Cold Spaghetti

Thanks to everyone again for your thoughts and support.

We arrived back at my parents’ home in Mobile, Alabama Monday night. Will quickly re-adjusted to the familiar environment and his sleep difficulties quickly subsided. We had a good time visiting my brother Skip, sister-in-law Emily, friends Gwen and Mario (with Gwen’s dad, brother, and girlfriend!), and our NOLA neighbors Linda and Walt who were staying in St. Simon’s with Walt wonderful mother. It was nice to re-connect with so many and allowed us some options while Alabama power restored services to the area. Gasoline is still quite scarce, but we’ve been asking around and were able to find a great place yesterday with no lines. The stores are pretty much all open so today I’m going out to re-stock a bit on little things (ie: Will is out of toothpaste.)

Our ears are always tuned to the news from New Orleans. We frequent NOLA.com as well as related weblogs. We are anxious and hopeful for the opportunity to visit the house, collect some belongings (ie: toys and pajamas for Will, clothes for Paul, pillows for me), and assess any damage.

We’ve talked to our insurance agency (USAA) and they were generally good. We have a deductible of about $3000 (ouch) for any damage. The bummer is that if we do NOT have any damage, we will get no assistance in expenses related to the evacuation or in loss of use. In essence this makes sense: insurance is only for when you cannot habit your home due to damage, not because the city says you can’t, or because there is no power and water. Still, in this type of situation, you’d think they’d be a bit more flexible. We’re worried about potential damages from the house sitting empty that insurance may not cover. Hopefully we can get back soon and know exactly with what we are dealing.

Nonetheless, we are incredibly lucky to have a free place to stay that offers some free babysitting.

Will points out Bella-the-dog’s nose. 

S.L.U.T.S. : Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress 

Will at the park, St. Simon’s Island (photo by Aunt Gwen!) 

Will and Paul at the park, SSI. 

Strike a pose — there’s nothing to it — VOGUE! 

Will plays in the pool shower as Aunt Gwen pulls the cord, St. Simon’s Island. 

Hot, preggers, and on the town. Gwen and I on St. Simon’s Island. 

I was incredibly moved by this personal account of a conference attendee who was trapped in the city following Katrina.

Two thoughts:
1. The people left in New Orleans had a single job to do in Katrina and in its aftermath: to perish. I firmly believe that this disaster is a powerful example of government endorsed and encouraged genocide.
2. The fact that this is unbelieveable is obvious. But what is upsetting is that it is not unacceptable. People will shake their heads and say that this situation boggles the mind — but that is all they will do. This should not be unbelieveable, it should be unacceptable. None of us should be satisified. However, who is actually willing to rock the boat or challenge the government (now working to make us all forget the situation and confirm a racist, sexist, homophobic maniac to the position of Supreme Court Chief Justice.) It is so much more pleasant to forget, blame those who “didn’t leave”, and go back to life in a simple, privileged bubble.

Will gives a goofy grin to Uncle Skip — he is so excited that they have taken him outside to play on the playground!