This is where Scott and I live, Panama City Beach, Florida. It's a fairly small town except during the summer time when the population explodes due to the tourists.
USBRIT
Monday, August 11, 2008
Change of post
I have been thinking about my blog for the past couple of days. It is really hard for me to write about New Orleans right now as I'm living a few hours away. There will more than likely be a move to Louisiana before Christmas so I intend to resume writing about it then. For now I think I will just relate what is going on around here and my opinion of it.
This is where Scott and I live, Panama City Beach, Florida. It's a fairly small town except during the summer time when the population explodes due to the tourists.
USBRIT
This is where Scott and I live, Panama City Beach, Florida. It's a fairly small town except during the summer time when the population explodes due to the tourists.USBRIT
Friday, August 8, 2008
NOLA Pictures of the weekend
Jon McLaughlin plays the House of Blues Friday, August 8, 2008.
Freedom
Fabulous
Homage to Ignatius
Tradition
Scott's heaven.
Amen, USBRIT
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Music News
Lynyrd Skynyrd to play the New Orleans Arena Friday.
Friday night in New Orleans is going to rock! Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be kicking off their tour in the Crescent City. After almost forty years and a whopping 65 albums, Lynyrd Skynyrd will still be playing the old favorites that their fans love to hear. Many of the band members are original. Of course, Johnny Van Zant replaced Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer who died in an airplane crash over Mississippi in 1977. The band are still firm favorites, especially in the South. It should be an awesome night.
Lynyrd Skynyrd then, 1970's
Lynyrd Skynyrd today, 2008.
Gulf Restoration Project
Musicians from Louisiana and beyond have written an open letter to this years presidential candidates urging them not to forget the Big Easy. The crux of the letter explains the urgent need for commitment to rebuilding and maintaining the Louisiana wetlands. Twenty five square miles of wetlands disappear every year, equivalent to a football field size area gone every 30 minutes. This is a vital and worthwhile cause. I'm sure the candidates will be eager to get behind it.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.
USBRIT
Friday night in New Orleans is going to rock! Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be kicking off their tour in the Crescent City. After almost forty years and a whopping 65 albums, Lynyrd Skynyrd will still be playing the old favorites that their fans love to hear. Many of the band members are original. Of course, Johnny Van Zant replaced Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer who died in an airplane crash over Mississippi in 1977. The band are still firm favorites, especially in the South. It should be an awesome night.
Lynyrd Skynyrd then, 1970's
Lynyrd Skynyrd today, 2008.
Gulf Restoration Project
Musicians from Louisiana and beyond have written an open letter to this years presidential candidates urging them not to forget the Big Easy. The crux of the letter explains the urgent need for commitment to rebuilding and maintaining the Louisiana wetlands. Twenty five square miles of wetlands disappear every year, equivalent to a football field size area gone every 30 minutes. This is a vital and worthwhile cause. I'm sure the candidates will be eager to get behind it.
USBRIT
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Arts
Louisiana's Arts Conservatory
Are you looking for a positive, fun and safe outlet for your middle schooler? Louisiana's arts conservatory is offering dance auditions on Saturday, August 23rd. The students that are accepted get tuition-free dance lessons after school and/or on Saturdays. What an amazing opportunity. Here is the appropriate info for those interested:
The NOCCA Institute 2800 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70117 504 940 2840 (t) 504 940 2870 (f)
Are you looking for a positive, fun and safe outlet for your middle schooler? Louisiana's arts conservatory is offering dance auditions on Saturday, August 23rd. The students that are accepted get tuition-free dance lessons after school and/or on Saturdays. What an amazing opportunity. Here is the appropriate info for those interested:
• Come dressed in dance clothes (girls: black leotards, pink tights; boys: black tights, white T-shirt). Girls should bring pink ballet slippers. Boys should bring black ballet slippers. Those not appropriately dressed, will not be allowed to audition.
• You will be judged on your demonstration of the following skills: mental ability; energy within the classes; flexibility of back, legs and hip sockets; feet and foot articulation; musicality and phrasing; rhythmic accuracy; quick recall of combinations; presence and carriage; and ability to perform given combinations with style and grace. Since this program is not for basic beginners, you will be assessed on your acquired skills in all areas of dance and personal fitness for dance.
• Do not prepare choreography for this audition. You will take instructions from dance faculty.The NOCCA Institute 2800 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70117 504 940 2840 (t) 504 940 2870 (f)
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
This museum is definitely worth a visit. Current exhibitions include "Ed McGowin: Name Change (One Artist, Twelve Personas, Thirty-Five Years)"; "Art and Paradise: Self-Taught Art Selections from the Permanent Collections of Ed McGowin and Claudia DeMonte"; "Richard Sexton: Terra Incognita," works by the well-known New Orleans photographer; and "Letters From My Father: Photographs by David Rae Morris and Letters from Willie Morris- from 1976 through 1999."
Exhibits are staying put until December and it is also just $10 to get in!
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Here are the best reasons of all:
Ida Kohlmeyer: Cityscape New Orleans
Ellsworth, Woodward: Cabildo Courtyard, 1935
Cafe Maspero
If all that art makes you hungry, head for the French Quarter. Cafe Maspero is a great local restaurant which boasts the biggest sandwiches in the Quarter. The prices are so low you'll be doing double takes until you decide upon a huge deli sandwich, including Muffulettas and roast beef with gravy. There are plenty of beers, wines and cocktails to choose from too, so there is no reason to end the party early!
Happy evening,
USBRIT
This museum is definitely worth a visit. Current exhibitions include "Ed McGowin: Name Change (One Artist, Twelve Personas, Thirty-Five Years)"; "Art and Paradise: Self-Taught Art Selections from the Permanent Collections of Ed McGowin and Claudia DeMonte"; "Richard Sexton: Terra Incognita," works by the well-known New Orleans photographer; and "Letters From My Father: Photographs by David Rae Morris and Letters from Willie Morris- from 1976 through 1999."
Exhibits are staying put until December and it is also just $10 to get in!
925 Camp Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Here are the best reasons of all:
Ida Kohlmeyer: Cityscape New Orleans
Ellsworth, Woodward: Cabildo Courtyard, 1935
Cafe Maspero
If all that art makes you hungry, head for the French Quarter. Cafe Maspero is a great local restaurant which boasts the biggest sandwiches in the Quarter. The prices are so low you'll be doing double takes until you decide upon a huge deli sandwich, including Muffulettas and roast beef with gravy. There are plenty of beers, wines and cocktails to choose from too, so there is no reason to end the party early!
Happy evening,
USBRIT
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Freedom Within
When John Kennedy Toole wrote his novel 'A Confederacy of Dunces' in the early 1960's, I wonder if he knew how prophetic his words would be. Toole committed suicide in 1969, long before his novel was published. He was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer prize for fiction in 1981. It is said that Toole was devastated that his 'masterpiece' was not to be published and his health began to deteriorate because of it.
Both Toole's autobiographers Rene Pol Nevils and Deborah George Handy, alluded to the issue of his sexuality and believed it contributed to his suicide. They both believe that Toole was confused about his apparent homosexuality and was unable to cope. I'm not sure it is as simple as that. There is no doubting that homosexuality plays a huge part in the novel (among other sexual themes). It must be noted, however, that this novel is set in New Orleans. Ignatius is accosted at the beginning of the novel by a policeman. Our anti-hero is flabbergasted that the policeman should pay him any attention at all when he city is rife with sin and wrongdoing all around them.
What we learn from Dorian is that in New Orleans he can be himself.
I will not pretend that every single New Orleans resident is accepting of gay parades, pornographers or even daiquiris-to-go. What I will say though, is that the city is confident enough in itself to embrace 'vice' or indeed people who are merely being themselves, to not worry about those who do have a problem with it. New Orleans is where you may certainly find true freedom.
Now, is Ignatius a gay character? As far as I can tell, Ignatius is asexual. He is not really attracted to any single character in the novel. Certainly not Myrna, and especially no gentleman characters. He has a fleeting attraction to Lorna Lee's pornographic pose but I think that says more about his book that she's holding than of her physical attributes. As far as the apparent incident of masturbation over the memory of his pet dog, I feel Ignatius' sexuality is supposed to be ambiguous, and this event solidifies that theme. Maybe Toole is making his reader's work a little harder, or merely allowing us to make up our minds.
Read the book-you'll love it!
Both Toole's autobiographers Rene Pol Nevils and Deborah George Handy, alluded to the issue of his sexuality and believed it contributed to his suicide. They both believe that Toole was confused about his apparent homosexuality and was unable to cope. I'm not sure it is as simple as that. There is no doubting that homosexuality plays a huge part in the novel (among other sexual themes). It must be noted, however, that this novel is set in New Orleans. Ignatius is accosted at the beginning of the novel by a policeman. Our anti-hero is flabbergasted that the policeman should pay him any attention at all when he city is rife with sin and wrongdoing all around them.
"Is it the part of the police department to harass me when this city is a flagrant vice capital of the civilized world?"Ignatius goes on to list all manner of undesirable citizens he would not wish to associate with, including "sodomites and.... lesbians". My point being that in a city like New Orleans with it's rich acceptance of everyone and at the same time acceptance of no-one ( I know, bear with me), it would be hard not to write of gay people. Dorian, a homosexual character in the novel, makes a point which is incredibly true of the city. Dorian grew up in a small town in Nebraska. His family send him checks each month to stay away. We must remember that the early 1960's saw a time of great change in American society. People were able to express themselves as they had not been able to before. However, this may have been centered upon big cities like New York, San Fransisco and New Orleans. Nebraska probably would not have been such a place.
What we learn from Dorian is that in New Orleans he can be himself.
"Oh, New Orleans is such freedom."The freedom of the city of New Orleans still stands today. Toole's words ring true and are relevant to current French Quarter events. My first trip to New Orleans was to Southern Decadence, a festival where one can truly express ones self.
I will not pretend that every single New Orleans resident is accepting of gay parades, pornographers or even daiquiris-to-go. What I will say though, is that the city is confident enough in itself to embrace 'vice' or indeed people who are merely being themselves, to not worry about those who do have a problem with it. New Orleans is where you may certainly find true freedom.
Now, is Ignatius a gay character? As far as I can tell, Ignatius is asexual. He is not really attracted to any single character in the novel. Certainly not Myrna, and especially no gentleman characters. He has a fleeting attraction to Lorna Lee's pornographic pose but I think that says more about his book that she's holding than of her physical attributes. As far as the apparent incident of masturbation over the memory of his pet dog, I feel Ignatius' sexuality is supposed to be ambiguous, and this event solidifies that theme. Maybe Toole is making his reader's work a little harder, or merely allowing us to make up our minds.
Read the book-you'll love it!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog!
The decision to write this (or anything) has been a long process. I graduated with my degree in English Literature and American Studies back in 2006 and since then have been working with children. My aim is to produce something thoughtful, intelligent, honest, but most importantly fun!
I have a huge interest, but admittedly short relationship with New Orleans. My first trip being August 2004. Since then I have gained a degree and had my wedding at Jackson Square. My husband is from Slidell and so I like to think Louisiana is now in my blood.
My intention is to write about the true city that I love. News, food, entertainment and music. I hope to interest locals and tourists alike. I hope you all enjoy!
Here goes:
If French Quarter living is your thing and you have a spare 2,395,000 then check out this 'townhouse' on Royal Street. It has 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms with 5,387 square feet!It even has off street parking for several vehicles.
New Jersey pair arrested after security breach at New Orleans Airport
Two teens were arrested yesterday morning after climbing on the luggage conveyor belt at Louis Armstrong Airport. The pair were sitting on the belt when it started moving, it seems, and they were transported to a 'secure location' in the airport. It probably would all have been treated as a misunderstanding except the two teens ran to the bathroom to hide and the police had to drag them out. It seems the airport security still believe that what the teens did was very serious and that no exceptions can be made even for a teenage prank!
Flying post 9/11 has become and a very serious matter and I'm glad the security officers are able to use their common sense to acknowledge a serious breach of security and one that clearly is not.
Louis Armstrong Airport
Magazine Street Treasures
If you are looking for that elusive gift for someone extra special look no further than the boutiques on magazine street. Six miles of antiques, funky clothes and jewelry. You are sure to find something for that person who has everything! Go to www.magazinestreet.com and you can order a free shoppers guide (just click on the link on the top right). Too long to walk and shop in one day, drive and park or jump aboard a street car in the French Quarter or downtown to save your feet. A whole days worth of fun for any die hard shopper.
Well, that's it for my first post. Really need to get the hang of this blogging.
Until next time,
USBRIT
The decision to write this (or anything) has been a long process. I graduated with my degree in English Literature and American Studies back in 2006 and since then have been working with children. My aim is to produce something thoughtful, intelligent, honest, but most importantly fun!
I have a huge interest, but admittedly short relationship with New Orleans. My first trip being August 2004. Since then I have gained a degree and had my wedding at Jackson Square. My husband is from Slidell and so I like to think Louisiana is now in my blood.
My intention is to write about the true city that I love. News, food, entertainment and music. I hope to interest locals and tourists alike. I hope you all enjoy!
Here goes:
If French Quarter living is your thing and you have a spare 2,395,000 then check out this 'townhouse' on Royal Street. It has 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms with 5,387 square feet!It even has off street parking for several vehicles.
New Jersey pair arrested after security breach at New Orleans Airport
Two teens were arrested yesterday morning after climbing on the luggage conveyor belt at Louis Armstrong Airport. The pair were sitting on the belt when it started moving, it seems, and they were transported to a 'secure location' in the airport. It probably would all have been treated as a misunderstanding except the two teens ran to the bathroom to hide and the police had to drag them out. It seems the airport security still believe that what the teens did was very serious and that no exceptions can be made even for a teenage prank!
Flying post 9/11 has become and a very serious matter and I'm glad the security officers are able to use their common sense to acknowledge a serious breach of security and one that clearly is not.
Louis Armstrong Airport
Magazine Street Treasures
If you are looking for that elusive gift for someone extra special look no further than the boutiques on magazine street. Six miles of antiques, funky clothes and jewelry. You are sure to find something for that person who has everything! Go to www.magazinestreet.com and you can order a free shoppers guide (just click on the link on the top right). Too long to walk and shop in one day, drive and park or jump aboard a street car in the French Quarter or downtown to save your feet. A whole days worth of fun for any die hard shopper.
Well, that's it for my first post. Really need to get the hang of this blogging.
Until next time,
USBRIT
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