In an effort to find something to focus on that is not the hellish circus that is tomorrow’s election, I’m going to write up a review of our time in New Orleans.
We actually started the trip in Springfield, MO for parents weekend at Missouri State. It’…
Mrs. O’DonnellWeb became a fan of hurricanes when we were in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We, of course, went to Pat O’Brien’s to have a hurricane there. And then we left with no plans to go back, because the hurricanes there suck. They taste li…
Our first night in New Orleans we did a Drunk History tour. It was a two hour walking tour of the more macabre side of French Quarter history, with stops at bars to refill anytime anybody in the group needed a drink.
The picture above is a night time picture of the LaLaurie House. The LaLaurie house is probably the most famous haunted house in New Orleans. The high-society LaLauries brutally tortured and mutilated their slaves, many of whom died in the house. It was so bad that public opinion turned against the family, and they fled New Orleans in April 1834, never to be heard from again.
According to the newspaper, the New Orleans Bee, all of the victims were naked and the ones not on tables were chained to the wall. Some of the women had their stomachs sliced open and their insides wrapped about their waists. One woman had her mouth stuffed with animal excrement and then her lips were sewn shut.
The men were in even more horrible states. Fingernails had been ripped off, eyes poked out, and private parts sliced away. One man hung in shackles with a stick protruding from a hole that had been drilled in the top of his head. It had been used to “stir” his brains.
The tortures had been administered so as to not bring quick death. Mouths had been pinned shut and hands had been sewn to various parts of the body. Regardless, many of them had been dead for quite some time. Others were unconscious and some cried in pain, begging to be killed and put out of their misery.
If you had asked me immediately after taking that photo if there was anybody in the frame, I would have been 100% sure when I said no. The residential side streets of the French Quarter were not that busy, and I would have waited a couple of seconds for any random passer-by to clear the frame of my photo. The guy was not there when I took the picture.
Also, the reflection in the truck window is weird. There was no flash used, would the street light be enough light to create the reflection? Also, the guy’s head appears to be floating above his body, and the reflection looks more like a female than a male to me.
So obviously I caught a ghost on film 😉
Also of interest, at another haunted site, a tavern where a young woman hung herself, the tour guide pulled up a text message she got that day from someone that took her tour the previous day. The tourist had taken a picture of the dark interior, and there was a clear but faint image of a woman swinging from a noose. That one was clear enough to be a little creepy, although obviously it’s just a random occurrence of light and maybe some noise in the digital picture, along with a BAC above zero and the power of suggestion in expecting to see something. It was still creepy though.
My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month ago. It was a total shock, as it was discovered in her routine annual mammogram. She went in for her yearly check up on a Friday, the following Monday I was taking her to the Women’s Health Center for a biopsy, and a few days after that we met with her OB/GYN to get the biopsy results. A week after that she was in surgery. We went from never really thinking about this stuff to her having cancer in a period of about 90 minutes. There is no training for how to deal with this. There is also no training on how to deal with friends that are dealing with this.
One thing I’ve noticed is the difference in how my wife’s friends and my friends are dealing with the knowledge that she has breast cancer. Her phone pretty much beeps, buzzes, and rings from sunup until bedtime. Her friends, both local and far flung sorority sisters she hasn’t seen in person in 25 years, check in with her constantly to see how she is doing, and just to let her know they are thinking about her. Prior to this post, I’d told probably two dozen people that my wife has cancer, all but one of them guys. Neither of us has made any sort of public announcement, until now. The woman, and exactly two of the guys, have checked back in with me since the initial conversation.
I’m not trying to imply that guys care less. I’m not complaining about my friends. I have no doubt that if I messaged any of them about needing something they would jump on it immediately. We are middle age. My wife and I had kids young and thus we are empty nesters. Most of our friends still have kids at home, and we are all in the prime earning years in our careers. Everybody is busy, and nobody has enough time for their own families, let alone extra cycles for our problems. We are at that age where health problems start to become more real, but not old enough that we all have several cycles of experience dealing with this stuff. I don’t want to get into a debate about women versus men and compassion and sympathy, or gender roles and expectations. I’m sure all that plays a role here. I’m also sure the fear of a “How is she doing?” text being answered with bad news is real. People probably think I’ve got enough to deal with, and don’t have time to be fielding update inquiries. Four weeks ago I’m pretty sure I would have had all those same thoughts.
With my wife fighting cancer, I feel like my job is to be the emotional rock for her to lean on. I’m Mr. Positive Mental Attitude, you are going to beat this, you are stronger than this cancer, etc. Any of you that know me in real life know that Mr. PMA is not my natural state. I’ve joked that staying so positive is mentally draining. I wasn’t actually joking about that. It is draining, especially when combined with trying to focus on my job 40+ hours per work, and the other stresses that real life tends to throw at us, often at the most inopportune times. I’m also doing all of this on less than ideal sleep, as I really haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since the diagnosis. Of course, none of that compares to the pressure my wife is under.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you know somebody that is supporting a partner or other loved one fighting cancer or some other crisis, go ahead and send the text or make the call asking how it’s going. If that person is local to you meet them out for a burger and a beer. They need it, they’ll appreciate it, and since guys are trained their entire lives to not let emotions make decisions for us, they probably aren’t going to tell you they need it.
And as long as I’m telling people what to do, if your partner isn’t getting her annual mammogram, insist that she does. My wife’s mammogram didn’t look that unusual. The breast surgeon said she wouldn’t have flagged it if she was looking at it in a vacuum. However, the software analysis that compared the image to last year’s image did see an an unexpected change, and it was that flag that set in motion the events that led to the diagnosis. Without annual testing we wouldn’t know she has cancer. She has no symptoms.
Because of the early diagnosis odds are good this story will have a happy ending. If “You don’t actually have cancer” is the best diagnosis, my wife’s diagnosis is probably second or third on the list of things you want to hear when you have breast cancer. This also means that friend of yours whose wife or sister is battling cancer right now probably needs that text or call way more than I ever did.
So do it. Now.
(cross posted to Medium
In the storied 20 year history of ODonnellWeb we have never endorsed a candidate for any office. However, the events of 2016 leave us no choice but to endorse Hillary Clinton for President. The simple fact is that she is the only one running even remo…
This is the first in what I hope will be a somewhat regular (3X a week?) series of quick blog posts about whatever I’m thinking about. A few years ago I decided to make my blog a repository for longer writing, and now I’m changing my mind and making a…
I read a few good ones this summer.
Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
Yes, it’s a classic and I should have read it years ago. I enjoyed it, although I think Steinbeck made a lot of it up from the comfort of a hotel room on his travels.
Carpet Die…
The Best Places for Photos in Las Vegas
As many of the pros will tell you, “Cities can be tough to shoot even for experienced photographers.” Often you’ll have to use your wide-angle lens to capture large subjects or when there’s limited space, making adjustments to the ISO, and much more. Also, some cities seem to be more difficult than others when finding that money-making shot, though if there was one city that had an endless number of photo opportunities, it would be Las Vegas.
The gambling hub hardly seems like a mecca for photographers, given that its main attraction are undoubtedly its bustling the casinos. Ever since online portals began offering enhanced VIP experiences comparable to the exclusive gaming opportunities proposed by their brick and mortar counterparts, the Las Vegas experience has diversified with more entertainment options than we can possibly imagine. And while the competition from its digital counterparts has been tough for Vegas’s land-based casinos, it hasn’t changed Sin City’s ability to wow people with its bright flashing lights, astounding architecture, and replicas of world famous monuments – the ideal backdrop and subject for an amazing photograph.
In all honestly, every square foot of Las Vegas is potentially a great place to snap some photos, but the ones listed below will guarantee that perfect shot.
Sunrise Mountain
For a breathtaking view of the entire Valley, hike up Sunrise Mountain. Just as the name implies, this peak is the best spot for sunrises and sunsets that make the journey up to the mountain every bit worth while. Your two options of getting there are heading to the Frenchman mountain pass and taking Lake Mead Boulevard, or you can park at the Albertsons Supermarket on East Lake Mead Boulevard and then hike from there.
Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck
It’s a bit of a trek to head up to the mountaintop, so if you’re not up for the challenge, there’s always the Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck. As the highest point in the Valley, you’ll get a full 360-degree view of the city for just $20 (or $12 if you are a local). It undoubtedly offers one of the best views of the Strip, and it’s been recommended that you visit at dusk or dawn.
The Balcony at Hyde Bellagio
The Bellagio Fountains is one of the most popular photo ops on the Strip, but if you want a more intimate view of the water, the balcony at Hyde Bellagio takes you to what seems to be the center of the lake. The romantic setting of the balcony with the misty background from the water is an excellent spot for selfies and many other different kinds of memorable photos.
I’d feel guilty about not writing here for four months, but it’s not like I have any readers left to notice. If you are reading this leave a comment here, or on Facebook or Twitter, just so I know somebody still visits this blog.
August 19th was my 25…
I can’t claim to be a big Bruce fan, and in fact Born in the USA may be the only Bruce album I’ve ever owned. I do appreciate his music a lot more now that I’m older, and I probably should revisit his catalog. Anyway, I was thinking about the parallels between that song, and the way we approach Memorial Day in general here in the USA.
It’s no secret that if you go poll 100 random citizens a good percentage can not tell you what this day is about. We are not celebrating Veterans, we are not celebrating wars we’ve won, we are not celebrating 50% off sales on furniture, we are not celebrating anything. Memorial Day is a day to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the US military. Even among those who understand the purpose of the day, how many actually do anything at all today that can be interpreted as remembering or honoring those that died? And no, enjoying the freedoms they died to protect does not count. You are not honoring your grandfather who died at Pearl Harbor by being drunk in the kiddie pool by 2 PM.
So what is the connection to Bruce’s tune? Much like how many have turned Memorial Day in a jingoistic celebration of America’s foreign policy, many of those same people would tell you that Born In The USA is a rah-rah pro America tune. Reagan’s campaign staff made that mistake in 1984 when the song was on the charts. It is an easy mistake to make, and that mistake is the real genius of the song. It was originally written during the sessions for the Nebraska album, which is a very dark and somber look at America at a time when many questioned if its best days are behind it. Born in the USA didn’t make it onto that album, but when Bruce started to play with it again for the next album, the song jelled around a very bombastic riff and sing along chorus that on the surface, definitely sounds rah-rah America.
However, much like how we mistake the car and furniture sales and backyard bbqs as the point of Memorial Day, not looking beyond the first impression causes us to miss what is going on with Born in The USA. The song is about the hopelessness and despair experienced by a Vietnam Vet who saw his friends and family die in a war that was ultimately meaningless, and then comes home to a USA with a crumbling infrastructure, high unemployment and interest rates, and a general lack of enthusiasm for taking care of the Vets it sent to suffer in Vietnam.
That song isn’t celebrating anything, and really Memorial Day shouldn’t be a celebration either. There may be honor in dieing for your country, but it’s something we should hope for less of in the future, not something we should celebrate with a party.
Born down in a dead man’s town.
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.
You end up like a dog that’s been beat too much.
Till you spend half your life just covering up.Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.Got in a little hometown jam.
So they put a rifle in my hand.
Sent me off to a foreign land.
To go and kill the yellow man.Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.Come back home to the refinery.
Hiring man says “Son if it was up to me.”
Went down to see my V.A. man.
He said “Son, don’t you understand.”I had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong.
They’re still there, he’s all gone.He had a woman he loved in Saigon.
I got a picture of him in her arms now.Down in the shadow of the penitentiary.
Out by the gas fires of the refinery.
I’m ten years burning down the road.
Nowhere to run ain’t got nowhere to go.Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I’m a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I’m a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A.
Side note: The mistreatment of Vietnam Veterans has been overplayed in the press. Not that they weren’t mistreated; they were. However we’ve been screwing over our Veterans in America since Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. Vietnam era Vets weren’t singled out for worse treatment. Maybe it was the contrast to the WWII hero’s welcome that their fathers received that made it seem that much worse. I’m not really sure, but there is little to no evidence that Americans in general were more hostile to Vietnam Vets than they were after any other war.
