Dear New Orleans,
It's been about 10 years since we first met, but it feels like I've known you all my life. I remember falling in love that first cab ride through uptown on my way to visit my best friend. Little did we know that I'd be a full time resident in less than two years. Seven years ago we had our hearts broken by Katrina - and she almost ruined the idea that was New Orleans. But we also were able to mend ourselves with the help of New Orleans (and my dear, dear Saints). Giving a good case of PTSD to all Katrina in contact with, the city overcame and the idea that is New Orleans remained - without fail, as it has for over 200 years. We have a new unwanted visitor today by the name of Isaac who seems to not know when his welcome has worn out. Despite this, my heart is still with New Orleans and I know that no storm can do anything to change that....
Love,
Ashley (Dr. Inks)
This day of the year is one of those ugly times because it reminds us of the pain we had to go through because of Katrina. Today we are dealing not only with the memory of Katrina but the presence of Isaac. Going through all of those memories from Katrina while watching what's going on now makes things particularly difficult and scary. But New Orleaneans are handling the situation as they always do - with a grain of salt...and a shot of tequila.
What made me fall in love with New Orleans even more after the storm is the way in which New Orleans came back and has since thrived in the face of skepticism, the ill or non-informed, and the outright haters. The Saints were a big part of putting New Orleans in the press for good reasons, which is something that only they could have done and we might have to call upon them again this year to do the same. All of these things I've already said countless times.
This year I've had the wonderful opportunity to introduce one of the most important people in my life to the most important city in my life. As nothing is, it wasn't perfect - but that's life. I've also had the pleasure of acting as a tour guide in absentia for a bachelorette party of ladies who had mostly never been to New Orleans. I've had the privilege of giving friends bar itineraries for their buddy's bachelor parties, too. I thought the hardest thing about that would be not going, but truthfully, it was giving directions to Gold Mine - sober (I've never done that before). Hopefully my directions of, "Go down Bourbon, have a Hurricane and a hand grenade, in that order, continue to go down Bourbon, at some point, you'll know to take a left, and it'll be on your right after what seems like a block or two". I don't know if they found it, but last I heard they all made it back. I'm not sure I would have been able to say the same for myself. Each trip I make the temptation grows stronger to skip the trip home. Were it not for a few people and felines that I could not persuade to come down - I would give in to that temptation.
On this day, seven years ago - we were faced with the idea that New Orleans would be no more. Seven years ago on August 29th, that fear put a scar on the hearts of all who bleed black and gold, and carry that heart in the shape of a Fleur-de-Lys on their sleeves. If you've never been to New Orleans, go. Its an awesome city and it's so fun. The food is delicious, the people are friendly, and the pace is blissfully relaxed. If you need suggestions - please don't hesitate to ask. But maybe find your own way to Gold Mine.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Patriot(s)
....remember the days before Mel Gibson made it really obvious that he hated certain...everyone who wasn't exactly like him? Those were the days.
So we had a short week this week and it'll be interesting to see who lets their ego slide juuuuust a little bit and pushes to win the game, Brady or Brees. They're two pretty likeable guys by my count (all fanship allegiances aside). You know they're both going to walk in the game, shake hands and be all like, "no its just preseason, whatev-skies," blah blah blah. I have a hunch though that one of them...and the name might rhyme with "Shmeesus"...will let that competitive streak flare and push to win the game. And Brady of course will respond in kind and hopefully it wont turn into a complete curfuffle.
The Patriots are pretty good every year, and in years when they don't make it to the Championships or win the superbowl, its not because some team was so much greater than them (Exception: New Orleans Saints Superbowl win 2009 season). Its usually because they shot themselves in the foot (or in New York Giants Plexiglass Burress' case, the leg). Bilichek (I dont know how to spell his name) is diabolical along the same lines as Payton, so I'll be interested to see what sort of fun stuff they do this evening.
Now Vilma might get a ruling as early as tomorrow according to ESPN and things are looking like the judge might be a sports fan and let the guys play. That doesnt do anything for us this evening, but it could do a lot for the morale of the team. This could also have implications on Payton's situation, especially if its a favorable ruling.
Brees made good initial use of Darren "I'm the littlest and fastest guy on the field look at me go!" Sproles, and PT who is just freaking amazing as per usual.
Notable mentions from last game:
1.) Who the F is Travaris Cadet and where can we clone him? I would like to file him under, "Yes, please" when forming the final roster.
2.) I like how Roby came out of the woodwork again, showing people he's not just some, "one-quarter-night-stand". Way to diversify yo' runs.
3.) Chase - really? Did you not just come from saying how "ready" you were in case Breesus (Praise Breesus) didn't get his contract hammered out? You got more sacks put on you than some poor frat pledge during rush week. My nickname for you is going to be "Lipton" ("Lip" for short) because you basically got tea-bagged. Do what any girl with good sense does when she sees something like that coming her way - RUN!
That all being said, I hope for a good game this evening (completely bummed because my schedule is in CST so I thought the game started at 630...I was wrong. I have to wait another entire hour :( ) Im hoping no one gets injured and we have a good show of it. GEAUX SAINTS and Bless you boys!
So we had a short week this week and it'll be interesting to see who lets their ego slide juuuuust a little bit and pushes to win the game, Brady or Brees. They're two pretty likeable guys by my count (all fanship allegiances aside). You know they're both going to walk in the game, shake hands and be all like, "no its just preseason, whatev-skies," blah blah blah. I have a hunch though that one of them...and the name might rhyme with "Shmeesus"...will let that competitive streak flare and push to win the game. And Brady of course will respond in kind and hopefully it wont turn into a complete curfuffle.
The Patriots are pretty good every year, and in years when they don't make it to the Championships or win the superbowl, its not because some team was so much greater than them (Exception: New Orleans Saints Superbowl win 2009 season). Its usually because they shot themselves in the foot (or in New York Giants Plexiglass Burress' case, the leg). Bilichek (I dont know how to spell his name) is diabolical along the same lines as Payton, so I'll be interested to see what sort of fun stuff they do this evening.
Now Vilma might get a ruling as early as tomorrow according to ESPN and things are looking like the judge might be a sports fan and let the guys play. That doesnt do anything for us this evening, but it could do a lot for the morale of the team. This could also have implications on Payton's situation, especially if its a favorable ruling.
Brees made good initial use of Darren "I'm the littlest and fastest guy on the field look at me go!" Sproles, and PT who is just freaking amazing as per usual.
Notable mentions from last game:
1.) Who the F is Travaris Cadet and where can we clone him? I would like to file him under, "Yes, please" when forming the final roster.
2.) I like how Roby came out of the woodwork again, showing people he's not just some, "one-quarter-night-stand". Way to diversify yo' runs.
3.) Chase - really? Did you not just come from saying how "ready" you were in case Breesus (Praise Breesus) didn't get his contract hammered out? You got more sacks put on you than some poor frat pledge during rush week. My nickname for you is going to be "Lipton" ("Lip" for short) because you basically got tea-bagged. Do what any girl with good sense does when she sees something like that coming her way - RUN!
That all being said, I hope for a good game this evening (completely bummed because my schedule is in CST so I thought the game started at 630...I was wrong. I have to wait another entire hour :( ) Im hoping no one gets injured and we have a good show of it. GEAUX SAINTS and Bless you boys!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Rase-ing Arizona
I've been waiting a long ass time for this day. While it is the first preseason game and the starters are expected to play an introductory set of downs, I'm still amped. We have Breesus (praise Breesus) and I'm interested to see the new talent. As the first preseason game I think that it's only right to wish Breesus a good game and to hope that no one on either team gets hurt. I believe we're 'playing' Arizona, but we all know these games are little more than an organized scrimmage to help coaches and staff make the final difficult cuts to their teams.
These preseason games are a good forum for the drafted and free agents alike to make a name for themselves. Most noteable I think this year will be the workout partner from San Diego, Marques Clark. This guy went from delivering pizza's and coaching highschool in Cali to trying out for the New Orleans Saints because Drew Brees is that awesome.
He was like, "Oh hey lets work out I'll throw the ball around and you catch it" and Marques was probably like, "Alright" and then Drew probably said, "Damn you're good at this you should come play for my team" and then after the guy came to from passing out at the opportunity afforded to him from Drew Breesus, he was probably like, "...Alright". And this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Brees has such an eye for talent I bet he could walk through a Wheres Waldo? book having spotted that stripe-shirted weirdo in 5 seconds or less on every page. Now this season Breesus will not have the cream to his coffee, his powdered sugar to the beignet, his...coach. Spags will have to come through in a way that he clearly did not come through for the Rams (although that switcharoo with the Rams did, too bad I don't wonder what Gregg is doing now). I suspect that given the chance, Spags will shine. Thats what New Orleans does, it takes things that didnt thrive anywhere else, and gives them room to grow and be whatever it is that they excel at. Granted during my tenure there I learned that I excelled at Long Island Ice Tea's at TJ's on swizzle night, but that's neither here nor there.
We're down a few key players most noteably Marques Colston, but like I said above, it looks like we might have another Marques C. to fill his spot.
Our defense is going to be interesting this year. I'm still wondering (as I'm sure he is) what will become of Jonathan Vilma this year. I don't think for one bit that he should be suspended for a year. My guess is Goodell is going to postpone any movement for as long as possible to make him miss as much of the season as he possibly can. Whatever....this year we'll just kick everyone's asses for free (credit: some random picture I saw on Facebook). Im excited for the talent that we're going to be bringing to the field. I had to go check the Saints roster for this, but apparently Hartley is still on the team. I hope his 'hamstring' injury has healed, although it looked pretty alright when I saw him at the Bulldog on Magazine the visit before last...granted those fancy 'ladies of the evening' he was romancing could have re-aggravated it.
Akiem Hicks went to Regina (university?) in Canada and I fully intend on cheering him on in standard Canadian fashion by adding "ey" on the end of every cheer about him. For example:
"RUN THE BALL EY!"
"WAY TO MAKE THAT FIRST DOWN EY!"
"YOU HIT THAT GUY LIKE YOU GOT PAID SPECIFICALLY FOR IT AS PART OF A VAGUE AND YET TO BE PROVEN BOUNTY SYSTEM EY!"
Today is the start of pre-season football, and the start of regular game day posts as well as the start of my fanatical love of the Saints and everything New Orleans. I love my team and I love my city. Bless you boys and GEAUX SAINTS!
These preseason games are a good forum for the drafted and free agents alike to make a name for themselves. Most noteable I think this year will be the workout partner from San Diego, Marques Clark. This guy went from delivering pizza's and coaching highschool in Cali to trying out for the New Orleans Saints because Drew Brees is that awesome.
He was like, "Oh hey lets work out I'll throw the ball around and you catch it" and Marques was probably like, "Alright" and then Drew probably said, "Damn you're good at this you should come play for my team" and then after the guy came to from passing out at the opportunity afforded to him from Drew Breesus, he was probably like, "...Alright". And this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Brees has such an eye for talent I bet he could walk through a Wheres Waldo? book having spotted that stripe-shirted weirdo in 5 seconds or less on every page. Now this season Breesus will not have the cream to his coffee, his powdered sugar to the beignet, his...coach. Spags will have to come through in a way that he clearly did not come through for the Rams (although that switcharoo with the Rams did, too bad I don't wonder what Gregg is doing now). I suspect that given the chance, Spags will shine. Thats what New Orleans does, it takes things that didnt thrive anywhere else, and gives them room to grow and be whatever it is that they excel at. Granted during my tenure there I learned that I excelled at Long Island Ice Tea's at TJ's on swizzle night, but that's neither here nor there.
We're down a few key players most noteably Marques Colston, but like I said above, it looks like we might have another Marques C. to fill his spot.
Our defense is going to be interesting this year. I'm still wondering (as I'm sure he is) what will become of Jonathan Vilma this year. I don't think for one bit that he should be suspended for a year. My guess is Goodell is going to postpone any movement for as long as possible to make him miss as much of the season as he possibly can. Whatever....this year we'll just kick everyone's asses for free (credit: some random picture I saw on Facebook). Im excited for the talent that we're going to be bringing to the field. I had to go check the Saints roster for this, but apparently Hartley is still on the team. I hope his 'hamstring' injury has healed, although it looked pretty alright when I saw him at the Bulldog on Magazine the visit before last...granted those fancy 'ladies of the evening' he was romancing could have re-aggravated it.
Akiem Hicks went to Regina (university?) in Canada and I fully intend on cheering him on in standard Canadian fashion by adding "ey" on the end of every cheer about him. For example:
"RUN THE BALL EY!"
"WAY TO MAKE THAT FIRST DOWN EY!"
"YOU HIT THAT GUY LIKE YOU GOT PAID SPECIFICALLY FOR IT AS PART OF A VAGUE AND YET TO BE PROVEN BOUNTY SYSTEM EY!"
Today is the start of pre-season football, and the start of regular game day posts as well as the start of my fanatical love of the Saints and everything New Orleans. I love my team and I love my city. Bless you boys and GEAUX SAINTS!
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