Ahhhh, Vegas.

There’s so much about it that I love. It’s easy enough to get here from our home in Colorado that we can just shoot down anytime for a few days for a little change of pace. The food options in such a walkable vicinity is unparalleled. And I do love indulging in a little craps occasionally.

I love that a weekend here can be an entirely different experience depending on who you come here with. Some of my best memories with Jess or with my best buddies exist here – and they’re on all sides of the spectrum.

Yet it also caused me to do something that I’ve never had to do before. I’m not proud of it – but I’m also pretty sure I had no choice.

Last night, Jess and I were walking back to our hotel from dinner – about to head up one of the outdoor staircases near the entrance to Caesar’s Palace. We got a little stuck walking behind a large group of very slow movers so we opted to pass them on the left side of the handrail, where most people come down the stairs (but was pretty empty in that moment). Jess was leading the way.

As we’re heading up, a group of 4 early-mid twenties guys are coming down, one of whom is using the handrail. He watches us walk up toward him, continuing to keep his hand on the rail – to the point that he actually makes contact with Jess, brushing his arm along her stomach (she later revealed to me that she wasn’t sure he was even going to let her pass). From my vantage point, I had no idea where he touched her, just knowing for a fact that he did – and knowing that it sure as hell wasn’t an accident.

So I shoved him. Essentially as hard as I possibly could in the moment. I probably said some words too. I’m not sure what – the red that had washed over my vision in that moment clouds my memory.

I’m not proud of it.

I’ve never been someone who seeks out confrontation – frankly, I try to avoid it at all costs. But he put the person I care most for into a very uncomfortable situation. And I was standing right fucking there. What the hell is that guy doing when a man isn’t accompanying a woman?

Not that I really have any doubts, but it immediately reminded me that my message needs to be heard more than ever. I try not to make assumptions so I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt – but I’m not sure he’d be the type to soak up my content.

However, those of you that do, need to know that you’re not alone. And by spreading the message, we can create more awareness around this type of bullshit.

The last thing I ever want to do is put my hands on someone. It’s not who I am. I still feel weird about it, because… was it an action that is aligned with the Modern Day Gentleman’s message?

And the more I think about it, the more I know that he gave me no choice.

There’s a very fine line between being the stand-up guy and the guy standing up to people that can’t seem to figure out what personal boundaries are. Maybe they do need to be one in the same sometimes.

I’ve realized the Las Vegas Strip is a content creation machine for someone like me and the messages I want to send. It’s not for everyone. And there are many that should actually just stay away altogether.

But for those moments, where those kinds of guys pop up that don’t know how to manage personal boundaries, don’t be afraid to let him know. We’ve got to start somewhere.

Stand up, Brother.