Like many, I can’t stop thinking about the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina these past several days, and in particular, that to my beloved New Orleans. I know it could have been worse — the deaths and wreckage in Mississippi are proof — but the Crescent City holds a special place in my heart for its history, people, spookiness, and worldview. I’ve visited five or six times in the past nine years, for Jazz Fest and for the hell of it during off seasons, but I feel like there is still so much to explore.

At least I was able to spend a few days there with D. last year post-TapeOpCon. I just hope that the Place d’Armes hotel is still standing — and that Antoine’s 25,000-bottle under-street wine cellar was watertight, though I have my doubts.