more to life than running

warning: this is an off-topic entry. it has nothing to do with running. i just wanted to post a bit about the devastation in new orleans. katrina did more damage than anyone could imagine. new orleanians always "knew" that the city was at risk for major hurricane destruction given engineering of the levees and the below sea level perspective, but until now they've been pretty lucky. camille was the last bad one and... whoa. just now it just dawned on me that all of km's sister's names are the most destructive hurricanes to hit nola. spooky, no?

anyway, many of you have asked about how my friends are doing there and i thank you for asking. most of them evacuated to texas, arkansas, shreveport, etc... to the closest relative or friend they could find. others remained on emergency duty at the big o - as someone's got to run the place. generally, it's a safe place to be as the hospital is located just outside orleans parish (read: slightly higher ground) and it has generators designed to keep things running for several days under emergency situations. fortunately, the hospital was relatively unscathed unlike other hospitals ... they lost power, ac, and water for a couple of days but they are all now restored. they haven't lost a patient due to hurricane conditions and is one of the few capable hospitals in the area. you can read a first hand account of their experiences on chris' blog.

those who stayed will be separated from their families for at least a month, if not more. one friend will enroll her kids in school in maryland.

i've spent the past few days down at the beach in nc. we saw the USS Whidbey Island docked next the marina we use. i had heard just that day that this ship was en route to the gulf to provide support. it was docked there on thursday and friday...not sure if it left yet but it was loading up the military convoy and supplies. it was a pretty amazing to watch that type of operation being mobilized. hopefully, it's on its way down there now since it'll take some time to make it down there and they needed help, like, five days ago.

i hope you all will do your part to help out. many of you have experienced the energy and life that new orleans offers...let's help get her back on her feet.