Weekly Photo Challenge "Mundane"


When in doubt... post a cat picture! Sleeping cats are pretty ordinary in our house.

Happy Independence Day.


Independent from what I’m not sure any more. I for one plan on expressing my love of ‘Merica by stimulating the economy (‘cause it sure does need it), laying out to work on my tan (cancer schmanser), finally doing a blog post (incite the masses) eating and drinking to excess (the land of plenty) and lighting illegal fireworks (rebellion). Today I’ll drive over to Gretna and smuggle illegal fireworks into Orleans. Gee, I hope the cops don’t track me down from this post. Maybe they only troll MySpace pages. Actually, I’ll probably just get sparklers.

I’m glad to have a long weekend in which I am staying in town and have no big plans. Things have been busy around here with work, going out of town and neighborhood stuff. Along with the above I also plan on catching up reading blogs and answering email. It going to be too hot or rainy this weekend to be outdoors for long.

Speaking of neighborhood stuff…the POS house across the street is finally being renovated. And work is being done to Lyon’s park to take up the trailer park infrastructure up and return it to a field. I have to applaud city council for standing up to FEMA and getting them to get to work and lay sod at all the parks.


Looking up the weekend weather I noticed there's a TS out in the Atlantic. It's far off, but I was amused by the computer model that has it heading due east back to Africa. Add to the list this weekend: go through "disaster" kit...

Lighthouse Vote

The lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain is under consideration for restoration, but it needs our help. I'm hoping you will take a sec, (and it only takes a sec) to help out. Our lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans was destroyed by Katrina. Built in the 1890s, the lighthouse has been a lakefront landmark for years, guiding boats in and out of the Orleans Marina and the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Some of the original materials were salvaged and they're trying to rebuild it but of course it takes money the city doesn't have right now.

There is a company that restores lighthouses and has a contest going on right now to donate new windows and doors for a lighthouse in need of restoration, and the Canal lighthouse is on the list! PLEASE help out and vote for New Orleans!!
www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse

Radar indicated that 3 to 5 inches of rain fell this morning in an hour and a half over much of New Orleans. As much as 1 to 3 inches more is possible. About 3 to 6 inches of rain has fallen in Jefferson Parish, including Metairie, Harahan, Old Jefferson, Bridge City and Avondale.

A rain gauge at Audubon Park collected 4.42 inches from about 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., the weather service said.

I was afraid it wasn’t going to stop raining there for a while. We are on high ground here on Annunciation but for the first time in 9 years we had to move our cars and saw water covering our street. If it was bad here I know it was much worse in other parts of the city.

Of course, this is nothing compared to Iowa and Indiana. I was tooling around looking at photos of the flooding and noticed this side bar from the IndiStar.com (hat tip Celcus)

Experts advise that storm victims do the following to help maintain their mental health:
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise.
- Talk to friends and family members.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

It took me back to the first weeks after Katrina and the federal flood.
-Sleep? Who could sleep? We took sleeping pills and still could not sleep.
-I must have ate a healthy diet ‘cause I gained 10 pounds in a month and a half.
-Exercise… we walked every morning because we had no place to be.
-Avoid caffeine and alcohol. *snort* that one cracked me up the most. I remember when we moved out of our in-laws house into my brother-in-laws place my first words were “I want to get blotto” 5 minutes later I had a martini sitting in front of me and it wasn’t the last. You better believe caffeine and alcohol are in my "disaster kit."

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tawdry

It's too hot for me to go outside and look for something to shoot, though I'm sure it wouldn't take me long to find a suitable subject. These are from a holiday boat parade in south Florida, I think it was Pompano. These maybe more gaudy that tawdry but it's all I got handy in the archives.





The parade theme was "movies" and you can sort of see that in the first and last one. Got to love "Christmas somewhere over the rainbow"...

Weekly Photo Challenge

This week was a free-for-all. So I picked two of my fav pics from today's walk.



Click on 'em to see them bigger.

Lafitte Corridor - Blazing (hot) Trail


G and walked the Lafitte Corridor today. It was a lovely though hot day and there was a good turn out. We almost missed it; we were pulling up to Armstrong Park, the meeting place, at 10:01 and the group had already taken off! We drove up to the front of the group and found a parking spot and joined in. A couple of other bloggers were there: Dangerblond, Tugboat Captain, Celcus and Michael Homan. And of course Editor B was leading the show. He runs a tight ship and has a quick stride. I almost got left behind a few times because I stopped to take pictures. I finally set up a Flickr account and you can see more photos there. link


We passed the abandoned Winn-Dixie that prompted a discussion about the lack of grocery stores in this area of town. Past the Lafitte housing complex – half still standing, half gone. Inside some of the units there were still people’s possessions inside. There was that terrible post-federal flood stench of moldy, rotting stuff. We passed the traffic light graveyard, warehouses, the shuttered Mercy hospital, Bayou St. John. Stopped at the new Massey’s on S. Carrollton for blessed AC and free lunch!



After lunch, we pushed on along the still existing rails passing Delgado, Holt Cemetery (in bad need of a mow) and ending up at Canal Blvd. We made quick time and had 30 minutes to kill before the arrival of the bus Massey’s got to take us back to our cars. Some of us wandered over to the Bulldog for a pint. The last time I was there was after Ashley’s funeral.

The walk was gritty and urban, and not very pretty. It would be fantastic for it to be redeveloped as a greenway with a path and be a link from the Quarter to Mid-City. The hope is for next year’s walk, part of it will be a trail. The Friends of Lafitte Corridor’s web site says they need to only raise $3,422 more. The state will match every dollar with $4! If you support this effort, go and donate to help make this happen. And if you live in City Council Districts A, B or C, let your representative know you support it.

New Roof

I finally have photos of our new roof.


G has also been busy building shutters for the windows. Note the new shutters on the front of the house. G doesn't have to keep as much plywood on hand and should save some time when a storm threatens.


The new part in the back with new window and shutters.

Do it!

Please go to YouTube and watch our latest Public Service Announcement!

If enough people watch the video, it will earn a place on the homepage of YouTube where it may be viewed by millions!

The video shows why we all need the 8/29 Investigation - a truly independent and complete analysis of the Katrina levee failures on August 29, 2005.

Click here!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pqjIryjz1Ws

Best if done by NOON THURSDAY JUNE 5.

Help launch Levees.Org to the top of the YouTube charts!

Want to do more? You can also:
1. Register at YouTube and rate the video.
2. View and rate our other videos on YouTube.

Help spread the word. Help show why New Orleans and people nationwide deserve the 8/29 Investigation. We have shown that the levee study done by the government is flawed and controversial. We also know that the review done by the ASCE was shoddy and biased.

Thank you!
Sandy Rosenthal
Founder and Executive Director
www.levees.org

Obviously...


Kenner police seize 16 pounds of marijuana
by The Times-Picayune
Monday June 02, 2008, 3:56 PM

Kenner police arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized more than 16 pounds of marijuana this morning at a house in the Lincoln Manor neighborhood.

Palma L. Jefferson, 29, was arrested without incident during the 6:40 a.m. raid on his house at 3128 Jasper St., Lt. Wayne McInnis said.

Police said they confiscated almost 16-1/2 pounds of marijuana, 81 Ecstasy tablets, a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol and $27,000. The marijuana was found in one-pound bags and has a street value of nearly $10,000, McInnis said.

“This stuff obviously wasn’t for personal consumption,” he said.

Jefferson was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, second-offense marijuana possession, simple possession and possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy, possession of a gun in the presence of illegal drugs and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

Weekly Photo Challenge: May 30, 2008

I was looking to capture something that would only exist on this day. I decided to take some pics in my community garden.

I haven't shot my photo for the week's Challenge yet, but I did want to share this video. OK Go playing with Bonerama on David Letterman. I hear you, "But Christy, that was months ago?!" I don't stay up for Letterman any more. So I'm old. Eh.



MUCH better than this version - looks like a high school talent show. I think they forgot to tune up.

We're back. Tired and broke but had a great time. I'm going to save the trip description until I can get photos up.

You may recall the "beer incident" with my former camera. I starting doing research because I wanted a camera for the Boston trip. I found the one I wanted at a good price on Ebay. It was over a week before the trip so I should have in in plenty of time. Wrong. I almost canceled the order - I told them if it was delivered by May 20 I wouldn't cancel. It arrive The 21st, the day G was traveling to meet me. #!!%*. I bought a disposable digital from CVS and hope the pics look OK. I fired up the new camera today and took a few pics of the kitties but the flash was too bright. I've very happy to have a camera again. I'm a gadget geek I'll admit it. Not sure what this week's Photo Challenge theme is...

While most of you will be snoozing in your beds tomorrow morning, I will be boarding a 6am (!!!) flight to Boston. I love my husband, so I'm taking a cab to the airport. I'll be attending a graphic design conference and then G will join me on Wednesday. Thursday we celebrate 5 years of marriage. We wanted to go back to Scotland where we were married, but due to financial concerns, we are staying on this side of the pond. *sigh*

I was looking forward to escaping the heat, but what heat? It's gorgeous outside today! I don't want to stay indoors, doing laundry and packing... I do need to tend to my garden and plants though so some outdoor time is required. Maybe hit the Symphony book sale being held at my former place of employment, Delgado Community College. I was teaching full time until I started my design studio. I still taught a class a semester but they haven't needed me since Katrina. I miss teaching. I don't miss grades, grading and paperwork. I couldn't hang with the bureaucracy when I was full-time. Being an adjunct is nice - you show up, teach, leave. Working with the students is the best part (most of the time).

Gonzo woke me up at 6 this morning, crazy cat. We think the cool weather has turn her crazy dial up to 11. She's bouncing off the walls more than usual. Only good thing is it's only 9:18 and I've caught up on the blogs and even done a post. I'll be back next week y'all. I wonder what the Bahston equivalent to y'all is?

I have a new nickname: “Hammer.” My book club group, “Babes, Books & Booze”, bestowed it on me last night. One of the babes had emailed everyone Sunday asking if we could move the meeting back a week because she hadn’t finished reading the books. We usually meet every 5-6 weeks, but because of JazzFest we had a 2 month gap and picked two books to read.* Two other people wrote that it was OK with them, but it wasn’t with me because I had read the books and will be out of town next week so I put that out there and waited for others to reply. I called the hostess and she was in agreement with me, and she also could not meet later this month. I sent out an email stating this and that we were going to meet on the date we originally picked. When we met, the other “babes” cheered me and said I had dropped the hammer, hence the nickname.

It seems to fit since now as president of my neighborhood association, I have to maintain control. We have our first meeting where I will preside early next month. They can get pretty heated when certain topics are discussed. Monday, I called a small meeting about a problem property in our neighborhood. It’s a dump, not section 8 and the neighbors have witnessed drug dealing and other criminal activity. It’s been a problem for years. We’ve started a new campaign with the owner, a retired lawyer in a well-known law firm. We wrote a letter with a list of complains and followed up with a phone call. He was cordial, which he hasn’t always been in the past, but didn’t make any promises other than ask the tenants to be “tidier” and if there confirmed criminal activity, to let him know and he would evict. I invited the Quality of Life officer from the Second District Police to our meeting. I thought he’d only be able to address the crime, but he said can also help us with the trash and other issues, and if the owner refuses to cooperate, can have the property placed on a list of problem properties. Stacey Head has tried dealing with the owner on our behalf but didn’t get far. We are hoping a phone call from the police will strike some fear into the owner.

Being “the hammer” isn’t really in my nature and there are many time I kick myself, wishing I had spoken up or been more assertive, especially so after Katrina. That whole affair really took the wind out of me. I find myself being more fearful than I used to. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. The federal flood, lack of response from the government, the harsh words from the media and pundits, stupid and corrupt city and state politicians, increasing crime and the sluggish recovery can mess with anyone’s head. I was talking to someone about this yesterday and they asked if I worried about the upcoming hurricane season. I thought about it and realized that no, I wasn’t. I know what to do, more so now than ever. It is the things I have no clue about – ie. The recovery, will the city come back, better than before? Will the out of control crime get worse? Better? Will I be a victim? How long will it take? – that stress me out.

I like “hammer.” I think I could get used to it and embrace the title. My shield. I am really looking forward to “checking out” for a week and a half when we go to Boston next week. A break from the humidity, rebuilding, work, life… Dr. A sent me a link to a great article in the Washington Post about things to do in Boston – thanks! link

*The books were “Wine & War” and “Suite Francais” both set in WWII France and both fantastic.

Weekly Photo Challenge: "Restaurant"



From the archives... We spied this restaurant in London, "Old Orleans" So authentic! With the alligator on the sign and the jazz musician over the doorway. We did not eat here.

Freret Market is tomorrow y'all. They moved it back a week because of JazzFest.

Noon to 5:00
Freret at Napoleon
75 Vendors
Pet Adoptions
Free Live Music:
Washboard Chaz @ noon
The Tanglers @ 1:45
Billy Iuso & Restless Natives @ 3:30

Musical Chairs with Big Easy RollerGirls at 1:30 & 3:15

Ah crap. Most of today wasn’t all that bad. But it was too quiet at work and I didn’t have enough to do and clients weren’t getting back to me with the answers I needed. I was antsy so took a nice walk around Audubon park after work. When I got home I needed to disarm the alarm but my mind went blank. I couldn’t remember the freakin’ code! I hoped instinct would kick in and I punched in some numbers. Wrong. Nope. Not it. Sorry, try again. WHOOOP WHOOOP WHOOOP The cats freak out and run around trying to escape the ear splitting noise. I’m starting panic. What is the damn code? Where do I have it written down. Let’s see it was in my Palm but I lost that a few month ago. ARGH. Numbers popped into my head, but was that really the code? I punch it in YES! Thankyouthnakyouthankyou. The monitoring company calls “Is everything OK” we go through the routine. I’m actually shaking. After I take a shower I listen to the message on the answering machine. It’s Canon calling to let me know they cannot repair my camera due to the liquid damage. They were sending my camera back unrepaired (what’s the point in that?) with photos of the damage. Just rub it in whydoncha? BAH! That’s it. When G gets home he’s taking me out to dinner. Now which pizza place is it that has the $10 bottle of wine on Wednesdays?

UPDATE: My luck is turning! G just got home and handed me something my friend asked him to give me. It's a HUGE "Pirates of the Carribbean movie poster! Johnny Depps's face is like twice life-size! mmmmmmm

I've been sucked into the world of FaceBook (would that be called sucking face?). I got a MySpace page so I could read a friend's blog after Katrina (good excuse) and found a few other friends on there. But it's so clunky and lame. Other friends would tell me "Come over to Facebook. It's nicer over here." I resisted. I already have too much computer related stuff with my various blogs, trying to read everyone else's blogs, email, IM, etc. Friday was a slow day at work - I told all my clients I was going to JazzFest and then ended up not - so I spent several hours playing on Facebook. It is much nicer than MySpace. And I found a few friends I had lost touch with. I didn't really bother filling out all the "What are your interests/favorite movies/music" kind of stuff. A) there is too much good stuff to list, b) I'm lazy, c) I'm only allowing friends who know me see my page and they already know what I'm all about. One thing I could never answer was "Who are your heroes?" We all have heroes don't we? Someone we look up to. I guess I do but I never really thought about it. Well. I am happy to announce one of my heroes... Salty Miss Jill! I stumbled onto her blog and was impressed with her wit, cleverness and major snarkiness. I'd love to hear a conversation betwix her, Adrastros and Jeffery, with all their different styles of snark and kvetching.

Every JazzFest experience is completely different based on weather, crowds, bands and who you are with. Yesterday, G and I took with us G’s brother, his g-friend (her first!) and the Mad Irishman. It was a gorgeous, sunny day with clear skies, low humidity, a nice breeze and one hundred billion other people. I’m glad we went early to enjoy the fairgrounds before it became a sea of people. I can’t remember seeing it that crowded in years. The right side of my body is more sunburned that the left since we spent so much time at the Acura stage. And for the first time ever, we didn’t spend any time in the jazz or blue tent. G and I usually cram in as many bands as possible. We’ll stick around if some one really tickles our fancy and if there isn’t someone else we MUST see at the same time (which happens a lot). We were really miffed they scheduled Dumpstafunk at the same time as Galactic – a funk sandwich! – but we made time for both. We were walking, standing or dancing 95% of the time. (we didn’t bring any chairs - doh!) Today I feel like I do after a long hike. I wish I had worn a pedometer so I could tell how many miles we walked. And we only were able to eat once, good choices though: hot sausage po-boy, cochon de lait, softshell crawfish po-boy and Cajun duck po-boy. I hope I don’t sound like I’m whining; I had a fantastic time but dang I’m exhausted! Having fun really takes it out of you as you age. I don’t know how people who go every day do it. I guess they pace themselves better. I think I’ll slip out of work early. I need to rest up for Wednesday at the Square. “Too stupid to stop!”

One of the challenges of JazzFest is what to wear. For those of you who like to wear "interesting t-shirts" I have a site for you: NoiseBot

Weekly Photo Challenge: Roister

Canon has said they can fix my beer-soaked camera for a fee so I'm waiting to get it back. I had to go into the archives for my entry. Here's some from the Irish Channel St. Pat's Parade.





More here.

What have I done? I’ve been my neighborhood association’s secretary for about 3-4 years. Recently, our president has stepped down due to health issues. I was the only sucker to step up. Actually, one other person was interested but can’t do it right now due to other obligations. I told her she’s welcome to take over whenever she’s ready. She’s serving as VP and I found another sucker, er, person, to be secretary. Our usually quiet and safe neighborhood has seen an up tick of crime, drugs and shooting (what neighborhood hasn’t?) and people are on edge. One problem property produced a firestorm of emails from neighbors and it was decided to do something about it. So much for easing into this position. That wasn’t so bad, but a back-and-forth e-mail exchange broke out between two people that was unpleasant and unnecessary. This is the part of being president of an organization I dislike –dealing with people’s egos. I’ve served on board before, but not for something like a neighborhood group, with widely different personalities and an issue so passionate-your home. You’ll be seeing a lot more neighborhood-oriented stuff up here.

That up tick in crime? There was a gunfight between two cars the other night. Cursed Tea lives a few blocks away and describes it (link). We didn’t hear a thing. Another neighbor reported that the shooters rammed another neighbor’s truck, and:

A bullet had entered my house about 32" from the center of the front door and went into an antique secretary and lodged in the other side of it. I called the police and the crime lab came out. After walking around the perimeter we noticed another bullet hole in my wooden fence by the cast iron fence. The bullet that went through the fence was the same one that broke the window on Mike's house then went through the window in the back of his house.

The police state these cars could have met up anywhere but happened to be on our corner.

Yikes!

Once again, I go to my happy place “JazzFest, JazzFest.” Even with the rain we had a blast last Sunday. The first thing we did when we arrived was get cochon de lait po-boy. It was AMAZING. Later I got a Seafood Mirliton Casserole and a Fried Crab Cake w/ Smoked Tomato & Jalapeño Tartar; they were both OK. A couple celebrity sightings… We saw Jane Krajkowski from 30 Rock walking around. When we were leaving the fairgrounds, a black stretch limo pulled up. A window went down, Al Green stuck his head out and said, “How was my timing?” Everyone cheered. We are definitely going Sunday... maybe Friday but not sure yet.

The rain is really coming down over by us and I'm hearing some thunder. I hope for those at JazzFest today it's clear skies for them but I doubt it. G and I went yesterday and had a grand time. The clouds kept the temps down and there was usually a breeze. We got lightly sprinkled on later in the day but during the last set, the sun was shining. We floated most of the day, catching a little bit of this and little bit of that. And of course eating. The lines for Cochon de Lait were outrageous, so we're saving that for another day. The crawfish sausage po-boy was yummy as was the alligator meat pie. The crawfish meat pie was disappointing -not enuff filling. Crawfish beignets and sacks were delish as always. Beer snobs may have already figured this out but the beer stand over by the Contemporary Arts has Pilsner Urquell on tap. Don't be throw off by the cries of "Miller heraw!"

We are going again Sunday. This time I have serious, pure plastic ponchos for us if it rains. The second Friday last year was miserable because of the deluge - though now the port-o-let story is funny - I have never been so wet in all my life; wetter than soaking in a tub for 2 hours. Hmmm... reviewing last year's JazzFest entry I neglected to tell the whole port-o-let story, so here it is: G needed to use the 'let so we found some with out a line (because everyone was crammed into the tents). I waited for him when it started raining again and raining hard. I jumped into an empty 'let next to the one G was in. It was loud in there with the rain pounding down on the roof. I tired yelling to Greg that I wanted to go home but he couldn't hear me. Thank goodness for cell phones. I rang him up and he agreed that enuff was enuff. Reviewing last year's post I just want to point out that parking at Cabrini has gone up to $30 this year. Thank goodness for our parking spot at our friends' house. When we got back to our car our friends had just returned as well and invited in for a beer. We sat on their porch overlooking Bayou St. John, sipping beer, chatting, watching the traffic and the sun set. Days like this is why us crazy folk continue to live in NOLA. I had a voice message from a friend who called me as she was on her way to Cancun. I texted her back "sorry I missed your call... when you called, I was at Jazzfest, drinking a beer, watching Sheryl Crow." She texted back "I want to be you!"

This police report showed up in my in-box; I don't recall seeing it in the T-P. Interesting connection to the recent McEwen murder.

April 23, 2008

Suspects Arrested
For Drugs and Weapons Violations

New Orleans, LA - Today, members of the New Orleans Police Department’s Major Narcotics Unit arrested four males, and booked them with possession of firearms and narcotics. The offense occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m., in the 3800 block of Constance Street.

Major Narcotic officers executed a search warrant at a home after surveillance was conducted for a period of time. The officers entered the residence and confiscated approximately 126 grams of powder cocaine, 2 loaded AK-47 assault riffles and arrested four suspects. One suspect arrested, Alton Ruth is a relative of the victim murdered [McEwen] on April 17, 2008 in the 700 block of Peniston Street. A second suspect arrested, Raphael Stevenson had a house arrest ankle bracelet device attached to his ankle.

Arrested:
17-year-old Johnathon Nions
4057 Chipwood Street (Marrero)

Arrested:
28-year-old Alton Ruth
1017 Antoine Street

Arrested: 18-year-old Raphael Stevenson
2301 Loyola Street

Arrested:
57-year-old Calvin Dominique
3815 Constance Street

All four suspects were booked with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and possession of firearms with narcotics.

###
Officer Garry Flot

If you are buying JazzFest tickets, DO NOT go to the Arena box office, it's closed. You gotta go to the SuperDome ticket office on Poydras. $42 cash, $43.50 credit cards. This concludes this Public Service Announcement.

I almost spit out my coffee as I read the article in the T-P about the assassination of Guy McEwen who recently testified, without identifying the suspect, in the Dinerral Shavers murder trial.

A spray of bullets from at least two guns Thursday evening killed a 20-year-old New Orleans man who narrowly escaped the shooting two years ago that left musician Dinerral Shavers dead.

It was the proximity of the shooting of McEwen that really got me, only a few blocks from where we live.

Guy McEwen, who turned 20 on Wednesday, was killed in the 700 block of Peniston Street, near the corner of Constance Street, shortly before 5 p.m., authorities said. His body lay in the gutter, next to the sidewalk.

The next day the T-P had a follow-up article "Death not linked to testimony" which it didn't seem to me it was.

NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley said his detectives have a suspect and believe the shooting emanates, at least in part, from the neighborhood feuds that also surrounded the teenagers in Shavers' shooting.

Great. A neighborhood feud. In my neighborhood.

What then caught my attention was the last few paragraphs:

McEwen's murder was the 54th killing so far in 2008, which marks an improvement over the 59 murders committed during the same time period last year. Riley said the drop in murders coincides with an increased number of clearances by the NOPD's homicide squad.

The squad's clearance rate is currently at 64 percent, compared to a national average of around 55 percent, he said.

I was outraged - first a drop of 5 murders seems insignificant. Second I thought "just wait, the way things have been going we'll be tied with last year in no time." Unfortunately I was right.

Sunday's paper:

N.O. slayings total six in three days.

Three men were shot to death in separate incidents Saturday in New Orleans, becoming the city's fourth, fifth and sixth slaying victims in three days.

The shootings brought the city's homicide total for the year to at least 58.

One of these murders was 3 blocks from my office:

A motorist was shot to death Friday night and rammed his car into the entrance ramp of an Uptown bar popular with college students, New Orleans police officers and a witness said.

No one in Friar Tuck's, at Freret and Dufossat streets, was injured in the 8:45 p.m. incident. (link)

Oh but wait, that's only 58 murders, we are still one less than last year. Hurrah.

What's my point? None really. Though I know I'm not the only who reads the paper, looking to see where the killing was, hoping it's not near where I live. It's scary and frustrating. And confusing... these kids, and many are just kids, have so little hope for their future, they feel they need to kill for "respect."

In today's paper, the T-P ran was this article: (link) (Hat Tip Cait)

36 shootings in one weekend rock Chicago. Nine Killed; gang violence suspected

Did they run this story to try and make us feel better? "Hey NO it's not just us. Look over here!" Or maybe that's for the benefit of the tourist in town for JazzFest.

Jazz Fest. My happy place. Thinking happy thoughts of JazzFest. OK, I think I can leave the house and go to work now...

Next month will be our 5 year wedding anniversary. I'm going to Boston for a conference, and G is going to fly up and meet me for about 5 days. Neither of us have ever been and surprisingly, we don't know any one who lives there now. Anybody out there have any suggestions of places to go, thing to see, places to eat and drink?

So I've decided to see if my camera can be fixed. I filled out a repair request on Canon's web site so I can mail it to them. I'm hope whoever reads my description of the symptoms - "I dropped my camera into a glass of beer" - will have a sense of humor. It turns on, the lens retracts, I can view images on my memory card, the video function can still record sound, but the view finder is black and it won't take photos. So it's not completely dead. What the heck.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Pictures You Take When the Other Guy Doesn't Come Up with a Theme

Glenn took the initiative to get the ball rolling this week, when "Cowboy" Dave didn't pony up with an entry last week or a theme for this week.

That said I dug through my archive to find something interesting I hadn't posted before. In solidarity of Glenn's lovely, moody photos, I present these:



I'm very sad to report I killed my camera last weekend at FQ Fest. I dropped it in my beer. I wasn't even drunk, it was my first beer. I was sitting in the grass, chowing down on a duck po-boy from Jaques Imo (drooool). My camera was sitting on my thigh, slid off my leg into my beer. Damn. If that's not bad enough, the camera wasn't even a year old! I bought it last July to replace the camera I killed at JazzFest last year. Next camera's going to be water proof.

When I told my sister this story she asked, "Did you drink the rest of the beer?" Duh! Of course I did!

I just got an email from a cousin in Milwaukee:

For the past week I've been thinking about you two...each day thinking "gotta write." Then this morning on the news I heard "Baton Rouge flooding" - among other things, further meaning I couldn't put off my thoughts another day. I sure hope things are okay with your family who lives there.

Baton Rouge Flooding? That's news to me. I looked at Nola.com and Advocate.com - nothing about flooding. Flood warnings and high water yes… I’ll have to find out what her news source is. A general Google of “Baton Rouge Flooding” didn’t turn up anything.

I'm signed up for the "NOLAReady" alert system. They've been sending out this alert about the high river:

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for New Orleans.

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT NEW ORLEANS. * FROM TUESDAY APRIL 22 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 7:00 PM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 16.7 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST. * THE FLOOD STAGE IS 17.0 FEET. * FORECAST...THE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR FLOOD STAGE BY TUESDAY MORNING APRIL 22ND. * IMPACT...AT 17.0 FEET...THE RIVER WILL RISE ON THE LEVEE MAKING NAVIGATION AND DOCKING DIFFICULT. THE CITY IS PROTECTED TO A PROJECT HEIGHT OF 20 FEET.

What is a "Project Height"???

Chicory has some great photos of the river. I wandered over to Tim's Nameless blog and he says "Cause for panic--no." and I guess he should know (but that was last week). But I'm still keeping an eye out for water in the streets and glad we have our 2 new "escape hatches" in the attic.

We are on week 3 of roofers banging around on top of our house. The kitties seem to be less freaked out. I just want the dumpster in front to be gone so I can park in front of my house again.

It's not yet 5:00 so I should still be working. But my brain is fried having just written 3 proposals. Oy.

I Googled "Annunciation Street New Orleans" and low and behold I came across a vid clip of the Hot 8 on Annunciation Street 2005.



I can't tell what stretch of the street they are on, and I'm pretty sure this is Pre-K. But you can always tell Annunciation by the huge power poles. They are so big you don't really notice them after a while. Except when it's about the rain, they buzz like crazy.

In 1897 they must have renumbered the buildings on the street. link
There must have once been an Annunciation Street Car line. link

Notice anything different? It was time for a blog makeover. I wanted something more New Orleans-esque and found this great map of the crescent city from 1880 - it's a map of the city's cemeteries and I love me a good cemetery. "Annunciation" (lowercase a) is the act of announcing which is what a blog is all about. Plus we live on Annunciation St. so it works on that level too. Hmmm... now I wonder how the street got it's name. There aren't many churches on it. That will have to wait. It's time to slather on sunscreen and head down to da Quarters for FQ fest.

I woke up this morning hung over and sunburned. Usually it would be the morning after a good day at JazzFest but this time I got sunburned at a funeral. But not just any funeral. G and I attended the send off for Dr. Ashley Morris. It was spectacular. I wasn’t a close personal friend of the Dr. but I got to know him well this week though all the heart felt remembrances on everyone’s blogs. His friends tucked things into his casket for the journey to the other side: a bottle of Jameson, a muffalata, Mardi Gras beads among other things. Ashley looked peaceful in his Saints jersey. The visitation was more a cocktail party, without the cocktails. In the chapel, it was quiet and somber as the casket was brought it. The laugher started soon enough as the minister discovered his notes missing. The tributes were full of love and laughter. Ray was the only one who went by his notes, but he is forgiven for writing such a marvelous tribute and has posted it on his blog.


Everyone proceeded to St. Louis #3. The Hot 8 Brass Band headed up the second line, playing dirges, leading us from the front of the cemetery back to the mausoleum. The BERG strapped on their skates for the procession - it couldn’t have been easy for them to roll that slowly. Thunderstorms had been predicted for the afternoon, but it was clear, sunny and breezy. I brought my umbrella for the potential rain, but ended up using it anyway for shade and to twirl during the upbeat second line from the mausoleum, back to the front gates. The Hot 8 played about 5-6 songs and everyone danced and visited. Someone broke out Abitas and people started donning the commemorative 00 t-shirts. I looked over at one point, and Hana was holding someone’s T-P comics umbrella, sipping on an Abita. My heart goes out to her and her kids, losing their husband and father so young and suddenly. A group of stunned tourist looked on, mouths open. I was hanging back and a tour guide walked up me to tentatively and asked if he could ask me a question. He of course was curious about the funeral. I told him what I knew about Ashley and how he was a big Saints fan, which was why a lot of us were wearing Saints shirts. He commented “I see roller derby girls and guys in Chalmette Reeboks?!” He said he brings tours to the cemetery all the time but that his group today was being treated to something extra special. Indeed.

Afterwards, many people headed over to the Bulldog, which is where the hangover started. God I love New Orleans. And I love all the crazy people who live here. I’m so grateful that I could be a part of such a wonderful celebration.

Oyster has a list of remembrances and there are some wonderful photos here and even video of the Hot 8. If you haven’t already, please donate to help Ashley’s family with expenses.

Weekly Photo Challenge "Ostentation"

This house really has to be seen in person in order to be able to appreciate the nuances. It's on the 2100-2200 block of Peniston St., Uptown. (click on a photo to see a larger image)

News flash! Headline on NOLA.com:

"Hurricane season expected to be above average"

Sorry if I don't go running out of here screaming to go stock up on water, canned goods, booze and a generator. Isn't that what they tell us every year? No need to panic. Not until August at the least.

Week 2 of roof replacement has begun.

The back is framed in for the new window

Here's the back almost ready for the window to be installed.

We also have a new sky light (aka escape hatch)

Nails and stuff are everywhere. No walking around barefoot in the yard anytime soon.

We have a dumpster out front for the construction debris, which is almost overflowing. G said he put the trash out last night and some one took the trash out of our can and put it in the dumpster. They didn't steal our can. How weird is that? They even had to throw in the bags of stinky cat poo! WTF??

It's here, it's here!

The new phone book?

Nooo! The brand spankin' new City of New Orleans web site. Glory be!

http://www.cityofno.com/

Now let's see if everything works and if I can find what I'm looking for.

My initial comment: Ick! Who picked the color palette? (Well I am a design snob)

UPDATE: Oooh there's something called "My CNO" you have to register to use (doesn't say what exactly what it allows you to do) and you get to share with the City a "Shared Secret."

I just sent a question to NORD about the Lyon's Center at Louisiana and Tchoup - when the heck is the FEMA infrastructure going to be gone and the park and center returned? I'll let you you know if and when I get a response.

Is this their attempt at humor? Go to Residents > Dept of Sanitation and down on the right hand side - just above Veronica White's photo - click on "How to make Debris Disappear"

The Weekly Photo Challenge topic is "Conversation Piece"

What is it?
A) Why art of course, it's on a pedestal
B) A prop from Terminator
C) The Cylinder head from a R-2800

D) ??? (Your answer here)

This is the first Saturday of the month and that means it's time for the Freret Market. This weekend, it's being held in conjunction with the Freret Street Festival. Last year, the Fest was in June and it was too darn hot. The market is going to have over 150 vendors and pet adoptions and the Fest will have two music stages plus a children's stage. Some good music this year too:

Jo “Cool” Davis; Jazz in the Afternoon with Troi Bechet, Pearlie Tyler, Sharon Martin, Leah Chase, Gregory Thompson, Philip Manual; Sunpie & The Louisiana Sunspots; Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes; Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers; Egg Yolk Jubilee Music Band; Fredy Omar con su Banda; Soul Rebels; Gringo Do Choro; Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters; Terrance Simien

See y'all out there!

Freret Fest web site
Freret Market Web site

R.I.P. Ashley Morris

I only met him once and know him mostly through his blogs and comments. I am saddened to hear of his passing. The NOLA blogging community is in mourning and he will be greatly missed.

Uptown, you have us to thank for the recent rain... it's been almost bone dry for weeks - the storm that held up the Zurich Classic was barely a sprinkle over by us. Monday, roofers started replacing our roof. The old shingles are gone, new tar paper is up and there's a big gaping hole covered by a blue tarp in the back. The yard is a mess and so far, only one window has been broken. Getting a new roof is not for the faint of heart. The cats are totally freaked out; they go into hiding as soon as the roofers walk into our yard.


Other house renovation news... drum roll please... we have doorknobs! Those of you who have been over will be glad to know you can now close and lock the water closet door.


In car news, the phantom noise has not returned... yet. I've been shopping for a scooter, but our accountant informs us we owe taxes so no scooter for me. My friend bought a Vespa for $600 and I didn't realize what an amazing bargain that was until I started looking. Dang!

The City's recycling survey can now be completed on line! 'Bout time.

http://www.cityofno.com/pg-123-7-sanitation--survey.aspx

Go do it now!

* * * * * * *

The next recycling drop-off event in New Orleans is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 am to noon.

East Bank location: In the neutral ground of N. Claiborne Ave. at St. Peter Street (near Orleans Avenue)
West Bank location: Public library at General DeGaulle and Holiday
Bring your Mardi Gras beads and throws for recycling
Future Dates: May 10 and June 14

Part 3 of my car saga. I think my car is possessed. Wednesday I called AAA. The guy tested my battery and it was fine. He thought maybe it was because of the built up corrosion on the terminals. He cleaned the terminals and the clamps off and the car started right up. Another trick to try next time it won't start. I had decided to take it to the Nissan dealer and I was glad I was getting it there on it's own power. We get to the dealership, I tell the guy my story ask him to check the whole engine out not just the squealing noise. When he called me the next day, they found 3 things that for the sum of $1,000 they could fix for me, but none of these would address the noise, the car hadn't made the noise for them yet. I told him my regular mechanic said he would be happy to tell him everything he had tried. I read the repairs Nissan was suggesting to my regular mechanic and he just scoffed at them. He said "tell them to find out what is making that noise!" When I talked to the guy at Nissan Monday the car still had not made the noise. I told him I was coming to get it. I paid $45 for a belt the tightened which was cheaper than th $95 diagnostic fee. He said if the car starts to make the noise again, bring it back to him so they can hear it. I go on my merry way and had to stop for gas. I decided to run my car through the car wash to get the pollen off it. When I pulled out of the car wash to pop my mirrors out there it was...THE noise...The high pitched squeal! *ARGH* At this point, it's 4:00 I'm on Lapalco just down the street from the dealership but I really don't want to go back now. So I continue down Lapalco. I make a left turn on Belle Chasse Hwy and the noise stopped and hasn't happened again. Maybe what ever it is has to be wet. I'm now keeping a diary to track when the noise starts and stops. The car drives fine. I'm happy to have wheels again. I'm still toying with do I put more money into the car and keep it for another few years? Or sell it and get something else? Let's just hope I don't have to post about my car again. Unless it's to sell it. Anyone want to buy a 1996 Nissan Maxima? Low mileage, mystery squeal.

On a happier note... we went up to see G's folks out in the country for Easter... a beautiful day for a walk.






I guess this will also serve as my Weekly Photo Challenge Entry which I just now saw is "Spring" - I'm waaay early for once. Sweet.

UPDATE: Dave has the list of other entries on his blog. Lots of flowers!

A few weeks ago, I did a post about my car being in the shop and that I was considering a new car. Well. I got my car back that Friday $700 poorer but with a new Intake Manifold, belts, spark plugs. The following weekend was the Irish Channel Parade so my car didn't move all weekend. Monday when I started to leave for work I heard a horrible dragging sound. I stopped the car and a woman walking down the sidewalk pointed to the front of my car. I hop out and what looks to be a milk crate is now wedged under my car. The guys painting the house across the street came over, jacked my car up and extracted the crate. I was pissed. I drove the car with the radio off and windows down to listen for any sounds. One sound I did hear was the high pitched squealing I just paid $700 to fix! So I went to my mechanic, told him the noise was not fixed and to check out my front end for possible damage. He had my car for four days, trying a number of things. He told me every time he'd do something, the noise would stop, but then return later. He admitted he was stumped, said I should probably take it to the dealer and refunded my money for the Intake Manifold since they had misdiagnosed the problem. I was shocked - a mechanic, admitting fault and refunding my money. He said he thought it was safe to drive but said I should take it to the mechanic sooner rather then later. The beauty of my mechanic is he is two blocks from my office. I can drop it off and walk to work. With the dealer I need to coordinate with G to drive there with me. I drove the car a few times this weekend and to work Monday with no problem. This morning I got in turned the key... nothing. I tried some of the tricks from the past - turn the steering wheel, put in the car in and out of gear, wiggled the connectors on the battery, nothing worked. I was so frustrated and fed up. I decided I am not going to deal with it today. Who knows, may it will start right up tomorrow. Maybe not but I'll be expecting to deal with it. I can call Triple A and have it towed - but where? My regular mechanic is stumped. Some one recommend Donald on Tchoupitulas. Or should I go to the Nissan dealership? Whatever I decide I've definitely decided I'm tired of dealing with this car.

Even though I've lived here since '92 I didn't realize that Easter weekend was THE weekend for crawfish. The Mad Irishman text messaged G and I that he was buying and to meet at the Rendezvous (our usual Friday hangout). When we got there, he had a table covered in newsprint and two paper bags full of crawfish, potatoes, garlic and corn. We chowed down, washing the spicey goodness down with cold beer. What a wonderful way to end the week.