My husband won't go to Vegas. I am sad. Every year for the last few we have received an invitation to the PBR ( Professional Bull Riders ) Legends Reunion in Las Vegas during the World Finals. And every year, he says "No". I love Las Vegas. We have gone seven times. Six times because he was a world finals contestant. One time, just passing through. During the World Finals, we would be there for about two weeks. The hotel suites, at whatever casino was hosting us ( Usually Mandalay Bay ), were home sweet home for that time. I loved everything about it. The views of the strip or the mountains, the soft bed that someone else made, the room service, true love! I want to go back. Maybe not with all the press conferences, signings, meetings, drafts, and bull riding, but with all the other stuff.
This Legends Reunions thing is neat, I guess. Getting to see old friends would be nice. My husband has two very strong opinions about it. One, to be a legend you have to be old. Two, it isn't a very exclusive club. It is open to any former bull rider who has participated in a World Finals, or any elite tour event, ever. The first year, a lot of people went that had never actually made a World Finals, just a couple qualifications for a tour stop or two. And these individuals made quite a big deal out of themselves. I am all sorts of proud of my guy. I would love to list his winnings, event titles, qualifications, and his all time rank of money earners. It is some pretty impressive stuff. At the same time I see nothing wrong with those who are proud of their own accomplishments in the PBR, no matter the size. Let us all gather in Vegas a celebrate what use to be. But no. Hubs don't want to.
In my heart I know none of it matters. Most fans and young guns of today don't even remember the great and prolific bull riders from ten years ago. There is something to take away from that. The whole sport makes the young guys feel like rock stars. When in fact, no amount of titles or stats will ever really make you anything. They too, no matter how successful they become, will be forgotten. Replaced by the next big thing. What might matter is the legacy they might leave. Will they fall into the fold, disappear into the flashing lights, pretty girls, and booze? Or will they make a mark. Be an individual. Start building something that does matter. I do hope they love what they are doing. I hope most of all that although it is the dream of many young bull riders to see the bright lights of Vegas, and be called out into that arena under the fireworks and screaming fans, that they have other dreams too. That they build a life outside of the arena that means more than anything that happens inside it.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThis is very insightful into the life of bull riding. It sounds very exciting, and like a great experience. I am sorry to hear you are not going this year, you sound very passionate about it. I liked where you said " the whole sport makes the young guys feel like rock stars," because it definately sounds like an experience of fame. I liked how you built op the experience with description, then pulled down reality and explained how quickly things change and they can be replaced.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThis is very insightful into the life of bull riding. It sounds very exciting, and like a great experience. I am sorry to hear you are not going this year, you sound very passionate about it. I liked where you said " the whole sport makes the young guys feel like rock stars," because it definately sounds like an experience of fame. I liked how you built op the experience with description, then pulled down reality and explained how quickly things change and they can be replaced.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent post in my opinion. A subject that I have a lot of passion for. It is the legends that I admire, Larry Mahan, Tuff Hedeman, Lane Frost, to mention only a few. I had the privilege of meeting Tuff Hedeman about ten years ago. An awesome man in my opinion and I have a great respect for all of the legends. I would love to go to Vegas to the PBR finals one day. But you are correct, it is the legacy they chose to leave behind, because the fame is short lived. It's a tough sport but one that deserves a lot of respect. Just because you call yourself a cowboy, doesn't mean you are one. There's a lot more to it, as I know you can vouch for. I admire your husband for what he has and still stands for, and for you for being a part of it with him.
Lucas
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteIt would be absolutely awesome to go to Las Vegas, my husband and I have never been. We love watching the PBR finals on television and could only imagine how cool it would be to actually be there live.