Sorry about the long absence - I'm in the UK, where my mother is very ill.

I've left behind a city even more exuberant than usual: not only has the Mardi Gras season kicked off, but the Saints are in the Superbowl this Sunday. And, thanks to my sister Jacqui and the stupidity of the National Football League, the Saints' catchphrase "Who dat" is making international headlines. Make sure you watch the video as well - I think a lot of the people in it must have been a bit baffled about what was going on.