NOLA

So this is one of the coolest giveaways we've done. We're sending a 91x listener and a friend to New Orleans every day this week for the Voodoo Festival. Beyond the whole incredibly cool, "no qualifying, only winning" concept, I'm stoked we're helping draw attention to something even bigger. That is, the New Orleans rebuilding effort.

I'm from Chicago originally. New Orleans is not home and probably will never be home for me. Up until two years ago, it seemed like my only mental association with NOLA was Cajun food and the time honored tradition of boobs for small plastic beads. Like I'm guessing a lot of people, I was horrified and disturbed by the images of Katrina, during its fury and in its wake. I'm torn like many Americans, on whether to rebuild or head for high ground. I was confused mostly.

Then I went there for vacation a few weeks ago. I think if you ask anyone who's been since; it feels like this is not worth giving up on. It's one of the most culturally rich and significant cities in the history of this very young country. It's easily the most unique city I've even been in, and I'm not exactly easy to impress. I didn't really know what to expect when I went, but it truly is a tale of two cities. One, around the French quarter and downtown is a city that looks invulnerable to nature. One that feels completely different than the one we saw getting obliterated on TV.

But there is another part, everywhere else, really that is different. Beaten, bruised, abandoned. A modern day ghost down. It's another planet. It's horrific and sad and scary and really isolated. Imagine walking about an abandoned hillcrest or Poway. Stores boarded up, left but never returned to. People with nowhere to go. People who don't want to come back.

So what is to become of this city of sin, flooded as its detectors would say, by a river of sin? Personally, I feel like it's worth rebuilding. Maybe I'm biased. In 1871 an old cow kicked over a candle in a barn, and set Chicago on fire. Burning everything to the ground with the exception of the 'old water tower' a name that I believe was given to it afterwards. Anyhow, it set the stage for Chicago as a world class city with some of the finest architecture known to man. If the city didn't burn to the ground? You could call it Milwaukee then, I guess. So maybe it's worth the investment. On high lying land at the very least.

So, voodoo fest....my bad. These bands are hoping to help invigorate the economy of NOLA. I say it's a worthy cause. Think about a weekend with those bands, even if you don't win the trip. It's worth a visit, to see everything that's happened. It's hard to believe it's here. In our backyard. The people are pretty amazing and they'll probably sell you on the city much better than I ever could.

Also, I took a slew of photos as you can tell. If you're interested in any of them, or to know more about them, let me know. Here are a few great resources if you're interested in the New Orleans relief/rebuilding effort.

http://legallee.typepad.com/ - NOLA Habitat for Humanity http://rebuildgreen.org/ http://www.lowes.com/katrinacottage - Lowes needs your help building some houses. Want to go in the spring?
Out of the fire.

Does this look like a Penis?

DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A PENIS?

With its rounded forms and swelling of the uppermost floors...this building structure is very phallic," wrote Gwynne Pugh, a Santa Monica architect hired by the downtown redevelopment agency to review building designs.

San Diego-based Sandor Shapery's proposal for a 160-unit hotel and condominium tower was expected to go before the redevelopment agency for initial feedback this month. Instead Shapery has asked for more time to "revisit" and perhaps "tone down" the design because he does not want to offend anyone.

Yeah. Offend. I am so offended. Jesus Christ, haven't any of you seen a penis before? That doesn't look like a penis. This does.

Thanks, FARK for the story.

Seriously. Some people need to get laid. Relax. It's architechture. Mirroring human life is often considered one of it's more remarkable abilites. 

Freud also said something about seeing the things you want to see...Like I see the Jetsons. Anyway, sorry San Diego, you will not get a penis that vaugely resembles a penis. But the Boobs in oceanside are safe. I promise 

X-FEST

Evode Eyewear was super sweet to us and Brad from The Transit War let me mess with Aaron from the band Denver Harbor.

Waffo has some of the coolest shirts ever. I am still trying to convince them to let me have one.

30 Seconds to Mars

The Bravery

Social Distortion

Social Distortion

Kallao: Nothing to Say : 2.28.07

So I gave the nice people of Viejas 120 of my dollars last night. If I went to strip clubs every so often I could justify it with, "Well hell, I was going to blow that in 4 lap dances anyway at déjà vu" Instead you realize "Well, hell I was going to blow that on groceries." And you groan and grimace.

New boss is a good blackjack player. I'm too conservative. One of the dealers was smoking hot. Hard to pay attention to the cards when she was talking me up. She was also taking my money, but it was good conversation. I immediately told her that we're looking at this therapy. She took 60 dollars in 10 minutes. I told her she had to talk to me on her break for 40 minutes afterwards. It didn't work. It's not really fair that it's the casinos are this close.

Another day, another video. Courtesy of Metacafe/Deadspin
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The gentlemen at the end deserves the oscar. No contest. Well played Duke University.

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