I used to live in New Orleans. It was the most insane place I have ever been, and that was before their beloved Saints won the Super Bowl. A few random observations of my time in New Orleans (all pre-Katrina, so perhaps no longer as relevant, but still..):

- It is a cliche to say a city bleeds their football team's colors, but it is true for New Orleans. I was there when the Saints were awful (and Mike Ditka gave away the entire draft for Ricky Williams) and still it was all the sports anyone talked about. I used Saint's box scores to teach my students math. It was a lot easier to understand averages if you were figuring out yards per rush.

- Celebrations are just different there. Before the winter break, the school district had us send home a letter to parents reminding them that the bullets they shot in the air would come down somewhere, and might be dangerous. Note: the letter was not silly enough to suggest they not do so, merely that they be careful.

- Somehow, things that are bad ideas still get done in New Orleans. Example, for St. Patricks Day they have a Mardi Gras style parade. Along with the usual cups, beads, the various floats throw heads of cabbage! While watching this parade I witnessed two windows broken by flying cabbage, to the general amusement of all.

- In short, New Orleans is not like the rest of the world. Congratulations to all the Saints fans out there, party safe, but still party.

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