NOLA

A few years ago I was riding a transit bus through downtown New Orleans, and this odd character got on, an African American gentleman dressed entirely in purple: purple running shoes, purple track suit, purple cap, purple shades. He even was accessorized with a purple gym bag. Even in New Orleans' endless procession of odd characters, he stood out.

As he sat down he was muttering to himself, and I couldn't really understand him. But at one point he burst out loudly and clearly, like some kind of country preacher, "CHANGE is coming to New Orleans!"

I didn't know what the hell he was talking about, but his tone sounded optimistic. I wonder if he's still alive, and whether he ever imagined changes like this.