I've got a Secret, Metallica, Haircut, Green Toes, and #RFN

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."
— Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai 

Hola from Sin City, I'm in a nice little room at the Excalibur, my wife and I snuck away to celebrate our first anniversary. We flew out yesterday morning at 9:00 from Denver to Las Vegas. We got some lunch, did some shopping, I got a haircut from John (I'm sorry Mel), and then we got our toes "did." I went with St. Paddies Day Sparkling Green.

Before leaving the airport, we visited our favorite diner, the Siler Bullet Bar. We flew weekly and became friends with many of the servers, but one man stood out. Rory was a kind man that took care of us many times; he knew our names were always engaging. I asked our server if Rory was still there and was told he retired and was in Puerto Rico. So I began writing a note our mutual friend could share, and he handed me his phone; it was Rory.

We caught up; I learned my friend has horses in Nebraska lives south in the winter and north in the summer. He will travel this summer; we might connect, a kind man with a kind heart. After speaking to Rory, I got a text from my friend Nate; you know that Great Van Fleet is opening for Metallica tonight in Vegas? We were not aware; I bought tickets whilst sitting waiting on my breakfast sandwich.

We took a tram from our hotel to Mandalay Bay. The last time we were here, a mass shooter took out a few folks; I said a little prayer no one was inspired and wanted to replicate the evil assholes' work. We walked from Mandalay to the new Allegiant Stadium, a masterpiece of a stadium, fresh; it's where the Raiders play. Capacity is 65,000, and I think it was sold out; it was a mass of humanity, and let me tell you, both bands were on fire. If you get a chance to catch Metallica this tour, do it; we might track them down again; it was that good. Great Van Fleet has improved; this was our fifth time seeing them. They are a great young band.

Most readers know I'm an early-to-bed guy, usually in bed by 9:00; we walked home from Allegiant and arrived about 11:30; I think I fell asleep at midnight, slept like a beast, and woke up at 9:00. I will always get my 9 hours of sleep. We are up; my wife is in the shower, we are having brunch at 11:30, then toss a coin as to what we will do. We are not big gamblers, so shows are where we invest.

We will head back and have a nice dinner tonight before walking back to Allegiant; I bought my bride some excellent seats; I have not seen Billy since 1991; I first saw Metallica in 1987 with the Monsters of Rock tour. The opening band was Kingdom Come, Metallica, Dokkon, Scorpians, and The Mighty Van Halen, with Sammy supporting their 5150 album closed the show.

I'm exhausted from traveling; we walked about five or more miles stood for the entire show. My OURA ring is telling me to pay attention. "Your resting heart rate shows that you might not be fully recovered. To help recharge your energy levels, take it easy today. Take it easy in Las Vegas? I'm sorry, Oura, I'll slow down tomorrow, we have a day of relaxation, I can rest when I'm 'dead.

Hey, the CDC changed the mask rules. I can verify that COVID is not in Vegas; masks are rare. Hopefully, we can stop wearing them when flying. Interestingly, when war breaks out, the pandemic seems to have been removed from the NPR trifecta of race, climate change, and COVID. So now it's WAR, race, and climate change. Keep gaslighting, folks; you are making half the country terrified.

Well, I'm getting in the shower, going to wear some shorts; it's nice here, we will walk, check out the people, the place, the things, and I look forward to sharing a good review of William tomorrow. So be good, be kind, remember always live life Right Fucking Now.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."
— Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai