Years ago, when I had my deli/grocery in the French Quarters, the Saints had just started to win and the town went nuts. On a Sunday afternoon when da Saints were playing, every door and window of every home, apartment and bar had the Saints game blasting out.And it was fun!

Then they came close and then they lost, and lost, and lost. In the heyday, I actually knew a Saints player or two... but after a while, I never ran across a single one.

Now, this evening, the Saints totaly won against a traditional rival, Atlanta, in the newly opened Super Dome. And they won by a huge and decisive amount! Yeaaaaaaaaaaa! It's huge.It was a stadium sell-out and I heard from my friends in New Orleans, (who were at a pre-game and a game party at a friend's house), this evening before the game, that the season tickets are all sold out. No word for sure about the really expensive private boxes, but with U2 as an opening act, I would think that they will sell out as well.

As I watched some of the NFL coverage tonight, I realised something else. The NFL wants this franchise to survive. It was on the skids before Katrina, just not as profitable as it might be in a bigger city, especially when you add in the TV money. But now, it's a special case! OMG! Look how they have come back, it's a rebirth! Hallaluyah! Must see TV!And yes, I like that for my lost home town. The NFL will not bring the city back or clean up the incredible mess, but they seem to be doing their best to make it look like the city is ready to come back.

Tonight, I would have loved to have been there with my friends and co-workers at a party to watch the game and celebrate.



-the whistful and wishing durlx