I know I am not going to remember everyone) George Porter Jr, Leo Nocentelli, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Raymond Weber, John Boutte (that was just the first band!!) Dr. John (in a fantastic red suit and he even got up from the piano and danced his heart out) then out came the gospel groups Mary, Mary. Kim Burrell, Kirk Franklin. Wyton Marsalis played. Dr. Michael White was with that group. The to round out the evening Stevie Wonder. Stevie had Wyton, Kim and Kirk all out at one point or another.

By the time I made it home, it was after midnight. I was sore, hobbling and for the most part enjoying every minute of it. I do have pictures from the days events. However I was too tired last night to put them up. I just crashed. I will get those up sometime today.

Really, was a difference a year can make. Not in overall improvements in the city, but considering a year ago where I was emotionally? It is a huge improvement.

How Cute is this??


Paul Sanchez of Cowboy Mouth and Craig Klein of Bonerama. Taken when we worked Paul and his wife Shelly's house. This was at the beginning of August. Two of my favorite guys musically. Sheik just sent me the pictures from that day. He finally got to work on his own house today for the first time. He has been busy helping others.

Is this bad?

Having a friend text message you to tell you that the singer for a band you enjoy is on the radio, giving an interview and singing in studio. Then calling the friend and listening through the phone to the interview and the 2 songs. Oh and the friend is sitting in their car...in their driveway. Cuz they are that awesome and wanted to make sure I heard it.

Is this bad?

Having a friend text message you to tell you that the singer for a band you enjoy is on the radio, giving an interview and singing in studio. Then calling the friend and listening through the phone to the interview and the 2 songs. Oh and the friend is sitting in their car...in their driveway. Cuz they are that awesome and wanted to make sure I heard it.

That Bites

I had a whole big post done all up....and it didn't post. So to recap

• Sprained my ankle on Saturday while wrecking Leroy Jones mom's house. Today it is a pretty bruised color and slightly swollen.
• Even with said sprained ankle...I did the Krewe of Oak parade....had a lot of fun and topped the night off with some Grayson Capps at d.b.a.
• Yesterday new roomie moved in!!
• Got to meet some fellow NOLA bloggers. There was a special wreck yesterday...I had to run out there yesterday to drop some items off....hope to see ya'll back at a wreck one day! I hope this one wasn't too overwhelming
• Sorry Florida...but Ernesto is coming your way and now I can breath again.

50 Book Challenge

#50 Can You Keep a Secret & #51 Shopaholic & Sister both by Sophie Kinsella. Fast reads.

Need to Share

This is a small reason I help out with the Arabi Wrecking Krewe. To know you are actually helping someone, giving them the hope back. When Paul told me that tonight....it really I can't explain how it made me feel. Please go to his myspace page/blog and read about what he has to say about AWK. I am going to go and get some rest for a full day of wrecking ahead of me. I am still all hot and sweaty from the Cowboy Mouth concert....they are a good way to release all those frustrations....they help me, like I guess I helped Paul and Shelly.

Oh...the weather outside is frightful...

We should know by this weekend for sure if this is going to be coming our way. It could dissapte. or however you spell it. I may be slightly panicking right now. I leave on Thursday Morning to visit my family in AZ. My cat will be here in NOLA. I know my roomies will take her if this bastard comes this way. She is my baby....I know I will be stressed about her and what could happen the whole time. I have my fingers crossed that it goes away. No one in the Gulf needs to be hit right now. Not so close to the anniversary.




In semi-related news, if you get the chance...please check out this streaming media link.

Go to: http://wunc.org/thestory *Find the red LISTEN NOW category and select the program you want to use to listen.

you will hear the interview that Don Vappe and Sheik (of Arabi Wrecking Krewe) did on NC Public Radio two days ago.
This show will be aired on NPR later on but today is going out to North Carolina and on world wide Internet Streaming.

I will be unable to listen...as streaming media is blocked at work. Go figure.

One Year Later

We are fast approaching "that" day. In all that has happened in this past year, it still feels like yesterday. Maybe it is because for about six months I was in a complete fog. Let me take you back to almost a year ago. The Friday before it happened.

I had just celebrated my birthday. My friends from PA had just left town the night before. The place I worked before, well they closed the office on that Friday. We were all going fishing. Seriously. Most everyone went up the night before. We stayed in a cabin, drank wine, ate tons of food and just mellowed out. Before the sun even rose, we were out at the landing dock. (excuse the lack of knowledge when it comes to fishing terms) It was storming around us. Thunder and lighting....pouring down rain. We waited a good hour for it to stop, then we broke off into smaller groups and boarded our boats. It was pretty cool to watch the sun rise from the bayou. We out-ran rain storms on the boat. In and out of different channels. We went and saw the ship that had gotten tossed on its side by Ivan the year before, just a rusted out shell. We went to a fishing cabin, our captian knew the owners. We hung out there for awhile trying to see the alligators. I actually caught some fish. I think it was 2. Could have been 3. Maybe it was 1. After spending a good chunk of our day out on the water we headed back....there we got our fish, all cleaned up and ready for us to cook. We then headed out to the picnic area where we had a food fest of jambalya, shrimps, crawfish, whatever we could stuff ourselves with. At one point one of the captians came over and said "Katrina bounced off Florida, she could head this way" Seriously, when he said that? there was no reaction from anyone. Because up to that point? no one had heard of this storm. Or rather, not much about it. At that time there wasn't much to say. I made it home exhausted around 7 in the evening. I promtly fell asleep.

The next morning I was chilling on the couch watching some movie....when a roommate came home, "Are you going to leave?" she asks me. "For what??" "the hurricane that is coming" um no. I am not evacuating for a hurricane. It won't be that bad. They always say its going to be a bad one and it isn't. It probably won't even come this way. I decided to stay. Even after watching the coverage (which locally started around 1 or 2 on Saturday), talking to several people. At that time I didn't have a car, so after both roomies left? I was on my own. I wasn't worried. I had some supplies, I cooked up a bunch of food that I could eat later cold. I made ice. I filled the tubs. I was good to go. I was even calling my friends to see if they were still playing at Donna's that night. To my suprise they were on their way out of town. I was even wondering if the Krewe of Oak, Midsummer party was happening down the street at the Maple Leaf. I decided to stay home and have my own hurricane party. I didn't sleep much that night. Early the next morning? I started to worry. It was a Cat 5 now. It really is the big one. It really is coming this way. I am stuck here. I figure I can go to the superdome if it gets really bad. Then I realize I can't take my cat. My cat will go with me no matter what. So its either I stay put...or find a way out of town. If I didn't have my cat? I would have stayed. I watched the last of my neighbors leave. It was so quiet. That feeling of oh crap....I think I did something stupid by staying, that feeling just rushed over me at that point. As luck had it? A co-worker and her hubby were still in town. and they were gettin out. They came and got me. I didnt take much. Like most everyone else. I took my computer, a small duffel bag, my cat, her food and a small pan for her to use. That was it. About 4 hours into the trip, we were sitting on the Bonne Carre Spillway. In the countraflow. A dead stop. All four lanes. (for those of you that don't know, the spillway is maybe a half hour away...it took us 4 hours to get there) A feeder band came through. You could see it coming....the rain was just coming...the wind started rocking all the cars....the road was moving and shaking. I just kept thinking if this collapses? How far is it to swim with the kitty carrier above my head. The feeder band passed in about 5 minutes. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. You could see the fear in everyone around us. 12 hours after leaving New Orleans, we reached our destination. It was Jennings, LA. About 6 hours later, the full force of Katrina hit. We were all watching. we couldn't believe what we were seeing. When it was over? It didn't seem that bad. It really didn't. We figured by wed.....we would be on our way home. I was sleeping on the couch....well sleeping is a figurative term...I kept the TV on. I realized very early how bad the levee breaks were getting to be. Tuesday morning when my co-worker got up...she found me crying. "We aren't going to go home for a long long time" Later that day we headed to Austin. From there I went to Hickory Creek, TX. Where I spent the next 8 weeks with my dear dear friends. It was nice to have a few fellow evacuees staying there....we could commiserate together. I can vividly remember my first trip back in mid-Oct. when all that came out of my mouth as we got off the freeway by my house was "oh shit, oh shit, oh shit" nothing looked the same. It was almost like a dejavu feeling. I knew I had been there before, but...well it didn't look quite the same. Memories, emotions and life have all blurred together in the last year. There have been some amazing highs and some very very low lows. I was right though, even though I am back in New Orleans, its going to be a long time before it will really feel like home again. This city still needs help. All of the gulf coast does. I can do what I can do, with Arabi Wrecking Krewe. I can continue to support the restaurants, the merchants, the musicians. I am will help make this city live again.

What I experienced? It is nothing....absoultely nothing compared to those that did stay. That had no way out. They had no choice. It didn't have to be this way.

Spreadin the Love

Arabi Wrecking Krewe has gone international!! Please if you get a moment check out what our friends in Germany have done. It does help if you know German...but if you don't? You can pretend like I did. It is so very nice to know that there are people out there that haven't forgotten what has happened down here in the Gulf. 6 days from the 1st anniversary. We have been working our butts off, one day it will seem like we have made progress.

Recovery

So Monday was my birthday right? I was taken to a very yummy lunch by a couple of co-workers. After work, my roomie and I went to Louisiana Music Factory. She told me to pick out a CD. That was a challenge...just one?? I could buy that whole store up! I walked away with Rob Espino's new cd. We then went down to Frenchmen's and had a very yummy dinner at 13. Check it out....it is pretty damn good and they have a lot of veggie options! We then met up with some friends at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream and a very hysterical conversation. Who should walk in the door as we were sitting there? Mr. Greg Hicks, who will sit in with Bonerama from time to time. He will be representin' on the new cd. Later in the evening I took in the tunes of Papa Grows Funk. It was a pretty sweet set. I got to hang with some of the regulars at the Maple Leaf, that I have gotten to know from selling the merch for the Bones and PBS. I even got to dance with a Mardi Gras Indian!! He was ALOT older than me and made it clear that he wanted to date me. Thanks but no thanks. Really. It was all in all a fantastic day. I tried to sleep in yesterday, however a certain friend called at 8:30 AM to wish me a happy birthday a day late. I think it was pay back. All in good fun.

Its My Birthday!

That is all. :) Okay I am sure I may have more to say later...in fact I know I do....but I have some work to do.....I know...work on a birthday should be banned. ;)

50 Book Challenge

#49 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I still refuse to believe certain people died. ;)

A Few Pics from Friday
although not taken by me...not sure who did.


It was damn hot at the Leaf...the drinks were steaming as much as the music. Seriously....steam coming up off the cups. The New Music?? HOLY SHIT!! I think I died and went to bone heaven.
Freaky T looks nice with his shades on.
The Leaf was PACKED as in people couldn't move that much....Craig playing something a little different....

Happy Weekend Ya'll!!

Wheee it is Friday! I love this day. It is a good day. After all the work drama? I am ready for the weekend. Tonight one of my fellow AWK'ers will get his first dose of Bonerama. I think he will survive. Hopefully he will understand the whole "dig the bone" thing now. Tomorrow I may or may not wreck. It depends on how late this night goes. After that? Who knows what the weekend will bring. I am just going to go with the flow. There are a few movies I want to see, so I may take in one. I am going to just enjoy this city to its fullest this weekend. As we come up to the anniversary of the thing, I want to take it in more and more and remember what it was like a year ago, to what it is now. To see how much has changed....some say for the better some say for the worse. If ya'll get the chance to see the documentary "Song for New Orleans" check it out. It premiered last night on TV here and its going to air a few more times, leading up the anniversary. I even spotted a few people I knew in it! It is worth a look.....it really hit what this was about for me.

2 Weeks in a Row

I have called who was in and who was out again last night. Me. A person with no real fashion sense. I text'd Carrie during the final commercial break and said, Michael will win and Alison will go. Now, I was a bit disappointed to be right about Alison leaving. I think she has done some great stuff....however? Vincent has that drama quality that they are looking for. I think Lauren and Vincent will get into it a bit more. Speaking of...Lauren? I don't like her. I liked her clothes when the show first started....but now? After seeing a bit more of her stuff, how she hasn't really taken any risks and just does what she feels safe with? Yeah....don't like it. Same ole same ole gets boring after awhile. Not to mention how catty she can be and she sits there and smiles as she is saying it? I thought her almost non exsistancant boob was going to pop out last night. That would have been pretty funny.

50 Book Challenge

#48 Girls Night Out-Various Authors

Short Stories by a bunch of chick lit writers. Some of the stories were great...some not so much. :)

Did you know?


Apparently the world is going to end on August 22nd. My roomie told me this last night. I don't remember where she heard it....but just thought I would throw that out there for you. I guess I better make my birthday a REALLY REALLY good one. Maybe she just meant that for me, on the 22nd that my world would feel like it was ending? I should probably clarify that. Hopefully this isn't a true statement (not that I am putting any money on it) however I don't think the people in the Gulf Coast need to be put through even more hell do you?

I am a tad bummed, I won't be able to see the movie tonight, by Spike Lee. It is sold out. I had enough notice to get tickets, but ya'll know how I do with getting tickets. I wait till the last minute. I am pretty sure it will pop up on DVD soon after the HBO premier, so I will have to keep my eyes open for that. I started to read the review for the movie from the TP and had to stop. Of course it was a white reviewer....and don't almost all complain about Spike Lee's focus? Yes I realize the thing impacted everyone in New Orleans, however who was the most impacted? Really? I don't see any well known white directors heading down here to show the whites story. The majority of this city was not white. When something of this magnitude happens....and I am not just talking about the thing itself but the aftermath....well people need to take a good look at themselves, their country and see what they can do to change it instead of just sitting there.

Did you know?


Apparently the world is going to end on August 22nd. My roomie told me this last night. I don't remember where she heard it....but just thought I would throw that out there for you. I guess I better make my birthday a REALLY REALLY good one. Maybe she just meant that for me, on the 22nd that my world would feel like it was ending? I should probably clarify that. Hopefully this isn't a true statement (not that I am putting any money on it) however I don't think the people in the Gulf Coast need to be put through even more hell do you?

I am a tad bummed, I won't be able to see the movie tonight, by Spike Lee. It is sold out. I had enough notice to get tickets, but ya'll know how I do with getting tickets. I wait till the last minute. I am pretty sure it will pop up on DVD soon after the HBO premier, so I will have to keep my eyes open for that. I started to read the review for the movie from the TP and had to stop. Of course it was a white reviewer....and don't almost all complain about Spike Lee's focus? Yes I realize the thing impacted everyone in New Orleans, however who was the most impacted? Really? I don't see any well known white directors heading down here to show the whites story. The majority of this city was not white. When something of this magnitude happens....and I am not just talking about the thing itself but the aftermath....well people need to take a good look at themselves, their country and see what they can do to change it instead of just sitting there.

Come on Now

Like I am really going to point out which one is the hideous pic. I don't think so. :) More good things are going to happen for AWK....keep your eyes and ears open!!

Almost but not Quite a Freakout

Today would have continued nicely if it wasn't for the ONE check from a certain vendor who just does things all ass wonky backwards. Of course the one person who decifer this madness? Yeah they are out until Wed. Which means I was left to try to figure the madness out. I spent almost all day trying to figure it out. Bastards. Then? I saw a picture of myself on the AWK website from Saturday and OH MY GOD! It is beyond hideous. Seriously. It is just nasty. I mean really. I think I just threw up a little bit.

Although the good news is Shelly Sanchez contacted me today....Cowboy Mouth goes on the road tomorrow night for some gigs in Florida, she wants to take some fliers or anything else we have to promote, show, raise awareness for AWK!! Of course? We don't have any fliers. So I am in a mad dash to try to create one before they leave. I am off in a few to brainstorm and create something.....how cool are the Sanchez's??? Beyond cool.

So Far So Good

Yes I realize that Monday has just started. However I think this is going to be a fairly nice one. The reasons I believe this to be so?

• My birthday is in one week. One week from today.
• I got my birthday present from my sister, bro-in law, and parents early. I am flying to AZ on August 31st. While there we are going a football game. As well as seeing Cowboy Mouth.
• Bonerama has a gig this coming Friday at the Maple Leaf. Grace and I will celebrate our birthdays with good music. (Happy Birthday today Grace!!)
• Tonight I am going to hang at Donna's and hear Leroy play.
• The Better Than Ezra show on Saturday kicked some serious ass. Even the beer being spilled into my hair wasn't that bad.
• Wed is the premier of the Spike Lee documentry...they are now going to show all 4 hours. I need to make sure to get my ticket.
• We managed to finish a house on Saturday. By finish I mean its ready to have the studs pressure washed and cleaned of all the mold. All the nails are removed, debris removed, walls knocked down. It was a good feeling. Also Paul and Shelly Sanchez dropped off a few boxes of Southern Comfort t-shirts so we don't have to mess up our own clothes. :) :)
• Cold Stone Creamery finally opened up. It was suppose to open before the storm. It now has. Its so very yummy.
• I actually got a lot of rest this weekend. I don't know how, but I did!! I feel like I can actually take on this week head on.

Finally Official

The Boys finally made it official so I can go ahead and say it here....Bonerama is recording a new live cd Sept. 7th & 8th!!! I CAN'T WAIT. Its gonna be so killin. I can't wait to hear more of the new songs....have heard some recently.....the crowd is gonna be awesome. Good times.


Again with my friend update.....he isn't being released today, fingers crossed for tomorrow however some things were found yesterday that may even delay it even further. :(

Ick

That is how today is turning out. Just ick. Its a fairly slow day here at work so far. I shouldn't complain but I really like the busy days when there isn't really time to think. I am worried about my Boys who are playing in France tomorrow night. I am about 95% sure that they left yesterday.....I am waiting to hear back from one of them. I know they are safe but I need that piece of mind. I may just have to call one of their mothers soon. ;) Also my friend in the hospital? He may get out tomorrow. They have no idea what caused him to get so sick, and that is a little worrisome. It could have been the mold down here. He was in a house for 45 mins....without a mask. Can't wait to see what all of it does to me in the next 5-10 years. However....things will be better soon. Gonna go have a few drinks after work to celebrate a co-workers birthday and then going to see Fred Leblanc do a solo gig at the Ogden Museum. And I keep having to remind myself that its Thursday.

On a totally random and different note....I called everything on Project Runway last night. Seriously. You can ask Kristen. Ya know how they do that poll about half way through rather the "who do you think was right" yeah...46% people agreed with me. LOL I called the winner and the one who was out. Don't want to ruin it for anyone who may have not seen it yet. My two favs though? Michael and Kayne. I want Kayne's dress from last night. It's to die for!

50 Book Challenge

#47 Velocity by Dean Koontz. It was alright.

Rested Up

I finally feel rested today. It had been a crazy weekend. After I got off work on Thursday we headed out to Craig's house. There was a mini-jam session and several of the musicians were from Japan. They donated $10,000 to Arabi Wrecking Krewe! Much needed and much appreciated. They also donated a few insturments as well. We had a yummy dinner that night with Lisa and Fam, even if the service was really really slow. I guess its the norm around here now. Friday morning started early for me. I was out the door and on my way to the Quarter at 6:45 AM. My ride, Boy Wonder, was meeting me at the corner of Decatur and Esplanade. We made it to the Sanchez household and we were working hard by 9:00. Paul and John Boutte stopped by for a bit, to thank us and see if there was anything we needed. We had a great krewe working. By the time that Shelly and Paul came back to the house with lunch, we were just getting started with taking down the sheetrock. I finally experienced the pain of being bit by Fire Ants. I really hope not to experience that again. By the time we left around 5, the house was done. Nails need to come out and pressure washing is next. At this point however, their house is safe from being demolished and the land seized. Once I was home I had about an hour to shower, change and grab something to eat. Then it was out the door and back Frenchmen street where I got to see a lot of people and hear Hot Club of New Orleans, The Japanese band, John Boutte, and New Orleans Nightcrawlers. We made it home around 2:30 AM or so. We were up by 8 and out wrecking at Mike Mayeaux's house by 9:30. We stayed there just the right amount of time (saved 5 baby mice). We headed out to Wal-Mart and then back home to get ready for the BBQ we were having at the house. Once the torrential downpour ended we had a great time! A few hours of sleep and it was back to the Quarter to enjoy Satchmo Fest. It was a great weekend filled with friends, food, music, drink (lots of drink I have a ton of beer left at the house). I will take weekends like that any day.

Point Proven

Take a little gander at this article. Is this a huge suprise to ANYONE? I am pretty ticked off. I really want to go and tell Entergy to kiss my big ole hiney, that I ain't payin the extra $312 they overcharged me. However I don't feel like living without any power and ya know they will turn it off with out any hesitation. Bastards.

50 Book Challenge

#46 Playing with Boys-Alisa Valdes-Rodiguez

So Little Time

I have so much to post about, but right now? I am swamped at work. Which is no surprise. Most of all however? Can everyone think good thoughts for a friend who is in the hospital? We aren't sure what is wrong at this point, lots of tests being run and today starts dialysis. He started to go into kidney failure. Thoughts, mojo, prayers, whatever it is you do. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Kristy!


I hope you have a fantastic day!! We will make sure to have several of these for you tonight! Gotta make sure its the jaeger!! You have to have one or 20 as well!! We all wish you were here!!

TGIF

I have today off. Yet I am up really early. Why you may ask? Cuz I have to leave the house in 1/2 hour to go and wreck. Good thing I don't usually shower before wrecking because really what is the point? I am gonna be a hot and stinky girl in about 3 hours anyway. The showers after a day of wrecking? They are the best showers in the world. Now you may ask, why wrecking today? I thought you were a weekend home wrecker (hehehehehe get it??) Well today is a special house. At least for me. We are wrecking at Paul Sanchez's house of Cowboy Mouth. The people from Japan that just donated $10,000 and some insturments may also be there. Sheik had me set up this house, once we found out they wanted our help. I have been working with Shelly Sanchez for the past two weeks to get a good day. So here we go. Tomorrow its a new house. It never stops.

Little Critter Trauma

Just a bit ago I was upstairs handing out the mail. As I was heading down the stairs I saw a mouse. It ran in behind a door and just sat there in between the wall and the door. We decided to "save" it and put it outside. We did the ole cup and plate trick. It was quite easy to get the little critter, cuz he just sat there. We took him outside and my co-worker placed him on the cement. The mouse continued to just sit there. I said, no move him over to this little grassy spot...so he can be more comfortable and so he did. The mouse started twitching and while twitching he fell into a rain well. There wasn't that much water in it, and we watched him twitch for a moment before one of my co-workers came back and got him out of the rain well. By that time the little guy was gone. He must have gotten into some poison upstairs. We couldn't do anything to help the mouse, and yet none of us could walk away. Poor thing was scared and dying. :( :( That is the second little critter this week.

Bitter Baby

I couldn't sleep very well last night. Why you ask? It could have been the beer flowing through my veins but in reality? It was because of Entergy. Let me explain. I paid the bill in late June when it was due. Come July, around the time it was due again, I realized that I had not received the bill. So I call, and find out that my balance is zero. Cool I think. I request a bill to be sent to me. Last week I received it. It was the same one I paid in June. Then on Monday? I got the bill. I opened it up and knew it was going to be a large amount because they were going to be charging us for 2 months. It was roughly $273. Okay that is about right for two months. Except it WAS FOR ONE MONTH. It was an estimated reading. We are all a little miffed because we are very energy aware at our house. The AC is set for 81. That is warm people. We have been using the same if not less energy in the house the past few months. Heck we were one less person for awhile. Normally we average about $90. So we have what tripled that? I don't think so. This bill is due on 8/22. Then last night? When I got home? There was another bill from Entergy due on 8/23 and this total is over $500. Now its the two months combined. I just can't understand how it can be so high. Again its an estimated reading. I know Entergy has been ripping people off left and right since the storm. How can they be almost bankrupt when they are doing that??? Oh yeah, the money is most likely going in higher ups pockets. Bastards.

It really ruined my good mood from last night.

Theeeeiiiiiiirrr Heeeeerrrrreeee!!!

I had a lovely lunch down at the 'Dog with Lisa, Mike, Connor and Gayle. I am now just chomping at the bit to get out of work to go hang out some more. I think a daquari is calling my name as well. My only issue right now? Is it's so damn hot out that I don't know if I want to sneak out early and walk up to the Quarter (about a 20 min walk to their hotel) or do I wait a half hour and let my manager drive me up there like he offered. If I walk? I am gonna be soaking wet in sweat. With a daquari in hand of course. The decisions I am forced to make.

So Excited….and I just can’t hide it….

I woke up thinking it was Thursday. To my dismay, I realized I still had to get through today. A Wednesday, however, this Wednesday is a payday. Do the happy dance with me ya’ll. Not only that but the crazies get here today!! I can’t wait. It will be a load of fun. I can’t wait to have a Pimm’s Cup and if they go without me? I will kick some serious ass. Most likely just the Chip Licker’s cuz that will be fun. I may just do it for the fun of it.

At some point in the next 4 days I need to go shopping for the BBQ. When? I have noooo freaking idea!! But it will happen.

I am also still eyeballing TS Chris. It is getting more organized, and is suppose to be a hurricane by tonight or early tomorrow morning. I have looked at two different tracking maps of this storm, and it could just go about anywhere. I was talking to a co-worker and she said that it almost starting to look like a Katrina. Of course we are all a bit punchy right now. Who could blame us?? Last year at this time? No one really paid attention to Tropical Storms as they moved into the Gulf…..what a difference a year makes.

Lisa is Banned from Nola. ;)

Seriously. Last year when they were here? Katrina was brewing out there...they left NOLA the Thursday before she hit here. Now? Lisa and Fam will be here tomorrow and LOOK at what is brewing out there! It could come this way. Shit.

Do You Know What Today Is???

Today is the beginning of MY month. It’s my Birthday Month!! It is going to be a rocking month too. The following goodies are planned in the next month

-Tomorrow Lisa and Mike come to town.
-Thursday there is a Japanese documentary team in town to do a piece on AWK
-Friday is the Pub Crawl on Frenchmen Street
-Saturday its Wrecking, Satchmo Fest and a BBQ at my place. Of course it is the fantastic Kristy K’s Birthday as well!! (I doubt I am going to Satchmo Fest though….wrecking takes precedence) Saturday also happens to by my 2 year mark on living in New Orleans.
-Sunday actually attend Satchmo Fest
-Next Saturday it is a Better Than Ezra show at the CAC
-The following Friday it’s my Bonerama Birthday show. M-n-M must have known when I said something about the show in July being my birthday show that he better get one planned just a bit closer. At least that is what I am choosing to believe.
-That Monday it’s my Birthday. As of right now….no big plans. Will most likely go to Papa Grows Funk at the Maple Leaf that night and cry into my beers that I am not in Brazil with the Bone Boys.
-Tuesday after? I have the day off.
-Then we come up to the year anniversary of Katrina. I don’t know what I am doing. There is a lot planned here in the city.

That is just the things I KNOW are going to happen. I don’t know what else can happen…you never can tell right?