up your architecture.

Anyone looking for something interesting to do over Spring Break? Check out Historic Green which is focusing on creating a Zero Carbon neighborhood in NOLA's 9th Ward.

Posted by James Wheeler at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/getaways/02/26/biloxi.mississippi/index.html

I got this link from a friend today and just rolled my eyes. Did this guy J.D. Biersdorfer from BudgetTravel not have the money to leave his Casino Hotel Room or did he just choose to ignore the fact that despite the fact that Biloxi is getting back on it's feet that the Mayor just said that there is at least another 8 years of rebuilding ahead? Do me a favor next time J.D., go to Miss Inez's or D'Vine's, or one of the great Pho shops on Division or Oak Street instead of Mary Mahoney's right on the beach across from your hotel and walk through the neighborhoods and see what's going on three years after the storm. Also, don't put pictures of the Ohr Museum's Frank Gehry designed pods on there and make people think that is all and we've got it under wraps (the rest of the complex is nothing but stripped down rusty skeletons for the most part) or show the aerial photo of Hwy 90 with the Hard Rock in it and say the strip is back (that Apartment complex in the top left corner? it's still vacant and hasn't been touched in a way that shows renovation yet).

For those people who will say "he's getting people to come back down and invest in the local economy" I say, great. I'm all for it. But let's not gloss over the issue that people are still living in FEMA trailers and the funding to get them out still needs to get here. Maybe mention that next time.

Posted by James Wheeler at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MUDBUG MARKET MELLOWS
Prices for crawfish drop as industry shows signs of improvement
By JAY HUGHES, SUN HERALD

PASCAGOULA --
So far, this year's crawfish season has been a little less "aiyeee" and a little more "oooh, boy," but that appears to be changing.

Weather limited early supply and production costs are up, two factors that have combined to boost prices on the unattractive, but tasty, Gulf Coast delicacy in a season that started a couple of weeks earlier than usual. The market has changed in recent days, prompting Keith Delcambre of Bozo's, the main mudbug retailer in Pascagoula, to sum it up this way: "It's real screwy right now."

Among the cost factors driving prices is the spiking cost of gas, a major agricultural expense often unthought of except by farmers and those who distribute their products.

"I think it will end up being a good season, but not as good as previous years just due to fuel prices," said Todd Rosette, manager of Quality Seafood Market in Biloxi. "Fuel plays a big role in everything we do."

Stephen Minvielle, who raises 80 acres of crawfish near New Iberia, La., said overall production prices are up 30 to 34 percent above last year. Farmers have cut their prices to wholesalers by up to 50 percent, he said, adding that he hopes those reductions trickle down to consumers.

Prices for cooked crawfish started at between $3.50 and almost $4 a pound at many Coast retailers, but have dropped to below $3 in recent days. Prices for live mudbugs also have dropped and Rosette said his live prices could go as low as $1.39 before the season's over, but he doesn't expect to see .99-cent live prices as in years past.

Delcambre said prices have made choices necessary for consumers, especially in the early going. For instance, this year's Pascagoula Mardi Gras parade fell on the same weekend as the Super Bowl - traditionally two of Bozo's biggest crawfish-selling events.

"This year crawfish were so high, they (consumers) had to choose whether to do it on Saturday or Sunday," he said.

However, there is hope for the rest of the season. Minvielle, director of the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association, said drought in north Louisiana knocked down the early supply, leaving the state's southern suppliers struggling to attempt to fill a demand that was higher than their capacity at moderate prices.

With warming weather, timely rain and more moderate days, he said, the industry is beginning to catch up.

"They're just starting to show, in the last two weeks, a little bit of promise," he said late last week.

Most of the crawfish making it to market right now, Minvielle said, are in the medium No. 4-5 range. A crawfish can grow from "ant" size to the favored large sizes in less than one season, given stable and moderate weather that allows them to shed their exoskeleton and grow every other week.

"Everybody wants them, and if I had some magic dust to make that happen, I'd make a killing," Minvielle said. "We need some sunshine, Mother Nature!"

Delcambre estimated his early sales were off by 30 to 50 percent, but even with supply going up and prices going down, he doesn't think sales will equal last year's. He said he'd like to see prices continue to drop to more reasonable levels, not just for sales but so Coast residents can spend more time enjoying a food he described as more a traditional event than a meal.

"To me, that's what crawfish is all about, getting your buddies together."

Posted by James Wheeler at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Okay, I'm not sure who sent me this link or whose site I stumbled upon it, but I saved it a couple of days ago and these sketches just speak to the spirit of the game for me. People may hate the Yankees now, but there was a time when they were America's team. Handed down from the stories my Dad told me I got to learn about Berra, DiMaggio, and Mantle. Seeing these right around the time when the MLB season is starting back up really has me jazzed to go and see some baseball. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. Below is a brief on the album...

link to album

In February 1962, Sports Illustrated sent the illustrator Robert Weaver to cover spring training in Florida. He then created a series of paintings that appeared in the March 5, 1962, issue of the magazine. The drawings that follow are from his sketchbook. D.B. Dowd, a professor of visual communication and American culture studies at Washington University in St. Louis, wrote the commentary in the accompanying captions.

Posted by James Wheeler at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My friend and fellow Biloxi Blogketeer Della had written a great tribute to designer Eileen Gray and I just stumbled back across it and really wanted to share the link. Seeing as how we are embarking on some furniture design for out new studio, I thought it would be appropriate.

Della's Blog Entry: Eileen Gray - still cool.

Posted by James Wheeler at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Okay, so maybe not the world, but he did sketch every piece of art that was visible to the public at the museum from January 19 to January 31, 2005 and then collected it in his The Every Piece Of Art in The Museum Of Modern Art Book which is amazing and on sale here: http://www.jasonpolan.com/art/book/

Posted by James Wheeler at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GOVERNOR BARBOUR: AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM TAKES BIG STEP

16 projects will result in estimated 5,850 affordable housing units

(BILOXI, Mississippi) – After completing a competitive review process, 16 projects have been selected for a total of $150 million in long-term workforce housing funds, Governor Haley Barbour announced today. Together, these projects are expected to result in the construction of about 5,850 affordable housing units along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“Restoring the stock of affordable housing is critical to recovery of the Gulf Coast, and the projects identified under the Long-Term Workforce Housing program will provide homes for many working families,” Governor Barbour said.

The Mississippi Development Authority, which manages the program, issued a request for proposals in September 2007. Seventy-one proposals were originally received and the ones deemed best by an independent review panel are being announced today. The next step will be submitting an action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for approval and final funding.

In addition to financing the construction of new affordable housing units, the long-term workforce housing funds may also be used for home repair and rehabilitation; rehabilitation of foreclosed properties; revolving loan programs for developers; assistance for mixed use developments; and technical assistance.

Long-Term Workforce Housing funding was allocated to the following recipients:

• City of Gulfport – construction of 235 homes; $9 million; 235 units
• Enterprise Community Partners – rehabilitation of foreclosed homes in all Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties; $20 million; 300 units
• Habitat for Humanity – awarded three of the proposals, affordable housing construction in Long Beach, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs; $5 million; 113 units
• Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation – employer based homebuyer assistance in coastal counties; $40 million; 2500 units
• Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation – mixed-use and mixed-income waterfront development in Pascagoula; $15 million; 151 units
• Enterprise Corporation of the Delta- revolving loan fund for housing development in Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties; $5 million; 500 units
• Southern States/Three Rivers Housing – affordable housing construction in Waveland and Gulfport; $9.5 million; 146 units
• Gorman and Company, Inc. – rehabilitation of Edgewood Manor apartments in Gulfport; $807,000; 120 units
• Pearl River Valley Opportunity Inc. – repair and rehabilitation of damaged housing in Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties; $ 12 million; 500 units
• Gulf Coast Community Design Studio – community planning and design for coastal communities; $630, 000
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - revolving loan fund for housing development in Pearl River, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties; $2.7 million; 250 units
• Camden Court Development, LLC – affordable housing construction in Gulfport; $4.5 million; 74 units
• Mississippi Alliance II, LLC – mixed-use, mixed-income development in Harrison County; $10 million; 720 units
• Gulf Coast Community Foundation – repair and rehabilitation of damaged homes in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties; $ 15 million; 250 units

The work-force housing program is part of the $5.4 billion of federal Community Development Block Grants awarded to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, more than $3.9 billion of which has been designated for housing needs.

Posted by James Wheeler at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Minnesota Golden Gophers just secured their best recruiting class... well, probably since I've been alive. Tim Brewster is doing exactly what he said he was going to do and that is go out and recruit his ass off to get this sorry program back on the road. Although I'm still waiting to see what his coaching skill is going to end up being, he's a damn fine recruiter landing a nationally ranked pool of talent. I can't wait to see these guys playing in the new stadium when it opens. Thank you Tim Brewster, now get us into a bowl.

Thanks to Randy for the link.

TOP RECRUITS:

QB MarQueis Gray, Indianapolis, Ind. -- Four-star recruit is one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks. He has good size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and speed, but he missed most of his senior season because of a broken left (non-throwing) forearm. He appears to be the perfect fit for Minnesota's zone-read spread offense, but it's unclear when he will see the field. Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber set a host of school records as a freshman and likely will keep his starting job next season.

WR Brandon Green, Chicago -- Explosive talent headlines an impressive group of receivers in this class. He's not very big (6 feet, 167 pounds), but the coaching staff loves his speed and play-making ability. He had numerous BCS offers and figures to start as a true freshman.

LB Sam Maresh, Champlin Park, Minn. -- Prototypical middle linebacker who has a chance to start as a true freshman. Rated the third-best prospect in Minnesota, he's a physical player (6-2, 245 pounds) who is also a state champion wrestler. Brewster called him the most important recruit in the class.

Posted by James Wheeler at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I didn't get this link until I came back to the Coast (despite reading about it and watching the CDC press conference). All I can say is it's about time.

CDC Urges Hurricane Victims to Leave Trailers

NPR.org, February 14, 2008 ·

Federal health officials on Thursday urged hurricane victims to move out of trailers supplied by FEMA after tests showed dangerous levels of formaldehyde fumes.

Tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on more than 500 trailers in Louisiana and Mississippi showed formaldehyde levels that were five times higher than levels in a normal house. The levels in some trailers were nearly 40 times what is normal.

The CDC said people should move out quickly — especially children, the elderly and anyone with asthma or another chronic condition. Warmer temperatures can increase formaldehyde levels, and CDC officials said they want residents to move out of the trailers before summer.

Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical used to manufacture mobile homes. A CDC director said the high levels can cause burning eyes and breathing problems for people with asthma and those sensitive to air pollutants.

FEMA provided about 120,000 trailers in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. By 2006, many people were complaining of nosebleeds, headaches and other illnesses. Some of them testified before Congress last summer, and at least 1,000 families have asked FEMA to move them.

Posted by James Wheeler at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There are many Lucys that get songs about them, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Slug's Lucy which may be any number of actual things from a woman, to hip-hop itself, to a drug reference, but I'd like to give a melodious shout out to my girl Lucy 54 on the XM Radio (which if you haven't heard yet, is free on all Air Tran flights in case they don't mention it enough times to stick in your head when you fly their friendly skies). Anyhow, it's described as "The important songs in the history of alternative music from the '90s, with some '80s flashbacks" which is my bread and butter. Flying, especially lately with delays and mechanical problems and any other thing is really made a much more palatable experience because of it. So...

Dear Lucy,

You're my Wonderwall. Thanks for the tunes.

Love, James

Posted by James Wheeler at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I saw this on my way to have coffee with Molly and had to snap a picture. It's a child's contest winner for a mental health calendar and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Nena's was awesome as always and the Daytona 500 was exciting. For Molly, Patrick, Nick, and my family, thanks for a perfect Sunday. See you soon Minneapolis.

Coffee @ Nena's

Posted by James Wheeler at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a great Valentine's Day, Friday was a day to help and hang out with friends. I started the day off with a cup of coffee and a bit of chatting with my dad and then got showered and dressed to head down to the U again and met up with Sam and Della at the College of Architecture to sit down and go over there thesis work to date and see where we might be able to refine a couple things and focus the work for the rest of the semester.

During the conversation, I got a call from Biloxi that said that somehow, despite the fact that I had discussed it many times with my client, the site that we had been working off of for a rather challenging project was in actuality not the site she owns (which happens to be the site directly adjacent to the south as it turns out). Anyhow, the guys were ready to drive the piles so I'm glad they caught it obviously because it could have turned out horribly. We talked through it and a new survey will be done by the time I get down there but I'm going to have to sit down with our client and figure some things out. Regardless, after a couple of calls we got back to Sam's thesis (which is focused on elevated affordable housing in BIloxi) and then ran over to Mesa, a great little pizza place on 4th with Peter and Omar. A couple slices later we headed back and I said my goodbye's for the time being. We're all getting together at Della's for our usual Biloxi reunion dinner and then going to drinks at Nye's tomorrow night which if everyone shows will be the first time all 9 of us have been in the same place since Biloxi in April before I defended my thesis.

With my University visit and work done and afternoon of time left before I met up with Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the rest of the Southwest crew, I figured that no visit to Minneapolis is complete without a stop at Cheapo to check out the new local releases and vinyl. So I packed up, dropped by downtown to see my mom and then proceeded to Uptown. While I didn't pick up any vinyl this stop, I did pick up an Eels live album from 2006 that they recorded with a string ensemble which has a ton of great versions of their last couple of albums of songs as well as some classics. Other purchases included the new limited edition Heiruspecs collection/retrospective called Ten Years Strong that features a bunch of recordings never released of songs they have put out over their decade together.

From there I headed over to Dreamhaven, a great comic and magazine shop that used to have an additional location in Dinkytown when I was doing my undergraduate work. While I was perusing around and picking up the usual titles I read, I happened upon, not one, not two, but all 5 of the back issues of a comic written by Gerald Way (of My Chemical Romance fame) and drawing by Gabriel Ba with covers by James Jean (pictured below).

Needless to say, as my comic book shop status is not exactly ideal now that I have moved to the Bay (where there isn't a shop) I took advantage of the situation and pick them up. I have always really enjoyed Ba's work and Jean's covers were a real selling point as they are also amazing work, but I have heard great things about the story. As only a few people know My Chemical Romance's last record was a dirty pleasure of mine, but could it carry over to the comic medium? Short answer: Yes, indeed. Borrowing from his (admittedly) strong influences of Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol, the story is intriguing and starts off with the first (of six) issues in an arch titled "The Apocalypse Suite" with great energy and strong writing. I have already polished off the issues and am looking forward to picking up the sixth the next time I get over to Biloxi as it comes out next Wednesday. Score.

Here Endeth the First Chapter

Posted by James Wheeler at 04:21 PM | Permalink

Lecture today, update later, for now, my heart for you...

=============================================

Design Studio Poetry Corner for 14 February:

THE DEFINITION OF LOVE.
by Andrew Marvell

MY Love is of a birth as rare
As 'tis, for object, strange and high ;
It was begotten by Despair,
Upon Impossibility.

Magnanimous Despair alone
Could show me so divine a thing,
Where feeble hope could ne'er have flown,
But vainly flapped its tinsel wing.

And yet I quickly might arrive
Where my extended soul is fixed ;
But Fate does iron wedges drive,
And always crowds itself betwixt.

For Fate with jealous eye does see
Two perfect loves, nor lets them close ;
Their union would her ruin be,
And her tyrannic power depose.

And therefore her decrees of steel
Us as the distant poles have placed,
(Though Love's whole world on us doth wheel),
Not by themselves to be embraced,

Unless the giddy heaven fall,
And earth some new convulsion tear.
And, us to join, the world should all
Be cramp'd into a planisphere.

As lines, so love's oblique, may well
Themselves in every angle greet :
But ours, so truly parallel,
Though infinite, can never meet.

Therefore the love which us doth bind,
But Fate so enviously debars,
Is the conjunction of the mind,
And opposition of the stars.

Posted by James Wheeler at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I'm heading up north Wednesday to give a lecture at the University of MInnesota's College of Design in my friend and former thesis chair Ozayr Saloojee's ARCH 1701 Intro to Design Thinking course and I was putting together a couple of slides I think you might find interesting to understand how the Design Studio and Coordination Center work.

This is our tracking board of projects and the path that a client follows through our system

This is a map so you can get an idea of where I live and work now in respect to Biloxi and the rest of the Coast

One of my the current projects, a historic documentation and new build in Bay St. Louis

=============================================

Design Studio Poetry Corner for 12 February:
A Two-fer Tom Waits Tuesday

I HOPE I DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
by Tom Waits

Well I hope that I don't fall in love with you
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue,
Well the music plays and you display
your heart for me to see,
I had a beer and now I hear
you calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you.

Well the room is crowded, there's people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?
Well if you sit down with this old clown,
take that frown and break it,
Before the evening's gone away,
I think that we could make it,
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you.

I can see that you are lonesome just like me,
and it being late, you'd like some some company,
Well I've had two, I look at you,
and you look back at me,
The guy you're with has up and split,
the chair next to you's free,
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me.
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me.

Now it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout.
Turn around to look at you,
you're nowhere to be found,
I search the place for your lost face,
guess I'll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you.

DOWNTOWN TRAIN
by Tom Waits

Outside another yellow moon
Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down to the street
I'm shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full with all of those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds

Well you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They're just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh, if I was the one you chose to be your only one
Oh baby can't you hear me now, can't you hear me now

Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Every night it's just the same, you leave me lonely now

I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch them as they fall, oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival, but they'll never win you back

Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Where every night, every night it's just the same, oh baby
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
All of my dreams they fall like rain, oh baby on a downtown train

Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
Where every night, every night it's just the same, oh baby
Will I see you tonight on a downtown train
All of my dreams just fall like rain, all on a downtown train
All on a downtown train, all on a downtown train
All on a downtown train, a downtown train

Posted by James Wheeler at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow, if that isn't an attention grabbing spot, I'm not sure what is. I went back and added the (Bud) because I didn't want to attract too much attention. Anyhow, after a great time out last night, today was the Nascar Budweiser Shootout and all in all it was a pretty damn exciting race. While I know that many of my readers could give two shits about Nascar, I am looking forward to a season that is sure to have a lot of interesting developments including the second full season for Toyota in the Cup series, new drivers in new rides, and the second coming of Earnhardt as he joins the Hendrick Motorsports stable. After a great night of racing I can honestly say that it looks like he'll be a bit better this year as he took home the victory and looked sporty in his new ride.

Anyhow, the primary reason for the post isn't Junior's resurgence, it's an amazing story of small town living that I had to share with y'all. So, to set the scene, I'm hanging out watching the pre-game show for the Shootout and decided that I was hungry and wanted to run down the store which, like the Pub in Biloxi is called "The Store". Anyhow, it's only 5 blocks away so I cruise over there and I pull into the parking lot at the same time as another car that looks to be filled with teenage boys and girls. They're dinking around and chatting and what not, so as I'm pressed for time and don't want to miss the beginning of the race I hurry into the store and hunt down some chips and salsa and a soda. While I'm debating whether or not I would also like some bean dip one of the two women behind the counter answers her cell phone and the conversation goes something like this:

"How many people do you have with you? ... Do you have the money? ... Now, you're going to the beach right because I don't want you in the house without me there ... Alright, you go to the beach and then I'll be home by 8:30 and then you can come over ... yeah, and no girls either, I don't want to catch you early at the house with girls before I get home ... Okay, come on in and I'll buy it for you."

Turns out she's buying beer for her underage son's birthday. After he comes in and she pays for it and then makes sure to have him promise again no girls at the house before she gets home, he leaves and she proceeds to tell her co-worker behind the corner what a skank this girl that he has been seeing off and on is and that she better not show her face in her house, all of this while she's checking me out before half-heartedly apologizing for the skank comment to me. Another interesting chapter in my southern fried life

And in honor of that anecdote, I bring you a Southern Fried Video celebrating the best toy never made: Turbo Heather

Posted by James Wheeler at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, I'd like to treat you to a short, but interesting little informative brief on something that I've been reading quite a bit about lately: alternative punctuation. I know, how exciting. But with an hour of reading here and there, I've found one of these often ill-concieved marks to be quite peculiar and smart: The Interrobang.

I defer to the always amusing Wikipedia.org for further information distribution:

American Martin K. Speckter invented the interrobang in 1962. As the head of an advertising agency, Speckter believed that advertisements would look better if copywriters conveyed surprised rhetorical questions using a single mark. He proposed the concept of a single punctuation mark in an article in the magazine TYPEtalks. Speckter solicited possible names for the new character from readers. Contenders included rhet, exclarotive, and exclamaquest, but he settled on interrobang. He chose the name to reference the punctuation marks that inspired it: interrogatio is Latin for "a rhetorical question" or "cross-examination";[2] bang is printers' slang for the exclamation point. Graphic treatments for the new mark were also submitted in response to the article.[3]

A sentence ending with an interrobang either (1) asks a question in an excited manner, (2) expresses excitement or disbelief in the form of a question, or (3) asks a rhetorical question.

For example:

How much did you spend on those shoes‽
You're going out with her‽
She did what‽

...brilliant.

=============================================

Design Studio Poetry Corner for 06 February:

Misgivings by William Matthews (for my Minnesota readers, does he look a bit like Gunther Dittmar or is it just me?)

"Perhaps you'll tire of me," muses
my love, although she's like a great city
to me, or a park that finds new
ways to wear each flounce of light
and investiture of weather.

Soil doesn't tire of rain, I think,
but I know what she fears: plans warp,
planes explode, topsoil gets peeled away
by floods. And worse than what we can't
control is what we could; those drab
scuttled marriages we shed so
gratefully may auger we're on our owns

for good reason. "Hi, honey," chirps Dread
when I come through the door; "you're home."
Experience is a great teacher
of the value of experience,
its claustrophobic prudence,
its gloomy name-the-disasters-

in-advance charisma. Listen,
my wary one, it's far too late
to unlove each other. Instead let's cook
something elaborate and not
invite anyone to share it but eat it
all up very very slowly.

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The variety of scale in the town parades is great. This kid looked like he was really enjoying himself.

Don't worry the gas for the tank was free from Iraq

It was kind of like Captain Planet only with coins instead of rings, plus my name is already Wheeler

I <3 Shriners

The Crew (shot by Christine)

Christine is so fresh and so clean with her giant toothbrush

=============================================

Design Studio Poetry Corner for 05 February:

I Wish I Was In New Orleans in the 9th Ward by Tom Waits

Well, I wish I was in New Orleans
I can see it in my dreams
Arm-in-arm down Burgundy
A bottle and my friends and me
Hoist up a few tall cool ones
Play some pool and listen

To that tenor saxophone calling me home
And I can hear the band begin
'When the Saints Go Marching In'
By the whiskers on my chin
New Orleans, I'll be there

I'll drink you under the table
Be red nose go for walks
The old haunts what I wants
Is red beans and rice
And wear the dress I like so well
And meet me at the old saloon
Make sure there's a Dixie moon
New Orleans, I'll be there

And deal the cards roll the dice
If it ain't that ole Chuck E. Weiss
And Clayborn Avenue me and you
Sam Jones and all

And I wish I was in New Orleans
Cause I can see it in my dreams
Arm-in-arm down Burgundy
A bottle and my friends and me
New Orleans, I'll be there

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So there is this lilttle place by the docks in Pass Christian about 1/3 of the way back over to Biloxi that got thrown up in a hurry and has this quirky little fry and chicken strip place called Rowdy Taters attached to the gas station. When Kristen, Sarah, and Jody came over this week they saw it and got a big kick out of it. On my way over I had to stop for gas and got out and snapped a picture. I like to think the one with the mustache is Jason. Also, note the bodacious belt buckles and holsters for their guns. Brilliant.

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Design Studio Poetry Corner for 04 February:

Janine by Soul Coughing

Janine, I drink you up
Janine, I drink you up
Janine, Janine, I sing
If you were the Baltic Sea and I were a cup, uh huh

Varick Street and I drove South
With my hands on the wheel and your taste in my mouth,
Janine

Jesus to my left, the Holland Tunnel on my right
Angels shine down from the traffic light,
Janine

I fell asleep by the blue light of Live at Five
And as I drifted off, I heard Al Roker say to me:
Dial one nine hundred
Four J A N I N E

Slap myself to waking but now it's too late
Cause I spelled your name out on my licence plate,
Janine

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Sun Herald:

Hancock County businessman Jody Compretta died Saturday night in New Orleans as a result of an accident at the Endymion parade. The Sun Herald has learned that Compretta, son of state Rep. J.P. Compretta, was reportedly riding on a float in the Krewe of Endymion parade. When the float stopped, Compretta got off, thinking the parade had ended. When the sectioned float began to move again, Compretta was knocked down and run over.

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Joseph "Jody" Compretta, Jr., 39, of Bay St. Louis, MS passed away on Saturday, February, 2, 2008 in New Orleans, LA. He was born in Jackson, MS and a longtime resident of Bay St. Louis, MS. He was the owner of Patients Choice, Inc. in Bay St. Louis, MS. He was a Graduate of Saint Stanislaus College in 1986 and a Graduate of Ole Miss 1991. He was very active in his community as follows, Hancock County American Cancer Society Relay for Life Chairman in 2000, Rotary Club of Bay Saint Louis Vice President in 2001-2002, Rotary Club of Bay Saint Louis President in 2003-2004, Named Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Foundation, Sun Herald Top 10 Business Leaders under 40 in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce President in 2002, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2002 - 2004, Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 under 40 in 2005, Hancock County Port and Harbor Past Commissioner in 2004 - 2007, CCA Treasury in 2007, and a Member of the Bay Area Recovery Team. He is survived by his wife, Maria Huff Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, his children, Nicholas Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, Sophia Compretta of Bay St. Louis, MS, his parents, Joseph "J.P." and Kay Compretta, Sr. of Bay St. Louis, MS, 2 brothers, Jonathan Compretta & his wife, Caroline of Jackson, MS, Jeremy Compretta & his wife, Rebecca of Bay St. Louis, MS, his sister, Jennifer Lee of Daphne, AL. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, MS with the Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Garden of Memory Cemetery in Bay St. Louis, MS.

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I don't really know what to say about this. It is a terrible tragedy and Hancock County lost one of it's favorite sons and a real advocate for positive growth in the recovery efforts. I only met Jody a handful of times, but he was a real straight shooter and wasn't afraid to speak his mind even if the good ol' boys didn't like what he had to say. In essence, he was Sherry-Lea's boss and the man who hired her to run the Housing Resource Center so this is also a huge blow for the work that we've begun over here since she was hired in October. Just a tragic accident and a really great guy gone in an instant.

Posted by James Wheeler at 01:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)