I ended up by sending L a carefully-worded email saying that I didn't see the point of taking our acquantanceship any further and that I might not stay in New Orleans much longer anyway. With Hurricane Ivan approaching, the mayor has told us to "get to higher ground" since New Orleans is below sea level, so I may be leaving even sooner than I thought! If I can find a Sufi to put me up in Austin for a few days, I will look for a roommate situation there and try out Austin for October, at least.

So I can retire this thread.