A Las Vegas rookie chronicles his first time in Sin City originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Welcome to what is definitely a self-indulgent but also hopefully entertaining live blog, where I'll be writing about my first trip to Las Vegas. Follow along as I explore all that this sleepy, quiet town has to offer on Friday and Saturday ahead of the Washington Football Team's battle with the Raiders on Sunday. The most recent posts will be at the top of the story. — Pete Hailey
Friday, Dec. 3 — Mandalay Bay Hotel — 11:55 a.m. Vegas
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I knew this was the place for me when I saw that there were slot machines sprinkled throughout baggage claim.
I repeat: There are slot machines sprinkled throughout BAGGAGE CLAIM.
After hustling out of McCarran International Airport, I grabbed an Uber to our hotel, Mandalay Bay. The driver, who was very kind, was spewing all sorts of tips and facts about Vegas to me, but I didn't listen to a single one. Instead, I was just staring at the massive buildings and enormous signs, all apparently in a competition with one another to be bigger than the rest.
After filming a quick preview video along with Mitch Tischler for the Washington-Raiders tilt — keep an eye on our Twitters and this here website for the final product once it's published — it's now time to go out and explore. For the next handful of hours, I'll be filing updates remotely.
Sorry to whoever has to edit what's to come :).
Also, if you're reading this and are in town, come to Eye Candy at Mandalay Bay tonight at 7:30. The Washington Football Talk podcast is hosting a Pod Party and JP Finlay is buying beers. If you ask politely, he may even give you two.
Friday, Dec. 3 — On the runway of the Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport — 9:16 a.m. eastern
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
That's a classic quote, and one I'm taking to heart as my connecting flight in Detroit is about to take off and head for the Entertainment Capital of the World (apparently that's a nickname for Las Vegas, based on a Google search I did about 12 seconds ago):
I played four hands of Blackjack and won three of them, so I'm already up 30 imaginary chips. This bodes SO well for what's to come when I land.
Friday, Dec. 3 — Somewhere over the state of Michigan — 7:12 a.m. eastern
I just accidentally pushed the flight attendant button instead of the switch for the overhead light in the middle of a supremely dark and quiet flight. It caused a bit of a scene. This must be what it feels like to false start on an important third-and-4. I’m mortified.
Thursday, Dec. 2 — Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. — 9:01 p.m. EST
When leaving the Washington Football Team's facility after Thursday's practice, I had the following exchange with Ben Standig, a reporter who also covers the Burgundy and Gold for The Athletic ...
Ben: "Hey Pete, what time do you leave for Vegas?"
Me: "I've got a flight at 6 A.M. out of BWI tomorrow."
Ben: "Damn, you couldn't find anything earlier?"
It was a great line from Ben — and sadly, the answer to his zinger was no, I could not. Clearly he was being sarcastic, but if there was an earlier option out of one of the DMV's airports, I would've taken it.
After all, this is my first time going to Las Vegas, and I want to soak it all up.
I'm all done packing — included in my suitcase: extra Advil, an unspecified amount of cash that I put in a rubber band just to feel like a baller and sandals (it's going to be 70 degrees! I hope I don't get sunburnt!!) — and am about to try and sleep.
I doubt I'll be able to do much of that, however, seeing as I feel like I used to on Christmas Eve — except this time, my gifts will be lots of face cards at the Blackjack table and, hopefully, Washington's fourth-straight victory.
The alarm is set for just before 4, which in any other circumstance would be downright devilish. For this excursion, however, I'm completely OK with it. Talk to you all when I land, and if you happen to see my mom around over the next couple of days (her name is Debby and she's very sweet), tell her I'll be all right.
