...'Cause you know that I can.

Yep, blue again. But a much better blue than the last one, IMO.

Now that I'm no longer spending my days playing Doctor with the comp, Victoria's novelty has officially worn off. It's a good thing I work all the time, else there'd be nothing for me to do (though admittedly my lack of transportation at the moment has been a factor). No idea when I might be headed home, either. While the house is still structually sound and my floor all but untouched, finding a contractor that can be trusted farther than he or she can be thrown to gut the lower floor, check the plumbing, replace all the wiring, etc. is going to be difficult. Late April at the earliest, and that's if we're lucky. I'll probably fly in for Mardi Gras, though.

On the bright side, I can hang on to my current apartment a bit longer. Apparently, because of some confusion at FEMA, they won't be terminating the lease at the end of February as expected. I have the cash for my own place now, but I wasn't keen on staying in Victoria at all, and especially not on my own dime. SO I get to save some money--and I'll need it; the cost of living in New Orleans, especially insurance, is going to be obscene.

So why go back at all? you ask. Well since I've still got three credit hours of school to finish, and XU's not going to let me take them elsewhere without officially transferring (which would force me to take still more classes in order to graduate, I don't have much of a choice. And besides...it's hard to explain the appeal of N.O. Where else can you get off from work at 11:30 P.M., run home to shower before heading to the club or someone's house party at midnight (the same time the clubs CLOSE in Victoria), jam till three or four, then get something to eat--not McDs or Denny's, mind you, I mean real food--at 4:30 or 5? Or maybe just hit Cafe Du Monde for bengiets and cafe au lait?

Speaking of which, I remember the day I made the mistake of ordering cafe au lait in the coffeeshop at Hastings (it was on the menu, but still I should've known better). First I got espresso--then, when I pointed out the mistake, the lady came back with steamed milk. After that I just smiled, nodded, and left, silently weeping for humanity. ::shakes head:: Half regular coffee, half scalded milk. IT IS NOT THAT HARD.

I've resigned myself that I'll have to leave N.O. eventually--even before Katrina, economic oppotunities were too limited, unless I want to go into politics (and I don't, not in a city as Byzantine as N.O.). Damned if I know where else I'll go, though. Ah well, I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

Lesse...what else? Pittsburgh Steelers going to Super Bowl = insufferably smug Dad. Carolina Panthers not going to Super Bowl = incredibly upset William. New Orleans Saints' pitiful excuse for a season, even by Saints' standards = me completely turned off of football this season. (Yes I know Katrina was a downer, but it doesn't excuse their dropping thirteen games!) Might be for the best we won't be watching the game in the same house this year....XD

Note to self: make sure Mom mails me a king cake. That's one thing I refuse to do without.