I just finished reading the past couple of entries on Todd Price's blog as he talks about Dallas, Texas, and it almost brought me to tears. The first reason is that I miss New Orleans.
I have been in Tampa permanently for only a little over a week and I love it, but there are certain comfortable things that
I will never have here like I had in NOLA. The second reason is that I see Todd writing about Dallas the same things
I feel in Tampa. He's not even a New Orleans native but in his short passages, I can feel the passion about him missing
the city.
Ok, so I had a few drinks tonight at the friendly sports bar in Clearwater.
I had a productive first week at my new job, and I met plenty of single women, but there is still something missing.
It's not something that will be replaced or even something to which I will find a substitute, but something I will learn to
live without. It is the city of New Orleans. And while I can't have New Orleans right now, I'll do my best to
survive...
It's been quite a journey since my last post almost three weeks ago.
Since then, I interviewed for a job in the Tampa area, and when presented with an offer, happily accepted a position in sales
with a large computer company. So it looks like I will be staying.
I have also returned to New Orleans, spending almost two weeks wrapping
up a few things and packing my belongings. I did a lot of drinking and a little eating, none of which is noteworthy,
but I will report on New Orleans soon. I left behind quite a bit of furniture and packed everything into a 6' x 12'
U-Haul trailer and towed it using my Dad's truck, all the way to Tampa. After a grueling drive, I made it safely to
Tampa and have packed everything into a 5' x 10' climate controlled storage unit. I never would have thought the culmination
of my 27.9 years on this planet could be compacted into a storage unit the size of a large walk-in closet. But somehow
I find comfort in the fact that I place so little value on material possessions. After many of my friends lost everything after
the hurricane, I realize how lucky I am to have so much. Now all I need to worry about is hurricane Wilma, headed straight
for Florida.
I'll get back to food shortly, but I'm not sure what direction I will take
this web-site. Now that I can't easily get Creole or Cajun food, I have a feeling I will be cooking a whole lot more
than before. Today I will be making Jambalaya and Red Beans and rice, and drinking some Abita Amber. So I guess
now is a good time to start working on my traditional New Orleans recipes (Gumbo, Red Beans, Sazerac, etc.).
My birthday is only three days away (Wednesday the 26th) and I already
know the food won't be as good as last year. My birthday week last year was spent dining at Mat & Naddie's, Clancy's and Mother's; this year I will take comfort in my new life and many new friends.
You will hear from me soon... I promise.
