NOLA, I like you.

I had this post all figured out. It was going to be entitled "one year ago" and recount silly things I/we would have been doing on a humid Friday night in DC. I would laugh as I typed and thought about the Jameson shots, the Too Short songs, and the bama-ass customers. Then someone close to me here in New Orleans told me that I tend to dwell on the negative and consistently point out how DC or Seattle are better than, well, everything.

So, I'm editing my post idea. People keep asking me why I moved to New Orleans. From Seattle, from DC - why here? While I have no succinct answer or exact reason, each passing day provides me with another reason to love the city and to remain.

Here are a few of those reasons:

While I'm not a full Saints fan (yet), I love the way the city has rallied around the team. That on game day, everyone is wearing something Saints related, and that there are few cars in the city lacking a flag/sticker/decal declaring "Who Dat" or "Super Bowl Saints". I'll admit, I enjoyed wearing my Who Dat Nation tee today...and I'm watching the MNF game as I type.

Because I can get $1.50 Miller High Life at Ms. Mae's while enjoying a good conversation and watching my sister kick butt at air hockey.

Because two months in, New Orleans still has me beat. I keep getting turned around, and while it is annoying at times, it's also endearing because I know that I didn't figure out DC until 4 years in...

Because I enjoy hearing the boats on the Mississippi and the streetcars on the tracks.

Because I now know two ways to get to work, and three ways to get home.

Because I now say, "y'all", though I haven't made strides toward adopting "where y'at" or "heard that". Or maybe it's "heard dat..."

Because I've seen the tavern that LaDonna owns on "Treme" and can snicker since I know it's not in Treme...

Because I snuck into the abandoned Dixie Brewery and took pictures for 5 hours on a Saturday.

Because each person I meet has a story to tell, advice to give, or a new place for me to visit - from Katrina to spending Christmas in New Orleans - I want to hear it all, experience it, and take it all in.

Because every time I drive down Napoleon and pass the church on Camp Street, I think about miniature Jay's and Ian's chasing each other home from school.

Because I know how to say "Tchoupitoulas". And no, it's not "chalupas" per the Piggy brain.

Because apparently I can get a great burger and a beer, while being taught to play pool and do my laundry - all at the same BAR. Admittedly, I have only succeeded in juggling the burger, beer and pool parts. I'm lucky enough to have a w/d in house, but if that ever changes, Igor's or Buddha Belly will be my favourite places to hang.

Because I'm the owner of a really cool Water Meter shirt, and soon hope to obtain a Defend New Orleans one.

Because Frenchmen Street reminds me of 18th Street in Adams Morgan. Except that there is awesome live music, you can take your beer to go, there is no Jumbo Slice, and people don't descend upon the area just to hang out on the hoods of cars.

Because (for the most part) I know how to handle my car on the treacherous streets of New Orleans.

Because there are endless amounts of bars and restaurants that I want to try out.

Because I've signed a lease with my sister on a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment that has New Orleans charm.

Because slowly but surely, it's all starting to feel like home.


Oh, and the Saints won.
Field goal to beat the 49ers, 25 to 22.

B'scuze me, Mr. Officer...

As luck would have it, Piggy and I got pulled over at 11:45pm on Tuesday. Here is what happened:

Piggy: "OH SHIT. A cop!"
Gooser: "Maybe he won't pull you over. Maybe. Hopefully? Oh, fuck."
Piggy pulls the car over, puts it in park and places her hands at 10 and 2 o'clock.
Piggy: "I've done this before, can't look like I'm doing anything suspicious."
Officer: "Hi, m'am. Do you know why I pulled you over? You were going 80 in a 70. May I please see your license and registration."
Piggy: "I need to reach into the back to get my wallet. Goose, where is the registration?"
Gooser: "Uh, good question. I don't know."
Officer: "Who is the car registered to? Where are you girls going?"
Piggy: "It's her car, well, it's the dealer's car, we're borrowing it. We're coming from Louisiana and going as far as we can get tonight."
Officer: "Uhhh?"
Gooser: "My car is in the shop so the dealer gave us this one. We're headed to Nebraska, stopping just north of Wichita tonight."
Officer: "You're north of Wichita now. And why is this a Washington, DC license? I thought you were from Louisiana...?"
Piggy: "I'm visiting her. Going to a wedding. I'm so tired I don't know what is going on."
Officer: "Let me go run this license."
5 minutes later.
Officer: "Ladies, I'm issuing a warning. It took me so long to figure out the Washington, DC license that I gave up. Drive carefully. Have a good night."

Piggy: "I'VE NEVER GOTTEN A WARNING BEFORE. I'm framing this."


What we learned in Kansas is that so long as one of you is brunette and one of you is blonde and both of you are white your story can make no sense but you still get a warning ♥

Going to the chapel, gonna get marred.

I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the weeding festivities of Tringer and Bram this past weekend in Nebraskee. The week was filled with bridal showers (mmm, pie!), visiting parents and friends in Lincoln (thanks for the Jameo, Ders), catching up with old DC friends at a Mattress Factory (a pants-pissing good time, wasn't it?), and learning the true art of the Shake Weight. Trust me, if you're not jealous already, you should be.

I had been looking forward to this event since I moved from DC. I knew that it would be the first opportunity to see everyone together, and with the copious amounts of alcohol sure to be provided, it would supply us with endless laughter and fun. I was right on every level.

The weeding provided Piggy and I the opportunity to spend 40+ hours in the car recounting life's latest trials and tribulations (there are many). It also provided a platform for Kunta Kitty and I to judge everyone, whilst swapping terrible and hilarious comments and stealing Miller Lights from the mini-fridge. It allowed for Manhattan to fulfill his dream of being a human lamp, and it set the stage for weeding attendees to march down the street singing carefully crafted songs celebrating the newlyweds (Mollet, Mollet, Mollet!).

Most importantly, the weeding allowed friends and family to celebrate the love of two wonderful and fantastic people (well, one fantastic person and one amazing goat).

I am honored to have been included in the festivities.

I am happy to report, that upon driving back into New Orleans I didn't feel an ounce of sadness or dread. I was excited to return to the city, my few friends, and even the heat.

All in all the Omaha Trainwreck shed a painful light on what I am missing here in New Orleans, but also a beautiful reminder of what I gained while living in DC...a network of insane friends who find it appropriate to use offensive language in any situation and at anytime of the day.

Oh, hi.

Oooops. I've neglected this blog-a-ma-bob for a little over a month now, and I've had good reason. I swear. Let me tell you all the reasons...
1. I got me a job!
No Diggy (and all the rest of you), it's not on a corner or in a spa. And it's no Red Rocks. Or Grand Central. Or MSC. There are real rules (like I can't wear my nose ring) and Jameson/soda water/pepperoni are not at my disposal. It's horrifying, terrifying, and absurd all at the same time. But, it's allowing me to meet new people and paying mah bills, so it will suffice for the time being whilst I search for a big girl job.
2. Danny G. came to visit.
This, my friends, it one of my closest pals from GW. We met at the Key Depot and made it our job to drink and listen to Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You" while making feeble attempts at sympathizing with girls who got drunk, lost their keys, and came begging at our office window. It was hilarious times.
Danny and I spent the weekend eating too much food (Frank & Johnnies! Cafe Du Monde!), enjoying many drinks in the street, and gossiping like schoolgirls (sorry). We traversed the city, visiting Brad Pitt's Make It Right campus in the 9th Ward and stomping our way through the French Quarter. If you didn't get a chance to meet him, he will be back (hopefully) for Mardi Gras and (definitely) for Southern Decadence.
On to the next one...
3. Piggy G. Tomkins came to New Orleans and ruined it.
One of my other best pals, Piggy, visited the weekend after Danny G. We've seen each other for a total of 3 hours since February 15th so this visit was much anticipated and appreciated. We drove to Nebraska bookending our trip with stays in NOLA. We hit Holdrege, Lincoln, Omaha, Wichita, and Kansas City, witnessed Tringer and Bram tie the knot, managed to not get one speeding ticket, and somehow, are still friends. I wish I could recount each event that occured on our epic 12 day journey, but that would be attempting the impossible. If you know me, or Pigs, you may understand. If you know us together, you know that we left a trail of destruction (and coffee) in our wake.
Cue SpottieOttieDopaliscious!
I am now back in New Orleans, attempting to put my life back together and wishing that I could rewind and do it all over again.

Photo credit Danny G.