Not really. But it made for a good title when I have just returned from a trip to New Orleans. It was my first time down there since Katrina. I saw mainly the airport, I-10 and the downtown area. I saw a little bit of the French Quarter and also some of what I think might have been the ninth ward when I overshot my exit off of the freeway. Generally, the areas I saw showed little remnants of Katrina damage ... except for that ninth ward area. There, I saw house after house that appeared to have just been abandoned. I did see some nice rebuilding though with some new housing going in that was very attractive. Still below sea level but very attractive.

Many of the people you see in New Orleans just look very tired. I cannot imagine the trauma of all they have been through.

I was with a group that stayed at the Loews Hotel in downtown New Orleans. The hospitality and caring attitude of the folks working there was noting shy of incredible and spectacular. Looking for a place to stay in NOLA? Definitely try the Loews Hotel.

When you fly into New Orleans, you fly into the Louis Armstrong Airport. Ever since my days in high school jazz band, I have had a passion for blues and traditional jazz. So, as I left Enterprise Car Rental, (also very nice people though they tried to give me a quad cab Dodge Ram with a broken door handle so I ended up in a little Mazda 3 without power windows or locks at the same price) I started scanning the radio stations for some traditional New Orleans music. There is something about the honesty, depth and transparecy of jazz and blues music and lyrics that I love. And the first song I found was no exception ... its main line was something like "I've got me a fat woman and she's lovin' me all night long." Nothing puts a smile on your face quite like a lyric like that.

When I flew home from New Orleans, I was really missing New Orleans. So I played my Jonny Lang Turn Around CD as I drove home. I have plugged this CD before and I will do it again now. Jonny Lang's lryics are soulful and deep ... authentically pulled from his life of a fast rise to stardom and then a near-crash of self-destruction.

One of my favorite songs from this CD is "I'm Only A Man". While I encourage you to buy the CD and hear it all, here are the lyrics to that one song.


I used to live my life in fear
Was worried all the time
From waking up to laying down
I had no peace of mind
The world became a darkened place
A struggle without end
Although bitter times those were
The days that I had began to understand
I was only a man

I grew up singing songs in church
With questions in my mind
Then turned my back and ran away
From God who gave me life
Then one night his presence fell
I wept and shook and then
I fell down and cried, Dear Jesus, rescue me again
I understand I am only a man

And He said, What will it be now?
Will you choose me or keep swimming up stream now?
I've been inside your head hearing you scream out.
Well here I am, just take my hand and I'll take out
All of the pain and all of the fear
All of the fear

I'll give you my burdens (I'll give you peace)
All of my desires (I'll give you what you need)
Oh, what about these chains, Lord? (I'll set you free)
But they're so heavy (Lay them at my feet)
I'll lay them at your feet
Just promise you won't leave (I'll never leave)
So where do I go from here, Lord? (Just follow me)
(Just follow me)
I'll follow you (Just follow me) wherever you lead
Wherever you lead, wherever you lead