I'm Still Alive
Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 11:08AM In the Southland,
There’s a city
Way down on the river,
Where the girls are very pretty
And all the men deliver...
I’ve been in New Orleans for the past week and even though my laptop made it into my baggage, I am just now opening it upon my return to Florida.
I love New Orleans, love it, love it, love it. I'm going to go so far as to say it's the crown jewel of the United States. I said it, I stand by it. If you haven't visited this city, yet, you must. One of the reasons I adore this place so much is because it reflects the essence of the American experience in so many ways. Plus, they have beignets. Fried bread with cups of powdered sugar. I mean, what's not to love?
Tariq went out of town three days prior to our leaving Central Florida, so I've been managing the kids for ten days. All alone. This includes getting on a plane to get to New Orleans and back, with one round of security without assistance.
Single mothers? You have my undying respect and near worship like admiration. In fact, if anyone ever criticizes a single mother or her kids in my presence, they may very well risk a little physical violence on my part.
Despite lots of help from MBTD and Traci while I was in New Orleans, days seven through ten alone with the children rendered my face into a permanent scowl. You know the situation is dire when you have to remind yourself to relax your face on an hourly basis.
Also, instead of my usual automatic response of, “Yes?” I had to push back the urge to say, “WHAT NOW?”” at what could be considered the most simple of requests.
Anyway, hi, Honeys, I’m home.
Reader Comments (53)
One of my most favorite cities. So happy you're having a wonderful visit!
New Orleans is my favorite city in THE WORLD. I want to go back like I want television: it's a must-do.
And the single mothers/fathers? Hardest job in the world.
I'm confused... aren't "Yes?" and "WHAT NOW?" synonymous?
Also, I love NO. Next year is our every-other-year Mardi Gras trip and I'm already looking forward to it.
So I haven't been here in a while, and I'm ready to show my bright sunshiney face and all I hear is "WHAT NOW, WHALL?!?!?!"
Geez Louise.
So what you are saying is that "WHAT NOW?" is NOT the proper response to "Mom. Mom. Mom?". Interesting.
Welcome back.
THANK GOD YOU ARE BACK!! FINALLY!!
And I have never been to New Orleans, but I want to go so very badly.
Britt stole my comment almost verbatim. I'm so glad you're back and I really need to go to Nawlins some time.
@Dave2, I did, I'm back, now. And, hey, what do you eat when YOU"RE there? Everything seems to have sausage in it... :)
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], Oh, I should have single dads, too. I'm such a sexist.
@Ren, Well, yes, they are synonymous, but I suppose it's like the difference between "Could I have some juice" and "GIMMEE JUICE." :) I think we might be going next year (FINALLY), maybe we can meet up!
@whall, No, for you, there is no "WHAT NOW" I'm just happy you don't hate me. I was beginning to wonder... ;-)
@Finn, I know, right? I don't know about appropriate, but I know that the first time my kid says "What now?" to me will be the last. So I just avoid saying it to her. :D
@Miss Britt, You know, I was thinking on this visit that you should come with me next time. I think you would LOVE it.
@Avitable, See my reply to Britt's comment. :) Mardi Gras next year, maybe?
@Faiqa, Nah, I haven't had much time for anyone's blog much less my own. Today was my first post in almost a month!
@Britt, @Avitable:
You guys are like, right next door to Louisiana and you haven't been to New Orleans? I'm from CANADA and I've been to New Orleans. What the hell is wrong with you people?
Also: welcome back and all that other shit, Faiqa.
@Faiqa, Lots of beignets, beans and rice, veggie jambalaya, cornbread, veggie po-boys, there's plenty to eat if you look for it! :-)
@Faiqa, well, you know, I think you should invite me to all of your family gatherings. So, yes, COUNT ME IN!
Welcome back, so jealous too! I LOVE Nawlins and haven't been back in way too long.
@Faiqa, yes, absolutely.
@Avitable, From everything I've heard, I think you would hate Mardi Gras. Too many people. Too many drunk people. Too many drunk idiotic people.
I love New Orleans in the quieter times. And even in the quieter times, the French Quarter bobs.
New Orleans, and I'm not saying this lightly, is one of those rare places that magic still happens. I firmly believe that.
Whether it's beignets and coffee at the Cafe du Monde at 4AM with a light mist falling on the Mississippi, or an unexpected guest at Preservation Hall joining the house band, or a trolley ride along St. Charles that is bursting with local flavor, or meeting a barmaid serving drinks at a laundromat (!!!) who looks like she is 14 months pregnant and who gives you a steaming bowl of rice and beans just because New Yorkers aren't supposed to be so nice...well, it's all magic to me.
The last time I was there I barely set food on Bourbon Street and I had the time of my life.
It's definitely time for me to go back.
And watch this again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzVCHv6FSbg
SO jealous! Haven't been to NO in eons!!
Happy you are back. You need to schedule yourself a massage for those 10 long days!!
@SciFi Dad, There are so many possible responses to the question "what the hell is wrong with you..." And, yet, I can't think of a single one.
@Hockeymandad, Thanks. I love that place, too.
@B.E. Earl, Very beautifully said. And, loved the video. Going to watch it again.
@Sybil Law, Ha... just got back from my massage.. great minds and all.
@Faiqa, And of course I meant that barely set FOOT on Bourbon Street, not FOOD. Then again, I didn't eat at any joints on Bourbon either. Which is unusual for me, because I usually make a point to have lunch at the Court of the Two Sisters. And that's more of a courtyard between Bourbon and Royale so...
I so want to go to New Orleans!! U should post pics if u have them! Glad to have u back!! :)
@Miss Britt, Next year, when I go for Mardi Gras again for that legal conference, maybe you can be my "marketing consultant." Yes? Not kidding.
@Avitable, Dude, all y'all should come. I'll be at MG again next year. Between Adam and me, we can figure out ways for all y'all to write it off, too.
Glad you got to go. Did you eat at Gallatoire's? I'm not sure I spelled that right, but it's damned good. I had a post after going to Mardi Gras this year...it was my 9th trip to NO, and might have been the best one, because I had the income and restraint to make it so.
@B.E. Earl, that is true. I should just become a drunk idiot during Mardi Gras and I'll be fine!
@muskrat, good plan!
I have never been to New Orleans and really would like to go!
I am doing the single mom thing for the first time while my husband is traveling so I totally feel your pain although pain is not really the right word...a lot of additional work and patience!
@muskrat, Hellz. Yes.
@Becca, I didn't take many photos since I was with the kids on my own and I was just focused on not losing them. :)
@muskrat, You know, I have never eaten there despite visiting NO twice a year for the past ten years. I'll definitely put it on the list for next time. And I still haven't been for Mardi Gras... next year is in my plan.
@Alecia, The pain comes when he gets home and you finally get to sit down and realize that your ENTIRE body hurts. I feel like I've been in a car accident. ;-) On the plus side, I enjoyed being in complete control of my kids and household for ten whole days... it was almost worth it. Oh, plus, the kids totally love me more right now. Hehe.
One of our biggest clients is located in New Orleans and working on a pretty large development... Hearing them joke about NOLA and you rave about it... It's amusing the huge difference my brain picture is of the place.
Could it be one of those places where it's great to visit but staying is another story? To be clear, they don't dislike it, just lots of unflattering jokes.
its someplace i'd love to visit sometime. Earl has tried me to go with him a bunch of times, but im afraid if i do i'll wake up in a bathtub missing a kidney.
@Faiqa, totally understand!! :)
Someone mentioned that his work place friends like to make fun of New Orleans. That got me to thinking:
How many people would risk their life to remain and help their city? Would you do that for the city you live in?
A significant majority of New Orleanians would... that is not theoretical, but a tested fact (re: Katrina). That should give others in America a glimpse of what a strong community this is.
Living in New Orleans for several years, I can tell you that I consider myself a New Orleanian first and an American second. This was reinforced in 2005 when the rest of America was nowhere to be found while we helped each other survive, regardless of race, economic status, or education level.
There are those out there who talk about how smelly or dirty this town is, or about drunks, etc....I feel sorry for them. They will never know how it feels to truly love the city they live in with enough passion to know that they could risk their life for it.
Mardi Gras is fabulous! If you go, visit the Quarter to see the costumes but skip Bourbon. To put it simply, Bourbon is disgusting during Mardi Gras. Enjoy the parades uptown. The uptown parades are a great family fun party. You'll see the spirit of New Orleans uptown. On Bourbon, you'll see a lot tourist using Mardi Gras as an excuse to fulfill their fantasies of getting high school drunk again.@ Faiqa: It is a travesty that you haven't been to Mardi Gras yet. A TRAVESTY!
I love New Orleans. The music, the food, the architecture. It is one of the few cities I've been to that has a naturally cool vibe. Can't wait to go back!
I've never had the experience of New Orleans. Only flew into the airport, but that doesn't count.
Glad you had a good time and didn't stab anyone. (That you mentioned, anyway.)
@Clown, Ummm, I would say that might be the case, but I've visited enough times to get a deeper feel for the place. I think it's not for everyone. Some people like their cities "sanitized" (I mean that in a metaphorical sense), with gated communities and well placed Applebee's, and that's a perfectly acceptable preference. New Orleans is not for those people (to live).
@Slyde, Medical science no shows that human beings only need ONE kidney to function. I say you take a chance and go anyway.
@Zia, That was cool. You should start a blog. And, I guess since Obama is president, now, you can be gay for New Orleans. Hehehe.
No, really, this was one of the best comments I've ever read on my blog.
@Traci, Next year!! Almost 99% sure...