One of my favorite places in the world...

. ...is the Olympic National Park in Washington State. Now, there's a little town there that is kind of in the middle of where you want to go in the Western part of the Park and I've stayed there the 3 times I've been. It's close to the beaches, the Hoh river valley, and the most spectacular place of all - the Hoh rainforest. The town is Forks, WA. And a movie just came out that was made there. You might have heard of it...."Twilight"? Maybe? In passing, perhaps? Well - I had to go see it and the theatre was packed with high school girls with potty mouths while the screen was filled with dreamy vampires. The girls were giggling then yelling "Shut the fuck up!" when someone got too loud which elicited more giggles. I never drove by the high school or ate at the particular local cafe the hearthrobs frequented (if it was indeed filmed at the Forks high school). The only information I had on the local kids, this was back in 2001-2002, was how bad the meth problem was. Funny they didn't touch on that subject at all, even after learning the main vampire never sleeps and is, like, super strong. No "Are you sure you haven't been dipping into Jarred's candy bowl or something? I can stay up for days..." or anything. They must have a handle on it now.


Thanksgiving was a nice day. I went to a local catholic church that had combined services with a congregation from the 9th ward. There was way more singing and dancing this time - I had been once before, both times with a woman from Honduras who lives on my block. I could have sworn she was from the Islands by the way she spoke. They had an unbelievable spread provide by a local synogugue, so it was a very multi-spiritual vibe.

Monday Night Saints

I realize I've posted quite a few shots of the Superdome, but it is such an imposing structure. I see it every day going to and from work and that coupled with the footage from Katrina has it woven into my subconscious. Went to my first Saints game last night for Monday night ball. A friend from work and I decided to go the day before so we bought the tickets that she would spring for (for which she would spring?). I was willing to go all out since it's something I do so rarely...plus I have no real concept of what money is but anyway the seats were in the rough, loud crowd way up in the tip top and man those stairs were STEEP! Seriously, it was so unsafe, the floor was super-slick, how many people have killed themselves in there I wonder? Due to falling, I mean, not as a result of gross negligence by the feds. But - it worked out because we decided to leave after the first quarter (it was that loud...) and on our way down we ran into some neighbors of hers who let us come hang out in their suite. Much much much better.

Gandy Dancing

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,101 Just found this poking around on the internet - it's a 30minute film on the african american workers that used to lay train tracks by hand.

I went to my first community meeting here and was surprised at how civil the population was, considering what is still lacking 3 years later, how much trust they still have that things will get fixed, get done.

Been awhile -

Well, it's been a little while but I'm back albeit briefly before retiring. Found a bunch of neat mugshots from New Orleans in early 20th century off of their library website - an online exhibit if you will. Speaking of exhibits, there's a huge city-wide art exhibit (s) called Prospect 1 that's showing around town, a bi-annual show. It's here until Jan 18th, haven't gone to see any works yet but I will. I keep meaning to go the last few weekends but I haven't been able to get out of the house much...this last weekend it was my back that kept me in bed and the weekend before it was simply the thought of everything that I had to do at work that kept me from getting anything done. I know that doesn't make sense if it's never happened to you - not being able to do anything because there's too much to do that you're so overwhelmed. Putting it off doesn't make it easier, of course, if anything that makes things harder but sometimes it happens that way.
Had to go get a shot for a migrane this past week, I had one for close to 20 hours straight before going to get the shot since I was unable to shoo the pain away with multiple pain pills. Those are coming way more frequently than I've ever had them before - I'm sure it's stress, or rather how I REACT to stress, that's causing them. I'm working on it - reading books, stretching, need to start exercising regularly again, dang it.
Oh - I applied to work in the Obama/Biden administration! Go to Change.gov and you can submit an application - you fill out a short form, then a day or so later you get another link to a longer form. I would still like to work on the reconstruction of this area -maybe in a national position, but, no expectations really. Did it as more of a lark but one never knows.....I am quite happy to continue the work I'm doing as long as I don't let it get to me so much.
The Asshole Monologues are playing - local columnist Chris Rose is in it, quite funny and it delivers what you'd expect if you know anything about the Vagina 'logues (hated that show, though). Spoke to him about his recent girl troubles, poor guy, he deserves better, as did I.
Hey, that rhymes!

YES - WE DID!

YAY FOR US AND YAY FOR THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1