Las Vegas, Nevada: Such an odd adventure for us this March in Las Vegas - this last-ever Pac-12 Men's basketball tournament. The University of Oregon will join the Big 10 Conference next season. We are staying in our usual hotel, walking the familiar route to T-Mobile Arena, sitting in our usual seats, but none of our posse are here. Just us.
By the way: no one asked me if would be a good decision to dismantle The Conference of Champions. It's all about football and it's all about money.
After Taiwan pickle, fried rice and soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung, we headed over to the arena to watch the Arizona v USC game, then the Ducks v UCLA was the second game in the two-game session. I'm sorry, but (as I have mentioned many times previously) the Arizona fans are over the top. They are numerous (close to Las Vegas), they are loud, and they are proud. Obnoxiously so. I felt so sorry for USC (they lost to the Arizona Wildcats 70-49).
Though the Ducks were picked to win the contest by a slim margin, the Webfeet were down by ten points several times. It was a real nail biter.
With moments to go, the Bruins went into the lead... then the Ducks rallied... then the Bruins went into the lead. So stressful. Finally, the Ducks won by two lousy points... but UCLA goes home and we get to face... wait for it - the stinkin' Arizona Wildcats - tomorrow. The Ides of March, no less.
There was an evening session, but two basketball games were enough basketball games for us today. Not to mention the arena is freezing cold (maybe because it is a hockey arena?), and we were so cold. Dave wore his sport coat - not because he is fancy - but because it is the warmest jacket he brought. So. Cold. All. Day. (It was really cold in Las Vegas today as well, and of course, it was also windy.)
We went back to our hotel room and turned the heat up to thaw our old bones, then dressed for dinner. One of our favorite restaurants is in the Aria Hotel - Bardot - so we booked a table and went there to enjoy their amazing mac & cheese side dish. I went off-menu and asked for the duck confit with only duck-fat fries (it is usually served with two pork-laden side dishes), and Dave ordered the flounder. We really enjoyed our meals and are so happy we have been able to dine here several times, but it really too expensive. (In France, we never had a meal that cost as much if ordered basically the same dishes.)
but the meat was ridiculously tender and juicy.
One more thing. A year ago (March 11) we saw Jimmy Buffett at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with my brother and his wife (and we also dined at Bardot). It was the last show Jimmy played in Las Vegas. Mr. Buffett passed away six months later. So sad.
Until my next update, I remain, your GO DUCKS correspondent.