FYYFF one year later

So, while some gave thanks to those that were nice to them when they evacuated, I was forced to remember what I encountered in Chicago while evacuated with my pregnant wife, 3 year old, and one year old.

We had no idea how long it would be until we could come back to New Orleans, and our cars were at MSY, so we went to a Residence Inn. After explaining that we were there because of Katrina, we got a rate of $229 a night. Mighty Christian of them.

After we realized that we couldn't get back to NOLA for a while, we thought we could get a furnished apartment. So the best rate we were quoted for a month-to-month lease on a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment was $4k a month. We ended up in an unfurnished place for $2k a month, plus utilities.

The day we rented the place, we had to rent a minivan, and went to IKEA. We bought 2 cribs, a bed, 2 chairs, some kitchen utensils, silverware, towels, plates, a baby bathtub, and one of those fine $39 IKEA tables. I was up until 4:00 putting the cribs together.

One day, we were walking around and went to Kasey's. The weather wasn't too terrible, so we sat outside and had a beer. $6.00 for a pint of Guinness. While there, the people at the table next to us were talking about the stupid things Nagin was doing and such. I asked them what part of New Orleans they were from, and they replied that they weren't, rather, they were from Chicago. They just happened to know absolutely everything about how New Orleans should be run.

After trying to converse with them, I eventually just turned around and told them to have a pleasant day. My ears were steaming red.

So, one year ago today, I went back to our apartment, and wrote FYYFF. It was kind of a big decision to "go blue". When I was doing stand up comedy years before, I intentionally did not go blue, because it was more difficult, but more rewarding and long lasting.

This time, I just had to vent.

Because of it, I got a bit of fame, a bit of infamy, and I met a lot of really nice people. Also, I helped a lot of people feel better about their feelings by bringing this crap to the surface.

But if we get back to the content of that rant, I feel exactly the same way. Since then, the Saints have come back to the city, the stereotype Texans are still alternately helpful and vicious, and the stereotype face of New York is (for right or wrong), Alan Richman.

And we still don't have our levees.

We do, however, have each other. Sinn Fein.

Comments

[GentillyGirl]

Blessed Be darlin'! I'm so glad you didn't let the Second City's bullshit harm you.

[saintseester]

When under extreme duress, most people will crack or break in some way. Better to snap with a loaded (yet eloquent) mouth than with a loaded gun, kwim?

Also for those of us not living the nightmare, it puts a very human perspective on the whole thing. So keep writing and ranting when you need to. We need to hear it.

[Marco]

I'll second saintseester's comment. But I do think more frequent intensified raves are always welcome.

[Sophmom]

FYYFF will forever be in the post-K vernacular, an anthem. *tips hat*

[Ray]

FYYFF is how I found you, like a lone bugle in the muck.

[judyb]

reading FYYFF is a great way to blow off steam. Thanks!