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New Years Eve: Live From Las Vegas
December 31, 2008
I am headed down to Fremont Street to ring in the New Year. I will be uploading real-time photos and observations in the event that you want to come along on the journey. I'll do my best to post everything in a timely manner and hopefully the cell phone photos will be clear enough for you to get a good idea of what's going on. At least if you join me from the comfort of your own home, you won't have to endure the smell of urine and potential stab wounds. The party this year is called "Tributepalooza". Silly name ... but who knows, it might be cool. Sometime tomorrow, I will write up a review with videos of the festivities, and I will also post higher quality photos of the Downtown New Year celebration. Feel free to check back over tonight, and throughout New Year's Day for updates. Wherever you are, have a safe and happy ... Read the full blog post...
2009 … Las Vegas' Most Important Year
2008 is almost over, and it could not have come a moment too soon. Having a front row seat to the worst year in the history of Las Vegas is something that I will probably never forget. However, unlike most people, I do not think that it was a bad thing in and of itself. This town was long overdue for a pants-down spanking, and the punishment should not end until we earn it. I think the middle-class tourist should keep twisting the arm of this town until it cries uncle, and NEVER AGAIN forgets that you can't fill over 100,000 hotel rooms with high prices, terrible odds, and shitty service. The loyalty of the middle class and working class MUST be won back, or this town is doomed to a depression of epic proportions. I've been told on countless occasions “Rex, you're crazy! The middle class didn't build this town, it was built by ... Read the full blog post...
T Minus 24 Hours
December 30, 2008
The New Year influx started earlier this year than I have ever seen. Last Friday, crowds started thickening, and every day since then, it has gotten more and more crowded in the city of Las Vegas. Tonight ... Tuesday Night ... is arguably the busiest night I have experienced in this town so far this year. Check-in lines are long, and traffic on The Strip reminds me of a weeknight in 2006. Take a look at the photos, and see what you think. It is exceptionally crowded because room rates for New Years Eve are down 20%-50% this year compared to last year, and it is once again affordable to ring in the new calender in Las Vegas. People are rightfully taking full advantage of the low rates to celebrate here in town. I'm not real big on traditions, but I always have had my little customs. One of them was making it to Times Square at ... Read the full blog post...
What Happens Here, Stays Here
What happens here, stays here. Yeah, uh huh, so they say. (Or used to say. I don’t know what our slogan is these days. They tried to change it but then everyone keeps using the old slogan.) But really, when you think about it, you CAN sort of accomplish that “stays in Vegas” in a way. Check out this old commercial from the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority: So, I was thinking... where does one buy a wig these days if they wanted to do that? Well, Serge's Showgirl Wigs, of course! Sort of a hokey name, but not at all a hokey store. I went in and spoke to the nice ladies there and they told me all about the place. Serge's is a pretty cool wig shop. They have everything in there that a girl could want to hide her hair. They have the little ... Read the full blog post...
Poker Resolutions for 2009
I played in a poker tournament this weekend. I'm not going to give you a blow-by-blow, but it ended up with my being knocked out on the bubble. I don't blame the guy who, if it were a cash game, played poorly. The blinds were going up, we were both playing to get the last spot in the money, and 4-6 offsuit was perhaps as good as he was going to get. I went all in with my A-Qo, he called, and hit a 4 on the river. The board gave me no love at all. Such is life, and such are normal occurrences in tournaments. Of course, I have been the recipient of good fortune from these forced bets as well. Last year, during the Hilton's final Freeroll Tournament, I placed well in the money by winning 5 all-in hands in a row because I had no choice. In addition to the ... Read the full blog post...
Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow
December 29, 2008
This used to be the motto of the U.S. Postal Service, a quasi-government service which has long since been turned into nothing more than an advertising agency. I check my postal mail twice a month, and the number of mail that is specifically addressed to me is the same every month. Three. They are utility bills. The only reason I check my mail twice a month instead of once a month, is so that they will continue delivering my mail. Last year, I went to a “check once a month” schedule and the postal service formally notified me that they would cease service to me. I am not joking. I got a notice which said “The U.S. Postal Service Will No Longer Deliver Mail To Your Address”. I had to go to the local office to find out why. When I arrived, they placed a huge bucket in front of me, and said “This ... Read the full blog post...
Wheel … Of … Fortune !!!!
December 28, 2008
This time of year, I often feel like gambling more than usual. Why? Because it's frigging cold outside. At other times during the year I like to hang out by the pool, and walk around looking for scantily clad women. When it's 50 below zero, or “38 degrees” in Las Vegas, I don't really want to leave the confines of the casinos themselves. I wander outside to see the fountains and the volcano, then I get my ass back into the warmth. This time of year, buffet lines are long, and slot space is at a premium … well, they used to be. The economy has left an absolute surplus of available video game seats, but the buffet lines are actually getting longer. This was The Flamingo last night: A problem for me when my gambling picks up is “game burnout”. I play poker quite a bit, but I'm not one of those people that can play for ... Read the full blog post...
Elusive Emeralds
When the times get tough, the tough go shopping. Yep, so that's what a girlfriend and I did. Jewelry shopping! Yea! There are plenty of jewelry shops in the casinos. I don't know how many of those shops are going to still exist in the new year. I keep hearing rumors about all kinds of shops preparing to close in those casino shopping areas. I don't know if this is true or not but it might be a good time to take advantage of the specials they are offering. I was just given a cluster ring which belonged to my grandmother. She passed away years ago, but her husband just passed away last year. My family decided I should have it. I was wearing the ring at the time of the shopping trip and asked one of the clerks what kind of stones were in it. As it turns out, it isn't ... Read the full blog post...
The Bellagio Fountains
It's hard to talk about the Bellagio Fountains and say something which has not already been said a hundred times. The Bellagio Fountains are the standard by which all other Las Vegas “free” shows are judged. They have been the centerpiece of the Las Vegas Strip for the last 10 years, and they are still going strong. The 8.5 acre lake and fountains cost $50 million to build, they “dance” with over 1,000 separate water canons, and are illuminated with over 4,000 lights. The nozzles are capable of shooting water nearly 500 feet in the air. Interestingly enough, the same company that designed the Bellagio Fountains, also designed the Mirage Volcano. In general, The Bellagio Fountains squirt off every thirty minutes from noon to 8pm, and every 15 minutes thereafter. I have seen deviations in this schedule. I've seen them fire off three shows in a row, and I've seen other shows skipped due to ... Read the full blog post...
The Grand Lux Cafe, whichever
December 27, 2008
I know I am a royal pain to go out to dinner with. Seriously. Eat with me only if you dare. I'm going to have to take photos of damn near everything. I am amazed people will be seen with me at all in a restaurant. Oddly enough, unlike casino security, the waiters seem to love it. On this particular day, I went to the Grand Lux in the Palazzo. There are two Grand Lux's. One is in the Venetian and one in the Palazzo. After much grilling from my friend Marlene, we came to the conclusion that I had no idea where in the hell I've eaten and I haven't. But I have had dinner at the Grand Lux on three occasions. And the bread was spectacular each and every time. Hey, in my defense, I'm a single girl and I do remember WHO I had dinner with each of ... Read the full blog post...
