New Orleans Christmas 2005

Like so many other things these days in New Orleans, I'm trying to figure out what it's going to be like this Christmas season.  I suddenly realized that we're halfway through November and I have yet to buy a single gift.  This probably doesn't seem all that odd for a semi-single (not married) guy in his 20s; but, I'm used to buying everything I need sometime in October to get out of the way.  I hate crowded malls.  I don't like to shop...just buy.

This time last year, I was dissecting TV, magazine and billboard ads to figure which were effective and which ones would lose money.  This year, I'm just trying to get one day to the next.  Other than a few thoughtful moments on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings, these days will probably pass without much difference from the days preceding them.  Very few families are in positions where they are unaffected by something of this magnitude.  It's kind of like cancer in that it's hard to meet someone who isn't in someway connexxted to someone who had/has it.  My mother had cancer. 

I'm trying to figure which situation is more grave...cancer or the CF that is now New Orleans.  Imagine you're over 40 with your net worth equaling the time when you were 23 fresh out of college.  Now, imagine you still have all the debt of being over 40 with that net worth.  Now, imagine you're a small business owner and have no income added to the net worth and debt. Now, imagine the vicious circle it creates.  Now, imagine this happens overnight.  Now, this is reality for many residents here.  People around the country were shocked when the 'Cane hit, but reality is about 1000x's worse.  This reality will force people to never retire, force people to give up their saved nest eggs, etc.  The more you had before the storm, the less you have now.  What's worse is that the government is setup to help those with nothing not those with something. 

Due to Katrina, I live with my parents right now and fortunately all of their children are now independent and they do not have the added headache of supporting them.  However, think of all the families who have young children.  How do you explain this to them?  Regardless of religion or beliefs, kids relate Christmas time to presents and fun.  There are only two kids that are of 'Christmas age' in my close family right now in New Orleans.  They will get presents and I doubt anyone else will.  This year adults are saying, "You don't have to get me anything."  So what? Adults say that every year.  This year they mean it.  Just about everyone in this city has moved somewhere and will move again.  We really don't want anything. Banana Republic, like every year, has an effective Christmas campaign.  Being down here, you couldn't tell unless you checked their website.  Why? The closest BR open is 75 miles away in Baton Rouge.  No TV ads, no catalogs mailed, no radio, no outdoor...nada.

Like everything since Katrina, it's all very sobering and makes me realize what's truly important.