April 25th 2007

Owwwwwwwwman! what a day. I have spent the entire day just pulling my hair out trying to figure out why in the world I could not find my blogg on line.
Boy what a ding dong I am. Can you say stupid! ow man.
I think I need to have a check up from the neck up.
I'm thinking of hiring a five year old to do this for me, I'm sure they would be able to figure out the computer faster them me.
Oh the fun of it all. Heck I think a few more gray hairs may have popped up on my head on this one.
Ok so on with the festivities here.
This Thursday starts the begining of Jazz fest here. Oh fun!!!
Too funny thought. The city is runing to get ride of the odor in that neck of the woods.
Our sewage system really needs to be cleaned . Yuck...the only thing that comes to mind is that wonderful song......'owww-wooooooooothatsmell...the smell that surrounds you......
I'm sure they will get it done soon enough. Well let's hope so anyway.
Well is it me, or am I nutts in thinking that our Mayor really needs a reality check?
That nutt ball said he really admires Mayor Daley of Chicago. hummmmm...so do I.
Daley has done wonders for Chicago.
So instead of taking anything worth while out of that meeting he comes home and decides to work on getting folks to visit New Orleans.
Yep. Forget about working on getting affordable houseing to bring our locals back.
Forget about getting more cops out there to do their jobs, or making sure they do for that fact.
Forget about making sure they as well as the fire department get's a raise...hummmmmmm...
Nope. He seems to be all about keeping the "Quarter" clean like Disney. Ha! what a laugh.
It has been working. The garbage pickups have been prompt and have seemed to be further and further apart...uhhhhhhhhh garbage.
owwwwwwwwwwwwowwwwwwwwwwwww...and we also have a new smell in the cleaning process as well. Mmmmmmmmmmmlemonyfresh....or Berry. I guess it shall depend on the day. Yawl will only be able to smell it when they clean the streets in the Quarter sometime around 6am. Ahhhhhhhhyes Progress....That is what the Mayor has given us....instead of what we really need.
What about the rest of the city that needs prompt pick-up? who know's, who cares?
As far as he is concearned, everyone only see's the Quarter right? so. He has been working on keeping that looking shiny and new.
In the meantime...we still have folks living in boxes on Canal street and along I-10's underpass, not to mention the one's you see sleeping in doorways of the Quarter. Guee I wonder how many folks are sleeping in gutted out homes in area's destroyed by the storm as well. Now you know nobody checks on them.
There really are no shelters for any of them to go to. I will admitt that some of them just perfer to sleep outside, but if they had too or wanted to there really is no place for them to go.
There still are homes that need to be fixed and some, well just knocked down and cleared.
Our levee's still need to be repaired. Oh by the way " thank you Army Corp of Eng. " for doing such a wonderful job, not to mention FEMA for all of their wonderful and timely help.
our politicians are still to busy pointing fingers on who's fault...who's responsibility etc...it is to get this city working.
Yep. That is our Mayor Mr. Wonka. The man who just admires Chicago Mayor Daley for all he has done for that city.
Hummmmmmmmmm....
Daley has a work program for kids during the summertime. Of course they have to be at least 15 with parental consent to qualify.
It puts the kids to work cleaning the streets and neighborhoods as well as school grounds etc.
They weed and cut down all overgrown grass on vacant property as well as pick up the garbage there. They clean up all the graffiti painted on public property. Man these kids work. They get a paycheck and pay taxes like an adult. It teaches them a valuable lession. Not too shabby for $7.00 hr, ha?
Daley also has a wellness/fitness program for his city police officers. They are offered $250.oo tax free bonus if they can pass a fitness test. It may not be much, but you would be surprised to see how many cops go for it. He also has them on bike patrol as well as foot patrol in high crime areas. Yep that has cut back on some of the problems.
He's big on "Green" and gives all landlords a brake on their taxes if they have a rooftop garden going, complete with grass flowers, small trees etc...man is that cool to see.
He's big on education and works with all the aids outreach/needle exchange programs that educate our young and old regarding stds and the dangers etc...
He supports the local food pantries and the drug exchange programs that go on, as well for folks who can not afford their medication.
He makes sure that all streets are lite up so that they are not dark and attract the wrong kind of folks. The city may not be crime free, but what place is? at least he try's. Maybe that is why he has been mayor of that city for such a long time. Ya think?
Yep, he also has check points to make sure folks buckle up and are not driving while intoxicated. Only he doesn't advertise it on t.v. like they do here. He will let them know that they are watching.
He supports his police department and does what he can to make sure they are taken care of as well as their fire department. He makes sure the ambulance service is in check as well.
There is a cap on the rental units too. There the landlords are only allowed by law to raise your rents $25-$50.00 a year. They also have to pay you interest on your deposits that you have given to your landlords, for as long as you live in that apartment or rental unit as long as the deposit is refundable. Which most of them are.
He also doesn't just concentrate on one part of the city. He takes care of the whole city and try's to do what he can to connect all neighborhoods as one and not as individual areas.
Too bad Mayor Willy Wonka didn't take any of that out of his meetings and visits to chicago and bring some of those things here for his fine chocolate city of New Orleans.
Man we could sure use that now, don't ya think?
We sure could use our levee's fixed too, not to mention our water system.
I tell you, there are just too many folks here that are worried sick regarding the state we are in that most want to just move. Some have already done so and other's are planing on doing so.
How sad that they have lost faith in such a beautiful city, leaving it to dry out and die because of one retard who doesn't know what he is doing.
I betcha they still don't have a good plan to get folks out if another storm happens.
I'm sure they all think it won't happen again, that it will be years before that happens again.
Heck not once have they thought that if we get a strong storm all that debris laying around town that folks don't see...because they only visit the Quarter....will be flying all over the place and cause even more damage.
Yep, we sure do have our hands full getting this place up and rockin' again.
We need more support of our local LASPCA as well. There are too many strays out there that need homes and help. So many animals abandon since the storm it is sad. Not to mention someone has been poisoning the poor babies, giving them anti-freez to drink. The cops out here won't do a thing regarding that or anything regarding animal cruilty. It sickens me.
They need to really watch this stuff. Man those folks who abuse animals are dangerous folks.
If they can do that to a helpless animal, just think of what they could do to you, your child, mother...brother...sister...father...friend or neighbor.
Folks need to speak up and say something.
Yawl need to report this stuff man. If you get no answere from the cops or the mayor...heck. Put them on the spot and call 6 on your side. They will go with their camera's and ask the questions you are too afraid to ask, they will go and investigate the situation. That goes for all of those bad contractors out there as well that are taking advantage of our folks here. Get their butts and hold them accountable for what they have done. Let's step up to the plate man and make some noise. Keep on them and Willy Wonka.
Keep him in mind the next time you vote and make it count. Really think about what it is this city needs to grow and prosper as well as your own safty and livelihood.
Ya this is a party town, we have the bars, the food, the entertainment...we have the local characters to go along with it.
We love to saunter about in our own way and enjoy life. We love to sip our sweet tea and drink our coffee. We love to eat, to laugh and just take it easy and go slow, and man we love our music. For us, Jazz fest is everyday.
That's our deal,we don't care if our clothes don't match.
If a boy kisses another boy or a girl kisses another girl.
If a man is dressed in drag....or what our neighbors sex life is...heck we just let it be and enjoy life. That doesn't mean we don't want to be safe, we don't want a good education for our children and ourselves...Man Mr. Mayor Nagin...wake up. Do something. Shit do what you are paid to do and be a Mayor of this city.
Push for an increase in pay for your folks so they can survive and keep up with the cost of living as well man.
Set up some type of scholarship programs for low income houseing and for education as well as programs that will help your city.
Don't be a fool man and let this place go all to hell.
If you want this city to grow, you want the tourists to come (and so do we...believe you me) we all do....step up dude and be a man. Be a Mayor and do your job! Think of your children and your family and friends. They count on you to do what is right. So do it man and stop pointing those fingers and just get it done man.
Stop with all this colour jargin, we are all one here.
We need to act like that and stop separating ourselves politically and racially. We need to work as one and help one another and not knock each other down just to get ahead. Man let's do this and make it work! let's see something wonderful happen again here, let's see our city come back bigger and better. Let's bring the soul back to New Orleans and stop all this pretending, covering up all the problems so the world doesn't see. We need to open up and just do it to it man.
Nagin if you can't handle the heat get the hell out of the fire dude.

On a high note...we did have christmas lights in Jackson square thanks to Ellen.
Sad though that they didn't have a big hoopla for her, for all her work and generosity.
You would think the Mayor would have met with her and given her the key to the city.
Nope, not Nagin. He was off on vacation. He seems to always be gone. Hummmmmm...I wonder if he's at Camp David with Bush ? Ya think?
Funny how folks got all upset when we were refered to as a " third world country".
I was just amazed that someone else realized what I had been thinking all along and happy to know I wasn't the only one. Man cool.
It's not our fault. Hell, we don't have good governors, senators, or very good public leaders for that matter...ya think?!
Our Mayor is too busy insulting places like Philli or Detroit...etc...just thinking he's better. That's all. What a joke.
Sorry folks, just can't seem to get off that subject for too long. I'll end here soon.
I think that for all of you folks who come here to visit.
Yawl should stop off and visit our Mr. Willi Wonka and ask him..."what's up man".
Just don't disregard us, don't crap on us, don't give us a hard time.
Just enjoy what we have to offer man and do it peacefully and with soul.
Please do remember that there are folks who do live in the quarter and respect us please.
We all are working, while you all are playing. So let us get some sleep while the other guy takes over for us please.
Don't destroy our property looking to take home some type of souvenir from New Orleans. Spend the money and help support this place you love to party at and well take care of you. You all know that.
Respect us and don't throw your trash all over the place man. Especially those cigarettes. Man don't you throw those lite things like they are harmless. The Quarter is too close nit man and it could start a fire and destroy the Quarter. Just make sure they are out dude. Step on them and check ok.
Some of our folks like to walk around bare foot, and not to mention our pet's that we walk. They sure don't need to step on a lite cigarette. I have nothing against them man. I smoke.
Just be responsible and enjoy our sweet southern comfort here....learn to saunter with us...yawl hear..
We have soul. Man ya gotta admit that.
Anyone who could live here deserves to be honored. So on that note...
Yep. I'm still waiting to hear if anyone has any updates on our water system.
Like...uhmmmmm will I beable to flush the toilet tomorrow? hummmmmm...
Why I just think I shall go and check it right now.
Well hey! here's an improvement that the Mayor has made. Now all homes in the Quarter must put their trash either in very strong black bags or pay for a garbage can from the city that is garbage truck compatable...heeheheeeeeeeee...yep. You guessed it, not everyone in the quarter who owns a home is happy about that one.
Especially my landlord. Man is she having a fit. Heeeheeeeee...little do folks realize that the garbage can's do cut back on some of the rodents.
They keep the place clean, and folks are more likly to put their trash in one if they see it is avaliable.
Sure beats seeing all those garbage bags that have been torn open by a dog, rat, cat, or just some vagrant looking for food, clothing or anything else they can use that has been thrown out.
Apparently they don't take that in to consideration and would rather see the garbage all over the place.
Hell I think it's great! I don't need to see what yawl have thrown out. Yuck.

There will also be a cool dig at the St. Louis Cathedral to see what bones etc are there in the garden as they re-create the garden back to it's original form. Cool.
Hummmmmmmmm wonder how many skelleton's they will find there...heeheehee.

City Park is coming along nicely, thanks to the locals and some volunteers. YES!
I just love that park. It truly is beautiful.

More people are coming to visit us...man that is good. We do need the business.
There are too many stores here in the quarter closing due to lack of buisness and funds.
I do so wish that more was being done in other areas as well.

I also think that all of the recent rash of suicides need to be added to Katrina.
Too many of them are because of this mess and all of the devistation.
So most of us are on anti-depressants and be glad for that. Otherwise we would all just go postal and well .... possibly riot right? yep.
we are fine...just a sittin' twiddling our thumbs, mixin' our gumbo.
Working to rebuild. Working to survive and to make it through the day without being mugged.
Helping and sharin' because of all the great help we get and have gotten from FEMA.
Oh by the way..we are still waiting for all that $$$ President Bush said we would be getting to help out our city.
Naaaaaaaa hell, I'm not upset with all the rotten contractors takin' advantage of folks who have lost everything and really screwing up their homes even more, or worst. Takin' the money and runing. Ya know, it's not all spanish workers or contractors either.
I know this city is broke. But what I don't get is why the hell don't they put a limit on the tickets they put on cars...ya know like three.
Raise each one by $10.00 for everytime they have to put another on the windshild because it has set there for days...weeks...months..or ya know maybe since the storm?!!!
Ok now if it has three tickets..ya know boot the damn thing and charge them not only for the three tickets, but the boot. If within a week and no response...tow the darn car and inpound it...shit then charge them for the whole shabang.
If it is not claimed let's say like in six months to a year...why not auction it off like they do with the stuff they take from drug dealers and put all that money back into the city.
Like towards Education, Healthcare, Uh...... Police and Fire protection...
Needle exchange programs, Mental healthcare....libraries....ya know. Rebuilding this city!
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhokI'm done now!!!
So I think it is time for all yawl to write to your local senators , politicians and yep...good ol' Georgieboy too.
Put some heat on them to do something. Man after all it is not just us locals that have been affected by the storm that are paying for all of this, but you as well. We are sorry about that, it wasn't our fault a natrual disaster decided to hit us as well as four other places.
So let's get this ball rollin' man and help out one another as a nation...ya think you all can handle that for a change? Just don't think for a second this couldn't be you.
Nobody is out of harms way, and everyone needs help at least once or twice in their lives...
ok...now you are excused and you shall go about this world and enjoy your day.
Much love & squishes to yawl...go in peace my dear ones...go in peace.