Not MS related, but a memory exercise to see what I can recall with very minimal backups.

My new life was starting in May of 1995.  My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I had just purchased a new home (not a great neighborhood but...).  My new career was starting at Dean Witter.  Monday was my first day and I admit being proud.  All things looked bright.

I came home from work in my suit and felt great.

Then the rain started.   New Orleans is a tropical environment o rain happens, but this was VERY HEAVY.

Our home was high (for New Orleans) but I still moved the cars to higher round two blocks away.  Walked back through flooding street but the house was high.

The rain got stronger and the water got higher.  We had a new house and among the new things were new trashcan. 

I dried off inside and my girlfriend came in and told me the trashcan was gone.  I, the loving boyfriend (I was married to her the day we met) went to get the garbage can.

Did I mention I was in bed?

I can recall going out to the street (shoes optional) wearing boxers with hearts (this is New Orleans).

I got one of the floating green trashcans and dragged it back to our house.

“That’s not the right can!”

So back I went and got a different can.

The house was fine.  No damage but two blocks away people were pulling flooring and furniture.

But I was okay and I went to work at my new job.  Wearing my new suit I walked in wanting to learn more about being a stockbroker.

I drove downtown and avoided fallen trees and the storm did some real damage.

I got into work and the secretaries were not in.  Harby Krieger, a senior broker saw me and was exited.

“Rodney, great to see you.  The storm knocked everyone else out.  Just you, Andy and me.  Here is how to work the phone.”   He showed me how to run the switchboard and who to connect to and such.

I ran the board all day but one phone call stands out.

I answered the phone, “Dean Witter.”

A female voice asked, “Is this the New Orleans branch?  Are you open today?”

I answered, “Of course.  The market is open and we are here to work for our clients.”

Good answer I thought. 

TWO YEARS LATER OVER MARAGRITAS I RETOLD THE STORY TO MY BOSS

Ben, a nice man, asked, “Was that you?”

“Yes.  I thought it was a good answer,” I said very confident of past actions.

Ben went into his wallet, scribbled on his card and told me, “If the newspaper EVER calls you again, you refer them here.”

Flooding memories.