Humane Society of Louisiana
"Kamp Katrina" (Kreative!)
Near McComb, MS
It's been hard to remember to keep up on this! I've been in Tylertown since Wednesday, about midday. It was rather hard to find this place, but once I got here, they threw me right into the mix. I've worked with the dogs a bit, but mostly have been doing general labor and helping with security.
My biggest surprises have been the locals actually fucking with the compound. They're antagonizing more than anything, but have periodically cut through the fences and stolen dogs to presumably be used in midnight dogfights in the woods across the road! Dogs displaced by a fucking hurricane... rescued only to be...stolen...for dogfights! Fuck Mississippi.
There is some fault with people here, as well as those at the "Bestfriends" animal rescue site next-door. They (the organizations) don't work together at all! They actually compete, presumably for money, donations, PR, and prestige. I was almost certain that people would work toward a common goal regardless of dogma, or affiliation. Nope! That, more than anything, plus the pseudo-cliques in our own little compound has drained me of some of my motivation. A bit of the familiar feelings of disillusionment re: radio and Coors Field. I'm not happy about that. I hoped the idea of working toward a common cause would remedy that, and at times it does, but not for long.
My intolerance for personal politics and unqualified leadership has hindered me a bit. There are good people here, and it definitely helps. The two hippie chicks are leaving tomorrow. Carrie's from Indiana and Jessica from Portland. True pleasures to be around. A good counterbalance to the negativity. We're supposed to get out of here and go hang out in town tonight. Hope that works out.
Rick is in charge of security here. He's guilty of the typical shit, but I have no real problem with him. He doesn't lead by example all that well, yet loves to delegate. But he's been a huge help. None of us are paid, so it's hard to say anyone isn't doing their "job.' Rick is a bit of a ring leader. There are several people from Michigan here. Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Canada, Florida too. The situation will start to get a bit more difficult when the electricians and carpenters leave. Pat and I will be the main laborers left.
Laina and I decided to essentially split up while I was gone and see what happens from here. I also need to write about yesterday's trip to New Orleans, but have to go to Walmart. More later, I hope.
Travel stories and the occasional rantings of an evolving cynic who's simply in search of a little human authenticity. Tales include hitching across the Rockies with an eventual cop-killer, a weekend with a terminally-ill billionaire, meeting my siblings for the first time, trips to Mexico, and scores of random people from Mass.-Slab City-Chiapas who are often even more interesting...for better or worse!