it's TUESDAY, dang it!

All DAY I've thought it was Wednesday, for some reason.  Then, after being completely surprised at seeing my friend at the bottom of the stairs.....she says the same thing, that she's thought it was Wed all day too!  Isn't that odd...or does it just seem odd to me?

Dr. Gabor Mate!  A WONderful find....was able to share that with SS tonight. 

After a bit of a pity-party, during that difficult day, a better day the following w AP and her boys who were having a blast.

Gratuitous,,,

....shot of hunky football player Lance Moore!

It's Christmas!

Holidays at The Roosevelt Hotel

Wow...these days just fly on by, don't they??  Another'good' day that even overshadowed some nastiness au travail.  The glimpse into what an 8 to 5 COULD be made me all the more angry and resentful, methinks, as surely just an email couldn't set me off like that, no? (ask SS who helped me out a bit by phone that afternoon....) Believe I figured out that some anger comes from resentment of things (I would not have expected).....like the GOOD day allowed me to contact friends to tell some of them....thanks...just for being my, you know?  The lack of responses kind of got to me...I mean....how hard is that?  But then....did you send it for the responses?  No.  I didn't think so.  You sent it just to send it, so be happy with that.

Made a commitment to do the Friday at GH.  Having that responsibility will help out, have lots of ideas, just need to slow down and take it as it comes, not forcing anything, not my place.  1/2 and 1/2 and satsumas....good, innocuous start.

Weeks of tapering off any dealings with powder keg have helped, branching out a little.  Am realizing the 'temporary' needs to be just that, lots of h/h flashes, back and forth, changing of minds.  And here I am, same thoughts, same ideas, less bother.  Me like-y.

Saturday 12.4.10

Lots of bike riding today, hurt hurt hurt hurt.  Very outer hips, upper back of thigh.  Won't quit....until I get on the bike, then it gets better as long as I'm pedaling. Getting more and more pissed at the bucaru. Starting to see who 'the crew' is, Sat 7 pm, small group. Some knife sticking by someone who shouldn't.  No room. SS earlier, resentments, anger, forgiveness, goods and bads and your part, on paper. 

Earlier ride included the park and, ENFIN, the City Park Sculpture garden.  Major Kitchen on the lookout.  IT guy and family too.

The evening ride included a trip to a few DesCours installations, such a lovely event that enables you to peek behind the curtain into a world that few experience on a daily basis.

And finally, after crossing Bourbon Street and before hearing the Santa Parade, saw this lovely site. 

Friday 12.3.10

Yes, I didn't quite make it.  But that's ok.  Some realizations today - completion and continuation can be a goal in and of itself.  It isn't necessarily the result that is the only goal.  The work, could also be the goal.  Moving forward, effort, attempts.  For instance, leaving laundry at the laundromat (hate that word) for 2 days because you were in too much of a funk to go back and pick it up....this perpetuates the same results.  Now, coming home from work and immediately hopping on the bicycle for a long ride around City Park, in the dark, was GOOD!  No doubt.  The amount of pain that brought me to that place, as the bike is the one place where I don't feel any right now, is not good.  But...this is a start.  It's a late start, true, but remember.....I have those 2 months of muscle memory from earlier this year.  It will come back a lot sooner that way, it will decrease, and it shouldn't take that long.

Interesting at 8, question on when does one's will end and yours begin? Along with 37 years of separation from all family, another reason to eschew 'religion'.  Similarities in certain things, but again, another realization. In questioning why someone would keep in touch with a relative solely based on the fact that they're relatives, and not based on actually liking that person, or wanting to be around them.  Actually, I think it was more pointed than that.  That they were 'bad'.  That was the intent, if not the actual words.  But...remember....we are not all one, or the other.  There is very little that is only one way, or only the other way.  A big one, really.  These 2, I'm proud of.

Friday 11.26.10

I think it's now Saturday, but, not really.  NOLA decided to get chilly and rainy today.  Down by Harrah's I had lunch with a friend and coworker from my telecom days out west.  How much more DDA can we get Mister? Except ....here comes another little dda on their way in to town. Doh!  And they're already putting up Xmas on Fulton Street, except they use bubbles for snow here! (it ain't DAT cold, you know).  'Rusty' Bush is what they called him. Crawfish in the bag, what? 

Nona in the evening, lots of good info, but not sure if I really get the concept.  You know...really GET the concept? The secrets, the sneakiness, that means something's not right.  That's not clear yet, I take it.

Turkey Day in Grammercy

Ms. AP and 3 of her 4 boys.

It was a nice day, upper 70's, and very clear in small town Louisiana today.  Had a REALLY good meal (pork w amazing gravy that eventually got all over AP and TP, fried turkey, 2 kinds of potatoes, rice caserole, oreo pie, cookies, apple and pecan pie, etc etc etc!!) as soon as arriving and some more right before leaving.

Another pretty darn good day, really.  Besides not wanting to get out of bed, and feeling a bit bad (at first)that I arrived later than planned, it was mostly a hoot!  With an AWEsome Dallas/Saints game to boot!  17-0 Saints after the first quarter, then the Cowboys at the end were WINNING until the Jenkins 'snatched-that-ball-right-outta-his-hands' and they took it all the way downfield with less than 5 minutes to go.  Bradshaw picked Dallas, the traitor.  Can't beLIEVE 'dat.

Really don't know how this gal does it....she's pulled every which way and still wears a constant smile.

Then there's the Crazy 'Ditch-Baby', huh Declan?

 With Dashiell's target practice, below.

And finally her in-law's 'Room o' Lounge' with a jacuzzi andTV with surround sound all with a stellar view of the sugarcane fields out back! (recently harvested)

Is this crazy or what??!?

I just don't know how she does it - and one of them is missing from these photos, The Namesake was playing the new Black Ops most of the day today in the back bedroom.  I only had about 6 hrs worth and they done wore my ass OUT!

Thursday 11.25.10

My hips been tellin' me rain is coming but it isn't here yet, so I'm just not sure no mo'.

Potluck and J last night, gumbo, tater salad, mac and cheese, and orange drank!  Baby Ariel, born in San Diego!  Go Grandma!!  (hee hee)  Get to see Ms. Amy today and her goat-totin' boys, will be fun!

E

Tuesday 11.23.10

Sonji's gonna be an AUNT very very soon!  Now she's leaving at 6 am the day before Thanksgiving (ugh) to fly to San Diego to be with her sister, super exciting! 

I'm just Not done yet, can you believe it!  Yes?  Well....you must be familiar with my work.  About to start back up right after this.

Slipping at the blvd, by the end of the day it's hard to do much of anything with these hips/back at present.  Poor PKs a bit better but not hungry at all, new food for allergies.  Maybe it's that....

Well, on to the 'plan' for the year - I never would have thunk it, had you told me even 2 months ago I'd be doing that.

Monday, well....Tuesday 11.23.10

City Park, view from NOMA towards Esplanade.

I guess I'm slipping a bit, it's a little after midnight now. The last few days have been very nice, 70's light wind, but with a lot of hip pain.  Thinking that meant rain...but it hasn't arrived yet.  PK had another horrible ear infection, had to run her to the vet for sedation before cleaning bc she now knows what a muzzle is and ain't having none of that!  She was in such bad shape when I came to pick her up that I had to leave her there for another hour (ended up being 2 bc they didn't answer my calls/knocks) to rest and climb out of her wormhole.  Poor baby.  Another chunk of money flys away...bye bye!  Did not stop on my way to the office to check if the tire was flat, it sure was so had to check on that before going to the vet. Another spray with the bottle without taking it off....I just don't know how they can examine it adequately that-a-way! No 545 bc of the vet, dentist in the am, then finishing what I needed to have finished a few weeks ago, really.

Birds Fly Away

Ms. Theresa Anderson, LIVE, will getcha going today!

Sunday 11.21.10

Fountainbleu State Park on the north shore.

It went better than expected, which was nice.  A little defensiveness at first, but that's to be expected when someone brings it out of left field i.e. she didn't realize.  2 rational adults coming at things from different places, you know? About 2.5 hours of 'working on it', a headache the entire time which threatened to become a migraine so went to sleep early which feels good.

Friday night at BH, T along for the ride, was Holidays, which is o so apropos with Thanksgiving next week. 3rd time through, in her 20's, which takes an awful lot of courage and insight, if you ask me.

Pain's ramping, stone-cold-lampin' up. More bike rides, stretching, exercises needed.  Goals, on the Big Sheets.

Here we go

Let's see what happens.

Indian Mind

An Indian came to a medicine man and told him, “In my mind there are two dogs fighting all the time; one is beautiful and one is ugly. ”

“The beautiful one will win, ” answered the shaman.

“Why is that? ” asked the brave.

“Because you will feed the beautiful one. ”

Thursday 11.18.10

I feel ya', babe.

Very tired today, but can't believe it's Thursday night already.  Have been staying up late on the computer, for no good reason, truthfully.  Big Whig here, invite to mid Dec repast.  Microphones?  WHAT?!  Invite to Destin for Thanksgiving weekend to see A&L. Tengo cuidado.  Fringe this weekend, remember that small button and bizarre performance in someone's backyard last year?  During Day was harder, another column added to the sheet, damn it.

Remember the goal, chairing, the occasional lead. Three things - less pain all over, energy to cook, patience to walk the bear back and forth.  Over and over.  damn it.

Wednesday 11.17.10

A bend in the river by Southern University in Baton Rouge

Another good day.  That's 2 in 3 days, yo!  Actually seemed to be useful and respected (at the same time...that's the trick) during the day, and contributed in the evening with a lot of good, sincere responses afterwards (along with 2 separate Camel Wide offers).  'Change' w the Big D leading the way. More chattin' by finger with AP, funny gal.  Now I'm not 'Home(less) for the Holidays'!  Tried bacon steeped black beans w greens and marinated chicken.  Beans still not done after 2 days of soaking and 3 hours of cooking, so it's just time to go to sleep.  Set up a lunch with the calmest man in show business (worked with him in both CA and WA) the Friday after T'giving, will be nice to catch up.

Nice eternal view for the founders of Southern University.

Tuesday 11.16.10

WHAT.............................................................................took them so long?

Does this count as cooking? 1 packet Jiffy cornbread add 1 small can of creamed corn to make it super moist and a bit sweet, and VOILA!

Kind of tired of bringing it up (but I guess not tired enough....), more examples of the mastery of talking shit behind one persons back to only turn around and do it again with someone else, both of whom report to you, for some bizarre reason. The worst of the worst, man. Serious. I could GIVE a fuck about the sheet. And that's hard to do, to make me not give one fucking fuck, you know? That's hard. Laughing with AP, telling great stories that were very hard to live through, but make great fodder for late night conversations.

ACORN?!  His name was ACORN?!  No wonder man.....that slays me.  Here's to the local firehouses, glad you're around for them, boys.

a green tent at city park

I love me some City Park.

Monday 11.15.10

Blog wouldn't upload photos yesterday, needed some flavor to go with my words, so I just said 'f*ck it.'  Hips are now as good as doppler (they hurt = rain coming). Last few days I'm able to get away with wearing these shoes at work (bc of all the standing at the plan tables I'm having to do to finish this freakin' assignment, Contrary Carey).  Crocs and Vespas (not mine)...hell, we almost a damn ARCHitecture firm here in these trailers, no?  All we'd need is trendy eyeglasses and all-black clothing.  Well, maybe an office that wasn't on wheels would help with the cache-factor.  Then again....

Was good this evening, talked to Ms. D and didn't even get all up in her about talking down...just let that one slide...until we meet again tomorrow for the Transcontinental, at least.  Best to discuss in person.

It felt a bit today like one of those GOOD days, the hopeful ones, remember?  No?  They come occasionally now, seemingly more often than before, just with some long stretches of bad.  Or....is it just because I THINK they're bad, or good....?  I mean, I didn't win the lottery (for a really GOOD day), and luckily I can walk without much pain today (as opposed to when I can't which makes it a BAD day).  So, what makes it a GOOD vs BAD day if none of those extremes are involved?  Must be in between my ears, but lordy it's been oh-so-hard to figure that shit out.

some other day

more tomorrow

Saturday 11.13.10

Coming at'cha 8 pm. Work, hydrants, 350 Priority '1' right now says NOFD, we'd be a '2'. Be glad we even GOT water, right? Susan, homework, Steve and Lisa's new house ~ 3.5 blocks from St Charles in the heart of Indian country. Mardi Gras headquarters....ya' herd??!?

Friday 11.12.10

Friday, Wild Iris. You point a finger, 3 more come back at you. 1 day. 1 year. 13 years.  Mr. Hinman, living in Covington with his troupe, great to hear. 1/2 day tomorrow at work, Patrick rolling in and out for the last 30 years.

Thanks for the insight and such a high level of discourse.  Need to start on 'homework', only want to sleep.

The Experiment

This morning when the alarm went off I thought for SURE it was Saturday (and I didn't even work Monday).  Turned the damn thing off, over and over, until I realized it was only Thursday.  Hellofaway to start, at least I had my furball Oso in my arms. More of this crap, almost all day.  White bread, tuna fish, mac and cheese.  The Donald Harrison Quintet, free at Loyola, in a special tribute to Idris Muhammad. "I'm Retired.  So if you want to hear me play.. buy my records!" Drumming, New Guinea-style. Big Chief.  Indians.  Hey pockey way.  Just got back from Maine, I wonder if Big Chiefs can bring along whichever Indian they want on the tours?  "hey, Pink, get on the van, we're going to Maine."  "Ah, nah, brah! Too cold up 'ere, take Blue, he go witcha".  On my way out, thoughts come in, again.  Diana, oh Diana.

Facebook vs blog

Well, my blogging has definitely gone by the wayside, but I've increased my Facebook posts...so I'm wondering now...what is the better way to get/keep/distribute information?  Meaning...why do a blog?  Is it for me or for others?  Why post on your own page on Facebook?  Again...is it for yourself, or for others, or both??  If all one is consumed with is thoughts of effects of the oil spill, or what is going on now in Haiti, as there's next to no coverage of that, is that what one should post about?  Or, perhaps, should you put up photos and information from your trip to West Virginia to see some long lost family members? Anyway, these are things I've been thinking about, in trying to decide whether or not to continue with the blog or Facebook.  I have a tendency to stay on my computer for long stretches....to me it's like a library with a television all rolled up into one, and I can spend hours with each of those things.  No iPhone for me...I'd never get anything done. 
So, what I'm thinking, is that Facebook is a good thing to have for getting back into/keeping in touch, and it's an interesting voyeristic vehicle of sorts as well.  I don't spend hours on it, like I do with some other sites on the computer, so it's not taking up an inordinate amout of my time or effort.  Neither, of course, is this blog.  BUT - I would like to put some happier, more pleasing information on the blog so as to use it more like an album of memories...memories that I don't mind anyone else being able to access at anytime, of course.  Memories that aren't so all consuming with the oil spill, or Haiti, at least for now.  To that end...

Here's one of my favorite bridges on the drive to/from New Orleans from other Southern locales.  It's either in MS or AL, I can't remember which. 

Alright, goddamn it.

Here's a freakin' nice and purty rainbow after the strong storm today...jeez...

Oh my god. I don't even know where to begin on this oil spill....

This is one of the saddest things I've ever seen. I feel so helpless, so sad. I went down to Venice a day before the president's fist visit, in early May, (he's been down here 3 times so far) and the lack of local authorities involvement in getting ready for the inevitable oil coming ashore was breathtaking. Why don't people in this region know by now that you can NOT rely on the governemt, or, least of all, on LARGE FUCKING OIL CONGLOMERATES to do the right thing! Please please please get this, people! There needs to be an organized, concerted effort of the CITIZENS in the affected area to document the ongoing situation! Take photographs. Take water samples. Take plant samples. Separate, fan out, document, repeat. That's the only way to even have a chance to get renumeration for your pain and suffering. For what you've lost.

These photographs are all AP photographs.  Unbelievable.

So sad, so helpless, so doomed.

There was a 'gulf oil spill teach in' here on Thursday night that I went to. http://na.oceana.org/en/blog/2010/06/new-orleans-residents-find-solidarity-at-oil-spill-teach-in

I have somse good documents on chemical dispersants, oil in a marsh environement, and lot of websites on where to get information and good articles so far.  http://www.btnep.org/default.asp?id=213  OK, here you go, they posted them there.  The thing is that oil spills in the marsh have been happening ever since oil, and oil pipes, have been laid and cut into the marshes here.  At least since the 1930's, if not earlier.  Nothing of this size, of course.  But they know how the extremely toxic chemicals in crude affect the wildlife.  For instance, oysters can't metabolize the chemicals at all.  They just stay shut, quit eating, and wither away, and die. 

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/assignment-35/?hp  This is a well written blog on the effect of these photographs, I just broke down in wracking, body shivering tears seeing these photographs, as the blog stated would be easy to do.  I'm going to get in my car and go down there this weekend again. 

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/caught_in_the_oil.html

There is a 'Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office'...but....

It has only a few sentences on this incident, and was last updated on 4.30.10.  See below.

Good God.

http://www.losco.state.la.us/admin/newsflash.asp?newsid=284

Go for it boys....we love you....

Happy Easter!

Y'all!!!  I took an amazing trip on the Creole Nature Trail this weekend with the dogs.  It's late and my internet connection is acting funny so I won't post pics tonight, just had to post this one from today since it IS Easter and all....

Super Sunday 2010

And it was...a SUPER Super Sunday. A gorgeous day, with a home cooked breakfast eaten on the patio after some coffee and cigarettes. Went by bicycle to see the festivities where all the Indian Tribes meet. Normally it's done on St. Joseph's day, but the Indian chiefs postponed it for a week this year for some reason, not sure why. It's been a lovely, lovely March that certainly did 'come in' and 'go out' as two different entities, but it's been an almost rhapsodic spring so far, temperature wise. Some more loveliness follows....

The father of one of John's students in full regalia.

Everyone gettin' in on the music, marching away.

A very serious look from a very seriously talented suit-maker.  All these Indians make these suits themselves, it takes all year and a lot of money for each of these amazings.  Les Blank is a documentarian who has done all kinds of films on creole, cajun, and New Orleans culture. His first film on New Orleans Mardi Gras, which includes the Indians, was done in 1978, but I've found there isn't a real knowledge of this culture, even in this town, as it's a very secretive element.

The crowd getting them all hyped up.

It seems this tradition is still going on strong, the young men look transfixed...