As of Monday, I’ve lived in New Orleans for a month!
I’m into anniversaries. They’re a fun way to celebrate life’s little victories. I also use them as an opportunity to reflect.
The (kind of) New Orleanian Scale
Being that this blog is an exploration of what it means to be a New Orleanian, I am initiating a score sheet for myself. I’ve listed some of my activities over the last month. Are these experiences part of what I need to earn to become a real New Orleanian?
This scale is an idea in flux–I’d love any contributions or suggestions!
Music
Rebirth at House of Blues
- Rebirth at House of Blues. (+2) (-1 for not yet seeing Rebirth at the Maple Leaf on a Tuesday, their regular stint)
- Heard a brass band on Frenchmen street and music at the Spotted Cat. (+2)
- Soul Rebels at Le Bon Temps on a Thursday night. As already mentioned, I live across from Le bon Temps, so this was an easy one. (+1)
- Saw Galactic (+1)
- Saw Kermit Ruffins (+1) at the Blue Nile (+1) (-1 for not yet seeing Kermit at his regular Vaughns)
Total: 5
Bars
Instead of making a list of every bar I’ve been to, I’m going to list the bars that I didn’t go to the last time I lived here. Since I lived here for 11 months, any new bars I’ve patronized would be super-local.. right?
- Uptown: Henry’s Uptown Bar (+1)
- Marigny: Hi-Ho Lounge (+1)
- Midcity: Bayou Beer Garden, Finn McCool’s Irish Pub, The Red Door, Crescent Pie and Sausage Company (+4)
- I have not gone to Pat O’Briens, since that is a tourist bar. (+1)
- I have not drank until 4 a.m. (-2)
Total: 6
Outdoors
A view of the Mississippi from the Fly
- Running on the St. Charles streetcar line (+1)
- Audobon Park (+1)
- City Park (+1)
- Went to the Fly and brought a daiquiri with me (+2)
- Lagniappe: I have been outside despite the fact that the heat and humidity make me want to die. (+1)
Total: 6
Festivals, Celebrations, Events
New Orleans Zephrys game
- Attended a second line (+1)
- Wednesdays at the Square (Galactic was the musical guest, see above) (+1)
- 610 Stompers Bar Crawl (+1)
- Creole Tomato Festival/Lousiana Seafood Festival/Zydeco Music Festival in the Quarter (this is where I spotted the beeracuda) (+1)
- Saw the New Orleans Zephyrs play (+1)
- Watched Treme at the Hi Ho Lounge with other New Orleanians (+1)
Total: 6
Food
This is a difficult one. Instead of listing every place I’ve eaten, I’m going to include the places that seem very New Orleanian:
- Plum St. Snowballs (+1)
- Parkway Bakery (+1)
- Cafe du Monde (+1) [I am unsure if this is a +1 or -1. In my experience, locals AND tourists go to this spot. Thoughts?]
- Creole Creamery (+1)
- Slim Goodies (+1)
- The Trolley Stop (+1)
- Liuzza’s by the Track (+1)
- Ate a Doberge cake from Haydels in Metarie (+1)
Total: 8
Art/Museums
Ogden After Hours
- Ogden After Hours (+1)
- Hipster art party in the Bywater (+1)
Total: 2
Miscellaneous
This is the feral cat that I love. I call him My Friend.
- I have bumped into people I know when out and about. (+2)
- I rode the bus. (+2)
- I rode the streetcar (-1)
- Toured the NOLA Brewery (+1)
- Went to a Yacht Music/Bounce dance party (+1) but did not dress up (-2)
- I have driven over the Causeway to visit friends in Mandeville (+1)
- I have pet many, many feral cats. More than one New Orleanian (and my boyfriend) have told me not to do this. (-1)
Score: 3
Total
36
Summary
Wow, I’ve done a lot of things!Being unemployed means you have a lot of free time. Jokes!
I suspect that once I’ve been here for awhile I’ll have done everything that I want to do, at least once. Will that make me a local? With that logic, a lower score on the New Orleanian Scale would be better. Or maybe in the initial months it is better to have a higher score…?
Or maybe you can’t quantify what it means to be part of a city’s fabric. Nonetheless, there is more to see and do!
What I Still Want to Do (List in Progress)
- World War II Museum
- Lousiana State Museum
- Civil War Museum
- Historic New Orleans Collection
- Big Fisherman Seafood
- 45 Tchoup
- Cafe Reconcile
- Visit a nature-type thing outside of the city
- Visit another city in Louisiana
- Go to a Gulf-Coast beach
- Camelia Grill
- Chickie Wah Wah
- Gumbo Shop
- Preservation Hall
- Rock N Bowl
- Vaughns
- Tipitinas
