Thursday was a pretty busy day as we attempted to do a bunch of things we hadn't gotten to the rest of the week.

We started out at the art gallery at the Bellagio. They had a landscape show that was pretty interesting, there was some nice work by Hockney, Ana Mendieta, and some Impressionists, but I was expecting more. We both enjoyed a painting by Joel Janowitz, someone I hadn't been familiar with before.

Then we headed to the Pinball Hall of Fame. This was fun! It's free entry and is essentially a big room with pinball machines from all decades as well as some 80s video games. Most everything is working and you can just play. They give any profit to the Salvation Army. I was quite partial to the older machines from the 70s (5 balls for a quarter suits my skill level) and B. was pleased to find some games he used to play as a kid. We played tetris together. :) I would recommend if you're in Vegas.

We went to the MGM for lunch, stopping to look at the lions on our way to 'Wichcraft a sandwich shop owned by Tom Colicchio. I had a somewhat expensive, but very delicious turkey, bacon, avacado sandwich. The bacon was AMAZING. I also had some of B.'s mushroom soup that was good. He had some kind of steak and egg sandwich and he said the egg was cooked perfectly.

Next we stopped by the M&M shop (like Disney World with candy characters) and then to the Excaliber and Luxor--two casinos I hadn't been in yet. They were neat. We put a few dollars in a slot machine at the Luxor and I think B. won $15.

I was getting a little tired at this point. We decided to head off strip to do some gambling (we were going to get around to it eventually!). We drove out toward Red Rocks, which ended up taking a while because the GPS gave strange instructions. I napped in the car so this worked out well for me. We ended up at the Red Rocks Casino which was ritzier than we wanted, but finally found cheaper options at Suncoast. (This was actually something of a production, I'm writing down the names for future reference.) Anyways. B. played blackjack for a while and eventually I joined in. I was a little intimidated at first as I've never played a table game before. It was fine. Eh. Gambling is not really my thing. We were at a $5 table, I think I ended up $10 down, and B. was $35 up so that averaged out well.

We headed back to town for dinner at Hofbrauhaus--a German restaurant :) The food was pretty good, we split a massive salad, a schnitzel and sausage plate, and a beer. The decor was kitchy fun, waitresses in costume, the whole bit. The only negative was that it was LOUD. They had a band playing oompha music and it was hard to hear yourself think, especially with some of the yelling of the other guests.

Overall we had a really great trip!

Friday our flights were uneventful (no drunk chatty seatmates FTW!). I read The Girl Who Played With Fire ad cursed myself for not having bought the third book yet. Now I'm really happy to be home, but pretty exhausted. Not looking forward to getting back into the rhythm of work, but I'm sure it will be fine.
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abka: painting of daffodils and pear (Default)
( Jul. 14th, 2011 03:40 am)
Wednesday:

We were running a little late so we just grabbed "breakfast" (really lunch) at the food court at Caesar's. My tacos were pretty good.

Caesar's is right now my favorite casino in terms of awesome, over the top, design.

The spa was so great! They have the nifty, four-sprayer showers. The massage therapist was excellent. I spent a lot of time in the cedar sauna. They also had "roman baths" so three pools: hot, medium, and omg so cold I could only go in for a second. I also sat in the "arctic room" to cool down. It had snow! well "snow", but still! Nifty!

Then we went through the shops. I spent maybe a little too much money at Bettie Page buying 50s style dresses. They are so much fun!

Then we went to Planet Hollywood (I think) for cheeseburgers at this kitchy-cool hawaiian-themed place (I had my first mai tai, funny I hadn't had one before, it was too sweet).

Next it was to the Bellagio for O. The show was incredible! Probably my favorite cirque du soleil show (although Varekai is also still up there). Much more satisfying than Zumanity. I loved the visuals and the world-building (and the clowns!). They also had a ton of aerial arts stuff which I especially love after taking trapeze. Water! Fire! More Water! I heart O.

Then we watched the fountain show outside the Bellagio. Pretty.

We popped into the Mirage for a minute. The view from the roof-top parking was nice. Unfortunately the white tiger had moved to a pay area and the Beatles Love store was closed (B. wanted to stop in), but it was nice to see another hotel.

At some point we will get around to gambling a little. Hopefully tomorrow since it is our last day.
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abka: painting of daffodils and pear (Default)
( Jul. 14th, 2011 02:52 am)
The fantastic Las Vegas vacation continues!

Monday:

Drove out to Mount Charleston/Spring Mountains National Recreation Area to visit cousin E. We had a lovely picnic next to a little brook in the ponderosa pine forest. We met her boyfriend L. who was very nice. Then we drove to a scenic overlook near the bristlecone forest, then back down to the desert to take a short hike/walk. We went through this very narrow canyon that the Native Americans from the area had considered sacred. It was really beautiful. Also good to catch up with E. who is enjoying her career in Park Service education (she just got her MA in Wisconsin after spending several years in Alaska, it was cool to talk to her).

Then we hung out in the whirlpool tub in the timeshare and B. mixed fruity drinks. I took a little nap and we went out to Freemont Street. It was interesting, but a little loud, and there seemed to be a pretty high percentage of obnoxious drunk people for a Monday night. I was glad to see it, also glad we didn't stay overly long.

Tuesday:

We started out at the Venetian and spent time shopping (I bought a new everyday bag for work). It was neat to see the singers in the square while we had some gelato. Alan then got a straight-razor shave which was really more of a spa treatment (clay mask! massage!, it was almost an hour) and I bought him some fancy shave products as an early birthday present.

Then we headed to Paris (pretty!). We had a fantastic early dinner at Mon Ami Gabi (also really fun to say! try it!). My French 75 was okay. This is my favorite drink ever and I was excited to see it on the menu. B.'s french onion soup was good. My gazpacho was AMAZING and the steak frites were SUPER SUPER GOOD. It was also a lovely atmosphere.

Then we got dressed up in fancy clothes and went to Zumanity. It was basically a lot of sexy, incredibly athletic, and very bendy people. Some of the acts were neat (boys in a cage, the rope girl). The clowns were great. I had some issues (why was the cast so white? why were the only sexy black people were animals/"natives" and why only paired with each other? why no girl kissing?) It wasn't as risque as I anticipated. Overall I was very entertained, but not blown away.
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Saturday:

Yesterday we went to the buffet at the Bellagio, soooo much food. I especially enjoyed the company (B., B., and B.) and my dessert sampler.

Then we went shopping. At chain stores which was a little weird, but I found a great dress at Ann Taylor that was 50% off (and interacted with one of the most helpful salespeople ever).

Then this other things happened. Here is my synopsis written at 2:00am when I was really tired.

Then we had a strange experience in Lucky Jeans, where the salesguy *really* wanted me to find some great jeans, and I did too, but they were out of the ones that would have been perfect (ie worth the expensive price) in my size, so we left. But then we saw this green jacket in the window, I've been looking for one since JA (friend from work) bought this great one that looks great on me, but it's been sold out, blah blah blah. Anyways this one at Lucky looks awesome! but was too expensive ($100) so he offers to buy it for me and give it to me "as a gift" because he gets an employee discount. So I give him $60 in an envelope and we wait outside the store until they're done closing (about 20 min.). Thinking this is a little sketchy and just bizarre. Then he says he needs $5 for tax, and I send B. off to get change, and he comes out with the jacket and said that he threw a ten in and gives me change. This makes no sense to me. And I give him $5, so for $65 I got a jacket and $5.63 back is change? WTF. And we can't figure out if the guy was just being really nice, but you can get in big trouble at work for giving your employee discount to random people, or was he hitting on me? but neither of us really got that vibe? but are people really that nice? Or was he trying to really get us to come back on Tues. when the news jeans come in so I can buy them? (Which we might do.) Anyways. Weird.

Then we went back to the con hotel, hung out at the pool and chatted which was really nice.

--

Sunday:

We spent most of the day at the con, which was good. I really enjoyed the Leverage panel, and watching the new episode with fangirls tonight!

I also took some time to chill and read a book out by the pool. It was very relaxing.

B. and I had a GREAT dinner at Border Grill in Mandalay Bay. I didn't realize until we got there that it's owned by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Top Chef Masters (they had a big sign with a picture in front of the restaurant). The atmosphere was relaxed and fun and the food was SOOOO GOOD!

We had:
-a sour cherry mojito, this was excellent, very well balanced
-Chicken Adobo Quesadilla, the best quesadillas we've both ever had
-Peruvian Ceviche (lime marinated hawaiian fish, aji amarillo, cilantro, red peppers, pickled onion, avocado, plantain chips), this is only the second time I've had ceviche and it was really good, even B. liked it and he's not a very adventurous eater
-Baby Back Ribs with honey and chili(?), on special, the perfect mix of hot and just a little sweet

Then back to the hotel for Leverage and chill-at-the-pool time (obi_ki you were missed!).

Now wonderful sleep. Tomorrow we're meeting my cousin at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area for a picnic and hiking!
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abka: painting of daffodils and pear (Default)
( Jul. 9th, 2011 05:49 pm)
I'm in Vegas!!! We arrived yesterday. This weekend is the con and then vacation is the rest of the week.

Sat next to a chatty conservative guy on the plane who kept drinking beer (he bought B. one and kept offering us more, but we passed). I don't usually talk for so many hours with people whose life view is so opposite of mine. Given that it was pretty interesting and respectful. We discussed politics, taxes, abortion (we have opposing views), the NEA (I got a pretty animated on this one, the stewardess may have asked us to quiet down), and eventually movies (thank goodness).

B. and I did some education:
guy: [discussing the Strauss-Khan thing] "well she was a whore"
me: "it's still rape even if she's a prostitute"
B.: "a woman can withdraw consent at *any time*"
me and B.: [more explanation on this point, it's rape even if it's your wife, etc.]
him: "Huh. I didn't know that."
me: [internally: OMG That Women Are People Is News to You, 45 Year Old Man!!!]

To his credit he did seem to get it; it was like he had just never considered the issue before. ::facepalm::

Then later:
guy: "I believe that Americans are morally superior to people in other countries."
me and B.: "We disagree with you."

[There was more discussion, qualification, etc. but you get the point.]

-----

Back to Vegas!

We've been pretty chill so far. Drove up the strip and checked into the time share. It's pretty nice. The bedroom has an adjoining area (before the bathroom) with a whirlpool tub. Awesome. There are weird shutters you can open so you can chat with the person in the tub from the bed. A little strange (but maybe that's just a failure of my imagination?).

We hung out with people last night. I saw part of the vid show and then hung out with people in the pool.

This morning B. and I had breakfast and then I chilled for a couple hours. I just started The Girl Who Played with Fire. Attended a pretty good Dr. Who panel this afternoon. I think tonight we might go see the movie with everyone or gamble a little.
Back from WV! It was fun to see my dad's side of the family! We spent a lot of time playing with my nephew (15 months). He's so exhausting cute! My mom helped me alter my belly dance costume with mixed results. I'm on my own for the rest of it. My parents and sister are spending the week vacationing together in VA. I'm bummed I have to work and can't join them :( The only bad part about the weekend was the sleeping arrangements. Let's just say D. and I didn't get much sleep and are exhausted. This is a problem because I have a busy week. (Still freaking out about the bellydance performance, for example.)

Some interesting ways to procrastinate on the internet.
In Camera interview with Lady Gaga. It's long, but interesting (hats! Marina Abramovic! Feminism! Random questions!)
In case we haven't talked about her, Marina Abramovic article about her MoMA retrospective and performance piece that just ended
The Seventeen Magazine Project in which an 18 year old girl applies the tips from Seventeen Magazine to her life for one month.
Quote: "To go with my "Bright Prints" look, I also got my nails done to follow the "Bright Colors" trend that Danielle, age 15, from Minneapolis speaks so highly of. She writes, "Whenever I'm feeling down, I can just look at my nails and feel peppy!" This is bleak. I wish Seventeen would suggest a hobby for Danielle so she didn't have to look to idle nail-gazing as her only source of joy."

It would be kind of cool to (but I don't think I should):
-go to Universal Studios to the Harry Potter theme park thing
-dye my hair blonde (history: was red for a few years in my 20s, now it's my natural brown, I switch between long and shoulder length, currently long)
-pierce something (but I'm not sure what exactly and that pretty much answers the question, doesn't it?)
-go to Montreal. I've never been despite growing up in ME, and living in NH and western MA. IDK I have an urge, but no budget
I'm here!

travel details )
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