GUSTAV IN THE HOUSE

I wake up Monday to see that the storm's center kind of shifted west and hear that the storm might spare New Orleans. I feel a little better but am still quite worried. Gustav first was heard in our parts at about 11:45 a.m. Monday. The power went out at 12:57 p.m. as Kelly and I were watching the first episode of my Heroes season 2 DVD. That makes two of my DVDs that are still stuck (I'm writing this Thursday) in DVD players in Baton Rouge. I'm an idiot and didn't take out the other one from a the living-room DVD player the night before. (At right, Allen holds up a piece of tile that came off the roof of the apartment. Bert and Kelly were also out there feeling the gusts of Gustav. I stayed inside because I'm a little scaredy cat.)

When the storm cleared at 1:20 p.m., we went for a drive around Baton Rouge to see what was cracking or in this case, to see what cracked. (At right, the gas prices were taken down from all the stations. I didn't know they did that. Is that common knowledge?) 

During our adventure, we saw a bunch of trees that had been

uprooted by Gustav. We had to weave in and out of tree limbs. Some roads were flooded. We drove around the area around the apartment, went to campus and passed by the casino, golf course and other areas. This street at right was completely blocked by a fallen tree. In retrospect, we probably should not have been driving around. But we were curious. And the power lines we drove over didn't electrocute us. So, there. 

During our trip, Kelly kept insisting we get out the car and clean up all these branches on the side of the road. We told her that was

 foolish, but she didn't seem to understand. She then had a real girl moment. "I want to help with the clean up. (We pass Blockbuster.) Oooo. Sex and the City comes out soon." We went to see if Mike was out of his cage yet, and during this time, Kelly picked up all the branches on the road by the cage. Good for her.

While we were by Mike's cage, we ran into Johnny (at right). He was the valedictorian of our senior class. I told you a few days ago that he was working in the LSU gift shop in my entry on Minkus. Well, I was wrong. He used to work in the LSU gift shop. Now he handles purchasing for the athletic department. He said he would probably be responsible for purchasing new tiles for the Field House and other stuff Gustav messed up. Look out.

THE TINA CURSING CORNER (WITH A TWIST)

I only spoke to my mom once Wednesday. At 9 a.m., she told me that water had got into the dining room through a crack in the corner. She was in the process of trying to dry the carpet. At 1 p.m., she reported that a tree limb smacked against the front door. She never lost power.

Mom didn't curse in our brief conversations Monday, so instead I offer you some samplings of the first ever Kelly Cursing Corner. At some point Monday, I realized she sounds like my mother. Keep in mind that Kelly often claims that she hardly curses and several times during my time in Baton Rouge, she swore to never curse again.

"What the fuck is that smell? Jesus Christ." Then, later: "It fucking stinks." She also used the "What the fuck?" three other times Monday. And she told Allen twice: "Fuck you" and another time to: "Shut the fuck up."

I'm taking pictures of Bert. She looks at me. "Motherfuck." (That made me feel right at home.)

A girl living underneath us goes outside during the storm. "She's the mother of a child. Go the fuck inside."

She gets her mom's voicemail but doesn't leave a message. "I should have left a fucking message. Are you fucking kidding me? Oh, wait. I'm not supposed to curse anymore."

Two other quick examples. "Fuckin' A." "Son of a cock and bitch."

A GAME OF WORLD DOMINATION

We played team Risk on Sunday night to take our minds off Gustav. Allen and I eventually took over the world by using the age-old strategy of first conquering Australia. Tensions ran high as the other teams griped about our dominance and at each other

 for not stopping us. Jacob put up a hell of a fight for Brazil. He defeated me in a battle, even though I had 16 men, and he only had four. But the dice was with me most of the night. (At right, Paul spills all his Risk pieces before we even start playing. This was yet another reason for him not to be fooling around on Monday night. But more on that in Tuesday's blog.)

And yes, Gillie, this was like the reuniting of our old risk league.

PARTING SHOT

I'm talking to Allen as he is playing Madden '09. Remember he was in Iraq for two years.

Allen (to the computer): Don't you score on me. I will end you.
Me: How many lives have you actually ended?
Allen: Enough.

THE DAILY TOP LIST

The top 5 games I've been to in person and meant something.

5) LSU vs. Florida. October 15, 2005.

I was in Baton Rouge during Katrina aftermath. I bought a ticket from someone in the student section. LSU had five turnovers and still won 21-17.

4) Hornets vs. Mavericks. April 29, 2008.

Went to the N.O. Arena with Lopes, our second game of this series. We went to Dallas for Game 3. Mavs made strong surge at end, but the Hornets held on for a 99-94 victory. Sorry, Nick.

3) LSU vs. Auburn. October 22, 2005.

Same deal as the Florida game. Auburn missed like six field goals, including one to tie the score in overtime. LSU won 20-17. That was some exciting.

2) Hornets vs. Spurs. May 19, 2008.

Went to the game with Bert, Kelly and Paul. Really thought the Hornets were going to make an historic comeback. If Pargo hits that 3 in the corner, the Hornets win. But, there is always this season.

1) Cubs vs. Braves. October 5, 2003.

This has been No. 1 on some other list. It was the Cubs' first playoff series victory since 1908. Sorry, Chuck. Did I mention I have a shirt with the game info on it?