I made it safe and sound back to Maryland yesterday, after staying up most of the night before talking to these Hungarian guys at India House. Jacque and me hopped our plane and it was back to the Point for us, with much gleeful reuniting with buddies and sharing of pictures. We got presents for the entire team:

Marcos: a Mardi Gras doll
Alyssa: pink jade cross
Travis: a magic kit
Chris: fossilized shark's tooth necklace
Rose: quill and ink
Sasha: jasper pendant

- posted by J @ 8/30/2004 05:59:00 PM

 
Last few days have been craziness. Me, Jacque and Varuni went down to Lafayette on a fruitless search for genuine Cajun cuisine. Instead we found the most beautiful sunset over the cypress-ladden bayou, and took pictures with a giant gator. Then we drove back to Jackson with Varuni on Thursday, spent Friday with my mom, and left this morning on the train to return to New Orleans. We're at India House now. Our flight for Baltimore leaves early tomorrow morning.

C'est la vie.

- posted by J @ 8/28/2004 11:49:00 PM

 
I'm in New Orleans! Laissez les bons temps roulez! Jacque and me landed on the ground Saturday morning, and were picked up by my brother at the airport. Parrish and Charmae took us to the French Quarter, where I introduced Jacque to the wonders of beignets at Cafe du Monde. We drove up to Jackson (narrowly escaping death on the interstate when a ladder blew off the truck in front of us) and spent the night with my mama.

On Sunday, we drove to Vicksburg to visit with my buddy Leslie (hi sweetie!) and toured the historic downtown and a mansion. That night we met up with Varuni at the Video Cafe and her, me, and Jacque hit the road for New Orleans again. We blew into town at 11:30, checked into the India House Hostel, and rose bright and early (10 am) the next morning.

Monday was wild. We went down to the French Quarter again, spent forever looking for a parking spot, and bought gifts at a lapidiary (gem store). Then as the sun set, we hit Bourbon Street. We got colorful masks and were invited to hang out on the balcony of the 711 Club, where we catcalled passerby and got rowdy. We finally left after 12, loaded with beads. What happened in New Orleans stays in New Orleans.

- posted by J @ 8/24/2004 11:53:00 AM

 
I'm back at the Point, safe and sound. Because our van Frances is still out of commission and Fire 3 only had the six-passenger truck, we sent 4 people (Travis, Rose, Sasha and Chris) home to the Point early. They hitched a ride with another team, and then me, Jacque, Alyssa and Marcos rode back in the truck.

We're having All-Corps today, which means we sit in a theater and get updates from the NCCC staff. I went out to the Vous last night with Elise and Sarah, muchly fun. Our house is so hot I had to sleep downstairs on the floor in front of the air conditioner.

Only 2 days till New Orleans!

- posted by J @ 8/20/2004 07:28:00 AM

 
The last few days have been crazy. First of all, it's end of the project and we're leaving for Perry Point in a few days. Secondly, me and Jacque are going to New Orleans for MY BROTHER'S WEDDING! Thirdly, Alyssa left on Thursday to catch a flight home for a visit, and on the way to drop her off at the airport Jacque and Sasha got rear-ended. Fortunately no one was injured and Alyssa caught her flight, but our van is squishified. That brings our van saga to:

1. Bessie, the original 15-p white van, who went to meet her maker when Sasha blew through a red-light.
2. The Blue Bomb, so named for her distinctive color, who was retired due to old age.
3. Frances, aka Baby (named after Baby from "Dirty Dancing") who has definitely seen better days.

*Le Sigh*

- posted by J @ 8/14/2004 11:32:00 AM

 
Yesterday me and Jacque rode into Boston and had a fabulous time. We toured the Common, went down by Fanueil Hall and saw "The Jim Show" (a juggler), and I bought "Watchmen" at Barnes & Noble. Very exciting. I'm hoping to set up an ISP with the Girl Scouts on Tuesday, we already did one there on Friday.

- posted by J @ 8/08/2004 10:24:00 AM

 
I found God.

The other day, while weeding, I pulled up a monstrous, twisted root. "Oh my God," I gasped. "That's not God, Jessica!" Alyssa said. "Yes it is," I replied, since my root has as much chance of being a deity as any invisible man who lives in the sky.

Yesterday me and Sasha and Jacque went to Red Cross Boston and worked with their programs providing food to homeless, low-income, and HIV-positive folks. We made boxes of vittels, sang along to oldies hits, and generally had a great time. We also devoured about 15 lbs of candy apiece. Ah, good times.

I have boob dirt. That is all.

- posted by J @ 8/05/2004 02:02:00 PM