Adios Fidel
Read an interesting article about who will succeed Fidel, and interestingly enough news of the day is Fidel went under the knife – the article had a photo of Raul beside Fidel’s on the front page. Cuba – what will become of her?
What will become of New Orleans? Inquiring minds want to know – I envision climbing out of the morass and a better day ahead. Let’s just get through this hurricane season. Was at the dentist this morning – he’s a cheerful man with a staff of good looking cheerful assistants – such a contrast to going to a dentist in California. My dentist Dr. Huey in San Francisco is terrific, but nary a word was exchanged when I sat in the chair. In Dr. M’s office, I learned the assistant’s daughter was off to a water park in Baton Rouge but the son didn’t go because he didn’t want to wear a bathing suit in front of the 14 year old girl who will be there, and that the dentist’s wife is going to lunch with her mother and sisters today but she always gets stressed when she’s around them. Who knew all the personal details one could glean while laying between two people engrossed in conversation and your mouth at the same time – typical New Orleans experience.
Great meeting with E last night – I’ve graduated to only twice a month – woo hoo! She said I tied N up in a knot and was able to circle back around to find closure with S. So she gave me an A plus and pushed me into therapy graduate school.
My favorite E saying is: Nirvana is loving who you are in a relationship.
Also I never realized how different the married world is from the single world. Cookie told me she doesn’t like dating newly divorced men because they want to act like they’re married – they have married habits – it was an interesting field observation. Last night, G said about a man she is interested in that she is glad he is one to two years out of his marriage and cited the same reasons. Hmmm.
Arlene had to stay at the vet last night because as he said “she’s a cheap date” and wasn’t coming out of her anesthesia fast enough. I couldn’t wait to get her this morning and I also picked up a prescription of doggie Xanax so she can have something for the thunderstorms. I almost came home with a kitten as well, but at the last minute decided not to – too much away time coming up to have a new kitten to adjust to us and our zany way of living amongst cardboard boxes.
Thought for the day:
And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious and great things. Rainer Maria Rilke.
August 2nd, 2006 at 2:49 pm
As a frequent subject is the state of the neighborhood…for those of you not already familiar with it…. http://www.unifiedneworleansplan.com….make your vote count…
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:12 am
I saw Schwartz was in town for this – are you here? or writing from NY?
August 3rd, 2006 at 6:16 am
still in NYC.
While I can understand your reaction…please note that every team except for one is collaborating with local firms and in many cases multiple local firms and individuals…the smart ones are doing all of their printing etc. locally to support businesses down there.
As you know, it is all in how you approach a problem.
The success of any neighborhood planning effort is obviously based on listening and responding to the community. The citizens are the experts on the needs of their neighborhood. One can only hope that whatever team you chose will have this philosophy.
I encourage everyone to vote for the team they think will collaborate with them the best. Check out what the teams wrote about their approach and decide for yourself. As with any public process, participation is the key to success.
I also think that many people confuse architecture and urban planning. Urban planning is not about building boxes. Good architecture is also not about simply building boxes. Joe and others taught me that.
On another note, I’d love to catch up and discuss this and other things in person someday either here or there….i’m also dying to see the LaLa…
August 11th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Think the best bet is for you to come here and stay at the LaLa when it is done – consider that an invitation. Even some local architects get caught up in designing and forget what people want – again should a person feel comfortable in their house or is it architecture’s duty to alter the structure to accommodate and entertain a new way of living. Hard to say. The LaLa is a hundred year old house with a modern sensibility and these days, you pay dearly for that.