SKEE-LO - I Wish - SKEE-LO
-The Chocolate Girl Wonder
3.29.2009
3.22.2009
The Big Easy= Not so easy.
Rolled back into New York from New Orleans yesterday. I knew what I wanted to say in this blog post, but I was just too exhausted from not sleeping for 48 hours, you know how it is. I stepped on the plane to Louisiana with feelings of hope and drive to help those in struggle. I returned with new friends, experiences, and some great pictures. Though the trip overall was completely worth the 300 dollar deposit, and all the research to create our huge papers, it was too easy. From getting dressed in the morning to wear appropriate clothes so I wouldn't get harassed, to dealing with the fights within the group, I personally had a good time. Although, SHIT WENT DOWN.
Luckily, we didn't have to do the hole touristy thing. When touring around the different neighborhoods, we were given tours by native New Orleans citizens, politicians, and interns from the Urban Conservancy, who we partnered with throughout the trip. With a 9am wake up call everyday, we spent days throughout the city taking pictures and notes on the infrastructure three years after the hurricane. And it's STILL a shit hole. Believe me. New Orleans has the most corrupt government in the entire country, and are in the lead for highest murder rate. They definitely need to get their shit together.
On the third day, a bunch of us went into the Lower Ninth Ward, the most dangerous, deserted neighborhood in the city. What was supposed to be an afternoon of observation and conversation, instantly turned into a gun battle. Teenagers in a white van were blasting gun shots from the car, about 7 shots total. Kids were sprinting down the block, and classmates had to hide in a abandoned housing project. The cops refused to come, because of the area, and so did the cab company. NOT COOL. Later on, we made the NOLA Fox News, and they exaggerated the entire incident saying that 50 or 60 shots were fired, and it was like a "war zone!" bullshit.
Think that's enough drama for one vacation? There's obviously more. The original bed and breakfast we were staying at in the garden district gave us a bad vibe from the beginning. Finally, the owner, "Mr. Creepy Man" as we liked to call him, kicked us out for the stupidest reasons, such as "they smoked cigarettes and weed in my courtyard! They are always drunk!" Which none of the above occurred. The dude was the one trying to molest all the white girls on the trip! I've come to the conclusion that we got kicked out, because he's a schizophrenic racist, who obviously doesn't get any from his wife. He's got his own problems to deal with I guess.
After the shooting incident, officials from City Hall wanted to meet with us. Later on, they cancelled on us, and then made the media believe it was our fault! It makes no sense. But we got to meet with James Perry, democratic candidate for Mayor of N.O. 2010. We spoke with him about different issues such as the housing in the city, the construction of the Levees, poverty and violence. He's the man with the plan, as I like to state. I plan on working on his campaign trail this summer from New York, and spreading the word of course.
This trip has made me very interested in Urban studies, something I may pursue at Lang from now on. It makes the most obvious sense for me, since I've lived in an urban environment my entire life, whether it be Detroit, or New York. It's all fucked up and corrupt, so maybe I can make a difference! I'd like to also continue with Culture and Media since it's all connected. The trip was very emotional, viewing underprivileged people suffering with their government. Basically drowning.
On a lighter note, though we worked 9 to 5 days everyday of the week, we had nights to ourselves. I confess we did the entire tourist scene, down Bourbon street, sipping on hurricanes and meeting fraternity boys, but that died out quickly. We got to go out with the interns, and partied down Frenchmen street, and other neighborhood clubs and bars. Karaoke, burlesque shows and mechanical bulls were incorporated! I drank more alcohol in my week in NOLA, than I normally drink in the span of 3 months. I also tried out some Louisiana reefer, and flipped a shit. Nodding out like a junkie, so I'm going to take a little break (Hopefully).
Some bullshit went down within our class. Cliques for formed, and drama happened. I tried to stay clear of it of course, and since I'm a person who cliques with everyone else, I didn't have much of a problem. But we are going to express this bullshit hopefully in class on Tuesday, the first time we will all be together since the trip. But on this trip, I've definitely made new friends who are going to be there for me. Whether it was gossiping, or drinking 12 packs of bud light in the park in broad daylight, we had some great experiences together, me and the girls.
Now, I have to plan like a 10 page research paper with my partner about the Politics of Treme and the French Quarter. Should be interesting. This trip overall was surreal. New Orleans is such a great place with great history. It's impossible to walk down the street without having complete strangers approach you and ask how your day is. The kindest most compassionate people reside in NOLA. Plus, everything is so cheap! Cigarettes are 5 dollars. Beer is 2. Cocktails are 4. (You can see that I'm excited to start up the NYC lifestyle again). Most importantly, we got to experience what NOLA is truly about: JAZZ. You can't walk down a block in a busy neighborhood without hearing a great jazz band on the street corner. I got to see some shows as well, and it just reminded me of growing up. I definitely am going back soon.
that's the basic scoop on my week in New Orleans, LA.
Check out pictures to come, of the great graffiti art and infrastructure I took. I just need to develop my film, (since I only used disposable cameras).
-The Chocolate Girl Wonder
Rolled back into New York from New Orleans yesterday. I knew what I wanted to say in this blog post, but I was just too exhausted from not sleeping for 48 hours, you know how it is. I stepped on the plane to Louisiana with feelings of hope and drive to help those in struggle. I returned with new friends, experiences, and some great pictures. Though the trip overall was completely worth the 300 dollar deposit, and all the research to create our huge papers, it was too easy. From getting dressed in the morning to wear appropriate clothes so I wouldn't get harassed, to dealing with the fights within the group, I personally had a good time. Although, SHIT WENT DOWN.
Luckily, we didn't have to do the hole touristy thing. When touring around the different neighborhoods, we were given tours by native New Orleans citizens, politicians, and interns from the Urban Conservancy, who we partnered with throughout the trip. With a 9am wake up call everyday, we spent days throughout the city taking pictures and notes on the infrastructure three years after the hurricane. And it's STILL a shit hole. Believe me. New Orleans has the most corrupt government in the entire country, and are in the lead for highest murder rate. They definitely need to get their shit together.
On the third day, a bunch of us went into the Lower Ninth Ward, the most dangerous, deserted neighborhood in the city. What was supposed to be an afternoon of observation and conversation, instantly turned into a gun battle. Teenagers in a white van were blasting gun shots from the car, about 7 shots total. Kids were sprinting down the block, and classmates had to hide in a abandoned housing project. The cops refused to come, because of the area, and so did the cab company. NOT COOL. Later on, we made the NOLA Fox News, and they exaggerated the entire incident saying that 50 or 60 shots were fired, and it was like a "war zone!" bullshit.
Think that's enough drama for one vacation? There's obviously more. The original bed and breakfast we were staying at in the garden district gave us a bad vibe from the beginning. Finally, the owner, "Mr. Creepy Man" as we liked to call him, kicked us out for the stupidest reasons, such as "they smoked cigarettes and weed in my courtyard! They are always drunk!" Which none of the above occurred. The dude was the one trying to molest all the white girls on the trip! I've come to the conclusion that we got kicked out, because he's a schizophrenic racist, who obviously doesn't get any from his wife. He's got his own problems to deal with I guess.
After the shooting incident, officials from City Hall wanted to meet with us. Later on, they cancelled on us, and then made the media believe it was our fault! It makes no sense. But we got to meet with James Perry, democratic candidate for Mayor of N.O. 2010. We spoke with him about different issues such as the housing in the city, the construction of the Levees, poverty and violence. He's the man with the plan, as I like to state. I plan on working on his campaign trail this summer from New York, and spreading the word of course.
This trip has made me very interested in Urban studies, something I may pursue at Lang from now on. It makes the most obvious sense for me, since I've lived in an urban environment my entire life, whether it be Detroit, or New York. It's all fucked up and corrupt, so maybe I can make a difference! I'd like to also continue with Culture and Media since it's all connected. The trip was very emotional, viewing underprivileged people suffering with their government. Basically drowning.
On a lighter note, though we worked 9 to 5 days everyday of the week, we had nights to ourselves. I confess we did the entire tourist scene, down Bourbon street, sipping on hurricanes and meeting fraternity boys, but that died out quickly. We got to go out with the interns, and partied down Frenchmen street, and other neighborhood clubs and bars. Karaoke, burlesque shows and mechanical bulls were incorporated! I drank more alcohol in my week in NOLA, than I normally drink in the span of 3 months. I also tried out some Louisiana reefer, and flipped a shit. Nodding out like a junkie, so I'm going to take a little break (Hopefully).
Some bullshit went down within our class. Cliques for formed, and drama happened. I tried to stay clear of it of course, and since I'm a person who cliques with everyone else, I didn't have much of a problem. But we are going to express this bullshit hopefully in class on Tuesday, the first time we will all be together since the trip. But on this trip, I've definitely made new friends who are going to be there for me. Whether it was gossiping, or drinking 12 packs of bud light in the park in broad daylight, we had some great experiences together, me and the girls.
Now, I have to plan like a 10 page research paper with my partner about the Politics of Treme and the French Quarter. Should be interesting. This trip overall was surreal. New Orleans is such a great place with great history. It's impossible to walk down the street without having complete strangers approach you and ask how your day is. The kindest most compassionate people reside in NOLA. Plus, everything is so cheap! Cigarettes are 5 dollars. Beer is 2. Cocktails are 4. (You can see that I'm excited to start up the NYC lifestyle again). Most importantly, we got to experience what NOLA is truly about: JAZZ. You can't walk down a block in a busy neighborhood without hearing a great jazz band on the street corner. I got to see some shows as well, and it just reminded me of growing up. I definitely am going back soon.
that's the basic scoop on my week in New Orleans, LA.
Check out pictures to come, of the great graffiti art and infrastructure I took. I just need to develop my film, (since I only used disposable cameras).
-The Chocolate Girl Wonder
3.13.2009
I'm ill, not sick.
As Nicky Digital takes my pictures on a Wednesday night around 1 am at Ella, I think to myself how I should really slow down. Melissa feels the same way, (my home girl in the picture). Luckily, with much debate, I decided to stay in last night, and enjoy the company of my neighbors in 300 W. 20th. Still recovering from the most stoned day Pam and I had in a while, I took it slow, watched some March Madness, injected more Vick's up my nose, and eventually fell asleep. Tonight though, I'm back on the scene, unfortunately. I promised Anastasia a night to remember. We'll see how that goes. Tranny Fridays?
I've been sick for two weeks now with something I don't even know. What I thought was a bad case of allergies, turned into a cold, which has finally turned into a sinus infection. I've been miserable as I've injected endless amounts of Vick's into my nose, (the equivalent of cocaine if it came in a liquid form), and other shit. I've had to miss a helping of school in order to recover, which has not happened. Meanwhile, as I prepare for a 4:30am arrival at school on Sunday morning to travel to New Orleans, I've been trying to do my best to stay in and be a good student. Which has not happened:
As Nicky Digital takes my pictures on a Wednesday night around 1 am at Ella, I think to myself how I should really slow down. Melissa feels the same way, (my home girl in the picture). Luckily, with much debate, I decided to stay in last night, and enjoy the company of my neighbors in 300 W. 20th. Still recovering from the most stoned day Pam and I had in a while, I took it slow, watched some March Madness, injected more Vick's up my nose, and eventually fell asleep. Tonight though, I'm back on the scene, unfortunately. I promised Anastasia a night to remember. We'll see how that goes. Tranny Fridays?
One more thing:
Never go to the Bloomie Nails on 21st and 8th. Unless you want to get creeped the fuck out. As Pam and I sat in there stoned on a Thursday afternoon for our manicures and pedicures, we discovered the horror of nail care too expensive, gay men painting their toes purple, eccentric ladies complaining their cuticles are too large, and embarrassment. (ex: I had to blow my nose, and there was no tissue around, so I almost resorted to blowing my nose in Pam tissue that was wrapped in between her toes. Need I say more?) The manicurist had to walk away because she couldn't contain the laughter.
Tonight is a dinner with the old Cathedral girls at Mama Mexico. Hopefully they won't be racist and serve me my drink like they should have last time I was there. (It's okay, we got our revenge when Juliette decided to steal the candles from every table, circa sophomore year.)
Good times.
-The Chocolate Girl Wonder.
3.12.2009
504 HERE I COME:
IT'S JUST ME AND MY BITCH.
this sunday morning I depart for the greater metropolitan New Orleans, a town that has been calling my name since childhood. From all the years promised to attend Mardi Gras and all the different jazz festivals, almost 4 years after Hurricane Katrina is when I get to see the great city for the first time. This is going to be some emotional shit.
Were getting tours by survivors, and doing huge group projects. But come the nightfall, its Bourbon street, here I come! As Jed Horne came in and advised us, "buy your drugs in the French Quarter, never in the Lower 9th Ward!" (Now thats common sense!)
IT'S JUST ME AND MY BITCH.
If it wasn't for Anastasia Kuznetsova, college wouldn't be as messy as it is. The entire 5th floor actually, invigorate me. Whether is tranny thursdays, or a school night, its never a sober good time anymore.
thats it for now, I'm too stoned for this.
XOXO, the chocolate girl wonder.
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