How was it to be there?

I hadn't mentioned it -- we just got back Sunday.

It was fine, I guess. The whole thing is too big to comprehend, so I can only really focus on what's happening with my family. My dad and a couple of his brothers worked on the downstairs story of the house, trying to get the wiring done, so as not to have to pay a contractor to do it. They hope to have power restored to the house soon, and it sounds like things are moving along. Windows and doors are scheduled to be delivered, and I think the next step is sheetrock.

The problem will apparently be getting gas service restored. Without gas, they don't have heat or hot water, and that's not really feasible in winter, even New Orleans winter. No idea really when that might happen, so things are still up in the air, especially since they have to move out of the apartment they're in by January, when the students who usually rent it return to college.

The whole thing is too big to comprehend, so I can only really focus on what's happening with my family.

I guess that this was pretty much what I was asking, as well. I, from so far away, and without any of the emotional connections, can't comprehend what happened to that city. I can't imagine how it may be for people like you, or even more, to people like -t.

it sounds like things are moving along

Oh, good for them. And how impressive it is that they manage to do it on their own, too.

Without gas, they don't have heat or hot water, and that's not really feasible in winter, even New Orleans winter.

Aren't there any electric heating devices that they can use? Or will that be more expenses, when that's difficult, already?

No idea really when that might happen

This is probably a dumb question, but I have no idea what's going on in NO lately, since none of the Israeli news programs talk about it anymore: what is being done to help the citizens? Any sort of national organized help?

Would you prefer to post about something else, or is it OK to hash this subject?

morning. parents leave today. I go back to work today and get to start with an 8:30 meeting. That means I need to leave in 30 minutes. I am basically ready now though, so that is good.

poor sickos.

poor travel-striken sara.

I have not watched any of my TV shows since Wednesday. I am very far behind.

Aren't there any electric heating devices that they can use? Or will that be more expenses, when that's difficult, already?

Yeah, it's a question of acquiring them, and then what do you do with them when the gas does come back on?

This is probably a dumb question, but I have no idea what's going on in NO lately, since none of the Israeli news programs talk about it anymore: what is being done to help the citizens? Any sort of national organized help?

Um. It's hard to say. This is part of what I can't really comprehend. I know what, for example, I see trash and debris being picked up in my parents' neighborhood. There was a huge -- like mammoth proportions, hundreds of feet long -- pile of trash where they'd been dumping stuff picked up from neighborhoods, and when we went to gawk at it, most of it was gone. And then I read stories that there are sections of the city that aren't having trash picked up at all, that the people there feel abandoned.

My parents got money from FEMA. My aunt got money from FEMA. Other people have FEMA horror stories. So I suspect it's pretty much like most federal efforts -- some stuff is working, some stuff is not.

Would you prefer to post about something else, or is it OK to hash this subject?

Oh, this is fine.

morning, msbelle!

it's a question of acquiring them, and then what do you do with them when the gas does come back on?

Yeah, I figured it's something like that. And heating water is probably still problematic, as well. I don't know much about NO winters, but I imagine what's going on in the very mild winters we have here, and they definitely take heating and hot water.

I can't imagine how the people in China are getting along now without runnign water. I'm so used to the modern-life advantages.

some stuff is working, some stuff is not.

Well, at least some stuff is working. Not that it helps the people who fell on the "not working" side.

And in a completely different topic: what are you going to sing in the concert next week?

And in a completely different topic: what are you going to sing in the concert next week?

Christmas music. And then more Christmas music. Followed by a lovely bit of Christmas music. Big moneymaker for the Symphony, so we're doing six concerts. By number six, all of the performers will be punchy and thoroughly sick of the music.

Christmas music. And then more Christmas music. Followed by a lovely bit of Christmas music.

Is it the same as what everywhere will be playing, or will you at least have some variety from the regular (and by that I mean "songs that even I can recognize because there's occasionally Christmas on my tv screen")?

[Edit: 7*6=42. 42!]

There's a little variety. Less so than in previous years. I think it's the fate of any choral singer to get sick of Christmas music every once in a while. But hopefully the concerts will be fun.

Shower time, I think. It was lovely talking to you, Nilly, and thanks for your concern about my family.

Timelies, morning shift!

We are sick here too, but I haven't been anywhere around sarameg or Cass. Actually, I feel fine except that I am incredibly congested and sound freakish when I talk. Ellie has her first ear infection, which has been making her sad but i think she's on the mend.

It's raining out and all the leaves are plastered to the ground. I like the rain but I wouldn't mind some sun about now.