tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84003488459838089762024-02-20T08:34:47.220-08:00Rebuilding the Gulf CoastI spent 3 weeks in 2007 and 2008 volunteering in the Gulf Coast. This blog originally documented 2 of those trips to New Orleans. It now lives on as a place I continue to process the state of NOLA post-K.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-45511564599457966042008-06-30T15:54:00.000-07:002008-06-30T15:57:11.805-07:00What is New Orleans like Post-K?<a href="http://humidcity.com/2008/06/24/jabberwalk-from-lord-david/">I love that he "can't" answer the questions... but the answer he gives is that much better.</a><br /><br /><blockquote>So how do I feel about New Orleans post-K?<br />It was a gift from heaven.<br />A gift of truth.<br />A vision of community so vested in each other that material things mattered noticeably less, & there was that glint in the eyes of complete strangers that told you they were strangers no more.<br /><br />Life goes on.<br />New Orleans goes on.<br />It lives and breathes like a leviathan in the swamp.<br />Old worldly, decidedly unsober, mannered in it’s own lingo, beautiful, decrepit and wildly free.<br />I strongly suggest a visit after you get settled in. Let’s meet for coffee, an afternoon snack, an evening cocktail and some late night drinking.<br />All in a row.<br />Bring back up, a bible, an airplane bag or whatever puts you at ease.<br />Let me be one of the many who will graciously introduce you to the most Beautiful Drunken Whore of a City that ever Saved Your Soul.<br /><br />Just be prepared.<br />To fall in love with her, that is.<br />Your gonna be one of us now.<br />Welcome home, darlin.<br />We been waiting…<br /><br />Lord David<br />Pirate & Artist<br />Skull Club<br />New Orleans</blockquote>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-44598947101074872802008-05-06T11:37:00.000-07:002008-05-06T11:38:45.303-07:00Post Katrina Video<embed id="VideoPlayback" style="width:400px;height:326px" flashvars="" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=6722311412081801552&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed><br /><br />This makes me want to get working on editing a film from the rest of my footage!The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-57327304431041420182008-02-26T11:27:00.001-08:002008-02-26T11:29:50.973-08:00If you don't really get why I love NOLA...<a href="http://lightnosugar.blogspot.com/2008/02/nola-loves-me-too.html">Read this.</a> I love Susanna's description:<br /><br /><blockquote>You know, I've lived in self-absorbed places (Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle), but New Orleans is the only one that justifies that world view. I spent a week volunteering in the city at the end of January -- my first time visiting since I was a teenager. New Orleans is a magic place.<br /><br /><br /><br />I shed my Seattle shell like a fleece jacket and connected with an extroverted version of myself I'd nearly forgotten. The pictures from my trip radiate tiredness and joy. Sure there are problems, but it's a city so what do you expect? That's part of life. I am indeed forever changed by my time in the Crescent City and yeah, I'll be back. Thank you, New Orleans.</blockquote>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-35087363866822804072008-02-10T13:46:00.000-08:002008-02-10T13:47:21.882-08:00great findconnecting my passions<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/23uz3rormKY&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/23uz3rormKY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />thank you Susanna!The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-19101695542639417882008-02-05T22:28:00.001-08:002008-02-06T13:38:27.608-08:00Video One<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6B6xo29o0hU&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6B6xo29o0hU&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-41188603234336804642008-01-30T14:10:00.001-08:002008-01-30T14:11:50.877-08:00Susanna's PostThere are a lot of really amazing posts that the team has been adding to the Seattle Works blog. <a href="http://seattleworks.typepad.com/seattleworks/2008/01/nothing-has-cha.html">I just read Susanna's and it moved me.</a> <a href="http://seattleworks.typepad.com/seattleworks/2008/01/i-did-it-all-fo.html">As did Bryan's the other night.</a><br /><br />They have both put into words what I haven't had a chance to process yet. I'm honored to read their reflections. What an amazing group of people.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-79411022914189086242008-01-29T23:12:00.000-08:002008-01-29T23:16:03.066-08:00Flickr Set<a href="http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/2DisN6">Here is a link to my flickr set.</a> I'm having issues with the image sizes, so I'll probably have to upload them all again, but it is late and I don't feel like it.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-78915813063783902682008-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:002008-01-28T18:01:54.905-08:00Seeing New Orleans through new eyes.I've been to New Orleans. At least twice before Katrina. Once when I was in 9th grade or so. Once during college. <br /><br />I've been to New Orleans. Three times since Katrina. Once briefly before spending time in Biloxi. Once in the muggy middle of summer. And once, just now.<br /><br />I know her. I've heard her music, echoing through the alleys off Bourbon Street. Past the tourists. Past the locals. Past the voodoo shops and gumbo shops. Down Frenchmen. Beyond the French Quarter.<br /><br />Her song is sad. When you listen closely, it weighs heavily on your heart. You can't ignore the beauty. You can't stop listening.<br /><br />She lingers in your mind. The song gets stuck. Like the jingle to a commercial. Like a grade school crush. You'd write her name over and over, with hearts and plus signs. Carved out on Magnolia trees.<br /><br />I've seen her, but seeing her through their eyes - brings her back again. I can't seem to answer the simple questions right away. Because I've been with her before. But I keep going back. Just wanting to tell her story once more. Wanting people to understand why she cries. Still. Two and a half years later.<br /><br />Katrina was a bitch. No one questions that. But New Orleans is the most complicated woman in the world. You want to save her, even though she's drowning in her own mess of tears. She never quite learned to swim, but you can blame the Army Corps of Engineers for that. And lousy leaders. Some people say she needs to just drown. You can't save her. <br /><br />But try telling that to someone who is in love.<br /><br />New Orleans sways her hips to hip hop, jazz, spoken word, hurricanes, Abita brews, beads, remnants of brothels, rollings sidewalks and lingering notes of legends. She spins in circles when the wind blows. She breathes it in, bursting at her seems. <br /><br />She is as strong as she is weak. She is falling, slowly, softly. She is full of grace. She is dirty. She is beautiful.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-7716632886824580142008-01-28T13:38:00.000-08:002008-01-28T13:53:18.310-08:00Back - and now the real blogging shall begin!As you may have noticed, I didn't blog too much while I was in New Orleans this time. It was a combination of things, but mostly, once I got behind, I didn't want to take the time catching up - not if it meant missing things while we were there. And it seemed like there was ALWAYS something to do with this group! I have a ton to write, but I decided to just do it in bits retroactively as I process my experience. <br /><br />The other thing is I decided to really focus on using my <a href="http://www.theflip.com/">flip</a> and documenting a lot of the trip through that medium. I edited some things from the first day and a half and I was thrilled with what I saw. But it also means a huge time investment in the coming weeks as I make a series of short videos with soundtracks, photos, etc. about our experience. I have lots of ideas for themes - Carver Elementary, Mardi Gras Parades, Food!, Having Fun, Sightseeing, Rebulding Together... and it'll be easy to create a soundtrack to it all because New Orleans is amazing when it comes to music. Simply. Amazing.<br /><br />So, expect a lot of posts now as I begin to reflect. I'll also link to things like this Sheryl Crow video that Trish found. Full of NOLA references:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/edTMzKB-_QU&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/edTMzKB-_QU&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-39733503323712108552008-01-20T20:56:00.000-08:002008-01-20T20:57:24.437-08:00NoraBy the way - if you want a more well-rounded perspective, <a href="http://norainnola.livejournal.com/">Nora is also blogging</a>.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-50544148340196092152008-01-20T19:52:00.000-08:002008-01-20T20:46:51.769-08:00SundayToday we had a full day off, before we get started volunteering. We all had different experiences - most of us at least went to Cafe du Monde for some beignettes and cafe au lait.<br /><br />A large group of us left our base pretty "early" (10:00 - it took awhile for us all to gather together)... Our base, by the way, is in a great location - right off Magazine Street, on Napoleon and Camp. Great location. I make the analogy that Bourbon Street is to Magazine Street what Pioneer Square is to Ballard or Capitol Hill or Georgetown. Capiche?<br /><br />Anywho - we had grandious ambitions of eating at <a href="http://www.petuniasrestaurant.com/">Petunia's</a>, but the line was ridonkulous. So we kept walking towards the river and asked a concierge where we should go. He recommended we go to <a href="http://neworleans.citysearch.com/profile/4441815/new_orleans_la/johnny_s_po_boys.html">Johnny's</a>. Talk about great cheap eats. I had grits with butter, a biscuit sandwich with sausage, egg and a tea for $7. All included. Nice.<br /><br />After breakfast we walked down by the riverfront and then around Jackson Square. I bought a really neat gift for someone special... :-) <br /><br />Then we waited and consumed goods from Cafe du Monde before catching a cab to Magazine Street. We tried to go to <a href="http://www.dirtycoast.com/">Dirty Coast</a>, but they were closed on Sundays. So we moseyed along for the mile or so back to Napoleon. <br /><br />Right as we were approaching our place, we ran into a random little parade! Here is a clip from it:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FgK_O-45H3Y"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FgK_O-45H3Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object><br /><br />By the way, I'm working on a much more elaborate video with music and stuff from our first day and a half. I just need to get my hands on the perfect song or two to edit it with. It'll be slow and maybe even a tad boring - but fun, nonetheless.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-11680242899443957952008-01-20T07:41:00.000-08:002008-01-20T07:48:25.057-08:00We're hereTravel went smoothly yesterday. We went through LAX and the sunshine tempted people in the group to go outside, but no one wanted to have to deal with getting through security again. Sixteen people is a large group. We are 75% female - just 4 guys in the group. I have a really great feeling about this group - which is fantastic with this many people. <br /><br />We did have one little mishap in taking the shuttle from the airport to HONO. We accidentally went to their corporate offices, and not where we actually wanted to be. Oooops. Our driver made one helluva tip. We did take him to the opposite side of town.<br /><br />Last night our group wandered through the French Quarter. There was a Mardi Gras parade going on, which I managed to miss altogether. We stopped at the Absinthe Bar on Bourbon, ate at the Gumbo Shop, and went back to the Absinthe Bar. Some other folks went to Pat O'Brien's (and I'm sure several other places.) True Madri Gras spirit was happening - beads were flying and the masses were walking Bourbon with their tall fruity drinks - grenades and hurricanes. I stuck to some Abita brew. <br /><br />Food at the Gumbo Shop was excellent. I have some great little video clips I will try to upload later today. Right now we're going to try to find a good spot for breakfast!The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-54188255466579556762008-01-16T16:50:00.000-08:002008-01-16T16:51:08.153-08:00USA Today article<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-14-katrina-volunteers-main_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip">Interesting article on volunteerism in the Gulf Coast.</a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-64059649855198048122008-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:002008-01-16T16:38:33.704-08:00The BreachI went with some friends last night to see the Seattle Rep's production of <a href="http://www.seattlerep.org/SeasonPlays08/ShowTB.html">The Breach</a>. Susanna found a great 2-for-1 deal in the New York Times, so it was fun to coordinate a small group to go. <br /><br />First, I was thrilled that I found 5 other people who wanted to go with me. I love going to the theatre, but I rarely end up going. It was nice to have so many people on board and ready for a nice night out.<br /><br />The play itself is three stories all intertwined. The majority of the story-telling takes place after the storm itself. The three narratives have little to do with one another, but I liked that they chose this format instead of having 3 short plays back to back.<br /><br />Water is a very big theme in this production - on the set and as a character itself.<br /><br />I'm curious to hear other people's reactions to the emotional connection of the show. Maybe it is because I have been following the aftermath of Katrina closely, but I didn't really feel like it brought anything new to the table. However, I'm thrilled to see it in production and sparking dialogue about this national tragedy. <br /><br />I guess I'm comparing it to my emotional response to <a href="http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/">When The Levees Broke</a>, which I think should be required viewing for all US citizens. <br /><br />The coolest thing - the Rep is selling art in the lobby after each show, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting New Orleans artists. I didn't buy any and I regret it. Maybe I'll try to buy some local art when I'm down there. <br /><br />Just a few more days! We leave bright and early this Saturday!!!<br /><br />[edit!]<br />Here is an interesting video from the playwrights:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5x1Iv49XHI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A5x1Iv49XHI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-54663691239746148882008-01-15T11:26:00.000-08:002008-01-15T11:31:43.836-08:00Basin Street BluesReally cool:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="373"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ItYp6ctPGI8&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ItYp6ctPGI8&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="373"></embed></object>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-41819093791106736812008-01-07T14:25:00.000-08:002008-01-07T14:33:11.318-08:00Upsetting News re: Katrina CorpsThe organization I volunteered through last time I went to New Orleans, <a href="http://katrinacorps.org/">Katrina Corps</a>, was recently evicted by St. Vincent's - the building that housed the volunteers. <a href="http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl010207khhoteldispute.3cdadb8.html">You can read more about it here.</a><br /><br />I've written to express my support for the organization. Obviously, I don't know all the details of the agreement, but I do know what I saw when I was down there. I experienced and organization that truly had a passion for rebuilding New Orleans. Individuals who were willing to sacrifice other priorities in their life to get the work done. There's so much work to be done and it takes grass roots organizations like Katrina Corps to coordinate volunteers to get it done. <br /><br />I truly hope the situation is resolved - and quickly!The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-83661786828096261752007-10-03T12:08:00.001-07:002007-10-03T12:15:58.589-07:00I'm going backI haven't posted this yet - but I'm going back to New Orleans in January! It's through Seattle Works again. Patrick Kelley and I are going to co-lead a group of 12. We'll be volunteering through <a href="http://www.handsonneworleans.org/">Hands on New Orleans</a>. <br /><br />My friend Susanna has already signed up and I'm thrilled to be able to share this experience with her. <br /><br />It'll be different than the last two times I've been down there. But I'm sure it will create a nice trifecta of an experience. And, as I've said before, it's a situation I've become incredibly passionate about. I can't imagine not going down again. <br /><br />(but I might try to save up vacation for a non-volunteering vacation after this!)The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-27043903721839274982007-08-29T17:23:00.000-07:002007-08-29T17:30:19.994-07:00Tale of Two Cities<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/29/katrina.twocities/index.html">Interesting article looking at Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA.</a><br /><br />via Patrick Kelley<br /><br />The article also links over to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/28/green.update/index.html">this article.</a> <br /><br />Both are good reads.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-68363881852698830342007-08-27T17:20:00.000-07:002007-08-27T17:22:53.012-07:00Pissed off yet?<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H7nHZEmT4OE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H7nHZEmT4OE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />via <a href="http://thanks-katrina.blogspot.com/">Thanks, Katrina</a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-14562888863227914392007-08-27T17:12:00.000-07:002007-08-27T17:14:00.230-07:00F Bombs to follow<a href="http://ashleymorris.typepad.com/ashley_morris_the_blog/2005/11/fuck_you_you_fu.html">This is a really great post about the state of New Orleans. Not for the easily offended, but it is straight from the heart.</a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-49238049282979183372007-08-26T11:19:00.000-07:002007-08-26T11:28:28.151-07:00What celebrity can look likeTalk about my passions colliding - Green Building and rebuilding New Orleans. I don't get too starstruck, but I think Brad Pitt seems like he genuinely cares about rebuilding New Orleans. <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20390994/">So props to him.</a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-73934303201531803542007-08-26T11:15:00.001-07:002007-08-26T11:17:15.844-07:00Brand Cartoon<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2007/08/22/fiorebrand.DTL">Here's a nice little commentary on the state of crime in New Orleans.</a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-59882887028527539802007-08-17T23:24:00.001-07:002007-08-26T11:15:47.164-07:00FridayFriday was our last day of volunteering. Thanks to a late night out, several of us were really tired, but we managed to finish up some of the trim work we were working on. And we were thankful onhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifce again for music.<br /><br />Rachel had to leave early - but here's the Seattle Works group with the addition of long-term volunteer, Patrick, at the end of our day:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151889333/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/1151889333_9303fd257a_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51852" /></a><br /><br />Lest you forget where we're at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152734618/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/1152734618_5fed61aba8.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51851" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to Ahsan's desire to experience some culinary excellence, we had dinner last night at <a href="http://www.herbsaint.com/">Herbsaint</a>. It is recognized on many lists as one of the top 50 restaurants in the nation.<br /><br />Here is the menu for the night:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1155928295/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/1155928295_1bb4e93beb_o.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51855" /></a><br /><br />All around, the experience was excellent. I started with some sparkling water:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156781496/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/1156781496_42f87f1681_o.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51857" /></a><br /><br />Then for an appetizer, I had my first experience with frog legs. I love trying new things, but I'm not sure frog legs are for me. They were fried with lots of excellent spice - and were reminiscent of chicken wings - it also made me think of a tougher fish. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156777030/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1075/1156777030_8eacac1e9b_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51858" /></a><br /><br />For my main course, I had the pork belly with a corn risotto and finely sliced pickled peppers. The pork belly was extremely tender. There were bites that melted in my mouth like butter.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156777156/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1428/1156777156_9aa4319d7d_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51859" /></a><br /><br />For dessert, I had a glass of a 20-year port and a Chocolate Pistachio terrine with a cherry reduction. It was delightful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156777396/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/1156777396_39c350d429_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51862" /></a><br /><br />After dinner, we headed to a volunteer party. It was put on at this really cool wine bar in a more industrial part of the city. We went through the building itself into a huge backyard, lined with tiki torches and little white lights.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156782204/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/1156782204_4080a31799_o.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51874" /></a><br /><br />The music was amazing. The experience felt a little bit underground, and very authentic.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1155930307/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1297/1155930307_2e4e72b958_o.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51892" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156782478/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/1156782478_74082e0fb9_o.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51881" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1156780460/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1334/1156780460_42f1276c37_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51898" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1155925351/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/1155925351_89f29c9887_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51869" /></a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-11486550067001366752007-08-17T22:57:00.000-07:002007-08-17T23:24:08.536-07:00Livin' it up, NOLA style... Who dat?After coming to St. Vincent's and resting for a little bit, we began our evening with a couple rounds at the half moon, and then headed down to the French Quarter to <a href="http://www.preservationhall.com/home.htm">Preservation Hall</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151896467/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1151896467_9dc0ef14ab_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51811" /></a><br /><br />The show started at 8:00, so Ray and a few others saved us a spot. We killed a little time at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=KZw&pwst=1&resnum=0&um=1&q=boondock+saint&near=New+Orleans,+LA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=29958172,-90065059,16945655822175602701">Boondock Saint</a> before heading into the packed music hall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152742792/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/1152742792_e18fdf7338_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51813" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151892927/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1337/1151892927_97340b9ba3_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51822" /></a><br /><br />My favorite song in the set we heard was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James_Infirmary_Blues">St James Infirmary</a>. Such a great song. <br /><br />After a set (and a lot of sweat in that small space) - we headed to <a href="http://www.clubvibes.com/listings/listingsdetail.asp?id=16344">Utopia</a> on Bourbon Street. A lot of dancing ensued.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151900211/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1151900211_e2c282f1dc_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51830" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152740466/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/1152740466_5f36ba05a5_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51828" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152741026/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/1152741026_106fa26445_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51835" /></a><br /><br />We all had a lot of fun. I did end up talking to one random guy who didn't believe in rebuilding - specifically the 9th Ward. I've heard some people say this because they think future flooding is inevitable. I prodded further, and he thought that it should be rebuilt new, as a "nicer" neighborhood. Basically, he wants to push the poor out. I got pissed at him.<br /><br />I mentioned earlier that there is all these projects that aren't open. I snapped a shot of them today. Hundreds of them - just sitting there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151897573/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/1151897573_fd2bee335f_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51853" /></a><br /><br />They look like they'd be relatively easy to fix up and they would provide a lot of housing. But - at least under the way things are currently run - this won't happen. Lame.The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400348845983808976.post-525899768822343492007-08-17T22:47:00.001-07:002007-08-17T22:57:39.607-07:00Six FlagsSince it was a half day yesterday, we decided to tour around a little more to see the damage from the storm. We decided to head out towards St. Bernard Parish and the site of a Six Flags theme park that has been closed since the storm.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1151896141/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/1151896141_2a5643a110_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51804" /></a><br /><br />The neighborhood we were in was a little more affluent than the lower 9th Ward. It showed that it didn't matter your class prior to the storm - the storm caused damage to everyone. We looked in a house that hadn't been gutted yet. Spencer had met the owner and he was cool with us taking a look inside.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152737872/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/1152737872_f1f0ef2681.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51800" /></a><br /><br />You can see where the water line was across the house.<br /><br />Mold, like this covered the walls. I don't have a good reference for this, but they've found 39 uniwue types of mold in New Orleans that don't exist anywhere else in the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152738740/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/1152738740_78a44c38c6_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51798" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152740642/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/1152740642_62a4eeeb65.jpg" width="270" height="360" alt="SUC51794" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152741580/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/1152741580_e2240da7e0_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51797" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69894039@N00/1152741232/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1214/1152741232_54de427f4f_o.jpg" width="360" height="270" alt="SUC51801" /></a>The Ubran Poetesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658716826402969034noreply@blogger.com0