For years now, I'd wake up on New Year's Day with a clean slate. Dinner, music and maybe a few more cocktails than usual the night before to wash away the crap of the previous 364 days. Then, I'd meet the gang for breakfast at Nathan's in Coney Island and a swim with the polar bears to wash away even more of the crap of the previous 364 days. Like an Etch-A-Sketch, I'd shake away the negativity, the speed bumps, the proverbial slime and begin a new year. "You're gonna make it after all!" A rebirth in the icy waters of Brooklyn, USA.
Then, some asshole usually pisses me off and by January 4th, I'm back to my old, cynical self.
This year, the gang decided to sit out the Coney Island swim and the 10AM hotdogs and beer. We've all had a rough year, for one reason or another. I wasn't unhappy with the decision. I was home, with good food, good booze, a list of movies I had DVR'd, and great music all within reach. Everyone was home. It was okay. In a way, we were still together. Time to start my journey of positivity, which for a crank like me, might as well be a trek up Everest.
I didn't make it to midnight. I was asleep by 11. I woke up around 7:45, made some coffee, posted a cartoon on the blog and started reading email.
Then, I saw the news about New Orleans. An asshole pissed me off in record time. Just 15 minutes awake in the new year and I was already gutted.
New Orleans has a special way of facing tragedy. They rise above it. As one Indian Chief said in the wake of Katrina, "You can't drown soul, baby." But as one individual whose heart and soul is 1300 miles away from the current tragedy, I can't feel anything but helpless.
My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and to all of the good souls of New Orleans.
I'm sorry.
9 comments:
We are not off to a good start this year. Then again are we ever off to a good start?
Captain Al
We all know how much you love New Orleans. This has to hurt like hell. Thinking of you today.
Words fail me. Except hang in there, pal.
NO is the biblical Job. While people are quick to pronounce the city's resiliance, it changed for the worse following Katrina. My heart aches for the dead and the injured, as well as their loved ones. My fear is that another change for the worse may be in store, especially given how the city's economy is so dependent on tourism, and how this horrible event will damage that segment.
Was reading recently that some public celebrations and festivities might be discontinued because the cost of insurance is becoming prohibitive. The story cited Lloyd's of London considering ending all such policies because the USA has simply become too violent to continue coverage. Speaks volumes, no?
headed to NOLA in a day or so and while I share pmac's concern, I am already struck by my friends' attitudes...NOLA deserves so much better.
Feed the world. Give peace a chance. They're simple asks and yet remain undone.
Sending lots of positive energy to New Orleans and you.
The first thing I thought when I heard the nes was “Nothing keeps New Orleans down”. New Orleanians have got to be the most resilient people in the world. If Katrina couldn’t beat them, nothing will. I’ll be there on the 16th, and I fully expect to find them fully recovered.
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