This just in: Michael Jackson is still dead.

I think all you celebrities need to lay low for the rest of this month. It’s dangerous out there. I saw on the teevee that vigils are being held worldwide for the beloved Michael Jackson. OK, I guess. I feel bad for the guy, but never really got the appeal (to me, he peaked with “Ben”). I mean, it’s not like John Lennon just got shot. One mourner outside Jackon’s LA residence (who didn’t even bother to take the cell phone out of her ear while being interviewed) said, “my goodness, it’s just like a modern day Elvis Presley dying.” Uh, I know Elvis died a while ago, but I’m pretty sure 1977 still counts as the “modern day.”

I suppose it’s just a generational thing (although MJ was two years older than I am). Music, to me, doesn’t involve hopping around and grabbing your crotch. I prefer sitting on the couch and grabbing my crotch. But, to each his own. A shame he had to upstage Farrah, though.

Speaking of music, it’s Jazzfest weekend, which is always a pretty big deal around here (especially since it’s free). In addition to all the local acts, Randy Brecker’s in town (without his brother Walter, who, sadly, passed away from leukemia back in 2007 – just wanted to keep the whole death theme going). Randy is actually playing with two groups here this weekend: the Randy Brecker / Bill Evans Soulbop Band and The West Coast / East Coast Dream Band. Spyro Gyra is here as well (they were a bar band in Buffalo while I was at UB). I won’t bore you with the full lineup, though if you’re interested, you can look here.

Lucky you, out there in Minnesota, as you’ll be seeing one of our favorite basketball players of all time next season. The Timberwolves selected Jonny Flynn #6 in last night’s NBA draft. Though they picked another point guard – Ricky Rubio – #5, so perhaps there’s a trade in the works somewhere. Jonny just seems like a great kid, was a lot of fun to watch (though I wish he’d stuck around another couple years), and was a real iron man. He averaged 38 minutes a game (out of 40) in two years here, and played 67 out of 70 minutes in last year’s 6-OT marathon game.

I’m glad it’s finally Friday. This has been a long week. Let’s get it over with.