I come home tomorrow. For Good. I’ve been thru most of the house. Lots of pics. look at the previous post’s picture link. Read on for answers to many questions you want to know answers to.
Where will I stay?
friends and family’s houses till an apartment is lined up fully.
Will the J-Zimmy make it back home?
Yes. I got new tires, a full tune up, and the suspension issues corrected. Runs like a kitten.
Will I have enough room in the J-Zimmy for everything?
I’ll have to squeeze, but yes. Come hell or High water.
Where will I be working?
still for the bank.
What all do I still have?
My computer, most of the people, automobiles, buildings, and whatnot from the train. I’m goin back for the trees and rest of the train cars themselves. I got a new eagle medal. I have a few misc special things like my Harry Lee Magnets, a few pictures, my diploma from highschool, my staff domino’s. and a handful of clothes. I also have the speakers from DM from up at work. Things I’ve acquired since the storm: a new engine for the train, 2 new trian buildings, a new beer fridge, a hot plate, a couple sets of silverware, some glad tuperware, a pot and pan, a spatula and spoon, a manual can opener. I also got some new threads. Bought em today. I’m happy with my selections. I also got a haircut. And I got the new BHG CD and a new copy of No Use For a Name “Hard Rock Bottom” And I still have all my old CD’s. and my golf clubs.
So what’s the status of the house?
Well, Randy (aunt Cheryl’s boyfriend) checked out the house with Dad Cherie and Uncle Jean. Randy was pretty optomistic with regards to the frame work. He said it’s made of cypress. Cypress is good shit. Word about the hood is the soil is contaminated as f**k. So I assume, they are considering everything “teardown”. The flood insurance co. paid me in full for house and contents. Home owners still hasnt gotten to see the house. Tthen again flood didn’t either. So i have a few options potentially. Move the house itself to a non- pooed up part of town and repair it there. Sell the house as a teardown to whatever developer buys my hood, take the money and run (after i pay off da mortgage) and buy elsewhere. hold on to the land, get an SBA loan (after i pay off the mortgage) and rebuild my house with the developer or with whatever code the neighborhood conforms to. Change my name to Juan, move to mexico and raise goats. Or still change my name to Juan, and become one of the beaners thats rebuilding New Orleans. Anyways, I have things to consider. Gonna be a fun ride home tomorrow contemplating that shit.
Where’s Dave and Mike?
Dave’s in Metairie working at Tower Pizza. He’s currently living at his grandpa’s and Show’s apt. Mike is going to school in Michigan. He is in town right now. When they’re ready, Wherever I end up getting a permanent place to stay, they are welcome back home.
Why am I not at Couchon?
I’m still in Shreveport. Didn’t know it was still going to happen. I’m pissed that I missed it. Ditto for OktoberFest.
What do I wish most about the situation?
I wish the whole crew would get back home. I wish I woulda grabbed more things that got destroyed that meant a little more to me than I realize. not alot, just some. like my diplomas. like my scout shirt. like my eagle stuff. I wish I had a million dollars.
What’s my reaction to the whole house and whatever?
Well, I had my initial cry on the Tuesday after the storm when they showed video of someone getting airlifted a block away from the house. So I knew from then where i was headed. Once I cried and got drunk, I was ok. I realized I had to get what i could and rebuild. Clean start. Got rid of the clutter.
What have I learned so far in my misadventures?
1.) I’m the poorest mother F**ker to walk the face of the earth. Mr. Insurance Guy.
2.) People really care about our well being. The amount of people that have reached out to me is tremendous. I appreciate what every body has given. Whether its a hot shower, a hot meal, a discount on clothes, added fundage to survive off of, whatever. All ya’ll rock.
3.) Arcserve really does suck. Really.
4.) Managers will let you install the better backup software at all costs. And they’ll leave you alone to do it when you prove how much Arcserve sucks.
5.) There’s nothing wrong with getting a thank you card from your regular drinking establishment. Ask Theriot.
6.) When you go home and see things you remember from your childhood being rebuilt, you want to be back there to be a part of it. At all costs.
7.) The Southbound Causeway Bridge is and always was bumpy.
8.) Paying under $3.00 for a meal is considered strange when you gt a food stipend. I did it tonight. 2 corndogs, 2 potato logs, and a mt. dew. mmm delicious. heart attack city. Reminded me of Dolly’s in Kiln. (Shrug. Grin.)
9.) It’s OK to let the boss man cover the bar tab. You obviously earned it.
10.) Bryan Bensel knows like half of the people I know somehow. Wow.
11.) Hotel Room Surfing is fun. Just ask Dave. All it takes is an ironing board.
12.) Dave jumps on his bed. That’s why its never made.
13.) The train really IS where it’s at. People that haven’t even seen the train are contributing to the cause. People from work with train stuff from when they were kids are giving me stuff for it.
14.) Housekeeping really does knock twice and say housekeeping. And when they clean, they clean.
15.) I do really drink like a fish. I can chug a rum and coke single in 15 seconds.
16.) When you drive the church van you GOTTA listen to Christian Rock. It really makes it a better ride. So does Mad Mike.
17.) Those massage chairs in the mall ROCK!!
18.) I love Pickle. And everyone else does too. I love ’em right back.
19.) New Orleans really is Africa Hot. Tarzan was so pissed he took the first vine outta town.
Anyways, I think i got about everything in this post. My cell or email is still best ways to contact me. Peace out.
-P.Scoop
Re: More updates (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Oct 17, 2005 – 07:51 PM
Hey P, Just wanted to extended your list a little with something I learned…
1) I love Pickle. And Stirfry. And Ghetto, And LSU football.
2) When traveling 3500 miles don’t forget to bath.
3) I can drink a pitcher of beer in 1 gulp for a dollar.
4) Everything costs a dollar.
5) That being a heat generating, warm blooded creature is benifically in the north and a nuicasance in the south.
That’s it. I’ll be home for halloween (well sooner like wed.) L8r Pounders
Re: More updates (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Oct 20, 2005 – 12:26 AM
Hey Pickle glad to hear you’re doing ok and hope the rest of the old Salmen crew is too. Katrina’s got me all nostaglic and wondering how Salmen made out, not that it’s as important as friends and families homes. I’m still doing the college thing in Texas, Civil Engineering. Graduating in December and hoping I’ll get to come back and be part of the city’s rebirth. Best of luck to everyone.
Brad D. “Nemo”
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