Despite being a Baltimore native, I didn't start attending Preakness until I was closer to college age. My father is a very religious man and preferred to keep me away from the den of sin that was (and to a lesser extent still is) the Preakness infield for as long as he could control my whereabouts.
But I've missed few since coming of age -- and only because of significant circumstances (like taking a job in Arizona for two years or my wedding). I've seen just about everything there is to see at Old Hilltop on the third Saturday of May. I've been drunk on the infield. I've rubbed elbows with celebrities. I've snuck people into areas of the track where they weren't supposed to be. I've done shots with politicians. I've lost a fair amount of money. I've even done a minimal amount of work from time to time.
So in the spirit of trying to improve your life (I'm always so giving), here are some suggestions if you're attending your first Preakness May 20. While you read this, I'll scramble to figure out what a Zedd is.
