Operation: Jambalaya.

That is the code name for the latest unexpected (sorta) turn in my life. Michael is working on a big budget Warner Bros. movie, called The Green Lantern... which really doesn't interest me at all, except for the fact that it has Ryan Reynolds starring in it. And who doesn't like Ryan Reynolds? He's a hunky piece of dream cake. But anyway, since the film industry is gradually abandoning Los Angeles for tax credits in other film locations, they are shooting the movie in New Orleans. And, since the director wants him and his colleagues to continue their work near/on set... well, we're going to New Orleans!

First it was for four months, then it was for eight months. Then it was for a minimum of three months, but as many as nine months. We're settling on six months, and planning to be there longer.

When are we going, you ask? Well first it was November 30th, then it was January 4th. Then it was November 30th again, but now it's January 4th "probably." Considering it's the 6th of November with no clear answers... some of his colleagues put their foot down, and basically said "you know what? I'll be there on the 4th. See you then." But, that's the movie industry for you. Everything has to be last minute, apparently.

So! The unofficial but official enough plan: Go to New Orleans on January 4th, and plan to be there well into the following summer.

And why would *I* go you ask? A few reasons.

For starters, I don't enjoy L.A. It's not a particularly interesting, or fun city to be in. I also don't have a job and can't seem to find a job here with good steady income. Combined with the high cost of living, it's really just a recipe for accumulating debt. I also hate the weather here. It's 80+ degrees most of the year during the day, and freezing at night (it is a desert, after all). And don't even get me STARTED on the traffic... so. What's there to miss, honestly?

New Orleans is a more interesting, entertaining, and fun city to be in. It has a lower cost of living and a much lower unemployment rate, partly because the city's population is still recovering from Katrina. So I will be more entertained, more comfortable, with actual money in my pocket! Makes sense, right?



And best of all: the movie pays for living expenses (housing and food). So what we're left with is a free, extended vacation to New Orleans where we have a front row seat to Mardi Gras and we can take frequent weekend trips up to Atlanta. Why wouldn't I go??


GOODBYE LOS ANGELES! Goodbye to your smog, terrible neighborhoods, heaven-help-us-all traffic jams, and high cost of living with a complete lack of a job market.


So the past week I have been artfully seeking housing options... and I think I've found one. Walking distance to a free ferry that crosses the Mississippi River and drops you off right in the heart of the French Quarter. And best of all? PET FRIENDLY! NO CANINE WEIGHT LIMITS! We're meeting with the owner next week, who coincidentally and conveniently lives in L.A....and we're going to go from there.

So what it comes down to is, my quality of life - and my blog - will be much better, soon.

(And yes, I will come up with a recipe for jambalaya.)