Day 2 Jazz Festival and My Own Little Room

I'm pooped and Jazz Festival hasn't even started. It's work, man, being here, I tell ya'. So many decisions. Do I wear a skirt or a sundress today?  Eat gumbo or crawfish? Listen to the Rebirth Brass Band or Trombone Shorty? Yeah, so cry me a Mississippi River. But you know the saying how you have to take a vacation from your vacation.

 Today I spent an hour unpacking all my bling and outfits, lining up stacks of shirts and skirts and dresses that I will fling all over the room every day as I get dressed for JF. I went to the Super Dome and bought tix, then to lunch near Susan's office, then visited Susan's office on Canal Street, then walked for two miles in and out of galleries while I waited for Susan and took 353 photos all over the Quarter, including the (2012 Grammy for best regional roots album) Rebirth Brass Band and entourage; the Daisy Divas; Tanya and Dorise, amazing classical with wild flair duo (watch for them) http://tanyandorise.com/. I worked out with Susan,

helped make dinner and tried to 

take night pictures of Charles' fish in his tank in the shed, 

which did not work because they are nocturnal and every time we tried to put a light on them, they hid in their hollow log home. So you know, tomorrow is Jazz Festival. It's time I finish this blog and love this little room that is also part of the New Orleans scene for me. So thankful that it's mine for  14 days a year.

Tanya, of Tanya and Dorise

"In my own little corner, in my own little room, I can be whatever I want to be" -- Cinderella.

Arrival New Orleans Jazz Festival 2012. Let's do this thing.

Arrived 4 p.m. Wednesday April 25.
Weather: Perfect. Blue skies. Crazy breezes. No humidity.
Sat outside the airport on my suitcase and tried to have a forever moment while waiting for Susan.

Felt the breezes.
Heard the traffic.
Smelled the traffic.
Saw dappled sun, girl in hot pink shorts, girl in long dress.
Felt relief, peace and happiness that I was here.
~
Susan picked me up and we picked up where we left off. Laughed til we almost peed. Went to a Turkish restaurant and wondered what was wrong with people. Drank tea. Ate salmon. Shopped for food we swear we're gonna cook, but probably won't. Sneaked dark chocolate malted milk balls out of bulk bins. And then home to my room inside the house where Mama lived and burned.  I love the little room upstairs that Susan renovated in her oh so signature style, that I get to live in for 14 days, while I'm not partying, eating, driving around taking pictures and listening to music. It is my haven for these 14 days, a respite from the weary world, which has been especially weary of late. Take that, Dr. Ninnyhammer Nutbag at the Cleveland Clinic, which is another story for another blog. Meanwhile, we finished the night by watching really stupid YouTubes and looking through pictures of Mama and the family when we were young-er. Hundreds of pictures. Hundreds, I tell you. I didn't steal a one, Susan. I promise. I drank wine and stumbled up the steep stairs to my room. Today is a brand new day, and I cannot wait to see what I see. Love this city. Love my sister. Love Jazz Festival. Yes.

My home away from home.