Nix Bits

Before this space devolves into a litany of non-stop complaints, I should point out some good things that have happened in the days since the US Army Corps of Engineers’ faulty levees burst.

First and foremost, Jennifer and I are OK. We got out of New Orleans with all of our pets, all of our pictures, and more clothes than many folks. We were reasonably comfortable at the friends’ who kept us for the first month and at my parents’. And we have been extrordinarily fortunate to get into an apartment Uptown.

We’re both working. Jennifer’s work has started to pick up lately and we’re pleased about that. I didn’t lose a day of work since the storm. I was able to work remotely and my previous employer was very supportive of all their employees. Even if I had been unable to work, they still would have paid me for the month of September as they did for so many other employees who couldn’t work. And I say previous employer because I have since gotten a new job. I had been ready to move on from my previous work site before the storm and opportunity began to knock. I’m enjoying the new gig and working hard.

We’re also enjoying one of these now. Sure, it took 15 years and 8 feet of water to get my wife a new car, but it’s been worth it. She’s been craving a MINI for a while but we couldn’t justify it. I’ve never been much of a car kinda guy — the last car I bought was the utterly utilitarian Saturn — but man this thing is fun.

Lastly, my mother in law sent us some pictures of Callie living it up on the farm. Yeah, I’d like to have her back here with us, but from the dog’s perspective, she’s probably having a better time up there right now. And of course this means we have our families supporting us in any and every way they can. I mean, they’re putting up with my big, goofy, hyperactive German Shepherd who I am convinced thinks she is a much smaller dog. The pics really cheered me up. I’ve put them below. The other GSD is Petra. She’s teaching Callie how to be a real German Shepherd on a farm.