December 2005 The New Normal - Benny Grunch had to revise his popular Christmas takeoffs as new entrants "Shingle Bells" and "All I want for Christmas is a New Blue Roof" hit the charts. Please don't shoot off fireworks, the blue roofs are flammable! No guns either, please!

Saints finish a 3-13 season earning the number two overall draft choice. Matt Linehart here we come. Team is close mouthed but insiders admit that they may be planning to draft a punter (that's a joke). After finding more ways to drop passes, experience turnovers and lose in new ways, Saint's owner Tom Benson announces that the Saints will return, but may not stay. NFL Official Jeff Triplett sets season and lifetime record for most replay challenges decided against a single team. Haslett is axed on Jan 2, GM Mickey Loomis retains his spot.

Bellaire Drive near the 17th Street Canal becomes the Top Tourist Attraction. By officially eclipsing the French Quarter it will receive national historic status and rebuilding will be halted until after the tri-Centinnial in 2018. Swamp tours are replaced by Disaster Tours as the #1 bus tours in the area.

Mardi Gras is on. Elections are still off.

On Jan 2, a full five days before the deadline, FEMA announced they will continue to pay the hotel bills for the 41,000 people still in hotels, thru Feb 7th at least. Question for all you road warriors out there....wouldn't 120 days in a hotel, with your entire family and all your earthly possessions drive you around the bend? Many of these folks are awaiting trailers. Isn't that something special to be looking forward to? Voucher's seem so logical.