New Orleans Meme
This one is for our New Orleans readership, both here and in exile. I found it on Fofalex’s LJ where he said he had looted it and made it his own, I guess that means I get the pleasure of looting from a looter…
Anyway, if you are a New Orleanian please add your own answers in a comment to this post.
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Fleeing in a group with too many humans, too many cats, too few cars, and a snake.
3) And then where did you go?
W. Memphis, AR. We stayed in a broken down hotel until a friend of my fiancee’s rescued us (THANKS Chris & Woody!) and brought us to a trailer in the middle of the woods outside Bloomington, IN. After a few weeks there we stayed in Dobbs Ferry, NY in a vacant apartment that was undergoing construction work. (Thanks Sean and Jo! You really pulled our fat out of the fire!)
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Got home to NOLA a week before Halloween, got up the next morning and helped out at the NOLA Bookfair, then the MOMS Ball Halloween Party that night. We now live uptown again.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Our friends, the ethnic/racial mix, trash pickup, steady power and phone, and the lack of acre upon acre of decimation surrounding us.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Homemade macque choux made with shrimp right off the boat from De La Croix! (Yes, I was cooking)
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
My grandmother’s death.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Hansen’s snoballs reopened two weeks ago!
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t know anymore…
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
At home with my cats or out seeing local music at a club.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Colassal Incompetent
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Long on heart, short on brains.
14) What have we learned?
The social contract between people and government is now void.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I wish I knew….
June 12th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Working as a nurse at Baptist hospital.
3) And then where did you go?
-Airboat to St. Charles and Napoleon on Wednesday.
-Bus to Convention Center, where I was dumped.
-Started walking across GNO bridge a couple hours later.
-Got picked up by kind strangers from the Westbank.
-Stayed at dietician’s (whom I just met) friend’s house in Baton Rouge for one night.
-Sister-in-law’s sis-in-law from Houston picked me up the next day and put me on a plane to my momma’s house…got there Thursday night.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Early October, after my brand new husband and I tried to take a makeshift honeymoon camping trip but all we could think about was coming back.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends, a sense of normalcy.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Went to Crepe Nanou the other day for mussels.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Besides the ordeal itself, dealing with PTSD.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
The Mr. and I got hitched just a few days after the New Orleans wedding we had planned was supposed to happen…we threw one together that turned out great.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t go out drinking that often. Yes, I really live here.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
At home with the Mr. and the kitties.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Ass.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I can’t sum up my feelings about him now.
14) What have we learned?
Civilization is a vulnerable thing, not a safety net.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
All I can think about is getting through hurricane season.
June 12th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Driving 9 hours to get to my son’s house in Lafayette with 2 dogs and an estranged husband.
3) And then where did you go?
Stayed there for a month, making two trips to sneak back into New Orleans, then to Houston where Loyola Law School moved for the Fall 2005 semester.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
After my last class in Houston, I drove home on Dec. 17th.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
All the people who are still gone. Every time I leave my house, I feel the absence.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Um, I can’t go into that…
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Anxiety about New Orleans.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I have been on a mission to make new friends and have met some lovely people.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Thierry at the Delachaise.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Kingpin, if you’re not careful!
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Who? Where has he been any way?
14) What have we learned?
Freedom’s just another word for nothing to lose.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Studying for the Bar Exam.
June 13th, 2006 at 12:15 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
King Cobra
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
We left at about 5 a.m. with our 3 year old and two cats and parked ourselves in a Motel 6; room reservation graciously reserved by The Mistress of Early Retirement, who always thinks ahead.
3) And then where did you go?
Alexandria, LA for the first week, then two nights at a cousin’s packed house in Baton Rouge. Then night/day trip to our home in Metairie to assess damage inter the contents of our fridge and freezer in the backyard. Then a long, long drive to Phoenix where my brother-in-law’s friend, a retired, international buisinessman allowed us to stay in his spectacular, huge (4 bedroom, 3 full bath, upstairs gameroom with full size pool table, very large backyard, built in pool and jacuzzi, satellite TV and wireless) condominium that he wasn’t currently using (he was traveling, plus, from what I understand, he had another house in town where he could stay. The condo is at the very southeastern edge of the southern mountains. Beautiful. The condo had more scorpions than we have cockroaches. I caught and released at least two a night. Our son, Simon was stung by one while jumping on the bed. Their local poison control was excellent and our contact there called back every hour for the rest of the day to check on him. As for Simon, other than re-enacting the event repeatedly, he was over it in about 10 minutes. The cats really enjoyed catching scorpions. I was very alarmed until I researched it online and found that as far as anyone can tell, cats are immune to the venom. There was a scare one night when a pack of coyotes were parked behind the back fence creating a rukus. I couldn’t find one of our cats, Maus, the younger, more fearless and adventurous one. I was afraid she had gotten out there and they had found her. I ran to the back fence and started blasting the flash from my camera at them. They quieted down and when I went back to the house, Mause was waiting to go in the house. The only other problem I had with the place was that it had all white carpets and upholstry. Egad! I rented a carpet steam twice before we left. The night before we left, our host was back in town and we were able to take him out to dinner, to thank him for his very generous hospitality.
4) Did you come home?
Of Course! Where the hell else would we go?
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Our house in Metairie had roof and flood damage. We’re staying in my grandma’s house in Old Jefferson. She passed away January before last and the house hadn’t yet been put on the market when the storm hit.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends and coworkers are sorely missed plus 24 hour groceries and other 24 hour services.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
We did Mother’s Day at Cafe East in Metairie. It’s just a couple of blocks from our “broken house” so we’re very familiar with it. The service there is somewhat spotty, but the food’s always good. Better than 5 Happiness, really. Anyway, on Mother’s Day they were really on the ball. The service and food presentation were perfect. I finally ordered the escargot appetizer. It was amazing, I still crave it. Escargot served with a mix of veggies (whole toes of garlic, asparagus, mushrooms, etc, nifty stuff) in a puff pastry cup, doused in some kind of delicious reduction sauce. I think I’ll order it as my meal next time.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August? Realizing that all my tools were missing from the back room after my house was gutted and having to worry every day and night about who is rummaging through my stuff right now.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
We’re the only people we know who had good, realistic, generous adjusters and insurance companies. We also both work for Tulane. They managed to direct deposit our paychecks right after the hurricane and still employ us (though we miss our fellow employees who were cut after the storm). They kept everyone afloat for months after the storm. We are very lucky to work for them. (Okay yeah, we don’t understand all the cuts they made, but we’re pretty confident that there were reasons for them.)
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
The Mistress of Early Retirement
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Asleep.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
TWIT!
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I still kinda like him and I was really impressed with the work he was doing Pre-K; I’m just glad I didn’t have to vote in that one (I’m in Jefferson).
14) What have we learned?
That the environmental issues in this area are not just interesting to contemplate in books. They need to be fixed NOW! not later.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Hopefully back in our house, in Metairie, dangit.
Best wishes to all.
June 13th, 2006 at 7:43 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Iced Coffee
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
At Maspero’s w/ friends. We didn’t leave till 3:00 am the 29th
3) And then where did you go?
Apilachicola, fl for the first night, my husbands friends the night after, his ex wife’s house for a week, back home on 9/9 to asses and clean out the fridge, then on to Dallas for the duration.
4) Did you come home?
absolutely
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
10/18. back to our relatively undamaged home in the Irish Channel
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
reliable garbage pickup, friends, neighbors.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
a cuban lamb stew that craig made last night. if you’re talking restaurants, my birthday dinner at Emeril’s
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Craig’s mothers diagnosis of terminal cancer, depression, the looting of our business ( we NEEDED that generator dammit).
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
We were married 1/28 on our front porch with the whole neighborhood, family and friends in attendance.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Martha
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
SleepingZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
He doesn’t deserve a word
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I have hope
14) What have we learned?
If you need something done you’re going to have to do it yourself.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Hopefully out of this collasal debt
June 13th, 2006 at 8:30 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Iced Coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Asleep until my tenant woke us by phone from the road.
3) And then where did you go?
First to Natchez a la Ivan evac. Then Many, LA by the Sabine River with Sam and Mary Ann. Then a KOA near Dallas. Then two hellish weeks in Houston. Then to the fabulous Dianna Constant in Thibodaux for four months. Dianna and Red rock!!
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
We are home, upstairs.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
The false sense of security
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
My momma’s baked mac and cheese and dinner at Pascales (yes, in that order)
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Cleaning out my house alone for days.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Strangers sent by old friends from far places who spent days at my side with plaster grit in their teeth.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Me.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Same as ever: curled up around R and asleep for hours.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Oil industry meat puppet, liar; I hope he gets leprosy.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I feel for the man but he declared his allegiances along racial lines and won because of it.
14) What have we learned?
That security is an illusion.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Potentially sorry I came back.
June 13th, 2006 at 9:55 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Community Coffee & Chicory
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Woke up at 3am to pack my 79 year old father and 14 year old cat into a friend’s borrowed car (forever now known as “the evacuator”), and drove 11 hours north to Louisville, Kentucky to stay with my girlfriend, who I’d been seeing long distance for a year. I’d only been home less than 48 hours from a month long vacation in the woods of Northern Michigan. Hadn’t even unpacked.
3) And then where did you go?
Got to Louisville around 3pm and stayed there. Am still here, about 3/4ths of the time.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Came home for the first time in early October, the 7th or 8th. Have been home at least monthly since. Have kept my apartment there (had to get a roommate) but decided I enjoy living with my girlfriend now, and value my sanity/mental health, so am spending most of my time living in Kentucky for now.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
My slow pace of life, my apartment, my neighborhood, my community, my friends. All the things that used to make New Orleans New Orleans… many of which are now gone forever.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Lately? My brilliant girlfriend cooks amazing meals nightly. But I will say I think the best meal of my past YEAR was that first trip back to NOLA in October, at Coop’s. I had some creamy shrimp pasta goodness that blew my mind, especially given the circumstances and lack of open businesses. I haven’t had that good a meal since.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
My dad losing everything he owned, and having to help him try to cope with that and get him settled into a completely new and strange town. (Losing half my vinyl collection ranks second.)
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I’m happily cohabitating with my beautiful girlfriend Fae, and getting my art-n-craft business off the ground (artbymags.com).
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Laura Izzo at Pal’s.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
I’d have to say sleeping - I’m boring!
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
I think my favorite word would be “evildoer!”
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I don’t trust him, but I’m trying to remain positive. It could be worse.
14) What have we learned?
Hopefully to rely on each other more, do it ourselves, and never trust the government! (especially the army corps of engineers!)
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Hopefully with a thriving art-n-craft biz in both Louisville and New Orleans, with the eventual goal of coming back to NOLA full time in a few years when Fae goes to grad school hopefully at Tulane.
June 13th, 2006 at 11:11 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Orange Juice
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
In Micah/Tim’s apartment on Dumaine/Decatur with Jennifer and for 6 days afterward…
3) And then where did you go?
Dallas/Ft Worth/Iriving, then Dayton, OH, then Akron, OH
4) Did you come home?
Oh Hell yes. We rode out Rita.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Had to initially come out during Rita cuz the landlord was threatening to eject all of our stuff we did salvage. Came back for good a week before Thanksgiving…
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
My friends that aren’t coming back. You’d be surprised, unless you live here, how accustomed you get to something as simple as a drive thru being open past 6pm on a Saturday…
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
DejaVu is back to serving 24hrs. But it’s still spotty if the cook quits or not…
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Well i had an Aunt die the day the storm hit, i had both campus’ i teach at close, and the girl i was dating for 2 and a half years moved back to Seattle…
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
One of the campus’ is re-opened and has offered me a full time posistion. My comic book is back in production tract. I finished repairing my mother’s damaged fence…
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I have several. I’m a functioning alcoholic…
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Typically at home drawing on the comic or out and about in the Quarter. Check the Dungeon or Temptations first…
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
It cannot be summed up in one word…and for the record, the system was long broke. I beleive no Democrat could’ve done any better or worse…
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Think (before you speak)…
14) What have we learned?
That evidently it’s going to take something more than an act of God to kill me. My bet is on bird flu or measles…
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Same thing i do every day, Pinkie…planning to take over the world…
June 13th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
In a car mostly, slept that night in Many, LA in a RV park
3) And then where did you go?
2 nights in Many, LA, one night in Dallas, TX, about 11 nights in Houston, TX, then about 4 months in Thibodaux, LA
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? Well, I first visited my home about 4 weeks after the storm. I began living at home the first week of January.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Oh, hell, I don’t know. I miss how easy everything was. I miss the familiarity of it all.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Red beans at Dave’s last night
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
loss - losing all the sentimental things
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
my friends Melody and Ecoee adpoted a baby 6 weeks ago
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
not that into the bar scene
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
at home in bed
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Evil
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
bless his heart
14) What have we learned?
not much in my opinion
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
probably right here - but I really don’t know.
June 14th, 2006 at 10:02 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Dr. Pepper
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
In Baytown, TX arguing with the people at a Super 8 and Expedia. We had booked a room, driven to Texas in the early morning only to find out that the room didn’t exist. Fortunately I was tenacious enough with the Expedia people to get them to find us other lodging, and pay the difference in cost.
3) And then where did you go?
Houston was our home until August 31, then we moved on to Lafayette until Labor Day when we were able to come in to get a few things before heading to West Virginia to stay with my parents until we knew when we could come home.
4) Did you come home?
Yes
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
We came home September 16. I was ordered to report to work on September 19 and my husband was called back to work as well.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends who are no longer here, places I used to go. The city used to feel more carefree, now there is an almost tangible tension.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Jambalaya at Coop’s, boiled crawfish at Perrino’s Boiling Pot
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Watching my husband cope with the death of a friend.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I was involuntarily transferred, and while most people were miserable with their transfer situations, I was able to find where I belong in my career.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t have any regular bartenders these days, I’ve spent more time drinking at home with friends or at the homes of friends.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Never can tell…
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
I now have an involuntary reflex when I hear that name, the index finger of both hands flutters up to the bridge of my nose and squeezes while i close my eyes and try not to scream.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I can’t imagine what it is like to be in that man’s shoes.
14) What have we learned?
That the kindness and generosity of American citizens in times of disaster far outweighs the competence and care of the government. But also that the attention span of the citizenry is short lived.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Right here, where I belong.
June 14th, 2006 at 10:09 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
coffee
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
driving 8 hours to baton rouge and then in literally the last seat on the last plane out of baton rouge
3) And then where did you go?
New York, Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Metairie, finally New Orleans again.
4) Did you come home?
To New Orleans? Yes. To my physical home? It doesn’t exist anymore.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
I first came back here in October, but it was only three weeks ago that I was able to actually live here again.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
stability, familiarity, traffic lights, stores that stay open during regular hours, people I’ve known my entire life, neighborhoods I’ve known my entire life.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Potato po-boy from one of the very few open eateries in St. Bernard Parish, the Arabi Food Store, frozen mint snowball from Plum Street.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
The realization that I’ll never know real security or certainty again. Coming to terms with the fact that me before this is nothing like me after this and not being sure where those two pieces meet up.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
My cats survived three weeks before being rescued and, although a bit traumatized (but who isn’t around herer these days), are doing fine.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I haven’t been back in town long enough, nor have I had the time, to know who’s here, who isn’t here, much less have a drink
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
pre-K? Usually at or leaving the True Brew. Now? I don’t even know. Catching up on sleep- I’ve been going non-stop since August.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Don’t even get me started…I literally might start crying
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Clearly, the man has good intentions; that said, perhaps he isn’t so efficient at implimenting said intentions.
14) What have we learned?
Nothing at all is ever certain.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I don’t even know where I see myself in 12 days. You can’t really plan too far in advance around here.
June 14th, 2006 at 10:11 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coca-cola.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
In the early morning hours, I arrived in Memphis with my family.
3) And then where did you go?
After a few days in Memphis, when it became clear we could not return home for a while, we went to St. Louis (where my dad has family). I then got on a greyhound bus and visited a friend in Milwaukee. After 2 weeks there, I got on a bus back to St. Louis. On our way back to Metairie (where my parents live - I was in the city), Rita approached and we had to stop in Tupelo, MS. for two days.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
I first got back around Sept. 25 or 26. I stayed for 10 days or so, snuck into the city to check out my destroyed apt, helped my parents a bit, then went to Austin for a month. I came back for good Nov. 2.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
All of my friends who relocated (I’d estimate more than half did so after Katrina).
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
None, really. A lot of po boys.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ incompetence.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Mardi Gras
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t have one.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Usually at home. Sometimes out with friends.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Worst President ever.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Not as hideous as his detractors make him appear, but still not the man who should be running the city now. I think he’s cracking up.
14) What have we learned?
The government doesn’t care about us and, oh, I don’t know, half of America hates us.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
No idea. Hopefully in a New Orleans where neighborhoods like Lakeview, New Orleans East, and Chalmette are alive and thriving again.
June 14th, 2006 at 10:55 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coffee
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Safely ensconced at my friends’ house outside Houston. I left NOLA on the 26th.
3) And then where did you go?
Austin
4) Did you come home?
Yep
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Came back once the week after Halloween to see if I could take it. Came back permanently on Thanksgiving morning.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Postal Carriers.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Uptowner Sandwich at Reginelli’s. Haven’t had one of those in almost a year. Yum.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Apartment hunting in Austin.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
My garden is flourishing, I know people who’ve bought houses to fix up and stay, broadmoor neighborhood association is rockin’ the neighborhood planning scale… From a personal standpoint, it’s lookin’ up.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t go out enough anymore to say.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Usually at home, or dining / drinking with friends
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Evil (pronounced Eee-ville). Or fuckwit. Can I have two words?
13) A word [to] Ray Nagin.
Think before you speak. Please.
14) What have we learned?
I’ve learned that I’m adaptible and resilient.
I’ve improved my pre-evacuation preparation list.
I believe that whatever “we”, as a city or a nation, may have learned will be rapidly forgotten.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
??
June 14th, 2006 at 10:58 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
i’m about to go get an iced mocha.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
hungover in a car with too many other people.
3) And then where did you go?
first houston for a coupe of days, then close to galveston for 4 days, then to austin, texas for a month.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
got home to nola on October 6.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
friends, my job, some of the local businesses (restaurants and bars), the people, the ethnic and cultural variety, etc.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
went to lebanon cafe last week, my boss bought us cafe nino yesterday, went to hana friday night, made red beans and rice the other day.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
lost my job.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
losing my job gave me the guts to try new things…and i have.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
dunno.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
lower decatur, probably.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
puke
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
he was the better choice, so i voted for him.
14) What have we learned?
oh god. i guess i’ve learned that people can be very, very generous and people can be very, very evil.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
no idea
June 14th, 2006 at 10:58 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Nothing.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
I was in Longview, Texas where my family and I stayed at a hotel for a few days. We then went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma because our house got destroyed.
3) And then where did you go?
We then went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for 5 months after Longview, Texas because our house got destroyed in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.
4) Did you come home?
Sort of.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
We got back in Louisiana right before the start of 2006. I’m about 2 hours away from my original flooded house living in a one bedroom apartment with my parents in Denham Springs, Louisiana.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Mostly everything.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Red beans and rice!
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
A few things: My grandmother’s death. She died in the storm. My boyfriend’s dad just found out he has cancer.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
My boyfriend and I got together after the storm.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I don’t drink.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
With my boyfriend somewhere….
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
You don’t want me to go there….
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Mayor Wonka re-elected. God help us all.
14) What have we learned?
Oil definitely floats. Oklahoma has no similarities to Louisiana. Sofas are actually really uncomfortable. My brand new car has almost 10,000 miles on it already from living so far away.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I have no idea. But, I do know that I’ll be in my new house in Hammond, Louisiana by the end of 2006!
Hope yall are OK out there!
June 14th, 2006 at 11:01 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Sitting in my condo seeing what happened.
3) And then where did you go?
Alexandria, LA to a friend’s house.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Came home to the same condo a month later after ascertaining there was electricity and water.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Neighborhood places out of business, friends scattered to different parts of the country.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Buffalo steak diane. Whole Foods is a wonderfully expansive place to shop.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Nothing comparitively.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Earlier in the spring, it was nice to see the wildflowers blooming along the roads on the westbank. Grass cutters hadn’t been run as often as before.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Myself these days.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Home either asleep or watching a movie.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Ten gallon asshat. All asshat and no cattle.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Obviously traumatized.
14) What have we learned?
The government is in the hands of those whose goal is to institute a corporate/religious fascism in place of our Constitution.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Finding hope that the elections swept a lot of the assholes out of office and cleanup of the government has begun.
June 14th, 2006 at 11:07 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Vertically evacuated in a hotel in the middle of downtown because my mother was too stupid to leave.
3) And then where did you go?
After the city’s water supply finally went out on Wednesday and it was obvious that the National Guard wasn’t coming anytime soon. We got in our cars, lucky to still have them, and drove out via the Westbank.
4) Did you come home?
Yep.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
2 wks after the storm. I wish I would’ve taken pictures of everything. It was like being in the middle of a warzone with all the military everywhere.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends who now reside in other cities, other states, and other countries. Having more than a handful of places that run 24hrs.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Homemade Beef Stew. First time since the storm.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Got accepted to go to Parsons, but can’t get financial aid to go and found out I have nerve damage in my right arm.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I’m going back to college (UNO).
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
She just left the Bulldog to go work at Zale’s.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Sleeping in my room.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Word.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I love the man, but he’s batshit crazy.
14) What have we learned?
Nothing. And it’s really that sad.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
If I’m luckly, I’ll find financial aid and be in NYC attending Parsons. Or, I’ll get an FHA Loan and I’ll be flipping houses part-time. Either way, I’ll have a part-time job somewhere, and I’ll be in college again doing something with my life.
June 14th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coca-Cola
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
The Minnesota State Fair (I left NO August 27th)
3) And then where did you go?
Lived with family in Minneapolis and attended the U of M for the semester.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
I came back mid January, when Tulane reopened.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Feeling that I could take the levees for granted.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
The chicken special at Flour Power.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Depression, constant arguments with various relatives which generally center around the situation here.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
The Army Corps of Engineers finished driving the sheet piles for the levee out by Michoud on Sunday.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
The girl at Zea, I can’t think of her name off the top of my head. Second is the guy at the Whirling Dervis with the disco ball earings.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
I gut houses on Saturdays, so I’m usually sleeping at that time.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
He’s always wrong, but he’s so decisive! (also he’s a racist and a liar)
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
His heart is in the right place, but he needs to work on his organizational skills.
14) What have we learned?
No one is looking out for civilians, unless you live on government property you’d better have your own plan for a hurricane.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Hopefully I’ll be working for a recording studio, but I’m sure Lockheed Martin would take me back if that doesn’t work out.
June 14th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Boscobel, Wisconsin for a wedding
3) And then where did you go?
My flight home was rerouted to Huntsville, Alabama where I stayed for two weeks with my parents. Then I relocated to Birmingham, Alabama and stayed with some college buddies. I did some freelance writing, but mainly watched Oprah in my underwear and cried.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
September 29th, 2005
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
My old apartment (I’m a victim of a post-Katrina eviction).
The sense of ease. It’s replaced by a sense of well, uneasiness.
Chris Rose simply tracking celebrities. I really enjoyed his stuff for the first month or two, but now his style has gotten really old.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Crawfish boil
fried crab
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
my eviction
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
i ran the Mardi Gras marathon
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Sarah at the Rednezvous
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
these days, probably asleep
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
incompetent
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
means well
14) What have we learned?
that the underlying sense of race and class in this city is a lot more unstable than we thought.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Unfortunately, not here.
June 14th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Water (not tap… I know better than that).
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
We left at 3:00 am and headed to Magnolia, AK, with very little stuff, as we had to take a visiting friend who overpacks with us.
3) And then where did you go?
We left Magnolia before we heard of the floodings in order to get back in before the traffic, but got stopped by the police near Ponchatoula. So we went to Baton Rouge for a week; then Boca Grande, FL for 5 days (we gave stranded friends a ride — It was 4 people, 4 cats, and a dog, and we had to sleep on the ground at a closed gas station in Mississippi, thanks to the 6 pm curfew. A total 22 hours of smelly misery.) ;back to New Orleans to sneak in, grab the cats, and leave in time for Rita; then Asheville, NC for 10 days.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
October 1, as soon as we knew we had power — but not clean water….
I still live in the Irish Channel.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends, a total 24-hour city, the devil-may-care attitude, fully staffed and functioning libraries, not having to think about Katrina every single day.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Jacque-Imo’s. The new-since-Katrina Table One. Creole tomatoes with red onions — all from the Farmer’s Market.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Every single part of my life has changed. I don’t like change.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I celebrate every single thing, from the reopening of a restaurant to the return of a friend to the stoplight down the street working again. Every little bit that comes back makes me happy to be here.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Brian at Tiki’s
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
At Tiki’s.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
An embarrassment
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Nice? Sure. Competent? He used to be… let’s hope he still is.
14) What have we learned?
That I am not nearly as stable as I thought.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Barring another disaster, right here in New Orleans. I can’t imagine living anywhere else in this country.
June 14th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
iced coffee
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
In Meridian, Mississippi at inlaws house in direct path of the storm.
3) And then where did you go?
We stayed there for a week and a half because the whole region was without electricity, water and gas. We ate what canned goods were in the house and since no phones worked knew nothing about our friends and family and our cat was trapped inside our new orleans home. We couldn’t bring her because we also had a 120 pound rotteweiller in the car.
4) Did you come home?
No. Not to live. I was back and forth from Baton Rouge to New Orleans after we left Mississppi to get the cat, help friend get personal property out and rescue other animals. I apperantly knew the only way into the city while the millitary had it blocked off to the public. I snuck several people in at the buttcrack of dawn through the Hueyb P. Long, yes you had to go to the westbank to get in.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
We live in Atlanta now. We hate it and can’t wait till our lease is up we are planning to buy a house right outside the fishbowl. Northshore or closer.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends, buying liquor at rite aid, buying alcohol on Sunday, Bars open after 2am, festivals (FQ, Strawbwerry, Catfish, Crawfish, and Jazz)
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
There is a restaurant here in Atlanta called Front Page news that serves 4 types of Abita and creole cooking. Crabcakes Benedict & Purple Haze.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
FEMA said NO.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Food stamps made me fat.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
My Mary Jane Dealer. I’m not that big of a drinker.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
On the couch with a doobie, playing Oblivion on the 360. I have no friends in Atlanta.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
I wish I was a spoiled little rich boy with a Darth Vader syndrome(the deathstar was not fully ready like our leavies but we destroyed a country, Iraq just like Darth destroyed the Princess Lea’s home planet).
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
He was the only politician in Sept 2005 that looked like a refugee in his interviews. I commend him for staying in chocolate city.
14) What have we learned?
The planet is dying. Damn Humans.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Either camping out in front of a FEMA building with all my receipts ready or living happily back in Louisiana.
Aug. 25, 6:30pm Katrina hits Florida (Cat 1)
Aug. 28, 12:30pm Bush was warned “…whether the levees will be topped or not, that’s obviously a very, very grave concern.” Asked no questions.
Aug. 28 Mayor Nagin tells CNN “as soon as the levee systems are breached, there will be a tremendous amount of water, anywhere from 15 to 20 feet of water in some parts of New Orleans.” Orders mandatory evacuation.
Aug. 29, 6:10am Date/time hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans
Aug. 29, 8am Levees Overtopped.
Aug. 29, 9:12am National weather service gets report of levee breach.
Aug. 29, 11am After McCain birthday, Bush talks at El Mirage RV park, AZ
Aug. 29, 12am Bush misses video briefing on Katrina.
Aug. 29, 4:40 Bush appears at Rancho Cucamonga, California
Aug. 30 Bush continues speaking tour in California
Sept. 1, 7am Bush: “I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.”
June 14th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
green tea
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Dallas, TX
3) And then where did you go?
Dallas for a week and half then 2 1/2 months in Desert Hot Springs, CA (ie - Hell). I now remeber why I left Southern California. I love my family and friends there, but I cannot live there.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
The week of Thanksgiving. I was bound and determined to spend my birthday at home. I was lucky that my appartment was fine so I didn’t have to move.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends that have moved away. Also, I miss the “innocence” that we all had before the storm. I mean by that the unwavering belief that we as a city were invincible from any life shaddering event.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Any at our local resturants.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Learning a very good friend is dying from Aides.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
The birth of my Godson - Jake
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Mr. Donnie Jay
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Seeing a local band or at home
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Moron
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Tired
14) What have we learned?
NO empty seats!
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I hope to God - Nola
June 14th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
apple/cherry juice.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
bunkie louisiana staring at cnn
3) And then where did you go?
atlanta, philadelphia, san diego. a whirlwind tour
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
early november to stay at my dead granny’s house.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
friends, going thrifting in chalmette, affordable housing
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
merliton and shrimp casserole. yum!
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
finding out that i had irreversible liver damage caused by lupus
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
i adopted the cutest pit bull from the west bank.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
jerky the terkey!
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
playing sims
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
manipulative
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
suave
14) What have we learned?
sadly nothing
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
hopefully still in nola, hopefully not dead.
June 14th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
green tea
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
in a hotel in houston
3) And then where did you go?
drove to indianapolis
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
same place we lived before the storm
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
unfortunately, we have just moved here about a month before the storm and didn’t have time to get to know the “old” new orleans.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
there is no authentic mexican food here :(
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
my dad nearly died in february
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
in general, people are very understanding of what we’re all going through.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
i don’t go out enough to have a favorite.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
at home on the internet.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
impeach!
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
decision-less
14) What have we learned?
we think we live in the US, but we relly don’t.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
here, in new orleans, still working on school.
June 14th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
lemon-lime snowball
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Friend’s couch in Baton Rouge.
3) And then where did you go?
Stayed there till I could come home.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Got home (to a new apartment because mine flooded) about 2 weeks before Halloween.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
The lack of city-wide post traumatic stress disorder problems.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
hmm.. I’ve mainly been eating only on Lower Decatur street lately.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
My old man kitty died. He was 18 and my best friend.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I got adopted by the most dysfunctional yet loving group of assholes and drunks you could ever imagine.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Justin, Joe, Brian, Morgan, Wendy all at Tikis and Eddie at Turtle Bay and mainly cuz they’re all friends of mine though Justin does make the best white russian ever.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Tikis on lower D.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
idiot.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
craaaaazzzy.
14) What have we learned?
How tough (or not tough depending…) we really are.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Bar stool at Tikis.
June 14th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Cold drip iced coffee
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Driving away from NOLA with the bf, a dear friend whose ill-timed visit from Chile put her in evac after only 24 hrs in New Orleans (her first trip!), another guy (who was so awful I don’t want to talk about it), my cat, and my 95 lb carsick dog.
3) And then where did you go?
northern Mississippi, then Dallas, then Arizona
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
October 18.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends who have left. Certain restaurants. Bands that have broken up.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
It was a great day when Domilese’s finally opened up again.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
No big peaks, but a steady diet of stress and worry.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
People have been less cliquish, more open to one other, and that’s been great.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
There’s a good one at that bar next to One Eyed Jack’s . . .
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Out hot or out cold.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Neckstab.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Time will tell.
14) What have we learned?
We are on our own.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Here. I SEE myself here. I don’t know if I will actually be able to be here.
June 14th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
16 oz Diet Rockstar.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
At home in Austin, blogging my ass off about the impending doom. Unlike our idiot president, I anticipated the breach of the levees.
3) And then where did you go?
Worked in the Red Cross communications warehouse for a few days, then worked in the Austin shelter for a few days until I caught the Katrina croup and almost got pneumonia.
4) Did you come home?
I’m moving home on July 12.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Da food. Da weathah. Da parades. Da freaks. Da awkitekchah.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Duck po-boy from Crabby Jacks.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Not publishable.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I’m moving home after twenty years!
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I gave it up. I’m gonna learn me up a new favorite waiter when I get back, though.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Out seeing music, or home eating popcorn watching a movie.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Treasonous fucktard.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Probably fun at parties.
14) What have we learned?
Sinn Fein, motherfuckers.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
If everything goes well, we’ll be buying a house in Carrollton or Mid-city or Uptown.
June 14th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
1Q) What are you drinking right now?
1A) Coffee
2Q) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
2A) I was watching CNN and drinking all the “free” beer I could guzzle at a VFW in DeRidder, Louisiana that had become a temporary shelter.
3Q) And then where did you go?
3A) To hell. Also known as Kingwood, Texas, where the people are plastic, yet manage to keep the natural texture of feces. Remarkable! I got tired of those asshats in a day or two and then went to Baton Rouge to stay with a well-to-do aunt. Even had my own “wing” at her house.
4Q) Did you come home?
4A) Of course.
5Q) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
5A) I was back the very moment they let me come back.
6Q) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
6A) I miss having a wide selection of fast-food to choose from at 3 in the morning. But that seems to be improving since the McFood on St. Charles Avenue is open 24 hours now.
7Q) What notable meals have you had lately?
7A) My mother made a recipe for a Spanish-Creole gumbo that would knock anyone’s socks off. Mmmm, good!
8Q) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
8A) Just one word? There’s been so much to bitch about since then…
9Q) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
9A) No.
10Q) Who is your favorite bartender?
10A) That’s hard to say lately.
11Q) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
11A) Mojo’s, Zotz, Dervish, or at home wasting away into the television.
12Q) A word on G.W. Bush.
12A) Pussy.
13Q) A word on Ray Nagin.
13A) Incompetent Pussy.
14Q) What have we learned?
14A) Nothing. I knew this would happen. No one listened. Dumb-asses, everywhere.
15Q) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
15A) On vacation, again. I love road trips.
June 14th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
Root Beer, Mug.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
New Orleans, Tulane, just finishing unpacking my stuff.
3) And then where did you go?
Slidell, until figuring out that probably wasn’t any safer then New Orleans, so on to my grandparents house in Pensacola, FL
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Officially, I came back in January. Unofficially, I visited and stayed a bit during Thanksgiving.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Magnolia Cafe, things open late, and that friendly, easygoing feeling that everyone used to have. Now its just stress and worry.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
White chocolate bread pudding with Whiskey Sauce at the Pelican Club… best in the city, hands down. Which makes it best in the world, because no one does bread pudding like NOLA does bread pudding.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
A car accident right after evacuating. All the stress all at once made it alot worse than it really was.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I managed to make all A’s this semester, despite everything thats happened… first time too. Dunno how, but there you go!
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
My brother ;P
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
With friends doing any one of a number of things!
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Words in the english language cannot describe this man. He is the opposite of everything a good, decent, honest, and admirable person is defined as. Pure Scum, that one.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I have mixed feelings on him currently. We’ll see what the future brings, I guess.
14) What have we learned?
You can’t count on the government, even the government of one of the most powerful countries in the world. The most you can hope for is the decency of the people around you to get you through things.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Here, studying most likely. Enjoying Plum Street snowballs. Freaking out about another hurricane, maybe… but I’ll be here.
^_^
June 14th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
I’m a native, but have been living in Chicago for six years. That being said, I’m doing this poll anyway.
1) What are you drinking right now?
Nothing
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Keeping track of the storm from work online. (which was VERY not allowed)
3) And then where did you go?
See above statement before #1
4) Did you come home?
I’ve been home twice, once in October, which was more of a HOLYSHITWHATHAPPENED sort of visit, and I was down in May, that one was more bittersweet.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
When I moved away six years ago, I was told by my mom that I’d always have a home to return to, if things didn’t work out. I don’t feel that way anymore-even though she didn’t get any damage.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
When I was down there in May I stuffed myself silly on seafood daily. FRIED CATFISH from Middendorf’s was the highlight of my visit.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Still not knowing what’s happened to some of my friends.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I quit my old job and started a new one which I love.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
I’m not a drinker.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Either sleeping or online.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
A waste of space.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
He’s trying.
14) What have we learned?
That our government is fucked.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
No clue.
June 14th, 2006 at 11:49 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
wine
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Between 1am and 4am, on I-10 to Jackson, Ms. After 4am, at my relatives home in Jackson.
3) And then where did you go?
Stayed there.
4) Did you come home?
Yes, of course.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
I came home the first Sat in Oct. My husband came home (sneaked in) the Sun after the storm.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Mandina’s, regular garbage pick-up, a quiet Algiers.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Lunch take-out from August Moon.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
The death of my beloved dog.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
A new job at Children’s Hospital that I really, really like.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Myself
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Snuggling at home.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Clueless
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Disillusioned
14) What have we learned?
Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Where I’ve been the last 28 years….NOLA!
June 15th, 2006 at 12:33 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Vouvray
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
7am: Awoke from the most peaceful sleep I had in a long time
8 am: Drove my Grandparents and our three days worth of clothing out of town.
3) And then where did you go?
Where we usually spend our evacuation vacation- with family in St. Francisville, Louisiana. After we discovered our home had 8 feet of water, we then moved to Zachary, Louisiana into a trailer on the property of more relatives. Drove to Baton Rouge almost daily to fight with FEMA, Red Cross and bring my Grandparents back and forth to the doctor for medical care.
4) Did you come home?
Yes we did.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
We snuck into the city a few times before it was “officially ok” for us to return. I got a job back here in January. My grandparents finally moved into their FEMA trailer this past month after a long battle.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Friends, grocery stores and restaurants which remained open past 9 pm, decent shopping and the time when our biggest landscaping worry was blighted housing instead of debris.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
My grandmother’s cooking.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Losing my sense of security.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
With quite a number of people I know, there has been at least one good result from all of this.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Scott at Johnny White’s
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
White’s or shaking my groove thing at a club.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Inadequate
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
He has an astounding job ahead of him.
14) What have we learned?
There are so many good, kind, and helpful people in the world which makes the incompetence almost bearable (but not by much).
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I cannot see past next week…but there is no place I’d rather be than here!
June 15th, 2006 at 3:54 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Rooibos Tea
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Packed up kids, drove to Jackson, Miss. airport and went to Disney World.
3) And then where did you go?
Stayed with a casual friend in Keswick, Virginia, who turned out to be a bonafied psychopath. Then we moved into our own apartment in Charlottesville, VA.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
First, from October 5-8th to get the car from the Jackson airport and to check on the house, then with the kids in late January, when their schools reopened. After having moved out of here more than 25 years ago, we are back in the nest with my mom in old Jefferson until out house is habitable again.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Being in my own house, where all the places I go are nearby, the sound of the streetcar from my front porch, Maximo’s, my job teaching at UNO.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Pretty much everything my mom cooks.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
The Virginia psychopath’s behavior severely traumatized my kids, particularly my son. She also stole from us (including my former wedding and engagement rings, which were not cheap pieces of jewelry). We had to get out of that insane house and find another place to live in a strange city where we knew no one. (But the public schools the kids attended were excellent.)
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
We really experienced the kindness of strangers. And my 4+ year long relationship with my boyfriend took a quantum leap in quality.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Hah! I can’t afford to go out drinking!
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Cuddled up with Renard (boyfriend) drinking wine and watching a movie or playing Scrabble (unless he has a gig, then that’s where I’ll be.)
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
dangerous, clueless, war-criminal, antichrist
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
foot-in-mouth disease
14) What have we learned?
In the grand cast of characters composed of friends, family, neighbors, strangers, political leaders, we’ve learned who the good, the bad, and the ugly really are.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Hopefully, back in my beloved house in the City I Love.
June 15th, 2006 at 9:16 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
I was in Ohio, working on the second day of a 6-month contract, trying to make a good impression while TOTALLY being distracted, disturbed and overwhelmed by the breaking news reports and the fact that I couldn’t get a hold of any NOLA people on the phone…
3) And then where did you go?
I’ve been here (at that contract job) since then. I finished the 6 months and they hired me as a full-time employee.
4) Did you come home?
No.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Ohio. But when fate and destiny intercede, I would return to NOLA in a heartbeat. I can’t find a viable option as far as work/housing/family-life goes.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
NOLA was a place I felt “at home.” All the other misfit toys lived there too, and there we were the majority. Everywhere else I have to “hide” who I am. Now…when I go back. Those people are other places. Living in exile and hiding as well. It shaves the corners off a sharp personality and dulls the luster of the luminous beings that we are.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
I had a heck of a good steak in the Quarter two weeks ago.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
The fact that good, affordable housing and schools have all but disappeared from NOLA, reducing my ability to feel confident in taking my daughter back there.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Magnolia trees in the Garden District are blooming.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Tim Farley…he’s in Minnesota now.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Most of the time, at home in meditation or doing some magickal working.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
What’s the words that are said by the judge in Pink Floyd’s movie “The Wall” during the trial? incontravertible
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I think I can…I think I can…I think I can.
14) What have we learned?
Learn to swim
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Positioning myself back to NOLA? If so, I’ll need to cooperate and partner with community there to make it happen. I’m cool with survival. I’m cool with the “Wild, Wild South” aspect. In fact, I thrive in it. But make sure I have enough to be able to make it flourish, while maintaining my responsibility as a parent. Then I’ll come home.
June 15th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Anyway, if you are a New Orleanian please add your own answers in a comment to this post.
1) What are you drinking right now?
Coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
A hotel room in Galveston, Texas.
3) And then where did you go?
We stayed in Galveston until Rita, then went on a horrible stint through the state of Texas, ending up in Midland where all of my horrible surburban driving W sticker relatatives live, then came back to Galveston after it was not destroyed by Rita. :)
4) Did you come home?
Well, I went to look at my home, there was grass on the ceiling fan, the ceiling itself had come down, there was 2 feet of mud on the floor and frogs croaking near my fridge which was located in the living room.
Needless to say, I didn’t stay long.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Galveston Island, Texas.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Everything. Mostly friends, Frenchman Street, life in general and my great job.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Red Beans and rice, I tried to make shrimp merileton dressing for thanksgiving, but couldnt find anyone who even knew what a merileton was. We did find a great resturant here called the cajun greek that has excellent crawfish and boiled crab though.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Loss - one word cant really describe it
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
I quit smoking! I also bought a new car with all the money I have saved by not going out and drinking so much. :)
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Martha at the Abbey, Matt at Lebooze in the Royal Sonesta, and basically anyone who will serve me a drink when they should cut me off.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Now, at home or by a friends house. In NOLA, god knows the party was just getting started, maily uptown area or french quarter, sometimes both.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
I wish he would kill himself.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
I’m not chocolate!
14) What have we learned?
Buy flood insurance, never take your friends for granted, its not really all that hard to loose all of your possessions, its kinda liberating. :)
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
A year older, I don’t make plans in life anymore, we all know what happens with those.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:20 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
Hot tea
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
Packing my files, throwing the Siamese in the car, trying to get my friends out of town, and sick to my soul that i was running from a hurricane.
3) And then where did you go?
Houston until Rita came. Ran for our GF’s house in SoCal.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Returned in Feb. for a Recon, came back in March to the Marigny where we rented a small shotgun.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Our innocence. We had a good thing going. I hope it comes back.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Only one place in town, and that’s Cafe’ Degas.
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
PTSD and losing everything I owned. Five years of research gone in my flooded puters.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
Being accepted by mom’s family. Learning the truth about myself. Happy as a clam.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Miss Love at the Starlight. He makes me laugh.
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
On my bicycle in the Quarter, or beating the boys at pool in the Starlight.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
There is not enough space in Cyber for me to comment on that shithead.
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Idiot.
14) What have we learned?
Cover your ass… it’s all we can do.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
Standing on my porch in Gentilly, 10 foot above sea level, my generator running, drinking whisky, and daring the storms to come at us.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:25 am
1) What are you drinking right now?
water.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
evacuating with my husband, sister-in-law and cat. somewhere on i-10 or i-59
3) And then where did you go?
Little Rock for a few days, then to Houston to stay with relatives for 3 weeks
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
Got home either the last week of September of first week of October.
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
Many friends left; I liked that the city was open 24/7; I liked that trash was picked up regularly; I liked the people who lived here before; I liked a responsive sewerage & water board and electric company; I liked neighborhoods having electricity.
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
Awesome fish at Jacque-Imo’s; Delicious voodoo shrimp at House of Blues
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
Lost my job that I loved and have been working jobs I hate and/or don’t pay enough since.
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
My remaining friends have started playing croquet at City Park on Sundays, and Halloween on Frenchmen St. was a lovely experience, the first weekend where I felt like things might be back to normal.
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
Missy and Mike at One Eyed Jack’s, and of course my favorite neighborhood bartender, Sarah at the Half Moon
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
Either at One Eyed Jack’s or the Half Moon.
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
Why?
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
Has his heart in the right place, but sometimes needs to pull his foot out of his mouth.
14) What have we learned?
No one cares, especially our governmental officials.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I will probably still be in New Orleans, but I hope that in 12 months I can foresee some sort of future so that I can stay here.
June 15th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
1) DRINKING: diet ice tea
2) AUG 28: already evac’d the night before to Texarkana AR
3) THEN WHERE?: my mom’s house in marrero around the 17th of sept.
4) COME HOME?: yes
5) WHEN?: my wife came back to our rented house oct 1st to start cleaning up. we had no water in the house, but under it right up to the floorboards. swept & bleached the floors & threw out moldy stuff & dead food/fridge away. by nov 1st we were able to leave mom’s house & move back home with our 2 kids. (kids & me have asthma, so we had to stay away until the mold was gone.)
6) WHAT DO YOU MISS?: my kids’ daycare @ delgado. my wife’s work in chalmette. my friend’s father who died. dozens of friends who decided to not come home. being able to go through life without the paralyzing fear i now have of hurricane season. being able to let my kids play around outside in the dirt without worrying about what toxic stuff they’re going to dig up.
7) NOTABLE MEALS: i’m doing way more homecooking now than before. so my last notable meal was spaghetti & meatballs with garlic bread. less pay means no eating out. no fast food joints open in the city. having to go to metairie/westbank for food. the darn “limited menu” bs still going on now almost 10 months later.
8) WORST THING SINCE AUG: the loss of my wife’s job. she’s gone from bringing home an avg of $500/wk to $150/week. at the end of july, our savings will be all gone & i have no idea where august’s rent will be coming from.
9) LOVELY HAPPENING?: going to see Legendary Pink Dots on the 27th!
10) BARTENDER?: don’t have one anymore. used to be Fritz at the Hideout, but that was aeons ago.
11) 1AM SAT NITE?: asleep. 2 preschoolers in the house mean no nightlife for me.
12) GWB?: evil, corrupt, cruel, vile, robber-baron, insane, facist, destroyer.
13) NAGIN?: dem in name only, crook, puppet for the developers, going to sell nola out for a buck, while being black he doesn’t give a damn about black people unless they’re rich contributors or can do something for him. oh yeah, and he’s totally incompetent.
14) LEARNED?: not a goddam thing on the grander scale. on the personal scale we’ve learned to evacuate no matter what. don’t stay behind, you cannot ride it out. don’t stay for the sake of your pets, your life isn’t worth theirs. help your neighbors — if you have extra space in your evac vehicle ask if someone you know (even slightly) needs a way out. pack for a month evac not a few days. if you’re in the city leave for anything bigger than a cat 1.
15) WHERE 12 MOS FROM NOW?: my family will still be stuck here in the same situation we are now. we’re getting deeper in debt every day & there’s no way out until my wife’s out of school in 2 yrs. personally, as for myself, i’ll probably be dead. the depression is pretty dark these days.
June 15th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
1) What are you drinking right now?
occasional swigs of scotch
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
in a motel in brookhaven, ms
3) And then where did you go?
memphis for a few days, then st louis
4) Did you come home?
Yes, but im leaving again next week.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
about a week before halloween
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
thinking that all the falling apart houses were kind of charming-modern ruins
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
i made a korean meal for a bunch of my friends last week
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
things falling apart with the boyfrien i had just move in with in lakeview-worth so much more than stuff
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
playing in the rain a couple nights ago
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
dont go to bars enough to have one
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
asleep, not necessarily at my own house
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
not worth it
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
he was nolas hero until he said something stupid. he ought to be mocked for that, but he doesnt desrve to be reviled.
14) What have we learned?
make digital copies of everything
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
maybe portland, maybe sant fe
June 15th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
http://vatul.net/blog/index.php/886/
June 16th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
) What are you drinking right now?
iced coffee.
2) Where were you on 28 August, 2005?
in north carolina loading up to come back to nola after spending spring/summer in the mountains
3) And then where did you go?
stayed in north carolina in a singlewide trailer where more new orleanians would flee the disaster over the next weeks. then quickly headed to diamondhead ms where my grandmothers house was destroyed. when i arrived in ms on sept. 9, there were only residents, & dutch and mexican military… no sign of help from usa military.
4) Did you come home?
Yes.
5) If so, when? If not, where do you live now?
i couldn’t move back into my apartment in mid-city so i couch surfed until finally landing one of the contemptible apartments uptown where luxury rent equals nada!
6) What do you miss most about ‘old’ New Orleans?
friends and “characters” who have not/can not return, recycling, more frequent trash pick-up, PRIDE & RESPECT…. the LACK of red neck invaders and immigrant workers
7) What notable meals have you had lately?
anything created @ my friends’ sunday backyard barbques (where they feed anywhere from 4 to 12 of us @ least twice/week)…especially jeremy’s slow cooked, jerked tenderloin and niki’s homemade coleslaw(no mayo) and fresh creole tomatoes
8) In a word, what’s the worst thing that’s happened to you since August?
having to move my grandmother from her home of 30 years to shreveport (where she is miserable and misses her life in diamondhead & new orleans)… i use to get to see her at least once a week
9) Now, inspire us with something lovely that’s happened.
my friend incorporated me into her business and i feel like we are making a difference and we incorporate as many locals as we can into our business helping to keep more new orleanians in nola! and i do not have to work as a bartender or outside tending to plants in the overwhelming heat
10) Who is your favorite bartender?
kimble & ann @ the balcony bar
11) Where can we find you at 1am on Saturday night?
out seeing local music or hanging out with friends
12) A word on G.W. Bush.
stormy petrel
13) A word on Ray Nagin.
We must, however, acknowledge, as it seems to me, that man with all his noble qualities… still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin.
-DARWIN
14) What have we learned?
that as human beings/citizens/neighbors we have a lot of evolving to do politically as well as spiritually. and that as new orleanians we can make things happen for ourselves with greater results than waiting around for assistance.
15) Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
new orleans if the levees hold or the netherlands if they do not.
July 3rd, 2006 at 1:14 am
[...] Think New Orleans shows organizations how to share information with their constituents, we show how to lead discussions in public forums that attract participation, we show how to organize events with calendaring tools and authoring tools, how to create living documents through collaborative authoring in a web accessible forum. [...]
July 3rd, 2006 at 4:51 pm
[...] I fired up the laptop to rant and rail about the things that are destroying my city. Before I could I got diverted by an email detailing a venomous online postfest on another blog I read. Reading through it was enough to force a resolve on my own part, to make this a positive post. With that in mind I am going to give a little detail on an organization I am working with here in the city called ThinkNOLA. I have been asked about them a few times lately and figured presenting the data here would enlighten a lot of people. Capacity Building : We are trying to teach nonprofit organizations how to publish information so that people can find it, and how to use the Internet as office space. Think New Orleans shows organizations how to share information with their constituents, we show how to lead discussions in public forums that attract participation, we show how to organize events with calendaring tools and authoring tools, how to create living documentsthrough collaborative authoring in a web accessible forum. With the Internet Workshops, Think New Orleans creates a collaborative environment where nonprofit and neighborhood organizations can share knowledge, publish information, and develop skills and strategies to employ the Internet in the rebuilding or New Orleans. [...]