Incredible video and commentary on New Orleans asks "we got this, right?"

One of my all time FAVORITE songs is "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans." I love every incarnation of that song from, the first version to appear in the movie "New Orleans" by Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, to every version since. I especially love the Harry Connick Jr. version with Dr. John that appeared on Harry's "20" album. Harry and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band each did really nice versions of the song for Katrina relief. And there are so many more... so many artists, so many renditions, every version so special...because it's such a special song.

And it's a special song because it's about a special place. New Orleans, Louisiana, a city truly like no other.

I left New Orleans for a while, but New Orleans never left me. I would listen to that song while I was away and I understood every word so perfectly. I missed it each night and day. It's where I left my heart. And yes, the feeling got stronger the longer I stayed away. Every single word of that song spoke to me. And I am so damn happy to be back in New Orleans... except once again, I miss New Orleans. In fact, right now, I feel like every single one of us knows what it means to miss New Orleans.

I'm physically in New Orleans...I'm sitting in my office on Howard Ave. looking out the window to a gorgeous afternoon and it's the same sights I see every day out this window. I see the new skyscraper being built to my left peeking out behind the new Standard Nola Luxury Condos. I look straight out and see the First Bank and Trust building, AT&T, and One Shell Square/Hancock Whitney Center. Off to my right is the Loews, Hilton Riverside, and Harrah's Hotel, and I see the crane hanging over what used to be Top Of The Mark at the World Trade Center. But that's all I see. I don't see the people walking down the street. I know that on the other side of those buildings, the Quarter is strangely quiet. The Quarter shouldn't be quiet. It's the Quarter! It should be full of life and music and silver men asking for tips and kids telling me they know where I got dem shoes. Behind me, Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue should be bustling, but instead, there's just a lonely, empty streetcar passing by every so often. It's the strangest feeling... I'm in New Orleans, but I MISS New Orleans. I miss hugging people and hearing "how you doin', dawlin?" I miss going to my favorite restaurants. I miss sitting on the patio of my favorite bars. I miss the sounds of music in the air. I miss getting excited to get on a streetcar, only to see it packed beyond belief and thinking "eh, I'll wait for the next one." I MISS everything that New Orleans is because this damn virus has come and taken our city down.

But if there is one thing that we are here in New Orleans, it's resilient. I know we'll rise again. Those street cars will be packed again. Those silver guys and kids will come back. We'll have to wait an hour for a table at our favorite restaurant again. We'll be back... and because we're New Orleans, we'll be stronger than ever. And I know I speak for all of us when I say it can't be soon enough. But in the meantime, let's all do our part and stay home. Let's stay home now so that we can go out again and dance in the streets when this is over!

I came across this video and I can't stop watching it. Thanks to You Tube user Kenny Bellau for such a great masterpiece. I second what he said... I can't wait to ruin my pants on some beignets. And Drew and Sean...they WILL win us some games! "We Got This, Right?"


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