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Things I’m Looking Froward to in NOLA

“There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better.” — Bob Dylan

Homeward bound for New Orleans in less than 48 hours. Here’s what I’m excited for in no particular order…

  • Time spent with my wife and daughter on the way down.
  • Seeing my sister.
  • Our many NOLA trip traditions.
  • Shimp Po-Boy (Dressed).
  • Brass bands on Frenchman Street.
  • Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar for a couple dozen and a Frozen French 75.
  • Friends asking “Where y’at?
  • Three martini lunch at Commander’s.
  • Nightbloom Bar (just a few steps from where we stay)
  • The Friendly Bar (another neighborhood bar we love)
  • Beignets (Du Monde are the best but will get Morning Call if in Mid City to avoid the tourists).
  • Touring Tulane with Beatrix (It is her top choice).
  • Muffuletta from Central (Thanks for the reminder, AJ. )

(I may be adding to this list as I think of more things.)

Execupundit.com: The Thanksgiving Pie Debate

There is the standard pumpkin pie: a true essential for Thanksgiving.

But then things become trickier: pecan, apple, chocolate cream, cherry, lemon, coconut cream, and some more exotic flavors such as Key Lime.

Shockingly, Mr. Wade leaves Sweet Potato completely off the list. The only worthy competition for which is Pumpkin.

Call this native born Black Southerner flummoxed.

Empty – annie’s blog

As we round the curve, he clears his throat and tells me, with no preamble, that he thinks we’re not in love, maybe he’s never been in love, or actually loved me.

Almost 30 years ago, my first wife said almost exactly these same words to me. In a similar out of the blue fashion.

It took another decade to finally feel like I was worthy of love — any love — again. And when that happened, I found it.

Some Thoughts on Community

  • My online friends are real friends. They come up in my offline conversations. I mention things they’ve said and done (i.e. posted publicly) in discussions with others in the real world. Even things my online friends and I have chatted about via DM or email. Most of whom I’ve never met IRL.

  • Community is built on conversation and connection and it doesn’t matter where or how that happens. Email and text and trading blog posts may not be as… Impactful? …as face-to-face but they all count.

  • I suck at prioritizing my friendships and maintaining connection just as much offline as I do on. The truth of the matter is that I’m a natural introvert, tend to focus on the people right on front of me (my wife and daughter), and always put off even my most immediate community.

  • I have a very full and busy life. One I’m thankful for but, often, leaves me depleted of energy and time. The truth is if it’s not specifically on my calendar it effectively does not exist.

  • Yet, looking at my calendar I see rigging for Circus, I see neighborhood soup nights, I see client appointments, I see board meetings, I see Parent Association meetings… All of these are also, wait for it… Communities!

  • Maybe I don’t suck at community at all. Maybe I just need to make more time for the ones I’ve neglected tending to.

  • Just know, online or offline, you matter equally to me. Community exists and can be strong and vibrant anywhere you build it. There is no separation.

Events in the Post-Covid World – Gladhill Rhone Consulting

Though some date the “end” of covid to 2021 when vaccines were first available, or to May of 2023 when it was declared “endemic,” I would argue that in many ways we are socially just entering the a “post-covid” state now, at least in terms of theater attendance and charity fundraisers. This year is certainly the first one for me where “gala season” has been back in truly full swing. And I have learned a few things from it.

My wife on what to expect from attending or hosting events these days.