tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033796093629319412012-01-26T18:04:05.852-06:00Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.comBlogger2731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-47460183150929758722012-01-26T17:59:00.000-06:002012-01-26T17:59:33.899-06:00

Huey Long. Flashmobs of Huey Longs to be exact, videos of Huey Long Flashmobs to be more exact. Bounce music. Bounce music from Big Freedia to be exact. Bounce music from Big Freedia music videos that are awesome to be more exact. Have I mentioned that this town is awesome?

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-21030807975393825162012-01-18T17:56:00.001-06:002012-01-18T17:56:36.930-06:00

But still a fantastic Fresh Air segment. Chicago!!!!!

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-63942428745034099422012-01-16T11:16:00.001-06:002012-01-17T10:27:52.201-06:00

Just got back from the New Orleans MLKjr march. I didn't actually march but I did listen to the speeches including our Mayor ask everyone "whatcha gonna do" to end the violence that is plaguing our streets right now. I like listening to Landrieu. He has the charming Southern politician thing going on. He challenged us all to help make sure that no more young New Orleans boys experience that

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-62991847019185665842012-01-14T23:12:00.001-06:002012-01-15T14:50:33.024-06:00

rewrites the article you care about. I wrote an article that I felt proud of until I had to give an editor a high five even though I hated what he did to it. It tells the right story but fails to find the right words. Folks want to sound smart and want to tell a story and they want to be correct. And I understand those things. But I'll say it again . . . just because you work on an issue, it

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-48089386836745720272012-01-09T09:37:00.001-06:002012-01-09T09:37:35.632-06:00

(1) Mitt Romney's son brought back the brither last month, but did you know that his own grandfather was a accused of not being American in the 60's? I didn't know this. Governor Romney of Michigan was born in Mexico because his own father was a polygmist and had fled south to live in peace with his multiple wives. Robert F Kennedy jr released an op-ed in the Huffington Post bringing attention

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-90665838047850160402012-01-08T16:12:00.000-06:002012-01-08T16:12:34.699-06:00

So in 2011 New Orleans saw 199 murders (Oakland saw 110), guess we are off to finishing ahead again. On Friday night 10 folks were shot and 3 killed after a mid-city high school football game. Two more were killed early this morning. One man was killed Saturday night in New Orleans East. And a curfew to keep kids under 16 out of the french quarter because of its known 'iniquity' has folks

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-30556908483679681592012-01-06T10:59:00.003-06:002012-01-06T10:59:27.904-06:00

"After all, Congress’s approval rating is now at 9 percent, which is another way of saying that everyone who’s not a lobbyist hates them and what they’re doing. The big boys are, of course, counting on us simmering down; they’re counting on us being cynical, on figuring there’s no hope or benefit in fighting city hall. But if we’re naive enough to demand a country more like the one we were

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-51926135356765594932012-01-04T10:42:00.002-06:002012-01-04T10:42:57.207-06:00

Shorty is coming out with a book. Shorty is a talent agent in LA, spent 11 years behind bars for attempted murder, is a little person, runs a pit bull rescue, and has a reality television show. He is releasing a new book. It looks really good!

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-12335362228418549672012-01-02T20:29:00.003-06:002012-01-02T20:31:02.523-06:00

Hello My New Year's Resolutions are as follows: (1) Convince all of my best friends to move to New Orleans - so that we can have big family Sunday night dinners and sip on after dinner drinks on the front porch together (I'm looking at you Amanda, Erica, Cara, Elizabeth, and Hussein) (2) Slow my roll - speeding tickets are expensive (3) Build a more impressive home bar - it's a New Orleans

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-52141467985184789382011-12-31T17:36:00.001-06:002011-12-31T17:36:34.007-06:00

This will only be interesting to my mom and my sister. All others have been warned. Painting the fireplace dark charcoal Cabrini Dog Park Charlie Brown Christmas Tree New Mirror in the bedroom, also painting this fireplace dark charcoal New kitchen table and chair, more chairs as I find them And last but most importantly, the new bar, cookbook, and chopping block stand

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-54840202882259820342011-12-27T19:53:00.000-06:002011-12-29T15:45:34.898-06:00

I almost died Monday morning. . . . maybe I exaggerate. On Sunday evening I drank some yummy Uncle Carrie Hot Toddy's, made with freshly grown oranges, Meyers Rum, lemon, and local honey topped with a nice cinnamon stick because I was feeling a cold approaching. But that did nothing for me when I woke at 430 to go duck hunting, sorry CH. I didn't make it out to the blind in Kaplan since I woke

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-44753816390064693652011-12-23T11:00:00.000-06:002011-12-23T11:00:52.804-06:00

I think I can have true love with a city. . . . Bon fires on Christmas eve Drive by artist helps eradicate neighborhood blight

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-89509079810427916922011-12-19T21:54:00.001-06:002011-12-19T21:54:25.318-06:00

I'm doing some research into oil industry subsidies and I just found the most depressing interview I've ever read about the state of Louisiana. Seriously, you need a bottle of wine sitting very close by if you choose to read this. Why did I move back home again? It's that terrible. Oh and here is an article in the Washington Post about how the American Petroleum Institute(API) is lying about

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-51508912623228908032011-12-15T10:25:00.000-06:002011-12-15T10:25:39.512-06:00

Why don't I run everyday anymore? Because seriously I am happy everytime I do. What else in life has a 100% success rate? A couple good things today: Facebook announced that it will invest more thoroughly in renewable energy. Meaning that one day your Facebook posts won't be powered by coal and high childhood asthma rates. Former First Lady Laura Bush wrote a great Op-ed about the importance

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-58967905297329317132011-12-14T10:25:00.003-06:002011-12-14T10:25:35.851-06:00

Great photo essay on the protesting that is happening around the globe.  Particularly love this quote: Greek protester Marianna Roumelioti. "They say you can have freedom of speech and expression on the condition that it doesn't insult or deal with religion. Who determines that? Freedom doesn't mean these limits. It either is, or it isn't," Largueche said.  

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-50290922327618563322011-12-12T14:31:00.003-06:002011-12-12T14:45:10.773-06:00

My new favorite New Orleans sight . . . the Mobile Musical Instrument Repair unit sitting in front of the newly opened co-op. A line ten deep of brass band members waiting to get their horns repaired. love it. Liam playing the drums and harmonica to me. My christmas tree! I'm making all my ornaments because I'm awesome . .  and I like glitter. I still have tons to do.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-17336373939972760372011-12-08T22:48:00.001-06:002011-12-08T23:28:39.539-06:00

I think Jay Z might be our generation's Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong didn't just rise above black America New Orleans in the 1920's, he played in theaters and clubs that didn't allow blacks. He broke barriers. He was called a traitor. He was called a lot of things by whites and blacks alike. But in the end he changed our country's music. forever. He was only allowed to walk in the back doors

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-49181295643497931262011-12-08T10:12:00.001-06:002011-12-08T10:19:57.574-06:00

Oh my goodness. The great thing about an old New Orleans house is not its installation. It's as if the weeds growing through the old floorboards were forshadowing for wintertime. It's been in the 30's and 40's for the past week, not letting up until next week sometime. I can see my breath inside. The new heater is only good for getting dressed directly in front of it. Taking photos of food? Of

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-64430491086253230412011-12-07T08:25:00.001-06:002011-12-07T08:26:26.826-06:00

“Paul Watson is entitled to his opinions,” he said, “but it’s such a last-century view. I’m not into militancy for militancy’s sake.” Executive Director of Greenpeace explains why poverty and climate change are connected. 

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-52472496504657432562011-12-03T21:34:00.001-06:002011-12-04T11:11:16.101-06:00

My neighbor Emanuel came over to say hi tonight. He asked me if I heard what happened to him the other day. Since he wasn't currently in jail I couldn't really think of what it was. He went on to tell me that my hat was going to be on an episode of Cops real soon. Turns out a woman that walks the block stole a hat of mine not too long ago (I think I know which one but I have no idea when or

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-43108244934183279062011-12-02T18:14:00.001-06:002011-12-02T18:14:56.387-06:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-14940583527776820702011-12-01T11:29:00.001-06:002011-12-01T11:31:03.292-06:00

In case you are interested in visualizing the fantastic Republican primary race by line graph.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-4075509213576908722011-11-30T12:19:00.001-06:002011-11-30T12:38:12.812-06:00

I'm finally coming out of the whiskey, red wine Seattle San Fransisco haze a day left in my trip to the West coast. Doesn't mean I won't be eating a greasy bacon cheese fried egg sandwich and terrible coffee in a couple minutes.  I can't wait to go back to New Orleans where people are civilized and continue planning my Mad Max Mardi Gras costumes and dance off with Krewe Delusion. I'm thinking

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-79812202827871617572011-11-26T12:51:00.001-06:002011-11-26T22:23:58.529-06:00

Gay military wedding on Archie's January cover! I convinced Liam that listening to Trombone Shorty was much better than the Lion King on its 450,827,945,085 repeat this morning. I think we have a little brass band lover on our hands! I think I found my kitchen table made out of reclaimed Cypress. And I'm kind of in love with this house in mid-city. When Liam plays the drums at 8am on a

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-8523600388874812862011-11-22T19:03:00.001-06:002011-11-23T06:52:20.084-06:00

I mean I am currently in Seattle and will eat some bird on Thursday. Emanuel lives two doors over. He recently got out of jail after serving 14 years on his first offense. I haven't asked what that offense was. He walks me all around the neighborhood because he doesn't work, he just kind of hangs out. When I told him I was going to Seattle for Thanksgiving, his reaction was 'just to eat some

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-36044618744564847002011-11-21T19:08:00.001-06:002011-11-21T19:08:36.471-06:00

Maybe its the cup of red wine, but these are some pretty darn good posters.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-87638378890987904152011-11-20T16:15:00.001-06:002011-11-21T13:20:12.123-06:00

I'm sure you are up on your Occupy events, but just in case you haven't heard of the UC Davis students pepper sprayed while sitting on the sidewalk with their heads down take a look at this. UC Davis Calls for the Chancellor to resign are all over the place. I haven't read what her orders were or what she had thought of the protest that has sprung up around the country before the pepper

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-55465324944859952262011-11-17T11:19:00.001-06:002011-11-17T11:45:55.400-06:00

Things more popular in the US than congress . . . like US going communist. And this gem. And my new wooden glasses:

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-76013668024895663502011-11-13T11:35:00.001-06:002011-11-13T11:35:47.225-06:00

Read this.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-16837891279138418482011-11-11T17:21:00.001-06:002011-11-11T17:23:44.448-06:00

My latest adventure included holding on for dear life to a 24 foot inflatable duck in front of the Exxonmobile Houston, TX headquarters while 50 community members held signs and chanted things like 'exxonmobile what do you say, how many children have you poisoned today' And watching sweet looking older ladies with grey hair ask Exxonmobile employees face to face that same question. Here is an

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-39305511245288278682011-11-08T07:26:00.002-06:002011-11-08T07:26:29.069-06:00

If dat be dat, den dat be dat.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-2945639246384210632011-11-02T12:49:00.004-05:002011-11-02T12:54:40.273-05:00

As you can imagine, the talk of the town is the four shootings, 14 injured, and 2 dead from halloween night. I heard it made national headlines. I heard the city has already had one large convention cancellation. I hear we are in a battle for the future of our city. I heard those that committed these crimes will be brought to justice. I heard the Department of Justice opened an office in New

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-21820450099485968582011-11-01T09:48:00.003-05:002011-11-01T10:00:12.261-05:00

In case I haven't spoken to you in the past week: I quit my job Georgia was bit by a dog at the park and has a big lump on her throat. She will be fine. I am bad luck for your health - I took three people/dogs to the emergency room in the past 7 days. Either I am good luck because I was there or I am the cause, not sure yet. I need a housekeeper and a wife to organize my life. My back problems

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-66451056067116443442011-10-20T20:00:00.000-05:002011-10-20T20:04:23.837-05:00

that's the worst one yet . . . . Breakfast: physical therapy where I couldn't hold 3 planks for 30 seconds each and I think my underwear and new belly bulge was showing all their glory to the entire office but I did get another shot at traction. I'm really digging traction. A little robot stretches my spine out and my back doesn't hurt anymore . . . hell yeah! Also, my ortho Dr. is fucking hot.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-49267699341652014282011-10-17T08:03:00.000-05:002011-10-18T19:21:00.875-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-77995125568053081112011-10-16T21:09:00.001-05:002011-10-16T21:09:17.424-05:00

Dear Weekend Afternoons in New Orleans, Thanks for the instant friendships, the cheap beer, the crazy old people with electric yellow soul patches and dancing like voodoo queens, a synchronized eruption of 'Who Dat!', naps in city park, a rearranged office space, warm homemade quiche, frequent trips to the new food co-op (only grocery store for 3 wards), Georgia catching sticks into the river

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-56912440396671477162011-10-12T10:32:00.003-05:002011-10-12T12:06:32.336-05:00

Conference calls, $2 in the bank account until Friday, and left overs? It must be time to make bread with my left over greek salad and my aunt and uncles eggplants while on an early morning conference call. In a little over an hour I'll have enough bread to last over the weekend! I'm so productive! And this morning I woke up to an NPR story of the press conference a couple of us crashed

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-24682189493525407342011-10-11T09:35:00.002-05:002011-10-12T10:40:39.383-05:00

1 is the loneliest number: Since I work from home and have no one to say 'hey have you read this?' I'm going to use ya'll as my cubicle mate. Or if I worked for an organization that cared about strategy and campaigning. FUCK YEAH!: There are some amazing chemical reform activists around this country that have been working tirelessly to eliminate BPA. I've talked about it before, but its been a

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-69483105401728172362011-10-03T07:56:00.001-05:002011-10-03T07:56:59.892-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-2547093884618902342011-09-19T21:27:00.001-05:002011-09-19T21:27:15.824-05:00

MR JACOBS SALAMIBANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO,WEST AFRICA.Tel:+226 79218199Dear Friend,                                         Greeting to you!!!I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise as we never met before. I am the Director in charge of Auditing in Bank of Africa (B.O.A), I Hoped that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that I am about to

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-1735175043738256142011-09-19T14:22:00.001-05:002011-09-19T14:22:12.840-05:00

Yes, I am ashamed that I take these pictures, but I cant stop myself. Georgias monday morning playtime.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-89813115207190688062011-09-19T08:28:00.001-05:002011-09-19T08:30:04.308-05:00

Besides rescuing another dog on Friday, I also flew over the Mississippi to the end of the Delta in a small private plane with a couple colleagues from Baton Rouge. Here are the photos: It's a strange thing to fly over an area you drive everyday. It really put the coastal erosion we are experiencing into a whole new understanding. Seeing what should be land but is now only water is shocking

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-27903382291949795172011-09-16T23:19:00.000-05:002011-09-17T00:59:03.042-05:00

This city is ridiculous. Today at the park there was a little puppy running around with a broken leg. An older man allowed his dog to attack her while people all around the park screamed at him to stop his dog. I ran from across the park to help the poor little thing. When the douche bag was leaving, the puppy continued to stumble around and then the dude mentioned to us casually that she

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-67743349182432788192011-09-15T11:05:00.004-05:002011-09-15T11:05:58.406-05:00

"Greenpeace is here to call out the naked Emperor, to point out the folly of viewing a melting Arctic as an invitation to drill for climate changing oil rather than as a warning and a provocation to invest in clean green energy sources: to invest in a green economy, which also offers real job creation possibilities." This dude is pretty awesome. 

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-73865672463486494562011-09-15T09:00:00.002-05:002011-09-15T09:00:56.301-05:00

I love alliteration, but I hate when Georgia gets kicked out of doggy daycare for being too wild. When I went to pick up Georgia from Central Bark in Kenner, they told me she was no longer welcome. She was fighting through the fence with other dogs then jumping over the fence to finish the job. Barking in other pups faces while they stood in their crate when she was let out for more play

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-49602931837729516922011-09-07T10:33:00.001-05:002011-09-07T10:33:34.001-05:00

This month's O Magazine features an incredible environmental justice advocate from Port Arthur, TX, Hilton Kelly. He's amazing! I've only met him once, but truly someone who is fighting tooth and nail to protect his community from being just another poisoned poor community of color.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-11858171995350644982011-09-05T15:37:00.001-05:002011-09-05T15:37:20.574-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-469897058533307542011-09-05T12:15:00.001-05:002011-09-05T12:15:14.723-05:00

Just found this little sweetie, though she was too skittish to get into the car with me. I did leave her some yummy breakfast. I'm trying to find somewhere to bring her, if I can grab her later in the day. The boy told me this morning, "you can't save all of them Renee", to which I responded in activist cliche "But I can save this one!" I think with that he realized how much trouble he has

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-32048488448404421832011-09-04T17:22:00.001-05:002011-09-04T17:22:55.961-05:00

Hi Folks, I'm sure the news across the country is talking about the Gulf Coast being battered by Tropical Storm Lee. And on the coast and in the bayous the flooding is  . . . well . . . like it always is when it raise . . . extensive. Fortunately, my neighborhood didn't flood during Katrina and isn't flooding today. Though Zukes, the newest pittbull rescue in my home, did knock out the air con

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-11570807514116195202011-08-28T10:20:00.000-05:002011-08-28T15:44:21.139-05:00

The news circulating communities in the area is that the Deepwater Horizon well is leaking again. Oil has been seen bubbling up in the area of the site of the Gulf Coast nightmare of 2010 again. The oil found near the site is confirmed to be MC252, BP oil disaster oil. Now a couple things could be happening here. (1) The well-head capped on July 15, 2010 is not actually capped (2) The relief

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-72753460231949217622011-08-27T11:55:00.001-05:002011-08-27T11:55:43.893-05:00

Zuki is a loving sweet little pitt mix that needs a home. He is one of those usual pittbulls that thinks he is a lapdog. He will crawl up on your lap while watching tv (or hulu in my case) and give you kisses. He is looking for a good home. This morning he found out he loves the beach! He loves running through the water and laying belly down on the cold sand. He also loves to walk under the

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-43352856904560064392011-08-26T21:06:00.001-05:002011-08-27T11:42:54.914-05:00

Georgia and Zuki, loving the Saint Ferdinand Blanchard house afternoon naps.

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-71373814389967162422011-08-22T13:42:00.003-05:002011-08-22T13:42:37.800-05:00

In case you don't know, people from all over the country have traveled to Washington DC this week and next week to take action against a dangerous tar sands project. Already over 100 people have been arrested. 70 of those were held in Central Cell Block (where I spent my first 48 hours under arrest many many years ago too!) for over 48 hours. check out all the great people standing up (or

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-1963371677673775162011-08-20T21:23:00.000-05:002011-08-21T10:21:15.311-05:00

2008 To Do List: (1) buy gold plated woodchipper charm necklace (2) launch face punching service (3) launch baby rental service (4) finish online boyfriend application (5) open New Orleans headquarters I can finally check off something from 2008 To Do List. That feels good. Going through some old personal emails yesterday I found this to do list from the e.m.p.i.r.e. A

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-13014489864654362222011-08-14T16:14:00.002-05:002011-08-14T19:11:21.089-05:00

Work isn't much better, but my perspective of it all is. This work is fucking hard and I don't make much money. In fact I took a hefty pay cut to take my current gig. My rent increased and now I have to keep something alive everyday, so that increased my expenses. I have car. I pay for internet. The weather isn't as wonderful as it was in Oakland and the kale doesn't look like kale here. So what

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-2574154480647914572011-08-11T10:07:00.003-05:002011-08-12T08:13:04.838-05:00

Last night I had a second date with a man I met at last week's Stooges show. He happened to be sitting next to me and we struck up a conversation. He asked if I was a teacher. He said I looked like some kind of do gooder. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I did learn that his sister was a teacher and is now an administrator in Atlanta and his mom was a social worker in 7th ward for 32

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-8743178443182038432011-08-06T09:01:00.001-05:002011-08-06T09:01:41.998-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-44315378446901816032011-08-06T09:00:00.003-05:002011-08-06T09:00:48.672-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-13808628150170831572011-08-05T02:52:00.001-05:002011-08-05T02:52:13.122-05:00

You know how your yoga instructor is like breath in, breath out, life is hard, breathing helps? And you are like 'fuck you perfect little bitch' and then you go home and listen to brass bands that tell actual stories that help rather than your skinny ass mother fucker at that expensive studio that keeps telling you to keep a zen fucking mind? yeah, I totally relate. Brass brands help with

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-11878074895849677702011-07-28T15:02:00.003-05:002011-07-28T15:02:41.482-05:00

I am currently co-writing a report that is already a month over due. Yea writing reports in coalitions! One of the sections that I am writing is BP's PR Machine. I thought I share some of the articles I've come across in my research: BP Manipulating Search Terms BP's Latest PR Tactic BP Turns to Political Shop for $50 Million Ad Buy to Convince You the Company Will Get This Done and Make It

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-41105026370686202652011-07-25T08:29:00.002-05:002011-07-25T08:29:53.053-05:00

Yesterday I finally got to visit the Blanchard's. I left the Broussard, LA around 6pm last night with several pounds of fresh gulf shrimp, a jar of pepperjelly, a book titled "Remarkable Louisiana Women", a Qui Ca Saints t-shirt, go boxes full of bbq chicken wrapped in bacon, redfish, chicken sausage, smoked sausage, bbq shrimp, a new ice chest with my name written all over it, and a plan to go

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-66063755105418849162011-07-22T08:06:00.003-05:002011-07-22T08:06:39.543-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-58450112330981555102011-07-22T08:06:00.001-05:002011-07-22T08:06:27.957-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-26124691286890865712011-07-22T08:05:00.001-05:002011-07-22T08:05:08.493-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-87881517880919268062011-07-20T13:23:00.002-05:002011-07-20T13:24:57.899-05:00

Today deserves a salute to Marion Barry!

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-62856009403438960832011-07-18T11:46:00.002-05:002011-07-18T12:21:57.292-05:00

I'm slowly coming to realize that I have more commitment to New Orleans than I have ever had in any romantic relationship. Saturday morning on the way to Barataria Preserve in Lafitte (30 minutes south of New Orleans) My cousin, Georgia and I ran into the second line of the recent ancestor Big Chief Lionel Delpit. It was wonderful and full of life. Many tribes from around the city came together

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-5005336090149527122011-07-09T14:38:00.005-05:002011-07-09T14:50:35.597-05:00

I love this city so much I've decided to share the places that make me happy day to day. You may have noticed I've been posting photos that I take as I roam the streets. New Orleans whispers in your ears to explore her without boundaries and I often roam without intent in return. I don't have any particular favorite places, I love the city's small curves and flavors and mistakes and colors. So I

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-68175302391332563972011-07-07T20:46:00.001-05:002011-07-07T20:46:38.691-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-66466240301480286532011-07-07T18:31:00.001-05:002011-07-07T18:31:36.368-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-78961968006012152762011-07-07T18:30:00.001-05:002011-07-07T18:30:08.988-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-28647614505790042142011-07-07T18:29:00.001-05:002011-07-07T18:29:21.699-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-23996165249431472762011-07-07T18:28:00.001-05:002011-07-07T18:28:57.846-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-78293339192014501012011-07-07T18:26:00.001-05:002011-07-07T18:26:52.443-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-56458709419694620222011-07-03T13:47:00.003-05:002011-07-03T13:47:29.567-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-23544537556787914322011-07-03T13:47:00.001-05:002011-07-03T13:47:27.251-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-52974910588575590392011-07-03T13:46:00.001-05:002011-07-03T13:46:26.634-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-80330204629324960102011-07-03T13:44:00.001-05:002011-07-03T13:44:31.909-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-36694808733825221782011-07-03T13:31:00.001-05:002011-07-03T13:31:34.612-05:00

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-44856390341609262722011-07-03T08:10:00.001-05:002011-07-03T08:11:25.570-05:00

Georgia is giving me sad eyes for not having yet taken her for a walk this morning. Even though I let her fun under the house this morning all she wanted. So . . . here is a quote I just found. I like it. "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-53032544503819528612011-06-19T12:08:00.000-05:002011-06-19T12:08:09.096-05:00

A couple times a week (ideally) I take Georgia for a walk on the levee just off Poland st, the crux of the Industrial Canal and the River. Because of the character of a land levee Georgia gets to roll down a nice grassy bank while chasing imaginary butterflies or whatever it is that gets her running and pins her ears back. This morning around 630am I was barely awake for our walk and stumbled

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-12729653373329752212011-06-05T16:25:00.000-05:002011-06-05T16:25:30.359-05:00

I spent most of the weekend napping beneath a fan and listening to old blues records. It must be summertime on the Gulf coast. My morning walks (not runs) start at 7 with 80 degree sunshine. My fridge has raspberry zinger iced tea, but I have yet to implement some of the heat remedies I learned while traveling Southeast Asia in the summer, so I know it could be worse. I'll save those until August

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-65444416197797353992011-05-25T19:57:00.001-05:002011-05-25T19:58:04.047-05:00

I just took Georgia for a walk and trip to the dog park, which she was found fond by a very large German Shepard that wouldn't let another dog play with her, kept biting the fuck out of this old hairy dog that drooled all over my dress and then rammed me while running as fast she could to get the ball I was holding. Shower number 3 of the day. This girl is wild. This has been an interesting week

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-73000764879307904202011-05-21T14:14:00.000-05:002011-05-21T14:14:24.870-05:00

It's still fucking festival season. The humidity has finally landed. The brass bands and electric guitars are still being played on street corners and front porches. The beer is getting colder. The bayou has turned green with algae from the gradual and then sudden onslaught of fresh Mississippi River. And Cajun country is under 15 feet of water. AlJazeera, one of the only media sources that has

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-26078378496209722612011-05-16T08:57:00.002-05:002011-05-16T18:46:39.003-05:00

Hi All, So far New Orleans has not flooded. The river is pretty high these days, but the Corps has opened two different spillways in an attempt to keep Baton Rouge and New Orleans dry. Part of Morganza spillway was opened Saturday afternoon at 3pm CST. The impacts include 25,000 people's homes and businesses will be flooded over the next several days. Farm land, wild animals, and people's

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-40892084176359837642011-04-29T08:09:00.001-05:002011-04-29T08:14:36.880-05:00

I often talk about shitty things that are happening on this space I've got, but I try my best to make sure that those shitty things are paired with something you can do to make it better. On Wednesday night Tuscaloosa, AL was almost completely devestated by several tornadoes. One recorded as a mile wide. A close colleague of mine, who has tirelessly worked for us here on the Gulf coast over the

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-72141634945989101402011-04-26T23:21:00.001-05:002011-04-26T23:23:33.976-05:00

Ben Franklin is giving away money: This fund was created with a portion of the investment proceeds from $5,000.00 left by Ben Franklin to the citizens of Pennsylvania, to be distributed 200 years later. Desi is amazing!: Rethinking Aerosol writing in the community New favorite blues song: "well, you got me wonderin' baby who's makin dirty dishes with you?" rain barrels and container

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-77657836258167481862011-04-22T14:31:00.000-05:002011-04-22T14:31:47.435-05:00

Man, I'm having trouble concentrating again! Today has not been my most productive day. This week hasn't been my most productive week. I went to my favorite chill coffeeshop, the one that reminds me of Amsterdam and I ran into that one dude that would be great to chat with if he wasn't such an asshole most of the time. You know the kind. An hour later I finally made my escape (he bought my tea

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-76997764751955283662011-04-21T14:31:00.000-05:002011-04-21T14:31:50.655-05:00

This week is almost over. I'm exhausted and distracted and disoriented and something else that I can't quiet put my finger on. The humidity is setting in and the mindset is starting to change in this city. Jazz fest starts next week. The Blessing of the Fleet is on May 8. I'm not sure I can mentally handle another meeting where sick Gulf coast residents scream at public officials about needing

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-11605991028246666782011-04-11T22:42:00.000-05:002011-04-11T22:42:53.076-05:00

It's been said before, but seriously this town is not for the weak. I'm not sure what I've been doing, but I know I haven't left in New Orleans in a couple weeks. I'm incredibly broke and exhausted, a little bit sunburned, and about to be homeless. I would guess that I'm also hungover but I think that's the baby benedrel that has become my regular nightcap. I might live with the most spiders I've

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-58163631314207418012011-03-29T17:49:00.000-05:002011-03-29T17:49:18.351-05:00

I'm back in humid New Orleans after several days visiting my very good Friend E, not EF but EM. She likes to look pretty and smell nice and she does. She even took me to her hair salon so I could look pretty. It was nice to be around old friends. Moving around this year means there haven't been a lot of those times where you get to sit on the couch with someone that knows about that time when you

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-23367074225093565012011-03-22T23:05:00.000-05:002011-03-22T23:05:51.948-05:00

Hello Darlings, It's me Renee, your old friend who has been too busy to stop and say hello, too busy to give you a nod on the way to the farmer's market. It's true, if I have been absent in the past with staying in touch, I've turned into those people I talk shit about behind their backs. I'm sorry. I have been traveling, working, sleeping, and getting acclimated to Gulf coast community

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-73295548096802718952011-02-22T10:12:00.000-06:002011-02-22T10:12:49.090-06:00

You can have at least waited until February ended to arrive, you know the most terribly cold miserable month on the planet in all that other places that actually experience seasons. But no here you are on my morning run, making me sweat at 7am before even leaving my front steps. When the guy on WWOZ this morning said "its 64 degrees outside" while I was searching for a pair clean-ish socks, I

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-68011792814330326392011-02-17T08:03:00.000-06:002011-02-17T08:03:49.366-06:00

Hello Lovelies, It's been quite the whirlwind of activity here on the gulf coast. I took a couple weeks to slow down prior to moving and I'm so glad I did, if only to have memories of what it was like to not be completely exhausted, overwhelmed, single handly keeping the coffee industry in business, and hit by one of my worst allergy seasons to date. My brain is foggy, my eyes can hardly open,

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-84652403165780951582011-01-26T10:02:00.000-06:002011-01-26T10:02:51.364-06:00

Last night I met up with my favorite New Orleans activist. He might be my favorite because I don't know many yet, but he also looks like Santa Clause, uses a cane with a giant gold alligator as its handle, and can drink copious amounts of Cider. We ate pizza and plotted change and he told stories. A good night. Darryl helped start Green Corps, which I've written about in the past before I ever

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-58597418417211965452011-01-25T14:23:00.000-06:002011-01-25T14:23:46.409-06:00

Marais Street consists of several double shotguns of varying upkeep; a few boarded up with graffiti (5555) and the rest on an upwards mend. It is located between Ursline and St. Philips. Louis Armstrong Park and the African American Museum, which nestles up to the oddly fit fence and my hammock. A neighborhood known for consistently spitting out some of the best musicians the Jazz world has seen

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-28841872943393440562011-01-20T11:26:00.000-06:002011-01-20T11:26:41.633-06:00

Hello Monkies, Did you hear Radiolab's podcast on Prairie dogs? It was really good and it was featured on NPR Morning Edition today. I like to listen to Morning Edition everyday. Anyways, Radiolab is fantastic. Several years ago I had a big sleeping problem, as in I didn't do it. So I would stay up and listen to 88.5 and at around 2am this weird little show out of NYC would come on called

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-37558316165896277822011-01-16T14:33:00.000-06:002011-01-16T14:33:21.215-06:00

I'm one of those social and environmental justice activists who rereads inspiring texts and youtubes great speeches over and over again. It's true. I also like to relisten to good podcasts while baking on Sunday mornings. I bake on Sunday mornings. This morning I relistened to a KQED Forum podcast from last January 18, when President Obama was receiving his Nobel Peace Prize and our country (

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-41852370267583329982011-01-15T17:45:00.001-06:002011-01-15T17:56:49.446-06:00

It's a wonderfully beautiful day today in Oakland. No coldness, lots of sunshine. In between packing boxes, I'm taking short bike rides around the area and drinking coffee and snacking on my first crock pot meal. I made beef stew yesterday! It's better today with my homemade bread. Who knew I could do those things. As I was packing my kitchen gear using old New York Times (such a fucking

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-77240593238488670482011-01-12T17:36:00.017-06:002011-01-14T14:10:33.120-06:00

(This time without grotesque grammar mistakes and some slight updates. No, I don't usually read my posts before posting them, which means there are usually mistakes and sometimes I go back and try to fix them, which is what I did here.) Hello Lovelies, I've arrived back in Oakland just in time to finish my current contract, pack up all my belongings, and ship out to New Orleans in a week and a

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403379609362931941.post-15029830180602869522010-12-14T15:12:00.000-06:002010-12-14T15:12:10.953-06:00

Good Afternoon, Winter has arrived, even in California. It's terrible! No sunshine. Cold breezes. Wearing the only two pairs of jeans I own over and over again. I would like to stay under my covers watching romantic comedies and sipping on whiskey until April, please. But instead I have much much to do, including more travel before the next big move. At least the holidays mean I get to drink

Renee Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17630553088725359675noreply@blogger.com0