The Open Road

And then I went . . .

No one in front of me; no one behind me. Just the road, the open road. My mind empty for the first time in days. Windows down, wind blowing on my face, cd player blasting, and I went. Through twists, turns, curves, and straightaways. I went until I was almost lost but not quite. And then I turned around.

And then I went . . .

I found a new road and did the same thing. I went until I was almost lost but not quite. Still, my mind empty, the windows were down, the wind was blowing in my face, and the cd player was blasting. And I was almost cold but not quite. And my phone rang.

And then I went . . .

I met up with friends at a local bar. I listened to the band. I got a few drinks. I looked around wondering who all these new people were, knowing they're all the same. Even the people who think they're not the same as everyone else are the same. And I know I am too, but I need to find some character, someone to make me break away, someone who will show me who I really am. I started thinking. About everything. About nothing. About how no one understands, about how others understand, about guilt. Then it was time to go.

And I left. No one in front of me; no one behind me. Just me and the open road.

New Orleans Crime and the National Media

Ok, so I've been meaning to vent about this for a while now. I cannot stand how New Orleans is portrayed in the national media. Television, newspaper, what have you. Every time there is a murder in the city it is reported it is nationwide news.

This is the problem. New Orleans has always been a violent city. It has always been poor. There have always been murders. Do your research people - New Orleans was one of the national leaders in homicide before Hurricane Katrina. Instead of the local news showing a map with car wrecks, there is a map with murders.

While I don't condone these murders, it is something I came to accept while living in New Orleans. It's just the way it is. Homicide in New Orleans was never national newsworthy prior to Hurricane Katrina, so why is it now. Get over it people. New Orleans will remain corrupt. It will remain poor. It will remain homicide ridden. There was a slight hope that the city would change after the hurricane, but I must admit that I was slightly excited when I saw a homeless person the first time after I got back. Granted, it wasn't until December, and I got back to NOLA at Halloween. But it proved to me the city was coming back.

So - if you've never lived in New Orleans, stop freaking out about the crime in the city. If you've lived in New Orleans, you know what I'm talking about.

Missin' Nola like whoa

It's official; I'm living in Oxford. Notice I did not say Mississippi. Just like when I lived in New Orleans, I did not say I lived in Louisiana.

It's definitely weird moving to a brand new place. I still feel like I'm visiting. Very slowly I am unpacking. It's as if I don't unpack I can still leave. If I unpack, then I am here to stay. Don't get me wrong - I am excited to start school back. I am excited to meet new people. I am excited to start new things, but I am scared as well. Scared that I'm making the wrong decision. Scared that I came to the wrong place. Scared that I'm doing the wrong thing. Scared that I won't meet new people.

I know that's all impossible. I know that it was time to leave New Orleans. I know that I've only been here for three days and that obviously it will take longer to feel more comfortable. I know it all. It doesn't mean that I don't have irrational fears though.

I miss home. I miss normalcy. I miss my job where I did everything was underappreciated and underpaid. Whine, whine, whine. Ok, enough of that. I'm done whining - at least online. I do want a hug though.