Sunset, Two Views

It's a Lovely Evening

I spent a few hours at City Park a week-and-a-half ago. I took some photos. Wow, who would have guessed that I would publish them here?

I'm such an open book.


I also have a couple of photos of oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from their branches. I wish they were better photos, but that may not matter, since it is more important that moss continues to grow in Louisiana.

C'est la guerre!

The Hole Down Which I Toppled

Finally, yesterday, I managed to grab hold of my courage with both hands and make my way back to the site where I had tripped and smashed my face against the concrete on the evening of the Fourth of July. Behold the clutter of cracks that ensnared my feet and held them fast as I plummeted to the earth.

This morning, I met my new dentist for the first of many prosperous visits. He was delighted to make my acquaintance. I'll be sending his last-born to college and covering a third of her wedding expenses.

Making me fetching ain't gonna be pretty.

Val Kilmer Had Breakfast Here Once

Reserved Parking

It really is a reserved parking spot. Le Richelieu Hotel keeps several slots available in Jimmy Cahn's open-air parking lot across the street from their own lot. This is the first slot.

Recovery in Progress

I seem to be so disengaged from my life right now that I can barely conceive of anything of interest to write about. I'm not too concerned about this, and don't you be, because it's just part of the cycles I pass through. I suppose we all do.

In the meantime, I'm rebuilding.

Making the Best of Things

A friend (who does not live here) has inquired whether I intend to sue the City of New Orleans for the decrepitude of her sidewalks.

Do you know how much it hurts to laugh so hard?

Taking New Orleans to court is Sisyphean:

• You sue.
• You win.
• You wait.
• You die.

Sometimes it's better to just accept your fate. Besides, at my age, it's time I get new teeth. I'd love some interchangeable bridges for, like, you know, day or night wear, formal or lowdown.

The Lessons of Healing

Mr. I. B. Self-Reliant here, checking in to see how the world's been doing since I stepped off of it for a few days to lick my wounds and tend to my pride.

I finally heard from my doctor today and found that I have no broken bones. I guess that means I can go out dancing tonight. Oh, wait, scratch that. My million-dollar smile isn't worth two-bits right now. Gotta get that taken care of first. I'll see a new dentist this Tuesday morning. I hope to survive to tell the tale.

I've learned something, though, from this experience. (Aren't you surprised?) Aside from the obvious moral that I am no longer invincible like I was when I was in my teens and twenties - that I am, as a matter of fact, pretty brittle and fragile -I learned that, as much as I would like to think of myself as a guy who stands on his own two feet, who doesn't need anybody doing for him, who can always take care of himself and the people who depend on him ... well, it all turns out to be bull. I'm as big a needy baby as the rest of you.

It got pretty lonely lying here in the Fortress of Solitude with only Bob for company, and I'm really grateful to those people who wouldn't leave me alone, who kept dropping comments here, or emails there, who even took time out to stop in and visit. All that meant a lot to me. I owe you, and I won't forget you.

So what's been happening while I was down and out?

An Observation on How Things Happen Nowadays

One good thing about the Michael Jackson business (and it is a business): nothing bad will happen in the world today. It would never get on the news.

The Final Photo, Going Down