The neighborhoods in New Orleans isolate themselves to such an extent that at times I feel I'm living in a small town that is the bywater. Not only do I run into a familiar face at every turn, find myself remaining with in neighborhood limits for days on end and constantly being surrounded by people who know more about my love life than I do, but we even have our own local celebrities. Two such men billow stoically above the cracked, littered sidewalks of St. Claude avenue on thick, rickety billboards reminding me that in the case of severe injury my first order of business should be to call a lawyer. Luckily, I have a choice: I could "Phone Cardone" or "Be Wiser [and] Call Bizer" both of whom look reliable, professional and proud to be helping the injured men on cell phones by their respective sides.
A couple of nights ago I was at the Jon, peering into the bottom of a mason jar half full of gin, as I tried to get comfy on the gold-leafed toilet seat serving as my chair when I noticed a familiar face at the next table over. I squinted my eyes, trying to place him, it was hard to see due to the combination of the black ceiling and sparse flourescent light. I whispered to my friend Kirsten, asking if she knew why he looked so familiar. She paused, and cocked her head, "I know we know him...I just can't place him" she sighed. At this point he had noticed our prying eyes, "It's me, from the billboard" he blushed, trying to contain his pried. "Bizer!" we yelled excitedly. I high fived him in that special way that turns into an awkward verticle handshake, I guess I wasn't quite ready to let go. At this point, my night seemed suddenly to have been magically complete. There was nothing left to do but run home and brag to the tens of people at my house, who, conveniently enough seem always to be sitting and waiting for an exciting story as they accidentally create their own.
I like the concept this piece is addressing of people who have become celebrities in a certain area because of their ads. The last sentence makes a generalization of the people that seems a little easy. I think you would be able to do a series of vignettes of what its like to live in the Bywater.
ReplyDeleteA humorous story. Could you assemble a mosaic of sketches and scenes that can create the environment of your neighborhood...view it through fragments.
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh, especially the part about the awkward high-five turned handshake...very true. Why is the Bywater it's own little neighborhood - not simply because of it's location? The last sentence confused me. I didn't really understand what it was implying.
ReplyDeleteI liked the description of the neighborhoods as their own small towns. As someone who is not from here, and is still learning about it, this is something I can definitely conceptualize. The descriptions of local celebrities were definitely well done. I agree with Jonas-- if you were to continue this, I would consider going the route of vignettes to really show this neighborhood, which is the real meat of this piece.
ReplyDeleteThere was some good description in this work. It had some nice comic relief which made it more enjoyable to read. Descriptions of the people and celebrities was nice but i would have liked more details on the neighborhood as a whole.
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