There are some bad takes out there about New Orleans today, so let me just say this.
Climate change is coming for us all. There isn't a safe harbor out there.
Been thinking I should do a thread on what it’s like to evacuate from a hurricane from a lifelong south Louisianan since I’ve gotten some questions. Here we go! 1/
“Times are not good here. The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under taxes and frauds and maladministration so that it has become a study for archaeologists...but it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than to own the whole state of Ohio.” Lafcaido Hearn
I truly love Children’s Hospital trolling the neighborhood crazies by sending invitations to their grand opening with a smiling helicopter on top :):):)
There’s only one issue in Louisiana and it’s homeowners insurance. Nothing else matters. Without reasonable rates nobody will be able to afford to live here.
@danielcrosby
I had a client who drove cars like that. Somebody once told him that he must get all of the girls with a car like that. He told them “the only thing this is good for picking up is middle aged guys. That’s who wants to talk to me about my car”
I just realized something this morning.
My mask is a prayer.
May my family and I be healthy.
May you and your family be healthy.
May we all care for each other.
Twitter friends, can I ask for a favor?
My wife started this venture making face mask chains, mostly so our kids don't drag theirs around or lose them at school.
Would you throw a like on this post, and check out her site if you have a couple minutes?
This Lafcadio Hearn quote really hit me tonight. Will need to be a thread to capture it all.
“For a hundred years and more has New Orleans been drawing hither wandering souls from all the ends of the earth. 1/n
Helicopter on approach to children’s hospital this afternoon. I’ve been thinking about the “save our serenity” signs in the ‘hood complaining about the helicopter noise, yet all I can think about is the family having the worst day of their life on that helicopter.
#perspective
I’ve had this conversation with clients and friends in Louisiana and other states pursuing these hateful policies. These bills get pushed, and to what expected benefit? Political points? Nothing positive happens in the state because of them. Nothing.
The Louisiana legislatures anti LGBTQ legislation is driving a highly specialized pediatric doctor, in New Orleans, to leave the state with his family.
Biden's point about pre-existing conditions is a fundamental issue. My daughter, a cancer survivor, would be completely uninsurable without the ACA. It's not perfect, but it's the only thing standing between us and bankruptcy.
The biggest misconception about Mardi Gras season (so I don’t get Actually-ed again) is that it’s not for kids. This is all for kids and families. It’s basically a 6 mile long block party. The French quarter is for adults, but the bulk is super family oriented.
Fourth, walk through the house and grab anything that is truly irreplaceable. You’ll be astonished by how little that is, but also it’s super emotionally taxing as you think through all of your memories and worry about the future. 5/
Feeling like I need a mental health day. Between hurricane landfall west of us, Katrina memories, ongoing trauma to our black communities, feels so heavy and helpless. just want to sleep and eat cookies.
This trip btw, costs a bunch of money you probably didn’t plan on spending so hope you can do this frugally and don’t have a bunch of expenses you can’t cover when you get back. For some people there’s truly no choice, they stay since they can’t afford to go. 9/
Second, your house might lose power so you’ve got to deal with everything in your fridge and freezer. Take what you can, but anything perishable you need to get out of your house. One of the most disgusting things I’ve ever done was trying to clean out the fridge post Katrina 3/
And for many of us the whole prep/cycle that was part of life but never life changing. Until Katrina that is. K shattered that illusion and the world hasn’t been the same since for any of us that lived through it and the aftermath. 15/
If I told you “hey! Spur of the moment, you’ve got to go on a 4-5 day trip w your entire family, pets too! And you leave in 36-48 hours.” That’s challenge
#1
. Finding a place to stay, and get your basics packed up. 2/
Let’s be clear about the recent big market stories. If you buy something and are strongly concerned with the price of it in the next week or two weeks, it’s not an investment. It’s speculating or gambling, but not investing.
“The Mississippi’s mighty, but it starts in Minnesota at a place that you can walk across with five steps down”
It’s not the most spectacular natural park in the world, but I always feel really moved when I can visit Lake Itasca and the start of the Mississippi.
Some days, you’re drinking a craft beer and cooking at Lake Macdonald in Glacier NP.
Some days, you’re drinking a high life and boiling some hot dogs in the parking lot of a Fairfield inn.
Next, practically everybody you know is also going on the same spur of the moment trip! Better make sure your car is gassed up bc lines will be long. Also, consider leaving in the middle of the night or super early in the morning because leaving too late is dangerous! 6/
I’m still floored at how many people I meet in the garden district that basically ask “what should we do?” You planned a trip, got on a plane, got a hotel and have done no research?
Not sure how recent this screenshot is but looks pretty recent based on references to Canada truckers thing. If this is how Nyx leadership feels then the decision is easy. Will be out for Druids and then pack it up.
Emotions - it’s hard leaving home contemplating everything. This could be a complete waste of time. Storm could turn, turn out to not be a huge wind or rain event, or more. Yet, there’s a chance that you might never see your home again. That’s hard. 14/
Professional financial person here. Whenever clients bring up 0% income tax states like TX or FL, I tell them to check out the property tax rates there.
The state will get paid regardless, it’s just a matter of how.
A 6% tax rate on people earning over $50k is driving Louisianans to seek out opportunities elsewhere. This is not a partisan issue- e.g. WA has no personal income tax. The growth in the US is in states with lower rates & simpler tax codes than LA. It’s time to follow their lead.
Self-care - you probably want to bring your own booze and openers, because you’re used to living in a place where you can get a drink anytime and nearly anywhere. You might even end up in a ‘dry county’ (gasp). Be prepared there too (h/t
@dgstillme
) 12/
How are you spending your quarantine? I’ve been splitting my time between working and feeling like I should pay more attention to my kids, and spending time w my kids while feeling like I should be working
Brilliant wife had the idea to get these little plastic containers to measure kids cereals. I thought it was crazy, but now they do their own breakfast and on the weekends they let us sleep in!
When you get to your new destination, now you wait. You watch the slow motion coverage of the storm, waiting to find out when your trip will end, so you can get back and see what happened to your home and community. 8/
Not to go full
#SadDad
on everybody, but the whole midlife ‘crisis’ thing is super real today. 44th bday next week, and feels like the world can sense that my life force is weaker and there’s a desperation to grab onto something. Not needing a convertible but understand that urge
Papers - along with that truly irreplaceable stuff, grab and bring your most important papers. Birth & baptism certificates, SSN cards, passports, and more. If you have to start over somewhere else, this will be essential. 13/
Being a bit of a numbers weirdo I always notice them around me, especially in cars inspection stickers. Much respect to this one that has been expired for 8 years now.
Either you could start to get into bad weather if storm is too close, or you could be stuck on the highway making a 3 hour drive take 8. For a storm years ago it took us 12 hours to get to Lafayette which is normally 2h. 7/
Made these today, root beer float (root beer concentrate and vanilla buttercream) and strawberry semi sweet chocolate. If you can pick up some in Nola, send me a message! Free to a good home while I have some.