I'm posting a link to someone who can.
Emily Rhodes was one of my roommates and coworkers last year as we did Katrina disaster relief work with Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans. She continued living in Nola after our volunteer program ended, and now she's giving updates on the current situation going on with Hurricane Gustav. For her perspective, check out: http://kingdomemily.blogspot.com/
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Memories of a One Hurricane, Fears of Another
I'm a day late on this one... but just wanted to write something to commemorate the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which happened three years ago yesterday. I haven't been to New Orleans since Mardi Gras this spring, but the city has been on my mind a lot the past few days. I've wondered about how progress is coming in rebuilding, I've reminisced on the year that I spent living there, and I've missed the friends that are still there working to restore the city. Oh, and I've longed to hear some Trombone Shorty and Irvin Mayfield. :)
Obviously when August 29th rolls around on the calender, a lot of people will be thinking about Katrina (was it just me or did Obama's two references to New Orleans receive extra loud applause during his acceptance speech at the DNC?). And while I can vouch that the residents of New Orleans never STOP thinking about Katrina, it's actually not the hurricane MOST on their mind during this commemorative day. That's because Hurricane Gustav is already a Category 3 with a possibility of strengthening into a Cat 4 after it crosses Cuba. And though it's too early to tell where exactly it will make landfall, trackers are predicting that the storm could hit New Orleans dead-on. I spoke with some of my friends who live in Nola, and they were evacuating to Baton Rouge last night. I can't really express how much I'm hoping Gustav DOESN'T hit New Orleans. The residents have been through so much in the past 3 years - I don't know how many of them could continue if all they've done to recover is destroyed by another hurricane. For anyone who would, now would be a great time to offer up some prayers for grace, hope, and strength for all the folks on the Gulf Coast.
A couple links:
Anderson Cooper did an outstanding job in his reporting of Katrina, and more importantly, of the recovery process and failures of the government throughout the whole ordeal. Check out his 360 blog:
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/category/hurricane-katrina/
From the Times-Picayune, columnist Chris Rose can always be counted on to deliver poignant commentary on the status of the city, wrapping up biting truth within humor and sarcasm. For his latest:
http://blog.nola.com/chrisrose/2008/08/everybody_please_just_relax_un.html#more
Obviously when August 29th rolls around on the calender, a lot of people will be thinking about Katrina (was it just me or did Obama's two references to New Orleans receive extra loud applause during his acceptance speech at the DNC?). And while I can vouch that the residents of New Orleans never STOP thinking about Katrina, it's actually not the hurricane MOST on their mind during this commemorative day. That's because Hurricane Gustav is already a Category 3 with a possibility of strengthening into a Cat 4 after it crosses Cuba. And though it's too early to tell where exactly it will make landfall, trackers are predicting that the storm could hit New Orleans dead-on. I spoke with some of my friends who live in Nola, and they were evacuating to Baton Rouge last night. I can't really express how much I'm hoping Gustav DOESN'T hit New Orleans. The residents have been through so much in the past 3 years - I don't know how many of them could continue if all they've done to recover is destroyed by another hurricane. For anyone who would, now would be a great time to offer up some prayers for grace, hope, and strength for all the folks on the Gulf Coast.
A couple links:
Anderson Cooper did an outstanding job in his reporting of Katrina, and more importantly, of the recovery process and failures of the government throughout the whole ordeal. Check out his 360 blog:
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/category/hurricane-katrina/
From the Times-Picayune, columnist Chris Rose can always be counted on to deliver poignant commentary on the status of the city, wrapping up biting truth within humor and sarcasm. For his latest:
http://blog.nola.com/chrisrose/2008/08/everybody_please_just_relax_un.html#more
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Some of my favorite men...
So in a break from serious contemplation about Sudan and what-I-want-to-do-with-the-rest-of-my-life stress, I'm taking a minute to consider other highly important matters. Two of my favorite male musicians are coming to Austin and I MUST find a way to overcome some barriers and hear their voices live and in-person. What barriers you ask? Well let's consider the scenarios...
First, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals are playing THIS Sunday evening as part of the post-Nike+ Human Race entertainment. I was a little late in coming to realize how incredible Ben Harper is, but once I got on that boat last fall, I've been dying to hear him in concert (particularly since he's known for putting on stellar shows.) The problem though is that supposedly you have to be a participant in the race in order to get into the concert. Hmmm. That's a little problematic since I haven't exactly been training for a 10K run, and I also already have plans for Sunday night. Do I ditch plans, pay the $35 entry fee, and then run over 6 miles ... all just to hear Ben? I dunno. I'd be so bummed to think that he's playing in Austin and I'm NOT there, but... I think that suddenly enlisting in an athletic competition might be a bit much. Anybody know of ways to get into the show that won't involve running shoes??
The other show I just found out about tonight, and I'm SO excited for. On October 25th, the one and only Ray Lamontagne is going be playing at the Paramount here in Austin -- and seriously, I MUST be there. Three years ago I made a mix of songs by Ray Lamontagne and Amos Lee, and I've literally listened to it hundreds of times since then. The barrier for me going to this concert is far less hindering than a 10K run, but nonetheless, is cause for some slight hesitancy in buying a ticket. See, back in '06, GQ magazine put out this article (check out #8), which forever put attending a Ray concert in the same category as say riding a gondola in Venice or going to an Italian restaurant on Valentine's Day. It's something you only do if you have a special significant other to do it with, because otherwise no amount of confidence-in-your-singleness will prevent you from being depressed about being in that romance-heavy environment sans a love interest to share the moment with. Even if you ration that it'd be o.k. to attend a Ray concert without necessarily being in love with your companion for the evening, let's be honest, the minimum requirement would at least be someone you can make out with during "Trouble". Now, I've gotta admit that I've kinda enjoyed my singleness this past year, since it afforded me the freedom to go on more dates with incredibly-good-looking men in the past 6 or 7 months than I've been on in the past 6 or 7 years. But, I'm going to really need to be NOT single for that Ray Lamontagne show. Or at least be single, but with a really hot date who is gonna be ok with some required cuddling. :) Fortunately for me, I've got two months to figure this dilemma out. Training for that Nike race in 4 days, on the other hand, is lookin a little less feasible...
First, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals are playing THIS Sunday evening as part of the post-Nike+ Human Race entertainment. I was a little late in coming to realize how incredible Ben Harper is, but once I got on that boat last fall, I've been dying to hear him in concert (particularly since he's known for putting on stellar shows.) The problem though is that supposedly you have to be a participant in the race in order to get into the concert. Hmmm. That's a little problematic since I haven't exactly been training for a 10K run, and I also already have plans for Sunday night. Do I ditch plans, pay the $35 entry fee, and then run over 6 miles ... all just to hear Ben? I dunno. I'd be so bummed to think that he's playing in Austin and I'm NOT there, but... I think that suddenly enlisting in an athletic competition might be a bit much. Anybody know of ways to get into the show that won't involve running shoes??
The other show I just found out about tonight, and I'm SO excited for. On October 25th, the one and only Ray Lamontagne is going be playing at the Paramount here in Austin -- and seriously, I MUST be there. Three years ago I made a mix of songs by Ray Lamontagne and Amos Lee, and I've literally listened to it hundreds of times since then. The barrier for me going to this concert is far less hindering than a 10K run, but nonetheless, is cause for some slight hesitancy in buying a ticket. See, back in '06, GQ magazine put out this article (check out #8), which forever put attending a Ray concert in the same category as say riding a gondola in Venice or going to an Italian restaurant on Valentine's Day. It's something you only do if you have a special significant other to do it with, because otherwise no amount of confidence-in-your-singleness will prevent you from being depressed about being in that romance-heavy environment sans a love interest to share the moment with. Even if you ration that it'd be o.k. to attend a Ray concert without necessarily being in love with your companion for the evening, let's be honest, the minimum requirement would at least be someone you can make out with during "Trouble". Now, I've gotta admit that I've kinda enjoyed my singleness this past year, since it afforded me the freedom to go on more dates with incredibly-good-looking men in the past 6 or 7 months than I've been on in the past 6 or 7 years. But, I'm going to really need to be NOT single for that Ray Lamontagne show. Or at least be single, but with a really hot date who is gonna be ok with some required cuddling. :) Fortunately for me, I've got two months to figure this dilemma out. Training for that Nike race in 4 days, on the other hand, is lookin a little less feasible...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Return to the ATX
Just a quick update:
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