More Advancing
Las Vegas, Nevada: Another quiet
morning. Thankfully. Dave returned from the hotel fitness center (stationary
bike) reporting Duck hurdler, Devon Allen, was also working out in the gym. Allen was the NCAA 110m hurdle champion, USA national champion, placed 5th
in the Olympic high hurdle final in Rio, and (in his spare time) was a wide
receiver on the Duck football team. Devon had a devastating ACL injury last
football season and has decided to focus his athletic talents on the hurdles.
(GOOD DECISION!) Graduating in
June, Allen
signed with NIKE
last week. He promised Dave to be fit and ready for
the World Track & Field Championships in London this August. Love me some
runners hurdlers!
The basketball games didn't begin until 6p, so... with an entire free day... what else is there to do in Las Vegas? Shop! Though a bit short after
my $32 cocktail - window shopping is still free. We took a taxi to the Forum
Shops at Caesar's Palace, had a nice Italian lunch and walked and shopped as
much as Dave's knee would allow. We took a taxi back to our hotel. This taxi
use is just a temporary situation. Normally, we walk everywhere in Las
Vegas. Dave will be back to his normal form in short time.

Though just-not-quite the lobby at the Bellagio, the lobby in
the Aria has an interesting display of colorful bicycles and flowers
suspended from the ceiling.
We headed over to the arena at 5p to meet Mary's sorority sister, Jill, and her
husband, Blake. Even though Blake is a Bruin, we still like him. They live in
San Diego.

Not the greatest photo of Your Goddess, but an excellent photo of Pretty
Jill and an excellent photo of my rarely-used Duck handbag. I love this
purse. I love the size and I love the interior pockets, but dang, it
matches exactly zero-percent of my shoes.. and that... sadly... is a
pretty strict rule at my house.
NOTE TO READERS: Fashion sense makes no sense in Las Vegas. It was
reported, by a fellow elevator passenger, a male guest was spotted -
asleep - in the hall of the 4th floor early in the morning, wearing only
underwear and shoes. How many times must I suggest people are staying in
hotel rooms without mirrors? How the heck else would they be walking
around Las Vegas dressed like they were about to weed their garden...
without the benefit of foundation garments?

I did not expect the Cal Bears to give the Ducks quite so much trouble,
but it was a very close game until the last bit. Of course, as with any
Pac-12 game, there were a few questionable ref calls on both sides. The
final score was
74-65.
We all stayed to watch the UCLA v Arizona game, but it never was much of
a game. Arizona was on fire, putting up three-pointers like it was their
job... and UCLA could only return with a 2-point answer. UCLA just could
not defend, so the Wildcats were in control the entire game.
At half time, the above mentioned Devon Allen was recognized - along
with an Olympic athlete from each Pac-12 school - on center court.

I can't rationalize how each school chose but one athlete. Many school
honored an athlete from the 2016 Rio games. Oregon State honored
Dick Fosbury (below, with orange shoes), the famed high jumper from
the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.

Devon Allen shows his "O" with Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens
No idea how the Ducks settled on only Devon Allen. There were 11 Ducks
in track and field alone at the Rio Olympics.
According to Bill Walton, the Pac-12 are the Conference of Champions.
The second half of the game was hard to take. UCLA could not answer
Arizona. Just after writing yesterday that I loved Sean Miller (except
when he is coaching against the Ducks)... wouldn't ya know it?
Ducks v Wildcats for the conference title tomorrow night. It is on TV.
ESPN. 8p pacific.
We went for a very late dinner, with Jill and Blake, to
Javier's in the Aria after the game. The restaurant features a very
large and very unique
wooden art installation - a Day of the Dead interpretation carved
with a chainsaw by an artist from Sisters, Oregon.
This is one of the most ornate and unique piece of art I
have seen. It is amazing and occupies one entire wall in the restaurant.
Speaking of chainsaws, I hope the boys from Oregon carve a little
history on the Arizona
Wildcats tomorrow night. It will certainly be an epic battle.
Until my next update, I remain, your optomistic correspondent.
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