Thoughts on the AI Trade

Ive told you this once before cant control me
If you try to take me down youre gonna break
I feel your having nothing that youre doing for me
Im thinkin you are a fake, you are that way
I stand alone
Inside I stand alone
Youre always hiding behind your so called goddess
So what you dont think that we cant see your face
Resurrecting back before the final fallen
Ill never rest until I can make my own way
Im not afraid of fading
I stand alone
Feeling your sting down inside me
Im not tired forever
I stand alone
Godsmack - I Stand Alone

As previously stated I'm a sports fanatic. Add to that the fact that I'm from Philly and support all my local teams, and that makes me a depressed, cynical sports fan with a Napoleon complex. Good times. Sports matter a little too much to me. Like any true Philadelphian, I live and die with the Eagles. Nothing gets me higher or lower than the birds. That being said, I have always been more of an Eagles fan than a football fan. If there's two crappy NFL teams or two teams I care little about playing, I tend not to be interested in the game. Basketball, though, is completely different for me. I am a hard-core NBA fan. I'll watch pretty much any game no matter who's playing. I'll keep tabs on draft prospects. I'll devour any basketball article I can find. I am still, of course, a Sixers fan. And it just so happened that I had the distinct pleasure of following Allen Iverson from when we drafted him in 1996, until we traded him a few months ago.
A few thoughts on AI the basketball player. We loved him in Philly. Always will. He epitomized the city of Philadelphia like no other athlete since Charles Barkley. Philly's been in a title drought among the four major sports since 1983. And being on the east coast we are constantly overshadowed by New York, Boston and DC. This broods an atmosphere full of contempt, urgency and dissatisfaction. We are the perpetual underdog that never wins (hence the city's association with Rocky). Philly' a blue-collar city. And we like that in our athletes. All we ask is that they give their all for us every time they're out there competing. If we feel you're not giving your all, you WILL get booed mercilessly. You need a tough skin to play in Philly. And you have to earn the fans respect. McNabb earned his respect after finishing a game with a broken ankle. The '93 Phillies got the city's heart cause they were a down-and-dirty tough as nails group of guys. The Stanley Cup winning Flyers teams from the mid-70s were down-and-out bruisers. These teams and athletes will forever be beloved in Philly simply for the way they played the game. Add to that list Aaron Rowand after he ran into a wall making a catch for us last year. This is the reason Scott Rlen and Eric Lindros eventually wore out their welcome here. We expect our players, especially our star players, to play hard, to play hurt. They can't be afraid to get their jerseys dirty. It's why a prima donna like Alex Rodriguez could not play in Philly. He just is not a Philly guy. But at the foremost of this list of city sports icons one must place AI.
From the very outset, AI and Philly were meant to be. He was a 6 foot (6 foot!) shooting guard who had been doubted his entire career at Georgetown. In a league dominated by taller, more physically intimidating players, he was the ultimate underdog. But he was fearless. He attacked the rim at will, making taller player his bitch. He took on all-comers. And he got knocked down. He got hurt. He broke bones. And he always got back up. At he risk of his career and welfare, he'd play hurt. He played with dislocations, sprains, strains and God knows what else. And he never complained about the pain. It was part of the game. He played to win. He played for us.
Yeah, we had our issues with AI. Off the court he was not the most ideal role model. He had shady friends and gained notoriety for kicking his naked wife out of their house a few years ago. And he hated to practice. And he could be seen as selfish on the court. And he was quite opinionated and could rub some people the wrong way. Yeah, he wasn't perfect. But damn if that isn't what Philly's all about. AI is what Philly wants all its athletes to be. Going 100% every damn night. Giving it all. Wearing their heart on their sleeve and leaving everything on the court, the field,the rink or the diamond.
Even those with the toughest skin eventually crave that one something that every athlete yearns for: a championship. Just ask Curt Schilling and Charles Barkley. Both were tough, popular guys that had the city in the palms of their hands. They were meant to play in a city like this and we loved them for it (and still do love them fo that matter). But as they got older they wanted the chance to contend. And you can't blame them for that. They gave us everything they had. The only one's you can blame is management. And the same goes for AI. There will never be another Allen Iverson. With his combination of skill, heart and utter fearlessness, at his height. He will NEVER be duplicated. He was a once-in-a-lifetime player. He wil eventually go into the Hall of Fame. But it was time for Allen Iverson to leave the Sixers.
Okay, maybe we should've traded him over the summer instead of waiting until the season started. And it's hard to really evaluate the deal until we see what the Sixers do with their draft picks (and god help them if they fuck them up). But it was clear AI needed a fresh start. With the toll his body has taken, who knows how much longer he'll be able to play at a high level. And with AI needing the ball constantly, the young players on the Sixers, most notably Andre Iguodala, were stagnating. The 2006-2007 Sixers were going nowhere and it was obvious to everyone involved. Both the team and AI needed a change and Iverson deserved a chance to play on a competitive team.
I was sad to see AI go, even if it was for the better. He had been a constant for 10 years of my life. Seeing him leave was akin to an end of my adolescence. And seeing as I'd leave Philly a few months after AI, it pretty much was an end in one way. But every end leads to the beginning of something else. So the Sixers will go on, without AI. Iverson's in Denver now, but he'll never be forgotten in the hearts of Philadelphians. When you earn the heart of a Philly fan, you get it for life. We are loyal to a fault. If they ever want to build a statue to him, I'm all for it. Hopefully Iverson will win a title before he retires. And when he does, I'll be on my feet giving him the recognition he deserves.

The Downfall of U2

I remember the days when I was a young kid growing up
Looking in the mirror, dreaming about blowin' up
The rock crowds. Make money. Chill with the honeys.
Sign autographs and whatever the people want from me.
shit Its funny how impossible dreams manifest
And the games that be comin' with it
Nevertheless, you got to go for the gusto
But you don't know about the blood, sweat, and tears and
Losin' some of your peers.

And losin' some of yourself to the years past, gone by
Hopefully it don't manifest for the wrong guy
Egomaniac and the brainiac don't know how to act
shit deep
Cypress Hill - "Rock Superstar"

U2 were one of the most important bands of the 80s and early 90s. The important word in that sentence is were. U2's recent albums, though somehow receiving both critical and commercial success, are, to put it bluntly, fucking shit. October, War, The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, were some of the most influential, socially conscious albums ever released. But what have they done since Achtung Baby? Zooropa, Pop, and the two albums that revived the career of U2, 2000's All That You Cn't Leave Behind, and 2004's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
So here's my problems with what U2 has become. Old U2 always had a certain melancholy, cynicism to them. Hell, they were depressing as balls. Take a listen to The Joshua Tree. It is NOT a happy record. And that's what made those old records great. In an era of hair metal and 80s synth-pop, people were looking for a band that made songs about how they really felt. U2's shit was honest, political, and downright sad as Hell. They had well written lyrics that meant something, with enough guitar and drums to keep even the most die-hard rocker happy. But over the years, something has happened to U2.
From a personal standpoint, let's look at Bono. He went from the little guy speaking-up for the little guy, into the big-guy speaking up for the little-guy. Bono is a diva now. And for a band with a punk heritage like U2's, this is not a good thing. This success has affected Bono's view on the world and his songwriting. Instead of the dark, morose songs that made U2 what they were, the last two U2 albums have been full of promise and hope. Promise and hope are good and all, but they don't make for particularly compelling music coming from U2. The other way U2's music has changed is with the actual music itself. Old U2 albums were driven by Bono's lyrics, and the rest of the band would build around his words. New U2, though, is built around The Edge's guitar riffs. Now, certain bands, such as Aerosmith and AC/DC are excellent riff-based bands, but this simply does not work wth U2. It just is not their style and they cannot pull it off. All of the songs off their last couple albums sounds the same. There is no ingenuity or creativity within the lyrics or the actual musical composition itself.
Despite all this, U2 is arguably bigger than they ever were. I don't fucking get it. I can't stand their new shit. It's not good. It's all happy and boring. U2 fed off the whole us - vs - the world mentality. It's what made them and it's what made their music. But with their fame and fortune, they lost that drive that fed them and inspired them and gave them that contempt for humanity and the world. U2 needs to go back to that depression and sadness that made them so great. Maybe people need to just stop telling Bono how great he is. Maybe the band needs to hit the bottle. However they do it, U2 used to be an amazing band, full of realism and despair. Now they are optimists. As far as the music of U2 goes, optimism sucks. U2 needs to start seeing the glass as they used to - half empty. Seriously, if I hear that awful elevation song one more time, I may shoot someone. Maybe that'll put some blackness back into Bono's heart...

My Issue with 300

First off, 300 was an excellent movie. Maybe not 'Best Picture' worthy, but one of the best theater movies you will ever see. The cinematography is nothing less than brilliant, creating a one-of-a-kind visual experience. The costumes were well done. And a well thought out score helps to add to the overall atmosphere of the movie. Simply a feast for the senses. The movie also sticks fairly closely to the original graphic novel (basically a fancy word for a comic book with blood, which, by the way, is worth picking up simply for the exquisite art) which I am always a fan of. Just a well-thought, well-directed, and overall well-made movie.
My only problem with 300 is its depiction of the 'Persians'. And yes, this is fairly personal. Coming from a Persian ancestry, I'm proud of my heritage. The Persian empire was by all definitions quite civilized with set laws and order. The Persian satraps, setup by Darius, were likely the first instance of states being created with set territories and governorships. The early kings were known for being proponents of civil rights and religious tolerance. The founder of the Persian empire, Cyrus, is famous for freeing the Israelites after his conquering of Babylon. Throw in the large amount of artists and craftsmen that thrived in the Persian empire, as well as the postal system created during the reign of Darius, and it becomes blatantly obvious that the 'Persians' were not the godless heathens portrayed by Hollywood.
Yes the Persians were expansionists. What empire is not? And admittedly Xerxes was not the best of leaders. But where in the world did they get the whole metrosexual bordering on gay thing from? I'm all for artistic expression, but that seems like a bit much to me. And sadly, the depiction of the 'Persians' in 300 is flattering compared to the horrendous piece of shit that was Alexander. One of the many problems of Alexander (seriously, it could be an entire post by itself) was that the Persians were made out to be nothing more than blubbering, dim-witted cowards. At least in 300 the Persians were given some humanity. It's time, in my opinion, for Hollywood to do an honest portrayal of the Persians. How about a bio-pic of Cyrus? Tell me that wouldn't make for a riveting movie. He was around before Alexander, before the Spartans. Without him they may not have ever been. The Persian empire was a dignified, historically important piece of history, and it deserves to be treated as such, rather than given the shit-treatment it recently has.

Why Soccer Will Never Catch on in America

Eager for action and hot for the game
The coming  attraction,  the drop of a name
They knew all the right people; They took all the right pills
They threw outrageous parties; They paid heavenly bills
There were lines on the mirror, lines on her face
She pretended not to notice she was caught up in the race
Out in the evenin' until it was light
He was too tired to make it; she was too tired to fight about it.

Life in the fast lane; surely make you lose your mind
Life in the fast lane
Life in the fast lane; everything all the time
Life in the fast lane
The Eagles - "Life in the Fast Lane"

Okay, let me start this out by stating that I'm a sports fanatic. I probably watch more sports than is healthy for a 22-year-old male. I have left bars and parties early to watch sporting events (granted they were playoff games, but still...). Needless to say, sports have likely adversely affected my social, personal, and sex lives respectively. I live and die through sports. That being said, I am most definitely a soccer fan (thought for the most part I watch European based leagues which, must be noted, are played at a much higher level than the American league). Born and raised in America my entire life, my fondness for soccer is, in my estimation, due to my unhealthy obsession with sports. Soccer is still largely unembraced by the American public at large and I do not see this situation changing any time soon.
We are a society of low attention spans. This cannot be argued. Debate amongst yourselves what you believe the cause to be. Just take a look at any music video sometime. Never does a single shot last longer than three seconds. Anything longer, and video directors believe they would lose the focus of their audience. Sadly, they may be right. We want fast, instant gratification. Ask someone to sit through a one and a half hour Tom Cruise action movie with lots of explosives and car chases, and they're game. Ask them to sit through a three hour movie with a plot, character development and (perhaps) an actual message, a they'll be less likely to want to watch the movie. This is the problem facing soccer in America today.
Soccer is a sports where goals generally are not at a surplus, and where, unless one is able to pick up on the subtle nuances of the game, it may appear to be boring to the general fan. There are no home runs or dunks to get the crowd going. Much like hockey, soccer is a game of patience, positioning, and is often more about the build-up to the goal rather than the goal itself. And we have seen how well hockey is doing in the American market. Both are fringe sports with die-hard fan bases. But they simply do not possess the instantaneous gratification that is seen in other sports. To really get into a hockey or soccer game, you need to watch a significant part of the contest. We simply are not willing to put forth the effort necessary to watch an entire game from beginning to end. This is opposed to baseball, basketball or football where the big-play highlights are often sufficient. The rise in the popularity of Nascar in recent years can best display the prevailing zeitgeist of the American sports fan. There's cars going fast around a track for hours on end. It's mindless... but there's speed. And, as every racing fan hopes, there are often crashes (and let's be honest, people watch Nascar for the wrecks).
Some might point to the brief popularity of the North American Soccer League in the 70s and 80s as proof that soccer can succeed in America. But that was a different time. The psyche of the American populace was completely different. We did not have the constant media blitz through the internet and TV that we have today. Much of the popularity of the league was also based around the New York Cosmos, who's free spending helped to attract the likes of soccer legends such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, and made the individual player more important than the sport itself. But the league turned out to be no more than a fad. Soon the clubs went bankrupt and the league folded.
The MLS today is much better organized and run than the NASL ever was, so the league folding is not on the horizon. But if one expects the MLS to reach a point of popularity where it can contend with the NFL, NBA, MLB or even Nascar, they would be mistaken. We simply do not have the attention span, as a society, to be able to watch soccer. Again, some may point to the popularity of baseball, which can be seen s a "slow" game. But the long history of baseball in America must be taken into consideration. And, as important, through the use of innings, baseball already has breaks built into the game. Every twenty minutes or so people can get up and stretch or move around or whatnot. Basically just de-concentrate for a few moments The non-stop nature of soccer requires the American male to sit still for 45 minute straight. As much as we complain about commercials, perhaps we actually need them to keep our focus. Could the average American actually sit through an entire quarter of football without any breaks from the action? I think not. Soccer's a sweet sport. Once you get to know some of the teams and players and get a feel for the game, it's as exciting as any of the major American sports. But for it to catch on here it would need to be adopted by a sports audience that's already at its full saturation point. So while David Beckham coming to play here may create a national buzz, don't expect to be seeing MLS games in primetime anytime soon. In this country, at this time, we simply, unfortunately, lack the focus for a sport such as soccer. Now maybe if they threw in some explosions, then maybe we'd start watching.

Selling Out - Evolution

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
David Bowie - Changes

Change is constant. If there is one basic tenet that I always stand by, it is that. Change happens in nature and in our constant day-to-day lives. Change also occurs within music. More specifically, band will change, or evolve, over thelife of that band. It is inevitable. Music is ultimately a by-product of the conditions that surrounded its creation. The weather, politics, health, how the artist is feeling - all of this goes into every piece of music that you hear (well, every true piece of music that is actually made with heart and emotion, as opposed to the unoriginal, factory spewed music that is commonplace on today's airwaves, but I digress). Secondly, no artist wants to be seen as a one trick pony, and thus musicians will deliberately attempt to change their musical leanings so as not to be making the same album over again. Hence, as bands age and evolve, so does their music.
There is a distinct difference between a band selling-out and a and simply evolving. Musical evolution is natural, not done for money, and goes with the flow of the band. That is to say, the music does not seem forced or unnatural. My favorite example of a band evolving, so to speak, ould have to be the Chili Peppers. A listen to their early records provides one with a funky, juvenile sound. Their newer albums are full of softer, melodic songs with thoughtful, well-written lyrics. A listen to their self-titled 1984 album, versus 2006's Stadium Arcadium, leads one to think that there is no way that one band could have made both of these albums. But certain aspects of the Peppers are ever-present in all their albums. Flea's bass ensures the presence of a funky undertone no matter the song. And there is always the few new songs that find the Peppers in all-out thrash mode, reverting to their earlier days, albeit in a less chaotic fashion.
The point is, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, like Metallica and Aerosmith, have changed from what they were. But the Pepers change has been a genuine one that has endeared original fans while making new ones. Though their music has changed, the Peppers have never lost that kick-your-ass attitude that made them who they were. Sure, they may not be drug using party animals anymore, but family life and kids have a way of stopping that. I have a hard time determining whether I prefer old Peppers or their newer stuff. Though I love the utter funkiness and fun atmosphere of their old songs, the musicianship and emotional appeal of their newer songs has an appeal all its own. And therein lies the beauty of musical evolution, a band can completely change their music without changing who they are. And for the fan, that is often as, if not more, important than the music itself. The Chili Peppers were able to radically transform their music, but they still kept their integrity and managed not to slap their fans in the face. That is something that bands such as Metallica and Aerosmith may never understand.

Selling Out - The All Mighty Dollar

'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
They tell me it's cool but I just don't believe it...
Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight
Record company's gonna give me lots of money
And everything's gonna be all right
Reel Big Fish - "Sell Out"

So what is selling out? To me, a band sells out when they change their music/image in order to make more money by appealing to a wider audience. Of course, many can make the argument "well what's wrong with trying to make more money?" Of course, there's nothing wrong with making more money. I'm as capitalistic as the next guy. But you shouldn't have to sell your integrity in order to make money. If you're going into a non-pop music, you cannot be doing it for the money. The vast majority of bands are NOT going to make it big. If you're entering the music scene it should be due to your passion to make good music. A band doing it 'just for the money' will be devoid of interest and excitement and will decidedly suck ass.
Let's get to some examples of a band selling-out. The example that I will always bring up is Metallica. Going from And Justice for All in 1989, to their self-titled album in 1991, there is a huge contrast not only in musical stylings but in the overall image of the band. They went from bad-ass metal gods to clean cut hard-rockers (at best). The change is truly dramatic. Yeah, one could say they were just changing their look and music and that it may have been natural musical evolution (which I'll get to later), but I'd have to disagree. By 1991 Gun n' Roses and grunge had risen to prominence and the musical landscape was changing. Metallica chose to make an album that would have mass appeal and risk alienating their core fans (which it undoubtedly did) rather than sticking to what they know best. Though their self-titled album was a very good album, it paled in comparison to the raw aggression of Master of Puppets and the aforementioned And Justice for All. They changed their music to remain relevant and sell albums in a new musical landscape. Does it make sense from an economic perspective? Fuck yeah. But as a fan to me, that is the definition of selling out.
Another band that, to me, has sold out is Aerosmith. They went from a drugged-out, blues riff based kick ass band to a sober, soft rock piece of crap. Aerosmith are one of the most important American abnds of all time and their influence cannot be understated. I still hold them in reverence. But at first listening to "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"caused me to lose a shit-load of respect for Aerosmith. This was a band that, admittedly, had not done anything relevant in the 90s and needed something to get back into the public eye. Wat they could have used was to get back on the wagon. Instead they released one of the sappiest, crappiest songs ever made. The movie was god-awful and the song goes right up there with Celine Dion's annoying piece of shit from Titanic. Tell me they made this song for any reason other to sell records, and I shall call you a liar. It's a sad note of popula music that despite the numerous hit songs Aerosmith has had, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" was their first number one hit. Do I still hold respect for both Aerosmith and Metalica? Damn straight. Despite whatever they make now, their good music stands the test of time. But it's hard for me to respect some of the shit both of these bands are spewing forth right now. Bands DO change. That's for damn sure. And bands truly can change without disgracing their past and while still making good music. More on 'musical evolution' tomorrow.

An Irrational Hatred

Cheat the odds that made you
Brave to try to gamble at times
Well I feel like dirty laundry
Sending sickness on down the line
Tell you why

cause Im jealous, jealous again
Thought it time I let you in
Yeah, Im jealous, jealous again

Black Crowes - "Jealous Again"

Girls hate Jennifer Love Hewitt. Every girl. Without fail. And it's not a common dislke that one may have for an annoying actor or comedian. No, this is a deep-rooted hatred. Ask any girl what she thinks of JLH and you will receive replies such as "she's NOT pretty", "she can't act", or "she's a dirty whore and deserves to die" (hmm, maybe that's just my friends). I can't comprehend it. It seems as if women everywhere are born with a gene that instills them with a hatred for Ms. Hewitt. It's quite unfathomable. Is she an exceptional actress? No, not in any sense of the word actress. Is she better than many other actresses out there, though? Fuck yeah! And c'mon, you're telling me she's really that annoying? No way in hell. What about Jennifer Lopez (a diva and total fraud)? Or the late Anna Nicole Smith (a disgrace to America)? Or Jessica Simpson (an idot with large brests)? Or Drew Barrymore (untalented, unpretty and annoying as balls)!
Could it possibly be jealousy? I say yes....partly. It would prove difficult to find an American male between the ages of 18-40 that does not have a soft-spot for Love Hewitt. And girls, who display jealousy regardless of the circumstances, are clearly bothered by this. But this JLH jealousy, which morphs into hatred sometime in the female's life, goes beyond common, petty jealousy. What is it about Love that just sets girls off? Clearly this must be researched. Use the human genome project and isolate the cause of FLHH (Female Love Hewitt Hatred). It is unfair and unfounded. And no matter how many girls I ask, I still have not received a satisfactory answer. Perhaps we can create an inoculation of some sorts to stop FLHH. Or perhaps some sort of psychological treatment is necessary. Whatever the case, it is time that this hatred for Jennifer Love Hewitt ceased. She simply does not deserve it. And if you really need someone to hate, why not look in the mirror? For every heart that is full of hatred receives the same in return. And if you still need to hate... have you thought about John Travolta?

The Big Easy

Oh mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun

Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

Well, there is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
The Animals - "House of the Rising Sun"

So after visiting New Orleans, all I can say is WOW. Just pure, unadulterated, unabashed hedonism at its finest. Shit, maybe it's not even the entire city of New Orleans. Maybe it's just the French Quarter. And within the French Quarter lies a place of ultimate debauchery: Bourbon Street. Everyone's heard of Bourbon Street. It's up there with Wall Street, Sunset Boulevard, and Pennsylvania Avenue as one of the most famous streets in America. But words cannot really do it justice. Once one steps onto Bourbon Street they are immediately bombarded with stimuli meant to cloud judgment and unshackle one from all personal inhibitions. Alcohol and sex reign supreme. This is the place for the id to go absolutely and completely wild. Not only are open beverage containers and public nudity legal, they seem to be encouraged. The bars are numerous and packed with hot, young girls in skimpy outfits eager to serve test-tube shots and dance with the patrons. And the myriad amount of police patrolling the street seem to only add to the festivities by creating an aura of safety amidst all the revelry.
Aside from Bourbon Street, there is a certain atmosphere in New Orleans unlike any place else I have been. There isn't an artificial air surrounding the place, like in Jamaica or Cancun. But the city and its citizens just have a vibe to it that force people to let-the-fuck-loose. It's truly hard to explain. From the various street performers and musicians in Jackson Square, to the bars that seem to be found every ten feet, the city seems to just put one at ease. 'If you're not going to party, get the hell out of our city!'
When one goes there, though, it is impossible to view the city without thinking of Katrina. While the tourist-y section remains vibrant, the city's poor are still struggling to cope with the realities of the disaster that hit their amazing city. All the daiquiris, cigars and lap dances in the world will not make you forget this. By all means, go to New Orleans. Now more than ever this is a city that deserves our appreciation. No other city in America can combine the Spanish, French, Caribbean and African cultures that combine to give New Orleans a uniqueness all its own. Truly a city like no other. A city full of music and a zest for for life. A city that is truly a melting pot. A city that is still a shadow of its former self. A city where a fancy oyster bar can sit merely a minute's walk from a strip club, and nothing can seem more normal. You gotta love New Orleans.