I love my new job!  I really can't say enough great things about it.  I will have an opportunity very soon to head the Web Services division.  During the next 60 days I'll be working on writing out everything.  From RFQ process to Site Implementation.  I have the freedom to work from home when neccesary by VPN to my office computer.  I'm a single father remember, this is truely a beautiful option to have.  These are exciting times, seems as though many things finally are falling into place again.

This coming Thursday I will be picking up a car.  Yup you heard me right, I am the proud owner of a 99 Saturn; white 4 door.  No longer will I be dependant on the rest of the damn world to get me around.  There are many freedoms one takes for granted when they own a car.  Stopping by the gas station on the way home, sure if you're driver isn't in a hurry!  Not anymore!  Well atleast not after Thursday! :)

I've begun DJing on an internet radio station!  It has been soo fun!  As some of you know I worked in radio a while back as an on-air personality (DJ).  Actually I went to college for Radio/TV broadcasting.  I never went to school for computers but I was already deep into them by the time I went to college.  Oddly enough my master plan was to work in Radio for my main cash flow and then do some sort of computer business from my house.  And I did this for a time when I was competing with AOL for email and newsgroup subscribers while living in Texas working on air at KDDD.  Now it seems the whole plan has been turned upside down.  I'm using my computer skillz to make a decent salary at a great company AND I get to broadcast on virtual air! 

Be sure and check out my radio shows on BloodLustRadio.net.  I'm there every friday night 8-10pm Eastern time!  I'm now on the hunt for good talent to debut and plug on my radio show.  If you know anyone that sounds awesome and could use some net radio backing..  send them my way!  Keep in mind the Genre on Blood Lust is Metal/Goth/Punk/Hardcore so if you have a craving for Diana Ross..  you're not wanting to stop by this station hahaha.

Hello everyone!

I know it has been a loooong time since I made a post to my blog here on myspace or any blog on the internet in fact.  I have done a horrible job of keeping up with the people that have helped me throughout the whole hurricane experience and certainly not done enough to thank them.  So, first I'd like to thank everyone for helping Sebastian and I through the hardest time we've ever shared. Without the assistance with Christmas presents, bicycles, clothing, food and quite literaly everything one needs to survive in todays society Sebastian and I could have easily turned into a casualty of Katrina instead of the survivors we have both turned out to be.  You know who you are and please know everything you've done is very much appreciated

So now the update!  These days Sebastian and I are living with our friends AmyBeth and her daughter Elizabeth.  To keep things interesting the manager of my old cyber cafe is also living with me.  We've all kinda piled into AB's place causing a burdon no doubt.  My update with FEMA?  I've been denied a loan from the SBA and FEMA also denied me a grant because I apparently failed to sign a document.  When I call and ask which document did I accidently forget to sign, explain they can simply fax me the form and I'd be happy to fax it back, etc I'm told they have no idea what document is lacking the signature.  The FEMA website has continuously shown (from the beginning) they are not waiting to receive any documents from me even when they were.  So ya basicaly everything I owned is worth $0... 

But on the lighter side of things I have actually obtained employment as a Web Developer for a local IT firm.  A good salary, medical/dental with an awesome work environment.  After my probationary period I will be able to work from home as needed!  It's almost as if my dream company just came by and sweeped me into their fold.  As you can imagine this is great news after being unemployed and basically homeless since the hurricane.  I still don't have a car so actually getting to and from work is a daily challenge.  All attempts at obtaining a card to date have remained unrealised.  At this point I wonder if I will have the money to purchase a car before all the help channels available are able to assist with this.  Even an organization like GoodNewsGarage.com who's sole mission is to help people obtain used cars to assist those having difficulty getting to and from work hasn't been able to produce anything.  Unfortunately I can't even think about a car until I've saved enough money up to get into my own place.  Even though AB's original arrangements allowed her to be in this townhouse for 6 months from move in, that, like many things has changed and become until the end of February.  This of course leaves us both scrambling to figure out what the next stop in this unpredictable life of being a katrina victim is.  Atleast I'm working now, within a month or so I should have enough money to move in some place..  My first check won't even arrive until Feb22nd I have know idea when that pay period officially begins.. it could be a big check or a really small check there is no way to tell.  Either way it will likely not be enough to cover 1st month and damage (which seems to be 2x Rent around here).  I need a two bedroom which runs $1000 a month minimum in this area..  so I'm looking at $3000 I need to save up by the end of this month just to move in.  Since I started work this past Monday there just literaly isn't enough time to generate that kind of cash. 

So..  Good and bad..  I'm very excited about the job, the challenges I will surely face and just simple the fact I managed to land a Corporate Web Development job WITH 4 inch flaming red goatee and bald head sporting dragons tattooed on either side!  I'll get around to taking a picture of Corporate Uber soon enough, I'm certain you will all get a good laugh :).  The challenges and aftermath of hurricane katrina continue and will likely continue forever (unless I give up first which is truely more likely)

Well until I blog again..........

~Uber

Over two months have passed since the worst natural disaster in the history of the US put my son and I's life on hold.  Today I can tell you I'm finally over it.   I'm tired of being depressed.  I'm tired of wishing I had what I've lost.  The furniture I received yesterday undoubtedly has a big part to do with this change of attitude but I can tell you it feels good.  Like a dark cloud has lifted and the clickety clack of the rollercoaster ride of life has once again begun the long trek up.

Sebastian and I are now in our own townhouse, fully furnished with brand new Ashley Furniture courtesy of Arkansas Housing (possible reimbursed by FEMA).  Sebastian is now the cool kid in the neighborhood.  His T style bunk beds are here complete with drawers, shelves and computer desk.  I will be taking pictures as soon as I can find my digital camera. 
Thanks to the good will of our new friends in Indiana our cupboards are full of food.   As I look around the house I see a new beginning and the pains of loss are subsiding.

The last hurdle yet to overcome is income.  I am exploring the handful of options in the area.  Once this final phase of life reconstruction is complete all that is left is to live it.  To those of you that were able to help during this time in my life please know it will never be forgotten. 

I rarely feel the need to call upon the news to get things done, but my 100% record continues as the hotel room extends my room indefinately.  After 3 different news organizations called the local and corporate offices over the weekend, I finally recieved a message from the Front Desk today apologizing for my inconvience, I will be allowed to stay as long I find neccesary to find adequate housing for my son and I.  Woo Thank you News :)

Interestingly enough the manager that couldn't understand what I was trying to tell him regarding my stay was not at work today.  The message I received came from the assistant manager.  Oh and coincidently, 2 of the news channels said they will be calling the local PR guy for the American Red Cross and finding out exactly what happened to my promised funds.  I really wasn't trying to force the news on Red Cross but..   well.   they asked if I had gotten assistance from Red Cross and I told 'em the truth :)

Sebastian ran a crayon along the hotel wall today.  He's stuck in the room all day tomorrow.  I don't know what makes him do these things sometimes.  I imagine it was to impress the other kids in the hotel.  I've seen so much growth out of Sebastian during this whole crisis, I suppose I was hopefull all of his behavior issues would disappear..  They won't I know..  He has gotten much better in school and listening to directions in general.  I have high hopes for him this year.  He seems to be enjoying reading atleast a little more than last year.

Btw, remember to let other people about my sponsored families.  I am working on another family I am sponsoring aswell.  I should have their sight up within a couple of days:

http://uberdragon.net/hurricanehelp.htm
http://uberdragon.net/benitezfamily
http://uberdragon.net/johnsonfamily

I've been spending my days running around trying to get setup with the food stamps and other services here in Arkansas.  I did already register for Unemployment, Housing and I have an appointment for SSI.  Once Sebastian and I are settled into a house of our own, I'm looking forward to finding work close.  I miss my car already ; ;

I'll tell you one thing this nightmare doesn't have any ending in sight!

Today I was told by the hotel manager I had to leave my room.  They had booked it to someone else and for some reason they didn't have me down for the 14 day stay that red cross is paying for. (there is also an option for a 30 day extension past the 14 days if needed).  As you can imagine I was absolutely furious.  I just got to a point where I don't have to share the floor, 1 blanket and 1 pillow with my son and 16 other people. 

I explained to the manager the situation, I asked why I would be put out because of the front desk's clerical error.  I finally got so frustrated I told the guy they would have to call the police and have me and my son removed from their hotel.  I also explained that I would be contacting every local and national news organization I could get my hands on.  I left the front desk with the manager still trying to argue with me.

I have emailed and called CNN and all local stations detailing the issue.  So far I haven't gotten any direct call backs from anyone.  But within an hour of leaving the front desk a house keeper was sent up to my room to tell me my stay was extended another day.  What will I do tomorrow..  I have no idea..  hopefully one of these news organizations will call me back. 

Hello!  Well after waiting around in Lafayette for nothing to happen, I have moved on to Arkansas with the Benitez Family.  I am happy to report I am no longer in a crowded shelter with many many other people.  I'm actually in a hotel room (being paid for by the government).  Upon arriving here I was able to talk to a FEMA rep and obtain my FEMA relief money.  I promptly purchased a laptop and a cellphone so that I can communicate with my friends and family.  I also needed a laptop so I can begin the process of starting over. 

I have no software for the laptop ofcourse but atleast I can get online.  It is a start to getting things back to normal.  As soon as I can find a way to get MS Office I can update my resume and begin the process of finding a job. 

After many frustrating hours at a local Red Cross Office I was turned back to the 800 number to receive aid.  That number is a joke and I'm doubtful I will ever get that assistance at this point.  As I've said in previous messages, I will never assist Red Cross again.  Now that I've been on this end of a disaster I can see just how disorganized those guys are.  It's been nearly a month since Hurricane Katrina and it's still impossible to get thru to them!

Hurricane Rita looks like it is going to finish the work of Katrina in the New Orleans area.  As I see the path of the Hurricane, New Orleans looks about the same distance away from the eye wall that the Mississippi gulf coast was.  If there was any hope of returning to find some of my belongings dry, that hope is being extenguished now.

Well it's here.  My 31st birthday.  Age sure does creep up on ya quick doesn't it?  The shelter gave me a cupcake with a single candle on it!  Whoo Hoo!  I'm glad to be alive, I'm glad to have my son with me.  I wish I could use my birthday to replace all that my son lost from his recent birthday. 

I now have two other families that had everything destroyed by Hurricane Katrina under my digital wing.  I am setting them up with paypal accounts, making them websites and letting others know about them.  I'm planning on making the website for the newest family today.  I also am going to redo the websites a little bit so they are easier to read and so they list actual items each family needs.

The Benitez Family
The Johnson Family
My Family
 
If you have been wondering how you can help someone directly that was effected by the hurricane, now you have a way.  The help you provide these families listed above goes directly to them.  You can call them and talk to them, you can email them.  They need your help as much as I do.  All three of our families are still waiting on FEMA and Red Cross to wake up.  I'm considering traveling with the Benitez Family to Arkansas soon as they have heard the assistance is readily available there due to less refugees in that area. 

I can't think of a better birthday present by the way.  Help these families (or donate to my family directly).  This birthday is dedicated to getting some people that really need it.  Please help them if you can.

I'm down to 3 days before my birthday. I'll be 31 on Sept 13th. I never imagined I would celebrate my birthday in the living conditions I'm in. Not a bed to sleep in.. my son sharing my blanket and pillow as we crowd in around the others that have made this house their temporary home.

In many ways I am lucky. I didn't have to touch the water to leave New Orleans all though I was forced to drive throught it to get out. I left before people starting taking over the streets, even though the day I left I walked around and watched people robbing people and shooting people. Just as the Cajun Dome was being over run with crack and heroine use in the bathrooms, the rapes in the showers of little boys and everything else, I managed to get my family into this over crowded house.

Yes I'm grateful, but I'm sad.. and frustrated. I keep hearing about all this aid.. I see people in other states receiving it.. red cross says they don't know anything.. keep your receipts of hotels etc.. help is coming...when? we don't know.... FEMA says help is coming.. but won't tell us when either.. How can I try and start over? Why are all these people getting assistance in other states when those of us still in Louisiana get the shaft. It's the same story with everyone I talk to, I've registered for everything.... I'm not assisted... I'm left with more questions and time waisting away.. My son wants to know when we will have our own house again.. When can he get the games he lost for his gameboy? He just got his gameboy and other presents on his birthday August 11th.. The only thing he has his a couple shirts.. shorts.. sandals and a gameboy with one game.. The scarey thing is.. he probably has more than alot of the kids..

I grief when I think of all the things in my home likely gone to the toxic floods.. but I cry when I listen to Sebastian recount his losses.. He is 8 years old.. way to young to feel the way he does.

For those of you organizing events across the nation in the name of helping the hurricane katrina victims I only hope you find someone that is actually going to help those of us here in Louisiana that were devastated.. I wonder will your donations just get swallowed up with some national organization dragging its feet still (2 weeks now we've been homeless and jobless begging for food and waiting for the promised assistance)...

Anyway enough ranting.. those of you that have offered to help I have put up a website for donations to go directly to my family.. http://uberdragon.net/hurricanehelp.htm. It's been up nearly 24 hours.. perhaps all those people that offered help are finding it's easier said than actually done. 

Birthdays.. who needs 'em.. I just want to get started on this starting over! I want what stuff is salvageable.. the ability to provide for my son and a house where I don't have to live with so many other people... I suppose at times like these even that is too much to ask :(

~Shane

Anyone that knows me well can tell you I'm not the religious type but I do know my bible.  While I was eating dinner at a shelter provided by a local church I pointed them to Proverbs in their version of the bible.  I think those looking to god for answers to all of this can find some comfort in that lesson.  I offered to type it up for them since I type about 100wpm but they didn't want to let the tattooed freak into the office where the computer was that had a printer attached lol..  but they assure me they plan to blow it up so those that find their shelter might see the wisdom and understanding I saw.  They were glad to have found the exact place in the bible they can send others too, I'm just glad I rembered it.  I was surprised their church leader (I'm not sure what denomination of christianity this particular organization is based upon) hadn't already thought of this section in the bible, but I was happy to bring it to his attention.

I am just glad to help.  I've been passing alot of my time getting information to other new orleans refugees in the lafayette area by printing out the information at lahelp.blogspot.com and other various sources and photo copying them.  I'm already being approached now for information as I just walk around the town, "Do you still have that information?" I'm often asked.  "How did you know about that?" I wonder to which the reply is nearly always, "Oh I heard about you from a friend, they said look for the guy with dragons on his head passing out information."  :)

I also helped another church organization that is helping distribute walmart gift cards in the amount of $25 by controlling the flow of traffic at their door.  I talked to alot of other people that had been put out from the storm and hopefully helped them to ease some of their emotional burden.  It has proven to be a great way for me to forget I'm actually one of these refugees with likely nothing to return home to.  I'm always glad to help and I figure being from New Orleans and going thru the same pain as the others simply helps me relate all the more as I try to comfort others.

I'm still out looking for work but the area I'm in is so over run with New Orleanians there are very few job openings at this time.  I plan to continue my search and hopefully will be able to get some work to buy the essential things we need and begin the process of storing money for our life restart.

If you or someone you know is christian and was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina clue them in to this information.  The following is directly plagurized from their bible version available at www.wbtc.org :

Proverbs 3:

16.  With her right hand Wisdom offers long life -- with the other hand, riches and honor.  17.  Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace.  18.  Wisdom is a tree of life to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close.  19.  With wisdom and understanding, the Lord created the earth and the sky.  20.  With his knowledge, he made the oceans and the clouds that produce rain.  21.  My son, don't ever let wisdom out of your sight.  Hold on wisdom and careful planning.  22.  They will bring you a long life filled with honor.  23.  As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall.  24.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid.  When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful.  25-26.  Don't be afraid of some sudden disaster.  The Lord will be your strength.  Don't be afraid of the destruction that comes to the wicked.  He will protet you from that trap.  27.  To the best of your ability, return what belongs to someone else.  28.  If your neighbor asks you for something and you have it, give it to him immediately.  Don't say, "Come back tomorrow."  29.  Don't make plans to harm your neighbor.  After all, you live near one another for protection.  30.  Don't take people to court without good reason, especially when they have done nothing to harm you.  31.  Don't envy violent people or live as they do.  32.  Such crooked people are disgusting to the Lord.  But he is a friend to those who are good and honest.  33.  The Lord curses a wicked family, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.  34.  He will humiliate those who make fun of others, but he is kind to those who are humble.  35.  Wise people live lives that bring honor, but fools live lives that brings shame.

Regardless of where this message originates from, the information is sound and rings true.  I wish more people lived in such a way.  Maybe this information should be posted all around New Orleans, where the thugs have decided to try to rule the streets.

I'm off to sleep, thanks for listening to all my ramblings.