So, yeah, you loyal readers, especially the ones at the Chron, you won’t have me to kick around for the next couple weeks.

Which one hopes you might have already discerned from the photo up top, an image of you now know where I’ll be if you didn’t already know.

So, say, next Thursday morning at 11:30 when you are at work, or you’re lookin’ for some bloggoid type to vent your spleen toward, I’ll be sipping on a frozen latte, perhaps not being able to wait also savoring a crawfish strudel, and be either at Gentilly Stage listening to the New Orleans Suspects, or in the Blues Tent with Tin Men, or in the Gospel Tent where I often start the Fest, along with more fellow Hebrews than you’d imagine, praying along with Melvin “Maestro” Winfield Jr and The Glory Chorale Community Choir.

Just a way of saying thanks to the Lord for the blessing of JazzFest. This, my 35th.

Maybe at the Lagniappe Stage.

But before I go . . .

 * * * * *

My man Smarts called me the other day advising that for the first time ever, all of U of L’s and all of Arch Rival’s players are taking a hike.

I mentioned Hercy Miller, whom I believe to still be around. But, of course, all the dudes on scholly are off looking for greener pastures. Greener, if you know what I mean.

It’s what’s happenin’.

Duke, the paradigm of oh something or another, is also depleted. Seven gone. Something like that. This the institution of higher learning  where the former coach, he who still resides in the Ivory Tower of the hoops complex, once wouldn’t allow the school to hang a natty banner until all the members of that squad had graduated.

Talk about long ago far away.

 * * * * *

A classic example of how meaningless any sort of loyalty is these days: Reed Sheppard.

A double legacy. As beloved as any Wildcat as in ever.

Gone.

In Rex Chapman’s autobiography, in the years when Mr. Peabody had to use his coal largesse to grease palms under tables and back parking lots, Chapman talks about when a couple fat cat boosters learned he was leaving for the NBA told him he’d make more the following season than he’d make in the league if he stayed. $700,000.

Sheppard, whom papa advised is all in on moving on, is looking at $20 mill+. Guuuarrrranteeeeeeed.

Even the Crafts turned their lonely eyes toward next man up: Lyon County’s Travis Perry.

 * * * * *

Of all the many things Pat Kelsey has done in his first month, nothing pleases me more than the hire of Peyton Siva.

Charisma. Leadership. A Cardinal.

As Gym Eyes has pointed out, he’ll be able to practice with the team, showing them how winners win.

 * * * * *

There is an actual connection for me between the world of sports and JazzFest.

The NFL draft is always the weekend I’m down there. Not that I pay much attention to that.

Sorry, Mel.

But, when the Times-Picayune was still a viable hold it in your hand newspaper, the Saints drafted Sheldon Rankins. 2016 or so.

There must have been 2000 words in several articles about him in the next day’s paper.

 * * * * *

OK, enough. I gotta pack.

Later.

— c d kaplan