Saturday, January 3, 2009

Livin' on Vegas time

I don't know if it's all the vampire movies we've been watching, or just the anticipation of the late hours in Vegas, but we've been staying up till the wee hours and sleeping very late! It's cool, we know that we'll be staying up late in Vegas, so I'm kind of glad we're getting acclimated. Personally, I think Vegas is much more exciting at night (I love all the lights and neon!), so I'd much rather be wide awake at 2 AM than at 2 PM!

Speaking of 2 PM, we have a nice little visit planned for Wednesday with a fellow blogger! It turns out that Marty of Heard at Starbuck's is flying into town that day for a convention, and we arranged to meet at 2 PM! I hadn't said anything yet, because I wanted to make sure that it was going to work out for him (I told him that we're on vacation, so we're flexible!), and barring any unforeseen last minute glitches, we'll be meeting in one of the bars at the Bellagio. It worked out perfectly, because we're staying right across the Strip at Bally's! I'm looking forward to meeting him and chatting with him in person. I'm actually a little bit nervous, because this will be the first time we've met a blogger in person! Although we did meet our New York friend RaQuel a few years ago, after she and I had corresponded for a few years, and that went great, and we're still friends! Marty seems like such a cheery, interesting, and funny guy, and I have a feeling we'll all get along fine and dandy. I'm sure a Bloody Mary will help alleviate my nervousness! [wink]

But before our meeting, we've got plenty going on, including front row seats for "Love" (the Cirque du Soleil show with Beatles music), a tour of the Neon Museum's Boneyard (where aging signs go to retire), and a seafood buffet probably Tuesday night after the Boneyard. I suspect we'll be able to fit a little gambling in there, as well!We've been practicing Blackjack on Facebook, and it's good to hone our skills a bit before sitting down at an actual table. Except just like in real life, there is always a dumbass or two in the bunch...one guy last night hit on 19. I was thinking, "Dude, WTF? You had 19!" Kind of reminded me of Austin Powers. Didn't he hit on 20? Hahaha!

Speaking of Facebook, one of the reasons we've been staying up so late is because we've both become hooked on Mafia Wars. Milwaukee Dan #2 invited me, I invited Ken, and now we're both hooked. Dan is a Level 14 Mogul, Ken is a Level 12 Mogul, and I'm a Level 10 Maniac. Miss Ginger, Mort, and Barbara have also joined the Family, and they've all had my back several times! Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save me this afternoon when we were out running errands. Turns out a little weasel named Archie put out a hit on me, and someone whacked me. Jeez, just because I fought him until I took all his money? Well, as Mark Twain said, reports of my death are greatly exaggerated, and I'm back at full strength and ready to carry on with my duties. Watch your back, Archie, whoever you are. Extra Arm doesn't forget.

In the meantime, I've got pretty much everything out that I want to take to Vegas. It was kind of hard to pack for this trip, because we're leaving cold Indiana for Vegas, which will be in the 50's during the day, but get down into the 30's at night. I've got enough variety with jeans, slacks, sweaters, and even a Hawaiian shirt, that I should be okay. I wish I didn't have to take a winter coat, but I know how cold I get!

We got in a Vegas frame of mind last night by watching "Ocean's Thirteen." I know 12 and 13 weren't as good as "Ocean's Eleven" (and I love the original with the Rat Pack!) but I still think the movies are a blast. C'mon...Clooney, Brad Pitt, AND Matt Damon? I'm just sayin'. Anyhoo, it was fun to see the Strip and to start to get into the mood. After the movie, I found the trailer for "Viva Las Vegas," and it is a kicky blast! It shows a lot of downtown (which is our favorite part of Vegas), and it's sad to see how many legendary casinos are now gone. The Mint that was downtown was such a cool building! Quite a few of the downtown casinos have survived, including Binion's Horseshoe and the Golden Nugget (and my personal fave, the Golden Gate). So many on the Strip are gone, though--the Aladdin, the Stardust, the Desert Inn, the Sands, and the "champagne tower" at the Flamingo shown in the trailer are all history. The new casinos and hotels are beautiful, but I'm old school and love the allure of the old, glamorous Vegas. I'm sure that's why I love downtown so much--those casinos have been there for decades. And Vegas Vic abides!

We're taking the laptop, both of our cameras, and my little Flip video camera, so stay tuned for the sights and sounds of Vegas, Baby! In the meantime, sing along with Elvis!

Viva Las Vegas

Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Got a whole lot of money that's ready to burn
So get those stakes up higher
There's a thousand pretty women waitin' out there
And they're all livin' devil may care
And I'm just the devil with love to spare
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas


How I wish that there were more
Than the twenty-four hours in the day
'Cause even if there were forty more
I wouldn't sleep a minute away
Oh, there's blackjack and poker and the roulette wheel
A fortune won and lost on every deal
All you need's a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas


Viva Las Vegas with your neon flashin'
And your one arm bandits crashin'
All those hopes down the drain
Viva Las Vegas turnin' day into nighttime
Turnin' night into daytime
If you see it once
You'll never be the same again


I'm gonna keep on the run
I'm gonna have me some fun
If it costs me my very last dime
If I wind up broke up well
I'll always remember that I had a swingin' time
I'm gonna give it everything I've got
Lady luck please let the dice stay hot
Let me shoot a seven with every shot
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas
Viva, Viva Las Vegas!



20 comments:

  1. It sounds like the two of you will be having lots of fun. It's nice to get away and relax, have fun and stay up late. Enjoy!

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  2. Contrary to popular belief, going to Vegas is not a vacation for us, more like a party. We need a day or two to recoup when we get home. Glad we have a few days before I have to go back to work. Vegas Baby :o) WooHoo!

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  3. Glad you're meeting a blogger in Vegas. I remember how nervous I was about meeting my first "computer friend" in person after knowing lots of them for years on the old Prodigy Bulletin Boards. Now, about 20 years later, I've met tons of them (I lost count somewhere around 100) and virtually every one of them has been a pleasure to get to know. Have a kickass time in Vegas!

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  4. I loved Vegas! It worked out fine for me because I normally go to sleep around 9pm Eastern time... which was 6pm Vegas time. I would get really sleepy around that time... and push through during dinner... and then around midnight Vegas time it felt like morning for me so I would catch my second wind. The only thing I really hated about Vegas was the heat - we went in July. It was 112 degrees when we got off the plane at 11pm!
    I loved the buffet at Paris and I loved shopping at the Venetian. We stayed at the Marriott spa and it wasn't on the strip... but it was really nice.
    Good times.
    Can't wait to hear all about your trip!
    *hugs*
    heather

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  5. Okay I'm jealous now because I LOVE Vegas. I was just gonna say heck you'll need a vacation after you get back from there. When we went we stayed out all night came to the hotel at 6am or 7am to sleep and woke up around 1pm to start over again. Lived on lots of booze and coffee. Can't wait to see all your pics and/or videos? I haven't been in a long time and things have changed. I love the shows too. Those will be awesome. I'm not into the blackjack, but love the slots. Have a blast.
    Take care, Chrissie

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  6. Hi Beth,
    No need to be nervous ... it sounds strange, but it sort of feels, at least to a certain extent, like we've already met through our blogs. Looking forward to meeting you and Ken in person on Wednesday!
    Best,
    Marty

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  7. How exciting...being in Vegas and meeting a blogger. Both of which I have never experienced and you have me lost about the Mafia Wars.....sorry Hun, Greek to me...when you get a chance you must keep me up with the times! Hugs, Rose
    P.S. Have a wonderful time! Hugs to Ken too.

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  8. Marty, Ken and you in Vegas all at the same time?? LV may never be the same again...you guys will take the town by storm! How exciting to meet Marty, of all people! He sounds like a super nice guy...and you guys are super nice people! Don't forget to do the Fremont Street Experience! I can handle LV for only a couple of days, then its time to leave!

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  9. Hello! I am so far behind in blogging! But I will be caught up with everyone by the end of the weekend. I am so jealous! I want to go to Vegas too! I hope you have a wonderful time there! Linda

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  10. My Uncle Joe Rizzo was a blackjack dealer in Vegas, my Aunt Mitzie was a kenno girl/waitress. Aunt Elena would fly in there from Oakland, CA and stay at the MGM. She play in bridge tournaments and her and Mitzie would catch Elvis.

    They took me out there when I was sixteen. Dressed me up. I walked right in and gambled on Aunt Elena's money! LOL We saw Roger Miller. He put on a very entaining show. We were supposed to all go see Elvis, but a cousin of mine was getting married and I thought I had to fly back to be in her wedding. (She got a divorce in less than a year when she found out he was a thief.) Aunt Elena said not to worry she'd fly me out there when I was 18 to see Elvis.....but he died before then.

    Any way.....if you need A Little Less Conversation to get you geared up I have the orginal and the remix.

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  11. I haven't been to Vegas since 1995 and it's changed a lot even since then. I'm like you, I like the old Las Vegas feel. I go to Mississippi once in a while. Like most old ladies I love the slots and video poker. I know you will have a blast and how cool to meet a fellow blogger.
    Hugs, Joyce

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  12. DARN!!! Sure wish I could go over and meet you, you'll be SO CLOSE to me, but I'll be back at work next week after a two week break, probably shouldn't take any MORE time off... LOL!!! I was just there earlier this week. Well, have a blast as I know you will!! Don't be nervous, I've met ALOT of people from blogs, etc. You really already know each other and you'll most likely remain great friends!!

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  13. Ah, what happens in Vegas....stays....we will know !
    Have fun meeting your blogger friend, that's always cool.
    Take care!

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  14. I LOVE all the old neon in the video clip you posted.... It's amazing what they could do with just some lightbulbs and switches- the computerized tedchnology was nonexistent back then. Now everything is just bog ugly Jumbotrons! I have never been to Downtown Vegas, and every trip I say I'm gonna go but I never make it. Have a martini at the Revolution/Love bar for Miss Ginger- be sure to look at the letters from both sides!

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  15. Have a wonderful time in Vegas! I haven't been in about 15 years, so I'm sure I wouldn't know the place now. Put a quarter in a slot for me & let me know how I did. lol Take many pics to share. Be safe.
    Hugs

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  16. I like the Dead Kennedy's cover of 'Viva Las Vegas' ..! Have a great time!

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  17. Have a great time! I can't wait to hear all about it & see the photos....

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  18. Have a great time in Vegas and a great meeting with fellow blogger Marty.

    I've joined your Mafia Family but haven't played much been busy with bouncing balls, but will get to it..lol

    Take care

    Yasmin
    xx

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  19. I just know you are going to love the show - I've heard soooo much about it!!! Lucky you!!
    The Mafia game sounds like a great way to pass the time, no wonder you are staying up so late.

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  20. enjoy your first meeting with a J Lander!
    XO

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?