Had to leave myself behind.

These were taken in Biloxi and Gulfport Mississippi in October 2006:










NOTE. Taken in 2006. Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. I took these ONE YEAR AFTER the hurricane hit. I went to the Mississippi Gulf to film the reconstruction for my 16mm class. I had no idea the only thing they'd be rebuilding were casinos. There was a reason I wanted to go to Mississippi and not New Orleans. The damage in Louisiana was much worse, of course, but I felt like its poor neighbor got forgotten about. Maybe that's why it's taking so long to rebuild.

You can blame FEMA. You can blame George W. Bush. You can blame levees, poverty, CNN, blame whoever you wish. But, I think when something that big comes along, there's only so much you can do. But in that, you better every, single thing you can.

The first thing I thought, the first time I stepped foot inside the burned bar, was "This looks like Hurricane Katrina."


It's been three years since Hurricane Katrina. It's been 6 months since the Golden West fire. I'm much closer to resolve, but I'm not there yet. And now, as Gustav looks poised to hit the same area again, I wonder what there is left for it to destroy. I can't even imagine how horrible those poor people must feel, watching and waiting... again. It would be like watching the El Rey go up in flames. Shudder.

So, I'm keeping lots of good thoughts floating around for the Gulf Coast. I hope you all are too.