The Louisianan

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting an update on my new job and relocation.

The job is a really good fit and the company is a really good company to work for. The people that have been brought in to work at this mill are the rock stars of the company so I'm working with a lot of brilliant people who absolutely shine at what they do. You really can't ask for a better situation. And I gotta confess: I kind of feel like a bad ass working in a manufacturing industry. With my hardhat and steel-toed boots.

I'm still living in the extended-stay hotel. Which is okay because, frankly, I'm not here all that much. I'm working 10-hour days (there's just so much to get done! yesterday!) and I spend an hour & a half a day commuting out to the country where my job is (which is no more time than I spent driving - for years - from the suburbs to downtown Memphis). So basically, I eat their free breakfast and sleep here. Mostly I just pretend I'm living in an urban apartment. With somewhat wonky wireless access.

The room has a mini-kitchen which means (apparently) everything but an oven. That results in me obsessing about the lack of fresh-baked cookies in my life.

The room also lacks sufficient closet space. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have brought all my in-season clothes.

Unfortunately, I arrived in Louisiana post-crawfish season, which has caused me great sadness indeed. But I did have the best roast beef poboy ever at the Acme Oyster House up the road one night.

The first weekend in August we're moving into a rental house in what most people call "Downtown Covington." I prefer "Old Covington" or "Historic Covington" because it's charming and lovely but that? Is no "Downtown." The second weekend in August I'm heading back to Long Beach for the LBHS Mass Class Reunion. I live close enough that I can drive to it and drive home again that night when it's over. So that's pretty awesome. 

It has done nothing but rain since I got here. I'm pretty sure the last time I saw the sun was July 4th. They tell me it didn't rain for months before I arrived, but I'm not sure I believe them. The ditches along the highway are all full of water and if this doesn't let up soon I'm going to have to get one of those boats with the giant fan on the back to take to work. It's a totally legitimate mode of transportation in Louisiana.

People here sure are excited about that guy with the eyebrow coming to play basketball here. I already saw him play here last spring. It left a sour taste in my mouth. Saints news is - delightedly - a regular part of the local broadcasts. We get off work for a lot of things here, including Mardi Gras and the Washington Parish Fair, but, sadly, it doesn't appear that we'll get a holiday to go to training camp which is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK. Yes, yes, I'm sure the fair is great but come on!! TRAINING CAMP!! TRAINING CAMP?? But alas, no.

I leave you with three words: pink, steel-toed boots. 

Bad ass.