My NOLA Tattoo

Three weeks ago five of us finally got together to get these fleur-de-lis tattoos we’ve been talking about since New Orleans. Here’s mine. It’s on my right calf.

We went to Saint Tattoo here in North Knoxville, and they did a good job. Not that I would know the difference, since this is my first tattoo and I have no plans for another. But it’s nice and black and there’s no gangrene — so I think they did a nice job.

My brother Kurt called my cell while I was in the chair, so I gave him a play-by-play. Didn’t hurt much, and the whole thing took maybe 20 minutes. Cost me $60. Anyway, kurt Googled fleur-de-lis and discovered that the French government used to brand their prisoners with the symbol before the revolution. Cool. Also it’s a symbol of the Virgin Mary (who knew?) and is the logo for the New Orleans Saints and the Boy Scouts.

So now I’ve got a very permanent souvenir of the trip. And as an added bonus, another way to identify my disfigured body if dental records are unavailable.

The Mayor’s Race

I’m taking a break from remodelling our kitchen and wondering about New Orleans’ mayoral election. Today was the most dramatic day in the city’s history since the levees broke.

The African American incumbent Ray Nagin is in a runoff against caucasian politically connected Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu in a race that has divided the city along racial lines. They agree on most issues, including rebuilding the city.

Just casting a vote today has been a challenge for both the locals and the ex-patriots. Registered citizens could vote by absentee ballot, or by traveling to satellite voting stations set up throughout Louisiana. Many people, including me, thought that voting centers should have been set up in Houston and other cities with a large number of ex-patriots. Despite the challenge, turnout seems to be strong today, and the weather is perfect. Polls close at 8 pm Central Time.

Here’s some of the coverage I’ve found.

• The Bayou Buzz has an audio file of a Nagin rally last night at a black church on St. Charles Avenue where a speaker invites voters to go out in “Christ’s righteous name.”</li
• The Detroit Free Press has a good story on the election.
• NOLA.com has live election coverage and a great map of where the displaced voters are.
• ABC News is saying the election is too close to call and has an odd photo of Nagin and Landriew smilling and passing each other
• The Times Picaune tells us that voters could fax in early ballots aqnd explains what “Super Pricinct” voting means.
• WVLT tells us that the U.S. Department of Justice is monitoring the elections.
• CNN has finally called the election for Nagin after midnight. Congratulations to him and good luck — he’s got the toughest job in America.

Good News in the Lower Ninth

I heard a story on Morning Edition today about rebuilding in the Lower Ninth Ward. The souther part of the neighborhood close to the river, the area south of Derbigny Street — is officially reopened.

The story focuses on the historic Holy Cross neighborhood, which is just across the Industrial Canal heading downriver. FEMA is finally moving trailers into the area and they have about 300 requests for them in the neighborhood. Two residents were interviewed — one who was unlocking his new trailer and another who has finished remodeling already.

Unfortnately, two of the houses we gutted are inside the area that remains closed. House 2 at 1716 Feliciana near Derbigny (the stinky house) is just inside the closed area. House 3 at 2132 Feliciana near N. Miro (Yellow house with side garage) is completely inside the closed area. Here’s my original posting with clickable maps of the houses.

Tomorrow is the general election for mayor. Out of 17 original candidates, the fiel has narrowed to two: incumbent Mayor Ray Nagin and current Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu. The new mayor has a staggering job on his hands rebuilding a city that in some areas appears to be damaged beyond repair. Here’s an MTV story with clear directions for voting.