Hi everyone. Just getting this blog up and running. I promise to fill it with riveting, thought-provoking, blood-pumping tales from reporting in and around the Louisiana Bayou. If you promise to check in from time to time.
I've been in New Orleans now for nearly 2 years. My previous posting was Baghdad. And I've seen some startling similarities: wrecked neighborhoods, rebuilding, billions of dollars in federal rebuilding funds floating around.
Obviously, New Orleans has been much safer and functional than Baghdad ever was. With better blues clubs.
Through the course of my reporting, I'm sure there'll be themes, thoughts, quotes and anecdotes that won't make it into USA TODAY's print or web editions. That's where this blog comes in. I hope to generate a forum where people who care about New Orleans and the Gulf Coast can post their opinions, thoughts and tips about the rebuilding effort here. Also: restaurant, bar and music venue recommendations.
Look forward to filling these pages with all things NOLA. Few cities in America are more fascinating to be living in right now.
RJ
