It was January 2006. I was in desperate need to start out 2006 in a fantastic way. 2005 had ended up being a real drag due to, well we all know what happened August 29th, 2005. I decided to take a trip up to the North East to see some friends, and of course take in some Bonerama shows. We started out in PA, and ended up in NYC. It was a two night stand for the boys at a club, the name escapes me. CODA? perhaps. At the end of the first night a bunch of people took a journey on back to the hotel a few short blocks away and had, an after party if you will. I knew everyone there, except two people. Who where these girls? Normally I probably wouldn't have cared, but we were all hanging out in the room I was sharing with Marisa. I got Craig aside and asked, "who are those girls?" "Oh that is Jessica and her sister. Jessica is the one that produced that piece for us" Which piece you may ask? It ran right after Katrina, on a national news station. In case she doesn't want me to out her here, I am not going to say which one. However it isn't that hard to figure out. I vaguely remembering how excited Craig had sounded when he called me to tell me that it was airing. I introduced myself to the girls, probably said like 2 sentences to them and then continued on my way.

The next night, at the club I turned around and there they were again. I remember talking to Jessica a bit more this night. Not a whole lot but a bit more. My mind was really on other things at this time.

I think it was the next weekend, it was the tribute/memorial show for Brian. I was in the back of Tipitina's, at the merch area as always. Whatever I sold that night was going to go to Brian's family, so I was hoping to sell a lot. In walked the door was Jessica. We were both like "HEY! I know you!" We chit chatted that night and I believe exchanged email addresses.

We stared exchanging emails and when FQF rolled around Jess came and stayed at my house. I am not sure how it started, if it was her or if it was me, or a mutual thing but we got a Pat O's hurricane. Maybe because it was we were in the Quarter checking out the stages there and they have a bathroom there that is clean and well, why not buy a drink? As it was every time we saw Craig that weekend, we had a hurricane in our hand. He gave us the mantra of the weekend, "Sip Slowly girls" I think he started us out on that fateful final day of FQF by buying as all one, which led to us having like 5 each. It was a fantastic and wonderful time.

Everytime Jess came to NOLA she would almost always stay at the house. We enjoyed the same music got along great and had a lot of silly fun. One year she asked if her new boyfriend and her could stay at the house during Jazz Fest. This was Mike's first Jazz Fest I do believe. I liked this guy instantly. He was a very fun and likable guy. A few years pass...and well the trip to DC two weeks ago was for their wedding.

It was a great and wonderful time. It truly was. I wish them nothing but happiness from here on out, and hope that they make it to New Orleans just as much as before! :) :)

The first kiss

Introducing...

A great and wonderful friend

Pam posted this over on her blog and I thought why not??

What is your current obsession? Golden Girls. Watch it when I get up, and when I fall asleep.

What is your weirdest obsession? All my obsessions are weird. ;) No I really don't know if any are weird, guess I hadn't thought about it.

Starbucks or Caribou? I don't know what Caribou is so I am going to say Starbucks.

What’s for dinner? Salad. Forgot the pork chops in the freezer.

What would you eat for your last meal? A ten course meal.

What was the last thing you bought? The book Sunday at Tiffany's. A plastic snap container for the cat food since the cats figured out a way to jump into the pantry and knock over the food.

What are you listening to right now? Paul Sanchez, John Boutte, Todd Duke and Leroy Jones on WWOZ

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Strawberry cheesecake

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Phoenix. My sister's house. To see my nieces. :)

Which language do you want to learn? Salish. I have a book, just need to sit down with the CD.

What is your favorite quote (for now)? I'm selfish,impatient & a little insecure.I make mistakes, I'm out of control & at times hard to handle.But if you can't handle me at my worst,then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best-Marilyn Monroe

What is your favorite color? Reds/Pinks/Purples.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? I got some really cool shoes from my friend Elyse on Saturday. Black, 2" inch heels (at least). Resemble Mary Janes, almost, that have a touch of glitter added to them.

What is your dream job? someone that will pay me to be me.

What is your worst habit? procrastination

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? Tickets to go see Wicked here in NOLA next spring

Do you admire any one’s style? I don't think so.

Describe your personal style. Different.

What are you going to do after this? work on some spreadsheets

What is your favorite fruit? right now blueberries

What inspires you? music, being around other people.

What is your favorite book? Pu..leeze. Favorite BOOK? books! ~ Second that one there Pam!!

Do you collect something? Music.

What is your favorite smell? Night Blooming Jasmine.

What are you most proud of? Moving to New Orleans on my own.

How many times do you press the snooze button before you get up? None. More accurate I have 3 alarms set, so I won't hit snooze. Set 15 mins apart.

Cats or dogs? Both...but I probably lean more toward cats.

Complete the following: Love is…only for the lucky.
'
What do you like best about yourself (can be a physical characteristic and/or a personality trait)? That I can make people laugh.

What do you dislike about yourself? weight.

I said I wanted to see as much as I could when I was in DC, and I think I did. It was such a fun and eventful trip. I think it was the first week long vacation I had taken since moving to New Orleans almost 5 years ago. I have gone places yes, but usually it has just been long weekends. So it was nice. Wednesday I flew into BWI. From there I took the MARC train to Union Station. That place is stunningly beautiful. I didn't get any pictures however as I was trying to find my way out of the building to meet my ride. Jessica then gave me what she called the .10 cent tour of DC, pointing out things as we headed towards her house in VA. We did stop at the the Iwo Jima monument. That one she said it was the hardest to get to if I wasn't on a tour bus of any kind. We then headed out to her house, ate some sushi, watched the Yankees game, and put together the name plates for the wedding. That was a kick, watching Mike (the groom) trying to figure out how open these picture frames. The next day, Jess and her sistser dropped me off at the Metro around 10:30. I was in DC by 11. I didn't stop moving the rest of the day it seemed. I first headed over to the Native American Museum. I spent the longest amount of time there, and I think I saw all the exhibits. Ate a little lunch (buffalo) and headed on outside. I decided since I was right by the Capitol Building I would walk over that way and then down the other side of the Mall. I wasn't by the Capitol long when the rain started. No I didn't have an umbrella or any rain gear. When I was leaving the house I told Jess that if it starts? I would just go into a museum. I didn't know the rain was waiting for me to be NO WHERE near one. I did find a tree that actually protected me quite nicely. I hung out there for a few moments and the worse of the rain seemed to have passed, it was just sprinkling. I decided to head down towards the Natural History Museum.

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