Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 12:01PM Another hurricane Katrina post
Maybe you are sick of hearing about hurricane Katrina. I know I am and many people who have been affected by that storm are tired of it too. The fact remains that many individual's lives are still as messed up now, almost six months later, as the day Katrina struck.
I know the rest of the country does not quite understand the impact to the area. When I was at the marathon expo for the Mardi Gras Marathon, a guy from Memphis asked me seriously, if the water was safe to drink. He had brought about 25 bottles to last him while in New Orleans.
Unfortunately, the rest of the world saw a lot of the bad stuff about New Orleans. Looting, politicians acting like buffoons, and cops deserting their posts.
Although these things happened, they are not the larger experience. Many individuals are still without homes. All of the help has lost momentum and individuals are left with damaged property, insurance runarounds, and empty promises from governments.
The local government cannot tell people if they can or cannot rebuild. They are not sure what the flood zones will be and at what elevations people will need to rebuild their homes.
Please watch this video. It is about St. Bernard Parish which is just east of New Orleans. Imagine a whole county being wiped off of the map. Then you will begin to understand what happened in St. Bernard.
The hurricane was something nature did. Its impact was worse because of what man did, but it continues to victimize because of many factors from ignorance to incompetence.
One news story showed a woman who received a FEMA trailer in December, but was not given a key. This is not uncommon. Out of desperation, the lady was tempted to get a locksmith to get into the trailer. She was informed that that would be tampering with government property. So the trailer sits in her yard all hooked up, and she remains locked out.
Many stories of red tape and bureaucratic snafus abound. It is just a shame that in this day and age, six months after the disaster, things on the ground here are more like a Chinese fire drill than they are an organized relief effort.
The best work getting done is by volunteer groups. The government efforts are laughable. Unless the military does it, the government effort is useless.
No one knows the answer to the problem in government, but worse, they don't even know who does know the answer. In the meantime, a FEMA trailer sits in a driveway without a key. Sheesh.
I know the folks in Florida understand. They are dealing with similar struggles from hurricanes that happened in 2004.
If you are so inclined, remember these folks in your prayers. They can sure use them.
Until the next time and Happy Valentine's Day
John Strain
Friday, February 10, 2006 at 12:01AM Restoration Beer
On occasion I will partake of the barley and hopps. One of my favorite beers comes from a local brewery named "Abita Beer." I really like their dark beer by the name of Turbo Dog. With a name like Turbo Dog, I had to try it.Anyway.
Abita Springs is a little town about 6 miles from Covington and is the home of Abita Beer. They have created a special brew they call "Restoration Ale." The tag line is, "Helping rebuild the Big Easy one beer at a time." Abita Brewery donates $1 per six-pack to a hurricane relief fund.
I just bought my first six-pack because I want to be a part of the rebuilding effort. I plan to help a lot. I figure the weekend is a good opportunity to raise $2 or $3 for the effort. I am such a champ.
Have some fun and browse their website. Learn about the Fleur-de-lis.
It's the weekend. Why not help restore New Orleans with me.
Until the next time
John Strain
Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 6:20AM Kids
Last night Barbara and I went to one of those "all you can eat" pizza restaurants. Walking through the door was like taking a left turn into a Gulliver's Travels movie set. Lilliputians were everywhere. Actually it was kids eat free night and a local elementary school was having an event to boot.
My first inclination was to turn around and leave; no run. Knee high kids full of energy were running, jumping, bounding, and screaming in all directions. Another movie image that comes to mind is the bar scene in Gremlins.
Barbara and I looked at each other. I suppose both of us were waiting on the other to say, "Let's get outta here," but we just stood there in a haze hypnotized by all of the stimulation. Eventually we moved to the hostess stand zombie like drawn into the light and unable to veer away from certain destruction. (I may have just mixed metaphors, oh well, it was those darn kids.)
The typical response might be to complain about the parents and how they cannot control their children. "Why when we were parents of a young child, we would not let our son run around like that." I had a different response though. I thought they were cute. I thought they were funny. I chuckled inside as I watched the parents try to control all of that energy and enthusiasm. Their efforts were futile.
No matter how many times he was drug away, a little blonde headed boy kept appearing in the central area of the restaurant. As people entered the restaurant and went to and fro, between the pizza and their table, they had to navigate past this 4 or 5-year-old gyrating, twirling, human top.
At one moment he was trying to throw a napkin over a room divider and another instant, he was hanging on the divider rope by the hostess stand like make shift monkey bars. I never saw him walk anywhere; it was always full speed ahead.
Some parents had to settle disputes. Loud unintelligible crying wafted from a few tables over, then the parent's intervention, "Is that his?." A little voice replied, "No it's mine - he lost his." The crying continued. The parent continued, "Well, share it with him." Little voice reluctant reply, "Oh--kaayy." The crying tailed off. Henry Kissinger would have been proud.
On one of my trips back to the table with a plate full of pizza, I was following a little girl. When we got to the two-step riser leading to our section, she stopped and jumped with both feet up each step. A kid cannot just walk up steps like everyone else, that is too ordinary. A kid is looking for the fun way.
Barbara and I were treated to good pizza and unexpected smiles. Just think, I almost turned around at the door.
Parents, teachers, and other adults work to change this childish behavior. "Don't run in public," "Use your inside voice," and "walk up the stairs like a lady." Sometimes we kill the enthusiasm and energy by mistake.
Kids have fun and we adults could take a lesson. We shouldn't be childish but we can be child like. When is the last time you were wide eyed at something as simple as two steps in a restaurant or a rope by a hostess stand?
We live in the same world and the kids have energy, wonder, and joy. Adults often let these things go just because of some bills and a little job stress. If you ask me, stress and pressure are even more reasons for energy, wonder, and joy.
Do you want to hear the good news? It is up to you. What you think and feel and how you react is mostly up to you.
Until the next time
John Strain
