Arriving and Leaving Las Vegas

I spent an extended weekend in Las Vegas recently. Whatever you think about Vegas, there is no denying it has become one of the biggest tourist destinations in the U.S. The sheer volume of hotel rooms, all the new construction, combined with the non-stop energy of The Strip, makes arriving in Las Vegas unforgettable.

But what about leaving Las Vegas? (No, not the Nicholas Cage movie...although that was a pretty good flick)...I'm talking about actually packing up your bags and leaving Sin City. I had never really thought about this before, but leaving Las Vegas is a totally different experience than arriving, more so than other cities.

I believe the reason is two-fold. First, most people who choose to gamble end up losing. That's just the reality. The deck is stacked against you whatever you play. So that glee and excitement of arriving is dulled when you leave because your wallet is probably a little lighter. The other thing is, and I can't speak for everyone, but after two or three days in the midst of all the noise, the people, the glitz...you wanna get out of there!

So leaving Las Vegas is an interesting journey. The next time you fly to Vegas, note how different the vibe is on the trip in and the trip out. You'll see what I mean.

Delta Airlines and the Safety Woman

Another YouTube oddity to report...hundreds of thousand hits on the new Delta Airlines safety demonstration video. Seems the model (I mean, flight attendent) is really pretty and does a little nasty no-no finger wave at those who think they can smoke.

Check it out for yourself.

It seems pretty innocent to me, but how long will it be before the other airlines try to outdo Delta? Things could get interesting.

Now please make sure your tray tables and seatbacks are in their upright positions.

B & B: Basketball and Baseball

I love football season, but I also love this time of year right before the NCAA Basketball tournament starts and Major League Baseball throws the first pitch.

The NCAA tourney is just plain fun, and we've got some semi-local teams in it, although it will be tough for Boise State and BYU to go too deep. My pick for the final four is Georgetown, North Carolina, Memphis, and UCLA, with North Carolina the winner.

Major League Baseball had a rough off-season with the whole steriod thing, but I just want to watch the games now. I'm a Seattle Mariner fan, and yes, it has been tough the past few years.

I understand that the local cable company used to carry Mariner games, but last year they carried the Colorado Rockies instead. I called and they told me that it was out of their control, the teams make the rules about cable coverage. (sigh).

Take my poll, who is your favorite major league baseball team? If I don't list yours, sorry, just vote for other.

Play Ball!

Not Mary Ann!

Local celeb Dawn Wells, who of course was Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island apparently has been busted on marijuana charges.

Former Gilligan's Island star gets 3-hour tour of jail

Story Published: Mar 11, 2008 at 11:07 AM PDT
Story Updated: Mar 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM PDT
By Associated Press
DRIGGS, Idaho (AP) - Perhaps they should have called her Mary Jane.A surprise birthday party for Dawn Wells, the actress who played Mary Ann on "Gilligan's Island," ended with a nearly three-hour tour of the Teton County sheriff's office and jail when the 69-year-old was caught with marijuana in her vehicle while driving home.Wells is now serving six months' unsupervised probation for the crime. She was sentenced Feb. 29 to five days in jail, fined $410.50 and placed on probation after pleading guilty to one count of reckless driving.The guilty plea came as part of an agreement with prosecutors in which three misdemeanor counts - driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance - were dropped.The case began the night of Oct. 18, when Teton County sheriff's Deputy Joseph Gutierrez arrested Wells as she was driving home from a surprise birthday party. She posted $4,000 bond and was arraigned on the charges the following day, pleading not guilty. A trial on the matter was scheduled for March 13, but was canceled because of the plea agreement.According to the sheriff's office report, Gutierrez pulled Wells over after noticing her swerve across the fog lines and center lines of State Highway 33 and repeatedly speed up and slow down."I exited my patrol vehicle and immediately was able to smell a strong odor of burning marijuana," Gutierrez wrote in his report. "As I approached the vehicle I noticed all four window (sic) of the vehicle were lowered and the female driver was not wearing a jacket."When Gutierrez asked why he could smell marijuana, Wells reportedly told him that she'd just given a ride to three hitchhikers and had dropped them off when they began smoking something. When Gutierrez searched the car, he found three half-smoked joints in the ashtray and console, according to the report. A second search after Wells' arrest netted a fourth half-smoked joint and two small cases used to store marijuana, Gutierrez said.After Wells failed a field sobriety test, she was handcuffed and taken to the sheriff's office.Wells' attorney, Ron Swafford, of Idaho Falls, told the Post Register that a friend of Wells' voluntarily testified that he'd left a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle after having used the vehicle that day, and that Wells was unaware of it.Swafford said several witnesses were prepared to testify that Wells had very little to drink at the party and was not intoxicated when she left. He said she was swerving on the road because she was trying to find the heater controls in her new car.Wells is the founder of the Idaho Film and Television Institute in Driggs and the organizer of the region's annual family movie festival called the Spud Fest.

This got me thinking about all those wacky 60's sitcoms. Take my poll and let me know what your favorite crazy 60's sitcom was!

Politics and my cable connection

I've always had a fascination with politics, not so much in support of a particular candidate or issue, but how the media covers it, how the drama plays out, etc.

Back in the day there were just three channels, and except for the big events like the conventions and the general election, there just wasn't a lot of tv coverage. Of course today we have cable and numerous sources for us political junkies. I have to admit, I eat it up.

As I write this today on Tuesday, March 4th, there are important primaries going on (Texas and Ohio the biggies), and the results will start to come in in just a couple hours. I won't make any specific predictions, because I don't want to turn this blog into a big debate. But I will make one prediction, the democratic race will probably go on after tonight. I will be watching closely!

CNN does a good job in my opinion, they are my first choice. I think Anderson Cooper is an excellent anchor, and they seem the most balanced.

Even if you are not interested in politics, you have to admit this has been an interesting race for President. I'm glad my cable is connected so I can be too.

Random thoughts from I-15

I commute to work everyday on I-15. My round trip is about 40 miles, so I've become a "regular" out there on the Interstate.

Actually, it has become a good place to clear my head. And no two commutes are ever exactly the same.

So, some random thoughts from I-15:

Most drivers going faster than 80 MPH have Utah plates.

Truckers seem more courteous than they used to be.

I hit a dog last spring (the poor thing had already been hit and died before I hit it). What are dogs doing out there roaming around the interstate? I have a theory, but it wouldn't be P.C.

They just put up new signs warning of blowing snow. Good timing now that winter is almost over.

Speaking of winter, I had only one white knuckle moment this season. Came up on a sudden stretch of blowing snow...no warning, from dry pavement to white-out within seconds. I thought for sure I would slide off, but somehow stayed on the pavement and managed to miss hitting the poor drivers who were around me. There is a lesson here...no matter how good a driver you think you are, and how easy it is to think only "idiots" slide-off, it can happen to anyone, especially here in East Idaho.

Happy Driving, and we'll see you on the 15.

Paul Walker
2-8pm KLCE