Surviving Gustav’s Aftermath

I apologize in advance if this is less than coherent.

As of today I have been working seven straight days, 12 hours on and 12 hours off.  My schedule is 6pm to 6am.  To say I am exhausted would be putting it lightly.

I do also apologize for not coming here to update you on my well-being sooner; there has just been so much going on.  We got power back on Wednesday evening, which has been a blessing; I no longer have to sleep at my offce on the cot during the day.

The damage here and in the surrounding areas is severe.  You likely aren't hearing much about it on the national news because of the election coverage, and because not enough people died to make our plight newsworthy.  Such is life.

In fact, right after Gustav passed over us over a million people were without power.  It was the biggest power outage in Louisiana's history; even worse than after Katrina.  While New Orleans was spared, we further north and west took a beating.  In Baton Rouge alone - where I live - over 400 homes had trees in them.  An elderly couple died together when a tree fell on their home during the storm, another tree felled a man's wife - he put her in the car and drove through the storm to the hospital, but it was already too late.  Gustav was not without its tragedies.

Recovery is going well, but it's never fast enough.  People in the outlying areas - outside of the main cities - are still without power and may be so for another month.

My family fared well; they are still without power in the small town of Maringouin - my hometown - and we lost the giant, beautiful fig tree that my great-grandmother had planted in the backyard.  Still; no real property damage and everyone is alive and well.

I miss SL and I miss my friends and acquaintances.  I miss my old first life and regular routine.  I have no concept of it being Sunday right now; it could just as well be Wednesday - it would make no difference to me.

I feel guilty complaining at all - we are safe and we have power - but I cannot deny that I am utterly, emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted and drained.

There is hope that they will call off the call and command centers where we are working on Monday - it really all depends on what Hurricane Ike decides to do.  I honestly hope they will give us a day or two off before expecting us to jump right back into our regular schedule (7am-5:30pm), but - knowing how these things go - probably not.  They best not say a peep when I then take one or two days off to sleep and recoup my senses.

I'm falling asleep as I type this - it is 8:30am on a Sunday and I am about to go to bed.  Thank you all for your thoughts, well wishes, and prayers.  I love and miss you all dearly, and hope to be back very soon.  <3