My Shrinking Universe

I've heard of people born in New York City who never leave. Not once in all of their lives. Not even for vacation. They feel that anything worth seeing, doing, or having can be found right where they are. In some cases I'm sure that neurosis is part of the equation but, on the bright side, they never require a ride to or from the airport and they certainly don't need a driver's license or a car. I'm becoming one of those people.

When I moved to New Orleans 8 years ago, it was into an apartment in an area called Mid City. Close enough to the French Quarter but not quite there. I loved the neighborhood and the oak covered street. Had a great apartment and landlady. During the first year I had a car, but after finishing massage school sold it because I couldn't justify the expense when there were other modes of transportation available to me. I bought myself a bike and also travelled by bus. Public transportation was new to me, everyone owned a car where I came from, but the bus was definitely interesting and a great place to people-watch and listen. I stayed in Mid City for about six and a half years and then moved to Treme'. Closer to the French Quarter, but still not quite there. Now, I live in the French Quarter. I am there.

My radius of travel has dwindled considerably. Years ago I had a friend who lived in the Quarter and I used to marvel at the fact that he would hardly ever leave. His job was a half block from his apartment and the only other places that he visited were the A&P on the next block for groceries, the Walgreens, and his neighborhood bar which was also about a block away. I get that now. My job is only blocks from my door and pretty much everything I need is here (groceries, coffee shops, movie theater, booze, music). I also like to go to the Marigny to hear music or have dinner on Frenchmen St. but other than that I don't have much reason to leave my little world. I try to visit my family in NJ once a year but after a day or so into the trip I get antsy and want to be back in New Orleans. I don't know what it is about this city that captivates me but I'm definitely home.

I'm going to make an effort to visit other parts of the city and experience new things so that I don't start to feel stagnant and develop phobias about stepping outside of the borders of the Quarter. (Uptown already seems like a foreign country to me.) To that end, this past Friday evening we crossed Canal St. and went over to Dino's Bar & Grill to hear Margie Perez sing. She sounded great and it wasn't a bad little bar. Their waffle fries were awesome and I had a "Philly" cheesesteak that wasn't. I should have followed my instincts and ordered something else. On Saturday when I went out to run my errands I decided to change it up and go to a different coffee shop and went to Croissant D'Or. Years ago they used to make these delicious little pumpkin tarts at this time of year. I was so hoping to have one of those. Nope. And the things I had weren't so great. Very disappointed but I do love charm of the place and will always go back. After my less than stellar coffee I rode over to the Louisiana Music Factory and bought myself a cd, The Baby Dodds Trio (featuring Danny Barker). Good stuff.

I'll be continuing this "try something new" trend tomorrw night when we go to see and old favorite of mine, The New Orleans Nightcrawlers at a club I've never visited. I'm excited and a full report will follow.

On Spirituality (Or My Lack Thereof)

There are a lot of things in my life for which I'd like to repent. But, other than myself, I haven't figured out who to repent to.

I am lacking spiritually.

I've never been baptised and wasn't raised in a churchgoing environment. Although, I did go to Sunday School for a period of time as a kid at our local Episcopal church but that was more about my friends going than about God. (I also wanted to join a Brownie troop because my friends did. I just NEEDED to know what they were doing in that "club"! I didn't get in.) As an adult I have mixed feelings about organized religion. I don't care for the dogma and superiority associated with some religions and I have trouble believing that the bible is anything other than a story. But I do love the idea of believing in something that gives you hope and faith, and just plain helps you get through. And I respect people's choice to worship as they please. I've been toying for months with the idea of finding a church to try out but something always talks me out of it. Whether it be scorn for the zealots I've encountered or just not liking the thought of waking up early on Sunday mornings, something has kept me from taking that step. I mentioned repenting for my wrongdoings and I can see why people would be attracted to the confession/clean slate thing, but I can't say that I believe in that. It seems very convenient though. I haven't always been the best friend or made the best choices in my personal relationships, or the best choices for my health and well-being, and sometimes the ego can get in the way and sabotage your happiness. But I do believe that you can redeem yourself by being the best possible person you can be during the days you have left on earth. If God, church, Allah, Buddha or your deity of choice help you do that, then so be it. I still may get around to choosing a church to check out, I even have one in mind, but in the meantime I'll just follow the simple principle of treating myself and all living beings with love and respect.

I think that's a good start.

Falling Into Place

After a difficult couple of weeks things seem to be progressing nicely. I have unpacked a bit each day and tonight, finally, emptied my last box. Still have some organizing to do and pictures to hang but it's starting to feel like a home. Aside from the unpacking and organizing there have been some other adjustments to be made (having to do with the overabundance of alcohol available right outside our gate.) but we seem to have gotten past them. Thankfully.

 I am incredibly thankful to have our kitchen up and running!!! I am so sick of eating crappy take-out food. Now, don't get me wrong, I like junk as much as the next person and I'm not normally a very healthy eater (I'm working on that.) but I've been eating so much crap that I'm finding myself craving vegetables and wanting to go buy some new sneakers and work out clothing. (Oh, and a new iPod since mine was STOLEN! Man, it's hard to let go of that resentment!!) My body and mind are protesting my greasy fat intake and telling me to eat better and get off my ass and move. And I'll admit, the health implications of a bad diet really do scare me. But not enough, it seems, to prevent me from eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's. Frequently. Idon't know....sometimes it seems that losing weight is an endless battle. But if I'm honest with myself, I haven't tried very hard. Because the formula is very simple....eat less, move more. And I haven't been successful because I like to eat creamy, cheesy, fatty, sugary foods and I'm lazy. Here's where I'm supposed to say that tomorrow I'm going to change things completely. But if it were that simple I would have done it long ago. I will only say that I will make a new effort and strive for the best.

I haven't gone out much at all. I'm one of those people who can't really concentrate on a good time if I have something to do waiting for me at home. Unpacking, for example. But last Saturday it was such a beautiful day I went out to run some errands. As I was riding through the Quarter I passed Tujague's, one of the older bars/restaurants in New Orleans. During French Quarter Festival (in April) they have a booth where they serve a fabulous beef brisket with horseradish sauce, and I had heard for years that they serve a brisket po' boy at their bar. It was lunch time and I decided to give it a try. Tujague's is really "old school",a standing bar but they do have a few tables. Unfortunately, they don't serve food until 5. I did stay for a few cocktails and bar tender Paul was awesome. Will definitely meander back one afternoon.

On that note, I'm gonna wrap this up. Boyfriend has my healthier dinner cooking in that kitchen.

New Beginnings

A lot has happened since my last post, most of it stressful, some of it great. After perusing Craig's List diligently I found that most of the better apartments available in the neighborhoods that we wanted were of the 2 bedroom variety. And as luck would have it, I knew a close friend of my family who wanted to move here and thought this opportunity might nudge him in that direction. I was right and once we got the ball rolling it moved very quickly. So, we now have a roommate and are residents of the French Quarter. It was a lot of work but it feels pretty damn good. I'm loving the new apartment. It's behind a locked gate, we have a balcony, a courtyard, a bar right across the street, AND it only takes me 3 minutes to ride my bike to work. Couldn't ask for nuthin' better! Anyhoo, I'm glad the worst is over and I can't wait to get everything unpacked and organized.

During this whole mess I did manage to get out and about a bit. My mom, her best friend, and her best friend's son (who is our new roommate) came down for a visit. We ate out quite a bit and did get out to hear some music. When they arrived we went to Gordon Biersch for lunch (I know it's a chain but I love the garlic fries) then made our way to my boyfriend's workplace, The Gazebo, and let the drinking commence. It was a beautiful day, Ellen Smith was singing, and the booze was flowing. Later in the evening we headed to Frenchmen St. and ended up at Cafe Negril for more drinking & festivities. At around 2am I figured that, maybe, we should consider the fact that we had an appointment at 8am to view an apartment. As hungover as we were we did get up for that appointment and the guy didn't show. Ultimately, this is the apartment we ended up with after rescheduling our appointment. A few other places that are worth mentioning....The Magnolia Grill on Decatur - really tasty burger and a nice space. Adolfo's (my favorite) on Frenchmen - chicken stuffed w/ricotta, mozzerella, & spinach, topped w/ tomato cream sauce. Oh. my. God. Heaven on a plate. Jaeger Haus - jaeger schnitzel (fried pork topped w/mushroom cream sauce) & spaetzel. Awesome.

So, that's been the past month. Found an apartment, moved, had some good meals, and heard some music. I'm happy with the progress and glad to say good-bye to September 2010 while looking forward to what October brings.