Belated Vegas Summary: of death and depleted funds
Well, I've been home for two weeks and haven't had much inclination to rehash the trip, but I suppose I have to at some point. I'm sick of typing the same things over and over again, so I'll do it all here.
Day One--Tuesday--My flights, however long, were uneventful and I arrived in Sin City early in the afternoon. I was unbelievibly hungry, so I decided to hoof it down towards Riveriera/Peppermill and follow my nose when I got down there. Let me tell all you Vegas Virgins a little something: The Strip seems small on a map or in pictures, but it is several miles long, and filed with idiot tourists that you have to navigate around. I made it down tot he Wynn, but then realized that I was also incredibly tired so I turned heel and walked back to Imperial Palace with the intention of stopping at the Buger Palace for some cheap, quick food and then off to bed. On my way back to my room I decided to walk around the casino to find out where all my favorite machines had been moved. Sphinx? Check. Lobstermania? Check. Floppy Shoes? Dammit! I couldn't find the machine, and decided I had to take one more loop around the casino. As I conceded defeat, I saw one between the banks of elevators. YAY! My trip to Vegas was no longer in vain, I had found my machine. I thought to myself, "I might as well throw a $10 in the machine and see if I can get a Big Pant Bonus (don't ask). Five hours later, I was up ten dollars, somewhat drunk, and nearly falling asleep at the machine. I bid a fond farewell to my machine and went up to bed.
Day Two--Wednesday-- Woke up at 8am to my sister ringing my room to tell me that she had arrived. I hopped in the shower and went up to her room, Penthouse 8. Later that sfternoon my parents arrived and checked into Penthouse 10 (nextdoor to Grace). I moved my bags from my economy room with a lovely view of the pool, to a corner penthouse room with two floors (and a lovely view of the roof). My parents took the master bedroom with the pimped out bath, and I took the upstairs room, with the jankety shower. The spout was so low that I had to bend over to wash my hair. Yeah, that was memorable. That evening I met up with my friend who lives out there. I booked my ass over to the Peppermill, and managed to peel large amounts of skin from my feet. We had a lovely dinner and talked about silly things. It was a very fun evening.
Day Three-Thursday--This was to be THE NIGHT--Brewpub Night--SHOT TREE NIGHT!!!! Nope. The asshats at the Brewpub were less than polite to us. We were a group of eight, and when we checked in we were told it would be a half hour wait. Okay, we sat in the casino and waited to hear our name called. Tim, Jon and I played "Hooker/Not a Hooker" and passed the time amiably enough. Our name was called and we were escorted to tables upstairs. The hostess told us that they did not serve dinner upstairs, but we could order appetizers. That sucked, but we agreed. Then we seated at two separate tables. We waited 20 minutes before any waitress came to our tables. We asked if we could be found seats together downstairs. The manager told us that they NEVER seat parties that large together. Bullshit! They had no problems the previous years we have gone there. They could have made tons of money on us, but chose to be dicks. We left the place hungry and disgruntled and meandered next door to NYNY's Nine Fine Irishmen. The place was very busy, but the hostess seated us within fifteen minutes in out own private room. The live Irish band was rocking and we were drinking. The evening went very well, and I managed to get Jon to do an Irish Carbomb. I think he liked it... he didn't spew.
Day Four--Friday-- Penthouse Party Night. I was the bartender and greatly enjoyed getting my family and Jon's family quite drunk. It was sad that I was one of the only sober one there, but I didn't want to spill any drinks I poured. Should I ever get my scanner working, I'll post some pics. Jon started the Saltine Challenge and made 50 bucks, I managed to make 10 dollars in tips bartending! A fun time was had by all.
Day Five--Saturday-- Wedding day. Grace and Jon's wedding went beautifully. The ceremony went well and the dress fit. Grace didn't spill on it and only ripped it in minor places. My family managed to behave, but I somehow ended up being sober again. Maybe I'm getting old. There were many many funny drunk stories about what happened after the wedding, but I'll spare those involved (Tim and Bob), and keep my mouth shut.
Day Six--Sunday-- Went to my friends CJ and Jonesy's house. I found out I'm not allergic to rats or chinchillas, and that was a good thing. I got to snuggle with a baby Chin while shooting the shit with CJ and Jonz. I had so much fun visiting with them. I hope I can move out there soon. They are such great people! Jonz gave me a ride back to the hotel in the Jazz Demonmobile. He took me through neighborhoods and told me stories about the people in the houses (some of whom are clients, some acquaintances, some stranger) and generally had a pleasant time.
Day Seven--Monday-- This was the evening I didn't expect. First I went with my family to Battista'a Hole in the Wall. The atmosphere was fabulous, but the food wasn't worth its high price. It was fun however. My uncle Michael was in good form and I enjoyed it very well. It was my last full night in Vegas so I went down to the Bellagio at eight to watch the fountains. I found a spot near the center and hoisted myself up onto the barrier and sat there until 11:30 watching the fountains. When I had seen my fill, I went on my Neon Walk to get pictures of all the places that will soon be gone. I filled a few rolls of film and managed to take night photography without a tripod (and without camera shake in the photos). I rock! As I made my way down to the Sahara, I was shocked and saddened to see that the Little White Wedding Chapel was boarded up. It made me sad to see such an Old Vegas staple die. It was my favorite Chapel in Vegas. The sign for The Algiers was still standing even though the hotel had been razed since my last visit. I took shots of these things, but they did not turn out well through the fence. On my way back I heard tons of sirens, which is no big deal. It is a part of Vegas. I saw them loop around and pull into Harrah's in front of me. I usually cut through their casino, but it was such a nice night that I decided to walk outside. As I rounded a turn I saw a woman on her side in the bushes. She was covered in vomit and it was all in front of her too. Her purse had been dumped and rifled through. Her eyes were glazed and her mouth open. Skin yellow and pale. The police were starting tape off the area and the paramedics were just standing around. She was very obviously dead. She coudn't have been older than 21 or 22. I felt so badly for this poor girl who was all alone and most likely died that way. It was a shocking and sad way to end my evening. I was in no mood to have fun after that so I went to bed.
Day Eight--Tuesday-- Gamble Gamble Gamble! Boy did I! I went to Bally's, Flamingo, O'Shea's, Casino Royale, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, and Barbary Coast. I lost pretty much everywhere, but did hit a big payout on a Triple Diamond machine. It made my losses less that what they had been. That evening I flew after Midnight and landed back in Michigan the following day around 2pm. It was a long flight and was very tired from all the activity.
That is pretty well what happened on the trip. If i forgot anything, I'll add it in later, but I have to get up in four hours so I can get ready for work.
Bleck. Retail is evil.
Day One--Tuesday--My flights, however long, were uneventful and I arrived in Sin City early in the afternoon. I was unbelievibly hungry, so I decided to hoof it down towards Riveriera/Peppermill and follow my nose when I got down there. Let me tell all you Vegas Virgins a little something: The Strip seems small on a map or in pictures, but it is several miles long, and filed with idiot tourists that you have to navigate around. I made it down tot he Wynn, but then realized that I was also incredibly tired so I turned heel and walked back to Imperial Palace with the intention of stopping at the Buger Palace for some cheap, quick food and then off to bed. On my way back to my room I decided to walk around the casino to find out where all my favorite machines had been moved. Sphinx? Check. Lobstermania? Check. Floppy Shoes? Dammit! I couldn't find the machine, and decided I had to take one more loop around the casino. As I conceded defeat, I saw one between the banks of elevators. YAY! My trip to Vegas was no longer in vain, I had found my machine. I thought to myself, "I might as well throw a $10 in the machine and see if I can get a Big Pant Bonus (don't ask). Five hours later, I was up ten dollars, somewhat drunk, and nearly falling asleep at the machine. I bid a fond farewell to my machine and went up to bed.
Day Two--Wednesday-- Woke up at 8am to my sister ringing my room to tell me that she had arrived. I hopped in the shower and went up to her room, Penthouse 8. Later that sfternoon my parents arrived and checked into Penthouse 10 (nextdoor to Grace). I moved my bags from my economy room with a lovely view of the pool, to a corner penthouse room with two floors (and a lovely view of the roof). My parents took the master bedroom with the pimped out bath, and I took the upstairs room, with the jankety shower. The spout was so low that I had to bend over to wash my hair. Yeah, that was memorable. That evening I met up with my friend who lives out there. I booked my ass over to the Peppermill, and managed to peel large amounts of skin from my feet. We had a lovely dinner and talked about silly things. It was a very fun evening.
Day Three-Thursday--This was to be THE NIGHT--Brewpub Night--SHOT TREE NIGHT!!!! Nope. The asshats at the Brewpub were less than polite to us. We were a group of eight, and when we checked in we were told it would be a half hour wait. Okay, we sat in the casino and waited to hear our name called. Tim, Jon and I played "Hooker/Not a Hooker" and passed the time amiably enough. Our name was called and we were escorted to tables upstairs. The hostess told us that they did not serve dinner upstairs, but we could order appetizers. That sucked, but we agreed. Then we seated at two separate tables. We waited 20 minutes before any waitress came to our tables. We asked if we could be found seats together downstairs. The manager told us that they NEVER seat parties that large together. Bullshit! They had no problems the previous years we have gone there. They could have made tons of money on us, but chose to be dicks. We left the place hungry and disgruntled and meandered next door to NYNY's Nine Fine Irishmen. The place was very busy, but the hostess seated us within fifteen minutes in out own private room. The live Irish band was rocking and we were drinking. The evening went very well, and I managed to get Jon to do an Irish Carbomb. I think he liked it... he didn't spew.
Day Four--Friday-- Penthouse Party Night. I was the bartender and greatly enjoyed getting my family and Jon's family quite drunk. It was sad that I was one of the only sober one there, but I didn't want to spill any drinks I poured. Should I ever get my scanner working, I'll post some pics. Jon started the Saltine Challenge and made 50 bucks, I managed to make 10 dollars in tips bartending! A fun time was had by all.
Day Five--Saturday-- Wedding day. Grace and Jon's wedding went beautifully. The ceremony went well and the dress fit. Grace didn't spill on it and only ripped it in minor places. My family managed to behave, but I somehow ended up being sober again. Maybe I'm getting old. There were many many funny drunk stories about what happened after the wedding, but I'll spare those involved (Tim and Bob), and keep my mouth shut.
Day Six--Sunday-- Went to my friends CJ and Jonesy's house. I found out I'm not allergic to rats or chinchillas, and that was a good thing. I got to snuggle with a baby Chin while shooting the shit with CJ and Jonz. I had so much fun visiting with them. I hope I can move out there soon. They are such great people! Jonz gave me a ride back to the hotel in the Jazz Demonmobile. He took me through neighborhoods and told me stories about the people in the houses (some of whom are clients, some acquaintances, some stranger) and generally had a pleasant time.
Day Seven--Monday-- This was the evening I didn't expect. First I went with my family to Battista'a Hole in the Wall. The atmosphere was fabulous, but the food wasn't worth its high price. It was fun however. My uncle Michael was in good form and I enjoyed it very well. It was my last full night in Vegas so I went down to the Bellagio at eight to watch the fountains. I found a spot near the center and hoisted myself up onto the barrier and sat there until 11:30 watching the fountains. When I had seen my fill, I went on my Neon Walk to get pictures of all the places that will soon be gone. I filled a few rolls of film and managed to take night photography without a tripod (and without camera shake in the photos). I rock! As I made my way down to the Sahara, I was shocked and saddened to see that the Little White Wedding Chapel was boarded up. It made me sad to see such an Old Vegas staple die. It was my favorite Chapel in Vegas. The sign for The Algiers was still standing even though the hotel had been razed since my last visit. I took shots of these things, but they did not turn out well through the fence. On my way back I heard tons of sirens, which is no big deal. It is a part of Vegas. I saw them loop around and pull into Harrah's in front of me. I usually cut through their casino, but it was such a nice night that I decided to walk outside. As I rounded a turn I saw a woman on her side in the bushes. She was covered in vomit and it was all in front of her too. Her purse had been dumped and rifled through. Her eyes were glazed and her mouth open. Skin yellow and pale. The police were starting tape off the area and the paramedics were just standing around. She was very obviously dead. She coudn't have been older than 21 or 22. I felt so badly for this poor girl who was all alone and most likely died that way. It was a shocking and sad way to end my evening. I was in no mood to have fun after that so I went to bed.
Day Eight--Tuesday-- Gamble Gamble Gamble! Boy did I! I went to Bally's, Flamingo, O'Shea's, Casino Royale, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, and Barbary Coast. I lost pretty much everywhere, but did hit a big payout on a Triple Diamond machine. It made my losses less that what they had been. That evening I flew after Midnight and landed back in Michigan the following day around 2pm. It was a long flight and was very tired from all the activity.
That is pretty well what happened on the trip. If i forgot anything, I'll add it in later, but I have to get up in four hours so I can get ready for work.
Bleck. Retail is evil.