Back and only a little swol'

matt's mouf, originally uploaded by Mr. Wright.

The lab rat is back. Wisdom teeth came out fine, although I'm still a little out of it. I don't think I got the placebo. I plan to write about my adventures with my pal, nitrous oxide tomorrow, but first, I'd like to introduce y'all to a new blog that my friend and New Orleans native Kevin Kushner has started, called "The New Orleanian."

Kevin and I worked together in Club EDT, also known as the Daily Texan's editorial office, where he was Editor in Chief and I was but a lowly associate (editor). Anyways, Kevin's back in Austin as a guest student at UT Law, having been displaced from his studies at Tulane by Katrina.

Here's what he hopes his blog will do:

I created this site as a place for us to share news, analysis and our own thoughts about New Orleans and the rebuilding effort.

First, yes I am a dork. I'm not sure how many of you guys knew that before. Now you do. I hope you'll still be my friend.

Second, I want to encourage you guys to share your own analysis, thoughts and ideas. If you're reading this, chances are you're a friend or are visiting after a friend recommended the site -- hopefully as an interesting web site to visit and not to make fun of me. I would love to post some pieces you guys write about New Orleans and the recovery effort. This is a perfect place for you to share your thoughts. After all, you're among friends. Also, this could serve as a way to get people involved in community service projects that benefit New Orleans and share your ideas on what steps the city should take to rebuild.

Don't be shy. I'll gladly post almost anything sent my way. Send your pieces to kevinkushner@gmail.com. If you want to post anonymously, you may. Though I will always know you wrote the piece and will use that information to blackmail you for the rest of your life. Just kidding. Also, if you don't want to post anything, send me an e-mail with your thoughts how to make this site better.

Third, I would appreciate you guys sending any interesting articles or columns that you come across about New Orleans so I can post them for everyone to see. I'll try to keep the site stocked with new material but the more you contribute the better this site will become.

Fourth, I want to have some fun with this. We don't need to focus strictly the recovery effort. I plan on having some posts about Louisiana sports, music, food recipes, etc..

Fifth, I'm new to all this. I have a background in journalism but have never had a blog before. I'm hoping this can become OUR blog -- a of one-stop place on the Internet to get the latest information and analysis about New Orleans. Tell your friends with New Orleans ties to visit the site and share their thoughts. The more people that get involved the better this blog will become.

Finally, I love New Orleans. I know ya'll do also. Our city will recover from this tragedy. We will rebuild a better New Orleans.

For those of you directly influenced by this tragedy, I encourage you to contribute. That means you, Clare, Maryann, and J. Scott. If there's one thing Kevin loves, it's a wealth of perspectives.