I was about to post a depressing little number about the slippery slope of pessimism that I have been riding in regards to New Orleans. But then I got a parking ticket and all of a sudden I feel like I can see progress happening around me again. Insane? Slightly, yes. The car was parked in Le Vieux Carre and after lunch there was a bright orange envelope on the windshield. Contained within the perky little sleeve was a digitally printed parking ticket. My parking offense was clearly (and correctly!) typed up. When I visited cityofno.com to pay, the ticket had been entered into the system within 24 hours! Not the 3-4 weeks it used to take. Okay, so it is strange that I am excited that the city has made distributing and paying traffic violations more efficient. But it is a sign of efficiency. And in the French Quarter at that (where last I heard, denizens were complaining of the new waste removal system). I am hoping this is a harbinger of new technology to come elsewhere in the city as well.

Related posts:

1. I Got a Parking Ticket!
2. Bright Orange Wave
3. Lovely Tameka, Meter Maid
4. Santa’s Little Sleighers vs. The Tannenbombers
5. The other game at the Dome