Vegas Baby, New York Boy, Too Fun

Yes I took a trip. Sorry it took so long to chronicle it all but I have been busy doing all kinds of stuff as well as recovering from the rigors of jet lag. Went to work on Thursday, May 27, having packed everything Wednesday night and made preparations to travel and be off most haste. The ride out to the airport was uneventful, however we arrived as all of the concessions shut down and were unable to purchase any mags or papers for the reading on the way out. However Song Airlines (from Delta) with their Dish Network Television and a good novel (Michelle West) and I was good to go. The wind was against us and we arrived 30 min late but in the only other city that never sleeps (a whole other level of insomnia) we were able to check into our room at The Aladdin and then check out the scene in the casino. We walked over the Bellagio, admired the architecture and stayed out until 3am just wandering around. Since that was 6am NY time we definitely wore ourselves out. Talk about the walking dead.

Woke up the next day (Friday) and as the weekend crowds had not yet arrived we were able to hit up the buffet and enjoy a hearty repast. A nice little wander up the strip and we took in the view at Caesar's Palace and the mall inside. Looked at the aquarium, visited the Niketown in house and saw the talking statues. Also saw a lot of construction, as Vegas cannot seem to have enough Hotels. They all seem to be expanding. Walked by the front of the Venetian and then took a cab ride up to the Las Vegas Hilton to see the so-called largest sportsbook. It was not that impressive to look at and we ended up just viewing the regular gambling (the only place we left with $7 in chips saved up for next time). While we were there I enjoyed the Star Trek attractions and both rides were definitely entertaining. The actors involved with the rides were very in character and fun to watch. Pais even went on the second ride with me and the ride was reminiscent of the T2 Ride at Universal, complete with 3D glasses and flying make believe debris. The moving seats were a nice touch as well. A quick nap in the afternoon and a nice meal and then we prepared for the first party of the weekend. A nice ride up to Wet & Wild and DJ Manny Lehman getting the boys all worked up in the bathing suits. I even went on one ride before I realized that some things should not be done after drinking a few. Despite the frozen park employees and the ever present darkness, I made it out alive and proceeded to dance the rest of the night away, at least until 1:45 since the party was over at 2am. Since I was still far too awake to go to bed, I changed clothes and while Pais hit up the casino I hit up club Curve. At first I had shoe drama as I was not wearing appropriate footwear but thanks to another crowd ahead of me with the same issues I was able to win over the door staff and make my way inside. Nice cozy place and a happy crowd. Dancing girls on boxes dressed in spandex and platform boots and a classic KTU kind of DJ. Dancing to Prince "Erotic City" and 50 Cent "In Da Club". It was a cool way to pass the time until after my second Smirnoff Ice and the thinning out of the crowd so I decided I should take my leave. Was definitely a great Friday to start off the weekend.

Saturday had a planned tour out to the Hoover Dam and could not brave the line at the buffet. It was all good however at the main floor restaurant and we were able to get out in time to wait for the tour van. It was an out of the sun wait however and after we saw the Vegas traffic we understood why. The thoroughly verbose tour driver kept us enlightened and entertained as we learned about Vegas, Paradise, Boulder City and the Hoover Dam. The Art Deco design of the dam buildings and the impressiveness of the dam itself made for a very worthwhile trip. One of the dam staff made the elevator ride down to the turbine room very entertaining with her cute quips about "no one say leaking or gushing... maybe you can say seeping and anyone saying otherwise would be taken away for 10 days of... re-education." It was fun while it lasted (and Thank God for Sunblock) and we got back to the hotel in time to have a great steak dinner at Elements, a top ten restaurant in Vegas and the best damn steak I have ever eaten. Filet Mignon to die for and applesauce mashed potatoes that made me believe in mashed potatoes again. Of course this was just a warm up for another evening out at a party at the place no one knew about. After a horrible hour of adventure trying to get a taxi in Vegas (Yes there is a reason why people rent cars out there) I finally thought of going to a club to get a taxi as there are people getting dropped off so they must have empty cabs there. I barely remembered the address of the place and was able to then get us there after Too Much Drama. It was definitely a buzzkill and then arriving to a kind of sport arena warehouse that was only half full did not improve ones mood. After some discussion we determined that we had arrived and should make the best of it and so did. The shows were good and the fact that the drinks were full size, we proceeded to enjoy a cool time with DJ Brett Henrichsen while the fun lasted. Around 4am we decided to leave before it was too late and ended up taking part in the ongoing saga of no taxis in Vegas once again. After a nice walk through the desert (yes kids, an honest-to-goodness walk in the wilderness for yours truly), we were finally picked up halfway back to the hotel by a cab driver on his way on-duty. Never enough on duty cabs in Vegas of course. Another night of adventure over and a low point in my Viva Las Vegas itinerary thankfully put to rest.

Sunday arrived with myself a little tired and a little wiser. Pais and I hung out in the Bellagio and found out that the best odds were at Video Poker (and Blackjack) and we were able to have some fun before resting up for our final night of partying. The MGM Grand backlot hosted a combination indoor and outdoor music fest with Warren Gluck from NY and Joe Gauthreaux, a west coast DJ that played NY music. With the converted movie theater acting as our dance floor and the strangely two level dance floor (thankfully no one fell to their death) and wildly strong drinks I ended up enjoying myself far too much. I was entertained by a cool live show with spinning acrobats and sat in the rooms remaining movie seats watching the whole scene like the party was there just for us. After visiting my own private Idaho and reaching a nice level of inebriation we proceeded to make our way over to the afterparty at club Ice. The DJ listed on the monitor was Jason G and after an extended intro and a nice upbeat start to the party, we proceeded to enjoy the scene and get our last drink on at 7am (the town of no drink cut-off... sweet). Afterwards, a short walk up the block back to the Aladdin and the party weekend ends for yours truly. Definitely saved the best for last.

Monday was a nice day of just hanging in vegas and spending the day aimlessly throwing away money at different pursuits the city had to offer. A nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse and the recovery continues.

Travel day was Tuesday and after a nice trip through the airport with the slot machines and a airplane ride with the boy who peed twice (sitting next the window, oh the humanity) as well as the deadly exploding ginger ale that made the flight extry spicy, we flew towards home. Despite the mishaps I always enjoy flying on JetBlue and the Detroit Pistons beating down the Indiana Pacers was definitely entertaining to watch as well. Thank Goodness I took off from work on Wednesday as well so I could get over my jet lag. The boys are back in town, New York that is, and its like we never left. Until the next good time, which of course only happens once we get there, Keep it popping guys.