Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

August 24, 2010

It may sound like the dying scream of a Western gunslinger, but SARJKCCC is actually the new 52,000 square foot community center that the Salvation Army is building on Division Street next to Yankie Stadium. This location will be familiar to many volunteers as the former home of the large Salvation Army dome, which was dismantled in September 2009. According to WLOX, the facility will include “a full-size gymnasium, dance and aerobics studio, and weight and fitness rooms with all sorts of cardio and exercise equipment.” It will also have an indoor swimming area with a two-story water slide, splash …

Two weeks to go: A Baudoin family vacation

August 23, 2010

My younger brothers Nico and Philip came down this weekend to visit before I leave Biloxi, so we did a two-day whirlwind tour that also allowed me to cross a few things off my Gulf Coast bucket list. If you’re ever on the Gulf Coast for just two days, this wouldn’t be a bad way to spend it. We spend Friday in New Orleans, where we visited a few restaurants that had been highly recommended, including Elizabeth’s for lunch (try the praline bacon) and Crescent Pie and Sausage Company for dinner (excellent pizza). We saw the Lower Ninth Ward’s Pittzravaganza …

One month to go!

August 6, 2010

With one month to go in Biloxi, it’s time to make a list of things to do before I leave. Consider this a best-of-the-Gulf-Coast bucket list. Another weekend bike trip from Biloxi to New Orleans and back. Bike the Tammany Trace on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and stop by Abita Springs for another brewery tour. Bike part of the Natchez Trace, which through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Go fishing… somewhere away from all the oil. Eat at The Shed. Best barbecue on the coast. Have another avocado-almond bubble tea and curry chicken po-boy at Le Bakery. Visit Lazy …

Washington v. Washington

July 25, 2010

Last weekend, I went with Jon, Jody, Sam, and Molly up to a shooting range in Brooklyn, MS to test out Jody’s Ruger and Jon’s Colt. Jon came prepared for an afternoon of shooting guns with a t-shirt bearing this quote: Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. –George Washington, Farewell Address, Sept. 19, 1796 We were alone at the range for an hour or two until two other gentlemen arrived. One had with him a small arsenal, including at least one machine gun capable of fully automatic fire, and – lo and …

Tour de France

July 22, 2010

I haven’t been following the Tour de France very closely this year, but I did note that today’s dramatic finish between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck took place in the Pyrenées mountains, and that tomorrow’s stage, between Salies-de-Béearn and Bordeaux, will be passing about an hour away from the town where I will be teaching next year, Aire-sur-l’Adour. Time’s running out to catch up, Lance!

Teaching Assistantship in France

June 21, 2010

Closing one chapter, opening another: In September, I will be moving on from the Gulf Coast to take a 7-month-long position as an English teaching assistant in southern France. The French ministry of education hires teaching assistants to supplement regular language instruction and act as a cultural and linguistic resource in the classroom: The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France for 7 to 9 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, nearly 1,500 American citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and …

Abita Savage 7

January 25, 2010

Team ippi is the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s only ultimate frisbee team. Now, I’ve been playing Tuesday night pick-up ultimate since I arrived here in Biloxi in the fall of 2007. That game, which was started through friendly competition between volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Hands On, is still going strong 5+ years after Hurricane Katrina. But it’s a non-competitive, casual game full of beginners as well as skilled players. This January, for the first time, Biloxi’s ultimate players decided to try to find a tournament and put a competitive team together. We signed up for the Abita Savage 7, …

New house!

September 30, 2009

All good things come to an end. My house in Biloxi has taken great care of me and my roommates, but now we need to move. Never fear, though, we’re not going far — in fact, we’re literally moving across the street. And, yes, we now have a pink flamingo for a mailbox. With Alan moving to Korea in two weeks, the new house will be made up of myself, Doug, Will (newly returned from Boston), and Sam (moving from Bay St. Louis). It’s spacious and has a nice back deck and I think we’ll fit in well.

UVA vs. Southern Miss

September 21, 2009

Virginia college football doesn’t often come to Mississippi, but this Saturday the Cavaliers traveled to the University of Southern Mississippi to play the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Along with non-UVa-fans Doug, Anne, and Jesse, I went up to Hattiesburg for the game. We met some Biloxi friends right by the stadium for a tailgate before the game. After leading 27-10 at halftime Virginia managed to choke and lose it 34-37. But I had a good time cheering for my team (along with tens, nay twenties of other Cavalier fans) and enjoying the experience of college football game day.

Dear Mississippi drivers

September 10, 2009

You know the quote: “As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.” Well, as a regular bicyclist, I naturally hate both drivers and pedestrians. But surely we can all get along? Dear Mississippi drivers: if you can learn a few simple things, we will both be much happier! When passing bicycles, particularly on a narrow road, you may need to wait until you can pass safely. Speeding by while leaning out the window and screaming “GET OFF THE ROAD, FAG!” is not an …

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