The Potala Lhasa, Tibet

Walking down the exit ramp from the backside of the Potala.

Mount Ashland April 10, 2007

One last ride up before the end of the season! This shot is pre-broken rib, which I managed to do the NEXT week down at Squaw Valley in Tahoe. Check out youtube for a video of my first ever attempt at a big jump. Just do a search with the word kettlepuss, and my video will come up, along with some other videos of ours...... it is OK to laugh, as long as you leave a comment!

Tuesday morning blues...

Here are some photos of my home for the weekend, The Canal Street Guesthouse. It was perfect for my needs and taste. Room eleven hooked me up... I had no problem keeping a supply of quarters on hand for the pay-by-the-hour air conditioning... I got an hour of A/C per quarter! It was simple, but beautifully decorated, and extremely clean. The bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever slept on, with a handmade quilt and down pillows to top it off! The porch wrapped around the outside of the building and was a nice spot for relaxing. The view off of my side of the porch was great... notice the incredible leaning building behind the field with the FEMA trailer in it. I really enjoyed staying here! GOODBYE ,UNTIL NEXT TIME ,NEW ORLEANS!!!

New Orleans... Monday night

I headed home after Kermit's second set... my Jazz Fest was officially over for this year! After a night moving from gin and tonics to gin fizzs to hurricanes and back to gin and tonics I was ready to put my head down and rest for awhile!! I didn't want the party to be over, but, like all good things, it had to come to an end.

New Orleans... Monday night

Dancing In The Streets!!On set break from Kermit Ruffins I went for a walk down Frenchmen Street to see what else was going on. I ran into this impromptu party in the street. A brass band echoing through the streets is a quinteseential sound of New Orleans! Fun!! Big Sam of Big Sam's Funky Nation was hanging out on Frenchmen Street and stopped by to give these guys some props!!

New Orleans... Monday night

Caught a cab from Bourbon Street over to Frenchmen Street. I had heard that Paul Shaeffer was hosting a jam session at a new club called Ray's Boom Boom Room, so I was curious to check that out. That rumor turned out to be false, and in place of Paul I found Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers about to take the stage. I decided to grab a gin and tonic and hang out for a set. There was about 25 people in this club, a new place, which was very cool. Deep and narrow with upstairs balcony seating and a big dance floor. Kermit was quality trumpet as usual!

New Orleans... Monday night

At the Maison Bourbon they are dedicated to the preservation of Jazz. I am SO down with the cause! I enjoyed the musical stylings of Jamil Sharif (on trumpet) as well as the rest of the band. The drummer I have seen around town over the years, and he is quite a percussion artist. The clarinette player was sweet , and the piano player had some classic, sharp jazz sounds he was laying down. Not a bad way to spend a few hours on Bourbon Street... one of the few authentic New Orleans experiences you can have on Bourbon Street. And I just happened to stumble in on my search for a clean bathroom!! You never know what you will discover on a night out in New Orleans!! But chances are, you're gonna have a funky good time!

New Orleans... Monday night

Where Ya't?!?!

New Orleans... Monday night

Enough said.... Bourbon Street.... classic,not classY

New Orleans... Monday night

Street performer on Bourbon Street. He had quite a stride. You can't tell from this photo, but he was holding the leash on a little toy dog wearing an Uncle Sam top hat and smoking a fat cigar.

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

A Ramos' gin fizz from the Desire oyster bar on Bourbon Street. Gin is my liquor of choice, and usually a gin and tonic with Bombay Sapphire will make me a happy girl. But I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy my Bombay, and tonight I tried this yummy drink. It was gin, a little tonic water, cream and orange blossom water on the rocks. Not only was it totally delicious, but check out the size of my glass!! Also had some scrumptious crawfish tails here, as an appetizer, of course....

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

New Orleans has so much soul it just leaks out into the streets! I was aimlessly strolling the Quarter, exploring, waiting for dinner time... when I heard the sweet tones of a trumpet rolling through the street from a distance. I could tell it was moving toward me, and before I knew it, I had been overtaken by a spontaneous jazz parade! I grooved appreciatevly as they marched past, and even got a few strands of beads thrown my way!!

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

There are still a very few old steam boats left, and this is one of the largest and most used. A tourist novelty at this point, but a beautiful and amazing machine none the less. A few nights a week during Jazz Fest there are shows on a smaller version of a steamboat. The boat pulls away from the dock here in the Quarter, the band plays their 2-3 hour show, as the boat cruises up river and then back down. A variety of acts play these cruise-shows, from more well-known jazz musicians like Karl Denson to jam band favorites like Keller Williams. Anyway, the steamboat has been a classic sight of New Orleans for hundreds of years and seems to belong here as much as the River itself.

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

One of the streetcars I became familiar with this year. You can get on a streetcar along the River down in the Quarter, and ride it all the way up Canal to the end of the line at City Park/ Bayou St. John/ The Fairgrounds or get off anywhere in between, for $1.25. Such a deal, and a really fun way to get around. There was a stop directly in front of my guesthouse, which was very convenient! I love the streetcars in New Orleans... even though the streetcar drivers went on strike my first 3 days in the city...power to the people... I hope they got that contract they were hoping for!

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

The world famous steeple of the St. Louis Cathedral at the head of Jackson Square, just off the River in the French Quarter.

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

Looking down river from the Quarter. Algiers is directly across the river in this shot. M I doubleS I doubleS I doubleP I

New Orleans... Monday... sights from the streets

The Mississippi River... a classic New Orleans view. Looking up river from the French Quarter.

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

Dumpstaphunk closing Jazz Fest at Tipitina's the 2nd Sunday.... fast becoming a Jazz Fest tradition! Long live Professor Longhair!!!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

George Porter JR. takes the stage.... now we're groovin with THREE funky bass masters!!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

Dumpstaphunk with the legendary Tipitina's sign!! This stage has seen some of the ultimate performers of our time!!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

Leo Nocentelli, original lead guitar for The Meters. Another legend on the stage tonight!! Still shredding minds after ALL these years!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

Ivan switched over to rhythm guitar while Art sat in on keys! These guys can play anything!! So rocking!!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

PAPA FUNK himself, the inventor and keeper of New Orleans-style funk, ART NEVILLE. Founding father and legendary keyboard player for The Meters! He is also Ivan's uncle, and guitarist Ian's Father! So, he is a natural to sit in with Dumpsta!!! He never fails to remind me just why he is considered THE MASTER of the funky keys!! Yay Art!!!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

Ivan Neville pounding the keys like only he can!

New Orleans... Sunday night, Tipitina's

DUMPSTAPHUNK!!!!! Tony Hall (bass) and Ivan Neville getting the funk warmed up!

New Orleans... Sunday night... I'm Steppin Out!!

Headed off to Dumpstaphunk until late night, and then Zigaboo's Funk Review until...... well, AT LEAST sunrise!

New Orleans Sunday evening after the Fest...

On my way back to the streetcar line from the fairgrounds. Bayou St. John is beautiful in the evening, and the streetcar was ready to depart as soon as I got on. I was home in about 12 minutes... beats waiting for a cab hands down!!! And it only costs $1.25!! This streetcar wasn't named Desire, but it WAS marked "Cemeteries" which is another Street Car Named Desire reference. Now to get ready for my big night out... DUMPSTAPHUNK at Tipitina's!!

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday... on the way home...

On the walk back to the street car line, I was lucky enough to pass by Shell Fest. I had been told about Shell Fest the night before, but had to see it to believe it. An entire Shell gas station had closed down during the Fest days, and during the Fest itself was using it's property as a pay parking lot. After the Fest the parking lot was transformed into a mini-dance party, with a live DJ and peoples favorite disco music to keep the party rolling! Hilarious!! I was looking forward to heading home to a cool shower after a HOT day at the Fest, and anxious to get some aloe on my horrid sunburn! No Shell Fest for me, but I did get a few photos to prove the existence of this wacky party!

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

BIG CHIEF BO DOLLIS with Queen Rita dancing behind This is a fitting photo to be my final Fest photo of the year. The Wild Magnolias set was quite emotional.... Bo was in obviously weak health, struggling to complete songs and unable to stand for the entire performance. His voice was still strong and full of grit and emotion when he was busting out, and his energy was felt very strong.I hope Bo recieved as much energy from the crowd as he gave to all of us! Jazz Fest 2007.... I can't wait until next year!!!

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

The Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians Queen Rita in the yellow suit. They are world famous representatives of the Indian street culture of New Orleans, and Queen Rita is a sweet dancer who always gets the crowd energized and hyped up! In the white is the famous tamborine lady, usually found pounding it out in the Gospel Tent she appeared on stage with the Wild Magnolias. Behind her, also in white is Marva Wright.

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

PAUL SHAEFFER Yes... THE Paul Shaeffer. He sat in with the Wild Magnolias for their performance Sunday evening, closing out the Fest at the Jazz and Heritage stage. I only knew of him from David Letterman, but it turns out he is a seriously good organ master! He was funkin it up with the Wild Mags... he and June sounded so good together! I was briefly introduced to Paul before the set, which was pretty weird... but cool for all the obvious reasons.

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

MARVA WRIGHT in the Blues Tent. I got a text message from my friend Elizabeth informing me that Marva was rockin and that I should get to the Blues Tent ASAP. I tore myself away from Dottie Peoples and headed over to hear some sweet New Orleans blues singing from the "Queen of New Orleans", as Marva was introduced. She had most of the Wild Magnolias band playing as her back up band. June Yamagishi on guitar (in the green hat behind Marva), Jon Gros AND the female organist from the Wild Mags on keys, as well their rippin bass player. In my opinion you could NEVER go wrong with June on guitar!! She WAS totally rocking, and I found myself with goose bumps yet again. Big Chief Bo Dollis came out and sang one song with Marva. He is in poor health and struggled to perform, but it is great to see his heart and dedication. Those are the backs of Bobby and Elizabeth with Bo Dollis, who is a friend of theirs, on stage in the background.

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

Somebody Better Testify!!!... I spent an hour Sunday afternoon getting the hair on the back of my neck electrified by DOTTIE PEOPLES! This is Gospel the way it should be... make a blind man see... make an atheist testify...

NOLA JAZZ FEST...Sunday

Sometimes when you walk past the Gospel Tent on your way to somewhere else, the sound and energy coming out of there pulls you in. I was pulled in on my way to see Marva Wright, by the most powerful female voice I had ever heard.... DOTTIE PEOPLES!!