A flash of New Orleans

It was a quick trip, in fact I think we spent more time in transient then we did actually in New Orleans. But we did it. Tyler and I went to New Orleans, Louisiana to visit Loyola University and find out about the Music Business or Music Industry Major.

OK, now back to New Orleans. We had set up a meeting with the head of the Music Industry College at Loyola University. We walked into the room and sitting there at the table was Professor John Snyder, a 45ish gentlemen with long straight hair below his ears almost to his shoulders, long enough for a ponytail. I guess the length of your hair, does not correlate with the maturity of the person, because this man had it all together. The interview went great and we both were impressed. Now Tyler has some soul searching to do and decisions to make.

One thing I learned, though about New Orleans, is that the people who live there love it. You know, being in Kansas, I hear about the hurricanes and the city that was built below sea level and the levees that weren't built right and I can get caught up on everyone saying "don't rebuild it" and "this is God's message." But let me tell you, it is a home for thousands of people, it is a place deep in tradition. I think being in Kansas or far away from places we see things globally and individually. Visiting New Orleans, seeing the people; talking to the cab driver who loves to fish, hunt aligators, and be around his cajun friends; talking to the music industry head of the department who loves the musical tradition of New Orleans and believes in it; seeing the efforts of Tyler's friends working for non-profit organizations to rebuild parts of the city; all of this gives me a greater appreciation for New Orleans. It let's me see it is a city of people, of individuals who call that city home. We need to not look so globally at things, but to actually look deep, see the people and lives involved, break out of our boxes.