Reflections of a Dream Year

One week ago was the one-year anniversary of my move to Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans so I thought I would take a few moments and reflect. (I planned on posting this on the actual one-year anniversary, August 31, but all things Isaac considered, really didn’t feel like it was appropriate to celebrate anything on that day with so many Louisianians in possibly the biggest struggle of their lives. So here it is now…)

One year ago I arrived in New Orleans. It was a Wednesday and I walked into my unfurnished apartment on Bourbon St. at about 8 p.m. with two suitcases and my computer and me. My excellent friends, Josh and Chet, had already set up my new Aerobed in my apartment the day before so at least I had a place to lay my head. Tropical Storm Lee was right on my tail and due to arrive on Thursday. Decadence weekend would be in full swing by Friday and I couldn't wait to get my adventure started. I was planning on staying one full year, a pure dream come true. The first thing I did was drop my bags, change my clothes, check my look and then I took off for a planned stop at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop to say hello to gorgeous Chris and on to Yo Mama's to see my friends there.

I was welcomed at both locations with open arms, literally. I was on cloud nine and had a great first night. The next day, Tropical Storm Lee (TSL) arrived. Plan A was to contact Erica and arrange to go to Walmart to buy everything I needed for my new home...everything from furniture to pots and pans, etc. However, TSL wouldn't allow for that. I ended up taking a cab to Walmart, buying just a few items to get me through the next week until the storm passed and I could re-schedule the BIG shopping trip. After accomplishing that, I waited for a break in the storm and went for a walk. Seemed so strange to me that it was hot, hot, hot and yet a huge storm was at hand. Decadence was already beginning and I took lots of pics and just enjoyed the sites. Of course, I stayed too long and got soaked to the bone when the skies opened up on my way home.

The next morning, Friday, I awoke in my still pretty much empty apartment but I didn't even care. I was living in New Orleans! I had bought a coffee maker and coffee at Walmart the day before so, when the coffee was ready, I took my cup of java and my cigarettes to my dormer window and enjoyed an early quiet morning on Bourbon St. I still just couldn't believe I was actually here. Before too long, Decadence celebrations were in the air and I could hear the revellers down the street at Lafittes. Again, during a break in TSL, I ventured out. Took more pics, met some new friends, and ate well and drank well all day. Again, got soaked to the bone on my way home (that's twice!). Two entire outfits were now hanging over the shower rod in my little bathroom drying out.

 

On Saturday, I awoke again to the sound of wind and rain. Water was pretty much pouring in my bedroom window where the new A/C unit had not been installed quite properly. After contacting my landlord about the river in my bedroom, I moved the Aerobed (thank the universe it WAS an Aerobed) into my living room for the duration of the storm. (Side story...my landlord had told me to contact our maintenance man, JJ, who I had not met yet. I ended up having to leave him a message...soon he returned the call, left his own message telling me to F*ck Off. Daunting, to say the least, but it turned out he thought I was someone else and after having a good laugh, we have become good friends since then) I had no TV yet and no internet and phone service was sketchy, at best, so I had no idea how long the storm would last or just how bad it was supposed to get. But it was exciting...I wasn't scared at all...considered it just a part of a grand adventure. I did have a little trouble contacting friends and family at home to let them know I was doing fine but eventually, after many tries, I was able to let them know all was wonderful.

Again, during break in storm, I ventured out. Again, I got drenched and more clothes went on the shower rod. Due to the humidity, my wet clothes were not drying so I took everything down to the laundramat at the corner and threw them in the dryer. On the way home, you guessed it, I got drenched again. I couldn't win!

Well, eventually, the storm passed after 5 days, and Erica and Brian took me to Walmart. They were wonderful! Spent about 3 hours shopping for EVERYTHING. We really looked like the Beverly Hillbillys on the way home with EVERYTHING I had bought stacked and piled high in the back of Brian's truck. They must have hated me by the time we unloaded and brought everything up my totally steep stairs into my apartment, probably about a hundred trips up and down. But they stayed and Brian even assembled my futon before they left. What great friends!

Well, that was how it started. Most of you know that about six months in, I decided to extend my stay by an additional six months, making my dream a full eighteen month stay. All of my friends laughed when I made that announcement. Seems I was the only one that didn't know I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. As much as I miss my family (Hailey and Evan, I love you!) and friends back home in Sacramento, my heart has been in NOLA for about twenty years and now I am here, too. About a month ago, I finally was able to wrap my head around staying here for a good long time. I'm not sure if that means forever but I will say, with all confidence, it is really hard to walk away from a dream. Just sayin. Each morning, when I open my dormer window, I am reminded of the history here, of the very special qualities that this city has posessed for centuries. They say you either 'get it' or you don't. I do.

I have so many good friends here, new friends and old friends, and have had so many good times. Also, my writing is coming along nicely. I had a goal of writing two chapters a month and, well, I just completed Chapter Twenty-One so I'm not too far behind. Over the past year, I've learned that you don't need what you think you need but you do need so much you never even thought of. Like the freedom to do and be whatever you want. I've learned, throughout this year, who my friends really are, both back home in Sacramento and here in New Orleans. It is not lost on me what a lucky girlie I am. When you consider that last year (2011) started out to be the worst year of my life with the loss of my home of 20 years and the loss of my beloved dog, Princess, on Valentine's Day, who was with me for 15, it turned out to be the very best year of my life with my move to this beautiful and magical city. Lemonade out of lemons. One door closes and another one opens. I should be the poster child for all of that.

As it turned out, I closed out my first year with Hurricane Isaac. No biggee for the strongest and proudest people I’ve ever met!

So the first year is gone and wow, it was a very special year, indeed.

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Forever? We'll see.