Leaving Las Vegas

Sorry to have abandoned you readers, but the past 10 days has been awash with airplanes, rental cars, eating, drinking and gambling. It's hard to keep a blog post going when you don't even know what time or day it is. In fact, even at this very moment, I may as well have toothpicks propping these lids open. For those of you who have been to Vegas know what I'm talking about, and those that haven't-well-it's not exactly something that can be explained in words.

The whole 10 days wasn't spent in Vegas, I'm just choosing those 5 to focus on for blogging purposes. No one spends 10 days in Vegas and comes out alive. To briefly capture the other 5 days spent in Austin, I will simply say-I met John Corbett-and he deserves a blog post all his own so don't worry, I'll get to that later (after I sleep).

For now, I'll just post a few noteworthy details about our Las Vegas portion of the vacation. Shout out to A&D, Little A, J&T, and N who joined O and I in our birthday adventures.

Thursday-Arrival and St. Patty's Day. Huge thanks to N for putting us up at his place the night before, but he lost a few points for choosing such an early flight with a connection in San Diego. Early morning fog delayed us approximately 3 hours later than our planned arrival in Vegas-bummer. Sorry N, but we blame you. People are always perky heading to Vegas though, so we fought our way to the airport bar (way crowded with Vegas party people dressed in green) and had some celebratory vaca drinks. Being delayed is far more hunky-dory with a beer in your hand. Upon arrival, we were surprised to find a taxi queue about 200 people deep-bummer again. However, the people watching was bountiful and we enjoyed seeing all of the many various takes on what is considered appropriate St. Patty's Day attire. We met up with A&D and Little A at TI for dinner and some celebratory arrival gambling. Unfortunately, O and I were pretty well done (stick a fork in us) around midnight. That time change is killer. All the better to rest up for the days ahead. The Trump hotel was super comfy but a little far away from the action for my tastes. Is The Donald reading?

Friday-We slept in and all met up at the famous Serendipity (just like the movie but #3-not the orig) for brunch/lunch. Despite the really terrible service and 3 hour event, I must say that the Mac and Cheese with Pancetta was/is the best thing I have tasted in my life (and it better have been for $16). O and N were sucked in to the PH poker room and I went off with the others to walk around a bit. A&D and Little A wanted to head down the strip via monorail and I realized that O had my pass so I sent them on their way to NYNY, sat at a penny slot, scored a beer, and walked to PH to find the hubby hunkered down in the poker room and up $500 cash money. While waiting for him to cash in his winnings and head to meet A&D and Little A, a man came up and sat next to me at the slot machine. It's funny what people will say in Vegas. "I need a date." he says matter-of-factly. Wow, just like that. I've still got it apparently so YAY for that but, "Sorry honey, I'm married" I replied. We all jumped on the craps table at Excalibur and did quite well....your money goes a long way on the craps table and this I like. Fast forward to dinner at the Cosmo that evening at the Henry. The Cosmo is, for reals, a super swanky place. I highly recommend viewing the chandelier bar and eating at the Henry, but gambling here is for high rollers. No $5 tables at this place.

Saturday-Monday- Just when I was finally getting into the Vegas schedule and warming up, A&D and Little A had to leave us-boo. Saturday is sort of a blur of buffets, money and rolling dice for me. O and I played craps for hours. And hours. And hours. I'm pretty sure I stood up all day and I know I stood up all night. I also walked to the ATM-a lot. O, N and I ate at the Flamingo buffet and then I sent O off with N to the poker room to make us some more $. I went to the craps tables alone (again) where I pretty much had the waitress install an intravenous line of Red Bull and Vodka. I was up, down, up, down, out of money, done, ATM, back in, up, down, up down, out again, ATM, and so on. The RBV's weren't helping my decision making capabilities and O and N later conceded I was on Vegas crack and off the deep end. O dragged me away about 5 am and neither of us had any more money to show for it. However, I did receive the ultimate compliment from a little frat kid as I rolled the dice, "Whoa. So is that like the engagement ring or the wedding ring? What a rock!" Sweet. Nice job O!

I'm now realizing this blog is turning into a short story so I guess I need to wrap it up. A few final tips:

-Don't buy the 24 hour buffet pass at 1 PM. You will never make 4 buffets in 24 hrs this way. 2 hours of sleep is required for this feat, which is just not possible after a RBV crash.
-Red Eye flights with connections are bad, bad, bad.
-When you are up $400 at the craps table, get out-and fast!
-Casino Royale has $5 tables and slots that pay.
-Go ahead and take that extra day off after you get back-you'll need it.
-The bus is cheaper than the monorail.
-When you stand up and don't sleep for two days, you are probably going to be a little sore.
-You will smell like smoke-at all times-get used to it.
-Wear comfy shoes. If you wear heels out, take cabs and a spare pare of flops for the inevitable moment you decide to rip the shoes off your feet and go barefoot.
-Empty craps tables are bad. Full ones are good.
-In the words of another Vegas patron, "Dude! Las Vegas is so not a relaxing vacation. I feel like I could just close my eyes and die right now." Me too buddy, me too.

Maybe I need a Vegas part two post. I could go on. Sigh.

Sorry to leave you Las Vegas but we'll be back!