Monday, December 15, 2008

Leaving Las Vegas...Again

I’m cruising at 35000 feet somewhere over Colorado after a three-hour layover in Denver, and all I can think about is how much I wish I was heading back the other way.

Six days and five nights sounds like it should be a long enough trip, but it wasn’t. Though Vegas can wear you out after just a few days, I’d love to have more time to do some of the more “touristy” things that always seem to get pushed aside on trips like this. I havent seen the Bellagio fountains in about 3 years, I’ve never seen the Treasure Island show, and there are still a good number of attractions, hotels and casinos that I promise I will go visit but never seem to get around to.

That said, I wouldn’t trade a moment of the trip, except for the obvious regret of not being able to talk to everyone as much as I’d like.

So then, on to the synopsis. I left my house in Calgary on Wednesday at the ungodly hour of 5am so I could catch my flight to Denver. A three hour layover there was made tolerable due to the best little smoking lounge in the continental US. A few Bloody Mary’s, free wifi, and hitting up my IIF’s on chat helped pass the time. Finally it was time to board and I was officially en route to Vegas, baby!

I arrived in town at about 4:00, and BuddyDank and I headed to the Imperial Palace where we planned to broadcast the Mookie live. We checked into the hotel without incident and managed to get the internet set up in fairly short order. A quick trip to the store downstairs and we were set up with beer and tequila – everything needed to do a proper Mookie broadcast. Many shots were had, and after busting out of the Mook we headed downstairs to do a little gambling. This part of the story you can read here because I am too lazy to type it all out, but needless to say that first night couldn't have been much better.

The Bloggers

What can I say that hasnt already been said about this eclectic group of people. I got to see all my old friends and met a bunch that I have been waiting for months or even years to finally see live and in person, and as always not one person wasn’t as awesome as I hoped they’d be. It would take far too long (and would require too many brain cells that I killed over the past week) to name everyone, but it was great meeting Bayne, Recess, Pirate Lawyer, Muhctim, Peaker, Joshua Carlson, Yestbay, Emptyman, and all the others for the first time. (Sorry to all those I left out, seriously brain dead right now.)

Highlights

HOT HOT PENNY: Most positive EV (–EV) game in da house, at least when I was sitting there. Well, that and The Big Event

Spending a relaxing night at the Strat with Buddy and Mr. & Mrs. Emptyman – enjoying a little downtime between all the chaos

Watching Corner Gas and Bob & Doug’s 2-4. I didnt think they could get funnier. I was wrong.

Lazing in bed with Katitude for an afternoon when she came to visit and hang out with me. Add room service and a whole lotta girly talk, and it was a great way to relax and recover for a few hours.

Seeing Sweet Sweet Pablo and Gracie as newlyweds – huge congrats again!

Getting a room that wasnt in the North Forty, had hot water everytime I showered, and was right by the elevator and ice machine

Steelers taking it down!

Every slot machine I touch turns to gold

Having not one, not two, not three, but FOUR beer bitches at my disposal. You guys rock.

Not getting stabbed/killed/attacked/robbed when I was approached by two very drunk guys beside a Chinese Massage Parlor when I took a wrong turn alone down a very dark, barren street.

DQB four times in two hours on video poker, plus countless other times throughout the trip

And I’m sure it goes without saying, being able to hang out in Vegas for six days with my partner in crime, BD.

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Right now it is hard to feel anything except excessive sadness. It gets harder and harder to leave every time, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I should be landing in about 45 minutes, and have nothing but -25 degree temperatures (and a car that probably won’t start) to look forward to. On the plus side, my cats are probably going to be thrilled that I have finally found my way home, and I have missed them too. I’m back to work Tuesday morning, but fortunately only for a week as I get two full weeks off over Christmas. Hmmm.....thinking Vegas again for New Years would be a good idea! Who is in?