Letters from N.O.

Letters from New Orleans

Back in 1997 I quit my job in NYC and moved to New Orleans to see if I could live there. I drove down there in December, stayed for 2 months, came back to CT for a month during Mardi Gras, then drove back down there again hoping to find work. I sent the letters below to friends during this period.

anything before this?

11/27/97

Hi y'all,

I'm practicing my Southern. Why? Because I'm gonna move to New Orleans. Or at least try. I've quit my job; last day is Wednesday 11/26. The second week of December I plan to drive down, stay in a B&B until I find a suitable furnished apartment. Then, if all works as planned, I find a job. I'll give it 2 months or so with a visit to Maine for Christmas. Once I get a semi-permanent address I'll let you, correction, y'all know*. If things don't work out, I return to my apt in Greenwich and look for more satisfying work in the suburban area.

So, wish me luck. I will miss all of you and hope you will look me up when you come to visit. You will visit, won't you? (There is even a contra dance!)

Cheers,

John L

12/10/97

To: Marty
Subject: Calling from New Orleans

Hello Mr Pepper,

Guess what? I'm in New Orleans. (Not so hard to guess is it?) I quit my job
and am down here looking for a furnished apartment and then a job. Is there anyone I should look up? I'll try Tulane to try to track down Pam & Amy. I see Andy Lang is on Gravier. (Didn't see Jewel listed but thought of them as I rode the streetcar past our/their old house.)

I'm staying at The Columns, a place with many memories for both of us (You grabbed me out of here one trip and of course your wedding reception.) I thought this place was renovated??? How come one light doesn't work, another is hanging loose in its fixture, they turned the water off for a little while as soon as I got settled, and my computer UPS says the wiring is improper? Hey I love this place but what is it's problem? (It's got a great exterior and looks great inside.) Maybe I'm being too harsh. Relax. Enjoy it. (This is just like the B&B I stayed at for the Tulane reunion. Lots of little things that need work. Sigh)

Anyway, thought you'd enjoy this news. It's great to be here. Went to Camellia Grill first thing. Looks kinda sloppy but it was 4 in the afternoon rather than 1 in the morning. Harry is still there but haven't seen him yet. I'm sure he won't have a clue who I am. WIll let you know how he is.

Vootie.

John L

Date: 12/13/97
Subj: Got a new home

Hi all (Still haven't got the y'all thing going yet)
I am now in a furnished apt. Swimming pool out front, lovely fragrant plants everywhere although muted by the cold (barely above freezing here since Thursday.), one or two blocks away from where exactly 20 years ago I homesteaded in-between trips to Canada. The Prytania (movie) Theater is still there despite rumors of its demise. There are lots of shops within walking distance so that should be nice. I'm 2 blocks from the streetcar. Can't park my car off the street which is too bad but otherwise it is a very safe neighborhood.

I'm pleased that this is an nice place, I've nice landlords and that it only took me a day to find it (furnished rentals in town are scarce, more available out in the suburban sprawl of Metairie which might as well be anywhere and hideously ugly at that.) This weekend I relax and enjoy the cold weather (Hey, I could do that up there.) Next week I start in on looking for work.

That's all for now. Hope all is well with you all. (I'm getting there.)

John L

PS As for visiting, well this place is about as big as my house in CT
(correction: bigger 370 sq ft not including the bathroom.) It does have a day bed (and a waterbed!) but no privacy if you want it. Yes, the bathroom has a door. So I welcome visitors but recommend they come after I get settled in a real apt. I'm aiming for a 2 bedroom w/ lots more space, which are plentiful and cheap! I'm here til Feb 6th. Will let you know where to next.

The address, if you wanna write, is XXXX Perrier St, New Orleans, LA 70115. Phone number (504) 891-XXXX.

Cheers.

***

Date: 12/16
Subj: Cutting the grass in December

My next door neighbor just cut his grass and it is the most wonderful smell. Someone should bottle it and sell it. That and the other smells, unknown by name to me, that make this city so intoxicating. Weird to be in December and have people cutting their grass. (got up to 50 something today, sunny for a change, going down to the 30's or 40's tonight.) Smells like late summer when it's cool in the air.

***

Date: 12/22
Subj: First humidity alert

This is an update from New Orleans.

Today at approximately 4:30 pm the first sign of omnipresent, omnipotent humidity became evident. Paper in the printer has become limp. Curling around the edges.

I suspect it will increase, slowly, until it reaches it's peak with
condensation on the walls sometime in June/July/August.

Kinda like one way you can boil a lobster.

However, until then, I happily remain your observer in New Orleans,

John L

***

Date: 12/30/97
Subj: My first... "six legged roommate"

Well, I knew it had to come sometime. Unfortunately it came sooner than later.

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, no it was a dark and stormy morning. Raining sheets. I'm getting ready to leave for Maine. I notice two what must be leaves on the floor under my table. I reach down to pick them up and and then I reconsider; they're looking more like, oh, something you might step on left by a dog. I get down on my hands and knees and inspect more closely.

It was a roach. Yes, my first New Orleans cockroach. Dead. I must have stepped on it totally unaware. What are the odds that you just happen to step on a roach? Anyway there it was. Your average sized N.O. roach, about 2" or so. Must have been trying to escape the torrents outside.

So, the ice has been broken, so to speak.

Don't worry I won't keep reporting every(thing/roach) I see . But this is a milestone. From now on, they all get the rolled up newspaper welcome. This means war!

Hope you all had lovely holidays. Best wishes for '98.

Cheers,

John L

PS Does anyone have any advice on how to keep one of those "virtual pets" (in my case a dinosaur, aka Tamaguchi) alive for more than one day? I feed it, play with it, clean up after it but still it dies. Any hints?

***

Date:: 12/18/97
Subj: 71

71 degrees yesterday.

That's all I've got to say.

***

Date: 1/3/98
Subj: Update from New Orleans

Hi all,

Today's news includes:

Winter is over!
Falling bullets
Train whistles

It may be a little premature but I think winter is over here. The forecast is for lows in the 50's and highs in the 70's for the next couple of days. I don't think we are in for any more 30 degree days like December. So, while there may be more colder days ahead I think the worst is over.

Smelled a new flower in the air today; couldn't tell you what it is. I need to find out what all the delicious smells are around here. Found out one: the Tea Olive. I guess they are bushes and are fragrant from Oct to April?. A local perfume shop in the Quarter sells the scents of NO, including vetivert (that's a new one) and Magnolia. Sampled them but I think I'll stick to finding out what the plants are and surrounding myself with them.

Saw a New Year's jazz parade featuring the New Wave Brass Band in the quarter today. Beautiful day.

As for New Years, I avoided the festivities in order to avoid the "falling bullets". Did hear plenty of fireworks, or were those guns going off? Apparently in previous years, people have been injured and one died from falling bullets! This year there was only one injury and that was someone who had their hands covering their head anyway!!

On a more positive note: I can hear, from my apartment, a lonesome train whistle (you can also hear boats on the river) every once and a awhile. Perfect!

That's all for now,

Your nose, and ears, in New Orleans,

John L

***

Date: Fri, Jan 9, 1998
Subj: This week in NO, 1/4 - 1/9

Hello all,

Well let's see what's new: (I keep thinking I'll run out of stuff soon.) And please don't feel bad if you want to stop getting these. Just let me know & I'll take you off my "list." No hard feelings. Otherwise, do you like this as a "digest" or whenever-the-mood-strikes-me more-or-less daily reports?

In this issue:
A/C already?
More roaches
What's on TV
Comics
The state of radio
Corn Toasties
Thunderstorms

A/C
The a/c has come on already (Mon 1/5/98). Too soon for my taste and on top of some real wet weather so I'm soaked and cold...

Cockroaches
Another cockroach has mysteriously up and died all by itself, legs up on the carpet. I guess this is a good thing but why is it happening? They don't like my music?

What's on TV
Something I'm sure you're all dying to know: What's on TV? Well, we have a good selection of enthusiastic gospel preachers and plenty of home shopping channels to choose from but my favorite is the NASA channel. At odd times in the night you'll see shots of Earth from the shuttle just like 2001 (you have to provide the music though; haven't tried Strauss yet.) But this is one benefit of your taxes: seeing space as the astronauts did.

Local music programming can be good too. There is usually one music show/night with 3 or 4 bands, mostly unknown to me, doing their groove thang or jazz or cajun/zydeco. Some of it is exported but probably not to your area, alas.

Cartoons
Thank God we get: "Life in Hell" (*1). I was surprised to see that The Times-Picayune (the only daily) runs "Zippy the Pinhead"! in the Sunday papers! Bunny Mathews, a great local cartoonist since my college days stills runs his "Vic & Nat'ly" strip. His "yats"(*2) are the true heart of NO to me. I do miss The NY Press's gamut including Kaz and The Carol Lay Story Minute though.
(*1 - Yes I am in paradise but I love the comic.)
(*2 - From "where you at you mother", the popular greeting.)

The state of radio:
Sorry. 3 listenable stations:
WTUL the Tulane student run station, a lot of "punk/alternative" or whatever it's called, some good variety, mumbly/slurry DJs
WWOZ: run by the Jazz Fest Foundation, too much jazz for my taste, mumbly but friendly DJs.
WWNO: a NPR station, has Prairie Home Companion but is otherwise classical. Also has Thistle & Shamrock. Professional but classical DJs.

My main complaint is that the DJs are so bad. At WWOZ, like "community radio" elsewhere, the DJs are not professionals and they sound like it. Hard to understand, not very interesting, ... The music is so-so, some good some bad, too much NO if you ask me. Need more input from the outside world. Same goes for TUL: they sound the same as when I was going there (one DJ is still there!) Slurred speech, mumbling, poor diction. Hey, there are people listening! You don't have to be an elocution master but it would be nice to understand what they say. That they are interesting is up to them.

Wish me luck in trying to get a job in radio...

Corn Toasties:
Corn Toasties: You'll be happy to hear, I'm sure, that I have found something close to my favorite breakfast food*, Thomas's Corn Toast-R-Cakes (aka corn toasties) down here. Howard Johnson's (yech) actually has a product called "Corn Toasties". They' re not quite "like you get at home" (they're frozen) but edible. I am now completely at home here. Ahhhh. Life is complete. (Well true, I still need a job, a place to move into... but everything else is great!)

(* When I say favorite, I mean I eat them every day except Sunday. How's that for a habit?)

Thunderstorms
Been real wet here lately. Got 3-4" of rain Monday, nice ponds (unless you're trying to drive) up and down all the streets afterwards. But during, you get these long rumblings that I only associated with summer thunderstorms. Here you get them all year long! Who knows how far away they are but the thunder seems to roll forever. (Well, ok, poetic license there.)

Contra dance tomorrow...first pollen on cars noticed, otherwise cars stay amazingly clean here....colder this week, winter is not over (down to the 40's at night, 60's days...)

Guess who?

Yeah, you right,

***

Date: Sat, Jan 17, 1998 11:21 PM EDT
Subj: The next update 1/10 - 1/16

New, this week...

Canoe in the swimming pool
Have some new neighbors. They moved in Monday during the 3 days of rain. Conveniently they also brought with them a two man canoe that for now is sitting in the swimming pool outside my door. So, if it rains any more, they're set. Looks great too.

Before the dance, cooking the car
Got into the car before the dance Saturday. Saw condensation all over the windows. Thought it was outside. It wasnít. Apparently, with all the rain weíve had, the car was still drying out inside. (Inside you ask? Well, from shaking the rain off myself as I got in and letting my umbrella rest on the floor, it added up.) And the smell? Well you know how air conditioning smells after you use it for awhile? Multiply that by 10 and add the accident the cat had a few years back that I cleaned up pretty well, I thought. Not a pretty picture.

After the dance (1/10)
The contra dance was a lot better than the last two. 40- 50 medium dancers, good dances. Saw some familiar faces. Mianus: remember Alison's wedding? Of course you do. Remember the band? Well, someone in the band was at the dance tonight, Lydia Ievins. Used to live with Cindy Dill in Rochester! (So we must have ftg of her, I think she played fiddle? She wears her hair real short these days, can't say about then.) How about that for a small world. But I'm not done. Also ran into a Court Square (Garland) dancer (sorry, can't remember her name but is nice; looks like someone at Mystic.... Both were in town for a ALA convention (librarians!)
Next dance is two weeks from now; looks like they're gearing up!

Jargon/Lingo alert (trend?)
If something is really good here, musically, it's "smokin'". So does this mean "cool" is on it's way out? Is this only a regionalism? Is the pendulum swinging: cool to hot, bad (meaning good) to good (meaning good) ? You heard it here first.

Names I like
Having too much time on my hands, with the rain and the phone knocked out, I set about collecting interesting street/other names from around here:

Abundance St, Alcee Fortier Blvd, Allo Av, Almonaster, Annunciation, Arabella, Arabi, Algiers, Asteroid Dr, Bacchus St, Barataria Blvd, Bayou Teche, Betty (St?), Cadiz, Chopin, Cocos Plumosas (what the heck is a coco plumosa?), Constantinople, Crozat, Cupid, D'Amour (how'd you like to live on D'Amour St?), Daneel, Dante, Delachaise, Delacroix, Derbigny, Doot Av (I swear), Dublin, Dufossat, Eads, Echezeaux (askew?), Elysian Fields, Erato, Euterpe, Felicity, Flake Av, Flossmoor Dr, Friar Tuck, Good Children Dr, Goodnews Av, Hackberry, Harmony, Heebe (I swear), Homer, Hooter Rd, Irish Bend Rd, Japonica, Jimmie Dean Dr (sausage?), Joy Av, Judge Perez Dr, Judiciary, Lafourche, Lafreniere (sp?), Lac Des Allemandes, Lonely Oaks Dr, Louis Prima Ct, Marigny, Mary Poppins (yech, these new developements), Melpomene, No St (no Yes St.), Orbit Ct (ok, some developements are cool), Perdido, Piety, Polymnia, Powahatan (any relation to the Manhatans?), Prytania, Puppy (I swear to God again, don't know if it's a street, "place" or what), and not far away... Rabbits! But my favorite discovery has to be, are you ready... Rick's Place! It is an honest to God street, well "place" actually, River Rd of course. Roman St, Romulus, Runnymeade, Rye St (!), Samovar, Sardonyx (actual spelling!), one of my favorites from the past: Tchopitoulas (pronounced Chop-it-tool-las), Tecumsah, Telemachus, Terpischore, Thirba St (James?), Toledano, Tonti, Virtu!, Westwego, runner up for most absurd: Wholesalers Pkwy, Wiltz.

Most of those are street names. Other town names nearby include: Harvey (how'd you like to live in Harvey), Terrytown, Kenner, Chalmette, Harahan, Luling, Destrahan, Norco..., not to mention all the great names outside of the metropolitan area. OK I can't resist a few... Houma, Thibodaux, Pass Christian, Bay St Louis, Golden Meadow, Pontchatoula, Sorrento (Maine's has one r, right?), Plaquemine, New Iberia, Bunkie, Pointe a la Hache, Atchafalya River/Bay, (there's even a Transylvania, LA!)

And while we're on the subject of names how about these:
The Funky Butt (a club), Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar, Tujagues (restaurant), Hummingbird Bar & Grill (dive), Mark Twain's Pizza Landing (how about that for tacky?), Bozo's (restaurant).
Band names next time.

The phone was out for 2 days. It was accidentally cut this Thursday. This is like having no electricity. Well, maybe not that bad, especially in light of the storms up North. But to be out of communication... (can't get my e-mail.)

Friday: what seems to be the first day of sun in 2 weeks with all the rain we've been having. 60 degrees too!

Cheers all,

John L

***

Date: Fri, Jan 23, 1998
Subj: Update 1/17 - 1/23

Job front
Not exactly a great job market down here, much less one for music/audiotape/videotape librarians, sigh. I have a few prospects: The Historic New Orleans Collection has a large jazz archive that I am being considered for, there is the possibility of some freelance work but with only 1 client I am not sure I can find others, have been striking out elsewhere. Have 2 more weeks but it doesn't look good. May have a job offer in Winston-Salem NC w/ a large film library (NC School for the Arts). Will check it out on the way back (have to be out of this apt Feb 6).

Some jobs I didn't take include: Bailiff, caretaker for beef cattle ranch, convention badge checker (I think I should have taken this one. NATPE is in town; the National Association of TV Program Executives), Horse farm in Folsom needs someone to clean out stalls, deputy sheriff (I swear to God), facility manager for wharf, coffee roasting trainee, cash service clerk with Federal Reserve Bank (me & math don't get along that well, plus must be able to lift 50 lb bags...), Yo Yo demonstrator - no experience required, donut cutter - experienced only!

Odds and ends
...Have noticed that many cashiers hold bills up to the light, must have a counterfeit money problem here...opened the window for a little while Sat. It's a nice 60 or so. That night I've got a nice 2" orange-ish spider walking around, a baby fly and some other flying creature. Otherwise this apt has been sterile (excluding the 2 dead r...)...the canoe is gone...from the real estate section talking about buying a house "Uptown" (where I want to live): "cute little cottages can be had for as little as $35,000". This is why I've got to live here! Not that I'm in the market to buy yet but you almost can't afford not to buy at those rates. What the heck, buy two!... BBQ (beef or pork). NO is not known for it but you can get it in the supermarket. Smells great, tastes great, makes me glad I'm alive....The phone and now the cable are knocked out. This is the 5th or 6th time I've been without a phone in 2 months. At least the power hasn't gone out yet.... Politics NO style (besides the usual corruption): Someone running for mayor. Their platform?: "more sincere city government". The current mayor is expected to win by the biggest landslide ever. I've got nothing against more sincere govt. I just marvel at the concept...18 inches of rain this month! Yikes.

Band/Musician Names
These are like anywhere I guess and mostly mundane but some standouts are: Better than Ezra, Royal Fingerbowl, Neslort (uh oh), Troubadours of Divine Bliss, Won Ton Lust and the Creatures of Habit, The Rubber Maids, Hip Pope Otomus (uh huh), Amy & the Hank Sinatras, Leo Nocentelli w/ Zigaboo Modeliste (one of my favorites), Coolie Stumps, Los Babies del Merengue, Coco Robicheaux & the Perspirators, The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra (another one of my favorites, been around since my college days), Cookie & the Cupcakes, and my favorite (name at least) Wardell Quezergue.

So, that's the news from NO this week. Contra dance tomorrow night. Job hunt gets serious next week.

See you later,

John L

***

Date: Fri, Jan 30, 1998
Subj: Update 1/24 - 1/30

Well let's see.

Contra dance Sat 1/25.
"Eh" sort of sums it up. Linoleum floor. Good band - New England style for a change, good caller, mostly beginners and most of the time teaching, Petronella got the heat up but otherwise pretty tame. It looks like it will be a bi-monthly dance though, which is good.

Last stab at job prospects...
My philosophy for the next 2 weeks. I'll probably end up in a job that I'm not wild about in NY so why not get that same job down here? Though at this point I am admitting defeat...

My resume is out there so if something comes up, great.

Put 2 ads in the local "arts" paper; one under "Positions Wanted" and one under "Services". And I got a call the first day it ran! From someone looking for work. So while I am glad it got results, I am hoping for better.

Another job I didn't take:
Mosquito control inspector: rigorous field work locating and controlling insects (making them jump through hoops?, hitting w/ fly swatter?) Sounds like fun!

Things I'll miss if/when I go back North:
BBQ (might have in supermarkets), tea olive bushes, 60 degree day/40-something degree night winters, streetcars, gorgeous Victorian houses w/ gingerbread,

Things I won't miss:
pot holed washboard streets!, fear of crime/going out at night, small town/old boy network - it's who you know...

1/27
A sunny day! Went down to the river, never seen it so high and fast. Should be interesting later when the snow melts up North.

1/29
Another nice sunny day. I am writing at the computer, window open, a little cool out but nice. No fragrance to speak of but occasional early spring smells and wet earth. Hear lawn people hacking away w/ power tools not too far away. Have heard 2 birds I don't hear up North. Won't attempt to describe them in writing.

Have heard Dr John's: Walk on Gilded Splinters at least once a week here. Geez, don't they get tired of it? (PS I always thought Coco Robicheaux was a woman, one of his backup singers; lately there seems to be evidence he is a man...does he play sax?)

Put your requests in now for what you want me to bring back for you: music, food, tacky Bourbon Street T-shirts, you name it. (No, I will not (intentionally) bring back any roaches!)

Seen in the paper: Class action for illegal parking meter rates. send money to: P.I.S.T., People Incensed with Stupid Tickets. I know how they feel. Brought to you by the same people who are campaigning for "more compassionate government."

Off to see the Tibetan monks tonight night at church! Should be great.

See you in CT about the 10,11,or 12th unless something drastic happens here i.e. I get a job!

John L

***

Date: Thu, Feb 5, 1998
Subj: Update 1/30 - 2/6

From "You've Got a Friend in New Orleans: a John Goodman promo on TV: "New Orleans isn't part of the United States. It's more like, say, Northern Costa Rica."

Well it's my last week here. I plan to enjoy it. Whooped it up on Bourbon St. last night. Dinner at Patout's (Cajun) w/ The Recycled Cajuns playing, and then Brave Combo at the House of Blues (a great show. Things like a heavy metal version of the Hokie Pokie, lots of polka music played by a frenetic rock & roll band, real tight band, great ideas done well, some real humor in their music, nothing serious. great show.) Saw Mayor Mark Morial earlier working the crowd; the election is on Saturday. Tonight a few beers w/ my landlord and tomorrow I go.

Tibetan Monk performance Sat 1/31 review
The monks were great. Especially liked the Anne Rice refugees sitting next to me. People here go the whole nine yards and dress up like in Interview w/ the Vampire. These were sorta punk vampires though, the woman had silver streaks in her hair and the guy looked like he had just finished sucking some blood somewhere, wild eyes on the both of them. Their daughter tried to look normal in her bright red dress but I suspect otherwise.

Anyway, musically the monks were an eye opener. I'd heard the music before but never seen it live. All low trumpets, high trumpets and crashing symbols. Very nice. They are trying to raise money since they have been evicted from Tibet. Very touching.

2/2/98
Someone calls, responding to an ad I put in for Music Librarian available, wanting me to organize his 10,000 cassettes (of New Orleans music) over the past 15 years! I am guessing he is not affiliated with any company so I wonder if he can afford to spend what it will take to get this done. Only talked very preliminarily. He hasn't called back and I don't have his number so it doesn't look like it will pan out. It is encouraging though.

My return
At this point I am going back to CT for about a month. Mardi Gras is not a good time to look for work, rents double and I have some stuff to do back home. But, I plan to return, not exactly sure when, and spend 2 more months trying. Things are beginning to be a little more encouraging here but Mardi Gras will put a crimp in that. So, sometime in March I will return, hopefully to the same place.

After Feb 6, you can reach me at home, lipwak@poboxes.com (give me a couple of days to drive home) Will be real glad to get off AOL and have web access again. My good ole SE has held up real well though, no crashes!

For those in CT, I'll see you possibly Monday night for practice? more likely Round Hill (arriving 2/9 or 2/10 I guess). Looking forward to seeing everyone.

(those on this list, I'll keep in touch.)

So this is the last note until I get to CT. See you later.
And thanks for sending all the nice notes of encouragement. It's been appreciated. As much as I love NO, I don't know anyone here. It's always been nice to hear from you.

Thanks.

John L

***

Date: Wed, Mar 4, 1998
Subj: Update up to 3/4

Hi all,

Here we go again. I'm going down for round two. Here's the countdown to New Orleans.

CT
2/15
Crocuses seen sticking up out of the ground. That's the first sign of spring around here. Also can hear some birds; it seems a bit early for spring but I'll take it any day.

2/19
Got a letter from WWOZ saying they want me in for an interview for the operations assistant position! Great. Except that they wanted me in on the 16th. (The mail was forwarded up from NO...) So I called them and will speak next Monday.

Oh boy. This is the lead I've been waiting for!!!!

WWOZ is the radio station of the Jazz Festival, the Foundation behind it really. They play lots of jazz which I'm not wild about but an equal amount of NO music/R&B, and less cajun/zydeco (should be more I think). All volunteer DJs, small staff, 6 or so. Offices on the edge of the quarter, a little dicey neighborhood-wise but we'll see, across from Louis Armstrong Park (ex-Storyville). Listen in on the net (wwoz.org, 28.8 modem needed)

2/20
Daffodils? starting to stick up...

2/21
Crocuses should start to bloom tomorrow...

2/22
Yep, the crocuses are out in full force.

2/24
Red maple buds

2/26
Forsythia buds beginning.

3/2
Peepers (tree frogs)! It's a cool 50' out but they're singing away. Might even snow later this week.

I got through to WWOZ (they didn't answer the phone the whole week of Mardi Gras, hmmm...) and they are still interviewing for the Operations Assistant so I'm psyched. I'll drive down this Thursday, interview next Monday. Will stay at the same address, same phone number as before. Have some other leads: The Historic New Orleans Collection may be ready to hire by now, and I am pleased that my ad for freelance work got any results so there is a much better chance of things working out this time. Fingers are crossed.

So, next stop, New Orleans. See you then.

John L

***

(Missing 3/4-3/13)

***

Date: Fri, Mar 20, 1998 9:40 PM EDT
Subj: Update 3/14 - 3/20

News from New Orleans

3/14
Contra dance tonight...Nothing to write home about so I won't.

News about the cat: He came by last night. Meowed but I didn't let him in (well only for a little bit just to check that he was fed). It was in the 40's last night so he was happier (less unhappy). Bought him a flea collar today and wrote a note that I attached to it, asking the owner (I assume there is one) to take better care of this guy. Mission accomplished. Now we see what happens.

I hope I don't become the "stray cat man of Uptown". How would you deal with this? (Marie?)

3/16
Something very close to Jasmine is in the air these days...

Out and about today. Cemetery tour as part of the Tennessee Williams Festival. St Louis Cemetery #1 immortalized (ha!) in Easy Rider, Marie Laveau's tomb and right next to it, relatively recent mayor Dutch Morial's (hmmm?), all on the edge of one of the most dangerous housing projects and the Quarter. A beautiful day, 75 or so sunny and really spring-like. Then to the STELLLLLAAAAAA! contest. It turns out that you had to be signed up ahead of time. I was thinking of working up the nerve to try one approach, real soft, perhaps "Oh Stella, Could you come down here for a minute?" Others took the more standard approach, loud. A couple of method actors went through the whole routine ahead of the actual lines, shrugging shoulders, working the crowd. Ended up with three good finalists. Now having seen the play I better realize how it should be done: almost to tears. Will have to see the movie now. Love the line: 'Like one of those late afternoons in New Orleans when an hour turns into (an?) eternity'... Very fitting. The crowd chuckled at some of the other hometown references. Plenty of clichés to go around: I am always pleased to take the kindness of strangers. (more or less as I remember it)... I say Ha. Ha Ha Ha... Do you ride that streetcar named Desire?...

Came home about midnight and that cat was sitting on my doorstep. I wonder why he comes out only at night? Flea collar and message untouched. Seems to be fed though...

3/17
Volunteered at WWOZ; they're having their spring pledge drive. The place is real small (those of you who know my previous living conditions know I end up in small places...), on the edge of a real skeezy neighborhood, but the people are real nice, very enthusiastic about the format. I still don't know how I'll fit in but will get my interview soon I hope.

St Patrick's Day passed without so much as one Irish reference. Others though put on the silly green hats and got drunk, as I see in the papers. There were parades (what else?) the previous week. and St Joseph's Day (3/19) is a big deal; everyone goes around to various alters and eats (what else?).

3/18
Volunteered again. Two callers I handled: one was the publisher of THE "arts" paper, Gambit. The other was someone I had bugged with a couple of letters looking for work; he never responded. I couldn't exactly identify myself since I am looking for work at WWOZ as well but he seemed like a nice guy so I can call him and really put him on the spot later.

It's been great to give it a trial run. I get to sample my reactions to it and should I be offered the job, know what I am getting into. But have to wait until next week to get the interview.

3/20
Happy Spring everyone! Supposed to be spring today (or is it tomorrow? You would think a Morris dancer would know...), vernal equinox and all but I'm walking around with a sweater indoors and it's 50 something out there. (Great full moon last night.)

So, that's all for this week. Not a great week but some progress.

See you next time. Keep those cards and letters coming in folks, euphemistically speaking. Love to hear from you.

John L

***

Date: Fri, Mar 27, 1998 8:09 PM EDT
Subj: Update 3/21 - 3/27

Hi all,

It's that time again. News of the day from you know where.

3/21
Is it spring yet?

Saw a small Monarch butterfly flapping his wings on the ground. Warming up in the 50' sun? Also saw a bigger lime green butterfly for a fraction of a second.

3/25
With plenty of time on my hands waiting for people to call back..., I've noticed that my little astronomy program tells me that with the exception of Uranus & Pluto, which are below the horizon at this point, most of the planets seem to be more or less in line. I will accept that as the reason I am not getting anywhere here.

Otherwise it is beautiful. 75 or so, sunny, not very fragrant but an occasional whiff of something sweet when needed. Has been like this for a couple of days now. Encouraging.

Name that cat! Am now taking nominations (!) for this here adopted cat. Marie thinks it is a she. I think it is perhaps a Siamese, perhaps Persian. It/she (may even be a he?) is tortoise shell colored. Comes by around 9pm or so. Stays all night and lately as much of the day as I will let him/her/it. Goes somewhere else to eat, never hungry here. Good at keeping bugs on their toes (Ech). Any names come to mind? Would love to hear a wide sampling. Winner gets the cat, must pick up cat in New Orleans (only kidding). Stella? I don't know if I'll yell quite like that for her/him/it. I'm not a Stanley, am I? (I do like Stella though)

3/26
81' today!

For some reason (?) there is a shovel and an axe at the bottom of the swimming pool. A statement of art? Frustrated gardeners? Go figure.

Went to a Renaissance Cadienne participatory performance of old Cajun dances. Mostly like square dancing, had some contemporary cajun moves but the most interesting was the hey that continued on until you had passed your original place 3 times & a comment from my partner: "I think the turn works better if you are on the correct foot", (as we were processing). I ask what is the correct foot? She says: "The other one." Kinda sums it up. (Am missing English Country immensely.)

3/27
Give us today our monthly roach: Putting on my shoes on this morning saw a 1-1/2, 2"-er right next to one of them. Since they don't spray here it must be the Roach-Pruff they put in the walls. You fill up your walls with it and you're set for life. I guess once a month, twitching on the floor is better than randomly running around quite alive.

On the job front
Getting nowhere. Getting frustrated, Feeling like picking up and moving back. Why wait another month? There are no jobs. Lovely place, great housing, birds singing, sweet fragrances in the air but absolutely no encouragement on the job front. How do people do it?

Yes, it is spring
There is so much pollen in the air, my car, normally red, is green. Have to turn the windshield wipers on to blow off the dust. Great!

75 or so today. Lovely. I hear NY is about that nice too!

Am debating: go for free oysters from 7-10 pm and see Amy & the Hank Sinatras? (Will be loud). On schedule for this weekend: 2 street festivals nearby tomorrow, contra dance tomorrow night, Dog Day Afternoon Sunday w/ not-so-stupid pet tricks.

OK, off for now. Will let you know if I stick it out. May be back in CT next week???

Cheers,

John L

***

Date: Thu, Apr 2, 1998 4:20 PM EDT
Subj: Update 3/28 - 4/2

So, if it's so nice up North, what am I doing here? I'll bet you don't have the 90% humidity yet that makes it all worthwhile, do you? It's like summer here.

3/27-8
Went to Le Bon Temps Roule (one of many spellings), had a dozen raw oysters (free!), saw Amy & The Hank Sinatras, had fun. This place is like a juke joint, a Louisiana roadhouse, blues on the jukebox and swing dancing galore, bikers and dressed-up society girls. Ears are ringing, I must have had fun...

Favorite junk e-mail subject in a long time: "Happy Easter, get in shape now!!!"

3/28
2 street festivals, both close enough to walk to. The Freret St. Fest was in an old neighborhood I used to pass through going downtown from Tulane (on the Freret Jet aka the Vomit Comet (the bus)). Kinda on hard times now. Had a band at one end and all kinds of junk along the way. The other, at Napoleon & Magazine, was sponsored by the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, one of the things they do with the profits from the jazz festival. Both were too loud for me (what a wimp!). Walked back home and put on the a/c for the first time. Yeah!

Contra dance tonight (I buy the cookies & juice, whoopee) in yet another location. A linoleum floor, but a nice linoleum floor. Band is the Bumble Bees, from Baton Rouge, an hour away. Low turnout (about 25-30), lots of beginners and glacially slow for the most part. The last hour or so were hard core better dancers and got to be fun. Have 3 gallons of drinks leftover and most of the cookies, lucky me.

Cat came by but didn't stay. Was a good night to just sit on the front steps and enjoy the warm night.

3/29
Dog Day Afternoon, really. Dog tricks and stuff at Audubon Park. A beautiful day.

3/30
Next favorite junk e-mail title: BANKRUPT OSTRICH FARMER EARNS $100,000.... They've been getting good lately.

3/31
Had an interview at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). But first - today's winning junk e-mail. it just starts out: "I CHALLENGE YOU..... To find a Plant Derived Liquid Mineral Product of Greater Quality, Concentration, and Value anywhere in America!" Who thinks up these things anyway?

Anyway, I had an interview today. For "Assistant Registrar for Library Materials" (how about that for a title!) as well as "Technical Processor." Two nice people but I am afraid it is a very conservative organization; a private collection, has some great stuff, not much music relatively speaking but some great photographs, neat maps of early LA history, and I suppose all kinds of manuscripts, paintings, etc. I am not sure this is for me but it is an encouraging note.

4/2
Well, I have made the decision to pack it up and head home. While The HNOC job was encouraging, there wasn't much else, housing wasn't as plentiful as I hoped it would be and I am just getting tired of being unemployed - don't want to wait another month to see what happens. So, I should be back in CT on Sunday, sans cat. Bringing him/her/it back to my small house with one cat already as well as the logistics of trying to bring a cat carrier in my stuffed car and getting preventive shots made that decision. He/she/it was fine before I met her (We think it is a her); should be fine after (and even has a flea collar now.) So it is sad but not too unfortunate.

See you all Monday, Morris people!