Think Big Easy

Blog Bye Bye (for now at least)

2009-08-23T14:45:00.003-05:00

I have enjoyed writing on this blog and hearing from friends and acquaintances who have followed it. I remain passionate and committed to the issues that made me begin this blog. Fortunately, my commitment has helped me land a job opportunity that is now consuming my time and energy. I may post from time to time here, but is more appropriate for me to focus on my job during this new phase of my life.

Thanks for reading.

In the mean time!!:

2009-07-24T18:42:00.000-05:00

2theadvocate.com | News | Corps: MRGO is now closed — Baton Rouge, LA

Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be back soon!!!

2009-07-24T18:39:00.001-05:00

Sooooo I finished the bar today, and although it was difficult I feel very good overall. I'm sorry for not posting frequently, but the bar really dominated my life.

Now I'm going to go to Costa Rica for about a week (woo hoo!) and when I come back I'm going to post regularly!! See you then!

I can't believe I'm done!

!!
(!)
(:-) !)

I think this is good news:

2009-06-19T09:35:00.000-05:00

Jindal asks group to stop pushing him for president | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Top Stories | News and Weather for New Orleans | wwltv.com

Governor Jindal needs to concentrate on LA, and I was afraid he might not have been as focused on us as on the national spotlight. But this is a very welcome sign that my suspicion was wrong.

Neat! Listen to the US Senate's Update on Louisiana Coast and Flood Protection.

2009-06-17T17:05:00.000-05:00

.: U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works :: Hearings :.

... Not that I have listened... yet...

This studying-for-the-bar-exam thing is actually pretty intense. :(

V Vehicle Plant- creation of Environmentally-Friendly Vehicles- coming to Monroe, Louisiana!

2009-06-17T17:02:00.000-05:00

Updated, 4:12 p.m.: New V Vehicle plant in Monroe; breaking down the incentives | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

Yay for Monroe! And for Louisiana for getting to be part of the future of the auto industry!!

Baton Rouge economy rated among best in U.S. — Baton Rouge, LA

2009-06-17T14:54:00.000-05:00

2theadvocate.com | News | BR economy rated among best in U.S. — Baton Rouge, LA

Introducing: LouisianaClassicalMusic.com

2009-06-17T13:09:00.005-05:00

My fiance and his friends have begun an exciting new project to bring information about classical music events and musicians in Louisiana to the public through a new and beautiful website: LouisianaClassicalMusic.com. This project is co-sponsored by Irazu Music and Drift Web Design. Our friends over at Drift did a terrific job of designing a beautiful and versatile website that will be available for contributions from a variety of musicians and has great potential to be an important resource for all those interested in "classical music" in Louisiana.

Please check it out! and forward it to any music buffs you know. You can subscribe to the content to get all the latest news. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping write articles, add events, or create any other content-- sign up on the website!

One of the premises behind the website is that if "classical music" is made more accessible to people (like me) who did not grow up studying it, then many more lives can be enriched by a whole area of art that many people have not explored. "Classical music" is really a terribly vague phrase for a huge tent of music that includes everything from popular film-inspired works, to baroque, to the actual classical era composers we love like Mozart, to romantic music, to impressionism, to cutting edge improvisational and abstract works including electronic influences. There's something for everyone-- and much of it is just as accessible and gutturally enjoyable as your favorite pop artist's last album.

Please, take it from me, one who assumed she would always be bored at concerts: "classical music" is not just for well-to-do art patrons (although they have traditionally funded much of society's high art)-- it's for everyone. Some of it may not be "your thing" but you'll be surprised at how much of it you'll love if you try it out! And love of great music fits, of course, perfectly into the Louisiana cultural atmosphere. Did you know that New Orleans, Louisiana used to be one of the premier places in the world to hear opera? There is no reason why Louisiana can't continue to foster and expand appreciation for a broad spectrum of musical diversity-- keeping "classical" in that number with blues, Cajun, country, rap, folk, zydeco, and all that jazz...

Group ranks New Orleans 10th hottest city for young talent

2009-06-11T15:44:00.000-05:00

2theadvocate.com | Business | N.O. on hot-cities list for young workers — Baton Rouge, LA

Good article

2009-06-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

Experts say urgent action needed to save Terrebonne, Lafourche | DailyComet.com | The Thibodaux Daily Comet | Thibodaux, LA

Look over the Corps Report and give your feedback!

2009-06-10T23:32:00.000-05:00

Comments sought on coast report | DailyComet.com | The Thibodaux Daily Comet | Thibodaux, LA

This article has links the Corps of Engineer's report for Congress and also tells you how you can leave your feedback. The period for comment has begun!!

LSU law grads receive degrees - NOLA.com

2009-05-28T17:23:00.000-05:00

LSU law grads receive degrees - NOLA.com

Let the AG's office make contingency fee contracts!

2009-05-20T18:24:00.003-05:00

Caldwell again delays action on contingency fee bill - Louisiana Politics | State Legislature News - NOLA.com

Contigency fee contracts-- which state that lawyers will only get paid if their case is successful-- with outsider firms will allow the State Attorney General's office to vigorously defend the state's interest while still subsisting on their limited budget. Private industry has lots of money to pit dazzling litigation teams against the AG's office in suits where the state's talented lawyers are understaffed and overworked.

Critics argue that allowing contingency fees for outside firms encourage plaintiffs to drum up lawsuits, but this is only speculation. The office still has the responsibility to do what is prudent for the state-- and that includes the state's industries that no Louisiana agency wants to damage unnecessarily. Legislation that provides for review of contingency fees, competitive bidding, and judicial discretion to limit the fees should result in a more rigorous protection of the state's- and therefore the people's-- interests and rights. The current jurisprudence makes it so that without specific authorization, the AG can't use contingency fee contracts- under the theory that this is somehow alienating state property. This argument doesn't seem fully convincing to me, because without enough manpower and resources to give the best showing in court that we can, the state will certainly lose out on some amount of recovery that would otherwise be state property.

Right now, if the state wants to bring any substantial private company into court-- or even just to defend against a lawsuit brought by one-- the fight can hardly be called fair. Unless we are going to quadruple the AG's budget, private firms willing to bet on the success of the case are the only viable solution.

And it's over...

2009-05-16T19:00:00.000-05:00

By "it" I mean both law school and the MRGO trial. I'm back! Check it out:

MR-GO flooding suit in judge's hands - NOLA.com

Monday No-Funday

2009-05-04T11:21:00.000-05:00

Exam tomorrow, but this was too good to NOT share.
Blue crawfish escapes fate of ordinary comrades

See you soon!

MRGO Litigation

2009-04-22T10:27:00.003-05:00

Five plaintiffs are suing the Corps of Engineers theorizing that Mississippi River Gulf Outlet exacerbated flooding in the New Orleans area by acting as a funnel for the storm surge and killing surrounding wetlands. The Corps is immune from suit in its capacity as flood protection builder, but these plaintiffs are trying to sue the Corps in its navigation maintenance capacity.

This suit is a big deal, as there are hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs in the area that could join. The trial will be going on in the coming weeks. You can follow it at Nola.com, or in even more detail at this blog:

slabbed. (Look for MRGO posts)

There was no Sunday Funday, because there was no Sunday Fun-- only law school finals preparation. :(

And what will we be getting for our money...

2009-04-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

At a time when so much of the country is struggling financially, the East Baton Rouge parish public school system will go into next year with a 130 million dollar boost- 50 some odd from a surplus and more than 80 million from the federal stimulus package.

On it's face, an investment of money into education seems like a good thing. But such a large amount of money above the normal- seems to me like a great big opportunity for waste. (Without a system to figure out how to best spend that money, etc.) Anyways, I guess I'll just try and pay attention next year and keep some tabs...

2theadvocate.com | Education | Stimulus to aid EBR schools — Baton Rouge, LA

Where will we find the money?

2009-04-18T23:58:00.000-05:00

Money to restore Louisiana coastline is cresting but won't last

This is very disconcerting. I had thought offshore revenues would have a greater impact sooner.

Woo hoo! Jindal makes plans to pump sediment!

2009-04-15T22:45:00.000-05:00

Coastal loss solution as clear as mud « The CityBusiness Blog

Coming soon: a thoughtful review of the draft "NOLA master plan"

2009-04-13T22:38:00.000-05:00

In the meantime, check it out for yourself.

New Orleans Master Plan and CZO | Home Page

Sunday Funday: Bread Pudding Poboy

2009-04-12T09:13:00.003-05:00

First off, happy Easter!!

Yesterday the family and I had a long, exhausting trek around the metro area looking for wedding venues. After all of that, we deserved some good food. So we went to Ye Olde College Inn-- it's in a new building (next door to the old location). In case you haven't been, this is a great, inexpensive New Orleans establishment that is a wonderful idea for out-of-towners. Especially now, in the new building, which is charming and covered in paintings and other relics of New Orleans' past.

Anyways, I had the veal and brown gravy, which was delicious. But I split it with Mom because Dad told me that there was a dessert that I really needed to try.

And then... wow. The "Bread pudding poboy" at College Inn is not really a poboy but two lightly fried slices of bread pudding with rum sauce in the middle. The outer crust is reminicent of beignets and the inside is that perfect bread pudding texture. Amazing. Five stars.

And apparently it won "best in show" at the Po-boy festival last November.
Po-Boy festival winners announced - Judy Walker: New Orleans Times-Picayune Food - NOLA.com

Beautiful Post: My Love Letter to New Orleans

2009-04-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

My Love Letter To New Orleans - The Causemopolitan

Reading: Ivor van Heerden, who pointed fingers in Hurricane Katrina levee failures, fired by LSU

2009-04-10T11:58:00.002-05:00

Ivor van Heerden, who pointed fingers in Hurricane Katrina levee failures, fired by LSU - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

I think the people of this state deserve an explanation.

More: I understand that some say he is a troublemaker- I only know what I have read about him in the papers. Young, new to the scene and semi-naive, I am not in the position to guess how much merit the university's decision has. That's why I would like an explanation!

The university said it does not involve his performance. If that's true, it's a shame he didn't have tenure. Even if everything he said didn't turn out in the end to be correct, it is still good to have people who can educate themselves and then speak what they believe is the truth. I have never believed that finger-pointing can solve problems in the coastal zone. On the other hand, if we don't recognize and learn from past mistakes, we repeat those mistakes. That's why we need at least a few brave souls who will tell us honestly what they think went wrong. Those are my two cents.

I know I'm happy. (And busy!!!)

2009-04-09T17:09:00.000-05:00

Louisiana ranked fifth 'happiest' state in the nation - Money

Sunday Funday, Part 2: How professors really grade...

2009-04-05T13:20:00.001-05:00

Many thanks to our good-hearted profs who participated in revealing the TRUTH. lol.

PS: The Tulane Summit was great!

Sunday Funday: Attorneys at LawN

2009-04-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

I'm very proud to present this video, which was created by my extremely talented and hilarious classmates at LSU Law, for your Sunday Funday viewing enjoyment.

(this is what happens when you combine creativity, a great sense of humor, and acute senioritis)

Check it out: Chicago Toilets contribute to Gulf 'Dead Zone'

2009-04-03T14:05:00.002-05:00

City Room™ - Science - How Chicago Toilets Lead to Gulf 'Dead Zone'

This piece from Chicago Public Radio is great!! Upriver pollution wreaks so much havoc on Louisiana's environment as the Mississippi River drains almost all of the central U.S.'s waste right into our precious ecology. One of the many negative effects is the Dead Zone in the Gulf- an area of water the size of New Jersey that is pretty much unable to sustain life. Serious national legislation is needed and overdue on this issue. It's wonderful to see that awareness may be rising up there!

Thanks to Frank Truesdale's Infotrawl at Louisiana Coast Post for this great catch!

The Three Main Goals of this Blog and an Invitation for You

2009-04-03T12:40:00.017-05:00

1. This blog is borne out of my love for Louisiana and my passion to ensure its bright future- particularly when it comes to coastal restoration and hurricane protection. Every single morning I dive into a variety of Louisiana news and commentary sources, and then at work I spend hours pouring over coastal law and policy documents. The people who love me can tell you that my brain is an obsessive information-collecting-machine and random-idea-generator. That's why Think Big Easy's first main goal is to share this flow of information and ideas so that it might help someone to "Think Big"-- and gain a larger perspective on Louisiana issues that will hopefully spur informed decision-making and creativity.

2. In the same vein, I know that I do not have the full perspective on anything. This is why my second main goal for this blog is to generate discussion. Please if you have something to add, any kind of update, any helpful link, or can see that I'm missing something, jump in and spit it out! Comments are enabled and encouraged. Slap your blog or website down, and I'll visit it and comment.

Caveat: criticism is welcome but nasty attacks will be deleted. I'm especially referring to political comments that are more inflammatory than thoughtful. Blame it on me, because I personally can be very sensitive. I appreciate that some people think that stuff is funny- but I don't and it distracts me from the point the writer is making. A little example off the top of my head: ripping on Jindal or Obama's budgets as irresponsible (with reasoning) would be perfectly fine and welcomed. But referring to Governor Jindal as Piyush or President Obama as B. Hussein Obama would not be OK. Not trying to offend you, just pointing out that I want a polite and wimp-friendly blog.

3. Finally, this blog's last main purpose is to celebrate Louisiana's culture, successes, and people. This means posting about artists, food, successful businesses, good news, or any other thing that explains our love for Louisiana and our willingness to work for its future. I do not believe that Louisiana is the only worthwhile place in the world to live, but it certainly is one of my favorite places because of our wonderful people and rich culture.

My Invitation to You: Thanks for reading this far! In line with the above three goals, if you have any ideas, a voice to add to any issue, see any interesting articles that are skipped over here, know a business, person or organization doing great things here in LA, would like to write a guest post, know a way to improve ThinkBigEasy.com or just found a neat youtube video or source that relates to the purposes of this blog, please share! I read all of my comments and may also be contacted through email on my blogger profile. And please pass this blog to along to anyone who might be interested! I'm new to the serious blogger community, but I'm in this for the long haul.

Thanks again!
jo

Reading: Houma "metro area" has lowest unemployment at 3.5%.

2009-04-02T16:40:00.000-05:00

Local jobless rate still lowest in U.S. | HoumaToday.com | The Courier | Houma, LA

It's an economy powered by the offshore oil and gas industry, among others.

Northern LA legislators say "the coast is toast!"

2009-04-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

Northern legislators form “Yankee caucus,” will file “the coast is toast” amendment shifting coastline to BR! | lacoastpost.com

Don't miss my comment at the end of the article!!!

Reading: LA tech industry growing fast!

2009-04-01T12:48:00.000-05:00

Baton Rouge Business Report

Nola.com

Wow! Reading: Hundreds of killer whales seen in Gulf of Mexico

2009-03-31T13:17:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of killer whales seen in Gulf of Mexico | HoumaToday.com | The Courier | Houma, LA

Reading: Elmwood warehouse to become largest film studio east of Mississippi River - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

2009-03-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

This is less than five minutes away from the house where I grew up! Goooood catch.

Elmwood warehouse to become largest film studio east of Mississippi River - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

This weekend: The Tulane Environmental Law Summit!

2009-03-30T08:26:00.012-05:00

I am very excited about this weekend! The Tulane Environmental Law Society has put together an unbelievable lineup of speakers, activities and panels for this weekend's Summit. From Mike Tidwell, renowned author of Bayou Farewell (an absolute must-read if you haven't already) and others, to great panels on pressing issues like the future of LA's oil and gas & the dead zone in the Gulf, to important speakers such as the president of Global Green and the newly appointed (New Orleanian) head of the EPA.

A list of the summit's attendees would read like a "Who's Who" in Louisiana environmental law, with everyone from important coastal scientists like Dr. John Day, to (hopefully!) the new head of the Louisiana Governor's Office of Coastal Activities, Garret Graves. And I know for a fact that many amazing lawyers and others will be in attendance that don't even have their names on the program. Also, I hear that the play put on by the Tulane Law Students is one of the most surprising highlights!!!

Best of all, the Summit is now free for ALL law students! Even for us Tigers, who will bring a small but proud contingent to represent our school and support our Tulane counterparts. Thanks for all you guys' hard work!! I'm super excited!

Finally, isn't their fleur de lis graphic amazing? Check out all info about the summit here.

Sunday Funday: Trombone Shorty

2009-03-29T09:24:00.005-05:00

In case you didn't know, Trombone Shorty is the future of New Orleans music. And the freaking MAN. Real name Troy Andrews, this guy is an incredible trombonist, trumpeteer, and entertainer. He and his band fuse New Orleans jazz sounds with the new hip hop, funk and many other genres.

(video introduction)

The first time I saw him was outside at Satchmo Fest (free outdoors festival in New Orleans). First I was at another stage, enjoying a brass band. But my Dad walked over to Trombone Shorty's stage for a couple of minutes, and then came back to us insisting that we move to his stage. Of course I'm rolling my eyes, like what can be better than a traditional New Orleans brass band?

Well, no offense to any awesome brass band, but Trombone Shorty is probably the best live act I have ever seen. I have never seen a crowd so pumped. People were jumping and dancing. Did I mention it was during the day in the dead of summer in New Orleans (late July) and we were standing in the sun? Beads of sweat were pouring down everyone's faces and people of all ages were jumping up and down like maniacs. The following clips do not begin to convey- but I must try- the incredible showmanship, musicianship, and energy that Trombone Shorty brings to his live performances. This guy is just 23 and he is already being hailed by Marsalis-es and the like and is performing all over the world at prestigious festivals and with first class acts.

He is making New Orleans music for a new generation. Keep your eye on him.
Here's his site. Enjoy the clips.

Outdoor concert.

Doing a jazz solo

w/ Bonerama

Jump!

Don't Miss This: The Edge of the Earth, Baton Rouge TONIGHT!

2009-03-28T14:18:00.002-05:00

More info here. I'll be there.

A good article to kick off the weekend!

2009-03-27T13:57:00.000-05:00

New Orleans, On the Rise, Is Getting Its Brews Back - NYTimes.com

Prayers go up to North Dakota and down to Lafourche and them...

2009-03-27T11:06:00.000-05:00

My heart is with the people of Fargo and surrounding areas, as they fight the rising red river in the cold.

...and also with the people of Lafourche who awoke to flooding and everyone in LA who suffered wind damage from the recent severe thunderstorms. Including our friends who had a tree fall on their house in Baton Rouge.

Red River rises well above flood stage, forces evacuations in Fargo, N.D. - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Good works in LA: The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra's conservatory program

2009-03-27T08:11:00.009-05:00

Check out my fiance and some of his friends in the Baton Rouge Advocate yesterday:

What? You can't read the article from there? Well, here it is online. And here's a picture. You can see our friend Isabel helping a student in the front, and you can see Raul halfway cut off in the background by that same student.

Raul, Isabel, Joanna, and other graduate student friends of mine at LSU and other city musicians work in tandem with Ron Berhimgham, the artistic director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, to bring violin lessons to a select group of students at Children's Charter in Baton Rouge. The students meet three times a week for two hours each session to pluck and learn. In just the course of this school year, these students have made enormous progress.

The project is, as the article indicates, modeled off of an extremely successful program that now exists in Venezuela. Bringing music to students of this age encourages brain development in logic and math as well as the development of discipline, team work, leadership, commitment, and all that other good stuff. Plus, putting instruments in the hands of Louisianians is always a good idea, as history shows.

As I understand it, the idea of this Baton Rouge project was always to slowly transition from mostly public funding to mostly private sponsors, while expanding the "conservatory" concept to more instruments and more schools. However, due to the economic situation, it appears that the transition will have to occur more quickly. So if you know any generous Baton Rouge-ians, either businesses or individuals, who would like to sponsor the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra conservatory program, send them here and encourage them to talk to Ron Bermingham.

To Ron and all my friends- I am so proud of you guys and all of the hard work you have done to make this possible!

Right on FOXnews! Treehuggers are GOOD for New Orleans!

2009-03-26T14:45:00.000-05:00

A little national news shout-out for the volunteer "hippies" getting dirty to replant the marsh.

FOXNews.com - Tree Hugging to Help Rebuild New Orleans Isn't So Bad After All - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Reading: Global Warming could HELP the wetlands...

2009-03-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

huh. Did not see this article coming.

Global warming could help the wetlands -- at least, temporarily | HoumaToday.com | The Courier | Houma, LA

Voodoo Experience and Gulf Restoration Network teamed up for the coast...

2009-03-26T09:07:00.003-05:00

And produced this great video where musicians and others speak out. You should spread it around!

Source: Gulf Restoration Network blog

Tough Choices Profile #1: Lafitte

2009-03-25T15:37:00.021-05:00

On Tuesday, the Corps of Engineers held a public meeting for review of particular alignments for the hurricane levee system being considered. I assume this refers to the 100 year levee system but the T-P's article doesn't specify. Most of the possible levee alignments leave the town of Lafitte outside of the major levee system, although a smaller levee could always be created for them. On Tuesday nearly 200 of Lafitte's 8000 residents showed up to a Corps meeting clamoring to be included within the levee system.

For your reference, here is Lafitte.

View Larger Map

As you can see, Lafitte is far below the metropolitan area (which ends basically where it says "Marrero"). Lafitte, a town in Jefferson Parish that is named after Jean Lafitte- a pirate who fought valiantly for the US in the Battle of New Orleans- is known for it's great fishing, seafood, and culture. Unfortunately, we can not afford to put Lafitte- and every other such community- behind a massive flood system. And here's why:

Truth be told, not just Lafitte but all of Southern Louisiana is very vulnerable to erosion, subsidence, flooding and hurricanes. It will always be an unnatural battle to try to create security from flooding when you live on a Delta so close to the coast. Most people agree, however, that despite the risk, the benefits of preserving coastal Louisiana make the flood protection projects and coastal restoration efforts "worth it."

I tend to subscribe to Oliver Houck's (Tulane Environmental Law Professor) basic vision for New Orleans and coastal Louisiana. We should build levees that are relatively small in geographic range and focused on specific population concentrations. But we should also realize that although levees are powerful tools, they have serious downfalls. (Check out my post on the Limitations of Levees). Extending the major levee system to outlying towns such as Lafitte only makes the whole region more vulnerable and the system more difficult to maintain. Fortunately, they are not the only gun in our arsenal to protect us from hurricanes. We must pour our efforts into preserving the coastal wetlands, which act as a powerful buffer for storms.

Now, you tell a community of hard-working people with centuries-old culture that they can't be part of a big levee system. It's hard, I know it. But these are the tough choices that must be made. Much of the opportunity to make these tough choices has been missed, as leaders failed to make comprehensive plans for metro New Orleans and other areas in the wake of Katrina and Rita. We can't afford to miss more opportunities to make coastal Louisiana sustainable.

So what is Lafitte's future? Hopefully, it's a rich one. If we as a state decide that communities like Lafitte are important for economic and cultural reasons, then we should advocate various protections for the people who live there-- accepting that they bear a higher risk than us and do necessary work in industries such as seafood and oil and gas that couldn't be done further north. That means supporting good land use planning and small flood projects- possibly including smaller "ring" levees. And it means supporting these communities if they do flood-- supporting them financially, helping them to rebuild smarter, and giving them options for relocation. Of course all of this must go hand in hand with massive coastal restoration efforts if we are to have any chance of long-term security whatsoever.

Those are my two proverbial cents on this heart-wrenching issue. Your commentary is encouraged!

The Limitations of Levees

2009-03-25T13:00:00.008-05:00

Many well-meaning advocates of Southern Louisiana push for massive levee projects expanding across Louisiana far out to protect small towns way down on the coast. I agree that we need some big levees, especially around already concentrated populations in lower risk areas. However, any discussions of levees should include considerations of their downfalls.

1) Levees are very expensive to build and also very expensive to maintain. A poorly built or maintained levee- as we saw in Katrina- is like not having levee at all! The larger the levee, the harder the fall if it is compromised at any one point.

2) Levees encourage development. The more "protection" we build in flood-prone areas, the more we actually encourage people to move there and to build their lives there on a sense of false security. This is probably not wise in extremely marshy, low-lying areas so close to the Gulf. Undeveloped coastal areas should probably stay that way, supporting only the existing population necessary to do the work of coastal industries.

3) Levees kill wetlands. The more levees you put down, the more cut off outside wetlands are from river water and sediment that builds them. As wetlands die, communities are closer and closer to open ocean and no protection other than the levee from storms.

and

4) Levees harm wetland ecology! Shrimp and other yummy seafood need to go from salty water nurseries to more freshwater areas in their lifespan. If you prevent this by building a levee across wetlands, you endanger all of that good seafood that keeps the people of coastal Louisiana enjoying life there in the first place.

You can't have it all-- you can't save the wetlands, build a huge levee system surrounding every small town, and live like you did before Katrina. Even if it could be done, Congress isn't going to fund it in the forseeable future; the American taxpayer won't tolerate it. You have to find a realistic balance.

If even conservative estimates are correct, the Cajun coast is most certainly going to suffer some loss in this coming century. The solution to preserving this culture is not to build a giant wall around every house that has been built. No, the solution is for strong-willed leaders to make the smart, tough decisions that achieve the most sustainability possible for the entire region.

Yesterday I asked an expert in land-use planning the following question: "Where will we get the political capital to make these tough choices? How can we grow the spine to tell tax-paying, hard-working people that their area is just too risky or that a huge levee is not the answer?"

That expert's answer? "Well, that's the big question."

My suspicion is that we if ever get that political capital, it will be through persistent education of our communities. So spread the word.

Know about LA's great outdoors? Take this quiz!

2009-03-24T13:07:00.005-05:00

Times Picayune, March 22

It's a great quiz that checks your knowledge of coastal issues and fishies and other good stuff.

If you make over 85% you get to add -eaux to your last name.
BEWARE: if you get under 75%, you become a Texan...

(Nothing against Texas. I love Texas. But nowhere near as much as Texans love Texas.)

Pragmatic Activism for the Wetlands: Thank you King Milling

2009-03-23T08:05:00.005-05:00

R. King Milling is the president of Whitney National Bank in Louisiana and a prominent businessman regionally. Now he has been awarded the Loving Cup, a century-old award given by the Times-Picayune for unselfish community service, because of his tireless dedication to coastal restoration.

Milling should serve as an example to us all- especially to business people and others who do not work in coastal restoration. Read the praise in the article below heaped on him by major voices on coastal restoration like Sidney Coffee and Mark Davis. Then listen to his own reasons for his activism:

~~"I just loooooove plants, especially in our marshes! I think we should sacrifice capitalist interests for them no matter what the costs to our community."~~

Just kidding. These are his pragmatic words:

"This is not just about the environment. It's about culture, commerce and survival."
and
"It doesn't take a genius to understand the infrastructure is at risk, the future is at risk. That's what we will lose if we don't do anything. I think that used to shock some people, but it doesn't anymore."

King Milling is not a tree hugger. He is a banker- certainly not interested in losing money. He knows how urgent this issue is for everyone in Louisiana. It doesn't matter if you work in retail, the service industry, education, technology, health care, shipping, oil and gas, seafood, agriculture-- any industry-- we should all know that the health of our coast is our primary measure of the safety of our population and the security of any business from at least Baton Rouge on south. Every year, we sit closer and closer to the open ocean. There may still be controversy over climate change, but there isn't over coastal loss here: we've lost a Delaware amount of land. Now we can either be sitting ducks, or we can all work tirelessly to lessen the risk. Anytime you need a reminder of what that risk is, go here. Or ask King Milling.

Coastal restoration advocate King Milling wins T-P Loving Cup - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Reading: Corps v. Citizens over MRGO

2009-03-22T10:48:00.000-05:00

Trial Set for Army Corp of Engineers Over Katrina Liability - Law Blog at WSJ

Sunday Funday

2009-03-22T09:27:00.002-05:00

Bloggin' tomorrow, but in the meantime...

On the Sunday respite from your Lenten penance, enjoy some oldtime footage of Mardi Gras in the '40s:

Good Deal (Perhaps): Expanded New Orleans Homebuying Assistance

2009-03-21T09:19:00.006-05:00

At least 75% of the work force is now eligible for homebuying assistance in New Orleans through the city's Finance Authority.

The program can be used by people who make up to 20% more than the median New Orleanian's income to buy a first home or renovate their current one. For a two person household, that's $57,000. Man, maybe I should look into property....

Anyways, up to $65,000 of 0% interest soft-second mortgage and $10,000 of closing cost assistance are available to applicants out of a $27 million dollar pot.

One slightly huge caveat:

Each one of the "Housing Opportunity Zones"- where most of the assistance will be given- flooded during Katrina, at least to my knowledge. On the map I see areas in Mid City, Lakeview, New Orleans East, and off the Earhart Expressway, just to name a few.

Some areas took in only a little water, but others were severely flooded. This concerns me, as does any encouragement of development in floodzones without serious land use guidelines.

Of course, in areas with only moderate flooding, elevation of homes is completely feasible-- not to mention the traditional & smart way of building in NOLA!

If anyone wants to clarify- here are the zones.

Thanks to KL for passing on the link!

Sources: New Orleans City Business; Finance Authority of New Orleans

Attn: Brad Pitt, Re: New Orleans accents

2009-03-20T18:41:00.004-05:00

What Brad Pitt should have studied for Benjamin Button, instead of just taking on a silly Southern accent:

Circa 1983 goodness. LOL when she wants to "talk propah" she will. Same wit' mah mama.

New Codofil TV Spots

2009-03-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Very cute commercials promoting French in Louisiana. Cajun french was squelched in Louisiana. My Granny tells stories about how they weren't allowed to speak it in school- they would be whipped (lighlty, I assume) by their teachers.

LIfe From The Bottom Of The Boot: CODIFIL TV Spots

Biotechnology and Coastal Restoration: Can we have Chia Wetlands?

2009-03-18T15:43:00.010-05:00

I am taking a biotechnology law course right now in law school, and I have often daydreamed- while we're talking about splicing plant dna for agriculture or human dna for medical treatments- that biotechnology might be applied in the coastal restoration context.

Why can't we have a Chia-wetland? I've learned that wetlands have a much higher ratio of vegetation to soil than most land, so just depositing sediment without active growth isn't as helpful. So I started imagining that someone could create Chia wetlands of modified native plants that would grow and take root quickly to supplement our sediment depositing. Very rough model:

Well it turns out, my idea wasn't a new one. The article below shows that the folks at the LSU Ag school have been researching it. However, the article I found is from 2003 and I haven't been able to turn up anymore sources. Anyone have any clues on whether this is still being looked into or is just a dead end?

Using Biotechnology for Coastal Restoration - 2003 | Louisiana Agriculture Magazine | Communications | LSU AgCenter

Recession Proof Louisiana...

2009-03-18T14:26:00.000-05:00

Christian Moises with New Orleans City Business explores the claim that the New Orleans metro area- and LA in general- are recession proof. Apparently our state was the only one to post unemployment DROPS from December to January. Unfortunately the article can only offer speculation as to why:

"One theory could be that companies had to downsize after Katrina and have been working with skeleton crews ever since, so the only options are to either stay flat or add employees.

Another could be that — contrary to popular belief — doing business in New Orleans is a good thing and companies are willing to invest and commit to the region."

I personally don't know enough to even speculate-- anyone want to speculate for me? Or add another source to the table that might clarify?

New Orleans CityBusiness -- The Business Newspaper of Metropolitan New Orleans

LA is a bigfoot!

2009-03-16T12:02:00.003-05:00

We’re number one! Louisiana has the biggest industrial carbon footprint. | lacoastpost.com

Although people might look down on us and our big carbon footprint, Louisiana does the dirty work for the rest of this nation.

I guess it could be worse....

2009-03-16T12:02:00.000-05:00

China’s Yangtze delta wetlands disappearing much faster than Louisiana’s! | lacoastpost.com

The Power of Social Networking to Save the World* | Drift Web Design

2009-03-05T16:49:00.000-06:00

Hilarious case for social networking from my friends at Drift Web Design. Twitter and Facebook thwart a zombie takeover!!

The Power of Social Networking to Save the World* | Drift Web Design

a worthy cause

2009-03-03T18:00:00.000-06:00

My friend Andrea is riding in the "Tour de Lis" to raise money for cancer research. If you have a little change you can support her here.

Legislators!! Aren't we going to regulate eugenics?!?

2009-03-02T12:34:00.001-06:00

All this fuss over abortion and stem cells, but clinics in the US are now offering sex, hair color and eye color selection services! This means picking one embryo over another and "discarding" the other choices. To me this is the ultimate "playing god" and hearkens back to Hitler and his desires for the Aryan race.

Is it so different if it's only individuals and not a nation that can pick what type of child is better the way I choose a compute or a car? Is anyone else distressed by this?

BBC NEWS | Health | Designer baby row over US clinic

CSE gig- Mardi Gras Mambo

2009-02-22T13:09:00.001-06:00

From the Dragon's Den on Friday. Arrangement not actually by Mozart, but by Raul Gomez. Just so you know. Enjoy and Happy Mardi Gras!

Democrats don't complain that the stimulus forgets Gulf Coast

2009-02-19T14:52:00.000-06:00

I think it's a little hypocritical that the same voices that used Katrina to blast Bush at every opportune moment are not clamoring to help us now. Am I wrong?

2theadvocate.com | News | Democrats strike different tone on Katrina — Baton Rouge, LA

Good call DNR!

2009-02-19T14:03:00.001-06:00

The LA Department of Natural Resources has drafted a regulation that will require beneficial use of dredged material. This means that when companies want to do a project in the coastal zone- assuming this regulation goes into effect- they will have to use the marsh mud they dig up in a way that helps with coastal protection and restoration!

Now if only the Corps of Engineers will follow suit, we'll really be getting somewhere!

2theadvocate.com | News | DNR issues dredge rule — Baton Rouge, LA

CSE makes the Times-Picayune!

2009-02-19T10:34:00.000-06:00

String ensemble plays at unexpected venues - NOLA.com

CSE this Friday at 7 in NOLA!

2009-02-18T17:03:00.000-06:00

Come to the Dragon's Den- on Esplanade by Frenchman- this Friday at 7. The Contemporary String Ensemble is putting on a free show (donations accepted) featuring compositions by several composers here in LA- including a composition by my good friend Ronaldo Cadeu. The below video features him performing a very creative solo piece of his which I love called "Orange Things Inside My Head."

Nah-don't go to the Friday night parade. Save your strength for Endymion and enjoy a different kind of cultural experience!

It's only pork if it's not for your state, isn't it?

2009-02-09T20:55:00.000-06:00

Stimulus Watch: Keeping an Eye on Economic Recovery Spending

Just helping you stay well-informed. And cynical.

Art (?), New Orleans Style

2009-01-25T12:27:00.000-06:00

Chris Rose: Goodbye Prospect.1, hello Prospect.none - Chris Rose - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Another great Chris Rose article.

Look what you missed...

2009-01-24T12:27:00.000-06:00

Raul and Ronaldo jam for the CSE at the upper room of the Blue Nile this past Tuesday.

Flooding markers- A good idea to help us remember.

2009-01-19T13:52:00.000-06:00

2theadvocate.com | News | Levee panel backs markers denoting Katrina flooding levels — Baton Rouge, LA

Sometimes I feel like people are thinking as if Katrina never happened. Maybe these markers will help people remember and guide their decision-making and priorities.

New Model: No MRGO would have meant 80% less flooding in New Orleans!

2008-12-18T12:49:00.000-06:00

New computer storm model condemns role MRGO played in Katrina flooding - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Losing Louisiana

2008-12-14T12:20:00.000-06:00

Losing Louisiana - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

"The price of protection is staggering, but the cost of inaction is unimaginable."

Somebody please give me a coastal law job so I can help!

Congratulations, Liz McCartney!

2008-11-24T17:12:00.000-06:00

Liz McCartney, cofounder of the St. Bernard Project has been voted CNN's "Hero of the Year."

St. Bernard Project cofounder Liz McCartney voted CNN's 'Hero of the Year' - Walker, TV Ranger - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Genius idea of the century: teach kids about money!!!!!

2008-11-24T13:50:00.000-06:00

Yes ! Yes ! Yes ! Somebody listen to this guy please!

A College Sophomore Solves the Financial Crisis - The Daily Beast: "The Jump$tart Coalition found the following in its annual survey of high school seniors:

* Only 48% understand that a credit card holder who only pays the minimum amount on monthly card balances will pay more in annual finance charges than a card holder who pays off the balance in full each month. That level of ignorance can easily lead to thousands in interest charges each year, and can easily be the difference between financial security and destitution.
* Only 40% realized that they could lose their health insurance if a parent suddenly lost his/her job....

In the current economic environment, increased financial literacy is absolutely essential for people to understand the issues as consumers and as voters. No one should leave high school without a solid foundation of practical financial skills. Students should be able to understand credit card offers, evaluate investments, compare insurance products, and understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers. Trust me, it's a lot more useful than Latin."

Quick Quips on the Nature of Government

2008-11-24T12:43:00.000-06:00

Here's one:

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences."

The Capital Grill: Potent Quotables: P.J. O'Rourke

These are pretty libertarian sounding, and I'm inclined to agree with all of them.
Any thoughts?

You know it's bad...

2008-11-15T10:50:00.000-06:00

...when we send in the clowns.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
1 Tim 6:6-8

Bailout Balogna. Can you believe it?

2008-11-13T08:50:00.000-06:00

The mainstream media narrative goes like this: Katrina recovery has struggled because local Louisiana politicians were inept and unable to provide oversight. So much money has been wasted because of lack of oversight... I'm not going to dispute that.

But you would think the federal government-- so brilliant, uncorrupted and efficient compared to our "backwards state" of Louisiana would do things a little more carefully, wouldn't you? You would be wrong. Turns out there is hardly any oversight in the spending of the billions in this humongous national bailout!

Take a little break to restore your faith in humanity.

2008-09-22T19:05:00.000-05:00

Fifty People, One Question: Restored from Benjamin Reece on Vimeo.

Giving a shout out to Ben and Sarah- and what I think is a great video!

The New Orleans 100

2008-09-22T09:59:00.000-05:00

The New Orleans 100

A great list of good news that has come out of New Orleans since Katrina. This list links to lots of fascinating projects!

(Oh yeah, and I'm doing fine but super busy).

Katrina: Unnatural Disaster

2008-08-30T16:44:00.000-05:00

The United States Army Corps of Engineers isn't evil; it's underfunded and not watched over carefully. We can't just blame them for all our problems. However, the Corps does need meaningful oversight. That will take political willpower.

With Gustav on the way, we should all be painfully aware of how vulnerable so many levees are across our country. Of course, levees are not the only answer. We also need coastal restoration in Louisiana and smart building and zoning strategies.

Anyways, all my prayers are going out to everyone in Gustav's path.

Coming up: Three Years After Katrina- 8/29/08

2008-08-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

Three years after the storm, many obstacles to recovery and other problems still remain for the Gulf Coast. More than ever, while campaigns are going full blown, it's important that we keep what happened in memory. Here are five easy things you can do to commemorate 8/29/05.

1) Get Informed. There are several great websites you can visits to learn the facts about Katrina, what went wrong, and the recovery efforts. Two of my favorites is are Nola.com's page and America's Wetland.
Of course there's also google.

2) Write/call/email your congressmen. This is so easy and it actually does make a difference. You can either write your own letter about how you want better levees, funding for coastal restoration, a plan for Fema, etc. Or you go to websites like the Gulf Restoration Network for prewritten text. Also, dropping a line to McCain or Obama won't hurt!

Contact your house members.

Contact your senators (including Mac and Oby).

3) Talk to your friends about Katrina. Easy. You can even start a heated debate, but the point is that we don't want people to forget. Especially now that campaigns are in full swing!

4) Attend or host an event commemorating the third anniversary of Katrina.

Finally
5) Volunteer your time or donate your bucks to help spread awareness/ aid restoration efforts.

Check out
The Gulf Restoration Network

Levees.org This group is concerned with levees all over the nation- you'd be surprised how many are inadequate.

The New Orleans Musician Relief Fund

or

Make it Right This is the one with Brad Pitt.

just to name a few.

Thanks for standing with the Gulf Coast!!

Awesome, awesome, awesome

2008-04-29T08:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Google and You Tube.

Google and You Tube team up to bring presidential forum to N.O. - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Yay for early childhood education!

2008-04-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

Governor's wife delivers dose of good news to children's advocates - Breaking News from New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

I'm not a huge fan of the public school system in general. (For New Orleans, at least, I'm skeptical of our current paradigm and am not convinced the 7000 taxpayers per child per year are bing wisely spent).

However, early childhood education gets results!

A little love for the law

2008-04-03T13:05:00.000-05:00

So I have recently had a couple of experiences that make feel optimistic about my future.

1) The other day a friend called with a legal problem. In the end, there were no concrete steps I could take, but just being able to research and possibly help someone with a problem was absolutely invigorating. I think I'm just getting weary of the academic grind and the theoretical stuff that I memorize for the exams. Maybe I just need the sense of purpose that only a problem to be solved can bring.

2) I attended Family Court yesterday, as a part of the Family Law class requirement. I watched the judge deal with ex-couples looking to set child support. It was great because I got to see her apply the law in a human way. She went by the book, but also made a clear effort to show both parties that their concerns mattered. For example, although support could have been set (legally speaking) without the father's presence in one case, she told the attorney for the state that if at all possible, he should get the father in court instead of just sending him a piece of paper in the end. In another example, she told a couple that the situation "was no longer about them" and was about the child. She considered the other factors in peoples' lives but was firm. She was truly a force for good. I was impressed.

Yay! Now, back to the books. Ha.

In the meantime, I'm pretty excited about Raul's recital in the Ridge this Saturday. And about finishing off the second year of law school.

Chris Rose: "We're having Mardi Gras and that's final!"

2005-12-17T13:09:00.000-06:00

I love Chris Rose, the Times-Picayune columnist. I always thought he was funny, and now he's my hero.

He has done so many great post-Katrina columns; he has even shared his personal depression concerning the storm. In a December 13th column, he forcefully argues for this year's Mardi Gras, and I wish everyone would read what he writes:

And here's a simple, not-so-eloquent reason why: If we don't have Mardi Gras, then the terrorists win. The last thing we need right now is to divide ourselves over our most cherished event.

The terrorists win! You have to admit that's funny... And he knows the truth-- Mardi Gras is more than the rest of the country might think it is.

If the national news wants to show people puking on Bourbon Street as a metaphor for some sort of displaced priorities in this town, so be it. The only puking I've seen at Mardi Gras in the past 10 years is little babies throwing up on their mothers' shoulders after a bottle.

To encapsulate the notion of Mardi Gras as nothing more than a big drunk is to take the simple and stupid way out, and I, for one, am getting tired of staying stuck on simple and stupid.

Mardi Gras is not a parade. Mardi Gras is not girls flashing on French Quarter balconies. Mardi Gras is not an alcoholic binge.

Well, what is it then, Chris?

Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods and our joy of living. All at once.

And it doesn't really matter if there are superparades or even any parades at all this year. Because some group of horn players will grab their instruments and they will march Down the Avenue because that's what they do, and I, for one, will follow.

If there are no parades, I'm hitching a boombox to a wagon, putting James Booker on the CD player and pulling my kids Down the Avenue and you're welcome to come along with me and where more than two tribes gather, there is a parade.

No Grinch can steal Mardi Gras!

We are the parade. We are Mardi Gras. We're Whoville, man -- you can take away the beads and the floats and all that crazy stuff, but we're still coming out into the street. Cops or no cops. Post-parade garbage pick-up or no garbage pick-up -- like anyone could tell the friggin' difference!

Let the whole damn country hear Al Johnson yelling "It's Carnival Time" and let them know we're not dead and if we are dying, we're going to pretend like we're not.

Fly the flag. Be in that number. This is our battle to win or lose. Hopefully, of one mind and one message. That we are still here. And that we are still New Orleans.

Amen.

Best Levees In The World

2005-12-16T13:44:00.000-06:00

Donald Powell, White House reconstruction man, said that the President is committed to building the "best levees known in the world" in New Orleans.

Let's hold him to his word.

New Orleans - Diversity = Orlando

2005-12-15T18:45:00.000-06:00

No offense to Mickey Mouse and his crew, but Slyvana Joseph is right in her editorial today.

New Orleans needs all kinds of people to be New Orleans. It's not a party without everybody. In case you're too lazy to click on the link, here's an excerpt from the T-P today:

We don't always get along, but we always get together. We are not separate and equal, we are intertwined and insane. We don't like anyone else's food, drink or music. We let you take your wine to go but make you sit to eat a doughnut. We are more than black and white, Hispanic and Asian, we are more than rich and poor, we are amazingly more than American.

We are New Orleanians.

The best article I've read about New Orleans

2005-12-11T12:37:00.000-06:00

This is how it is.

A little bit of homesickness

2005-11-19T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,

This last month has been huge. (just like dear old dad would say)

I scored in the top 2% on my LSAT. That's a big deal. My future is all but sealed.

I saw Washington DC. For a conference. It was great.

Raul came. We had an amazing time together. We are an awesome team, and I'm crazier than ever for him.

He showed me Boston. Kudos to Jan, somewhere out there, for a great experience! Coming back to Rindge after that weekend was a little bit of a let down.

It's really cold now. I want to party, but I don't want to go outside. I miss my friends from home, and the nice mild New Orleans winter. People keep telling me I just have a month left, but it seems like a very loooooooooooong month.

The kids at FPC are cool, and I've made some good friends, but I just miss New Orleans so much right now. It would certainly be different if I had chosen to leave and had said goodbye to everyone formally. But I didn't. I didn't get to despedirse with my old life.

On Tuesday I will get to see what's left; I fly in for Thanksgiving.

I'm nervous.

Jessica

PS: Raul is spending the winter in Michigan, taking lessons from a fabulous violinist, Dylana Jensen. I'll leave you with a great picture of him at Halloween.

Yeah, so it's been a long time...

2005-10-08T12:41:00.000-05:00

This has been easily the hardest month of my life. There have been so many ups and downs, I barely know where to begin.

Just kidding, I do.

I climbed a mountain- a WHOLE mountain. Mount Monandnock. All by myself.
If you don't believe me, there are pictures. Just scroll a ways down and you'll see that I'm in quite a few of them, wearing a green shirt and white fleece.

Everybody asks me why I don't have that much of an accent. I tell them because New Orleans is not like the rest of the south. They don't believe me, I don't think. Oh well.

I guess I's just ignant. Glad thar's a KKK meetin night in the woods, so's I can cry to my feller klanswomen...

Speaking of sterotypes....

A lot of Yankee stereotypes aren't true. Here are two that are:

1) Their food is bland. Only occasionally are things seasoned. The Walmart only sold mild and medium salsa, NO hot.

2) Yankees, specially New Englanders, love apples. Ok, so maybe that wasn't a stereotype before, but it is now. They know all the names of different apples, they like to pick them. Our cafeteria always has bananas, oranges, and THREE different types of apples. I've seen people playing an apple card game here. I need to buy cheap plates for my room, and the cheapest ones I could find have ONLY apples painted on them. Not all kinds of fruits, just apples. Like, that's what I REALLY want, when I finish a big bowl of spaghetti-- to see great big apples painted on my plate. I've even had APPLE PIE SHOTS! Those things are unbelievably awesome, big thumbs up for them. Finally the phrase "American as Apple Pie" makes sense to me, although I prefer Nick's proposal: "American as Red Beans and Rice."

Let's discuss FPC/New Hampshire drinking laws next (with good old Loyola/New Orleans life examples beside them):

Kegs are prohibited on campus. (Kegs are provided through the student activities fees for senior barbecues ON THE RES QUAD at Loyola).

Beer and wine are the only alcohol that can be purchased at grocery stores. Hard booze can only be purchased during the very specific hours during which the STATE RUN liquor store is open.
(Hey, it's 2 in the morning, I feel like making margaritas. Let's run down to walmart and get a handle of Tequila!)

Drinking games are illegal. (Enough said.)

It's illegal to have open containers outside. (In New Orleans the bars give "go cups" so you won't take your glass outside and break it on the street.)

AND THE BEST FOR LAST....

YOU, if intoxicated, are considered an open container! If you've been drinking, it's ILLEGAL to go outside, just walk on the street with no booze in hand!!! (THIS RULE WOULD OUTLAW LIFE IN NEW ORLEANS! Mardi Gras day means over 1,000,000 New Hampshirian criminals reveling in open air!)

So yeah, there's been a little bit of culture shock, especially when a huge party busted out singing Neil Diamonds "Sweet Caroline" last week! WHERE AM I?

Seriously, I love all you FPC people, you rock my world. Specially down in those lakeviews, with your ardent yet illegal beer pong and kings.

Even though the parties supposedly have to end at 2, we have lots of fun running from the cute little campus safety and the omnipresent Rindge PD. Good times!

I'll update more now that the greatest part of the trauma seems to be over.

Just bear with me!

Rindge, NH (EDT!!!)-- HOW DID I GET HERE?

2005-09-08T16:08:00.001-05:00

I am in New Hampshire.

That's right, Katrina swept me away from my cozy home in the Big Easy

to

Baton Rouge

then

El Paso, Texas

and NOW

Franklin Pierce College in Ruralruralruralruralrural
RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Why? Because my family doesn't have money to give me, and the folks here were very gracious and offered to not only help me with tuition, but also to give me housing, food, books, and winter clothes.

When I arrived in the Manchester airport, I was met by the Provost of the college, two newspaper reporters, and one TV camera. The TV people found me "amable," and followed us from the airport to the college, about a half hour drive. Turns out I got a minute long spot on the local news today. I also did two radio interviews...

I'm famous, probably the New Orleanian in New Hampshire.

It is beautiful here, and I am very very happy to be here, although sometimes I cry and miss my friends and my city.

Thank God I found one small bottle of hot sauce (Tabasco, woo woo!) in the cafeteria.

And, thank God that: I have a great schedule of classes, the kids are pretty intelligent and engaged, and the teachers are working with me, and the housing is good, and the people are sooo nice...

So much for all my stereotypes about Yankees... even as I write two people have come up to me, people from the cafeteria and from class, and asked me how I'm doing and made me feel good about everything.

Within a fifty mile radius of this beautiful campus, Thorton Wilder set Our Town, Thoreau wrote On Walden Pond (one of my favorite works EVER) and RW Emerson composed North of Boston and the very famous "Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I tooked the one less travelled by..."

Yes, I have certainly taken The Road Less Travelled-- we took several, actually, to get to this campus.

This is so different from what I'm used to... there are 1600 kids at this school, and 98% live on campus. The campus has a lake, and there are kayaks and canoes I can borrow like a book from the library. In the winter, the mountain will cover with snow and the lake will freeze, and people are already trying to convince me to ice skate, and to grab a tray from the cafeteria and sled down the mountain with them--hey, that's what they do for fun around here. I guess they do it because KEGS ARE ILLEGAL. WHAT! At Loyola, we SPONSER parties with kegs for seniors-- it comes out of student fees! But I've gotten the downlow-- the key is to bury the keg in the snow, so no one can see it...
WHERE AM I?!?!

I am in Ringe, New Hampshire, embarking on an adventure I would have never imagined for myself. Katrina blows my mind.

If you want to call me, you can try my cell phone... but it might not work because I'm in the middle of the woods and service isn't great. Or you can call 603 899 4100. My extension is 3848.

I refuse to change the posting time from Central to Eastern, just to let you know.

Mom is SAFE!

2005-09-02T21:52:00.000-05:00

They evacuated her from Charity Hospital and she'll be with us in a couple of days!

PRAYING FOR MY CITY- PLEASE READ!

2005-09-01T13:32:00.000-05:00

New Orleans is underwater. I can't even breathe when I look at the photos; my beautiful city is on fire, submerged, drowning. Over a million people had to leave their homes-- most of those people will have no homes to go back to in the end.

MY MOTHER, A NURSE, IS STILL TRAPPED IN CHARITY HOSPITAL. Patients are dying around her without their necessary machines, she hasn't bathed in days, is eating very little. Garbage is stinking, it's sweltering and dark, most of her nurses know their houses are under up to 10 feet of water. 10s of thousands of people need to be evacuated from the city in boats and buses. Meanwhile, she says the floodwaters are full of glass shards from broken windows, and stink of sewage and dead people.

Thousands and thousands of people are missing. 504 cell phone numbers are recieving busy signals, and families can not get in touch with one another. Finally I am hearing that my family is safe, although I know for a fact that my Grandma's house is totally underwater. I'm not sure about mine.

People are dying in the city! WATER FOOD CLOTHING is needed. We can't even think about saving the city for months, what's important now is to SAVE PEOPLE! If you have money to give to help rescue efforts/ emergency shelters, a house where refugees could stay please give! The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities are all in need of financial assistance. Please please please help!

For now, my little brother, father, grandma, dog, and myself are all safe with my uncle in El Paso, who has generously taken us in... so much for my senior year of college, we won't be able return for at least months... but I'm safe, so I'm lucky.

too awesome!

2005-02-18T13:01:00.000-06:00

I saw The Fens at the Neutral Ground last night. They are too awesome! Make them famous, people!

I've been thinking a lot about free market economics lately, thanks to a fortuitous meeting on the plane ride back to New Orleans. I've also been thinking about God and stuff. More on both of those later... What have you been thinking about?