Building a Bridge (and getting over it)

A week with one's mother can do wonders for the heart. A few days in New Orleans can revive a sad soul. Unexpected visits with dear old friends can bring back remembrances of why we a social creatures that need to have fun and be merry with one another. Needless to say, I think I am a different person than I was when I arrived on Wednesday with a broken heart.

I'm getting back to work, hitting the books by day and the bars by night. I saw my old friend last night who happens to be visiting here from Austin with her jet-setting boyfriend. I've rediscovered my center of gravity, regained composure, and rocked a few pool tables since I arrived. I don't know when I will go back to Atlanta, since I brought all my clothes and books I don't have much to worry about. I might just stay here to bring in the New Year, I can't wait for 2010 to be over.

Tonight the New Orleans Saints are playing against the Atlanta Falcons. I'm hitting the local bars and rooting against Atlanta. I guess you could call me a traitor, but Atlanta has never been my favorite place and New Orleans is much cooler. Until then, it's back to academic writing!

Voodoo Haircuts and the Holidays

Today has been the girliest day ever. Mom and I started the day with a trip to the salon. I got an awesome haircut and blow dry. While I usually argue that the nail salon is my personal panacea, the hair salon works just fine. An awesome dude did my hair and offered me voodoo advice for my current breakup. I laughed, but refused to provide an object my ex has given me to conjure voodoo. Only in New Orleans will your gay hair dresser offer you a shoulder to cry on and a voodoo doll!

Following our trip to the salon, we went and had awesome food at a pan-Asian buffet. The sushi chef made me some spicy tuna rolls to order, and I was stuffed by the end of the meal. We finished off the evening by shopping at a local store. Surprisingly, the place was almost empty, maybe people in New Orleans just don't feel the 2 days before Christmas compulsion to shop as folks in other cities do.

Now we're chilling and listening to Buena Vista Social Club, I got my mom hooked!

Driving, Buena Vista Social Club, and Family

I set out on a long journey today to visit my mom for Christmas. Traveling alone, I naturally caught up on phone calls, smoked a pack of camels and listened to music. I borrowed a Buena Vista Social Club CD for the trip and ended up listening to it throughout the entire drive, despite the fact that I had 5 other CDs in the player.

As I drove along, I wished I was dancing on a beach somewhere in Latin America. Buena Vista Social Club brought me to a completely different place where drinks have umbrellas, no one speaks English, and mosquitoes eat you alive. I drove through Alabama for hours pretending that I was in Mexico and continually tried to translate the Spanish lyrics in my head.




Needless to say, my journey was wonderful and I enjoyed the giddy solitude. As soon as I went over the long bridge from Slidell into New Orleans, I knew I was about to be surrounded by love. I got so happy as I drove down the main drag to my mom's house. For the first time ever, I felt like coming to my mom's house in New Orleans was like coming home. A weird feeling in retrospect, considering that I have never lived here.

After hanging with my mom for hours, I headed out for a game of pool to close out the night. A full day indeed!

Awesome New Song

This is the latest release by Dr. Dre Snoop and Akon off a new album that's coming out in February. It's really sweet so I thought I would share it here and dedicate it to my people in L.A. It's called Kush. Last night I heard Snoop talking about it on Atlanta radio and he mentioned that he has "longevity love." Yes you do Snoop and Dre., I've been listening to you guys since I was in the 5th grade and you still both kick ass.

Shopping!

I have recently discovered that I not only love shopping for myself, but I love shopping for others as well. I finished all of my Xmas shopping today and it was a blast. I wish I could reveal what I bought, but then I would ruin it for some of my readers (namely my mother).

There is one person who I bought for that I know for sure doesn't read my blog--my roomie's 4 year old daughter. I had a great time at Target finding her a Barbie doll. It was almost as exciting as buying clothes for myself. What did I buy her? Fashionista Barbie (of course).

I am amped about leaving for the holidays this Wednesday and saying bye-bye to Atlanta for a short period. Until then, it's back to academic writing for me!