Eight And A Half Hours

Google Maps puts the distance at 2,612 mi – about 1 day 15 hours by car!

onboard-sw1234.jpgWe left our room at the Mirage at 2:00 PM PST. We got home about 1:30 EST. 8½ hours door-to-door. That’s more than a little amazing considering we traveled across most of the US.

Google Maps puts the distance at 2,612 mi – about 1 day 15 hours by car!

The flight back was uneventful. There were a few areas of light turbulence, but nothing frightening. Both Helaine and I attempted to sleep and got a little. I think airplane sleep shortens your perceived time aboard but doesn’t reduce what you’ll need in bed later. That’s a non-scientific observation.

swa1234-over-lake-erie.jpgAt one point Helaine got up and I moved to the window seat. I didn’t have my GPS running, but the clock on my camera is 2 seconds off. The photo was taken at 11:13 PM EST. Based on FlightAware’s flight tracker we were at 39,000 feet over Lake Erie. Our ground speed was 490 knots–564 mph. I think it’s a nighttime shot of Fairport Harbor, OH with Painesville in the distance. That’s just a guess. I could be wrong.

So, we’re home. It’s a few hours short of a week since we left the house on our way out. We did so much. It seems we’ve been gone a month!

Now back to the real world.

From The Airport

It was only a few bucks and I didn’t even care about the dollars involved. I just wanted an acknowledgment. He pushed back. “Maybe this car just gets really bad mileage,” he said.

IMG_4365.JPGI’m writing from Gate C4 at McCarren International (and on their WiFi). Why would you name a gate after a a deadly plastic explosive?

Helaine had trouble sleeping and was out of the room before I was awake. I had no trouble sleeping. These beds are firm with a pillow top.

It’s December, but it’s hard to tell out here. I looked out our window when I got up. The pool had guests yesterday. Now it’s drained. Closed for the winter. That’s sad.

As I was getting out of bed Helaine was coming back to the room. I showered and we headed for breakfast at the Carnegie Deli. After my week of poker, I went to see the manager. Maybe they’d like to buy my meal? Within a few seconds I was the proud possessor of a $15 food ticket. The comp has been converted to ‘black and white’ cookies from the Carnegie! Poker is low profit for them. Any food comp is a big deal.

While Helaine finished the paperwork, I waited for the bellman. As with all of Las Vegas, he was chatty. He was working for his tip. Mission accomplished. Ten minutes, ten bucks and we were at the North Valet Parking stand.

If you ever go to the Mirage, here’s my one worthwhile tip. The North Valet is much faster and easier than the man area–especially for auto pickup.

We got in the car and headed up Las Vegas Boulevard for the rental car center. All the rental companies operate under one roof about a half mile from the airport. I had to stop and top off the tank. I’d only gone 90 miles or so. I expected to put in a few gallons at the most.

When the pump got to 5 gallons I started to get upset–then 6 and 7. When we got to Enterprise I said something to the attendant. You are about to get a story about good and bad customer service.

The attendant checking in my car immediately copped an attitude. It was only a few bucks and I didn’t even care about the dollars involved. I just wanted an acknowledgment. He pushed back. “Maybe this car just gets really bad mileage,” he said.

Seriously? Is this guy nuts? He had taken something inconsequential and elevated it. Now it was a matter if principle. I needed a manager.

In stepped Anthony who took control and took responsibility. I told him I didn’t want any money. I just wanted Enterprise to understand my upset. He said all the right things, including a promise to talk to the attendant. He handed me my receipt and I walked away reasonably satisfied.

When I looked at the receipt, he had taken $13 from my bill. I turned around and told him I didn’t want that, but he wanted to do right by me and he did. Good for you Enterprise.

Though I checked in within minutes of our flight’s available time, we were given “B” boarding passes. I think we’ll still sit together, but I was surprised. Probably a lot of others connecting with our Hartford flight at Las Vegas who were able to checking before us.

IMG_4361.jpgWe pushed our bags to the curbside checking where we were told one bag was eight pounds over. Uh oh. Actually, no big deal. The skycap invited Helaine behind the counter to shift some weight to another bag.

And there you have it. Sometime around midnight Eastern we’ll be back at Bradley and home by 2:00 AM.

It seems like we’ve been gone a month!

Making The Most Of The Last Day In Vegas

For the next two weeks the rodeo is in town and Las Vegas is full of boots, hats and oversized belt buckles

Things are winding down. We said goodbye by Michael, Melissa and Max who then set out to drive back to Orange County, CA. We will miss them. Melissa has become Helaine’s sister.

We were stared at on our way down in the elevator. Then, somewhere between 18 and the lobby the man asked if I “was the newsman?” They were visiting from Wolcott and will be on our return flight. This is why I can only vacation with my wife.

IMG_4260.JPGA little poker–with good luck–then dinner with Helaine at California Pizza Kitchen. We’ve had the same guy as our waiter for at least five years and he was back with us today. As usual, I had a Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza.

Just across the way at the sports book they’re setting up for some country acts. For the next two weeks the rodeo is in town and Las Vegas is full of boots, hats and oversized belt buckles. Anybody gotta Bud?

It’s quite the eclectic group. The Mirage closes Cirque’s Love for two weeks of vacation while the rodeo’s in. This is not a French/Beatles crowd!

I went up to the room for a little while and on my way down got into the elevator with a guy holding a professional Canon HD camcorder. I asked a few questions and he told me he was shooting construction at the Mirage volcano. It’s currently under construction and officially closed. But, he said, it was going to be tested at 5:00 PM.

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I did go back to Venetian for the 7:00 PM tournament. Early on I had 3-Kings, only to find someone with “7s full.” I think I was first out!

If nothing else, Vegas is visually over-the-top. And, whatever was splashy last year has been trumped by something splashier this year… and brighter… and larger.

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A Night Of Poker and Pictures

Las Vegas Boulevard was dead last night around midnight when I headed out. This is the slow season.

There comes a time in every vacation when it becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with the action in the blog. That’s where I am now.

I played a little poker last night. Surprise. I was going to play at the Mirage where there is a nightly 5:00 PM tournament. There were only a dozen registered when I asked, a few minutes before the start time. I passed on that and headed across the street to the Venetian.

There was a time when the Mirage was the hotel for poker. All the big games took place here. But when Steve Wynn built Bellagio he moved the higher stakes games there. Sure Mirage expanded the room during the poker boom, but it’s not the leader it once was.

The Venetian has a 7:00 PM tournament and there were 82 entrants. Nine would cash out. I finished 12th. Sigh.

Helaine was really bushed and went to bed early. I picked up Clicky and headed down to The Strip. Though I’ve brought five lenses, I left the backpack upstairs, screwed a 10-20mm Sigma on my camera and headed out with my trip and the thought of doing some HDR photography. HDR works best where there are huge differences between the brightest brights and darkest darks.

The first three HDR shots I’ve processed are attached to the bottom of this entry.

Las Vegas Boulevard was dead last night around midnight when I headed out. This is the slow season.

The people you meet in the hotels and see on Las Vegas Boulevard are different. The hotels are intimidating and not necessarily family friendly. The Strip, on the other hand, is open-to-all and full of free entertainment. There are families and groups of people representing any ethnicity you can think of. And everyone has a camera. I’ve written about this before, but it bares repeating–nowadays everything is documented. Cameras are ubiquitous.

We’re in our last twenty four hours. Still more to do.

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What Is Wrong With This Picture?

I’m not even going to check the official readings. Let’s just establish whatever they are, that’s perfection.

blue-palm-tree.jpgWhat is wrong with this picture? Nothing!

Currently in Las Vegas it’s sunny and around 70&#176. I’m not even going to check the official readings. Let’s just establish whatever they are, that’s perfection.

I was up very late last night playing poker. I didn’t get back to the room until an hour normally reserved for degenerates. My poker skills have been sorely lacking on this trip.

Playing last night, however, was incredible. It was like hand-to-hand combat. I spent five or six hours just grinding it out.

slot-tourney-melissa.jpgThis morning’s schedule took us to the Venetian. Cousin Melissa had an entry in a slot tournament, so we went to root her on. We’ll know if she won later today.

Helaine and I have another 48 hours to go. This is a tough pace to sustain. I’m going to nap. I’d like to play in a poker tournament tonight.

A Night At Palazzo

If that was the night, I’d be very upset. There was more and things got better in a hurry.

In Vegas, when a hotel is a success the logical next step is to build an addition–something complementary and big. Palazzo is that second step for the Venetian. it’s all part of the empire of Sheldon Adelson and it’s spectacular

“[O]ne of my closest friends says, Sheldon, don’t worry about your height. You’re the tallest person I know when you stand on your wallet.”

IMG_3995.jpgPalazzo is across-the-street from the Mirage, so we hoofed it there for dinner at Sushi Samba. Very trendy. Very dark. Disappointing. The food was fine but the service was not. We felt abandoned. That shouldn’t happen in an expensive restaurant where they should understand your meal is an event.

If that was the night, I’d be very upset. There was more and things got better in a hurry. We went to see Jersey Boys, the Broadway show which is a ‘house act’ at Palazzo.

IMG_4011.jpgJersey Boys is the story of The Four Seasons. It benefits from a very strong score. How often do you enter the theater humming the tunes? But it’s the rich story on top of the score that makes it… and the company–especially Rick Faugno as Frankie Valli and Erich Bergen as Bob Gaudio.

I played all these songs when I worked in radio. I knew Frankie Valli, but knew nothing of Bob Gaudio beyond his name. Now he is fleshed out.

This was a “Team Helaine”‘ effort. That means she knew the exact moment the tickets went on sale. We (the eight of us) were in the second and third rows.

And, there’s still time for poker. Is this a wonderful country or what?ri

The Badass Foxes

I couldn’t tell you exactly what it was we shot, except it was lighter than I anticipated and had a small though noticeable recoil. We each shot 2-10 round clips.

We are a nice, nuclear family–not quite Ozzie and Harriett, but reasonably functional. Still, deep within us burns a rebel fire. And there’s no place better than Vegas to let that fire burn!

This afternoon, with Helaine and my folks in tow, Stef and I set out to shoot guns. There was originally the thought we’d fire a machine gun, but both of us were just as happy to pick up a pistol and head to the range.

We are not alone. This is the only gun shop I’ve ever seen with its own cab stand! It’s Vegas, baby.

I couldn’t tell you exactly what it was we shot, except it was lighter than I anticipated and had a small though noticeable recoil. We each shot 2-10 round clips. Twenty rounds for $20. Real gun aficionados might think we were ripped off–maybe we were. It was worth every penny.

Stef plans on mounting her target on the wall over her bed in the dorm.

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Busy Vegas Friday, Baby

It’s a busy week.

IMG_3573.JPGAfter the power came back I went downstairs and played poker. I was even for the session–losing at a sit ‘n go then winning in a $1-$2 no limit cash game.

Back before poker became big, when the Mirage was one of the few hotels spreading the game, you could wait hours to play. Now there’s always something available.

The seven of us got together for dinner at the Carnegie Deli. Food good. Service bad. It’s my only meal for today. None other is needed, trust me.

IMG_3559.JPGHelaine, Stef and I, plus my parents, had tickets for the early show at “Love.” It’s the Cirque show based on Beatles music. Helaine and I had been before but it was still great. My folks couldn’t get over it.

The night is still young so “Clicky” and I are headed down the strip for some picture taking. I did a lot last night with my 30mm f/1.4 prime lens. Very sharp. Very fast. Little light needed for good shots.

On the schedule for tomorrow, Frys–for my father’s belated birthday gift and a trip to an indoor gun range to shoot… wait for it… a machine gun. OK, it’s possible we may fire something else, but a machine gun is definitely an option and the morning line favorite. Tomorrow night we have dinner reservations for sushi and tickets to “Jersey Boys” at the Palazzo.

It’s a busy week. How can you not love Vegas?

And We’re Back

Power came back a few minutes ago, but not before I took a shower using a pocket flashlight hung from the shower curtain. Who wants this kind of adventure while on vacation? We’ve lost a half day.

I still can’t believe there was nothing about this on any Las Vegas news site. We report outages a lot smaller than this which affects both tourists and locals who work here.

Las Vegas Power Problem

We have been without electricity, in our room for over five hours. We’re on the 18th floor.

I’m not sure what’s going on. There’s no info I can find online. All the guest rooms in this hotel are affected.

Out The Window–Night Version

North Up Las Vegas Blvd From The Mirage

Only In Las Vegas

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View Of And From Our Room In Las Vegas

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ReMarried In Las Vegas

Everything I know told me this should be tacky. It wasn’t. This was a very sweet, very romantic thing to do and I’m glad we did it.

LCW_0008.JPGWhat a great day. Yes, a tiring day, but a great day nonetheless.

We found Stef at the airport, got our bags, took the shuttle to the rental car center and picked up a Jeep Liberty. The agent who helped us with our car recognized me from Channel 8. I always like that.

Check-in at the Mirage was easy. My folks, already checked in, met us at the front desk. There would be time for everyone to freshen up before the re-wedding. My cousins driving in from California were late, but said they’d meet us at the chapel–which they did.

LCW_0015.JPGThe Little Church of the West is on Las Vegas Boulevard not far from the famous Las Vegas sign. The back end borders the airport.

The chapel itself is small and wooden. One of the folks there told us it’s been moved four times now and has been where it is for around 13 years.

Everything I know told me this should be tacky. It wasn’t. This was a very sweet, very romantic thing to do and I’m glad we did it.

With my parents, my cousins and our daughter all there, the officiant went through a one-size-fits-all but very sweet ceremony. Everything he said about love and commitment is true. After 25 years it’s good to be reminded.

We retreated to the Mirage for dinner at Samba, a Brazilian themed restaurant where the waiters slice your food off skewers at the table. It was very nice and my parents had two of the largest margaritas I’ve ever seen!

We had ordered a small cake and it came for dessert. Wow! Sight unseen we hadn’t gone wrong. The cake was beautiful and tasty.

So, there you are. We’re in Vegas. We’re married for another 25. Everything is going swimmingly, except for poker and the weather. It is gray and gloomy. I’m not sure I really care.

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Why I Love Southwest–Anniversary Edition

As you probably know Southwest is a little more relaxed than other airlines. So when the cabin crew heard it was Helaine and my 25th anniversary they had some gifts. Not seen is a bottle of champagne we were given as we left the plane.