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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on September 3, 2005, at 6:30:22
To Miss New Orleans?
Softly weeping, I listened to Louis Armstrong, Dr. John, Harry Connick Jr., the Marsalis brothers' various recordings, The Neville Brothers, Clifton Chenier (The "King of Zydeco"), various Dixieland jazz recordings; and thought about the place that gave birth to so much diverse and wonderful talent and beautiful music.
Beignets, coffee with chicory, jambalaya, gumbo, Bananas Foster, Emerils' restaurants!! NOLA - I have a few menus from memorable meals there. I have some rolls of fat I can directly attribute to the city. I treasure them now.
The Garden District. Ann Rice novels. "A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Glass Menagerie". The inspiration for so much fine American literature.
This, in addition to the overwhelming loss of humanity.
I had to post this.
ClearSkies
Posted by NikkiT2 on September 3, 2005, at 7:00:35
In reply to Do You Know What It Means, posted by ClearSkies on September 3, 2005, at 6:30:22
"Confederacy of Dunces" too..
My heart is breaking over this. I psent Tuesday with my friend who is a police captain in the New Orleans PD.. She came over here to do the tube challenge with us, and then was stranded here (and became a bit of a media star here in the process).. She has now managed to fly to her husband and son in Florida, but is needed back in NO depserately. She has lost *everything*.. The stories she is sending back are unbelievable. I fidn it SO hard to realise that these things are happening in the US.. the *US*..
I read a book a few months ago caled "Blindess". bascially, a whole country goes blind, and the things that happened.. well, I though "well, atlest that wouldn't happen in a western country in this day and age".. how wroong I was, as it mirrors so closely what is happening in NO at the moment.
Its terrifying. I feel so useless.. I wish thee were more I could do. I wish I had a skill that could be used there.
*hugs you tightly*
Nikki xx
Posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2005, at 9:55:58
In reply to Re: Do You Know What It Means » ClearSkies, posted by NikkiT2 on September 3, 2005, at 7:00:35
I have never visited there, although my husband's family has been there many times. I was looking forward to going next year for a conference. Nothing's been said about whether this conference will be held there or not, but it's a huge conference with thousands and thousands of attendees, and it will take a lot of effort to rebuild that quickly. I hope it does go forward, though, because that will mean that lives are better for the people of NO, too.
And I'm very sad that it will never be the same, and I will never have the opportunity to see the city as you remember, CS, and as my hubby and his family do. It's worse than never being able to see the Stones in concert (I refuse to go now, as I can't imagine it would be anywhere near the same as when they were younger).
I suppose the moral of the story for me is not to wait to do some of the things I've always dreamed of. Life as we know it is too short.
I should start saving for a trip to Europe ASAP. Good incentive to finish my degree and start earning money instead of spending it on tuition.
gg
Posted by 10derHeart on September 3, 2005, at 11:55:32
In reply to Re: Do You Know What It Means, posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2005, at 9:55:58
> I should start saving for a trip to Europe ASAP. Good incentive to finish my degree and start earning money instead of spending it on tuition.Yes! What wise thoughts! I lived there for 3 years, traveled (far too briefly) to 9 other European countries during my time off, and still didn't come close to seeing even 50% of what I wanted to see. It's so diverse, old and amazing.
If you've been into US history like I used to be (grew up in Massachusetts - kind of got it by osmosis..) then, you see all these things in Europe, some standing since the days of the ROMAN EMPIRE, or at least, say, the 13th century, it begins to sink in how awfully young the US is, and how many generations lived and died on the very spots where you can stand......
Can you tell living in Europe blew me away?
Save that $$, gg, it will be so worth it!
(ok, UK (and others) people, quit laughing at me now...I know I probably sound like such a nutty American.....guilty of loving your continent)
Posted by Gabbix2 on September 3, 2005, at 15:18:09
In reply to Do You Know What It Means, posted by ClearSkies on September 3, 2005, at 6:30:22
> To Miss New Orleans?
>
I can't stop crying. I didn't know how to put it, because I didn't want to sound like I was dismissing the human tragedy, but you phrased it beautifully. That part is just killing me too..
Posted by TexasChic on September 3, 2005, at 21:26:48
In reply to Re: Do You Know What It Means » ClearSkies, posted by Gabbix2 on September 3, 2005, at 15:18:09
I have a friend who lives here but is from Baton Rouge. She has offered to take me any time I want (she visits often). I so regret never taking her up on that offer. I've always wanted to see New Orleans, especially being an Anne Rice fan. I'm reading the Dean Koontz book Frankenstein right now, and its based in NO too. I can't bring myself to accept that its gone. Its still there, just underwater, right? I've dreamed of touring the Garden District, going to Bourbon St. and having a hurricane and listening to real live jazz.
I can't bring myself to contact my friend. I don't know why. I guess I'm scared.
-T
Posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2005, at 22:34:59
In reply to Re: Do You Know What It Means, posted by TexasChic on September 3, 2005, at 21:26:48
Posted by TexasChic on September 4, 2005, at 6:57:59
In reply to I hope your friend is okay (nm) » TexasChic, posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2005, at 22:34:59
Oh, I'm sure she's okay. She lives here. And her family is all in Baton Rouge, so they should be alright too. But I'm sure its chaotic there.
I just have this weird hangup about calling people. I don't know why. I just have this weird adversion to it. I get really anxious when I think about it. I seem to be able to email, but I haven't emailed her in a while, so now I feel bad that its been so long. I just seem to be in this isolating place right now, and I don't want to have the responsibilty of having to be regularly in touch with someone. At least, that's the best I can explain the feeling.
-T
Posted by Jai Narayan on September 4, 2005, at 23:36:56
In reply to Re: I hope your friend is okay, posted by TexasChic on September 4, 2005, at 6:57:59
Thank you for posting this.
The night of Katrina I called my friends in New Orleans.
they were going to ride the storm out.
"Ride the Storm"
That night I got no sleep.
I was up at 4 am madly watching weatherunderground.
Yes the storm went slightly to the east.
but who knew that the levees would breech.
So I too have been mourning the loss of lives, homes, the incredible polluting of the waters, and the city.
The smoky, jazz infested, mysterious city of New Orleans.
Yes I have walked the streets and drunk the chicory coffee...ate a powered sugar sweet....
it was a gentler time.
I too have been crying and sleepless and worried and angry and sad.
So much has happened.
I love that people are comparing our crisis to what people did in Cuba when they were hit with a category 5 hurricane.
No one died in Cuba.I will let that rest now.
I am tired and my body has a cold.
good night Gabbix2, clear skies, and all who love this city..
may we rest with peace.
Peace.
Jai
Posted by sunny10 on September 6, 2005, at 11:56:22
In reply to Re: I hope your friend is okay, posted by Jai Narayan on September 4, 2005, at 23:36:56
This is the end of the thread.
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