I am pooped and burnt out. I cannot do anymore for now. I was tossed a possibly amazing story and passed it on to someone else as I just cannot deal anymore.
I want to celebrate my birthday hungover. I hope I find a hot meal and cold drink sometime during the day tomorrow. I thought about going to Mobile, but gas is expensive and scarce.
I wish I could tell more about what I've done, write more stories for this blog, but after writing what I write for the paper I am usually unwilling to tell the story again. So go to our paper's website (link to the right there) and type our names in to see better what the two of us have been doing. (My byline is usually "Joshua Norman." Senor Keller's is usually "Mike Keller.")
I also hope my photos speak for my experiences of the last few days.
I want to celebrate my birthday hungover. I hope I find a hot meal and cold drink sometime during the day tomorrow. I thought about going to Mobile, but gas is expensive and scarce.
I wish I could tell more about what I've done, write more stories for this blog, but after writing what I write for the paper I am usually unwilling to tell the story again. So go to our paper's website (link to the right there) and type our names in to see better what the two of us have been doing. (My byline is usually "Joshua Norman." Senor Keller's is usually "Mike Keller.")
I also hope my photos speak for my experiences of the last few days.
posted by Josh Norman at 1:26 PM
61 Comments:
I ran across your blog while surfing one day. I've seen pictures on the news of the damage that came upon LA and MS but your photos catch a more indescribable, surreal feeling when I look a them. Thank you for sharing them with the world.
Happy Birthday a day early. I hope you are able to get well deserved rest.
Hello people!
I just viewing your photos here in Spain, and I'm very impressed. I wish you get better soon. Be strong, you can do it!
I am very greatful that you shared the experience with us.
One more pic for you.
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/ts/090105hurrickatrina/im:/050829/ids_photos_wl/r3988609667.jpg
the whole link: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events
/ts/090105hurrickatrina/im:/050829
/ids_photos_wl/r3988609667.jpg
remove spaces.
caption reads " Mike Keller, a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, stands in the rain while mooning Hurricane Katrina just after dawn August 29, 2005. Katrina slammed into the Louisiana coast on Monday with 140 mile per hour winds as the powerful storm came ashore from the Gulf of Mexico and took aim at low-lying New Orleans. The coast, much of it lightly populated swamps, was being pounded with high winds and heavy rains while New Orleans, 55 miles northeast, braced for the worst of Katrina. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Reuters"
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
THe whole thing looks like something out of war of the worlds, it's absolutly shocking to think that can happen.
Please hang in there and tell everyones stories.
i found another way to donate to the cause for all you gamers out there, they say they arent making any profit from them.
http://www.bungiestore.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=322
And Happy Birthday (it's tomorrow allready in Scotland:)
I have been working with the evacuees and I am where you are..pooped and exhausted. With a night's rest, I will go back and do more tomorrow.
Hope you get a good night's rest! ~Emily in Conroe, TX, just north of Houston.
Hi...
I know getting them here would be a problem but I'm in Clarksdale, MS and we have an Expo center set up with beds.... Just thought I'd post that for what it's worth.
I read and I listen and I feel guilty...for being so damn lucky.
I'll continue to check your site...
Thanks for doing what you do.
And Happy Birthday.
My sister's was today.
Jane G.
Clarksdale
Finally! Thanks esbee for Keller's moon shot...(showing also a little sun too?) Thanks for a bright spot in an otherwise awful situation.
Hang in there guys. Your posts make my stomach hurt from anxiety. We're praying and sending donations.
Bonne Fete to Josh. Wish we could successfully send beer and more peaches.
From LA.
Someone took www.dancingwithkatrina.com!
I wanted to sponsor your blog with domain and hosting - just a small gesture from someone at the other side of the globe (I am from Singapore).
The owner of that .com domain put it up at some domain parking page. Money making. Pfft...
Anyway, would love to help. Please contact me at razlanmanjaji@gmail.com
"It's my party and I can cry if I want to"
Happy birthday and as a local wanna-be - thank you for providing the best source of information on the effects in Mississippi out there.
We'll be wishing you that cold beer and hot pizza that everyone over the age of 21 deserves on their birthday.
Thanks for sharing your stories with everyone here.
Seeing those pictures comes as a huge shock to me. I'm in India and we've had some very tragic catastrophes here in the last few years, but that human life can be so cheap even in a country like the United States - that has shocked me the most.
I hope everyone struck by the hurricane manages to get their lives back on track soon... I wish I could do more than just writing a few words on a blog, but... well have a great birthday :)
http://messages.msnbc.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tsn=1&tid=172&webtag=msnbc_katrinasi
I am stupified by the level of destruction which has decended upon your area.
Living in northern CA, I am now inspired to take the term "natural disaster" much more seriously.
My heart goes out to you and yours -- and most of all, the kids
- Tim (coastalpacifica.com)
Josh,
I want to tell you that the short to the point reporting in this blog is the best I have seen, heard or read. In 1992 I was stationed at NAS Barbers Pt Hawaii. We had a Hurricane Party for Hurricane Iniki. It was a Cat 5+, 220 mph sustained...and it hit the island of Kauai...we drank alot of beer during the storm and had a great time riding it out in our barracks 90 miles away. While we were drinking Ininki did all it could to scour Kauai clean. I won't say I know how you and your collegues feel, because I don't. I will say that I have been through something similar and I know that telling people what you saw is important... Get some rest....
Josh... Happy Birthday, if ever you find yourself in Gainesville... find me for a birthday beer and then another case or so for being an incredible human being... and don't fret Keller I will hook you up with a some cold ones too. Take care of yourselves down there... Thanks for the time that you guys are putting into this blog it is amazing all that you have witnessed.
Kerri
Thanks for letting the world know what's going on. Wish you a happy birthday!
I can understand your exhaustion! I went to check the Sun Herald and I couldn't believe some of the stuff I read in it. Cholera? Typhoid? I thought these diseases had been eradicated long ago in Western countries! I think these information give some hints as to the wide-reaching consequences of this hurricane.
I also thank you for taking all this time to report on this blog about your experience! It's a very important complement to our usual media accounts of these terrible events! I hope you'll be able to continue at some point. I think it is also important to you and your fellow citizen to know that you are still somewhat connected to the world, despite the desolation of the situation. I hope that solidarity will prevail at all levels. Take good care!
Sitting thousands of miles away in London, we initially had no idea of the scale of the impact and the utter devastation visited on you. My thoughts are with all the people affected by this catastrophy.
What you are sharing reminds me of the havoc of the December tsunami. I'm writing from Malaysia. Keep up the good work. I'm linking to yr blog on mine to share with my friends and family. I hope it's alright with you. Take care.
the photos are so heartbreaking...
i wish i could do something...
sometimes you wish you can make a difference to the world, and when you start seeing the injustices and the sufferings in the world due to natural disasters or wars, its too overwhelming and infuriating... you just don't know where to begin and you don't know when it will end...
Well guys, you definately deserve a medal for your superior journalism during this time of crisis. In Salt Lake City, we've got clothing drives, Red Cross jars, and the news channels on at work all day long. You're better than that though. You tell your stories from the heart, you show with pictures horrors that most of us would generally liken to a nightmare. What you've done here is more personal than any journalism I've ever seen before.
In reading through the comments, you've gotten comments from Malaysia, London, India, Scotland, The Netherlands, and two or three other countries where the situation is little known. Please keep up the spectacular work. Have a wonderful birthday and I wish to you both the best of luck.
If along with the Red Cross donation, I could send a steak dinner and a twelver for ya, I'd be all over it.
Joanne
Salt Lake City, Utah
dude, would you mind if i linked your blog? Your photos and reporting are amazing.
My heart goes out to America at this time of despare. I dont ever want to see anyone hurt and left in these kinds of situations. God bless the citizens who were involved directly by Katrina.
Man, I hope I can help. I am a buddhist I think ur christian but what the heck, I'll send u prayer form here anyway. Good luck with ur struggle down there.
Thank you for this. Your commentary is honest and your images graphic. They tell a powerful story. I've taken the liberty of adding a link to your blog on my blog at, http://www.icollegium.com/edjournal.html
we are all praying for you guys down there.
i hope your birthday is the best it can be.
love and peace of mind,
ani
just wondering if your views have changed about government action surrounding katrina since you criticized naked mole rat earlier. have your first-hand accounts allowed you an accurate assessment of the situation that could argue against much of the criticism being lobbed against the feds? do you feel that a natural disaster of this magnitude made the necessary assistance impossible? or do you think that the feds could have been more prepared or could have allotted more resources to victims?
It's so amazing everything you've posted. I've watched the news, but they always present the things as if they weren't really happening.
I can't imagine the pain and the rollercoaster of feelings that you must be going through.
I hope everything turns out ok.
If it's anygood, I'd like to publish some pictures in my blog, so friends in Chile get a real look over the conditions you are living now.
best of wishes, hope everything turns out ok.
Thank you for sharing your journey on this terrifying path. Please keep on posting when you get the energy and reserves. You add a human face to so much of this tragedy. Readding about how you guys cope day to day is enlightening.
I don't want to tell ya what to do but wait till to celebrate that single malt and take drunk (which you richly deserve) until you are air conditioned (nothing worse than hangover in hot humid heat with rotting chickens around) and clean, rested and thriving.
Right now you are all surviving but one day you will be thriving.
Thank you for the magic you share.
Happy birthday
I just spent the last 2 hours reading your blog, and thank you for all you done. I am in Newfoundland, Canada; three days ago the skies opened up with Katrina's echo.
I hope your President gets his act together to help those at great risk, and I hope that you and those like you do not end up going insane. I have heard that some police officers have killed themselves.;...how can we do anything but hope? Being 'global' sometimes means you become a eunuch in the face of unfathomable power.
Fates be with you and your companions.
Jonathan Richler,
Canada
You don't need words, your pictures say it all....You have taken some wonderful pictures....I'm sure it was quite a heart wrenching experience. Thank you for sharing.....
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY my birthday was Sun the 28th.....I was 65.... I won't ask you your age, it's not polite....lol
thanks for a different view of things...I hope you have a Happy Birthday in spite of all that you have experienced...
I am glad you made this blog, this is such a complex and quickly evolving story, that I find even the news cant always cover it all. Shootings, looting, neglect, flooding, repairs, long term plans, etc etc etc....
But I am glad that you add to what I know about the situtation. Please keep it going when you can.
R2000
Josh & Mike,
Thank you so much for your blog and pictures. We have spent the past week anxiously looking for any info or pics about Long Beach, MS. My family and I moved to Oregon from Long Beach over 20 years ago now, but it is still near and dear in our hearts. All the news reports up here mention N.Orleans, Bay St Louis, Gulfport and Biloxi, but have totally left out Long Beach. We have been unable to contact any of our former neighbors and friends there. Your blog is the first of any info we've been able to see. Thank you again.
Josh--happy birthday, man. If you ever come to Portland, Oregon, get in touch w/me and I will definitely buy you some beers.
-Sandra@pacifier.com
OMG your blog is amazing....and great photos.
Happy birthday and celbrate like mad when you can.
Stay safe.
a blog reader in
Victoria, Australia.
Happy Birthday, and get some rest.
Our prayers and resources and hands are with you in whatever way we can reach from north of LA to you...your pictures are amazing testimonies to the destruction Katrina wrought.
Good luck. You are doing great work! Amazing pictures.
RGH
www.rghsblog.blogspot.com
Please pass this on
For those who are without jobs:
If you were currently working for Walmart before the hurricane, many (if not all) Walmarts across America are guaranteeing you jobs. I just heard about this today from my cousin who is an assistant manager. I'm not sure if it is just in our region, or if it is ALL Walmarts. I'm not sure of all the particulars either. But, please, check it out. Do note- you HAD to be currently employed in one of the affected Walmarts. They do have employment records, so don't try tricking them.
I feel so so sad about what happened...I'm so worried for the children...
Words cannot express what you have been through and seen. THANK YOU for your story. You are doing a wonderful thing capturing your moments on film and words. Prayers for you and yours.
Stay Strong......
Many thoughts and prayers are with you. I've been reading for a while now, and I know that your information and work are helping people. Here in the DFW area, we have many evacuees and I've been passing your blog along.
Know that it's helping and keep your chin up.
This is the best use of a blog out there. It's crazy scrolling up from the "before" into the aftermath but you guys relate it like true journalists.
Thanks for being there to tell.
A far-away New Yorker wishing everyone safety, a home and beer.
Happy birthday.:)
Nothing that I've read anywhere, nothing that I've seen on TV beats your blog or photos. Your work amplifyies an aspect of humanity that is missing elsewhere.
Get rest.
Deb
Central California
hey amigo,
i am currently relocated as a new orleans refugee. i hope things are well with you. i start the new job process tomorrow. be well and safe and lemme know if there's something i can do.
Happy birthday, Josh. I'm sitting at my computer in Adelaide, Australia, and you guys are doing such a great job in what looks to be an awful time and place. I feel humbled to have read your blog. My prayers are with you and everyone else.
God Bless :)
Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to share what you're doing for the community. We can only stand in awe the destruction caused by Katrina and the valiant efforts of yourselves to make the most of a dreadful situation. As cheesy as it sounds, our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Take care of yourselves.
Dean, Paula & Joel
Blog surfing and ran into yours. Thanks for the pictures and for taking the time to share with the outside world what it looks like to go through the hell called Katrina. Know that millions and millions of prayers are being sent your way. The world is crying right along with you. Belated Happy Birthday and God speed.
P.S.
I hope you don't mind that I linked your site in mine.
Be safe.
It's just too sad :(
God bless all the people over there...
Love from Chile
Hiya
A quick message from England - I sincerely hope everything you're going through will be over soon and as many people as possible will be brought to 100% safety. The world is with you all in some way or another, whether it be donations or thoughts! Hopefully people will donate as much as they can!!!
Stu
Happy B'day, man! Relax...you deserve it.
http://exgfproject.blogspot.com/
Oh yeah! Meant to say -
Happy Birthday! Have a top day.
ipodstu.blogspot.com - hopefully the things I babble on about will give you a smile :P
These pictures are unbelievable. Thanks for sharing them.
Hey dude,
You need to just hang in there and stya strong im down here in Texas and doing everytyhing I can to help out. We're letting people stay at our church. Everyday I've been working hard trying to give everyone everything they need. Well just stay strong and know that you are in my prayers.
Well we thank you for what you have done, and what you can in the future. You dont owe anything, just what you have to offer. Feel better!
R2000
I drink to you, Sir.
Fine photojournalism during the most adverse of circumstances.
I wonder how you kept your camera and film dry, but glad you did.
Very moving photography.
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