A unique way to contribute

How about coming to New Orleans as the youngest college professor in almost 300 years?  Damn, 19 and teaching at SUNO to make a difference.  Cheers, Alia.

Why the hell do I have to read about this remarkable local woman in a link to the fucking Today Show?

A good omen

Cinco de Mayo @ Casa de HammHawk

Cinco de Mayo

Originally uploaded by HammHawk

Ducks & Crabs

This story made me feel good, although I wouldn’t say that they’re giving the ducks quite a wide enough berth.  But it was interesting to read that the site director said “It’s not all about the almighty dollar.  We respect life; it’s very important to us,” and then read this caption to a story about food sales being down: “Angie Lanier fixes a soft-shell crab po-boy at the Galley Seafood booth, which wasted hundreds of the crabs after last weekend’s rain.”

I realize I’m in the minority, but I hate when people refer to animals as commodities.  Maybe I’m just sensitive since E started “experimenting” with eating shellfish.

“Unearned Arrogance”

Those were the off-hand words that my esteemed boss* used to describe our “Zah” Dr. Edward Blakely. The man knows how to turn a phrase, and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. After a week in which he kept company with the leaders of the US, Mexico, Canada, Qatar, and the Catholic church, as well as McCain and PlasticWife on campus, he knows about what he speaketh, and he clearly doesn’t hold this guy in high regard.

*E advised me not to link to my boss, but most of you know who he is, and that he’s pretty damn solid, as bosses go.

Musical ambivalence

I’ll try to recap my kickass weekend at JazzFest soon, but for now, I’m torn on how to feel about musicians coming back to NO.  Of course the ones who really had to leave–and regretted it–I welcome with open arms and rejoice about their return.  But for those who trashed the city as they left, what about them?

Gary sent me this snippet from an article about the silent march last fall, and it’s interesting:

New Orleans musicians are not alone in griping about lack of work. Musicians in Austin, Texas, another city with a big art and music scene, share the feeling.

“Nobody comes to see live music in Austin,” said singer and songwriter John Pointer. “I’ve got nine Austin music awards and have appeared in five national television commercials and I can’t draw a crowd in Austin.”

More prodigal sons on the way?

The Edge keeps giving

I’m not crazy of perma-nicknames (e.g., Sting) for anyone but bloggers, but I’ll continue to make an exception for The Edge.  Mr. Edge has been simply great to our city:

No one could ever come close to repaying the debt of those who have established this form (of music) that we all take totally for granted, this hybrid of European melody and African-American rhythm that’s given us jazz and R&B and rock ‘n’ roll

While we’re singing his praises, here’s one of my all-time favs.

A few miscellaneous observations

Is George “bowtie” F. “vitiated” Will really calling Barack elitist?  How’s the silver-spoon everyman we have in there now working out for you?

I don’t know if it’ll be there tomorrow, but the roasted garlic on the salad bar at Whole Foods tonight rocked.  Get it when you can… by the pound.

Speaking of WFM, tonight I ran into Troy Andrews and Deacon John there.  I love seeing greatness at my store.

For the record, I’ve liked Chris Rose more than most bloggers, but I thought his tribute to Ashley was really good.

Speaking of Ashley, is it just me, or does the “Remember Ashley Morris” picture (and I need someone to help me put that up) look like he should be posthumously dubbed thus.

Michelle Obama will be the perfect first lady, in my view.  (Note the legs comment down toward the end)

The perfect response to Obama’s “bitter” controversy:

Artie Jefferson,
Tour Guide
“Hillary knew a young, inexperienced Obama would slip up sooner or later and be honest with people.”

I’ve often said that the racism in NO would dissipate a lot of people would just come onto Xavier’s campus and eavesdrop on students’ conversations.  Yeah, there’s plenty of banality going around, but today was the first day of our Festival of Scholars, and there’s some damn fine work going on.

Today when I got home a poller from Tulane & Kaiser interviewed me on my life since K.  I noted that although I said my life is overall very good, I ended up answering that I’m dissatisfied with a lot of things.  It’s a bit like something in psyc we call “false uniqueness.”

Ashley’s in the book.  I’ve added a bit from Ashley’s obituary to the chapter from E’s & my Psychology of Disasters book that deals with the rally effect.  I know most of us were rabid pro-NOLA people before the storm, but I know that we’ve gotten more defensive and vehement since, much like the flag pins that emerged after 9/11.  I hope it’s a good bit of subtle tribute.

In solidarity with Tibet, I am refusing to compete in the China olympics.  You’re welcome.

FQF & PH

What a beautiful day for a fest!  I’m pissed at myself that I didn’t manage to get out there til today, but I sometimes fall apart when E’s gone and can’t get motivated to do anything.

I’m embarrassed to say that this was the first time I’d ever been to Preservation Hall.  Watched the Hot 4, and loved it, and man that place has some character.  I knew it did, but I didn’t realize it had pegboard covering the walls.  Now that’s upscale!  Such a real vibe there.

Numerous only-in-NO moments, capped by a brass band battle across Decatur.  Awesome.

Didn’t make it last night, but I did manage to go to V-Day.  My well-connected neighbor got me into the party afterward, where I got to meet Kerry Washington (stunning) and Mike McKenzie.  Pretty cool, and the Monologues were phenomenal.  Oprah was a no-show, but Rosario, Jane, and the rest were terrific.  Plus it was kinda fun that everyone felt free to talk about vaginas all night.

Now I gotta do my damn taxes.

Damn

Ashley, we miss you.  I’m watching a chickflick in your honor (horror?).