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I've long held this fantasy about gassing up an RV or van in semi-retirement and cruising around the country, visiting Breadheads I've known for years in the Meadow of Shame . . . but have never actually met.
But I'm accident-prone and living in one of the world's most expensive outposts -- the San Francisco Bay Area -- so the smart money is on me steering my bike into oncoming traffic or stumbling off a cliff during a hike long before I can afford my coveted residence on wheels.
Nor is time on my side. The 33-year-old who started the Bread Pool with Sammy "The Fish" Bozzo (Livermore, CA) and 10 other guys on a golf course in 1996 will be 63 when the 30th Bread Pool tips off next year. The conceit of endless days ahead in which to accomplish my wanderlust mission has faded like my appetite for four-meat pizza.
Plan B: Bring the mountain to Mohammed. Or at least meet it halfway.
Every year when I open the Meadow of Shame for the upcoming Bread Pool, I look forward to the comments from fired-up BreadHeads across the nation who've been counting the days 'til March Madness. I can't help but take note of how many of them plan to ring in the tournament's opening four days -- the highlight of the sports calendar for many of us -- in Las Vegas.
Although I'm way more of a Lake Tahoe guy than a Vegas type, a recent trip to see the Eagles at The Sphere got me thinking: With the Bread Pool's 30th rendition on deck -- and, thanks to the lost Covid year in 2020, our 30th anniversary, as well -- why not gather the troops where they're already amassed?
After a 30-minute skull session with "Councilman" Ken Silman (Petaluma, CA) -- the Bread Pool's first two-time champion (2003 & 2004) -- the details fell into place:
Better Bread Than Dead: The 30-Year Weekend
The moniker isn't entirely smarmy: Hundreds of BreadHeads have died over the past three decades, my parents among them, and perhaps some in your orbit. Three of our champions (that I know of) have unwound the mortal coil, but live on in immortality in the Meadow of Fame. This gathering will attempt to honor all of those who have matriculated beyond the Shame.
The Councilman gets the credit for coming up with the venue among Las Vegas' endless options: Stadium Swim, the world's largest aquatic sportsbook, a few blocks off the Strip atop the parking garage at the Circa Resort & Casino; a place where you can win (or lose) a lot of Bread (a slang term for money in the 1960s and '70s) . . . in a Pool!
We have yet to work out the finer details. One of the primary attractions for the tens of thousands of basketball fans who gather in Las Vegas to tip off the NCAA Tournament each year is the cheap flights. But the Circa, at $500 a night (minimum), eats up a lot of disposable income that could otherwise be donated to the sportsbooks.
So after we get an idea of how many BreadHeads are fired up about our BP30 gathering, we'll start searching out a volume discount at cheaper digs within stumbling distance of Stadium Swim (suggestions welcome). Our mission is to make this trip economically feasible for all concerned.
Ken and I plan to be there from Wednesday (the 18th), the day before the 2026 tournament tips off (the tsunami of last-minute entries every year obligates me to pull an all-nighter in front of my laptop leading into Tipoff Thursday) through Sunday (the 22nd). Feel free to join us for any part of that stretch.
Now comes the ask: Who's in?
An affirmative reply doesn't obligate you to attend. This email is more or less to gauge interest; we figure with 11 months lead time, we can have this party polished by the time the flights start landing. But if there's scant interest at the outset (now), we'll probably scrap it.
To establish some momentum and keep the enthusiasm from waning, I'll post a list of potential attendees on the home page (BP30) at BreadPool.com. Again, an affirmative RSVP puts you under no obligation; we just need to get a feel for what kind of numbers we're working with at this early stage. Your reply will put you on the email list so you can keep up with our plans as they progress.
If you're interested and tentatively plan to bring a non-BreadHead -- all are welcome -- please include his/her name, city of residence, and email. If you plan to attend with other BreadHeads, please list their names and I can look up the rest.
No need to RSVP if you're not interested.
Who's In, Baby?
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