Viva LV

A few weeks ago Donna and I took a quick trip to Las Vegas to help Alison celebrate her 30th birthday.  Family members from both sides came along as well.  I'm pretty certain Alison enjoyed her birthday and the activities it included.  I'm pretty certain everyone else had a good time as well.

I've been to Vegas a number of times through the years going back to my first visit when I was 19 years old (1977 - yikes!).  Of course that visit included an "altered" ID and about $40 in my pocket.  Hardly took the city by storm that day but it was fun anyway, maybe a story for another day.

Since we've returned from the trip, I've been thinking of my top 10 impressions from that weekend.  Here they are:

1. The casinos keep getting bigger and bigger and the crowds keep getting younger and younger.

I know, I know - this makes me sound like the grumpy old man that I probably am.  However, I've really noticed the last few times I've been in Vegas that the casinos seem to be getting bigger and the crowds seem to be getting younger.  Maybe I can't get around as quickly as I used to, maybe I get turned around in the casinos - getting lost definitely adds time trying to get from point A to point B, maybe I can't run quite as long into the night as I once could and the current crowd seems to be able to.  My point is Las Vegas feels like it's becoming a young person's city.  However, having said that, there appeared to be lots and lots of older folks wandering around.  Maybe my expectations just need to change.  Let the youngsters stay up all night (and feel crappy the next morning) and let the youngsters move quickly from spot to spot.  For me, I'll try to be patient and continue to take my time, enjoy the sights, and not worry if I shut it down at midnight.  Sometimes the best sights (and best gambling) can be found early in the morning.

2. What would Elvis think of today's Las Vegas?

A couple of months ago, the movie "Viva Las Vegas" was on TV - starred a very young Elvis and Ann Margaret.  The setting was in Las Vegas.  Vegas at that time (and this coincides with my early memories of the city) really revolved around the night club and performing acts.  The rise of the Rat Pack and other performers seemed to dominate - along with the gambling of course.  Slots and table games were big but other than horse racing, the sports book didn't seem as big.  There was much less commercialism along the strip and the traffic and people jams along the streets and sidewalks didn't exist.  Evel Kneviel had room to jump his motorcycle over the fountains at Ceaser's.  Now there's hardly room for the fountains.  Downtown is probably closer to the old "look and feel" but even that has changed a lot.  I'm sure if Elvis were still around, he would be performing at one of the big casino's theaters and people would still be packing the place.  If Celine and Elton can perform night after night, no reason to think Elvis wouldn't be a big draw.  Not sure if he could fit in the tiny race cars used in his old movie however.

3. What's with all the costumed characters standing along the sidewalks?

Take a picture and give them money.  What a racket.  Here's a list of who/what I saw: Mickey and Minnie Mouse (bad, bad costumes), Las Vegas Showgirls (reason #103 why you shouldn't bring your kids to LV - not many clothes were on), Motorcycle Chicks wearing leather, Transformers (these were pretty good costumes), Hello Kitty (kinda creepy), Despicable Me characters (sorry, don't know what they are called), "Bad Cops" - girls dressed in tight police uniforms with handcuffs, Ghost Rider (bad), Sponge Bob Squarepants, .  And of course, lots and lots of homeless folks with homemade signs asking for a few dollars and wishing you blessings.  I especially like the homeless man whose sign said he was hungry calming eating a banana and a sandwich as well as the guy that needed a few bucks talking on his cell phone and then checking his email - yep, times are tough even in the electronic age.

4. The "card slappers" rule the street corners.

The folks that stand on the sidewalk handing out "business cards" to the local strip clubs are always a favorite.  Their technique of "slapping" the cards (I guess to get your attention?) and then trying to get you to grab the card as you walk by is an interesting marketing ploy.  Especially when they stand there with their Dr. Dre over-the-ear headphones on - you really wonder what they might be listening to.  Not sure how successful this style of advertising is because it seems in the morning all you see scattered on the sidewalk is all the cards handed out and then dropped by the unsuspecting passer-bys.  Again, these handouts are yet another reason (#65) why you shouldn't bring your kids to Las Vegas.

5. Is performing at a piano bar a good way to make a living?

We spent Friday night at the Piano Bar in the Paris casino.  2 guys playing request after request at the piano.  This includes songs that were not meant for the piano but were played anyway.  Not great singers but good enough.  Hard to figure how much money they made.  The most money included with a request was $20.  They said they would play upwards of 200 songs - I think that might be quite a bit high.  Even if they average $10 per song (probably more realistic) - that's $2,000 for 3 hours of playing.  Don't know if they keep it all or if the bar gets a cut.  Anyway, probably not a great way to make a living but likely a good gig with lots of exposure for other jobs.  They do know lots and lots of songs but also cheat a little when they look something up on their iPad.  Fun, fun evening with songs for everyone.

6. My new favorite sports book bet is the "teaser".

Love, love, love the Sport Book.  Not convinced I'm very good at picking games but it fits nicely with my passion for sports as well as gives you a controlled way to spend (lose) money.  This year I bet the "teaser" bet for Sunday's NFL games.  The handicappers are really, really good at setting point spreads.  It's uncanny how close they can come game after game, week after week.  The NFL is so close each week that I find it very hard to pick these games very well.  Sometimes in college you can find a sleeper that makes picking a winner a little easier but the NFL doesn't have nearly as many.  Getting an extra 6 points (or whatever the teaser bet is) is great.  It makes questionable games suddenly look much easier.  Of course you have to pick multiple games to lay the bet but it's a new and fun way to watch the games and have some action.  Maybe because my 4-teamer won is the reason why I'm excited for this bet.  

7. Could a person really live in Las Vegas year round?

Every time I come to Vegas, I always think how fun it would be to live there.  But would it?  There's something to be said about the weather (most of the time), the glitz and glitter, and all there is to do.  But could someone live there all the time?  You definitely would need to be away from the Strip.  I think the lights and action and chaos would eventually wear a person down.  Too much sensory overload.  Plus, when you peel it back, Las Vegas is really a seedy, corrupt town.  All the things that are bad in the world - gambling, booze, bad morals, crime, drugs - can be found on most street corners.  I have to think being there day after day would erode a person's character.  Yeah, maybe living there year round isn't the best idea - but it sure is fun to take it in small doses over a long weekend.

8. The 2 hour time difference kicks my ass.

Yeah, I must really be getting old.  The 2 hour time difference is tough for me to handle.  I can't help but keep converting Vegas time to Kansas time and if it's getting late in Kansas (after 11 PM!!), then I feel like I need to be tired.  Unfortunately that means it's only 9 PM in LV.  But boy, can I get up early!  I guess the gaming tables are open at any hour so if I want to play some Blackjack at 6 AM Vegas time that's just fine.

9. The "inexpensive" dinner is now non-existent.

In the "old" days, Las Vegas always advertised their inexpensive meals.  Those days are gone.  Dining is expensive in Las Vegas.  Granted, there are many top-notch restaurants and options and the prices are in line as well.  Even the all-you-can-eat buffets cost a bit.  Not sure what bargains remain - all though I did see the 99 cent foot-long special advertised at a small casino along the Strip.  I bet that's delicious!

10. How good does it feel to leave Las Vegas with some of THEIR money??!!

I did it.  Yep, I finally did it.  I left Las Vegas with some of their money in my pocket.  Don't think that ever happened before.  I suppose when you add up all the other expenses - room, meals, drinks, taxis, etc. - my winnings didn't cover all that but when I count just the gambling I came out ahead.  It was fun to peel out a roll of $100's when I got home.  Don't suppose I'm smart enough to call it good and try to end my Vegas run on a high note - nope, I'll be back!

So that's some observations from the recent trip.  Thanks Alison for including me in your 30th birthday celebration.  Can't think of a better group to spend it with.  Both Donna and I were glad to be part of the party plus it was just nice to get away from home for a few days after 6 long weeks of being house-bound.  We can't wait until you turn 40!!