Last night my sweetheart and I were watching The Big Easy, an 80's classic starring Dennis Quaid (not Randy) and Ellen Barkin, set in New Orleans.
Ellen is really pissed at Dennis for a good portion of the movie and I kept wondering why. It just didn't make sense. Johnny pretty much summed it up by asking, "Did we get smarter since the 80s? Did the nation actually increase it's IQ since then?"
Then, after an especially thrilling scene where Dennis sports his non-authentic accent and Ellen wears a bag-dress, she called 80s people "simpletons."
Eighties simpletons. That would make a great theme party. Maybe J. Gordon's next party could be an 80's simpleton toga prom?
6.30.2006
6.27.2006
N'awlins
I'm on my way out and thought I'd create a little list.
Things I didn't do while in New Orleans:
Things I did do while in New Orleans:
I love it here. I want to come back.
Things I didn't do while in New Orleans:
Show my skin for some cheap beads.
Take advantage of the lack of open container law.
Fall asleep immediately after I got into bed.
Eat a po-boy.
Adjust to the time change.
Take the ferry to Algiers ("The real home of Mardi Gras")
Wear sensible shoes.
Go to Emeril's.
Attend a General Session.
Things I did do while in New Orleans:
Drank and ate seafood every day.
Shepherded a cricket out of my hotel room (twice).
Listened to Howl-at-the-Moon (across the street) until I was forced to wear earplugs.
Went to an incredibly cool jazz bar called Fritzl's.
Saw nearly everyone that I knew was going to be here, some I didn't expect and made some new friends.
Went to Cafe Du Monde and tried the chicory cafe au lait and beignets (dude.)
Learned that Loyola and Tulane are literally across the street from one another.
Got free books without trying.
Re-used my towels & bedding, without being asked.
I love it here. I want to come back.
6.26.2006
Fat City
That's right, isn't it?
I went to this awesome session today about Ann Arbor Public who holds a SuperMarioKart tournament for the kids in their community. They totally go all out and produce it and have interviews with the finalists, like SportsCenter. It was totally awesome and make me wish I had gone into YA services. But then I remembered that I'd probably hate it.
Last night I saw a screening of The Hollywood Librarian. We saw about 35 minutes of semi-edited footage and it looks pretty good. There is a fair amount of book-cart-drill-team footage, which certainly adds some glamour to the whole thing. It isn't finished yet, pending funding, so if you have $50 that you'd like to contribute to helping the reputation of my profession, feel free to PayPal it their way.
Today I spent a fair amount of time on public transportation. I decided that I didn't have an extra $50 for the "Devastation Tours" and I talked to a couple of people and was rather discouraged to just jump on any old bus and head out to the 9th Ward. One guy said that it is "pretty lonely."
Instead, I took some of the more regularly running routes. I took the Canal St. Streetcar from end to end, and toward the North-West end (closest to the lake) you could really see the difference from the French Quarter area. Yesterday, the NO Public librarian told me that there were initiatives among the locals to really get out and clean up the Quarter and the Convention Center area before we all came. She said there were kids out picking up trash and sweeping the sidewalks and everything. I almost cried when she was describing it to me, but I didn't really think of it again until I saw the difference leaving the Quarter area. Some places looked okay, but most of the houses up there had a very distinct water line about 4 feet up the side of the buildings. It was really incredible to see house after house with this line across them. On the side streets you could see the FEMA trailers parked in front of the houses and lots of construction crews and trash on the sidewalks. I have some photos which I hope to upload after I get back.
I went to this awesome session today about Ann Arbor Public who holds a SuperMarioKart tournament for the kids in their community. They totally go all out and produce it and have interviews with the finalists, like SportsCenter. It was totally awesome and make me wish I had gone into YA services. But then I remembered that I'd probably hate it.
Last night I saw a screening of The Hollywood Librarian. We saw about 35 minutes of semi-edited footage and it looks pretty good. There is a fair amount of book-cart-drill-team footage, which certainly adds some glamour to the whole thing. It isn't finished yet, pending funding, so if you have $50 that you'd like to contribute to helping the reputation of my profession, feel free to PayPal it their way.
Today I spent a fair amount of time on public transportation. I decided that I didn't have an extra $50 for the "Devastation Tours" and I talked to a couple of people and was rather discouraged to just jump on any old bus and head out to the 9th Ward. One guy said that it is "pretty lonely."
Instead, I took some of the more regularly running routes. I took the Canal St. Streetcar from end to end, and toward the North-West end (closest to the lake) you could really see the difference from the French Quarter area. Yesterday, the NO Public librarian told me that there were initiatives among the locals to really get out and clean up the Quarter and the Convention Center area before we all came. She said there were kids out picking up trash and sweeping the sidewalks and everything. I almost cried when she was describing it to me, but I didn't really think of it again until I saw the difference leaving the Quarter area. Some places looked okay, but most of the houses up there had a very distinct water line about 4 feet up the side of the buildings. It was really incredible to see house after house with this line across them. On the side streets you could see the FEMA trailers parked in front of the houses and lots of construction crews and trash on the sidewalks. I have some photos which I hope to upload after I get back.
The Crescent City
This place has lots of nicknames.
I've been going to meetings and what-not, but I've really enjoyed meeting lots of people around at happy hours and special events. Yesterday, I went to a special event at one of the branch libraries out on St. Charles St. I started speaking with this woman on the bus. She works at one of the local hotels. In the hurricane, she came out unscathed, but most of her neighbors lost everything. She said that this has enabled her to help other people. She gives away money, clothing, prayers, time...anything she has. She said it was great that the librarians were in town, because they need it, and that we should all try and take a trip up to the 9th Ward because dead people are STILL being found up there. She said anyone who comes here should go see it. I asked about public buses in that area, and she said that the worst of it isn't on the main roads because the main roads tend to be a little higher.
I got to the branch library a little early, so I struck up a conversation with the librarian there. She is originally from Akron (Ohio) and she and her husband lost everything in the hurricane. She lives in a FEMA trailer while they try to rebuild their house. She said she's evacuated about 15 times in the 20 years they've lived here, but usually for "no reason." Luckily, they decided to go anyway, but she said she could never imagine what it was like to lose everything she had. She got laid off for a while and then rehired. She has her pet rabbit and guinea pig living at the library because there isn't any room in the trailer for them.
They hold tours people can take to the devastated areas. I have mixed feelings because I think people should be able to go, but to make it tourist-y seems wrong to me. The librarian said that buses will come by their house while they are working and they'll stop and take pictures. I don't think I'll go on one of those, so I don't know if I'll make it to the areas I need to go. I want to ask the concierge about the public bus, but I feel awkward about that too.
It's a very sensitive time, but people are still drinking, partying and throwing beads off the balcony. I guess after all this, New Orleans still permits you to have whatever kind of experience you want to have.
I've been going to meetings and what-not, but I've really enjoyed meeting lots of people around at happy hours and special events. Yesterday, I went to a special event at one of the branch libraries out on St. Charles St. I started speaking with this woman on the bus. She works at one of the local hotels. In the hurricane, she came out unscathed, but most of her neighbors lost everything. She said that this has enabled her to help other people. She gives away money, clothing, prayers, time...anything she has. She said it was great that the librarians were in town, because they need it, and that we should all try and take a trip up to the 9th Ward because dead people are STILL being found up there. She said anyone who comes here should go see it. I asked about public buses in that area, and she said that the worst of it isn't on the main roads because the main roads tend to be a little higher.
I got to the branch library a little early, so I struck up a conversation with the librarian there. She is originally from Akron (Ohio) and she and her husband lost everything in the hurricane. She lives in a FEMA trailer while they try to rebuild their house. She said she's evacuated about 15 times in the 20 years they've lived here, but usually for "no reason." Luckily, they decided to go anyway, but she said she could never imagine what it was like to lose everything she had. She got laid off for a while and then rehired. She has her pet rabbit and guinea pig living at the library because there isn't any room in the trailer for them.
They hold tours people can take to the devastated areas. I have mixed feelings because I think people should be able to go, but to make it tourist-y seems wrong to me. The librarian said that buses will come by their house while they are working and they'll stop and take pictures. I don't think I'll go on one of those, so I don't know if I'll make it to the areas I need to go. I want to ask the concierge about the public bus, but I feel awkward about that too.
It's a very sensitive time, but people are still drinking, partying and throwing beads off the balcony. I guess after all this, New Orleans still permits you to have whatever kind of experience you want to have.
6.24.2006
The big easy
New Orleans is beautiful and interesting and strange, all at once. This is my first trip here and I'm fully intrigued. I spent the past couple of days walking around and getting a better sense of the areas near my hotel (tourist-y areas, the French QUarter, the convention center area, the river-side area). The city is packed with bars and restaurants and shops, everywhere. Red Rider was kind enough to walk me by her old house and through her old neighborhood and there were little side streets with restaurants and coffee shops tucked around the corners. It really reminds me of so many places: Philly, southern California, New York...it's really interesting.
The bus driver told us that 2/3 of the people who lived here before the hurricane have not come back. It seems pretty busy most places, but most of the people I see are librarians. We drove by this underpass where he pointed out the water line, 13 feet up the side of the highway. There are entire neighborhoods that still have tarps for roofs.
I've eaten a lot, including a 5-beer sampler and some fried cheesecake. The cake part was all melty and yummy. A guy struck up a conversation to me on the way to registration and gave me the lowdown on the casino buffet and then offered to split a doobie with me. I politely declined.
The bus driver told us that 2/3 of the people who lived here before the hurricane have not come back. It seems pretty busy most places, but most of the people I see are librarians. We drove by this underpass where he pointed out the water line, 13 feet up the side of the highway. There are entire neighborhoods that still have tarps for roofs.
I've eaten a lot, including a 5-beer sampler and some fried cheesecake. The cake part was all melty and yummy. A guy struck up a conversation to me on the way to registration and gave me the lowdown on the casino buffet and then offered to split a doobie with me. I politely declined.
6.16.2006
Finalamente
The Philly trip was great. We got to Erica and The Agent's house on Thursday night when we met their cat, Victor.
Victor is super cute and playful.
I spent a good portion of the weekend trying get a picture of him doing acrobatic stunts with his toy. Finally The Agent hooked it up:
Did you really look at that picture? That cat is doing a freakin' cartwheel!
Bevin brought Macy and Her Man down for a visit and we played some Cranium and took pictures while the dogs played.
Saturday, J.Gordan hosted a happenin' party at his house which required 80s attire. Here is the before-party shot:
Sadly, I don't have a post-party shot, but lets just say that if there had been some foam around, there might have been a fight.
We also went to breakfast, went hiking, gave Erica a surprise graduation present, visited with family, played games, had a cookout and all sorts of other great things.
I made an album for these photos, and a few others from our Denver trip.
Victor is super cute and playful.
I spent a good portion of the weekend trying get a picture of him doing acrobatic stunts with his toy. Finally The Agent hooked it up:
Did you really look at that picture? That cat is doing a freakin' cartwheel!
Bevin brought Macy and Her Man down for a visit and we played some Cranium and took pictures while the dogs played.
Saturday, J.Gordan hosted a happenin' party at his house which required 80s attire. Here is the before-party shot:
Sadly, I don't have a post-party shot, but lets just say that if there had been some foam around, there might have been a fight.
We also went to breakfast, went hiking, gave Erica a surprise graduation present, visited with family, played games, had a cookout and all sorts of other great things.
I made an album for these photos, and a few others from our Denver trip.
6.15.2006
my diet has gone to pot
but not literally.
I had a balance bar for breakfast today. I just read the ingredients and I still don't know what is in those things, but I was buzzing around for a couple of hours afterward.
We had our staff appreciation lunch at work today. I knew maybe 1/4 of the people there, but I did see my coworker's thong sticking out of her pants. It was a little awkward, even though her back was to me. I just pretended it didn't happen. Johnny has a special term for that, but I can't think of what it is now. She is at a jetgirl planning meeting, so I'll ask when she gets back.
For dinner I had chips and salsa and half a bag of cherries.
How's that for nutrition?
Scootking and Pixelville are back today! Welcome home guys!
I had a balance bar for breakfast today. I just read the ingredients and I still don't know what is in those things, but I was buzzing around for a couple of hours afterward.
We had our staff appreciation lunch at work today. I knew maybe 1/4 of the people there, but I did see my coworker's thong sticking out of her pants. It was a little awkward, even though her back was to me. I just pretended it didn't happen. Johnny has a special term for that, but I can't think of what it is now. She is at a jetgirl planning meeting, so I'll ask when she gets back.
For dinner I had chips and salsa and half a bag of cherries.
How's that for nutrition?
Scootking and Pixelville are back today! Welcome home guys!
6.14.2006
I read that
I finished the Da Vinci Code shortly after we got back from Philly (no, there won't be any philly photos in this post) and I don't see what all the fuss is about. Even if all that jazz was true, I don't think it would "shake the foundations of christianity." There are actually scholars who are spending time refuting the claims made in the novel. I also saw a church sign that was having a Da Vinci Code-refuting themed sermon. That just seems weird.
Speaking of shaking the foundations, Johnny and I have embarked on a mission to eradicate all traces of whining from our dog. She has a bad whining habit, so we've starting actively ignoring her when she does it. This involves turning our backs and walking away from her a lot. Or covering our heads with the blankets while holding perfectly still so she can't possibly interpret anything we do as reinforcement. It seems to be working pretty well, except for a minute ago when she parked herself next to me on the couch and whined into the back of my head for about 30 seconds straight. Such a baby.
Speaking of shaking the foundations, Johnny and I have embarked on a mission to eradicate all traces of whining from our dog. She has a bad whining habit, so we've starting actively ignoring her when she does it. This involves turning our backs and walking away from her a lot. Or covering our heads with the blankets while holding perfectly still so she can't possibly interpret anything we do as reinforcement. It seems to be working pretty well, except for a minute ago when she parked herself next to me on the couch and whined into the back of my head for about 30 seconds straight. Such a baby.
6.12.2006
Miss you.
Our friends are in Greece and we are watching their cats. They have season tickets to the Columbus Comets (although neither of them really like football much) so we got their tickets to Friday's game. It was really fun and the QB is someone I've known since she was in high school, so that only added to the experience. Johnny flyered a good portion of the crowd before we went to the Surly Girl with Lacy and the doctor couple. Lacy and one of the members of the doctor couple are moving (separately to separate places) while I am in New Orleans for ALA, which is awful because not only will I be hot, and at risk for a tropical storm, but I will miss their going-away celebrations, the drag show and all the other fun pride festivities that happen in the gay mecca of the midwest.
Yesterday we went to the CSA farm for the best potluck ever. We picked snap peas and strawberries and got to pet the little calves.
This little girl kept sticking her finger out for this calf to suck on and it kept soing it until her arm was completely covered in drool. Luckily that happened after we ate.
And, soon I will post the photos from the Philly trip. It was so fun and included lots of great activities and people seeing and things. I just need to find the cord for the camera.
Yesterday we went to the CSA farm for the best potluck ever. We picked snap peas and strawberries and got to pet the little calves.
This little girl kept sticking her finger out for this calf to suck on and it kept soing it until her arm was completely covered in drool. Luckily that happened after we ate.
And, soon I will post the photos from the Philly trip. It was so fun and included lots of great activities and people seeing and things. I just need to find the cord for the camera.
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