When I get through walking the blues, when I get back to New Orleans.

[wolfpangs]

Salome, how has this work week been?

Salome: *falls down*

Oh, my goodness. We've had a steady stream of evacuees this week and I'm so exhausted. I don't fault the people at all, of course, but it's just so draining--physically and emotionally. In the first three hours alone at work yesterday, I made beds, helped with FEMA applications, retrieved a frog from a room, released a frog into the wild, and listened to people talk about their hometowns. This all on top of my regular duties.

I've tried to make it easier on them. The Birmingham News, who seem to have amped up to 144pt font, is not helping, with their headlines screaming things like "DEVASTATING LOSS." I've taken to laying out the newspapers face down. I turned the TV from the news to Sanford and Son and we watched that while we filled out the FEMA paperwork. We've talked about New Orleans and Hattiesburg and Gulfport and Harvey. We talked about jazz combos and drive-through daiquiri bars and debris po' boys at Mother's and everything else about that beautiful Crescent City, Queen of the Mississippi.

I bite my lip and don't dare get teary in front of them. They know how bad it is. So we fight off the misery. Things are catastrophic but they won't stay that way. Every second that passes brings us closer to better times. Am I naive? Perhaps. But I can't be a pessimist. For one thing, it just feels wrong for now. And really, it's just not in my nature.

And today, I'm finally off. I will spend today getting packed, as I will be leaving on a jet plane at *gulp* 6:57 AM tomorrow morning. In just two days, I'll be with the man and that'll be sweet. I'm so looking forward to seeing my friends.

I'm also less than two weeks away from taking the licensing exam and I'm terrified! But I think I'll do okay. Probably. Like they told us at school, we don't have to ace it, we just have to pass it.

Is anyone watching Starved? Is it as unfunny and uncomfortable as the endless ads make it seem?

I should get to work. Here's Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans", by the way. Yeah, it's about a train but that's okay. I'm working on a playlist of songs about New Orleans but I probably won't be done with that until I get back next week. If you have any favorite songs about New Orleans, I'd love to hear them.

Comments

[blaireliza.livejournal.com]

This whole thing has been tough on everyone, which is what's so hard about it. I understand what you mean thouhg, about how it's physically and emotionally draining. And I'm still haven't faced the reality that New Orleans and Biloxi are gone.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

I have to ration news stories or it just becomes so overwhelming.

[pastahero.livejournal.com]

They're lucky to have someone like you.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Aw. Thanks. I've been feeling like this lady but I'm trying to do what I can.

[pastahero.livejournal.com]

Not at all. You've done more than your share, it sounds like.

[angrydwarf00.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine what it must be like to deal with something like that... thank you for helping.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I wish I could do more.

[baggylettuce.livejournal.com]

Wow, I have no doubt you're doing an amazing job. No wonder it is draining, but you're incredible.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you.

[brim.livejournal.com]

I'm also less than two weeks away from taking the licensing exam and I'm terrified! But I think I'll do okay. Probably. Like they told us at school, we don't have to ace it, we just have to pass it.

That's the spirit! I like the old adage: "What do you call the person who graduated last in their med school class?" "Doctor."


That's cool that you got to rescue a frog. I have a documentary about frogs that someone gave me that I really need to watch. It's called "Cane Toads" and it's supposed to be really funny. The tagline on the cover of the video says: "If Monty Python made a documentary about toads, this would be it."

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking of the crap massages I've gotten from licensed therapists, like, if they can pass the exam, so can I!

And that movie looks really interesting. I love quirky documentaries.

[easilyirritable.livejournal.com]

I agree with Pasha. You are an angel to these people, I'm sure.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm trying.

[kaytethinks.livejournal.com]

(((Salome)))

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

♥

[griffin-mill.livejournal.com]

What kind of work do you do? I'm sure just having someone there to help and be empathetic is an amazing relief to people.

I don't know anything about Starved except for that it stars Laura Benanti, who I really like.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

I'm a night auditor/manager on duty at a hotel. This is a great description of what a front desk employee's job is like.

[la-sonnambula.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a work week you had. I think you did an awesome job of providing comfort to the refugees.

Girls who can transport wildlife like frogs are cool. I'm terrified of them!

Thank you for the song. I've heard that song before, but I didn't know the singer and the title, and now I do. :)

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Hee, I'm an Alabama girl--I grew up picking up frogs and worms and turtles and stuff. And I'm glad you appreciate the song.

[la-sonnambula.livejournal.com]

Frogs and worms (but not turtles!) make me go all (x_x)

[start-0ver.livejournal.com]

I admire you for trying to make life easier on these people. If I were in their situation, I'd be grateful to have someone do the things that you're doing.

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

[nomnivore.livejournal.com]

I admire you. Go you!

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

Thanks!