50 Book Challenge

I haven't been posting much about my readings...because well I haven't done a whole hell of a lot. It took me foooooooorever to read one of them.

#6 My Sister's Keeper ~ Jodi Picoult (a re-read)

#7 Shopaholic & Baby ~ Sophie Kinsella not as good as the rest of the series.

#8 (#3 in classics) All the Kings Men ~ Robert Penn Warren A very well written book, however this is the one that took me forever to read. Some days I couldn't put it down, other days it I could only finish a page.

Seven Songs I’m Listening To At The Moment.

Here is a lovely meme that was over at Miss Zoot's site. And I stole it. I am actually not listening to any music right at this moment. Much less 7 right at this moment....but here are my top 7 songs, in no particlar order

1. Sunflower City ~ Matt Perrine (Sunflower City) An amazing testement to NOLA music and her people. Seriously if you don't dance during this song, you are dead. Go listen to it here.

2. Louie's Perch ~ Bonerama (Bringing it Home) Okay so I only hear this song right now when they play it live, and the CD isn't released until April 20th. But it is such a fun fun FUN song.

3. In the Mail ~ Paul Sanchez (Between Friends) such a sweet sweet love song. Just makes me go awwww.

4. Something You Got ~ Harry Connick Jr (Oh My Nola) such a fun song, you can tell Harry and the guys are having fun on it. It is catchy

5. Mardi Gras in New Orleans ~ Harry Connick Jr (Chanson du Vieux Carre) Come on its the Bootie shake song!

6. I don't Feel Like Dancing ~ Scissor Sisters I can't ever get this song out of my head. It is so much fun!!

7. Just Thinking of You ~ Leroy Jones (Soft Shoe) it is "my" song. When the lyrics were given to Leroy to add the music too, they were very very VERY different. I laughed my ass off when I heard the line 'judy he garland me" so now leroy says it is "my" song. I love John Boutte's voice on it as well.

Calling on YOU!

I need your help, especially if you are a reader from New Orleans. Actually, I am helping someone who needs your help. Kaitlin came down to New Orleans at the beginning of this month as part of ASB. This was the trip that Lisa was on. All the kids were touched and want to do more. Kaitlin has decided to do this via writing a play. She would love to get stories from as many people as she can. Here are excerpts from her emails, as she can explain it so much better than I:

I actually just spent the morning brainstorming about how I was going to find a sampling of different varieties of stories, from a different variety of peoples and backgrounds. I just opened the email from Lisa with your address and it seems as though a lot of my concerns have been resolved. I don't know how much of my idea Lisa conveyed to you, but I want to get a ton of different perspectives into Katrina and it's aftermath. No one's perspective is right or wrong, I want the audience to decide for themselves as they view the performance or read the script. I'd like to get everyone from the highest person on the "food chain" (politically, however, I realize that this might be a difficult, or perhaps, impossible, challenge) down to the smallest child. This script will be a marriage of formats- a union of the vagina monologues and the laramie project. Both have a few (or one) actor playing many characters, performing many monologues. This, of course, will have it's own unique format, and specific choices individual to this script. I feel that the only way to truly convey what I'd wish to, is to use the people's words... If I were to write a script that was a narrative, or a story, it would be my bias, and it's not my bias or opinion to have.. I didn't experience it firsthand. I'd love to hear your story, and the story of your friends, family, and anyone you know who would be willing to share and contribute to this project.

I want to have a collection of stories that will tell the entire story. I'd like to hear from someone who had concerns that Katrina might happen beforehand, someone who knows and understands the levees, someone who perhaps contacted the government (local, state, national) with their concerns... I'd like to hear from several people about their experiences during the storm, the help they received. I want the rescuers stories- firefighters, policemen, self-appointed rescuers who were "everyday people." I want stories from the people who traveled to help afterwards. I'd like to have a sampling of everything. I want people to really understand what happened from a huge sampling of perspectives. I'd like the focus to be on Katrina, but the timeline can begin with the concern for the levees, and end in how new orleans is now. I hope to interview one of the students from our alternative spring break and get that perspective too. I cannot wait to work on this, thank you so much for your help!!

Like I said before- no one's wrong or right, I don't want it to be one-sided... However, if there's a consensus of opinions, that should be conveyed as well. I just want a ton of different perspectives on Katrina. As I said to Stacey- It's up to the audience or the reader to formulate an opinion.

Also, I would love to be able to use these people's names, or at least their occupations, sexes, and their approximate ages, if they'd rather remain anonymous... Just so an audience/reader can get some perspective on where they're coming from in their various lifestyles. I'm thinking perhaps this summer it would be beneficial for me to go back down to new orleans and meet with people in person. As of right now, that's very much up in the air, but I would so like that to become a reality.

So if you have any interest in sharing your story, or know of anyone...please contact myself either here or via staceymorigeauAThotmailDOTcom. Please pass this on to all you know that were affected. Kaitin helped us out, lets help her out!!

Just Great...

I just got up. On a Monday. Which means I am still at home. My mouth is still bugging me. It is mainly one side....the right side. It is now hurting my sinuses. I ache from my head down to my throat. It is lovely. My balance seems off as well. I am sure it is just the healing process. I walked out to the living room to pick up my convelesnce mess (books, yarn, computer, ice, cups ect) and was going to move my title to my car to a safe place. Guess what? it is gone. I am hoping that Kristen accidentlly picked it up last night with some of her work....cuz I know I haven't touched it.

As I am sitting here, the cats are going crazy. Which means one thing....there is another mouse around here somewhere. Quite possibly under the couch I am sitting on. The people left downstairs in such a hurry....they didn't really clean up so well. A lot of their things are still there. They told us back in Feb that there were mice downstairs and they had set some traps. Everytime they stop by the house? The mice come upstairs. So far we have had at least 5. All dead but one. Which soon died....thanks to the 3 cats. The landlords will take care of it "soon" so hopefully it will be in the next 6 months.

One Year and 5 Months

Hold the presses. Stop what you are doing. Grab a seat and hold on. You are never going to belive this. Guess what is finally in my hands? That is right. The title to my car. Sweet jesus can you believe it? I can't. Any want to buy a car that doesn't run? ;) I would be out celebrating if I wasn't in a permant state of euphoria right now thanks to some percocet. The wisdom teeth came out yesterday. They gave me a scare around 4 yesterday when the bleeding seemed to increase. It was disgusting and nasty....today it is just painful and swollen. Its all good.

A few quick things

• Who is going to be shocked by this? I STILL have not received my title to the car. They sent it certified mail. My address has been verified with the TX legal aid several times. They are the only people that I can not get mail from. Does anyone else have that going on? Mail service has been pretty good here as of late....
• Our water/entergy issues are pretty much resolved. We went from the $3000.00 water bill to a $400 and the entergy is around $500.
• With the above mentioned bills, and my wisdom teeth coming out on Friday and that costing a fortune guess who will be eating ramen and peanut butter for the rest of their natural life?
• I am going to have a call going out to anyone who reads this in NOLA. Someone is putting together a great thing, and needs help. Once I get my thoughts organized on that, I will put out the call, I know Lisa will be as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated!
• French Quarter Fest finally put up their schedule and I am finally happy. It is going to be another great fest!!

Time Keeps on Slipping....

I get so busy at work, the time is just flying by there. I get home and have things to do....or I start goofing off...work on the blanket....and before I know it it is time for bed and then start all over again. I had a great week, got to see Taylor Hicks in concert on Wed. night and he put on a great show. Loved it. I found out later in the week that he played at Howlin Wolf with a bunch of people (Georger Porter Jr and Ivan Neville (who sat in for the encore wed) Russell Batiste and all that crowd) on Saturday of Mardi Gras. We almost went to that....we talked about it but ended up going home and crashing. Oh well. Friday night we took in the Paul Sanchez/Craig Klein gig at Carrollton Station. It was another amazing set. Since they ended early we walked on over to the old haunt and caught Big Sam and the Funky Nation and proceeded to have a grand ole time. I had to practically drag Kristen out around 2:30 (for once it was me doing the dragging) because we had to be up EARLY on Saturday. By early I mean we were hitting the road at 8:00 for Jackson, MS. Good thing Grace was driving! We got there and hung out with the boys till it was time for the parade. Then it was on to George St. Grocery for a big St. Patty's Day party. We made it home this afternoon. It was a beautiful day and fun was had by all. I am going to spend this week getting things organized and cleaned up around the house, cuz this Friday I am getting all 4 wisdom teeth out. Happy happy joy joy. I will also try to put up some pics finally as well.

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

As I stated before, this past week was a busy one. It seemed I was on the go doing something every evening after work. I decided to continue that through the weekend. We had a lovely dinner at Mona Lisa out on Royal street with some great friends. The portions of the food served there are enormous. Enough for at least 3 substantial meals. After dinner, even though I was fading fast we headed on out the the Maple Leaf. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews was playing and it was the first time I had seen him play there (with his own band) It was a fantastic show that had people 2nd lining through the Leaf. Apparently he was the first band to do that in a looooooong time (if at all). I was glad I was able to get my 102nd wind and catch the whole set.

Saturday I headed out the Quarter to meet up with Lisa and some of her krewe. It was one of the most perfect days weather wise. We wandered all through the Quarter and just soaked up the atmosphere. I then ran home to catch a 20 min cat nap before I started rushing around the house to get ready to head on out to Matt Perrine's CD release party for "Sunflower City" Let me tell you how wonderful that night was. So many people I knew, to celebrate something that is just AMAZING. I am so happy for Matt, the cd he put together is a faboulus tribute to the city and her inhabitants. He had played for me a few tunes here and there, but hearing it live? oh man...it was amazing and I am glad I got to be a part of it. After the CD party broke up, a few of us headed over to Megan and Andy's for a party there. Then it was home to bed for me while the die-hards went out to Frenchmen street.

Yesterday I finally caught up a week's worth of tivo and worked on my sister's blanket. I was so exhausted (the time change did not of course help) that I didn't go out to Rock-n-Bowl like I wanted to. I really really really wanted to but the thought of getting ready to go out just tired me. So I didn't go. I then ended up waking up almost every hour and that was even with some tylenol pm in my system. So I should have gone to Rock-n-Bowl....I am tired anyway.

Is it Friday?


Today has been like a Monday. It is all the little things piling up to make it a crummy day. I just want to walk outside, go enjoy the weather and not come back here for a few days. In about 4.5 hours I can. It has been an extremely busy week for me. Monday feels like it happened 2 weeks ago. After work it has been non stop on the going, or so it feels like. I don't see it stopping until late Sunday. Most of it has been fun things however. Except for my dentist appointment. That is never fun, and if you haven't gone in a few years? It really isn't fun at all. Don't wait, just go and do it. I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. I have a consultation set for next Friday. Let me tell you how thrilled I am about this. Some people are telling me to have 2 done, then the other 2. I am going to ask and hope that they do all 4 at once, get it done and over with please. I am having a few other doctors appointments in the next few weeks as well. Get them done and over with.

If you are in the NOLA area, come on out the Big Top on Clio St tomorrow night at 7. My friend Matt Perrine (who is in Bonerama) is releasing a solo album. The cd release party is tomorrow night. I have heard a few of the songs, and it is AMAZING! He has like 30 local musicians on it, has a really nice sound to it. He will of course be selling the CDs tomorrow night, I guess technically I will be selling them, with the help of a friend. We are going to tag team selling the CDs so we can each have lots of fun. Although I really do have fun selling merch. You get to talk to so many different people, talk about the mutual love of the music, how could that NOT be fun??

Holy Shit!

You will never believe in a million years what happened yesterday. It all started sometime mid morning. I realized I didn't have my cell phone with me. It wasn't in any of my pockets, nor in my purse, nor in my co-workers car. I didn't panic to much as I figured it was on my bed. Next to where I had my purse in the morning and in my rush I didn't grab it. I felt a little lost, naked and somewhat bewildered at certain points during the day. Seriously how did I survive before a cell phone? I wasn't really expecting any calls yesterday so imagine my surprise when there was 3 missed calls, 3 voicemails and a text message. 2 of the calls were from the same place. The "holy shit" place. I never thought this was going to happen, in fact I had given up all hope. It was a hopeless cause. It was a call from TX legal aid. Over a year and a half later, they finally have the title to my car. The car I bought with my FEMA money so I could come home. The car that has been sitting in the driveway for almost a year because of mechanical problems. The car that has become the bane of my exsistance. As it sits there and taunts me "you can't drive me...you can't drive me" I have a feeling that will only get worse as soon as I actually have the title in my hands (should be the end of this week) I have to gather $$ to pay to get the title transfered. To get plates. To get it re-insured. To get it running. As soon as I get all that to happen? The utility pole outside the house will finally fall over (it is leaning so bad now after the tornado) and crush the car. Just you watch. ;) Hopefully it will be after I get insurance. But holy shit....I will really have the title.

Another Monday

This weekend seemed to zoom by. Friday night we hung out the Maple Leaf, something we hadn't done in a few weeks. Talked to one of the other "regulars" for awhile...that was fun. The music was good, and I took some fun pics that I will share later. Saturday I slept late, then we headed down to LMF where they had live music and a HUGE sale, it was their 15 anniversary!! It was a lot of fun, saw alot of people that I see out and about at live music events. After that there was some babysitting, then a race to Rock-n-Bowl for Bonerama! We got there just as the boys were about to start. I set the merch down on the counter and they started. It was good to see some of the boys families out enjoying the music and bowling! It was a fun night. Yesterday was nice and relaxing. Watching movies, catching up on Tivo and grocery shopping. It was a whole hell of a lot colder than I thought it was going to be (Saturday I wore a skirt and short sleeve shirt yesterday I was bundled in layers) I spent most of the evening coaxing my cat to stay on my lap to keep me warm. There is a lot going on this coming weekend and I am very much looking foward to it.

As for a long waited Water/Entergy bill update, our water bill is still in dispute, we got another bill for that amount in Feb. When Kristen went down to the water board to ask about what was going on, one of the ladies that worked there said there was no way we could have used that much water. Ya think?? There was an article in the TP this past week about how everyone's water bills would be going up....ours can't go up much more. Entergy finally came with the gas adjusted finally (remember the painters over the summer had painted over the meter??) Yeah...that was a nice hefty bill that will have to be paid later this month. It really kinda sucks..one day I will actually have some sort of savings.....maybe.

Oh and apparently on Saturday someone from FEMA came by our house...our area was declared a natural disaster area (again) after the tornado. We aren't signing up for anything....gonna let the landlord deal with that.