If you hang around this spinning planet long enough, there comes a time as the years collect that real life intrudes with terrible swift sword.
You have survived the travails, trauma and troubles, and here you find yourself.
You have savored the triumphs and titillations.
You have slogged your way through the meh.
Then here you are after all those travels. Real stuff, serious stuff come at you more and more.
At these times one must remember to savor the little moments, to cherish that which you brings
you serenity.
Like your favorite pizza place making the best pie ever on your last visit.
Having to wait for the Mama Mallard to lead her kids across the road out in back of the Mall.
Little Steven sharing some historical tidbit with that smirk in his voice.
Hearing a funny Spike Jones song on the box in your car. And you can’t stop smiling.
Finally seeing “Sinners” and discovering it’s way more, way deeper, more knowing than a simple vampire flick.
Having somebody you’ve known since HS but never been really close to do an incredible favor for you. With the bonus that he’s as big a Louisville fan as you are.
At these times, where you’re inveterate scribe now resides, it is imperative to stay tethered to those joys one truly loves in life.
Which is why, for a Cardinal lifer, this week has been a blessing.
A Louisville Cardinal basketball press conference.
Watching The Ville in Freedom Hall.
* * * * *
For me, the latter was more the situation than the game. Just being honest.
Driving to the Fairgrounds, getting off the expressway on Arthur Street, which always — always — brings back memories of going to the games with my dad, Arthur Kaplan.
Ring Road, which I never hated like most did.
Walking in that back Media entrance. The Media Room, essentially a former storage area. True.
Like the Denny Era, the team waiting in the locker room until after the National Anthem to take the court.
Noticing Rob Hickerson in the crowd.
Just being in the gym where I’ve watched hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of games. As many as a thousand???
An adoring red-clad crowd, ready to stand and cheer at any positive from the former Cards++ (Jay Scrubb coulda woulda shoulda).
The Ville won their opener Saturday afternoon against an overmatched Boston vs. Cancer squad.
91-71.
It was nice in a memory lane sort of way.
* * * * *
But, oh my, I exited the Kelsey, Khalifa, Brown Jr, Rodgers, Hadley press conference with a full heart.
Pumped for the here and now.
Kelsey is ever himself.
Eric Crawford and I were talking about PK’s always on energy level, his intensity. Agreed it was unlike anyone on staff we remembered, until I invoked . . .
. . . Ray Ganong.
Again let me reiterate my love for the quiet understated eerily mature aura of those players.
They are obviously competitive to the max. But also are obviously good people.
As I walked out the meet and greet, I was in touch with two thoughts.
God, how I love Louisville Cardinal basketball.
The program is in good hands.
Great hands.
— c d kaplan
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