Pardon me while I take a moment to bask in the hysteria that is New Orleans today. Tomorrow will only be worse. Or better — depending upon your point of view.

And trust me — chances to actually feel good about something in this part of the world are few and far between. So excuse my overt enthusiasm for what, in other parts of the world, would be viewed as just your normal run-of-the-mill NFL playoff game.

Not here. Here it is a chance for people to forget the otherwise depressing story of New Orleans. It’s a chance to shift gears, change the channel, go to another planet. Bask in something that feels good — not bad.

Yesterday, thousands of city residents marched on City Hall out of frustration and anger at the city’s total lack of leadership in addressing the city’s mounting crime problem. But today, it’s time to forget all about that. If only for a day. Or two.

Yep, living in New Orleans these days is not easy. I’m not sure what it is, but one thing I do know is it requires a lot of flexibility, stamina, and well, a schizophrenic personality probably doesn’t hurt.

But today the countdown to the NFC playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles begins in earnest.

Tomorrow night it will culminate in a wild frenzy of black and gold clad fans, all of whom look to the Saints success this year as a hopeful metaphor for their own rebirth and restoration.

Kick-off is at 7.

I’m off to find my bloody mary.