I am despondent

[SmellyCat]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

 

[Bwm57]

I am pulling for you to get to Las Vegas!

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

Damn smelly. That really stinks.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

Oh shit, I didn’t realize Vegas would be the sweet 16 reward. THAT would be great.

I was pretty much Des Moines or bust, with Columbus or Denver giving me a snowball chance. But Vegas for the Sweet 16…

 

[NU Houston]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

We'll see you in Houston for the Final Four!

 

[Hungry Jack]

I was just in Vegas. The strip is hell.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

Based on the overall rankings, I think NU (28) lost Columbus on Friday night. Michigan State (26) got it instead.

 

[lunker35]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

Have yourself an amazing meal and watching it from a comfortable couch. While not the same will still be fun and maybe less stressful.

 

[Titanium999]

On a day where I should be absolutely thrilled and excited (and I am!), I am so sad because Sacramento is just not going to work for me. Just a combination of money, time, schedule, health, and work/family commitments make it next to impossible for me to make it work. Columbus would have been great. Des Moines/Albany/Greensboro/Birmingham would have been tough, but would work. Didn't like Denver or Orlando, but I probably would have sucked it up and made something happen. Sacramento was the only one I didn't want. I hope to see NU in person in the NCAAs someday (SLC didn't work out either), but it doesn't look like it's going to be this year.

I'm already looking at flights to Vegas for next weekend, just in case NU gets the long-awaited rematch with Gonzaga and then faces the Jayhawks (my second-favorite team).

I definitely 💯 can relate as I have had to change my cumphyschmuphy couch 🛋️ arrangement too!

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I was just in Vegas. The strip is hell.

And here I thought I kinda liked you

 

[gradeck]

Having tournament sites spread across the country? Of course.

But they should be limited to major, easy-to-get-to cities with tons of hotels and direct flights everywhere. LA, SF, Phoenix, Seattle, even Portland - no problem. Sacramento is an unfortunate choice.

(Same logic applies for, say, Albany).

 

[EagerFan]

Yeah Sacramento was very low on my list of preferred locations. The only plus is it's against Boise State, so whatever happens, the Saturday tickets will be worth it.

But I would have much preferred Des Moines or Columbus. Airfare has gotten stupid.

 

[Just Gary]

You can always fly into San Francisco or Oakland and drive up to Sacramento. It is not that bad a drive and hotels in between would cost ;less to stay in. Oakland is an easy Southwest Airlines location as well as cheaper tickets by other discount airlines.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

You can always fly into San Francisco or Oakland and drive up to Sacramento. It is not that bad a drive and hotels in between would cost ;less to stay in. Oakland is an easy Southwest Airlines location as well as cheaper tickets by other discount airlines.

Definitely and there are In N Outs in both San Fran and Sacramento to add to the allure so you can double enjoying a double.

It is an easy drive unlike going from Reno to Sacramento which can be treacherous getting through Truckee and the Donner Pass this time of year,

It would be a workable trip for me coming from Alaska but I’ll be off the coast of Japan aboard the first Diamond Princess sailing from Yokohama since the ship infamously was moored there in February of 2020 with its passengers under quarantine.

FWIW I just had a great sighting of Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen Bullet train a few minutes ago so hopefully that is some kind of good karma.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Definitely and there are In N Outs in both San Fran and Sacramento to add to the allure so you can double enjoying a double.

It is an easy drive unlike going from Reno to Sacramento which can be treacherous getting through Truckee and the Donner Pass this time of year,

It would be a workable trip for me coming from Alaska but I’ll be off the coast of Japan aboard the first Diamond Princess sailing from Yokohama since the ship infamously was moored there in February of 2020 with its passengers under quarantine.

FWIW I just had a great sighting of Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen Bullet train a few minutes ago so hopefully that is some kind of good karma.

 

[No Chores]

Definitely and there are In N Outs in both San Fran and Sacramento to add to the allure so you can double enjoying a double.

It is an easy drive unlike going from Reno to Sacramento which can be treacherous getting through Truckee and the Donner Pass this time of year,

It would be a workable trip for me coming from Alaska but I’ll be off the coast of Japan aboard the first Diamond Princess sailing from Yokohama since the ship infamously was moored there in February of 2020 with its passengers under quarantine.

FWIW I just had a great sighting of Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen Bullet train a few minutes ago so hopefully that is some kind of good karma.

That train is a lot of fun. Ultimately, you can take the regular train which does switch backs up to the volcanic sulfur pools across from Mt. Fuji. Hope you get a clear day so you can see the snow capped peak of Fuji.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

That train is a lot of fun. Ultimately, you can take the regular train which does switch backs up to the volcanic sulfur pools across from Mt. Fuji. Hope you get a clear day so you can see the snow capped peak of Fuji.

Thanks. We discovered those sulfur pools last week though we got there by car:

 

[Hungry Jack]

I am resplendent. I’m sitting here in my Thai silk robe, satin slippers, cashmere pantaloons and an ostrich feather boa, waiting for the Cats to come on as I sip hibiscus-infused volcanic water and snack on beluga caviar organic millet crisps.

 

[No Chores]

I am resplendent. I’m sitting here in my Thai silk robe, satin slippers, cashmere pantaloons and an ostrich feather boa, waiting for the Cats to come on as I sip hibiscus-infused volcanic water and snack on beluga caviar organic millet crisps.

Are you going to sit there in resplendent fashion for 3 days?

 

[hdhntr1]

Definitely and there are In N Outs in both San Fran and Sacramento to add to the allure so you can double enjoying a double.

It is an easy drive unlike going from Reno to Sacramento which can be treacherous getting through Truckee and the Donner Pass this time of year,

It would be a workable trip for me coming from Alaska but I’ll be off the coast of Japan aboard the first Diamond Princess sailing from Yokohama since the ship infamously was moored there in February of 2020 with its passengers under quarantine.

FWIW I just had a great sighting of Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen Bullet train a few minutes ago so hopefully that is some kind of good karma.

But no moose

 

[Hungry Jack]

Are you going to sit there in resplendent fashion for 3 days?

I’m just getting started. Wait til you hear I have on tomorrow.

 

[No Chores]

I’m just getting started. Wait til you hear I have on tomorrow.

Can't wait! What does Little Hungry think of all of this - not to mention Mrs. H? I'm spending all day tomorrow watching Big Ten teams and Pitt play basketball, probably attired in my jeans or sweats

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I am resplendent. I’m sitting here in my Thai silk robe, satin slippers, cashmere pantaloons and an ostrich feather boa, waiting for the Cats to come on as I sip hibiscus-infused volcanic water and snack on beluga caviar organic millet crisps.

Listen, you said that unfortunate thing about Vegas, but this is a helluva way to redeem yourself.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Props to your continuous commitment to living a highly scenic and photogenic life.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Listen, you said that unfortunate thing about Vegas, but this is a helluva way to redeem yourself.

Ah, Vegas. I did have a wonderful time scrambling at Red Rocks, and my only regret about Valley of Fire was not having another day to cavort among its wondrous scenery (though a place like that can be absolutely lethal to the uninitiated during the infernal depths of summer).

But the Strip nearly proved my undoing with its second-hand smoke and unfortunate use of lycra. I wandered out one morning in search of a decent coffee, and found my way into the materialist labyrinth of the Venetian. I found Gucci and Jimmy Choo and ersatz canals, but could not find the sky for a good 20 minutes. In a near existential panic, I wandered into a man-cave store and found solace with a young clerk who hailed from the Bronx. We chatted for a good 20 minutes about New York, politics, and the state of the Yankees. Feeling slightly redeemed, I found a coffee and the sky a few minutes later.

I am selecting a new wardrobe for today's moment of leisure, and will report back soon...

 

[TheC]

I’m just getting started. Wait til you hear I have on tomorrow.

As long as you keep something on each day...

 

[its_the_sauce]

Ah, Vegas. I did have a wonderful time scrambling at Red Rocks, and my only regret about Valley of Fire was not having another day to cavort among its wondrous scenery (though a place like that can be absolutely lethal to the uninitiated during the infernal depths of summer).

But the Strip nearly proved my undoing with its second-hand smoke and unfortunate use of lycra. I wandered out one morning in search of a decent coffee, and found my way into the materialist labyrinth of the Venetian. I found Gucci and Jimmy Choo and ersatz canals, but could not find the sky for a good 20 minutes. In a near existential panic, I wandered into a man-cave store and found solace with a young clerk who hailed from the Bronx. We chatted for a good 20 minutes about New York, politics, and the state of the Yankees. Feeling slightly redeemed, I found a coffee and the sky a few minutes later.

I am selecting a new wardrobe for today's moment of leisure, and will report back soon...

Your problem is the Strip, not Vegas.

Been staying on Fremont Street for 30 years, I'll never go back to the Strip.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Your problem is the Strip, not Vegas.

As noted in my post

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Your problem is the Strip, not Vegas.

Been staying on Fremont Street for 30 years, I'll never go back to the Strip.

Ew. No.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Ah, Vegas. I did have a wonderful time scrambling at Red Rocks, and my only regret about Valley of Fire was not having another day to cavort among its wondrous scenery (though a place like that can be absolutely lethal to the uninitiated during the infernal depths of summer).

But the Strip nearly proved my undoing with its second-hand smoke and unfortunate use of lycra. I wandered out one morning in search of a decent coffee, and found my way into the materialist labyrinth of the Venetian. I found Gucci and Jimmy Choo and ersatz canals, but could not find the sky for a good 20 minutes. In a near existential panic, I wandered into a man-cave store and found solace with a young clerk who hailed from the Bronx. We chatted for a good 20 minutes about New York, politics, and the state of the Yankees. Feeling slightly redeemed, I found a coffee and the sky a few minutes later.

I am selecting a new wardrobe for today's moment of leisure, and will report back soon...

WHo needs the sky in Vegas? THey have a sky painted on the ceiling at the Venetian.

 

[Hungry Jack]

WHo needs the sky in Vegas? THey have a sky painted on the ceiling at the Venetian.

I’m more the quiet, retiring type. Give me a view of the desert, a sensible beverage, and a senorita for company….

 

[Bwm57]

What exactly is a sensible beverage?

 

[Hungry Jack]

What exactly is a sensible beverage?

Generally, whatever the occasion requires. Could be Malort, Chivas, and White Claw. Could be water.

 

[Bwm57]

Generally, whatever the occasion requires. Could be Malort, Chivas, and White Claw. Could be water.

I can’t envision any situation where the occasion would require Malort.
Maybe if I was facing a firing squad.

 

[TheC]

Generally, whatever the occasion requires. Could be Malort, Chivas, and White Claw. Could be water.

What exactly is a senorita?

 

[GatoLouco]

What exactly is a senorita?

It’s like a woman, but spicy 🌶️

 

[phatcat]

And here I thought I kinda liked you

The thing about Vegas is that it sucks. It's an ugly pile if glitz in an otherwise beautiful desert. I hate when I have to go there on business, and I will never leisure travel there.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Vegas: you can stab it with your steely knife but you just can’t kill the beast

 

[EagerFan]

I went to Vegas with Friends several years ago to gamble on/watch the opening round in March. It was AmAzing. But that had as much to do with the company and the games as anything. Only time I’ve been there.