A New Purrpose in Life

I'm not going to start this post talking about how it's been such a long time since I posted. Oh wait, I guess I just did. My excuse? Mid-life professional crisis. Just shy of 20 years I've been a graphic designer and I have suffered a burn-out of epic proportions. Last time I was feeling burned out I starting teaching at Delgado Community College and that helped relight the spark. But alas, I haven't had the opportunity to teach since 2006 and try as I might, the thrill is gone. You maybe thinking "suck it up" but when you are a business owner you have to love what you do or the business suffers as well as your soul.

Last Fall I experienced an "ah ha" moment. While sitting at my cats' vet's office, I spied a gal wearing scrubs that had "Delgado Vet Tech" embroidered on them. I didn't know exactly what a vet tech was at the time but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I wanted to work with animals and I was excited. I researched the program at Delgado and enrolled in January. There were a few classes I would need to take before I could apply for the program. Some of the classes I took back at FSU would qualify to fulfill prerequisites, but I needed biology and computer literacy. I'll let the irony of that last class sink in. Moi? Who taught computer classes at Delgado had to take one? The advisor who enrolled me asked if I had taken one when I was at FSU. HA! I'm not even sure if they had computer classes back then. Going back to school was a very interesting experience. Delgado's campus was familiar which helped and being a community college, there were people of all ages. I really enjoyed biology and bio lab and I will admit I did learn something in the computer class. I worked hard and got all As which I was proud of.

Delgado only accepts applications for the vet tech program once a year, in May. I would be completing the pre-reqs but what was missing is the 100 hours shadowing at a Veterinary office. Between studying and my graphic design business I just didn't have time so I decided to post-pone applying until the next year. I did have the idea to start a pet sitting and dog walking business in the mean time. That took a lot of time once I finished classes but I got incorporated, insured and now have a second business Petit Pet Care. While all this was going on, I talked to my friend and client, Michelle, who is the owner of Zeus' Place, about pet sitting. She said they needed a hand this summer and asked if I would be interested in working for her. Of course! I've been working part-time there now for a few months and I have learned a lot about animal care which can only be an asset to my new career path. Plus I get to care for dogs and cats, which I love. Play with a rescued kitty to help socialize it? Yes!

Will I still apply for the vet tech program? Not sure yet. There are a few other classes I can take that are required for graduation but not to apply that I can go ahead and get out of the way, which I will do. If you know me, you know I am a huge animal lover. I even have a blog dedicated to my cats, Gonzo for Cats and might start one for my pet sitting business. I'm excited about my new career path and have been enjoying learning more about pet care and animal behavior in addition to my lifelong ownership of various pets. The pet care industry is booming and there are several local pet sitters I have been talking with who have been very supportive and swear there is definitely room for another. I am still part owner of my graphic design business but not as active. My business partner, who has been amazingly supportive, has taken over the reins as I travel down this new and exciting path. Wish me luck!

Thinking Pink!
So many reasons to think pink!
1) Pussyfooters start up dance practice! Woot! Got to look good for the Mardi Gras parades. We recently performed for a fundraiser for Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. It was so much fun to put on the pink wig and corset and shake our groove things for a good cause.
2) October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the color for that is pink. I'm going to be walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on the 22nd. If you would like to donate to me team (pretty please!) click here.
3) I'm going to the Halloween Tea at the Windsor Court on the 23rd (busy weekend, but that's October for you). The gals I'm going are all going to dress up as the pink ladies from Grease. The Audubon Insectarium is bringing "creepy crawly guests" with them too.
4) Baby shower this month friends adopting a little girl. I have a second shower to go to this month too but they aren't announcing the sex of the baby.

Maybe I should put Pink Panther on the Netflix que? Hmmm... that might be a good Halloween costume.

Come on September!

Ugh August. I hate August. Thank gawd it's almost over. A crazy month with the East Coast getting a one-two punch of an earthquake followed by Hurricane Irene. Here in New Orleans we are in a drought, in spite of the fact it rained every freaking day in July, but hardly at all in August. And we are also on day three of a marsh fire burning out of control in NO East. The city was blanketed in smoke today. Makes me cranky, super cranky. So it's time to look back over to some of the good time in August - go to a happy place if you will.

I think it's saying something that I didn't do a post for 08-29-11 the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. But I think that was because of all the above distractions. I came across this graphic on Tumblr - very nice.

http://stephanieshift.tumblr.com/post/9555965725

The husband and I always do something to mark this day. One year we drank a nice bottle of wine we bought in CA that we had been saving. This year we went to dinner at Coquette, a wonderful French inspired restaurant in our 'hood.

The annual Rising Tide Conference was this weekend. It just gets better every year. And it's great to see all folks we've met thanks to the blogsphere. I did miss the annual group proclamation of FYYFF. Very cathardic to yell that with a whole room full of people. After the conference I got all pink and sparkly and joined my Pussyfooters sisters for the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras. Something else I can cross off my New Orleans Bucket List. It was fun but dammit was hot. A full day of stuff to remind me why I live here. Sunday I had drinks with a friends who was visiting from out of town and one of them asked me a question along the lines of "have you ever thought of living somewhere else?" Yes of course I've day dreamed about living other places. I was in NYC earlier this month and I was ready to not come home. I think I gave him a look of horror though based on how he back peddled and tried to clarify what he was trying to say. That probably wouldn't have happen two days earlier when I would have yelled "YES and get me the hell out of here."

Driven to Distraction

It feels like living in New Orleans is just a series of distractions. Once we got through the holidays, we had Mardi Gras, followed by St. Patrick's Day, French Quarter Fest and JazzFest, with all sorts of other festivals sprinkled between. I've started a post-JazzFest diet to work off off the food and libations that go along with said distractions. For me though, JazzFest is the BEST distracation of all. You can't beat the variety of music, food and arts & crafts. This year there was no rain the entire time - first time that's happened in 12 years. 

Thursday, Day 2 for us.

Gentilly Stage the second Saturday, day 3 for us.

Sunscreen and hats are very important.

The Decemberist rocked the Fais Do Do stage the first Sunday.

Actually, it's been weeks since we've had any rain. I have to water my garden every other day, my allergies are out of control, my car is covered in dust and pollen and my office building is sinking. Now our attention gets focus on another distraction, the rising Mississippi River. It's flooding parts of Memphis and other areas of north. Levees have been blown up to relieve the pressure on them and spillways are being opened. We have the Bonnet Carre spill way upriver from New Orleans that was opened Monday that funnels water into Lake Ponchatrain, which an event unto itself. There is talk of opening the Morganza spillway, which is upriver of Baton Rouge. It's going to flood thousands of people who live along the Atchafalya River, but there's no way the powers that be will let Baton Rouge or LSU flood.

Am I worried? Eh, not yet. Though I was thinking now would be a good time to make sure our "disaster kit" is up to date.

To come: my JazzFest schedule.

Grassroots Mardi Gras marching groups opt for spunk and sparkle over pomp and prestige
Published: Thursday, March 03, 2011, 9:00 AM
By John Pope, The Times-Picayune
Article in the T-P about marching groups with great photos of the Pussyfooters and other groups.

NOTE: The Pussyfooter started 10 years ago, before Katrina. :-)

Slide show of photos from the shoot above.

Krewe du Vieux 2011

G and I are in Krewe of PAN and sub-Krewe of Krewe du Vieux and our parade was Saturday. Unlike the huge super-krewe who pay professionals to make their floats and costumes we all do it all ourselves. Our theme this year was "S'il Vous Played" and everyone costumed as a huckster, sham artist, what have you. There were several meter maids, garbage collection agencies, corrupt politicians, card sharks and mimes. The crowds this year were huge! Probably because the weather was mild. It's usually freezing cold for our parade.

I was a fortune teller.

Our float. The hands were motorized.

G as a politician.

A great video of us appears on YouTube:

What I've been up to...

The 610 Stomper's Ball -their theme was 80s and/or prom wear.

My get-up for the Pussyfooter's Blush Ball

One month to Mardi Gras day!

I had all these grand delusion of posting about the building up to Mardi Gras. But I've just been too busy to post! So instead, just enjoy this wonderful video.


Mardi Gras 2010 from Cottage Films on Vimeo.

Party with a Purpose Blush Ball is tomorrow night!

Wow. It's been a VERY busy January gearing up for the Blush Ball. Weekly dance rehearsals, shopping for costume accesssories, creating the decorations to make the big black hole that is the Howlin' Wolf all pink and sparkly and FUN. Sending out email blasts and Tweets. Marketing meetings. Spamming my friends on Facebook. Selling ball tickets and raffle tickets. As usual I have over committed myself. LOL! But the payoff should be worth it. Ticket sales have been very strong. Our goal was "over 60" items for the raffle, we have around 175! And some really amazing stuff too. Gift certificates for restaurants, bars, spas and salons. I personally got gift certificates from Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry, Lakeside Shopping Center, Finn McCool's and Mid-City Yacht Club plus some tickets to the 610 Stomper's Ball next week (thanks everyone!).

Our goal is to raise $10,000 for Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. We may actually EXCEED that figure. I got to create a BIG fake CHECK to present to Metro.

Big @ss check!

The Pussyfooters colors are pink, orange and silver and they are all about being sparkly. I didn't own anything pink before joining but not I own a TON of stuff. Claire's Boutique is a good source for pink and sparkly. Fake nails, glitter pink lip gloss and eye shadow, pink gloves and sparkly earrings. It's been fun getting in touch with my inner 12 year old girl. LOL. And I've met some great ladies.

Is it pink? check. Does it Sparkle? check.

I'm very exciting, and feeling a little (OK a lot) overwhelmed by tomorrow. A bunch of us are showing up at the venue at 9am to clean and decorate. Then I have to go home, get dressed, go back around 7pm for dress rehearsal. And THEN the party begins! OY! I'm not planning on doing much of anything Sunday. Just relaxing. And trying to wash all the glitter off me.

UPDATE: We raised $14,000 for METRO!

JAN. 29, 2011:
Blush Ball Fundraiser!Party with a Purpose!
Fundraiser for Metro Center for Women and Children (METRO)
The Pussyfooters are celebrating our 10th Anniversary by raising $10,000 for Metro Center.

January 29, 2011
Howlin' Wolf
907 South Peters
9pm - 2am

$30 advance tickets - buy from your favorite Pussyfooter
$30 plus service charge - buy on-line
$35 tickets at the door

• Featuring Big Sam's Funky Nation and DJ Brice Nice
• Performances by the Pussyfooters and the 610 Stompers
• Firehouse Cook-off by the Firefighters of New Orleans
• Win a chance at over 60 fabulous prizes in our Raffle. Tickets $5 each or five for $20. Buy now from a Pussyfooter or at the Ball. Drawing Jan. 29. Need not be present to win.

METRO's mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence and aid survivors of sexual assault through advocacy, intervention, empowerment and transformation. Click here to learn more about METRO.

Click here to download the poster. (PDF)

Click here to download the press release. (Word doc)

Click here to read article about the Blush Ball by the Times-Picayune.

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'

Magazine Street Blues Festival this weekend

I went to this Uptown festival last year and it was really nice.

Uptown Flash Flood

This morning started out beautiful and clear. Sometime around 2:00 it started to rain. And it continued to rain. Then harder. And harder. Lots of thunder. I check the radar, and there was just a red dot sitting over Uptown not moving. I decide to stick my head out the door of my office and check on my car. Mine was OK but then a neighbor ran up saying my business partner should move hers. She couldn't open the driver's side door because water would get in if she did, so she crawled in through the hatchback. I ended up having to move my car a few feet because of the dip by the curb.

No wake zone please!

You could tell one the pumps were on because there was a current flowing down the street. You can sort of see it in the video.

Watching the water rise.

The kayaks might be a little over the top.

Details on all the hoopla going on tomorrow before the Saints game.

NFL ANNOUNCES LOCAL DETAILS FOR “NFL KICKOFF 2010”

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

The National Football League announced today event information for “NFL KICKOFF 2010 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS” Thursday, September 9.

THE KREWE OF NFL KICKOFF PARADE travels through the heart of the French Quarter, stepping off at 5:00 p.m. (CT) on Esplanade Ave. and North Peters, heading downtown on Decatur and North Peters crossing Canal St. to Tchoupitoulas and ending at Julia Street.

There will be specialty NFL floats and throws (beads) in the parade. The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade will feature Blaine Kern Studios signature floats, the area’s finest marching bands, local residents, local chefs and former NFL greats from around the league. EMERIL LAGASSE, DICKIE BRENNAN, PAUL PRUDHOMME, FRANK BRIGSTEN, JOHN BESH, TORY McPHAIL & KATY CASBARIAN are among the local chefs and restaurateurs who will in the parade representing all members of the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

The floats of The Krewe Of NFL Kickoff Parade include:

• EA Madden To The People Float celebrates Madden NFL 11 and its cover-athlete DREW BREES and features chefs Haley Bittermann, Dooky Chase & John Besh, and EA throws.
• VISA Float showcases a variety of NFL teams, chefs from Brigtsen’s, Commander’s & Herbsaint/Cochon and Visa throws.
• Pepsi Max Float celebrates getting back to football and tailgating, featuring chefs from GW Fins & Café Giovanni, and Pepsi throws.
• Snickers Float, telling people to ‘Go Nuts for the NFL’ and featuring chefs from Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse, BACCO & Sucre and NFL throws.
• Orpheus Smokey Mary Train featuring local kids who are part of the NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign, committed to making the next generation of youth the most active and healthy. Chefs from Arnaud’s, The Rib Room, Mr. B’s Bistro, Commander’s, Café Adelaide & Galatoire’s Restaurant will ride the train as well and NFL and Kickoff beads will be thrown.
• Lombardi Riverboat Float commemorating the Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship, featuring chefs Emeril Lagasse, Dickie Brennan and Kickoff throws.
• Rex Streetcar Float, a New Orleans-themed float celebrating that night’s match-up between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, will feature New Orleans’ beloved Chef Paul Prudhomme and Kickoff throws.

The marching bands featured in The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade include:

• United States Marine Corps and Marine Forces Reserve Color Guard
• St. Augustine High School (New Orleans)
• Tulane University (New Orleans)
• McDonogh 35 High School (New Orleans)
• Warren Easton Charter High School (New Orleans)
• Eleanor McMain Secondary School (New Orleans)
• West Jefferson High School (New Orleans)
• Sophie B. Wright Charter Middle School (New Orleans)

There also will be 17 GMC vehicles featuring the NFL match-ups during Kickoff weekend in the parade.

PARADE ROUTE
The parade will begin at 5:00 pm on Elysian Fields Avenue between Royal and Dauphine Streets. The parade will proceed (with traffic) on Elysian Fields to North Peters and turn right (against traffic) on North Peters to Dumaine Street. The lead units of the parade will arrive at the intersection of North Peters and Dumaine Streets at approximately 5:40 pm. Upon arrival at North Peters and Dumaine Streets, the parade will be a part of the NBC live television program and will be cued by the producers. It is anticipated that the last float will pass Jackson Square on Decatur Street at approximately 7:00pm. Once passing Jackson Square, the parade will continue on Decatur and North Peters Streets to Canal Street. The parade will cross Canal Street on North Peters and Tchoupitoulas Streets to Julia Street, where it will disband at approximately 8:00 pm.

CONCERT

The Krewe of NFL Kickoff Parade kicks off "NFL KICKOFF 2010 PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS,” the NFL’s ninth annual football and music festival. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND and TAYLOR SWIFT are scheduled to perform. NFL Kickoff 2010 will be televised live, from 7:30-8:30 PM (ET)/6:30-7:30 PM (CT) on NBC and NFL Network, leading up to the season opener between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome (NBC, Westwood One Radio Sports, 8:30 PM ET). This is the seventh consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.

TRANSPORTATION

Traffic and Street Closing Information

• Wilkinson Street will be closed Sunday, Sept. 5 through Friday, Sept. 10 at 4 PM.
• Decatur Street (from St. Louis to Dumaine) will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 5, 7 AM – 7 PM & Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 12 – 8 PM and on Thursday, Sept. 9 starting at 12 PM through 6 AM on Friday, Sept. 10.

• All of Decatur Street will be closed during the Parade.

No Parking Zone

• There is no parking on Decatur Street from Toulouse to Dumaine through Friday, Sept. 10.∙
• French Market Parking Lot is closed from St. Peter to Dumaine beginning Friday, Sept. 3. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 AM, French Market Parking Lot is closed from St. Peter to exit through Thursday, Sept. 9. French Market Parking Lot will be fully open on Saturday, Sept. 11.

NFL Kickoff Fan Zone

Fans may access the kiosks at the Jackson Brewery Lot along Decatur Street.

They are open to the public Tuesday - Thursday, 10AM – 7PM.

The NFL Kickoff Fan Zone offers fans an opportunity to interact with a number of exciting football-themed attractions provided by NFL partners. The three-day event will feature player appearances, sponsor promotions and giveaways. Highlights include: GMC vehicle displays, Pepsi Max product sampling, Verizon's Rule the Air interactive display, and more. Several of the areas will feature player appearances. On Thursday, GMC will host former Saints RB Deuce McAllister from 1-2 PM, Jerome Bettis from 2-3 PM and Marcus Allen from 3-4 PM. Coors Light will host former Saints QB Bobby Hebert from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM and Ron Jaworski from 3-5 PM.

K+5 and Rising Tide

Sunday will be the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi. Wow. 5 years. All week there's been TV specials and articles devoted to the anniversary. Chris Rose wrote an article asking "What if Katrina Never Happened?" which is something I can't wrap my head around.

For book club we are reading two Katrina related books, City of Refuge by Tom Piazza and Nine Lives by Dan Baum. I'm halfway through City of Refuge. I loved Piazza's book Why New Orleans Matters but I'm just not connecting to City. I think it would be a very good book for someone who doesn't live in New Orleans to read. It's a novel but very true to life, following two families Katrina experiences. Their stories are ones we New Orleanians have heard many times. I have yet to start Nine Lives.

I have learned that rituals are a good thing to help get through a difficult anniversary. Every year to remember my mother's passing (August 23rd-I hate August), I cook a special meal while listening to some of her favorite music, then watch one of her favorite movies. The first year after Katrina, G and I didn't do anything special. We tried to pretend it was just another day, went to work, didn't go to any wreath layings or bell ringings, but it wasn't a normal day and it felt off. The 2 year mark we drank a bottle of wine we had picked up in Sonoma and was saving for a special occasion. Every year around this time is the Rising Tide Conference. To me it's a great way to mark the anniversary. I started blogging because of Katrina and have met a whole host of wonderful people after the storm through our blogs. I don't post as often and I have not been keeping up on others' blogs because of Facebook. I'm looking forward to the group FYYFF shout out.

The artwork is a revised design from the t-shirts I put on CafePress after Katrina. Occasionally someone still buys stuff. I had to do something to keep from going crazy.

Please vote!

Markham Vineyards "Mark of Distinction" is a $25,000 grant awarded to an individual or organization making a difference in their community. TheNewFreret.com aka Freret Business & Property Owner Association is one of ten finalist. Please click here to vote for TheNewFreret.com. You can vote once a day. All you need to do is enter your name and email. It takes a few seconds. Please and thank you!

WHO DAT?!


Today's the first pre-season game for The Saints. Normally I pay no attention to pre-season because it doesn't count. But I find myself in a strangly good and euphoric mood today inspite of the fact it's been storming for two days thanks to TS #5 and work is sooooo slow and our bank balance is really low. I'm looking forward to seeing my game watching posse at Rendezvous tonight and watching our boys in black and gold do their thing.

Drew Brees' pre-game chant:

When I say 1, you say 2. When I say win, you say for you. ...
1! 2! Win! For you!

When I say 3, you say 4. When I say win, you say some more. ...
3! 4! Win! Some more!

When I say 5, you say 6. When I say win, you say for kicks. ...
5! 6! Win! For kicks!

When I say 7, you say 8. When I say win, you say it's great. ...
7! 8! Win! It's great!

When I say 9, you say 10. When I say win, you say again. ...
9! 10! Win! Again!

Win! Again! Win! Again! Win! Again! Win! Again!

Happy Birthday Harold!

Our little kitten is now a year old. My how he has grown!

And so it begins...

Tropical Storm Bonnie is off the coast of Florida and the current forecast has it coming right to New Orleans. A friend in Miami said it wasn't too bad for them.

I was already to leave the office early when I got an email from a client who wanted a contingency plan for his company's website (a shopping mall) due to the storm, to let people know whether they are open or not. Which made me realize that I am totally unprepared for hurricane season. Now I have an iPhone, there's got to be a way to update web page from my phone. If the power is out I wouldn't be able to use a computer. I downloaded an HTML editing app and will have to test it to see how well it works. I know there's a way to update this blog from my phone because I did it during hurricane Gustav, I'm just not sure I remember how.

Bonnie is one of those wake-up calls. August is right around the corner and that's when hurricane season really picks up. Everyone realizes they better get on the stick.

Hopefully this won't be a big deal. My biggest concern is the oil and dispersant that will probably get pushed ashore and into the fragile wetlands, lakes and inlets. Ugh. It could get even messier. We'll just have to wait and see.

I always refer to Bob Breck's Blog and Weather Underground.
Pay no attention to CNN and the Weather Channel.

Rising Tide V

It is my duty as a NOLA blogger to promote RT, though not sure anyone reads my blog any more. Hello? Anyone out there?

Rising Tide is a conference for bloggers put on by bloggers. I attended II and IV and have been very impressed. So here's the 411:

Rising Tide 5
Saturday, August 28, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Howlin’ Wolf
907 South Peters Street
New Orleans, Louisiana

www.risingtidenola.com

Rising Tide NOLA, Inc. will present its 5th annual new media conference centered on the recovery and future of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast on Saturday, August 28, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., at The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 South Peters St., in New Orleans.

The one-day conference features speakers and panel discussions on the status and future of the culture, politics, criminal justice system, environment, and flood protection of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Past speakers have included actor and outspoken champion of New Orleans Harry Shearer, and authors Dave Zirin, John Barry, Christopher Cooper and Robert Block.

Rising Tide NOLA, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed by New Orleans bloggers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the federally-built levees. After the disaster, the internet became a vital connection among dispersed New Orleanians, former New Orleanians, and friends of the city and of the Gulf Coast region. A surge of new blogs erupted and, combined with those that were already online, a community of bloggers with a shared interest in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast developed. In the summer of 2006, to mark the anniversary of the flood, the bloggers of New Orleans organized the first Rising Tide Conference, taking their shared interest in technology, the arts, the internet and social media and turning advocacy for the city into action.

Conference registration is open at http://www.risingtidenola.com and at the Rising Tide blog: http://www.risingtideblog.blogspot.com

Rising Tide 5 is sponsored by The Canary Collective, a media publishing agency, and by Levees.org.

Rising Tide’s featured artwork, available as a poster and t-shirt, is once again produced by the award-wining editorial cartoonist and artist Greg Peters of Suspect Device.