LAS VEGAS - My last assignment working as a journalist had me reviewing Sean Penn's 2007 drama Into the Wild, an awesome film based on the best selling book. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder did the soundtrack and since I'm a big fan, reviewing the film as my last act as a film critic was no accident.
So, that bring us to Vegas and why I'm here for the holiday weekend relaunching my blog
just in time for Vedder's sold out (I think) solo show at Park MGM's Dolby Live theater, a cozy venue that seats just 5,200.
The mashup of Vegas eye candy and my passion for 90s grunge music was too good of an opportunity to waste, so I hustled like heck to get this thing going over the last two weeks or so.
Before I go any further, special thanks to Chris Tierney, my former colleague at The Sun who was able to find the original (and now so retro) Ravin' with Ravens art. I messaged Chris on LinkedIn and like an hour later I was staring at the old logo I hadn't seen since the George W. Bush administration.
I'll have a review of the show later tonight/this morning. In the meantime, here are a few quick-hit thoughts on Vegas, which I haven't visited since 2019.
Notre Dame takes on BYU tomorrow afternoon here in the new Raiders stadium as part of something called the Shamrock Series. Holy smokes, do Notre Dame fans travel well. I'd say 75 percent of my flight was Fighting Irish fans and they were boozing it up on Southwest Airlines' best beer! Halfway through the flight, a stewardess had to make an announcement about not tossing wet tissues on the plane's bathroom floor.
I'm staying at the MGM Grand. I forgot how immense this place is. I walked around and got a slice of pizza, some ice and shave cream. My Apple Watch thought I was working out from all the steps. ARE YOU WORKING OUT?!?!
I hope Eddie plays "Invincible" tonight. It's the best song on the new solo record. A classic slow burner that just builds and builds and builds. Scroll to the bottom for a listen.
Head & Shoulders travel shampoo FTW. My scalp feels amazing.
I've been here five hours and haven't placed a bet yet.
My cab driver smelled like old cigarettes and asked me if they had to duct tape any unruly plane passengers to their seats. He also told me a story about scorpions falling out of an overhead bin. He said it was true and noted that snakes on a plane was a movie, and thus a lie.
That slice of pizza I ate cost $8.65.
Lebron wants to own an NBA team based in Vegas. Says the fanbase is legit. He's not wrong. While I am no Raiders fan, I was happy to see all the silver and black in the airport.
OK, more later. I'm working on zero sleep and need a nap before the show.
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