It was SO hot……
This is the time of year in New Orleans when things get so slow and stay so hot that much of the city takes a clue from our French forbears and simply goes on vacation. Lots of restaurants simply close for the month, while some other businesses reduce their hours and/or cut their staff. Hotel occupancy rates drop way off and, actually, you can get some excellent deals in places you won’t able to remotely afford in another 60 days.
I was driving down Magazine St. about 1:30 this afternoon (when there’s no shade on either side of the street) and it was nearly deserted, except for folks darting from air-conditioned building to air-conditioned car. While parts of Mid-City, the Garden District and Uptown sit under a canopy of trees, much of New Orleans is simply left to bake in the open. It might be hotter, temperature-wise, in other places — but it’s plenty hot enough here.
With thiis in mind, we’re getting our running around done in the mornings and finding cooler shelter after about noon. Today’s trip was to Rio Mar for lunch and then to the World War II Museum. We’ve got Saints tickets tomorrow night (thankfully in the air-conditioned dome) and then….
….we’re going to check into a downtown hotel and spend as much time as possible in the damn swimming pool. While other guests stroll the French Quarter and take a cab Uptown or go on disaster tours or ride streetcars, TBK and I are going to park our butts in chlorinated water. We might venture out someplace at night when it cools off a bit, but not very far. As John Hiatt says, thank God the tiki bar is open.
This’ll be fun.
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Don’t you work?
No, I don’t work. I sit around drinking gin fizzes all day and doing my F. Scott Fitzgerald imitation. My wife eats bonbons and tanks champagne. We fight often and our public spats have left us banned from many of the finer estabishments in the metro area. They no longer allow us on local buses and streetcars.
Actually, I had a 30+ year career in journalism. I transitioned from that to my own business in gourmet food. That business was destroyed in Katrina. I am in personal bankruptcy (to keep our house) and am putting my hard-earned retirement money into building a new restaurant because I believe in this city. Once this restaurant opens, I will, at 53, be working the same kinda 80-hour weeks I worked when I was 25. Forgive me for taking a little time off when it presents itself.
Glad you’re employed. Plan well and you can take a little time off too.
Bravo, Craig! We opened a restaurant in Mississippi 8 weeks ago and took our first whole day off last Sunday. It was wonderful to not go anywhere, although a soak in a pool would have been nice! Hang in there guys. I visit you here often, and appreciate your trials and tribulations. I hope to visit your city soon and maybe spend a few bucks. Be sure to post your establishment name and location so us foreigners can find you. Best of luck to you all.
Yes, bravo Craig.
Myself, I just live off my welfare checks and blog on here when I’m too lazy to score heroin or impregnate chicks.
heh.
i’m looking better every minute.
i don’t work. drink most days. and eat just about anything that doesn’t eat me first.
so Nawlins..
Like Craig, I sell drugs to your children.
I work….
…if you count setting collegiate panties a-drip…
…chicks dig the Geico Caveman look I’ve got going.
My job is to spread evil throughout the community according to some. Others think I’m making a difference. Myself, Im just trying not to have a nervous breakdown, a job unto itself.
I was voted to hand you the disappointing news Jack. I hate to bust your enormous ego with this..you are the only one who thinks your look is cool.
And your staring creeps us out.
You’re gross.