*I have an interview today. I am hoping that salary is livable, that the job is workable, that it is something I want to do. I know it is something I want to do, maybe I mean somewhere I want to work. Yeah that is it. I was/am getting worried, as this job ends in two and a half weeks. I would like means to survive. That isn't asking for much is it?

*I hope I don't yawn during the interview. This lack of sleep is starting to grate on my nerves already. One full night of sleep. PLEASE! (especially when having a good dream and you want to continue dreaming that dream and for some reason your body wakes up!! grrr)

*Housemate will make it home on Saturday, so at least the running back and forth from my house to the place I am watching will stop for a little bit. That should help. I hope! Relive some of the stress. By the time she leaves again I will either be done house sitting or just about done. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again.

*For some strange inane reason I thought today was the day that my sister, Aubrey and Scott were coming. Yeah. No. It is TOMORROW! She told me the 18th, I saw the 18th in the email, it registered. I just thought for some reason the 18th was on Thursday. Today. It wasn't until today when my alarm was going off and I looked at my phone and I saw that today was the 17th did it click that they weren't coming today. I mean I even took half a day off tomorrow so I could spend more time with them. You would think it would have hit me then. Nope. So now I get to go and switch so I have half a day off Monday and Tuesday. Going to blame it on the sleep deprivation.

*Did I mention that I have to do an interview today? Going to load up on the caffeine and hope for the best!

Tornado. Down my street. 3 AM. over in about 12 seconds. clean up all day. who is tired??

More later.

I don't even know how to start about this weekend. I really don't. I guess at the beginning...Friday night found Kristen and I at Cooter Brown's to watch the semi-final game for the Griz. They lost. I wasn't happy. We then went to the Maple Leaf and harrassed a few people. Saturday I spent reading. Watching a movie. Just relaxing. I was planning on going to the Howlin Wolf on Saturday night, but I had no energy and fell asleep at 9. Yesterday morning I was up at 6. I got a lot of cleaning and more reading done. This is were it gets interesting. I was down in our basement working on my laundry, I heard some yelling and it sounded like it was coming from the backyard. I stopped and peeked out and didn't see anything, I heard more yelling then a POP. I heard even MORE yelling and another POP. I ran up the stairs and yelled to Kristen "what the hell is going on??" she said, "was that shots???" we ran out onto the balcony and saw a neighbor standing outside. Kristen called 911 they said it had already been called in. We ran outside, and most of the neighbors were outside. Apparently two guys had been fighting right outside from our house, across the street on the park side. Both had taken off, one on foot, one in his car. We don't know if it was an attempted robbery, car jacking, a drug deal gone bad or what. We don't know if any of the guys involved were hurt...no clue. The good to come out of it all was we got to know some of our neighbors better. we found out about the neighborhood watch thingy going on. Also our neighbors 1-1/2 son loves me. He wouldn't let me put him down at all yesterday. Even to go back to his mom.

As the day wore on....I started feeling gross. Now today? That damn cold is back. I am not happy.

In two months and two weeks (give or take a few days) it will be my birthday. I will be 31. Last year I was really looking forward to my 30th, mainly because I knew my friends would be visiting and we were gonna have a good time. This year? I am dreading it. It may be a combination of a week after my birthday, that bitch roared through the gulf. Not soon after one of my friends passed away. Then I found out my grandpa wasn't doing so well. However, lately things have been going pretty good. So why dread a birthday? Its just a number right? Part of it may have to do with I am now feeling pretty settled here in New Orleans. For the first time in a long time, if not ever, I feel like I am where I need to be. Things seem to be going in a good direction. Do ya'll know where this is going yet? Everyonce in awhile, more often lately, I get that panicky feeling. The one that almost every woman has. Will I spend the rest of my life alone? I know I will always have my family and my friends. But I do start to wonder if I will ever get married and have kids. I really want to have kids. That number 31 scares me from time to time. What if I can't? What if I run out of time? Every once in awhile I look at it like this. Say I finally met the person I am going to spend the rest of my life with at the age of 31. Lets say we date for awhile....then engaged...finally married....then try for kids. I could be 35 before that happens. If I am lucky. I may not met anyone till I am 35....see this is my thought process. And it panicks me. I am not going to do something stupid like a person I knew back in college. It was on her birthday, she was turning 22 or 23 something like that and she said "this year I am going to meet someone and by this time next year I will be engaged." She wasn't dating anyone at the time. By the time her birthday rolled around the next year she was married. They had kids right away. They are now divorced. I have since lost contact with her, for all I know she is remarried. That is not something I want to do at all. I am definetly not beating any suitors away right now, which on most days? Its fine. I am a pretty independant person, but on other days? Holy cow. Watch out. I know there are other single people out there that feel the same way. I hope mom and dad don't mind a popsicle grandchild. ;)

I just bought a car. A used one. A 90 Ford Taurus....station wagon. I kid you not. I bought a station wagon. The driver's side passanger door is missing the handle on the outside, but can be opened from the inside. Other than that, it is pretty much fine. So keep your fingers, toes, and whatever else crossed, do some good luck voodoo, prayers, mojo for me that when I go home, it doesn't conk out on me. I should be leaving here on Thursday or Friday. I am gonna go freak out some more, figure out how I am gonna pay rent, get some non-perishable groceries and have gas for all of this. Not to mention the 2 month old electric bill, that I just got in the mail on Saturday. Pray that finding a job is fast and easy!!

Its a never ending feeling lately. For the past 6 weeks. Holy crap...its been 6 weeks since that bitch Katrina slammed us. Actually...6 1/2 weeks. The newest stress? I read yesterday that as of Oct 25th, landlords can start evicting tentents for partial damage to their places. Then they can fix the place up and rent it out again for a higher price. Do you know how bad it sucks to know that there is partial damage to your house and this could be happening? I actually didn't think about it too much yesterday during the day. The landlord's even called yesterday and asked when I was gonna be in the city. I said Friday, she said "we'll talk then" No biggie. I called my roomie to see what if anything she had done at the house. Nothing yet, other than finding out we now have power (whoo hoo!!!) the water is "good" and the AC isn't working quite right. So. Techinically I could go home, and stay home. But now? Knowing that after the 25th my ass could be booted? I will wait. The only reason I started to get more stressed was from what my roomie said. She had also heard from the landlord's and in the message that was left with her was "we need to talk about some issues with the house" Hopefully its just more of the "don't go into the basement" kinda things...but it may not be. I don't know what I am gonna do if I get booted from that place. Its home.

I am so mad about this I could spit nails. There is NO excuse for why the owners left 34 elderly people there to die. None whatsoever. I watched Headline News tonight, and was just getting angrier and angrier. (Not liking Nancy Grace may have had something to do with it as well) If the owners refused help, via the buses or by not calling their ambulance service.....why the HELL didn't one of the nurses, nurses aides or any of the other employees freakin pick up the phone and do it themselves???? Okay, I can understand that some of them, maybe even all of them, were afraid to lose their jobs, benefits, and what not. Guess what??? You don't have those jobs now. And in the long run, what is more important? People's lives? Or your job. You can sure as hell bet that I would have taken the risk of being fired. I mean, if they (the owners) had balls enough to fire me after all was said in done...I would have sued their asses and probably would have had my pick of lawyers. As for the gentleman being interviewed by Nancy Grace (if that is what you call what she does) who lost his father. He lived in the area. He said he lived 2 miles from the home. He said so did his sister, and his brother, who was a firefighter. He said his father was in good health. So my guess is they all evacuated....well maybe not the firefighter, but the rest did. WHY IN THE HELL did they not go get their father???? Why did they leave it up to the home?? They got themselves to safety..but not their father?? I would have made sure that the home was empty before my ass got out of town, had it been my parents. I don't understand the mentality of some people. There are more people to blame than just the owners. Those 34 people didn't deserve to die. Not that way. Not when more people could have done something to save them.

*can't find the picture at this time*

Or whatever it is you do...good mojo..send thoughts...voodoo rituals....I took the pic on the left from Lisa's website. Its so hard to believe that that was 2 weeks ago....today. It was at my birthday celebration at Donna's. My friend Elyse made me that crown. She took the pic of Lisa and I. Elyse and her husband Roger are missing right now. I am so sad. I met Roger and Elyse because of Bonerama. They are fans as well, and I would see them at all the shows.....we got to know each other that way. If you have ever gone to Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Fest or pretty much anywhere there was music and you saw the people dancing up a storm like they just don't care...and are actually GOOD at it? Chances are it was Elyse and Roger....I hope they are found soon. They lived close to me as well, in fact a block from the Maple Leaf..and from what I have heard that area is fairly dry, but damn those looters for making it not safe.

Harry Connick Jr's official statement (he is also being a special correspondant for NBC today/tonight and taking part of a benefit tomorrow:

I haven't slept in days. Although I now finally know that my immediate family in New Orleans is safe, I have not heard from many, many friends and other family members.

It is hard to sit in silence, to watch one's youth wash away. New Orleans is my essence, my soul, my muse and I can only dream that one day she will recapture her glory. I will do everything in my power to make that happen and to help in any way I can to ease the suffering of my city, my people!

Mark posted over on Bonerama's board. Craig sent me an email last night (I still haven't heard from Roger and Elyse) saying his house was under 20 feet of water. Leroy and Katja lost both their houses, the one they have spent the past 2 years renovating, and the one they are living in till it was finished. These guys have grown up in New Orleans, this was their entire lives. Their income, was playing gigs around town. That is gone. Wives and girlfriends have lost jobs as well because of this. Most of the guys in the big bands have kids. If there are some of you out there reading, who aren't part of the "freaks" as we are lovingly called at connick.com please please please consider donating to this fund. It will go to these guys directly. If you don't feel comfy doing that...Wil Wheaton is hosting an online poker tourny. Have some fun..help some people. Thank you.

As cheesy as that sounds...that is how it is going. I have some decisions to make, but really I don't think I can make them right now. Dia thinks she can get me a job here. Vanessa told me that she would drive out to get me and take me back to Cali, Michelle was ready to fly me up to Montana tomorrow. Stephen said my old job in Seattle may be opening up soon. Mom and dad want me in CO. My sister offered her house up. I am VERY VERY lucky. I have some of the most wonderful friends, my parents are the best, I can not convey in words the gratitude that I feel. I have been hearing that there was some looting at the Rite Aid on Carrollton and Oak Street. They used a forklift to break open the metal door. Why do I point this incident out? Because my house is 6 blocks away. and they were able to use a FORKLIFT to break open the door. Which means...hopefully not a lot of water. This makes me very happy. And also very sad. Why is my house being spared? possibly? Why not Leroy's? Why not Craig's? Why not any of the other thousands and thousands of people who KNOW their house is gone. People who have been there, their entire life. I have only been a resident of the city for just over a year, but it was my home. My heart is in this city. The year I was there, was some of the happiest I have ever been.

I did leave. I am glad I did of course, but can't find words for what else I am feeling. My home, my city, my life is gone. Its not just me either...its thousands of thousands of people. This is very surreal. I am glad that my friends are okay. I need to see if I can get a hold of Roger and Elyse....but I did talk to Craig, Bert and Katja for a long time yesterday. My friends are wonderful, I have amazing friends. I spent 2 nights in Jennings, LA after a 12 hour ride. normally takes 2 1/2 I was there with a co-worker and her husband. We stayed with her cousin. I am now in Dallas, TX staying with my wonderful friends Dia and Randy. I talked to my parents yesterday and they both asked several times "Do you want us to come and get you?" which I know translates to "We want to come and get you" But I don't want to be that far from the city. If it takes 2 weeks, to 6 months...I will be back there. I will help rebuild my city, my home. My life.

Everyone is a twitter...what to do...what to do. Some people here at work are at near panic state...others not so much. One of my bosses just wandered by saying "we are all going to fuckin die!! no really we are not" It was quite amusing. Apparently the Lt. Govenor is urging local businesses to close and let employees to go. They are doing voluntery evactuations right now. 50 hours in advance of when Dennis hits US land. We don't even freakin know if its gonna come this way. We won't know really until it gets past Cuba. Thats not until tomorrow. All this extra panic. Its annoying me in a way. Maybe because I feel a pressure to make a decision to leave the city a lot more sooner, since I don't have a car...and have to relay on the goodness of some friends. I don't want to have to make a decision until tomorrow. So what would you do?? Get the hell out of dodge...or beat all your buddies with a baseball bat? (lyrics from Cowboy Mouth's Hurricane Party)

I remembered...then forgot...then remembered... then forgot...that today marks I have 2 months left of my 20s. (signs of old age...all that forgetting) I go from moments of panic...to WHOOO HOOO LETS PARTY!! The moments of panic of course being...I am gonna be 30 and what the HELL have I done so far with my life. Granted this past year I have made some pretty darn big choices...one being to move myself here to NOLA. Those moments of thinking..."I am going to be 30, not married, no prospects, no kids...I am gonna end up alone with 50 cats" You know all that fun stuff. Then I remember that I wouldn't be able to go out and have fun, and well party....if I had all that other stuff....so obviously, I am not quite ready for that yet. I have expressed my "fears" to several friends, who think I am crazy. Although Michelle telling me "don't worry my sister is 35 and not married/no boyfriend/kids, you'll be fine" I don't want to be 35 without some stable roots. Without a family. See...there I go again.

I stood up from my desk a little while ago to get more coffee. On my walk to the kitchen...I definetly saw flashes in my right eye. It scared the SHIT out of me. I really really don't want to have the same thing happen to the right eye as it did to the left eye over a year ago. #1. I can't afford it #2 I don't want surgery again, #3 the thought of going blind again scares the SHIT out of me. I know I am probaly over reacting right now, I tend to do that. Just sit and think of all the possible awful outcomes. Stress myself out. I will on Monday make the call to the retnial specialist my eye doctor gave me on my last appt. Just to make sure its still okay.

Gonna focus on some fun stuff coming up. Bonerama shows tonight and Sunday night that I am selling merch at. Friends visiting in about a month, my 30th birthday bash (wait is turning 30 a positive thing??), my best friend's wedding in Sept. So that will get me back to Montana for the first time in a long. New roomies moving in.

I can't believe its Tuesday!! For once the long weekend didn't just fly by me! I really didn't do much for once and that was quite nice. Friday night Anna and I went to Preservation Hall to see Leroy play. We had a lot of fun and Leroy invited her to bring her trombone to Donna's the next night!! However, I think Anna was a little intimidated. Neither one of us ended up going to Donna's on Saturday. I just hung out at home and read, had Adam run me up to the store...and that was it. Sunday I did more of the same, although I did go to see Star Wars finally. Then over to Adam and Carrie's for awhile. Yesterday...I didn't leave the house at all. Overall it was a relaxing weekend. Until I got the email from the jackass who said he was taking the available room, and was sending the deposit/rent for June. The email he sent yesterday said "I think I am going to wait" Ummmm do you think you could have called to tell me that??? Told me sooner??? I have ONE freakin day to find someone!! Asswipe. He said he wants to look at the room on the 15th if its still available. Well, even if it is I sure as hell don't want you to have it. Liz and I came up with a solution last night to cover the rent for that portion...its not the best idea, but its covering it...and we will have to deal with somethings in the end ourselves. I just actually got an email from Liz saying one girl is on her way over to look at the place, and she has another lead. I have one myself.....the girl works from home as a sex phone operator!!! Anyway....on to more positive items.

Tonight after work, I am going to meet up with Carrie and Adam and we are going to Virgin Records. Better Than Ezra is doing an acustic set there. Their new CD was released today, "Before the Robots" I have heard a few of the songs from it and its pretty good. Then tomorrow, we are going to walk about 2 blocks down the street for a 5:00 free show, by none other than Cowboy Mouth! I think that is going to be one interesting show!! I have no plans music wise until Saturday. Mark Braud is playing at Louisiana Music Factory, to promote his new CD.

One fun thing I have been meaning to mention but haven't is one of my co-workers does movie work. Doug actually does freelance stuff for us. He was in "Runaway Jury" as the Juror who gets tossed during selection because he has blood all over his shirt. He also just played Chet Atkins in that Elvis movie that was just on CBS. I watched the first part and actually didn't realize it was him! Then last night on A&E, I watched "Faith of My Fathers" and he was in the last 15 mins. I know a mini-celeb!!

I need 2 new roomies!!! PRONTO. The end of the month is almost here. And I have been posting on craigslist for over a month now and no real solid bites. I thought I had some, but then they decided that their move in date would have to be later. Well thats good, move in later, but send rent now!!! I have had everyone from normal peoples to a sex phone operator. Seriously. Liz has posted a few times about the room as well on Craigslist, and has posted a listing at her "school" Adrian has done the same. Am I wrong to think that because techincally since they are leaving before the lease is up that it should be almost fully their responisblity to find people to take their spots? The lease is up in August and we would be re-signing it will all the new roomies. Liz has done a lot more work I think, than Adrian has. And she has a lot more going on. Like finishing her thesis. I keep thinking it will be nice to find people, but at the same time...I should have gotten my own place. *sigh*

I am a giddy little girl right now. And a total dork. So my first celebrity crush was on Wil Wheaton. You know from Stand By Me (Gordie),Star Trek: Next Generation, Toy Soldiers, and other various TV/Movie roles. A few years ago, I saw an article in the USA Today that he had a blog. So I went and checked it out, to see what he has been up too. While he still does acting he is mainly an writer now. And a good one. He put out a book called "Dancing Barefoot" which was some expansions on some of the blog entries he had done. Anything from his family life (wife and 2 stepsons) to Star Trek experiences. It was a short book, and I read the whole thing in like an hour. Have read it several times since it came out. I had ordered it off his website, and about 2 days after I received it, I got another copy. So I emailed Wil, mentioning I got 2 copies and only charged for one, would he like me to send it back or charge me for the second copy? Not thinking I would get an answer. Boy was I suprised when I did get one! Hey Stacey, From time to time I screw up and send two books when I mean to send one. It looks like this happened with you. Since it's my fault, you have a bonus book to do with whatever you'd like. :) Thanks for letting me know . . . I *really* need to get that database running, so I can keep track of stuff. W seriously...that rocked. ( I sent the extra copy to Sarah) It was almost as cool as the time I saw him in Disneyland. I was a freshman in HS and my best friend Vanessa and I were spending spring break in So. CA with her parents. It was getting to be the end of night, and we got in line for the Haunted House ride, AGAIN. There was a group of about 4 kids in front of us, 3 guys and 1 girl. 2 of the guys and the girl were paying close attention to one guy, who was listening to a baseball game on a small radio, he was giving them the play by play. It was Wil Wheaton. I about had a fit. I couldn't say anything but hit Vanessa and point and stare. We get up to the ride, and Wil , one of the guys and the girl get in one car and then the operator puts the other guy with Vanessa and I. I don't think I said a word that entire time. After the ride was over, they all went their way and I still stared. I was in mild shock. Anyway, about a year ago he put out another book "Just a Geek" this one was longer and was more of an autobiography. I got through that book pretty quickly as well. He is the kinda writer that tells stories that just kind of capture you. Even the true life kind of stories. And of course he posts pretty regularly on his blog. He recently had an appereance on CSI, a show I never watch, but tuned in to catch him. He posted about that experience, his writing gigs, and some segments he just taped for a VH1 show, lately his posts have been about his sick cats. Today, his post was about the Beat Generation, and he talks about loving Jazz music. (this is were the dork part of me comes in) now from time to time I will post in his comments section, but thats it. Today, I emailed him. I told him to go listen to WWOZ and hear some New Orleans Jazz, I even managed to slip in a mention about Bonerama. He FREAKIN EMAILED ME BACK ALREADY. I didn't expect a reply, cuz my email wasn't really about anything, he gets TONS everyday, and he is a pretty busy guy. Hey Stacey, Thanks for the suggestion! I've got a pile of live Wilco shows to listen to, but as soon as I get through them, I'll tune in to wwoz. Thanks :) Wil Man. Something so simple can put a freakin smile on my face that will last through the day.

First and foremost....Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad who today are celebrating 32 years of marriage. Thats a loooong time to be with someone, and to still be happy and in love? Heck that is something I am not sure I will ever experience. They have been through a lot together, and are still pretty darn young. As a matter of fact, Dad will be 51 on the 15th of this month and mom will be 49 in May. What? How is it possible for them to have two daughters that are 31 and 29? Well...my sister will be 32 in September...thats 6 months away. And she was not born early. Mom was 16 when they got married, and 17 when she had my sister. 2 years later...I came along. To get married that young, have kids and survive?? It explains why they like to play alot now, and why both my sister and I get along with them so well. I should be seeing the whole fam for Dad's birthday. I had planned on going to Phoenix at some point this spring to see a few of the Seattle Mariner's spring training games...visit Lisa and Scott and just chill. Mom and Dad thought that sounded like a good idea. I just have to get my butt on the ball and book my ticket.

Now for my freakout, nervousness today. Liza is getting "fixed" today. No baby kitties for the baby!! I know she will be fine, but I am still nervous. She is also getting her nails clipped. I had to have her over at Carrie and Adam's first thing this morning as Carrie was dropping off her two kitties (Liza's sisters) as well. I have to be to work at 8:15, and her job is a bit more flexible on arrival times. We can call at 3 this afternoon to check on them, and will pick the babies up on our way home. I will spend the evening pampering Liza....and then worry about her all day tomorrow. I haven't yet decided if I am going to keep her in my room all day, that way she doesn't get to rough with Rudy, or the other way around. Rudy is my new roommates cat. They get along fine, just roughhouse alot. Just my nervous nelly coming out.

Apparently I thought the last post was so important that I had to say it 3 times. I do remember it taking a long time to post...but don't remember doing it 3 times. Oh well. The craziness has subsided at work for now. Yesterday and today we had the guys putting in the new phones, a contractor in looking at one of the rooms to add more work stations, a casting call happening in the conference room and various other craziness. It makes the day fly by, but boy am I cranky. I hate that. I am beginning to think that the start of a cold...is actually allergies. Although Malcolm went home early Monday and today and was out yesterday, he has the flu and sinus infection, I told him that if I got sick, I was kicking his ass. Several other people agreed with me.
One fantastic thing I realized today as I walked down St. Charles Ave...is I have been a resident of NOLA for just over 6 months. I can't believe that. Sometimes it all seems like a fantastic dream and I will wake up back in rain dreary Seattle. I did have a small panic attack last night. If you want to call it that. I was sitting on the couch watching Season 6 Part 2 disc 1 of SATC. I have not seen the last 8 eppies and was very excited about that. In those first 4 eppies, Miranda gets married, Charolette struggles with the baby issues, and Carrie kinda does as well when the Russian tells her that he doesn't want more children. These characters are 38. I will be 30 in 6 months. I think I had what almost every normal women goes through. "Oh my god, what am I doing with my life, will I ever get married, will I ever have a baby?" It was a moment. Normally I am quite fine with my life, and am just going with the flow right now. Whats the rush? Now as I approach 30, I am having a few more of these moments.....its not a fun feeling.

Okay...I am finallly all hooked up at home, and am going to attempt taking my written journal and put it online...lots of typing ahead. I apologize for the free flowing thoughts and the spelling. So here it goes:

My Move to New Orleans August 1, 2004

Its 6:15 AM, and we have been on the road since 5:20ish AM. We entered the freeway at 5:37 AM. I think we will call this day 1. Yesterday Scott (my Bro in law from now called BIL) and I loaded up a 5'x8' Uhaul trailer and part of their trailblazer. It only took about 3 1/2 hours. I was still paking some things as we went along. As soon as we were done, we headed to the downtown area so Scott could order a fresh salmon to be delivered in Phoenix next Saturday, then we went and had some sushi. By the time we got back to the apartment around 7:30-8 I felt like it was past midnight. A quick shower later, we all zoned in front of the TV. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I finally did around 10:00. Got a good 7 hours and now, with coffee in hand we are headed up the Snolqualmie pass. Bye Bye Seattle!! The plan right now is to drive to at least SLC tonight, Denver tomorrow, where we will stay two nights with mom and dad. We will then stop somewhere in OK on Wed, in NOLA by Thursday. I think I will be sick of cars by then. The realness of all this hit a bit last night as I realized that all my belongings were in a uhaul truck, sitting on the street. Then as I took the apartment keys off the key ring, leaving non. Then as we pulled out of Seattle. Craziness.
Going on hour 13 now. Juse entered Utah about 20 mins ago. Our 4th state today. We have at least one more gas fill up to go...then we will cut across to Wyoming tonight, so that will be 5 states in one day. Have been just doing a lot of reading and listening to music. I poured over my Offbeat magazine looking at all the bands I can go and see soon. Satchmo fest is this coming weekend. I had thought it was the weekend just ending. Suprise! I willl get to see Storyville Stompers, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, of course both will be without Craig, but sill a ton of fun. I am suprised on how fast today has actually gone. Maybe because I just know how long we were going to be in the car. That must be it. Probably another hour in the car, depending on what time it is when we get to Ogden, see how Scott is doing, since has drove all day....

Day 2
Stopped in Evanston last night around 9:30 MST. 15 hours on the road. We ordered pizza and watched Zorro, then crashed. Up by 6:45 this AM. Very funny picture in the Days Inn parking lot this morning. The SUVs with uhaul trailers all in a row. We are on the road now after a gass fill up along with coffee. Short day today. We should be in Larimer, WY by 1:30-2:00, see my aunt Shoni, then to Denver. That's about 1-1 1/2 drive. Easy compared to yesterday.
Saw Shoni, Wynn and Taylor for about an hour and half. Got to mom and Dad's around 4:00, ate dinner, watched some TV and got a good night's sleep.

Day 3
Slept in, watched soaps, played online, went out for drinks, watched Open Range, and headed to bed. It was nice to have a day of "rest"

Day 4
We were on the road by 6:30 AM. Mom loaded us up with some goodies; cookies, apples, grapes, carrots, crackers, gum. Right now now its 1:44 CST and we have been on the road for 6 1/2 hours. We just drove through Russell, KS home of Bob Dole. So far Kansas has been pretty unimpressive, its not bad, just boring. We are going ot drive to Salinas, KS about 60 miles or so then head South through OK. We should end up in Dallas this eving some time. If its not too late, we will get to have dinner with Dia nad Randy and perhaps stay iwth them. We haven't decided yet. I am starting to get a bit more excited. Tomorrow, I will be in NOLA after a year long absence. I can't wait to be in that city, feel the humidity, to just feel everything. Friday we will unload the uhaul into a storage unit, then Scott will be on his way. I will spend Friday getting a cell phone and a PO box set up. I will also look at some jobs, hopefully going in on Monday to a few temp agencies. It would be awesome to be working by next week. Mid-week.

Day 5
Last day on the road!! Last night we got as far as Lewistown, TX about 15 miles north of Dallas. Its a good thing Dia called when she did, we were right by where she worked! :) So we found a hotel (didn't want to sleep on the floor at their apartment) This was around 10:15. By 10:30 PM Dia and Randy came and grabbed me, Scott wanted to sleep. I don't blame him. We had a mini drama just north of Witchita. We stopped for gas and noticed that the tread was almost completly off the driver side tire on the the Uhaul. Luckily Uhaul responded fast and we were back on the road within 40 minutes. Dinner with Dia and Randy ROCKED!! I had the best time just gabbing away with them. It will be really nice to have some friends a tad closer to me. My freaky friends that is. I was back at the hotel at 12:30 AM. I was so completly tired that I couldn't sleep. I hate that feeling, that and knowing today we would be there just upped my excitement level. We didn't get on the road until 8:48 this morning...kinda wanted to sleep and avoid rush hour traffic. We are almost to LA, now (10:14) probably about an hour away!!! Tonight, Bourbon Street.

Many Days Later (almost 3 weeks as a NOLA resident)
Craziness has been surrounding me since I got here. Lets see going back...let me see what I can remember. The Thursday we arrived, we found the guest house pretty easy. It is right on Canal Street, about a 10 minute walk from the Quarter. We got settled inot the room, brought up the stuff from the SUV (TV, Computer, Ect) and then took the street car down to the Quarter. We went to Acme Oyster House, Tropical Isle, Lafitte's and Harrah's. NOt a bad night, OH I did leave Scott for a bit at Harrah's to go and see Doug Belote play. Of course by the time I got there he was done. Also saw Steve Suter getting into his car. We (Scott & i) cabbed it back to the room and crashed around 12:30-1:00. The next morning we got a late start, around 8 or so. We headed just down the street to the local uhaul place to unload and get rid of the trailer. Let me tell you that unloading a uhaul in the humidity with a hang over is NO fun. We hauled ass, or as much as we could seeing how we were feeling. We were done with the uhaul place around 1 or so. We ran back to the room, showered then headed out to grab a bite to eat at Mother's. We shared a Ferdi special, YUMMY!! A stop at Louisiana Music Factory was next where I picked up John Gros new CD as well as Theresa Anderson's. We went back to the room and took loooong naps. Later that night I headed out to Tipitina's, my first trip there!! Saw PGF, got to talk to John for a bit and Jason Mingledorff did a killer Rick James song. Scott stayed back at the room to sleep. I got back at around 12:30. Next thing I know Scott was waking me up. It was 5:00 AM and he was leaving. I am still getting that excitement/fear/stress feeling right now as I did at that time. I stood on the balcony outside my room and watched him drive off with the thought "That's it, I am all alone in NOLA, I really did this, am doing this, ther is no going back now" I then went back to the room and collapsed, both emotionally and physically drained. I spent that day, Saturday, feeling very disconnected. I walked to the french market got a Muffelatta from the Central Market, and went to Satchmo fest. first up was New Orleans Nightcrawlers, then to another stage to see Troy Andrews, at that point I met this lady who just started chatting. turns out se was from chico, and had come down to visit her musician "friend" she had met last time she was down here. We wandered over to see Rick Trolsen play and just basked in the sun. Pretty soon, I went to see Jeremy Davenport play on a different stage, and she headed back to the friend's house. I was out at the fest for over 6 hours!!! it was AMAZING the music was fantastic and I was having the best time. I went back to the room and read for awhile. Sunday, was more of the same, seeing Storyville Stompers, Ellis Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins! I was exhausted. Again a collapse in the room. Monday I was up and moving early, I went and got a local number, a new cell phone. Oh and on the way to the Quarter, one of the house guests asked me to lunch! Then at Radioshack, one of the sales guys asked me out!! What a freaking feeling let me tell you!! I ended up going to lunch with Derek, the house guest. It was okay. I spent the afternoon looking for a job and talking to some temp agencies. That night I took a trip to Maple Leaf to see PGF again. Another great show, Tony Hall and Raymond Weber sat in, they played with Harry's funk band. Afterwards Ray was convinced he knew me. Or it was a cheesy pickup line. I am leaning to cheesy pick up line. The rest of the week that followed or at least till Wed, was spent the same way, looking for a job and an apartment. I had an interview iwth a temp agency on Wed, and went to look at an apartment I loved. I grabbed some grub and headed back to the room and just chilled. Thursday I was going to go and see Tin Men play, but never made it that far. I blame it all on the killer Jack Daniels/cokes Eric at the Tropical Isle made and the cute Johnny Depp look-a-like that was there. I ended up hanging out and talking to those two boys for a long time. So Friday I was up later and just chilled. At some point I had finally opened up a PMB, So I had a NOLA address, which made it feel more permanant. I looked at a few other apartments as well, but I was really in love with the first one I looked at, so I contacted Liz and told her I was interested. She asked if I would come over on Saturday and have lunch with her and Sou, the girl she had just rented the other room too. So I did. And that afternoon, I gave Liz a deposit!! So now I had a place ot live, but couldn't move in right away. At first we thought I could move in on the 21st, which I really didn't want to do seeing that it was my birthday and we knew that the 22nd was out for the same reason. so we set our sights on the 20th. Sou then drove me the whole 5 blocks to Carrie and Adam's place where we hung out for a bit. Carrie drove me back to my room after a bit and we made plans to go see John Gros play at DBA later that night. We had a blast even though that jackass Crawford was with us. I didn't get back to my room until 5:00 AM!! I was dead, dead, dead. Especially since that previous night I had been up until 5:30 AM trying to keep Kristy awake on her drive to/from San Fran. Insane. I don't think I moved on Sunday until 3:30 or so. Unless it was to put more quarters in the air conditioner. Carrie called about then, we were going to meet in the Quarter to go to a fundraiser for a NOLA PD officer who was shot and killed earlier in the week. the fundraiser was for her 10 year old daughter. We figured for the $15 to get in, plus raffle $$ it was beyond worth it. We saw a ton of great bands including my cutie trombone player Andy who filled in with Bucktown All Stars, ate a ton of good food and had free drinks. We left around 11 that night, the fundraiser just ending. In the end, the daughter's elementary and HS education is going to be paid for by an anyon. donor, as well as a ton more money was raised. I crashed that night HARD!! The following week, again more of the same Job hunting and interviews. going back to the room and reading. There was usually someone in the lounge watching TV already, and usually it wasn't something I wanted to watch. I did go see cutie Eric at tropical isle again on Tuesday. He is young but a sweetie! I also caught one of Mark Braud's sets at Harrah's. Thursday night I went and saw Jeremy Davenport again. OH! That previous Monday, Ray called me!! Still trying to figure out how he got my number, I think it was from John. It was a short convo and haven't heard from him since.
Saturday dawned and I still hadn't moved. Thats because the boys living there, hadn't moved out yet and were doing it that day. So my move in day was now on Monday the 23rd. Saturday it was my birthday. I treated myself to some beingets, a psychic reading, some shopping, and then some chinese food. Soon Annette showed up and we were off, to try and get her a BTE ticket, see if Eric was working, eat some dinner at TGIF. Since Annette didn't get a ticket, she headed up the street to Tower and Virgin, I went in to the BTE show, stayed until about 11:15 then met Annette back out front. We headed to Carrollton Station to see John Gros play again, and proceeded to have a great time there. I was in bed about 3:30ish and barely moved on Sunday. Monday was well, yesterday and I moved into my new, fantastic apartment!! Its on the endo fo the St Charles street car line, on Dublin. It has sooo much space, I don't know what to do and thats just in my room!! I think I almost killed Adam during the move!! I was all moved in by 2:30 yesterday. Today was spent unpacking and going to the grocery store! I think that has been my biggest thrill, no more eating out! Tomorrow another interview and more researching/applying for jobs. I need me one of those BAD!!

2 weeks later
So the day after I wrote this...I got a call. A call people dread getting. Even though they never know when it could happen. My friend's Donna and Marvin were in a car accident. Donna was badly bruised, Marvin did not make it. :( God rest his soul. I spent the rest of the evening talking to everyone, trying to find out what happened, to try to make sense of it all. I was up most of that night, I know I wasn't the only one. The next morning, I talked to Donna and was just amazed over her strength. I don't think I could have handled this as well as she has. The rest of the week was spent making plans to be there for the service, to help Donna, and to say goodbye to Marvin. Life is crazy, fragile, and scary. to appreciate it each day doesn't seem enough some times. Donna has been an inspiration to me. and I know that everything I have gone through or yet to go through doesn't compare to what si is going through or is about to go through. I am so much happier that I moved when I did. for one thing I am closer to Donna now, so whenever she needs a friend, I can get to her a bit easier. And to know that I took this chance to move here, now, rather than just sit and think about it day after day. Life is fragile, its not a game of what-ifs. Last week I flew to Birmingham and met Andrea. After a fun shuttle adventure we arrived at the hotel, where Donna and her mom were waiting for us. We went over to her house and had a quick tour. soon after Dia and Randy showed up. The we ate. It was the first of many meals. With that done, we helped Donna go through some pictures to find some great ones of Marvin to put in a collage. It really was a night of tears. Tears of sadness, and tears of laughter. It was a very sweet night really. I did feel at one time what I thought, no know was Marvin. It was like a hug and a thank you. Andrea and Dia said at some point they felt the same thing too. The next day was the service. It was a very nice service. The first preacher that spoke of Marvin really helped with that. I think Marvin would have really enjoyed it. Afterwards it was more eating. Later even more eating and talking and laughing. Seeing Donna laugh and smile was fantastic. Andrea and I stayed until Saturday.
Saturday afternoon Adam, Carrie and I hit Southern Decadance down in the Quarter. Sunday, more of the same. It was wild and crazy and a ton of fun. Monday was a recovery day. Tuesday was a 2nd job interview with an Ad Agency, and now the waiting game....

wow...so much to document since my last post....and no time. Its been crazy, crazy, crazy. Did I mention crazy?? Tomorrow starts my last week in the great northwest....will try to come back and blog later about everything, but its almost time to head to my show for Mae West Fest!!

The craziness has set in. I woke up, around 2:30 this morning, with this thought: OH SHIT I AM MOVING TO NOLA....in less than a month. I think the reality hit me. I was wide awake for hours after that. Matt says he is on full on denial at this point. I really don't think he will have anyone hired to fill my spot before I leave. Gonna have to leave some seriously detailed notes for who ever it is. I have been having to read through resumes and set up interviews of the ones I like. I am a little possesive about my job right now. I don't think that anyone will be good enough for my guys. Even though they are a pain in the ass from time to time they are still my guys. I am gonna miss the people here, and of course my job, but I can't stay somewhere where I am not happy, for a job. As Scott said to me the other day, "Things have a way of working out, they may not be for the right reasons, but eventually it all works out" He wasn't talking about my move...but it totally made sense.

Its now July. 28 days till moving day. 8 more working days. I think I have a room to stay at for a couple of months...in the Treme district. Have heard from 2 people that says its a mixed neighborhood and its okay. 1 person says its not where I want to live. I have Carrie and Adam who are gonna drive by and maybe take pics, let me know what they think. But I haven't heard from the lady in awhile and she advertised again the other day on Craigslist. She never actually said I could have it, but we were talking alot about the place. She even said I could stay there till I found a place of my own. Well, we will see. I think I found a place to hang out if that falls through:
It looks perfect. I heard from the one job that everyone thought I was perfect for...an Exec Admin Assit at a advertising company. Didn't get it. Its hard, can't find a job when I don't have a place to live down there yet, because I can't interview. Can't get a place to live, because I don't have job yet. frustrating. but it will all work out, one way or another.

Well I have been busy. I have sent out probably 10 resumes so far. Every day for the past week, I have spent time on looking for employment in New Orleans. If I am not doing that, I am looking for a place to live. Hopefully...that search may be over. I may have found a room. I am very excited about it...and really want it to work out. It is in my price range, is close to one of the areas I want to live in, and the lady renting the room sounds nice. The first real good lead I have had. I leave Seattle in 35 days....thats scary.

Last week I went in for my annual eye appointment. Things were going along just fine with the contact lense technition and the assistant. Then the doctor came in. He wasn't seeing something that he liked so he did a bit more of a intense exam which included lots of bright lights, numbing of the left eye so he could add pressure to see better. He said that he was seeing some "wallpapering" in my retina. You know like when you get wall paper wet and it bubbles up? He said this could eventually led to retinal tears/detachments. He wanted me to go and see a specialist and advised me to go in the next 4 months. As I may need to get this laser surgery to make sure that my retina doesn't detatch. I had been noticing the symptoms (floaters/flashes of light) but wasn't that concerned as I have always had floaters. I decided why wait, and went ahead to see the specialist as soon as I could. Which was today. Which turns out to be a good thing. Apparently my eye was much worse then what my eye doctor had originally thought. In fact I already have a retinal detachment. As he said its from the 1:30 area to the 7:00 area and has been slowly detaching for the past few months. (as well as a small hole in another area) He said I probably had about a month before it reached the center of my eye and caused blindness. Therefore I have a surgery scheduled on the 25th of this month to have my retina reattached. There is a 90% chance of a successful reattachment the first time. If it doensn't take, then another surgery is required. He said then there is a 95% success rate. If that doesn't take, then blindness will occur. Usually this happens in a lot older people, but for some reason I get to have it done now. So please think good thoughts for me on the 25th!! I will be on bedrest for 3 days following. They told me that I will be off work for at least a week, possibly 2. EEK.
Hopefully flying won't affect this in anyway. I am suppose to go to Denver on Friday.....

Its been a trying week. Well more like just half a week. A few different things have happened to make my emotions ride a roller coaster. First work has been insanely crazy but that is a good thing. I like being busy at work. Now that Matt has taken on more accounts, I have become swamped. I now work on every account that we have here at Publicis. Now if we could just win a few of the big pitches we are working on!!

Next one of my most favorite co-workers is leaving. Tyson is one of the best people you could ever want to meet/have in your life. I am gonna miss having him around. He just has a wonderful quality about him....I couldn't bring myself to go out last night for his "farewell" drinks. Today we are taking him out to lunch. I think I can handle that. I think over all more than a co-worker, he has become a good friend and those are hard to come by. I know I will still get to see him, but now just not on a daily basis.

The most powerful blow this week happened during my regular eye exam. I have a new doc (the old one no longer uses my insurance). Dr. Kelly is young and very good looking. However...he did find a, I guess the best word to describe it, is a problem. My eyes have a abnormal amount of fluid in them. It is causing my retina to "wallpaper" such as when you wet some wallpaper and it bubbles. It will eventually lead to a retinal tear/detatchment which almost always leds to blindness. Not fun. About 5-8% of people with nearsightness experience this problem. I have had noticed a lot of "floaters" and a few flashes as of late, but for some reason didn't think much of it. Now I realize that these are symptoms of this. Everyone has floaters now and then...spiderwebs/black spots, ect. that look to be floating in front of your eyes. It is however floating in the gel like area behind the eye and in front of the retina. I have to go back in on Tuesday for a consultation with one of the surgeons. They will determine if I need a laser surgery to seal off the retina. Not something I was expecting.

Alas this has become the focus of the lovely $$ issues. Not really clear yet as to how much I will be paying and how much Blue Cross with be paying. I won't be getting to FQF this year like I had been planning. And it will definetly make my move to NOLA take a little bit longer. But none of that matters, what does is taking care of this problem so I can continue to see.

Damn it I want to go to Mardi Gras!!! Harry, Cowboy Mouth, NONC, BTE, and more....I WANT TO GO!! But I need to try to think about this reasonably. If I want to move...I can't go running off to Mardi Gras. I have to be an adult. It just hard sometimes. Looking at the big picture I know this is for the best. But right now I just want to book a plane ticket and be there. A few days ago I wanted to just do that and pack up and ship the rest of my personal items to NOLA. Just screw it and go. Didn't care that I didn't have a job or a place to stay there, I just wanted to be there. I get random urges...or longings I guess out of NOWHERE and I will want to be in NOLA walking down a certain street. I have never had that before. I don't know what, if anything is down there for me. But I won't know until I get there. I don't remember the last time I have wanted to do something so bad in my life. Sure I have had goals, but this one seems like well, life changing. And I am ready for it. Will everything change? Maybe, maybe most everything will stay the same. Its time.