Halliburton To Pay $1.1 Billion Settlement Over Gulf Oil Spill

Halliburton & BP?  Pay Up?  Watch out for snowballs in Hell.

From the AP:

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Halliburton's agreement to pay more than $1 billion to settle numerous claims involving the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be a way for the company and victims of the spill to avoid years of costly litigation — if all the pieces fall into place.
A federal judge still has to approve the settlement. That same judge has rulings pending on the extent to which parties, including Halliburton, were negligent in the deadly explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. Those rulings could affect plaintiffs' decisions on whether to participate in the settlement, which was announced Tuesday.
Pending action by the Supreme Court over interpretations of an earlier BP settlement with businesses also comes into play.
Joe Rice, of the law firm Motley Rice, which has been working for the plaintiffs, doesn't see those as major barriers to the settlement.
"They're not extremely complicated pieces," said Rice. "Whereas the litigation would be extremely complicated."
The settlement involves commercial or subsistence fishermen or hunters whose catches were affected by the spill, and businesses and property owners, including local government entities, who had property touched by the oil. They would be able to collect punitive damages from Halliburton through a fund to be administered by a court-appointed representative. The agreement also would settle claims for a separate class of businesses and individuals who were deemed to have causes of action against Halliburton under BP's 2012 settlement with businesses affected by the spill.

The rest is HERE.

Look for this to roll around the courts for a while, but don't look for any actual monies to change hands.  I truly doubt that will ever happen.  We're talking Dick Cheney's claws here.

And so it goes.

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Mirliton: That’s Good Eatin’, Yeah!

On the vine.

They must be recovering nicely to find them this far north. This is a Mirliton - a backyard perennial and staple of the southern Louisiana diet for years. They grew wild in the woods behind my family home in NOLA and they are delicious eating. 

Mirliton (also known as Chayote) are a succulent squash-like vegetable with an avocado-like single pit, and can be served in many ways; from salads to stuffed, to main course casseroles or side dishes. They are extremely good when pickled.  It was thought that they were practically extinct in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita, but since they grow like weeds, they eventually got a grip somewhere and are coming back strong.

I can’t believe I found them at a local supermarket, unfortunately not the one I frequent most often. I just happened to be in this store because it’s the best place to find elephant garlic, which I needed for a dish. These were wrapped individually and pampered for their journey north. That’s as it should be

Stuffed with Shrimp & Crab.

Anyway, these mirliton are smaller than I remember them, so I bought 3 since I don’t remember if they handle freezing well.  I will certainly make good use of these babies. This is another one of those times that I get angry about the loss of my sense of taste. 

I have no family recipes to fall back on. Well, who’d have thought I’d find a mirliton this far north, in the first place.  Fortunately, there are tons of recipes online and some pretty close to what I remember my grandmother making when I was a kid.

Feels like I’m closer to heaven this evening.

And so it goes.

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Candidate Scares Political Analyst

Christ on a cracker.  From a Cook Political Report on a LA State Rep running in the November election.  Scary stuff.

Louisiana state Rep. LENAR WHITNEY (R), candidate, Louisiana's 6th Congressional District 

PERSONALITY: 12 

GRASP OF ISSUES: 3 

SENSE OF PURE ANIMAL TERROR: 30 

LEFT SHAKEN BY ENCOUNTER: OH GOD, YES 

Our Summary 

Review"Fourth in the GOP field" but first among "climate deniers," Louisiana state Rep. Lenar Whitney succeeds in standing out among the "over 300 congressional candidates over the course of seven years" that this reviewer has sampled. Where the average candidate is "accustomed to tough questions" and typically capable of merely leaving one feeling "impressed" or merely "underwhelmed," Whitney -- a self-described "Palin of the South" who "relishes poking Democrats in the eye" -- stands apart from the candidates met in "hundreds of Cook Political Report meetings" by being not just "fact-averse" but, indeed, "the most frightening candidate I've met in seven years interviewing congressional hopefuls." The best moment was when Whitney "fled the room." Sure to be somebody's "worst nightmare."

Jason Linkins

Also, too, She fancies herself as the Palin of the South.  Hahahaha! Isn't the south fucked up enough already?

And here everyone thought there were crazies only in Texas and Mississippi. We grow 'em big in Louisiana swamps, y'all.

October is going to be a long month.

And so it goes.
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SCOTUS to BP: Pay Up.

BP took their most recent - and slimiest - shot at getting their initial agreement annulled.  Didn't work.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court says BP must continue paying claims from a fund established after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill while the company appeals terms of its settlement with some businesses.
The justices on Monday let stand without comment lower court refusals to halt payments while BP PLC appeals lower court rulings that businesses don't have to prove they were directly harmed by the spill to collect money.
The 5th Circuit and a district court have ruled that BP must stand by its agreement to pay such business claims without requiring strict proof that the spill caused losses.
The order indicates that the high court is unlikely to hear BP's appeal, said Loyola University law professor Blaine LeCesne, who is not involved in the case. BP contends that that the claims administrator is misinterpreting its agreement with many businesses.
"It's obviously a major victory for the plaintiffs, who can now proceed with processing these business economic loss claims," he said. "Given the several months interim before the Supreme Court rules on the appeal, likely many of these claims will have been processed and paid."
Steve Herman and Jim Roy, lead attorneys for businesses and individuals who have filed claims against BP, said in a one-sentence statement that the order "will allow businesses to continue to receive the compensation they're rightly entitled to according to the objective, transparent formulas agreed to by BP."

I wonder how much longer they can stall as they appeal this valid agreement into the ground. I'm surprised that BP's not used the "Panic Defense" thus far. The media has all but forgotten the people and family businesses most harmed - or destroyed - by the spill. Not to mention the still-very-tainted Gulf of Mexico. 

Still, it’s good that the Supremes threw BP out on their slimy ear.

And so it goes.

*

Another BP Deepwater Appeal Rejected.

That’s it,  Appeal, stall, and appeal. Blather, wince and repeat. Do anything and everything except what you're obligated to do, and promised to do. For the past FOUR YEARS! 

From the BBC:

Oil giant BP has suffered a setback in its attempt to limit payouts over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill.
A US court has refused to reconsider its decision that firms do not have to prove they were directly harmed by the oil spill to get settlement payouts.
It means the compensation claims process, which has been suspended since a separate court ruling in December, should now be able to resume.
BP said it was "disappointed" by the decision and mulling its legal options.
It had argued at an earlier court hearing that some firms had filed fictitious spill claims.
The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voted 8-5 against BP.
Legal battleThe court hearing was the latest in a long series held to determine who BP owes money to following the largest oil spill in US history.
The oil giant will now have to decide whether to progress to the next legal stage, and take its case to the US Supreme Court.
The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig four years ago killed 11 workers, and pumped millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
In the latest ruling, Judge Leslie Southwick stated that a 2012 policy statement, issued by the court-appointed claims administrator and developed with "input and assent from BP," clearly spelled out the criteria for business compensation claims.
Mr Southwick said all parties agreed to the relevant criteria, before court approval of that 2012 settlement deal.

Foot-dragging and appeals hoping it will all go away. Just do the right thing and move on, will ya! Jeez.

And so it goes.

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BP Disaster: Court Rules for Claimants, Again

Instead of the stalling and cover-up BP could have done the right thing long ago by coming clean and doing what was best for the Gulf wildlife, businesses, and people, but that would have been admitting wrongdoing, and that wasn't an option for them.

From NOLA.com

A divided panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that businesses seeking money as part of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement need not prove they were directly harmed by the accident and its aftermath to collect payments. The ruling is likely to be appealed by BP to the full 5th Circuit Court or the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The decision was immediately criticized by BP. "BP disagrees with today’s decision," said Geoff Morrell, a senior vice president for BP America. "BP had asked the court to prevent payments to business economic loss claimants whose alleged injuries are not traceable to the Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill. BP believes that such ... claimants are not proper class members under the terms of the settlement and is considering its appellate options." 

The Plaintiff Steering Committee, made up of attorneys representing claimants, praised the decision. "Today's ruling makes clear that BP can't rewrite the deal it agreed to," said a joint statement by lead attorneys Steven Herman and James Roy Monday's ruling is the latest in a series by two three-judge panels of the 5th Circuit concerning the way U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier has overseen the approval of the settlement and its implementation by court-appointed claims administrator Patrick Juneau. Within a week of the settlement agreement's approval in early 2013, as it became clear that the claims payouts would exceed the company's original estimate of $7.8 billion, BP began questioning its application of the settlement agreement. By July, the company's estimate had risen to $9.6 billion. 

But in Monday's ruling, written by Judge Leslie Southwick with Judge James Dennis issuing a separate concurring opinion, the 5th Circuit panel agreed with Barbier's Dec. 24 opinion that the language contained in the settlement agreement and its exhibits was in line with federal court rules governing settlements in class action lawsuits. Barbier said those rules recognize that the purpose of such settlements in large damage cases is in part to reduce the expense and burden that would be involved by holding individual trials for each claimant. In the case of the oil spill, the number of claimants could easily reach 200,000.  

Barbier also ruled that BP's demand that all business claimants prove "causation" before being paid was an improper reversal of the company's original strategy in the settlement. BP asserted that the payments were improper long after the company's attorneys agreed during court proceedings that many businesses and other claimants living closest to coastal areas directly affected by the spill would be assumed to be damaged by the spill.

BP thinks they can win by holding out and appealing for how ever long it takes, but I hope they have finally met their match on this one.  Of course, they'll appeal, yet again. but this story will not die like all the people and businesses in the Gulf did because of their greed and arrogance.  What more can those people lose, after all?  Keep spending that money, boys.  I'll keep buying popcorn.

Read the rest at the link above.

And so it goes.

*

It's Lundi Gras, Y'all!

The world outside my window is monochromatic.  A little touch of colour is needed to make the day brighter. This is just the thing.

A Jester Float.

One Last King Cake.

Throw Me Something, Mister!

A Hot Cadet Drum Major Gettin' His Funk On.

It's All About The Beads.

Sure.  Why not milk it for one extra day?

More later.

*

Carnival Caturday

Kitteh says - "Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!"

More later.
*

Back Then...

Original photos of the Art Deco Airport on the lakefront in New Orleans taken in the 1930s.

The subject of a recent post about it's restoration is HERE.

There will be more "Back Then" in the future. With no old photos of my own I may as well share those of others.

And so it goes.
*

"Home" a short film about Katrina

By Matt Faust.  part of the Tribeca Film Festival 'shorts' offerings. It's a poignant live/animated film using photos and family films to reveal his HOME; what it was and what happened to it. I won't embed  it here, I believe it should be viewed at YT to boost his numbers.

Here is what Matt writes in the YT description:

A few months after I finished chemotherapy for an extremely rare cancer, Hurricane Katrina hit and my childhood home was destroyed. With ideas about what is really important in life and what makes a home special at the forefront of my mind, I was compelled to record and share these thoughts through what would become my first film, Home. I was inspired both by what came to mind when I returned to my destroyed post-Katrina home and by what I saw when I returned to my pre-Katrina home in my dreams. The result, I hope, is something that is relatable, therapeutic, informative, and encouraging to everyone whether you've experienced a sudden loss like Katrina or not. I hope it can help us all to remember and honor what we've lost, but more importantly, to appreciate what we still have.

Thanks for watching. Feel free to contact me.- Matt

Go and watch HOME. Now!

And so it goes.
*

New Orleans Trip Questions Answered

OK,  I'll try to answer some questions asked about the recent fiasco holiday in New Orleans. I may not remember them all, but here we go...

1. The aircraft was the E-190, twin-engine jet.  The configuration offered 94 seats (including First Class), a center aisle with 2 seats on either side. Seats were comfortable and roomy and there was plenty of head room in the aisle. The popular aircraft is manufactured by a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate. The E-190 has been flying commercially since 2004.  From what I've read, the aircraft is fuel efficient and with fewer seats most flights are close to full all the time.  USAir is the only airline to fly non-stop to New Orleans from Philadelphia..  All other airlines flying out of Baltimore make at least one stop and/or a change of planes.  Not wanting to spend most of the first day in and out of airports I opted for USAir and happy about the decision.  

2. Don't know the brand of tablet the man in plaid was using, (it didn't look like an iPad) but I am sure the jigsaw puzzle app is available for many formats.

3. Many homes in the Quarter have courtyards behind the main house. The center of much activity, the courtyard often boasted a carriage house and the slave quarters. Many of these  have been turned into charming apartments.  Providing lots of privacy and little street noise.

4. There is music everywhere in the Quarter; most of it free.  All you have to do is take a walk to take in some of the best voices and musicians around.  They may look shabby, but baby, they know their stuff. The loud stuff belching from open doors of bars on Bourbon Street is OK, but mostly for the tourists and many charge a cover, plus minimum to stand inside and listen. The small groups, trios and such, are found on virtually all streets in the Quarter.  Finding them isn't a problem. 

5. The mighty Mississippi, now somewhat tamed, is still a restless river and her swirling currents create sand bars; river pilots even today are brought on board at certain areas of the river to guide ships through safely. Read Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi" for more.

6. No one (except tourists) wears Mardi Gras beads unless it is Mardi Gras. Locals find it gauche to wear such garb in the off season.  Saints garb however, is appropriate any time of the day or night - every day of the year. Yes, the city goes absolutely insane about their football and their team. Even those who aren't football fans. 

7. There is a very good grocery store (Rouse's, part of a small chain) two blocks from the hotel; a pharmacy (Walgreens?) four blocks away.  The grocery store also makes salads, sandwiches, and baked goods daily.  And remember, you can purchase beer, wine and liquor at any of these shops, too. Prices are reasonable, considering the location, and the selection of beers and wines, quite extensive. 

8. The photos of the River and Cathedral were taken from the "Moon Walk" (named for previous mayor Moon Landrieu. father of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)) atop the levee, and yes, that was the most glorious day of the trip. Cooler temps, high clouds, no rain, and low humidity. 

9. If you happen to walk by a building where there is broken glass, shattered mirror fragments, and stumps of burned out candles on the ground, just keep going. It was probably part of a voodoo ritual performed over night. 

10. The hotel is called the Inn on St. Peter.  It is one of a small group called French Quarter Guest Houses  The rooms are clean and cleaned every day. There is a flat screen TV with cable, a Keurig coffee machine, iron and ironing board, and a hair dryer in each room. All rooms on the ground level open into the courtyard, (a thick, high wall with locked iron gate stands between the street and the courtyard for privacy) while those on the second floor open onto the balcony facing St. Peter Street.  The Inn is on the corner of Burgundy and St. Peter.  One block from Rampart Street.  The rooms are not big and luxurious, but who cares?  You'll not be spending much time there anyway. I was within blocks of everything without the constant noise of Quarter life. The whistle of the Stern-wheeler, Natchez can be heard when she leaves port every day, but that is a thrilling sound that brought back many memories. The Inn website is HERE.  I loved the place and would stay there again.

Oh, and yes, there was a real life Street Car Named Desire as evidenced  by the photo above taken in 1948.  By the time I was old enough to ride public transit, they had been replaced with buses, though the tracks remained for a few more years. 

I think that's about it.  If I have forgotten anything, I am sure you will let me know.

And so it goes.
*

Lagniappe From New Orleans

Here are a few shots from the New Orleans trip.  Bored to tears today, I downloaded, and edited them, and now uploaded them for y'all to enjoy. Or, not.  I'll caption them for now. There isn't much of a story to tell.  Most were shot on the days I felt well enough to be out and about.  (Click any image to embiggen.) So, here goes.

Tablets were everywhere on the flight down. The guy in plaid was doing jigsaw puzzles, had a good eye, and expert at matching the tiny pieces.

This made me LOL when I turned on the bathroom light in my room. There was also a Keurig coffee maker as well. Glad I didn't buy one. I don't know what people like about them. The coffee it produced wasn't very good, either.

A selfie taken on the first afternoon.  Not looking too bad considering the previous 2 weeks. 

Two very unique, old, historic homes a block from the hotel on St. Peter St.  They are featured on all walking tours of the Quarter.

Cloudlburst on day 2, came and went within a half hour. That's NOLA! Taken from the door to my room. All rooms are off the balcony or off the courtyard on the ground floor.

Driveway leading to the back courtyard of a home on Burgundy St.  The sign at right reads, "Don't even think of parking here!"

The lovely Cafe duMonde, home of Beignets and cafe au lait.

Over 100 years old, Tujague's is still one of the best in town. Sorry I missed it. Maybe next time.

Interesting street artist catering to the tourist trade. Her other works (hidden from view) were quite good, actually.

The ever-present pick-up Jammin' Jazz Ensemble waiting for more musicians to join in.. The guy at far left just arrived and is tying his shoes. That's his tuba on the ground behind him.

The Big Muddy running low. That sandbar was not there two days later. Sandbars are some of the greatest dangers for river traffic; they pop up anywhere at anytime then disappear a day or two later. That's the Mighty Mississippi for you.

Electronic, computerized parking meter.  Don't try to figure it out. Looks like something straight out of Dr. Who. A Dalek invention, perhaps!

The ubiquitous carriages waiting to take tourists on an adventure in the French Quarter.

French Market alley. In the back is a sculpture sitting in front of a mural depicting the Market in the 1800s. If you recognize the object on the wall at right, I am pleased to tell you that there are quite a few around and all in fine working order. 

Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral taken on the finest day of the entire trip.

Taken the day before my departure.  I suspect word got out that I was not feeling well that day.

Well, that's that. There were a few others, but none worth sharing, or saving for that matter. As I said, there are no pictures of friends because I didn't spend time with anyone.  Just the bed, an icepack, Tylenol, and me.  Romantic, ain't it?

Tomorrow being Monday there may be fewer people around, so I hope to go out for breakfast. I am dying for some human contact. Yes, I'll wear the mask, only take it off when I eat or drink. Just hope I continue to feel as good as I have the past 24 hours.

And so it goes.
*

Study Finds Gulf Deep-Sea Ecosystem Recovery Will Take Decades

A Little Note Here: Whenever I was in a public place or restaurant in New Orleans where TVs were in evidence, I noted at times the sound of "boo's" or "raspberries" you know, "The Bronx Cheer."  It was noted, but nothing registered in the conscious mind.  Until, that is, Sunday while having lunch with the sister and family, with the Saints game on in the background.  I couldn't mistake it this time.  The response occurred when a propaganda ad produced by BP touting all they've done for the Gulf was shown.  In essence, no one is being taken in my the BP BS.  It's too close to home and family.  They know it's nothing more than lies as usual.

Now, there is this:

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The muddy deep-sea ecosystem around the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill could take decades to recover from the effects of the disaster, researchers reported on Tuesday.
The oil spill from BP Plc's Macondo well had its most severe impact on the ecosystem in an area about nine square miles (24 square km) around the wellhead, the report in the online scientific journal PLoS One said.
Moderate effects were seen at 57 square miles (148 square km). The sea bottom's rich biodiversity was greatly reduced by the oil plume, which was up to 200 yards (183 meters) thick and 1.2 miles (1.9 km) wide, it said.
"Given deep-sea conditions, it is possible that recovery of deep-sea soft-bottom habitat and the associated communities in the vicinity of the DWH blowout will take decades or longer," the report concluded.
The April 20, 2010 disaster aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig killed 11 workers and ruptured the Macondo well, triggering the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.
The research was carried out for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Paul Montagna, an ecosystems professor at Texas A&M University, said on NOAA's website that normally pollution was found within 300 to 600 yards (meters) of an offshore well.
In the Macondo case, it was found nearly two miles (3.2 km) from the well, he said.
Jeff Baguley, an expert on tiny marine and freshwater invertebrates from the University of Nevada, said on the NOAA website that the samples showed that the dominant group in affected areas had become nematode worms.
The research team included members from University of Nevada-Reno, Texas A&M, NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and representatives from BP.

So, the fat lady isn't even warming up to sing and won't be for a while.

And so it goes.
*

In-between Two Tuesdays...

...There was this ill-fated holiday.  Well, not what was expected, in any case.

In a nutshell:

All plans for dinners and large group get-togethers were cancelled.  All plans for visits to the new World War II museum, the Aquarium and Zoo cancelled, too as well as the much planned old cemetery photo excursion.  Did get to have breakfast with my dance teacher & her daughter which was lovely, an early lunch with the sister and her grandkids, and three other lunches alone at nearby restaurants where the walk to and from didn't exhaust me.  A Pimm's Cup and Roast Beef Po-boy at The Napoleon House (still the same after all these years). a shrimp po-boy at the Pontalba Cafe, then Red Beans & Rice with Andouille sausage, and Oysters Bienville (with the sister) at Felixs'.  I had a seafood platter delivered from another fave place that was too far to walk which turned out to be the best (and only true) dinner of the trip.  I think I wrote about this earlier.  Kept the ice bucket filled for drinking water or tea, and ice packs for the multiple fevers that showed their undying love for my body all week.

The Saints played on Sunday afternoon - and won.  I didn't know what that meant until half way through lunch the sister suggested I'd better get back to the room before all Hell broke loose. The fans (gay & straight) take over the Quarter after a winning game and the crowds are absolutely nuts. One of the housekeepers at the hotel described it best, "it looks like someone stirred up a giant ant hill." The images on the news fit that description exactly. Never seen anything like it and happy to watch on TV rather than streets.

Tuesday, 1 am: I awoke with a headache and fever of 101. The usual routine followed and I eventually dragged myself out of bed, showered and dressed for the shuttle. At 3:30 am (on the dot) the airport shuttle picked me up, already hot and drizzling as he put my bag in the van. We made three more stops at various hotels to pick up others catching early flights.  Shuttles usually make 10 stops before heading to the airport, but we were the only 4 onboard.  Therefore we arrived at 4:15 am rather than a half hour later. Self-checked my bag, got my boarding pass and woke up the TSA staff, being the only person in their usually long, snaking line. Made my way to the gate while searching for a place to snag a breakfast snack and coffee.  Nothing open until 5 or 6 am. Frequent flyers were recognizable by their paper bags and boxes containing piping hot coffee and breakfast foods from outside venues.

Hunted down a scrambled egg/bacon/biscuit sandwich (all fresh stuff, no rubbish) and a great cup of coffee and settled in to wait for boarding - another hour away. The headache was long gone but I remained feverish. Took two more Tylenol on the flight that seemed to help. Linda was waiting and had brought along a sidekick, Debbie (also a host at DL) for company and we had a nice ride back to the beach. They kept asking about details of the trip and I felt bad because there was little to relate. Lots of dead air in between small talk followed.  And that was the week that was.  Quite the exciting time, huh?

Arrived home and began feeling very tired; I'd been up and moving for 11 hours, after all. Unpacked and stored luggage, made a salad (not eaten), had a yogurt, lots of water and began to get chills again. Got into bed to warm up, found the fever was back (at 101.9), tried to read, but fell asleep around 2:30 pm. Woke soaking wet at midnight, changed everything and went back to bed until 5 this morning.  No pain, just weakness.  All things considered, it felt great to sleep in my own bed, surrounded by my own stuff in my own little place. Nice to be home, really.

Called to report to the Oncologist before the office visit tomorrow.  He is in surgery all day, they have my report. He ought to be up to speed in the morning when I see him for another set of labs and consultation.

Got out to do the things I slept through yesterday:  picked up the held mail at the P.O., made a short stop for a few groceries, then back home to make a substantial lunch.  Having eaten mostly grocery-store prepared sandwiches and salads for a week, I was ready for something of my own. Made a pot of tea for iced tea, prepared and ate my sandwich and felt better as I sat down to type this post. 

A few images will be forthcoming of scenes, but none of people, especially not myself. 

Note: The shot above is the courtyard of The Coffee Pot Restaurant as I waited for my friends to arrive. The covered part is in front with the high-walled, open-sky part in the rear.  Great place.

And so it goes. 
*

Groundhog Day as Water Tunnel

Just think about that for a second. Surfing through an endless water tunnel day after day and never reaching the end which is always in sight.  Frustrating.

For three days my temperature has fluctuated from 98.9 to 101.0, then yesterday 99.6 to 100.1, and so far today from a low of 97.0 (don't ask) to a high of 100.1 a few hours ago.  See the pattern?  I do, but I can't figure out the trigger causing the flare ups.

Feeling little stronger three days on, not as weak when the fever spikes unless above 102, but still draining and annoying, since I can't pinpoint what could be the cause. The usual routine seems to work for a while;  Icepack, 2 Tylenol, lots of water and stay under the covers til I feel like the fever has run its course.

Calls to the Dr's offices have gone unanswered, not surprisingly being the weekend and all that. Still, there are real live humans staffing those phones and I'd hope someone would get back to me.  So far, no go.

I've spent the feel-good times tracking down the TSA rules and guidelines for air travel and found out I've done everything wrong. I don't know why food stuffs are not allowed in checked baggage. Liquids I can understand. I planned on packing a bag of nuts and a box of Melba Toast.  Not allowed.

I began rearranging things in both the bag to be checked and the carry-on. The plan had been to put all toiletries in the Dopp Kit and put it in the checked bag.  Not allowed in checked bags. No Dopp kits.  Just clear zippered storage bags (I'm surprised they don't specify the acceptable sizes. ) Of course, this makes the carry-on heavier than I'd prefer, but there's nothing to do about it. Besides, I won't have to carry it far in any case.

Yes, if I don't literally fall to pieces within the next 2 days, I am going on this trip.  Everything is already paid for, so unless I find out something terrible about my test results, I am going. And with the doctor's office record of returning phone calls, I don't see that happening. I'm not half as weak (when the fever hits) as I was just three days ago.  So, that's a good thing.

Anyway...

Called the credit card companies giving them a heads-up about the trip, so they don't freak out and call every time I use a card.  I've always done that and the CS reps seem quite grateful when I do.

Made a photocopy of all cards and identification in my wallet.  One copy for me, one for the luggage, and one for the carry-on.

Tomorrow I will get some cash to take along.  It's odd to type that since I hardly ever have cash in my pockets. Using a credit card for everything has great advantages over using my own money. However, I know there will be incidentals, gratuities, and some mom & pop restaurants in New Orleans take only cash (it's how they keep their prices down and I'm all for that.) a little pocket money will be a very good thing.

Linda is taking me to the airport so I don't have to drive, especially if a fever is involved. She returns today from her holiday in Ireland visiting her family. And either she or Eddie will pick me up when I return next week. I have a set of keys to the apartment in case Linda needs to get in for some reason.

The countdown begins...

And so it goes.
*

BP CEO Says He’s Done Paying For The Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Wonder if anyone will call his hand on this.  The destruction of livelihood, land, seabed, and lives is a terrible legacy for BP to leave behind. From Think Progress:

BP CEO Robert Dudley told Businessweek in an interviewThursday that continuing to send millions of dollars to people who claim they were hurt by the 2010 disaster is “not good for America.” While BP is trying to halt its paymentsand reduce the amount owed to victims, Dudley claimed the company has been the wronged party:

We are still committed to make sure that legitimate claimants and people who were true victims of the spill are paid. [...]
Quite frankly, the results have been really strange. The claims going through a claims facility have resulted in absurd results, and millions of dollars are going out to pay people who suffered, in many cases, no losses from the spill. And this is just not right. I don’t think it’s right for America. We’re a big investor in the United States, and we’ve challenged this really strongly. It’s just not right.

Dudley’s claim that BP has in good faith agreed to all of the damages misrepresents the current state of affairs. The company has actually been working to reduce its debts. BP had asked a federal judge to halt spill payments, though the judge decided against BP yesterday. That will not prevent BP from fighting claims with its new hotline that pays watchdogs to report fraud.
Since scientists can’t quite quantify the true environmental or economic consequences of the Gulf Oil spill, exactly who was impacted is still unclear. For instance, tar continues to wash up onto the coast.
Based on the interview, the BP CEO is perplexed as to why Americans perceive the oil industry badly. This negative perception might have something to do with receiving billion-dollar subsidies for a highly profitable industry that charges high gas prices. BP claims it pays too much in taxes, despite receiving an annual $300 million in estimated tax breaks on top of a $12 billion profit last year.

And so it goes.

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Shopping, Planning, and a Deluge.

Though the heat has let up a bit, (around 90' today) the humidity remains high.  Still, I had a list of errands to run and a bit of shopping to do for the upcoming holiday so I bravely drove out of town onto Coastal Highway to do battle with the visitors from surrounding states whose driving skills leave much to be desired.  There have been many accidents, some fatal, this season. Bicyclists, pedestrians, cars and even buses.  It needs to be said that the majority of these could have been prevented had cell phones not been in use at the time of the crashes.

It's been way too hot for even the most die-hard sunbathers, so of course, in the early morning everyone heads to the outlets until the multiplex theaters open.

I've been looking for spice grinders for a while and was pleased to find one at Kitchen & Company - where I haven't visited in over a year. A stop at the Hallmark store was followed by a visit to the liquor store to replenish vermouth, wines, and purchase a small bottle of Tequila.

I've been thinking about wardrobe for the trip, now please understand working long days and hours with no outside social activities I've not worn shorts in a long time except at home when I'm cleaning or doing other chores. The holiday being in mid-September means it will be quite hot and humid in NOLA.  I un-packed some old shorts and tried them on.  They are old, well, practically new really, not being worn in 7 + years, not fashionable, and too large for me, anyway. (They will go to the Thrift Store later.

So, the next item on today's gay agenda was in search of a few fine new threads, er, Cargo shorts, maybe one or two pair.  The pickings were slim since stores are already gearing up for back-to-school here. How annoying is that?  I was somewhat successful finding a gun metal gray pair and a plaid pair.  I looked for a "convertible" pair of pants that feature zippered legs that, when removed turned into cargo shorts.  Not to be found here.  There are no outdoors or camping stores in the area.

Returned home, put away my treasures, and tried finding the pants online. Initially the search was discouraging as all items were between $90 and $200. These might be worth the price and great for the camper or hiker, just way too much money for my needs in my book.  I mean, just to wear the brand name? I don't think so. I checked websites of the best known outdoor outfitters - Cabela, L.L. Bean, Patagonia, and the like.  They were all in the same price range.  Then I found Columbia Sportswear & Outfitters and their prices were more to my taste and budget. I ordered a pair.  (Image is above.)

I am not familiar with the technology that goes into these products, but it sounds impressive.  Here's the posted information from the site:

A quick zip at the legs, and you've got a 10" inseam short. Quick-dry nylon ripstop is super lightweight and incredibly durable. Omni-Wick® advanced repellency offers superior moisture management and UV-busting UPF 50 sun protection is built right into the fabric, so you’re covered when the afternoon sun fires up. 

I don't know what any of that means and really don't care. As long as they wear well and live up to their reviews.  Shipping is free and takes 3 to 5 days.  Since my travels are over a month away, I think they'll arrive in plenty of time.

I tend to travel light, so I'll add 2 pair of casual slacks, a couple of tee-shirts, and a few collared shirts for evenings spent with friends or the sister at a fave restaurant. Semi-formal attire is out of the question. Sport-coats and Blazer are too large and will likely meet the same fate as the old shorts.

If the rain holds out, a visit to the Farmers Market this afternoon is the last item on the gay agenda.

Weather didn't cooperate. Rain came down with such great noise and fury that my street looked like a river so, I stayed in and hoped we wouldn't lose electric power.  Fortunately, we haven't so far.  Yes, it's the little things.

It's cocktail time and I smell olives.  Have a happy.

And so it goes.
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BTW, today is my birthday, but please don't tell anyone.

One Artist vs. Army of Planners

Great news from New Orleans via Upworthy:

These magnificent creatures make up part of one of the most innovative emergency management programs in the country — seriously, the CDC and FEMA even said so — by providing memorable locations where New Orleans residents know they can show up and find free rides in the event of an evacuation.

These are all over the city.

Map shows most vulnerable areas of the city.

Sure beats the old system! Would you remember your evacuation spot if it were marked like the last picture below? I doubt it.

EvacuSpots sculptures by artist Douglas Kornfeld.

More later.
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A Fine Way to Treat a Steinway!

I am mystified by the fact that I have to visit the site of  a British newspaper to get this kind of information. I suppose Honey-boo-boo, the latest celebrity bitch fights, Lindsey Lohan, and the marathon  bomber's wife are more important than salvaging one of America's Music Treasures. From the Daily Mail:

A white Steinway grand piano salvaged from musician Fats Domino's home after Hurricane Katrina has had its classic looks restored and will be the centerpiece of an exhibit in New Orleans' French Quarter.The piano was damaged after water poured through a broken levee during the August 2005 storm, flooding Domino's home in the Lower 9th Ward. Its restoration came through $30,000 donated to the Louisiana Museum Foundation.
The largest gift of $18,000 came from Allan Slaight, a retired music producer in Miami. Other donations came from Sir Paul McCartney, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Tipitina's Foundation.Greg Lambousy, director of collections for the Louisiana State Museum, described the restoration of Domino's piano as "painstaking" and a years-long process.‘It was in really bad shape,’ he said. ‘It had been submerged in water for weeks.’

 There are great pics at the link HERE, including a great shot of Fats in his prime, sitting at this very piano. Check it out.

And so it goes.
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Three Years After the BP Spill the Gulf Is Still a Mess

Earth Island Journal / By Maureen Nandini Mitra
"Most people have lost faith the in the recovery process," says photojournalist Julie Dermansky.

April 21, 2013  

Three years after an explosion at British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers, injured dozens, and set off the worst oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry, the waters along Gulf Coast seems almost back to normal. Much of the oil is gone. New Orleans-based photographer  Julie Dermansky says there’s still a lot left. The oil, she says, is often hard to locate because it has a tendency to play hide and seek.
Dermansky, who photographed the spill in 2010 “pretty much non-stop for four months, has been doggedly following the story for the past three years — reading up all the research she can lay her hands on, making trips out to the worst impacted areas in Louisiana every few months, and talking to people from affected communities. In the early days of the spill the spill she was hired by several major publications, including The Times, London, The Washington Post, and Der Spiegel.
But these days she travels without assignment, covering expenses on her own since few publications hire photographers or reporters to cover what’s now an old news story. Last, Dermansky again visited the beaches and marshes along the Louisiana and Mississippi coast — some of the worst hit areas where crews are still cleaning up tar mats and tar balls. I spoke with Dermansky via email and over the phone about her trip and her assessment of the situation in the Gulf Coast.
Maureen Nandini Mitra: What did you find on your recent trip out to Grand Isle, Bay Jimmy in Louisiana, and the Mississippi coast?
Julie Dermansy: There was oil sheen stirred up from the turbulence in the Bay Jimmy PJ Hahn Plaquemines Parish director of coastal zone management, who I accompanied on an oil spotting trip, turned over some of the dead marsh grass and exposed roots covered in hardened oil. There was also hardened oil on top of some of the surface we walked on. With each step on the surface, oil sheen spread around my boots. Much of the vegetation there is now dead. That’s tragic as with less vegetation coastal erosion, already a problem before the spill, has intensified. A rainbow oil sheen has moved over parts of the marsh surface. There were signs of life though: small crabs moving around, snails and, raccoon paw prints.
On Grand Isle, at the state park, I found tar balls ranging from the size of a quarter to eight inches long. The beach was not blanketed in them but you could find one every couple of feet.
On the beach in Mississippi, from Waveland to Pass Christian, I found tar balls and dead animals including a Kemp's Ridely turtle (pictured above). Though finding dead animals on the beach is not uncommon, I find the quantity of dead animals on the shore in Mississippi alarming. How the animals are dying is impossible to say. There is no proof the deaths are BP related as none of the scientific studies done on the dolphins and sea turtles have been released. The results of those studies are controlled by the NRDA [Natural Resources Damage Assessment] and are part the evidence being used in the current civil trial going on against BP in New Orleans.
MNM: You mentioned earlier that this is a difficult story to cover because of the "hide and seek oil plays." Could you elaborate on that?
JD: From the start of covering the spill it was every photojournalists task to find the oil. There would be a sighting one day and if you could get yourself out to those coordinates you very well may have found it gone. Odds are it wouldn't be in the same place. It kept, and keeps, moving with the tides. Last week the tide is higher then usual and there was a south wind, so odds were if you went to Bay Jimmy where the oil had hit the hardest, you wouldn't find anything. When I went on Monday (April 15) with PJ Hahn, he was surprised and saddened we found as much as we did.

Forget all those BP "feel good" commercials produced by their PR department. If BP spent as much money on the cleanup, We'd be in better shape now.  Sad, really.

 Read pages 2 & 3 Here.

And so it goes.
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