I have to admit. When I first started using Facebook, I was hooked. It was so cool to start looking up anyone and everyone I could think of. I did so, because I was moving to New Orleans. My main purpose with Facebook was going to be keeping up with my family and my soon to be former work peers. I discovered much of my family was not on FB (yet). I did get on with many of my peers, though. I also started connecting with people I grew up with from grade school, middle, and high school too. I got sucked into trying to make my friend's list grow even taking on those I did not know. Some of them were to grow my Mafia Wars family, my FarmTown friends, and my Vampire Wars clan. FB life seemed good-and addictive.
The move came and I have blogged about that. Things gradually settled and I was determined to keep FB going. It was easy for a little while since my family was finally getting on board. That determination to keep my FB going and growing changed, though. Those I knew years ago, I did not really know anymore. My former work peers moved on just as I had to do. Communication went from a couple of notes and chats to nothing. Instead it became the writing on the wall-a quick note to tell who was busy and why. I started seeing who was out there again but strangers do not make quick friends. FB became me doing the routine Mafia Wars, Vampire Wars, Farmtown check in, then staring at the screen reading and seeing how busy everyone was.
I had and still have a different view on Facebook. I really think it can be a great tool to keep those you care for in your life. I believe if someone takes the time to write a note or initiate a chat, so too should you. That person has made you their priority, shouldn't you do the same, or is life too busy, yet not busy enough to keep you from FB?
I have made my changes, sorted out those I hope to keep in contact with. More importantly, I have broken that daily "need" to get on FB for hours on end just to see what is going on. I am going on. I am there for my wife. I am there for my family. I am there for those who need and want me to be.
To Facebook or not to Facebook? That is the question. I kind of Facebook.
Make time for those who make time for you.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
It Has Been a While
It's not easy in the Big Easy if I have not already said so. I saw my last entry was in July and I realized just how fast time has passed. It tends to when you are engulfed in learning a new (and brutally tough) job, and tending to the caretaking duties at home. Things including time tend to drift past almost unnoticed...BUT there is a magic in this city- I know it. I just have not had much time to discover it.
There have been some bright spots, though, that show the presence of said magic. The Saint's winning season has been a blast to follow. Its hard to explain because I was so used to the Cowboys winning and if they did not, the city would turn on them until they won again. Here, the Saints have been longing for such a magical football season. Maybe we brought some of that magic with us from Texas. I mean we came here in June and New Orleans had the worst heat wave in memory so we definitely brought Texas heat. In December we saw the most rain New Orleans has ever seen in a single month-something over 24" so we brought some water too. During this time (sans the last 3 games) we got to share in the joy of some great Saints football. You could literally feel it in the city the day after a win. People were excited, talking about it, commercials thanking the Saints air, songs were composed, and the list goes on. Maybe we brought the conference championship and hopefully a bigger championship too. Saint's football has been a wonderful experience.
Some other magical things I have discovered. There is some amazing food here. Yes, its a given but I am not one who lives on creole food and seafood all the time. I have found amazing pizza, italian food, burgers, and the joy of cooking more too. The stores here have some really unique items so cooking has become fun again. Celebrations...I attended a Halloween parade in the French Quarter which was really fun. It was a mini Mardi Gras and quite a taste of crowds for me for me (I'm leary of crowds and it was crowded but nothing like our trip to the Monday night football game with the Saints playing Atlanta) but it was so cool to see the floats and costumes. Christmas was nice-both here and on our visit to Dallas. It was hard to leave Dallas (wonderful to see snow there) but I did get back to New Orleans. I decorated the house with all kinds of lights and 2 trees. I cooked truducken, andouille sausage and pecan cornbread stuffing, and all sorts of other things. Now it is Mardi Gras season. I am in the process of making our Christmas tree a Mardis Gras tree and enjoying different kinds of king cake. I am discovering the magic a little at a time.
There are the downsides too. The job is brutal, there have been 11 murders since the first of the year, corruption is being exposed all over the place in many of the cities around New Orleans along with New Orleans. Thank goodness a new mayor will be coming in. There is noticable racial tension be it at the schools, on the streets, even in public places like the mall or stores. It's definitely a divided city.
Other than that its still the Big Easy even if its not always so easy. You have to take it for what it is. You need to seek out the magic.
There have been some bright spots, though, that show the presence of said magic. The Saint's winning season has been a blast to follow. Its hard to explain because I was so used to the Cowboys winning and if they did not, the city would turn on them until they won again. Here, the Saints have been longing for such a magical football season. Maybe we brought some of that magic with us from Texas. I mean we came here in June and New Orleans had the worst heat wave in memory so we definitely brought Texas heat. In December we saw the most rain New Orleans has ever seen in a single month-something over 24" so we brought some water too. During this time (sans the last 3 games) we got to share in the joy of some great Saints football. You could literally feel it in the city the day after a win. People were excited, talking about it, commercials thanking the Saints air, songs were composed, and the list goes on. Maybe we brought the conference championship and hopefully a bigger championship too. Saint's football has been a wonderful experience.
Some other magical things I have discovered. There is some amazing food here. Yes, its a given but I am not one who lives on creole food and seafood all the time. I have found amazing pizza, italian food, burgers, and the joy of cooking more too. The stores here have some really unique items so cooking has become fun again. Celebrations...I attended a Halloween parade in the French Quarter which was really fun. It was a mini Mardi Gras and quite a taste of crowds for me for me (I'm leary of crowds and it was crowded but nothing like our trip to the Monday night football game with the Saints playing Atlanta) but it was so cool to see the floats and costumes. Christmas was nice-both here and on our visit to Dallas. It was hard to leave Dallas (wonderful to see snow there) but I did get back to New Orleans. I decorated the house with all kinds of lights and 2 trees. I cooked truducken, andouille sausage and pecan cornbread stuffing, and all sorts of other things. Now it is Mardi Gras season. I am in the process of making our Christmas tree a Mardis Gras tree and enjoying different kinds of king cake. I am discovering the magic a little at a time.
There are the downsides too. The job is brutal, there have been 11 murders since the first of the year, corruption is being exposed all over the place in many of the cities around New Orleans along with New Orleans. Thank goodness a new mayor will be coming in. There is noticable racial tension be it at the schools, on the streets, even in public places like the mall or stores. It's definitely a divided city.
Other than that its still the Big Easy even if its not always so easy. You have to take it for what it is. You need to seek out the magic.
Friday, July 17, 2009
I Can't Believe It-I Am 40 And I Got Carted...
Catchy huh...Here is the deal. I love the people here in New Orleans. I love the place, the atmosphere, the energy, the food, and again the people. These are the same people who I share the roads with though-the one's on the road I ranted about in my last blog. They are also the same people who I shop with at all the great stores here. Something happens, though, when they get out of their Road Warrior mode, and out of their shopping mode when they leave the store. It's a state of mind they enter before going back into Road Warrior mode. I just don't have a name for it, so I am calling the act of it "carting".
So what am I talking about? I am talking about getting carted. You know, back in Dallas or wherever-where you go to the store you occasionally see the renegade cart rolling to a helpless empty car. You see some carts with no home (usually at Wal Mart) because the cart corrals are full. And yes, on occasion you see that "busy" person who had time to shop at the store but has no time to take the cart they chose to borrow back where it belongs or to its proper return corral. But here its totally different. Everyone, and I mean everyone (except us) leaves their cart right by their parking spot. Some people nudge their cart up against the car beside them. Others do the semi right thing and prop the cart on the small, decorative grassy/tree spot so it won't roll away. Others just unload it and give it a little push towards an empty area of the parking lot. The cart corrals sit empty. No one uses them. Carts are all over the place. When you roll into your favorite store you have to park far away because carts occupy most open parking spaces. They do because no one here seems to have time to roll them where they belong.
Today, as we left Rouse's (its like Kroger meets Tom Thumb in Dallas but much better), we started to load the car. Opposite of our car was a woman doing the same thing. She unloaded her cart and then pushed it an inch away from our car and loaded herself up in her over sized SUV to head out. My wife and I saw this and my wife went towards her and got the cart. I chose to glare at her. The woman just stared at my wife, then pulled out. I urged my wife to put the cart behind the woman's car but to no avail. We got carted.
We have started a 2 person crusade here. Wherever we go, we park and grab a couple of carts each and roll them in. We are hoping that people will see this and hopefully understand the concept-similar to when we are children and taught to pick up after ourselves. We are trying to break the carting habit through example. Sadly,I don't see this crusade going far but we refuse to give in to the masses. The carting problem is too widespread and I think everyone is just used to doing the carting thing.
We will do what we can though, one cart at a time...
So what am I talking about? I am talking about getting carted. You know, back in Dallas or wherever-where you go to the store you occasionally see the renegade cart rolling to a helpless empty car. You see some carts with no home (usually at Wal Mart) because the cart corrals are full. And yes, on occasion you see that "busy" person who had time to shop at the store but has no time to take the cart they chose to borrow back where it belongs or to its proper return corral. But here its totally different. Everyone, and I mean everyone (except us) leaves their cart right by their parking spot. Some people nudge their cart up against the car beside them. Others do the semi right thing and prop the cart on the small, decorative grassy/tree spot so it won't roll away. Others just unload it and give it a little push towards an empty area of the parking lot. The cart corrals sit empty. No one uses them. Carts are all over the place. When you roll into your favorite store you have to park far away because carts occupy most open parking spaces. They do because no one here seems to have time to roll them where they belong.
Today, as we left Rouse's (its like Kroger meets Tom Thumb in Dallas but much better), we started to load the car. Opposite of our car was a woman doing the same thing. She unloaded her cart and then pushed it an inch away from our car and loaded herself up in her over sized SUV to head out. My wife and I saw this and my wife went towards her and got the cart. I chose to glare at her. The woman just stared at my wife, then pulled out. I urged my wife to put the cart behind the woman's car but to no avail. We got carted.
We have started a 2 person crusade here. Wherever we go, we park and grab a couple of carts each and roll them in. We are hoping that people will see this and hopefully understand the concept-similar to when we are children and taught to pick up after ourselves. We are trying to break the carting habit through example. Sadly,I don't see this crusade going far but we refuse to give in to the masses. The carting problem is too widespread and I think everyone is just used to doing the carting thing.
We will do what we can though, one cart at a time...
Thursday, July 9, 2009
"The Big Easy" But It's Not So Easy
It has been a while, I know. There is just a lot going on with settling in as the days (and summer) flies by. I wanted to continue the back story but thought I would do that in between the current entries so there aren't so many time gaps.
Something strikes you here in New Orleans when you start to settle in. The pace here is slooooowwwwww EXCEPT on the road. The roads are rough-figuratively and literally. As you swerve to avoid potholes, bumps, and debris, you also play the New Orleans version of the Road Warrior. Part of that comes from the layout where U-turns are a way of life here. They are not the U-turns we would use in Dallas if we missed our turn. No, these are lanes all over the place to help you navigate. Cars come from all directions, Fast and Furious. Don't even try to wave in hopes someone will let you in or cross-not going to happen. You have to learn the way of the drivers in Plano, Frisco, and North Dallas and apply those skills here if you want to survive on the roads. Quite simply, barrel along 10-15 miles per hour over the speed limit while you talk on the phone and use your large vehicle's auto-pilot. Sorry to anyone in those locales-yes, its a (small) exaggeration, or is it? It's not that the drivers here are rude-its more that they are pre-occupied and with what I have no clue. I do have a theory, though.
My theory is that everyone is in such a rush on the road because once they get where they are going, the pace comes to almost a dead halt. If you are arriving to your favorite restaurant, you will be eating a long, leisurely meal as you talk with friends/family/strangers about life and the next meal. If you are going shopping, you will be taking a while as there are lines (and I mean long lines) at almost every store. I'll save the Wal Mart story for another time but just picture Friday night at 10 with EVERY checkout open and every checkout with 10-20 people deep waiting, waiting, waiting... All essential things have lines and waits that dwarf anything I can recall in Dallas. Doctor offices, the DMV (and, oh, I dread that trip), anywhere you have an appointment, appearance, or interview-there will be a wait and likely a long one. Thankfully, time stands still in the French Quarter though-it's true-look it up.
So far, the people here are amazing. The atmosphere, food, all of it is amazing except when you are on the road. When its time to head out to your destination, put on your protective gear, load up your armored vehicle, fire up the Internet ready phone, turn on your headlights so you can maybe be seen, and just start honking the horn (EVERYONE HERE LOVES THEIR CAR HORNS!!!!). It will not be an easy breezy Sunday drive but the stress will flow away when you finally get where you are going in The Big Easy.
Something strikes you here in New Orleans when you start to settle in. The pace here is slooooowwwwww EXCEPT on the road. The roads are rough-figuratively and literally. As you swerve to avoid potholes, bumps, and debris, you also play the New Orleans version of the Road Warrior. Part of that comes from the layout where U-turns are a way of life here. They are not the U-turns we would use in Dallas if we missed our turn. No, these are lanes all over the place to help you navigate. Cars come from all directions, Fast and Furious. Don't even try to wave in hopes someone will let you in or cross-not going to happen. You have to learn the way of the drivers in Plano, Frisco, and North Dallas and apply those skills here if you want to survive on the roads. Quite simply, barrel along 10-15 miles per hour over the speed limit while you talk on the phone and use your large vehicle's auto-pilot. Sorry to anyone in those locales-yes, its a (small) exaggeration, or is it? It's not that the drivers here are rude-its more that they are pre-occupied and with what I have no clue. I do have a theory, though.
My theory is that everyone is in such a rush on the road because once they get where they are going, the pace comes to almost a dead halt. If you are arriving to your favorite restaurant, you will be eating a long, leisurely meal as you talk with friends/family/strangers about life and the next meal. If you are going shopping, you will be taking a while as there are lines (and I mean long lines) at almost every store. I'll save the Wal Mart story for another time but just picture Friday night at 10 with EVERY checkout open and every checkout with 10-20 people deep waiting, waiting, waiting... All essential things have lines and waits that dwarf anything I can recall in Dallas. Doctor offices, the DMV (and, oh, I dread that trip), anywhere you have an appointment, appearance, or interview-there will be a wait and likely a long one. Thankfully, time stands still in the French Quarter though-it's true-look it up.
So far, the people here are amazing. The atmosphere, food, all of it is amazing except when you are on the road. When its time to head out to your destination, put on your protective gear, load up your armored vehicle, fire up the Internet ready phone, turn on your headlights so you can maybe be seen, and just start honking the horn (EVERYONE HERE LOVES THEIR CAR HORNS!!!!). It will not be an easy breezy Sunday drive but the stress will flow away when you finally get where you are going in The Big Easy.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Homecoming
I thought I should put a rift in the timeline and write that we made it. It has been a long journey-months and maybe in my case years in the making. The past weeks have been challenging as well, but we are here and we are home.
As school let out the "to do" list seemed to grow longer and longer. On top of all of the things to do were the emotions racing through us both. Anticipation, anxiety, excitement, frustration, and the list goes on. It seems like no matter how much planning you do, the wheels can fly off at any time to derail the planning.
For us, the U-Haul experience was tough but I think God was saying don't take on more than you can handle as in pulling the truck behind the truck. Hard for me to accept because I try to handle it all and then some. We had a couple of late nights of last minute packing and then at 5AM on Wednesday, I got in the truck and headed out with my travel companion, Darcy P. Doolittle. Nancy came a bit later with Piper as she got things wrapped up at our former home.
The drive was actually pretty nice and it seemed to go so quick. U-Hauls suck gas to the tune of maybe 4-5 miles to the gallon so lots of expensive fill-ups, but other than that the ride was pleasant. My portable XM radio with Deep Tracks and just some down time to think were just what I needed.
What was really wonderful is within minutes of pulling in, the neighbors came out to greet us. It was a nice welcome. Nancy arrived not too long after me, and after visiting with her dad some, we began to get our essentials off the truck. Neighbors helped us without us even asking.
There is warmth here and I am not saying there isn't in Dallas. Its just different. The past couple of days of unpacking have been stressful on the body and the mind (some), but we are getting it all together. Last night I finally slept and it was like a who's who of aquaintances I saw in my dreams offering strength, energy, and support. 3 (of you) spoke to me to remind me of my purpose and path and I am appreciative to those 3, along with the rest who I saw. I know that all I need to do is look into Nancy's father's eyes and see his smile to know we are home.
As school let out the "to do" list seemed to grow longer and longer. On top of all of the things to do were the emotions racing through us both. Anticipation, anxiety, excitement, frustration, and the list goes on. It seems like no matter how much planning you do, the wheels can fly off at any time to derail the planning.
For us, the U-Haul experience was tough but I think God was saying don't take on more than you can handle as in pulling the truck behind the truck. Hard for me to accept because I try to handle it all and then some. We had a couple of late nights of last minute packing and then at 5AM on Wednesday, I got in the truck and headed out with my travel companion, Darcy P. Doolittle. Nancy came a bit later with Piper as she got things wrapped up at our former home.
The drive was actually pretty nice and it seemed to go so quick. U-Hauls suck gas to the tune of maybe 4-5 miles to the gallon so lots of expensive fill-ups, but other than that the ride was pleasant. My portable XM radio with Deep Tracks and just some down time to think were just what I needed.
What was really wonderful is within minutes of pulling in, the neighbors came out to greet us. It was a nice welcome. Nancy arrived not too long after me, and after visiting with her dad some, we began to get our essentials off the truck. Neighbors helped us without us even asking.
There is warmth here and I am not saying there isn't in Dallas. Its just different. The past couple of days of unpacking have been stressful on the body and the mind (some), but we are getting it all together. Last night I finally slept and it was like a who's who of aquaintances I saw in my dreams offering strength, energy, and support. 3 (of you) spoke to me to remind me of my purpose and path and I am appreciative to those 3, along with the rest who I saw. I know that all I need to do is look into Nancy's father's eyes and see his smile to know we are home.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sucking Heads, Those Things Raw, and Eating Cute Turtles
As our relationship grew stronger, Nancy and I were making more and more trips to New Orleans. It was nice to be able to go visit her family, friends, and just see all those New Orleans things. There is always something new to do, see, or eat in New Orleans. This is about the latter.
To this day, I am a pretty picky eater except when I go to New Orleans. For some reason, the atmosphere there encourages me to break out of my shell, and wow, there are all kinds of things there with shells.
My first visit to New Orleans was when I was introduced to the crawfish. It was such a wild concept to see this crawfish that had been crawling around not to much earlier now looking at me ready to tear into him so I could get the meat. What a savage concept. So I slowly learned the art of getting the meat out of the crawfish. I am still far from being a master, though. Eating crawfish is something where my meticulous way of doing things does not work. As my girlfriend and her aunt tore through 5 crawfish to my 1, I noticed something peculiar. Her aunt was taking the crawfish heads and sucking them. I looked puzzled I am sure-so I had to ask. “It’s the best part” was her aunt’s reply. I looked at both of them and took a shot (of crawfish head fluid) and it was not too bad. I did another, and another, and it got easier and easier. How cool was this?
On that same trip I was introduced to the raw oyster. This was a little less exciting. We had ventured to the Riverwalk and went atop of Jax Brewery. There was a raw oyster bar there. I enjoyed the beer more than the raw oysters. I just had this innate fear of eating something raw. Of course I did it wrong with the first one. I just bit into it-no cracker, no red sauce or lemon. Texture wise this was a real nightmare. The taste was, interesting. Then I was taught how to do it. You adorn them with sauce and lemon (cracker optional) and swallow. I tried a few but never got into them until recently.
As Nancy and I have made our trips there, I have tried to explore food further. She showed me the greatness of the Acme Oyster Bar. The raw oysters are great, but even better-oyster soup. I have enjoyed several crawfish boils. The neat thing about them is the people there with you-be it family or friends, who make that kind of eating more special. I can even look past my OC issues of being messy and just enjoy the crawfish boil for all it is-an event and a gathering and not just a meal.
Then there are the turtles. I remember our first trip to Mandena’s. We were going to enjoy some po’ boys at a place I had never tried. They also had something called turtle soup. When I first heard that, I thought “yeah right” with visions of a little turtle floating in some kind of “gumboesque” substance. Sure enough it was on the menu and I was going to have no part of it. Nancy ordered it, as did her dad and step-mom. Hmm, it had no floating turtle when it arrived. It was just bowl of copper-brownish soup. It came with buttered French bread and then the waiter poured sherry into the soup. How interesting. Nancy asked me to take the first taste. I was nervous and then I tried it and it was an instant love. Next, I dipped the bread into it-even better! Since then, Mandina’s and the turtle soup has been a regular part of our New Orleans jaunts.
So from crawfish, to oysters, to turtles, along with shrimp (I have even tried rabbit), New Orleans offers the taste buds all kinds of new sensations. I know there is so much more food to discover and that will be a really nice perk of moving to New Orleans. Now where did we put that frozen gator meat?
To this day, I am a pretty picky eater except when I go to New Orleans. For some reason, the atmosphere there encourages me to break out of my shell, and wow, there are all kinds of things there with shells.
My first visit to New Orleans was when I was introduced to the crawfish. It was such a wild concept to see this crawfish that had been crawling around not to much earlier now looking at me ready to tear into him so I could get the meat. What a savage concept. So I slowly learned the art of getting the meat out of the crawfish. I am still far from being a master, though. Eating crawfish is something where my meticulous way of doing things does not work. As my girlfriend and her aunt tore through 5 crawfish to my 1, I noticed something peculiar. Her aunt was taking the crawfish heads and sucking them. I looked puzzled I am sure-so I had to ask. “It’s the best part” was her aunt’s reply. I looked at both of them and took a shot (of crawfish head fluid) and it was not too bad. I did another, and another, and it got easier and easier. How cool was this?
On that same trip I was introduced to the raw oyster. This was a little less exciting. We had ventured to the Riverwalk and went atop of Jax Brewery. There was a raw oyster bar there. I enjoyed the beer more than the raw oysters. I just had this innate fear of eating something raw. Of course I did it wrong with the first one. I just bit into it-no cracker, no red sauce or lemon. Texture wise this was a real nightmare. The taste was, interesting. Then I was taught how to do it. You adorn them with sauce and lemon (cracker optional) and swallow. I tried a few but never got into them until recently.
As Nancy and I have made our trips there, I have tried to explore food further. She showed me the greatness of the Acme Oyster Bar. The raw oysters are great, but even better-oyster soup. I have enjoyed several crawfish boils. The neat thing about them is the people there with you-be it family or friends, who make that kind of eating more special. I can even look past my OC issues of being messy and just enjoy the crawfish boil for all it is-an event and a gathering and not just a meal.
Then there are the turtles. I remember our first trip to Mandena’s. We were going to enjoy some po’ boys at a place I had never tried. They also had something called turtle soup. When I first heard that, I thought “yeah right” with visions of a little turtle floating in some kind of “gumboesque” substance. Sure enough it was on the menu and I was going to have no part of it. Nancy ordered it, as did her dad and step-mom. Hmm, it had no floating turtle when it arrived. It was just bowl of copper-brownish soup. It came with buttered French bread and then the waiter poured sherry into the soup. How interesting. Nancy asked me to take the first taste. I was nervous and then I tried it and it was an instant love. Next, I dipped the bread into it-even better! Since then, Mandina’s and the turtle soup has been a regular part of our New Orleans jaunts.
So from crawfish, to oysters, to turtles, along with shrimp (I have even tried rabbit), New Orleans offers the taste buds all kinds of new sensations. I know there is so much more food to discover and that will be a really nice perk of moving to New Orleans. Now where did we put that frozen gator meat?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
I Found Her (From New Orleans) and Some Places Too
It is funny how we find our better half. Nancy and I found one another where we worked. I got the job through my sister who knew about the job through her boyfriend who…you know the whole 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon(ker) separation thing. Nancy and I spent time getting to know each other as most couples do. We talked at happy hours, went out here and there, dated more and more, and many years later here we are. I don’t use a specific number because we dated a few years, had a long engagement, and have been married almost 11 years.
Nancy is from New Orleans and that intrigued me at the time we met and began to talk more. More and more, I was running into New Orleans “familiars”. Eventually, after Nancy and I dated some, I got to go back to New Orleans. This was a trip to meet her family.
This trip was an important trip for me-meeting Nancy’s family plus after many years I was going back to the place that drew me. It was a wonderful trip. I loved meeting Nancy’s family and for the first time I got to see New Orleans for what it isn’t-the party city. It was on this trip that I got my first introduction to New “Orleanean” hospitality. I had no idea that hospitality was all over. I got to meet one wonderful person after another-from Nancy’s family, to her friends, to just people who say hi to you at the store or on the street. They say "hi" because they can and they like to. In Dallas, if you do that, you will likely get a cold (rude) stare and possibly some kind of obscene gesture or word thrown back at you-but not there and not back then.
In addition to the amazing family, friends, and people, Nancy introduced me to the places-the special places. Sure Pat O’s and Café Du Monde are great but there is so much more to discover. Mandinas, Port of Call, Ye Ole College Inn (pre-K), The Galley, Liuzza’s, Parasols, and the list goes on forever. To this day, there is still so much more to discover there. It’s just wild-the seafood (of course), the burgers, specialty sandwiches (po boys), even the pizza, are all just better there. I have been told it is because of the water, but it's likely because of the people behind it all.
Then there are the stores and shops. The French Quarter speaks for itself, as does Magazine Street, but you want a shopping trip?-Go to Dorignac’s. Here you can see older women in frocks and slippers smoking a cigarette while they peruse the aisles purchasing anything from turtle meat, merlaton, to hard liquor (yes they sell hard liquor in grocery stores), to oyster soup, to Doberge cakes. Try Gambino’s for baked goods, Gordon’s for all kinds of home items, Rue De La Course for a coffee experience (a plug there for you Jerry). Again, the list can and does go on forever.
This is not only about my wife and New Orleans places. This is about family and friends-the special people who make up our lives. New Orleans is full good people just as Dallas is. It is also full of family-run establishments and that is truly unique in this nation of cookie cutter chain businesses. Families put their hearts, their talents, and their roots into their businesses. Add that to the New Orleans energy and that is just the beginning of what makes New Orleans, well, New Orleans. That trip taught me a whole lot more about what New Orleans is truly about.
Nancy is from New Orleans and that intrigued me at the time we met and began to talk more. More and more, I was running into New Orleans “familiars”. Eventually, after Nancy and I dated some, I got to go back to New Orleans. This was a trip to meet her family.
This trip was an important trip for me-meeting Nancy’s family plus after many years I was going back to the place that drew me. It was a wonderful trip. I loved meeting Nancy’s family and for the first time I got to see New Orleans for what it isn’t-the party city. It was on this trip that I got my first introduction to New “Orleanean” hospitality. I had no idea that hospitality was all over. I got to meet one wonderful person after another-from Nancy’s family, to her friends, to just people who say hi to you at the store or on the street. They say "hi" because they can and they like to. In Dallas, if you do that, you will likely get a cold (rude) stare and possibly some kind of obscene gesture or word thrown back at you-but not there and not back then.
In addition to the amazing family, friends, and people, Nancy introduced me to the places-the special places. Sure Pat O’s and Café Du Monde are great but there is so much more to discover. Mandinas, Port of Call, Ye Ole College Inn (pre-K), The Galley, Liuzza’s, Parasols, and the list goes on forever. To this day, there is still so much more to discover there. It’s just wild-the seafood (of course), the burgers, specialty sandwiches (po boys), even the pizza, are all just better there. I have been told it is because of the water, but it's likely because of the people behind it all.
Then there are the stores and shops. The French Quarter speaks for itself, as does Magazine Street, but you want a shopping trip?-Go to Dorignac’s. Here you can see older women in frocks and slippers smoking a cigarette while they peruse the aisles purchasing anything from turtle meat, merlaton, to hard liquor (yes they sell hard liquor in grocery stores), to oyster soup, to Doberge cakes. Try Gambino’s for baked goods, Gordon’s for all kinds of home items, Rue De La Course for a coffee experience (a plug there for you Jerry). Again, the list can and does go on forever.
This is not only about my wife and New Orleans places. This is about family and friends-the special people who make up our lives. New Orleans is full good people just as Dallas is. It is also full of family-run establishments and that is truly unique in this nation of cookie cutter chain businesses. Families put their hearts, their talents, and their roots into their businesses. Add that to the New Orleans energy and that is just the beginning of what makes New Orleans, well, New Orleans. That trip taught me a whole lot more about what New Orleans is truly about.
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