February 2007

Day 542: As The Ash Settles

February 21, 2007

What a Carnival it was.  16 hours of wakefulness and walking miles in costume with friends, residents and visitors on Mardi Gras day will do you in.  My voice jumped ship somewhere in the Marigny (conversing with Loki et al. while sauntering down the parade route will do that to you) and once it comes crawling back [...]

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Day 536: Flood, Fire, Tornado, Demo

February 15, 2007

Each time I lose something special, my heart breaks just a little bit more. With all of my family’s heirlooms plundered from our home after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, I’ve learned to cherish that which is given to me as a gift or inheritance. My mother taught me a long time ago to value [...]

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Day 536: Like A Good Neighbor

February 15, 2007

The more I hear of State Farm not writing insurance policies in Mississippi, I increasingly think, “Let’s go back to first principles. What is the purpose of insurance?” A hero of mine is responsible for setting up one of America’s oldest insurance companies and denying coverage to certain properties. Benjamin Franklin helped to popularize and [...]

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Day 535: Ancient Druids 2007

February 14, 2007

As opposed to the Modern Druids. Nippy as it is, D and I were at the poorly-attended parade tonight. The Ancient Druids theme this year: Druids Floats. My favorite floats were Sinco Del Floato and My Car Don’t Float. I wonder how many are chilly in Gentilly tonight, after the A+ response on the part [...]

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Day 534: Tornado Update

February 13, 2007

Governor Blanco tells Fox 8 that the recovery from the tornado damage is going to take a long time and that we should declare a day of prayer. Is this: a. a joke? b. stalling for time while she concocts a better excuse c. the pat reply in the face of government incompetence – “It [...]

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Day 534: Preparedness

February 13, 2007

(or the lack thereof): Karen’s flood-recovering neighborhood lost eight houses to the tornado. When she called Nagin’s office to ask who is coordinating the tornado recovery in New Orleans and her area, his office said, “I don’t know.” Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Blakely’s in charge. As an example for Ashley’s post, our little group [...]

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Day 534: “Like An Aurora Borealis”

February 13, 2007

That’s the phrase used by the American Experience: New Orleans commentator to describe “the big noise” or brass/jazz band music that echoes through this city during Carnival season. Funny that the only two things on my Must Do Prior To Leaving Earth list that I have checked off are seeing an aurora borealis and riding [...]

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Day 534: Tornado Strike

February 13, 2007

Parts of Carrollton & Uptown and Gentilly are not looking good right now. It’s all this recovering city needs. Then again, this wasn’t a flood, and the insurance may kick in sooner and with less of a quibble (one hopes). Reuters: One dead, several injured in New Orleans tornado The lone death was an 86-year-old [...]

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Day 533: New New Orleans During Carnival Season 2007

February 12, 2007

And it’s not just about Carnival. Follow along with this exercise in linearity; often, it’s the only way to keep communication complete and straight. 1. Mardi Gras 2007 Gallery As Carnival season progresses, I will upload pictures to this gallery. The season has been brrr … cold … brrr so far, but a lot of [...]

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Day 530: India’s Sudden Weight Gain

February 9, 2007

IHT: As India grows prosperous, inflation starts spiraling Demand for nearly everything from housing to beer is outpacing supply in part because white-collar salaries are rising faster in India than anywhere else in Asia, climbing 13.7 percent on average over the past year … Wages for junior managers and technical staff are rising fastest of [...]

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