I don't think my friend made it...

[Modem Butterfly]

I got a call Sunday night from a friend of mine. She was to start graduate school this September. She had decided to spend a week in New Orleans with her boyfriend before school started. She called me from their hotel and said that they hadn't been able to make it out. She was calling everyone she knew before she wouldn't be able to use her cellphone anymore.

I had no idea she was going to New Orleans. I was so surprised by that phone call. I told her she should stay safe. We were supposed to have sushi today at lunch. I told her I'd be pissed if she wasn't there to demand more wasabi and extoll the virtues of edamame over boiled peanuts. She said she was too mean to die and that if it was up to her she'd go "lieutenant Dan" on Katrina's ass, but her boyfriend didn't want to get wet. We only talked for five minutes or so. I told her that I loved her and she said, "I won't ask you to pray for me but I will ask you to take care of my cat if..."

I don't know where she is. But I'm starting to think maybe she didn't make it. I'm afraid to call her parents. I'm afraid to go pick up her cat from the boarders. Fuck.

[beam me up scottie]

1. Oh no, MB.

Don't give up hope just yet.
Which hotel was she staying in?
How much do her parents know?

[Modem Butterfly]

3. I didn't get the name of the hotel

I'm been smacking myself upside the head for the last three days over that one.

I'm going to take a half day today. We have 75 missing employees in New Orleans and just finished a happy little meeting about holding their pay until we "know for sure". I'm going to go pick up her cat and maybe take a long bath before I call her folks.

[beam me up scottie]

5. If they were with other people

from the hotel, she is probably fine.
Like Trotsky said, there is no way for her to communicate yet.
She'll be really happy when she finds out you've paroled her cat from the boarders early.
(and I'm sure the cat will be happy to see you!)

[Modem Butterfly]

6. She was supposed to get him Sunday

The boarders gave her three days and called me yesterday afternoon as her emergency contact.

We have a couple of large, curious dogs, so kitty is actually going to a neighbor's house. Her kitty died last spring from old age, but she still has all the kitty necessities (litter, box, toys and a really cool cat tree). She says it will be good to have a kitty visitor for a few days. All we have to provide is kitty food and treats.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Oh, that's a perfect

place for her to stay.
If I were stuck in NO, I'd be damned glad to know you were making sure my cat was being taken care of.

[trotsky]

2. There is ZIPPO communication right now.

I wouldn't be overly concerned just yet. Who knows how many tens of thousands of people are stuck down there with no place to go, nothing to get them there, no power, and no communications at all.

Call her parents. If she got the chance to contact ONE person, it probably would have been them.

[Modem Butterfly]

4. Yeah, that's a good point

Communication is totally out in that whole area. I need to pick up her cat today, and I should tell her folks that I've taken care of him if nothing else.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Not only that, but

The number of dead, although high, is still a small percentage of the total population. This isn't like being inside the World Trade Center in 9/11/01.

Be cool. The coldness of numbers is on your friend's side.

[Beetwasher]

11. Exactly! And If She's Your Friend, MB, She Must Have A Good Head

on her shoulders which would increase her chance of survivial.

[Modem Butterfly]

18. Well, she's something of a drunken reprobate

Which is how they managed to miss the news about Katrina in the first place, I'm sure. But she's definitely mean and wiley, so there's hope.

[shrike]

8. I won't pray, either

Knowing your feelings in that regard, but I will tell you this: I have been in New Orleans' hotels, and if she is in a fairly modern one she is probably crammed into a top floor somewhere, waiting for help. Besides, humans have incredible survival instincts. Don't give up yet.

My hubby and I have special memories of New Orleans; it's one of our favorite cities. We're both just sick about all this.

[salvorhardin]

12. What shirke said...

Humans are incredible survivors. She's probably sitting in some sogged out hotel room quietly (or not so quietly) stewing until help arrives; damp, hungry, pissed but safe. I'm sure all of us in the Skeptics and A&A groups are hoping your friend is OK along with you.

[Beetwasher]

10. It's Too Early To Think The Worst

Communication out of that area is practically non-existent.

[Gelliebeans]

13. awww Modem Butterfly

I am sorry that this is happening to you. My thoughts are with you and your friend.

I think you need to find out for sure as hard as that may be. OMG I would not want to be in that position. This is just horrible.

Here is hug for what it's worth.
:hug: It is sent sincerely.

Use the strength of your friendship to find out what has happened and if you need anything PM me. Take Care MB.

[YankeyMCC]

14. There's lots of confussion and no easy

communication. That fact means frustration and worry but it also means there's still plenty of room for hope.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

15. I'm sorry to hear this!

:(

[onager]

16. Hang in there. A co-worker heard from...

...some missing relatives just today.

He lives near Gulfport, MS and works as a contractor for our company in Calif. His wife lost her business, a store. Their house has been badly damaged, and a couple of rental properties they own were totally destroyed.

The good news is, the whole family has reported in. They are still very worried about some friends in the area.

So don't give up hope. As others have pointed out, the whole region is mass confusion. Thousands of people are going to and fro. There's a very good chance your friend is ok.

When we had the 1994 earthquake here, we had no phones or power for several days afterwards. It took a week or more for some people to contact even their close relatives.

[NMMNG]

17. Don't lose hope just yet

It is likely they don't have any power down there right now, which means she can't recharge her cell phone, and possibly the towers are out as well. Therefore she may be ok but unable to get word out.

Hoping that everything turns out well :hug:

With metta.

[Phentex]

19. Have you heard anything yet?

I'm so sorry.

[shrike]

20. Any word yet?

I've been wondering about your friend.

[Discord]

21. Hang in there and don't give up hope.

Theres no landline or cell phone service anywhere in the area. Also, if your friend stayed in the French Quarter, then the chances that she made it are pretty good. Uptown was spared except for some minor flooding. I agree that calling the parents would be your best bet as if she is able to call anyone it would be them.

I'm glad that her cat is going to be taken care of in the meantime until she can return home. Your a good friend for caring for her and for her feline companion. :)