403 miles From Home

O yes school is almost over with and then begins SUMMERTIME BABY!!! I love summertime, not just because I don’t have to sit in a classroom for about 3 months, but because you get to have an opportunity to take a really good vacation.  I plan on taking advantage of my time and take a whole week or two vacation back to my hometown, New Orleans for my oldest brother birthday.  It should be fun and I haven’t been to New Orleans since last year so its about time for another visit.  If anybody’s looking for a place to visit that you’re going to love, I encourage them to go to New Orleans and enjoy all the festivities.  So much to do there and I got a couple of helpful tips that I think will be very beneficial to anybody who plans to visit:

Tip 1.  Please wear shorts and preferably a shirt that’s sleeveless.  It gets very,very,very,very,very,(takes a breath), very, very HOT!!! in New Orleans during the summer.  Sometimes the temperatures can hit the triple digits so also a good pair of sandals can be beneficial also.  If u got a hat that provide you a little bit of shade, that will also work and if your car has no AC, you might as well just take the bus everywhere because you will not make it far.

Tip 2.  Bring a camera and make sure it’s ready at all times. If I had a nickel every time I seen something at Mardi Gras or just at a big gathering, I would probably be a rich man.  There’s so many interesting people and so much rich history around that you’re going to have your head on a swivel looking at everything so take as many pictures as you can.

Tip 3. This is probably one of the most important rules right here and it will definitely save you an altercation or any kind of arguments: DON’T SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE SAINTS AROUND DRUNK PEOPLE!!!!!! This may sound like a crazy or dumb tip but if my knowledge is correct about the people of New Orleans and I’m referring to the majority, yea it can happen so to make sure that you get the full wonderful experience, don’t say it.

So if you plan on making a trip to New Orleans, I hope these tips help you and I hope everybody enjoys their summer wherever they may go.

Blog Video For My Class

Okay I’m going to admit beforehand that this is a personal post because I feel like I need to get something straight.  Yes I am from New Orleans and we were the “murder capital” for a while for our high crime rate and also yes the New Orleans Saints were involved in a bounty program that paid players for hits on certain players but that does not make “ME” a dangerous person.

Particularly this is directed at this gentleman at the Exxon on Friday when I was getting gas.  He happen to notice the New Orleans Saints hat I had on and also on my car’s back window, I have a New Orleans Saints symbol so of course he assumed right that I’m a Saints fan and could possibly be from New Orleans also.  So instead of just making a quick comment like most do about the bounty program, he begins to say, “Aw man I know not to mess with you.  Yo’ city the murder capital and now y’all players taking people out.”  Okay now I will admit the idea of plucking him in his forehead was on my mind or just kind of stick my foot out when he walk past and you know he kind of hits the ground hard, but I refrained from any of those.  Instead, I just gave him a nod and ignored him completely and went on with whatever I was going to do.

So this is just a reminder to people that it’s not right for people to stereotype a certain person or a group of people just because of what they represent or where they are from.  I’m still the same friendly and cool guy that people know me as and I’ll be like this forever.  I know everybody doesn’t think like that particular A-hole(excuse my french) so this is only directed at those with clouded judgment.  I am still proud and love my city forever and I will tell anybody where I’m from anytime and anywhere.

While the Saints will be without Superbowl winning coach Sean Payton for an entire year because of his role in the bounty program, Sean Payton has called on the services of one of his former coaches and who he considers his mentor, Bill Parcells.  Parcells was formerly the Vice President of Football Operations with the Miami Dolphins and is currently an analyst for ESPN.  Payton and Parcells coached together in Dallas when Payton was the offensive coordinator and Parcells the head coach.  Payton will appeal his suspension to the league and commissioner Roger Goddell.

As a die hard Saints fan, I’m all in to get the “Big Tuna.”  He has won superbowls, coached great players, and is sure to be inducted in the NFL hall of fame one day.  I always had a deep respect for Bill Parcells because he is a good coach and looks like a man who leads by example and not just by his words.  He has the right attitude for the Saints because he’ll bring a little more ruggedness and toughness to the team.  If we get the “Big Tuna,” I think it’ll be a good way to poke fun at the commissioner.  Yeah you may have suspended our coach for a year but we’re still fine because we have another quality coach to fill in so we’re still strong.  I’m tuned in to ESPN daily hoping to see some breaking news that Parcells has accepted to be the Saints coach for the year.

First of all, I would like to extend a congratulations to Kansas and Kentucky.  They both have excellent coaches, Bill Self of Kansas and John Calipari of Kentucky, and both teams have great talent on their team led by some All-American post players, Anthony Davis of Kentucky and Thomas Robinson of Kansas.  It’s going to be a great game and it’ll definitely be wonderful for the fans in News Orleans to enjoy.

Okay now that I got that out the way, now let me tell you what I really think about the game.   Honestly, I’m not really concerned about the outcome of the game.  I’m a LSU fan and the men’s basketball team was nowhere near the NCAA tournament so I have no one to root for but I will be rooting for one person in particular and I hope he has a monster game: Anthony Davis.  Anthony Davis is a beast in the making with his great shot blocking ability at almost 5 blocks a game as a freshman and as he develops a more consistent offensive game, he is primed and ready to be a NBA star.  My New Orleans Hornets are having a pretty down year especially after the departure of star guard Chris Paul and the team is just 13-40 this year thus far.  I give them credit though, even though they are undermanned and on most nights just plainly outmatched, the Hornets scrap and fight and never show any quit.  The record might not be great but I like that they just haven’t mailed it in and said forget the season.

Mr. Davis would look very lovely in some Hornet colors.  We could possibly have the opportunity to get him because we will definitely be in the lottery next year and somebody like Davis could steer us in the right direction.  The Hornets are currently owned by the NBA and is for sure to have an owner by next season and it can be a fresh start with Davis and any other young player we get.  Hornets have a high possibility to have two picks in the top 10 in the upcoming draft because they have the rights to the Minnesota Timberwolves first round pick and it’s not lottery protected and as of right now, the Timberwolves’ record is 25-29 and have dropped their last 10 of 14 games.  This will be the first time I ever really payed attention to the NBA lottery announcement and if I hear David Stern say those words, “The winners of the lottery are the New Orleans Hornets and now own the first pick in the draft,” I will begin to get real happy and get my Anthony Davis jersey ready for show because this guy is the real deal and can really be a centerpiece for our franchise for years to come.

Yeah. just looking at this video bringing back so many memories.  I can remember me and my family enjoying second lines as they passed right along our street, basically right in front of our door.  The great thing about second lines is that anybody can start one at any given time.  The basic essentials is somebody playing a trumpet or any other horn, somebody with a drum and drum sticks or in some case I have witnessed, just need a stick and a bottle, and just begin to make some good New Orleans music with your instruments and proceed to walk up the street and I guarantee you will definitely get some followers.  It’s just inevitable because people just can’t resist the sound and have the urge to dance.  Second lines are also used for if somebody died in the neighborhood and they were very well known.  The second line is used in memory of that person kind of like their ride to heaven with some good music following them.  It’s truly a great experience and I wish everybody would get to experience the excitement and fun that a good second line can bring.

Peyton Manning has ended the circus and put an end to the “I want Peyton Manning as my quarterback sweepstakes.”  After weeks of persuasion from the 49ers, Titans, Cardinals, Broncos, and Dolphins, Peyton chose to join forces with John Elway and the Denver Broncos.  For all those who may not know, Peyton Manning was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, his father Archie Manning was the Saints quarterback in the 70s, and he attended Isidore Newman School.

I wish Peyton all the best in Denver.  I really hope he has no more problems with his neck and he reverts back to his old MVP form.  I’ve always had a lot of respect for Manning because of the way he carries himself like a professional and of course throwing that interception to Tracy Porter in the Super Bowl which ultimately led to the Saints victory!!!!!……hold up I’m sorry I got a little off subject.  But honestly, Peyton always has been one of my favorite QBs to watch.  He’s not going to wow you with his athleticism like a Micheal Vick or a Cam Newton, but he’s a technician when it comes to accuracy and putting the ball right there on his receivers.  He should really rejuvenate the Broncos as a team but when the Black and Gold go to Denver next season to square off against him,  he better watch out!!!!

“The Saints are dirty!!”  “They deserve to have their Superbowl taken away!!!” Anything imaginable that could be said about my hometown team has been said.  The New Orleans Saints are being investigated by the NFL for taking part in a “bounty program.” Basically the allegations are that players were paid to take out certain members of the other team. I’ve must’ve talked to a lot of people about this and majority have no problem with it.  I think the reason those people are so nonchalant about it is because it goes on with almost every team in the NFL.  A number of teams have come out to say that they too had certain bounties on people.  I just think we were the unlikely ones to get caught.

This man here. Gregg Williams, is the center of all this attention.  He’s the Saints former defensive coordinator and now the Rams defensive coordinator.  The penalty for our so called “bounty” program is to get draft picks taken away and of course the obvious fine from the commissioner.  One of our so called “targets” Kurt Warner thought the hit he took in his final game in January 2010 was “completely legal.” My brother, on his blog, makes a good point basically saying that if the Saints were out to get people, why do we only have one Superbowl and why wasn’t our defense ranked higher? In closing, I hope this situation goes away real soon and all the suspensions and fines are handed out and everybody can put this behind them.

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Once again, I was speechless as I left Chef Gary’s Deja Vu restaurant.  Once again the food was amazing and his restaurant was packed that night.  I have much respect and admiration for what he’s doing and how he’s representing for New Orleans.  He’s keeping the tradition and culture of New Orleans rolling even in Memphis.  The shouts of “Who Dat!!!” coming from the kitchen by Chef Gary and while I was there, there was at least 2 people that also wanted to interview him.  His popularity is growing and so is his restaurant.  He was recently named one of the top 25 chefs in Memphis by the Memphis Business Journal and there was a way for you to vote for Chef Gary, but the competition has been suspended.

Fun fact for you: Chef Gary Williams had no previous culinary experience and didn’t go to school for it either.  He went to Southern University In New Orleans and majored in Business.  He credits all his teachings to his mother, grandmother, and other chefs he has watched over the years.  That is very inspirational to me and its just a bonus that he’s from the same neighborhood I grew up in New Orleans.  His restaurant is doing well and he has 5 other locations also.  I really enjoyed doing a story about him because he’s very humble and he’s just a great person with a great heart.  You can tell by talking to him that he loves what he’s doing and he’s not cocky but confident.  He’s truly somebody who knows their craft and I wish him all the best for his restaurant.  For the full story, go to https://403miles.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=65

   Happy Mardi Gras to all!!  Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, is a week long celebration where people celebrate and enjoy themselves with parades, live music, and good food.  The origin behind Fat Tuesday is that it’s supposed to be somewhat of a release period before Lent, where you have to give up a privilege in your life that you possess.  I would always hear my grandmother saying things about Lent and she would stop drinking until it was over.  If I had to sum up what Mardi Gras means with just a few words, it would “party on the streets.”  No matter what parade you catch, you can feel the energy and the excitement in the crowds around you. It’s truly a great experience to see and just embrace the culture and history of Mardi Gras.

Living in Memphis, I’ve grown to really appreciate Mardi Gras and really understand what makes it so special.  People from all over the world come to enjoy the wonders of Mardi Gras season.  I can remember standing outside in the cold to catch a parade on Canal St. or being out with my oldest brother looking at the colorful Indians as they danced and chanted up the street.  Mardi Gras is truly a wonderful thing to see and though I can’t be in New Orleans, I can think back on the memories and feel like im there again.