So, while passing through New York, I hooked up with some friends and we got caught up on one another's lives over a few beers. (3 nights ago now) We chatted and laughed and told stories and what has happened since we saw each other last. Everything was fun, and jovial and bar-loud... and then I got to my time in New Orleans. Before I knew it, the table was damn near silent. People just stared at me. The party vibe was off. People were horrified to hear the state of things in the neighborhoods I had worked in, horrified to hear descriptions of what it was like to work and disheartened to know that that was only 2 months ago... 16 months after the catastrophy.

Never ever did I imagine that "NEW ORLEANS" could ever be a buzz kill.

Yes... I was DESCRIPTIVE, I was GRAPHIC, and I did try to paint a VIVID picture... yes, I did. But I was not untruthful. I just wanted those people to remember, if anything from our conversation, that New Orleans still has a LONG WAY TO GO. I think it is important for people to know that what happened here is REALLY BIG and it is not GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON. I think that is important.

So, I'm back and I just checked my email and got a forward from my mom who is a realestate agent informing ther was big realator's convention here and while they were here, they decided to chip in some of their time and $ to help out New Orleans... and that IS TOTALLY AWESOME. Below is what I was forwarded, but also a short email I sent to one of the girls at the table that night in New York who, after hearing what I had to say about the state of New Orleans, asked "How can it ever be fixed?" That is a very REASONABLE question to ask. I wonder the same thing, quite often... but bits of news like what is listed below, GIVES ME HOPE.

Dodd

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Hey Becky,

Great to see you the other night and great to hear you're doing so well. It's always nice to see familiar faces when I pass through town.

I'm just fresh back in New Orleans (all of 4 hours ago) and I'm just checking my email and getting this lil email from my mom. She is a realestate agent here and was a part of a big realator confrence heald here in the city. A whole buncha folks showed up and while here, decided to help out some, and well, it made me think of our converstation. At the bar, I did paint a brutal picture of the city... and it is true... but the answer to the question we were left with of "How can it ever be fixed?" I think lies in the work of folks like those listed below. Day by day, volunteer by volunteer, it is happening, some things are getting better.

Also, if you're interested, while I was working here myself I kept a blog of my experiences. If you have time or get bored, please drop by. www.solidhang.com/dodd

All The Best To You and have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

D

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I don't know where the article below ran, but it was sent to us by the Executive Officer of the Saints Board of Realtors. It is a great summary of the impact Realtors had on New Orleans last week.

Margie

Adding up the Difference REALTORS Made in New Orleans

There's no way to measure the full value of the hard work of NARdi Gras attendees who have helped restore New Orleans this week. Nonetheless, a few numbers will give you a sense of what's been accomplished here in just a few days.

8,364: The number of hours NAR members had spent in volunteer activities through Saturday, November 11.

15,000: The number of dollars NAR donated to purchase supplies and equipment to help restore City Park. The equipment used during volunteer projects in the park will remain for future upkeep and maintenance.

4: The number of houses framed by NAR volunteers above and beyond the planned three in a Habitat for Humanity build in a single day -- November 7. This represents only a small portion of members' volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.

100: the number of dollars worth of nutritious food provided for every NAR volunteer hour with the Second Harvest Food Bank. Volunteers unloaded goods from trucks, readied the food for sorting, and then sorted the donated items into food groups for distribution.

535: The number of students at De La Salle School who will have a better learning environment thanks to volunteers' efforts in painting areas of the school.

3: The number of months ahead of schedule the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library have moved, due to the contributions of NAR volunteers who sorted donated books for distribution to schools and literacy programs as well as the library's weekly book sale to raise funds to rebuild and expand the library.

20: The number of computers hooked up at the St. Joan of Arc School during a day of activities that also included repainting a map of the United States on the blacktop of the school's courtyard, among many painting projects.

Those are some of the measurable results of volunteer efforts during NARdi Gras. But the overall value can't be quantified. How to you put a value on providing a safe, clean, and healthy learning environment for children in the city's schools? Or restoring parks where people can enjoy the peace and beauty of the area? Or putting displaced people back into houses they can call their own?

There's no way to measure all the contributions and generosity of NAR members who helped in so many ways. A big "thank you" to all who volunteered, from NAR and the people of New Orleans.