Yarr The Pirate!
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a city with no people.( word and picture heavy)
http://www.yarrthepirate.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8504		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Mintsy [ Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  a city with no people.( word and picture heavy)
I always use to wonder what then happens to people after suffering some huge tragedy after the NewsMedia gets done with them. And now it seems like I am one of those people. And it is so strange. So many things have happened since I last mentioned the hurricane: As most probably know, I got the amazing opportunity to study in Austria. Iggypu and I’s 3 year relationship came to an end. My grandfather has since past away and my grandmother has been moved to a nursing home that is far way from her home, she doesn’t even recognize me any more. Mother has moved to Alaska. Actually most members of my family have moved out of Louisiana. Only my dad is still left in the city.

I’m back in New Orleans for 2 weeks. And it is so weird to be home…apart from the reverse culture-shock..
It is the first time I’m actually seeing for myself all the damage done to both my home(which got about 8feet of standing water for 2 weeks) and city.
And I’ve been struggling to find words to describe my feelings… its not easy.
The other day I went to see my home for the first time, nothing has been done to it yet. The back door to my house was wide open, as most doors are in this area.

My mom’s abandoned car is the only one the street.
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This was our living room.
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My cats did not live long enough to eat the food we left for them on our counter.
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We are still unable to get into my room, cause of all the furniture that floated to the front of the door.

It still all seems so unreal. The whole area that I lived in is totally destroyed, seeing it is like looking at old war footage.
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Normally these streets would be packed with cars. This time of year the Japanese magnolias would be blooming, and everything would be pink and fragrant, but now everything living is dead and lie cut up in the gigantic landfill that the park has become. The kids who lived down the street from me would just be setting up their seasonal after school king cake and sweet ice tea stand. And of course, mardi gras would be starting.
Well… mardi gras is still starting… but its not the same at all. Most area’s in the inner city are completely destroyed and deserted. Where the rich live, uptown (aka the isle of denial), is really the only area that left unscratched.
My school has been turned into a makeshift trailer park, and my dad is one of the few houses on our street who doesn’t have a trailer living in front of it. But its kinda neat, cause some of the trailers have been decorated to look like mardi gras floats, its cool to know that new orleanians can still keep a sense of humor.

Its so hard to see all these things, especially after being in beautiful Europe for so long.

And I don’t know. I really just wanted to let people know that things are still fucked up here. Street lights still aren’t working, and there are people who still don’t have electricity… but are expected to pay for the possibility of having electricity. Most of the 100+ year old oaks, the pride of the city and avid tree climbers, have to be cut down. And entire neighborhoods are being leveled. My favorite spot in the whole city has fallen into the lake. My university is having its funds seriously cut, and many departments are being completely dissolved. And worse yet, because of fighting amongst local and federal goverment, the city will not be shape to survive next year’s hurricane season.


Everything is such a fucking mess. and it hurts so much to be back. I have so much respect for the people who still live in the city, especially those living in trailers in front of their destroyed homes.

I just wish that one day I find a sense of security and piece. I’m so afraid that I will now never be able to let my guard down, and after losing all my comics, games, and magic card…I’m so afraid to buy anything ever again. Blagh I don’t know. Thanks for reading.
Author:  Metalmilitia [ Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi mintsy,
In a way I am glad you are home, as I am sure you are happy to be home. But I am sorry you have to come home to that. Most people don't serve that. I wish you the best of luck getting back on your feet and I hope you can feel safe and sound eventually.
Author:  Whisp [ Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
i hope shit works itself out for you. "that sucks" goes without saying. new orleans hasn't made the news at all lately so its good to hear an update, but it doesn't sound like any good news. having lived in louisiana for 10 years i know the state government is totally incompetent. what a shitty situation.
Author:  Dmitry [ Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm so sorry that you had to come home and see that. I could never imagine what that would be like. Pictures and words like these from people that were actually there have a lot more of an impact that those crappy news reports. Ugh, I wish I could do something to help the people there out somehow and know it makes a difference.
Author:  Kaylia [ Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:08 am ]
Post subject: 
It's kinda sad to look at those picture when you think at all the drama behind it. I really hope everything will go for the best for you and your family :?
Author:  Airenn [ Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Wow... I can't think of much to say but I'm terribly sorry, Mint. :(
Author:  Dinav [ Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
I was lucky enough to be on the westbank. Or as the stuck up lawyers I had to work with called it, "The place that was *supposed* to be flooded".

Hopefully Mardi Gras will get people down here enough to see the damage done to the city, and raise the awareness a bit.

My school is in the center of NO. The neighborhood is being rebuilt, but is still largely uninhabited.


Btw, Mint. What college are you at right now in town?
Author:  Thunderstomp [ Sun Feb 26, 2006 5:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Those pictures look so bleak. That's cool that you got to study in Austria, but it sucks that your home is wrecked. I hope things work out for you.
Author:  Mintsy [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:30 am ]
Post subject: 
I go to UNO.. but on sunday I'm going back to Austria till august or so.

mardi gras has been kinda cool this year, normally I don't like it so much, but so many krewes have a "hurricane" theme. laughter is best medicine and all.

we got into my room the other day. even though it was the darkest room in the house and has been sealed up since the hurricane.. there was surprisingly little mold, although most things were still wet and there was lots of rat poop (ew). and my magic cards are all right! even the ones that weren't boxed.. and about 1/3rd of my comics should be ok.. but they now smell alittle strange. little things, but atleast its something.

thanks for all the support guys. its just strange. so many people just think that everything is now magically ok here. on the news they show the downtown area, with the french quarter and all.. but nothing of the flood areas or of the people who are still being screwed out of money and home.
Author:  Kaylia [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
thanks for all the support guys. its just strange. so many people just think that everything is now magically ok here. on the news they show the downtown area, with the french quarter and all.. but nothing of the flood areas or of the people who are still being screwed out of money and home.



TV News are all about grabbing people attention. Since people usually prefer not to know their neighbor are in trouble since it make them feel bad, it's not surprising they are avoiding showing people who are still being screwed =/ Go people ...
Author:  Dinav [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oprah hasn't forgotten us!



Apparently neither has Ellen....but she's from here.
Author:  Yarr [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
lol the comment about your magic cards and comics made me almost fall out of my chair lauging. Mintsy youre the god damn best haha.
Author:  Sunshine [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Those photos were unlike anything I've seen on the news, etc. But then again, the news is always corrupt and doesn't always represent the people who need representation, nor do they show it like it really is. I wish you all the best. I'm glad that Europe is treating you well! You deserve that!


I donated some money to the relief fund and to be honest, I wonder where all the donations actually go. I know that a lot of organizations have been doing some good things, but I'm wondering how much money the victims actually get to see in action for themselves. Also, isn't it funny how the US government is fighting this ridiculous "war" in the middle east, yet they aren't making great strides to get the severely affected areas of their country back in order at all? I think the government needs to sit down and re-think their priorities. I think all governments should be doing this.
Author:  Airenn [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sunshine wrote:
Those photos were unlike anything I've seen on the news, etc. But then again, the news is always corrupt and doesn't always represent the people who need representation, nor do they show it like it really is. I wish you all the best. I'm glad that Europe is treating you well! You deserve that!


I donated some money to the relief fund and to be honest, I wonder where all the donations actually go. I know that a lot of organizations have been doing some good things, but I'm wondering how much money the victims actually get to see in action for themselves. Also, isn't it funny how the US government is fighting this ridiculous "war" in the middle east, yet they aren't making great strides to get the severely affected areas of their country back in order at all? I think the government needs to sit down and re-think their priorities. I think all governments should be doing this.


For both paragraphs, couldn't have said it better myself. As for relief fund, I agree, where does it go? Maybe a relief fund for our precious friends (irl and in-game) straight to them would be better. /rolls eyes
Author:  Yarr [ Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Red Cross and 911 really put a bad taste in the mouths of alot of people. When you make a donation you just have to trust that its going to the right place.

Yes it sucks that maybe some of the money people donate is lost, but we cant really control everything and we cant expect a perfect world. I would worry more about people not donating because of this fear than anything else.
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