My Christmas trip to visit my father, now in Austin, also included a few days in New Orleans, to see for myself the devastation that has befallen my hometown. I have to say that images on television or magazine articles don't fully convey the magnitude of destruction here.
While I've taken some video and photographs, they, like those from CNN, will only give another 2-D visual perspective of what has happened here. It was only when I stood on the streets of my old neighborhoods and looked around at the height of the watermarks on the houses that I really got the true sense of what has occurred. I stopped at a friend's house in Lakeview. For miles, this part of town boasted some very nice upper middle-class homes; now detroyed and uninhabitable. At his house, I had to hold an 8" stick over my head to touch the waterline left by the flood.
The repair is slow to start. There are signs posted at every major intersection which advertise home demolition, contracting, mold removal, etc. There's still no electricity in the hardest hit areas, so most major intersections don't even have red lights, only 4-way stops signs.
There are many other areas that are similar, if not worse. I didn't even try to go into St. Benard Parish, as I had heard that it was off limits to sightseers. We stopped to see an aunt who lives on Magazine St., near Jackson Ave. She had over $50k damage to her roof, but no water damage. Apparently, near the river is higher ground, but as you move across St. Charles Ave., it deepens quickly.
I also didn't venture to Metairie; traffic jams are to be avoided. Traffic also prevented us from driving across the lake to view the area where my uncle's house was completely blown away. We heard that a lot of the local population has temporarily relocated to Covington and St. Tammany, commuting in and out of town via the 24 mile Causeway.
A gleam of sunshine in all of this was on Pine St., near Audubon Park. Not only was the home of my first 8 yrs minimally damaged, but the Audubon Park golf course was open, with a few golfers attempting to put aside their troubles and find comfort in its serenity.
I returned to Austin on Christmas Eve, and have had some time to digest all that I saw. Though there is much to consider, my first conclusion is that it will take a few years for New Orleans to rebound, and I am optimistic that the spirit of those folks can't be broken so easily.
See ya'll soon!
Monday, December 26, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Have a wonderful holiday!!
Happy Holidays!
Stay Warm & Toasty -- (and in L.A., it will just be from the weather, not a fireplace!) :)
Stay Warm & Toasty -- (and in L.A., it will just be from the weather, not a fireplace!) :)
Monday, December 19, 2005
Birthday Celebration
Is it possible to abuse a birthday WEEK? Well, I didn't. But I had a fun birthday on Saturday anyway! I thought I'd share some details with you just incase you got tired of surfing the Internet. John and I started off our day by visiting the Eagle Rock landfill. The reason to that is because we had to haul away some crap from the house, to make way for the subcontractors to do their job properly. Its amazing how much money you can save if you do the work by yourself!
I had a nice lunch with my girlfriends in Silverlake. We spent hours reminiscing about our high school days. It's been 16 years since we last got together! After that, John took me out to a restaurant in Malibu. It was a complete surprise, but many of my friends showed up and I can't even thank Jenn enough for organizing this shindig! Does the funny looking Japanese guy look familiar?
And, more pictures here! (Courtesy of Jenn Yee)
Oh, and Happy Birthday Shout Outs to Morgan Kaiser, Roy Shin and Leah Ignacio! I'm so glad we're all turning 21!!!!
I had a nice lunch with my girlfriends in Silverlake. We spent hours reminiscing about our high school days. It's been 16 years since we last got together! After that, John took me out to a restaurant in Malibu. It was a complete surprise, but many of my friends showed up and I can't even thank Jenn enough for organizing this shindig! Does the funny looking Japanese guy look familiar?
And, more pictures here! (Courtesy of Jenn Yee)
Oh, and Happy Birthday Shout Outs to Morgan Kaiser, Roy Shin and Leah Ignacio! I'm so glad we're all turning 21!!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Maintenance in the house
Well, well, well... I haven't looked closely, so maybe I'm the member with the unique distinction of being FIRED rather than quitting or being laid off. Y'know how I've always embraced being the outrageous outsider and all, heh. :-)
I screwed the pooch and they canned my ass because I'd already been given my "last and final warning" for the dead pager debacle a few months ago. That's pretty much the whole thing in a nutshell. I'm not bitter, and in fact I don't really have any strong feelings at all about not having a job.
I'm still alive, and this is definitely not the worst thing that has ever, or will ever, happen to me in my life. I'll survive like I always have... and maybe the next job I have will be something I totally love, or will be at a company or organization that makes a positive difference in people's lives. We'll see!
I love you all - and I'll miss you. Jobs are just jobs; it's the people we work with that make it a joy to show up. Thanks for making my 6 years at WBOL joyful!
Visit my blog at http://obnoxiousbitch.com and feel free to argue with me if you're so inclined. :-) If I don't find a job soon, I may put up a PayPal donation button there, so if I entertain or educate you in some way, or even if I piss you off (hehehe), feed the kitty! ;-)
I screwed the pooch and they canned my ass because I'd already been given my "last and final warning" for the dead pager debacle a few months ago. That's pretty much the whole thing in a nutshell. I'm not bitter, and in fact I don't really have any strong feelings at all about not having a job.
I'm still alive, and this is definitely not the worst thing that has ever, or will ever, happen to me in my life. I'll survive like I always have... and maybe the next job I have will be something I totally love, or will be at a company or organization that makes a positive difference in people's lives. We'll see!
I love you all - and I'll miss you. Jobs are just jobs; it's the people we work with that make it a joy to show up. Thanks for making my 6 years at WBOL joyful!
Visit my blog at http://obnoxiousbitch.com and feel free to argue with me if you're so inclined. :-) If I don't find a job soon, I may put up a PayPal donation button there, so if I entertain or educate you in some way, or even if I piss you off (hehehe), feed the kitty! ;-)
Friday, December 09, 2005
Be Careful Out There!!
With the holidays... comes the chaos of people in a hurry.
This was probably due to stupidity rather than holiday rush, but on my way home on Thursday, I saw an ugly accident - and it happen only a few cars away from mine.
As I was merging into the 170 from the 134, I saw a black sedan zooming dangerously fast on the left-most lane. With the cars starting to back up ahead, I figured this idiot didn't have much room to continue their reckless driving - but I was wrong. A few seconds later i saw that same car begin zig-zagging around braking cars... still going extremely fast. (As if he/she was racing, but no one was racing with them!) The next second i saw a car spin and hit the divider... sparks shooting up from the impact... and then that car spun around and darted across 4 lanes of the freeway. The car on the right-most lane couldn't stop in time and hit the spun out car - liquid pouring onto the highway from the front.
Luckily everyone else had slowed down to a crawl as they saw what was happening and only about 4 cars seemed to have gotten involved. I can't tell if the stupid car was one of the 4 cars pulled over... but I sure hope they stopped at least and took responsibility for their actions.
It only takes one Idiot to cause an accident... so just be as careful as you can!
Take it easy out there and be SAFE! :)
This was probably due to stupidity rather than holiday rush, but on my way home on Thursday, I saw an ugly accident - and it happen only a few cars away from mine.
As I was merging into the 170 from the 134, I saw a black sedan zooming dangerously fast on the left-most lane. With the cars starting to back up ahead, I figured this idiot didn't have much room to continue their reckless driving - but I was wrong. A few seconds later i saw that same car begin zig-zagging around braking cars... still going extremely fast. (As if he/she was racing, but no one was racing with them!) The next second i saw a car spin and hit the divider... sparks shooting up from the impact... and then that car spun around and darted across 4 lanes of the freeway. The car on the right-most lane couldn't stop in time and hit the spun out car - liquid pouring onto the highway from the front.
Luckily everyone else had slowed down to a crawl as they saw what was happening and only about 4 cars seemed to have gotten involved. I can't tell if the stupid car was one of the 4 cars pulled over... but I sure hope they stopped at least and took responsibility for their actions.
It only takes one Idiot to cause an accident... so just be as careful as you can!
Take it easy out there and be SAFE! :)
Friday, December 02, 2005
Rollcall, RC!
RC here! Thought I'd chime in and let everyone know what's been going on, but there's really not much. I've got a few irons on the fire for employment, but I've not had this much time off in over 20 years, so I'm playing a LOT of golf! :)
In the next few weeks, I'm planning to travel back to New Orleans to check in on friends and family, though to see my dad, I'll have to go to Austin. He's doing fine there, and being so close to my brother there is a brighter side to all that madness.
N.O. is still so much my home, and I'm really drawn to make an effort to help out with its restoration. I don't know exactly what that will entail, but I'm sure I'll have a clearer picture after I've been there and had a chance to see the devastation first-hand.
Until then, I'll keep working on my golf game and do some interviews. Keep this blog alive. I think it's great that we take our friendships with us, after leaving WBOL.
P.S. Last Tuesday, I had a great lunch at the lot with Rachel, Sammy, Roxanne, Morgan, Lisette, Jason, Lauren, and Adam. It felt real good to be around them again. Hopefully, there will be an opportunity to see some of you guys soon, too!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a prosperous New Year to all!
......................rc
In the next few weeks, I'm planning to travel back to New Orleans to check in on friends and family, though to see my dad, I'll have to go to Austin. He's doing fine there, and being so close to my brother there is a brighter side to all that madness.
N.O. is still so much my home, and I'm really drawn to make an effort to help out with its restoration. I don't know exactly what that will entail, but I'm sure I'll have a clearer picture after I've been there and had a chance to see the devastation first-hand.
Until then, I'll keep working on my golf game and do some interviews. Keep this blog alive. I think it's great that we take our friendships with us, after leaving WBOL.
P.S. Last Tuesday, I had a great lunch at the lot with Rachel, Sammy, Roxanne, Morgan, Lisette, Jason, Lauren, and Adam. It felt real good to be around them again. Hopefully, there will be an opportunity to see some of you guys soon, too!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a prosperous New Year to all!
......................rc
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Clay's Adventure with a meth head
This is copied and pasted directly from my Instant Messenger.
ClaytonAddison: so I ended up helping a stray instead
miss mowie: a stray animal?
miss mowie: or person?
ClaytonAddison: person
miss mowie: oh hahaha
miss mowie: i'm so proud of you!
ClaytonAddison: I was ether going to get in one hell of a fite with him or help him... I choose the later
miss mowie: wow
miss mowie: was he harassing you or something?
ClaytonAddison: one shower, one pare of jeans, 3 pair of sox 3 pair of boxers 2 T-shirts 1 hoody, a dozen Band-Aids , medical tape , roll of TP and one bus ticket to Ocean Side later...
miss mowie: no way!
ClaytonAddison: way
miss mowie: wait, tell me the whole story. You either got into a fight or helped him??
ClaytonAddison: and he loves E-40
12:00 PM
miss mowie: haha
ClaytonAddison: yeah, I stopped at a gas station to use the bathroom and have a smoke.
ClaytonAddison: dude just kept staring
ClaytonAddison: he was fixed on me so I bounced, thought I was free
miss mowie: yeah
ClaytonAddison: drove around the gas station to the other side of a grass median and stopped at a red light
ClaytonAddison: I looked over and saw his ass coming
ClaytonAddison: I was like... turn green you fucking light
ClaytonAddison: shit did change and I rolled my window down as he got up by the car
miss mowie: hahaha
ClaytonAddison: I was like "Whazz up?"
ClaytonAddison: he said the same
ClaytonAddison: then I was like you cool man?
ClaytonAddison: he was like are you?
ClaytonAddison: he had rage in his eyes
ClaytonAddison: I saw he was limping so I said.. you ok?
ClaytonAddison: that threw him off a bit
ClaytonAddison: then he said he could use a ride
ClaytonAddison: fuckit... get in
miss mowie: did he smell?
ClaytonAddison: no
ClaytonAddison: young guy
ClaytonAddison: he feet were FuCkEd up!
ClaytonAddison: he had shoes on, too big and no socks
12:05 PM
miss mowie: so, he showered at your house and you gave him your stuff?
ClaytonAddison: lots of walking and running. I could tell he was a meth head right away
ClaytonAddison: yeah
miss mowie: did you scrub his back when he was taking a shower??
miss mowie: dude, now he knows where you live
ClaytonAddison: nope, just helped him put some bandages and liquid band-aids on.
ClaytonAddison: he has no idea were he was
miss mowie: thats gross
miss mowie: so, why oceanside?
ClaytonAddison: it was not a "Girlie" moment, or thing to do
miss mowie: haha, i wasn't thinking that
ClaytonAddison: that's were he wanted to go. LA is not the place to be homeless and have a habit
miss mowie: clay, you're my hero
ClaytonAddison:
miss mowie: sooo proud of you!
ClaytonAddison: I feel good about it
miss mowie: i will tell everyone at work how cool you are
miss mowie: even if i see Jim Noonan!
miss mowie: Calis says to "stay black and proud".
ClaytonAddison: that is a good story
ClaytonAddison: $16 for the bus and $8 plus some change for him
miss mowie: wow
miss mowie: no $ for meth though
miss mowie: did you get him food?
ClaytonAddison: I almost took a picture of him all done up in my gear, but I forgot
miss mowie: oh shit! nothing to remember him by!
ClaytonAddison: just the fact that I can't rock my brown and orange low top Nikes any more
ClaytonAddison: and a bag of clothes to burn out front
miss mowie: glad they don't smell
ClaytonAddison: and he new every word to my favorite E-40 cd. we had that shit bumpin on the way to gray hound
miss mowie: hahaha
miss mowie: that's dope
ClaytonAddison: yeah, it was ok. I hung with him while the buss came... about 15 min
ClaytonAddison: so I ended up helping a stray instead
miss mowie: a stray animal?
miss mowie: or person?
ClaytonAddison: person
miss mowie: oh hahaha
miss mowie: i'm so proud of you!
ClaytonAddison: I was ether going to get in one hell of a fite with him or help him... I choose the later
miss mowie: wow
miss mowie: was he harassing you or something?
ClaytonAddison: one shower, one pare of jeans, 3 pair of sox 3 pair of boxers 2 T-shirts 1 hoody, a dozen Band-Aids , medical tape , roll of TP and one bus ticket to Ocean Side later...
miss mowie: no way!
ClaytonAddison: way
miss mowie: wait, tell me the whole story. You either got into a fight or helped him??
ClaytonAddison: and he loves E-40
12:00 PM
miss mowie: haha
ClaytonAddison: yeah, I stopped at a gas station to use the bathroom and have a smoke.
ClaytonAddison: dude just kept staring
ClaytonAddison: he was fixed on me so I bounced, thought I was free
miss mowie: yeah
ClaytonAddison: drove around the gas station to the other side of a grass median and stopped at a red light
ClaytonAddison: I looked over and saw his ass coming
ClaytonAddison: I was like... turn green you fucking light
ClaytonAddison: shit did change and I rolled my window down as he got up by the car
miss mowie: hahaha
ClaytonAddison: I was like "Whazz up?"
ClaytonAddison: he said the same
ClaytonAddison: then I was like you cool man?
ClaytonAddison: he was like are you?
ClaytonAddison: he had rage in his eyes
ClaytonAddison: I saw he was limping so I said.. you ok?
ClaytonAddison: that threw him off a bit
ClaytonAddison: then he said he could use a ride
ClaytonAddison: fuckit... get in
miss mowie: did he smell?
ClaytonAddison: no
ClaytonAddison: young guy
ClaytonAddison: he feet were FuCkEd up!
ClaytonAddison: he had shoes on, too big and no socks
12:05 PM
miss mowie: so, he showered at your house and you gave him your stuff?
ClaytonAddison: lots of walking and running. I could tell he was a meth head right away
ClaytonAddison: yeah
miss mowie: did you scrub his back when he was taking a shower??
miss mowie: dude, now he knows where you live
ClaytonAddison: nope, just helped him put some bandages and liquid band-aids on.
ClaytonAddison: he has no idea were he was
miss mowie: thats gross
miss mowie: so, why oceanside?
ClaytonAddison: it was not a "Girlie" moment, or thing to do
miss mowie: haha, i wasn't thinking that
ClaytonAddison: that's were he wanted to go. LA is not the place to be homeless and have a habit
miss mowie: clay, you're my hero
ClaytonAddison:
miss mowie: sooo proud of you!
ClaytonAddison: I feel good about it
miss mowie: i will tell everyone at work how cool you are
miss mowie: even if i see Jim Noonan!
miss mowie: Calis says to "stay black and proud".
ClaytonAddison: that is a good story
ClaytonAddison: $16 for the bus and $8 plus some change for him
miss mowie: wow
miss mowie: no $ for meth though
miss mowie: did you get him food?
ClaytonAddison: I almost took a picture of him all done up in my gear, but I forgot
miss mowie: oh shit! nothing to remember him by!
ClaytonAddison: just the fact that I can't rock my brown and orange low top Nikes any more
ClaytonAddison: and a bag of clothes to burn out front
miss mowie: glad they don't smell
ClaytonAddison: and he new every word to my favorite E-40 cd. we had that shit bumpin on the way to gray hound
miss mowie: hahaha
miss mowie: that's dope
ClaytonAddison: yeah, it was ok. I hung with him while the buss came... about 15 min
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The newest WBAlums...
Have fun with the Koalas!! | Have fun with the Bruins!! |
Monday, November 07, 2005
Friday, November 04, 2005
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Music is going DOWN tonight...
Softball Event of the Year!!
WBOL versus MUSIC tonight at 7pm at the North Hollywood Park. Should end around 8:15pm...
And from there... we'll cheer our VICTORY at the Robin Hood British Pub
13640 Burbank Blvd,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
Some of us have some steam to vent on the field --
Hope to see you there
WBOL versus MUSIC tonight at 7pm at the North Hollywood Park. Should end around 8:15pm...
And from there... we'll cheer our VICTORY at the Robin Hood British Pub
13640 Burbank Blvd,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
Some of us have some steam to vent on the field --
Hope to see you there
Day 2 since the ...
Day Two here. Not sure what to say, except I think I'm going through mild withdrawl symptoms. I already miss the folks who have been laid off; especially RC, Joya, Jay, Trish, Clay, Cindy Ann, Dawn and Matt! Boo..
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Welcome to the beginning...
Okay... so this might be a stupid idea, and this blog could turn quite dusty ...
But through the years many folks have come and gone from "WBOL" and it's very easy to lose touch...
Perhaps if a random blog in cyberspace was available... where folks could post about ANYTHING at any time... and share their rants, raves, hot job postings, etc...
Maybe this could end up being the one way we could all keep in touch, no matter where our crazy life paths take us.
SO... I'll turn this over to you guys... i'm going to try to invite as many members to join this blog and see what happens...
SO, if you're reading this and want to be an official "member" - email wbalums@gmail.com with your email address and i'll send an official invite to you. It should allow all 'members' to blog a new topic whenever they like. If you want to post your personal website, or business website on the 'links' area - just email the info and i'll add it!
And of course... you can also comment anonymously as well. :)
But through the years many folks have come and gone from "WBOL" and it's very easy to lose touch...
Perhaps if a random blog in cyberspace was available... where folks could post about ANYTHING at any time... and share their rants, raves, hot job postings, etc...
Maybe this could end up being the one way we could all keep in touch, no matter where our crazy life paths take us.
SO... I'll turn this over to you guys... i'm going to try to invite as many members to join this blog and see what happens...
SO, if you're reading this and want to be an official "member" - email wbalums@gmail.com with your email address and i'll send an official invite to you. It should allow all 'members' to blog a new topic whenever they like. If you want to post your personal website, or business website on the 'links' area - just email the info and i'll add it!
And of course... you can also comment anonymously as well. :)
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