Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[pkondz]

Not traveling is a nice change.

I can see that.

Being able to go home to my family every evening is nice.

And I can definitely see that!

But the job itself has been stressful and I've been putting in extra hours trying to adapt to it. Starting up a new project is busy. I do think it will calm down eventually.

I always tell people it takes a year
to settle into a new job.
I don't care what the job is.

As for Vegas, based on the shows you've seen, what would you say is the best? Ka?

I've only seen two.
O and Ka.

But... personally?

Ka by far is the better show.

 

[rndmr2]

Not bad!


Actually, because it was December,
the heat wasn't bad at all.

We knew what we were in for,
distance wise.
So we either drove,
Monorailed.
Or took our time.

I haven't seen Mystere
and isn't La Nouba done now?
Or soon?

Lucky for you the heat wasn't unbearable. We made the mistake of making one of our trips there in AUGUST! The 2nd one was October.

La Nouba I think is ending Dec 31st.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[pkondz]

Lucky for you the heat wasn't unbearable. We made the mistake of making one of our trips there in AUGUST! The 2nd one was October.

Yes. I could see how the two
dates could result in
a slight change in temperature.

La Nouba I think is ending Dec 31st.

Ah!
Consider me informed now.

I'm in the know!!!


Don't ask if I know anything else.

 

[pkondz]

Sounds like even without taking notes you two have gotten a lot done in Vegas.

Oh, I don't have to take notes
to do stuff.

We went with the kids once for a wedding, and enjoyed shopping and pool time. The next time we went without children, and might have been even lamer on our own.

"We need our kids to show us how to have fun."

But O is a great show, we also saw David Spade at the Venetian when we went.

How was he?
Must admit to not really being a fan.
Nothing against him, though.

 

[orangecats2]

I'm sick! Feel awful! dizzy and nauseous. Yucky! Think it's an ear infection.

I've actually always wanted to see O. But never wanted to pay the money.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So... nice to see her,
nice we went to the game together,

but not so nice when the opposing team
scores a touchdown with one minute
and forty seconds left on the clock
to take a 12 point 40-28 lead.

Oh, well...


I turned to her and said
"No problem.
Just march the entire length of the field,
score a touchdown,
get the ball back right away
with an onside kick,
and score another touchdown...
In a minute and a half."

So that's what they did,
winning 41-40.

Most insane ending to a game
I've ever seen.

Wow! Sounds amazing! Every once in a while, sports fans get rewarded like that. Pretty cool.

Interesting.
There are some good things to see/eat/do on the strip.
Perhaps you didn't venture farther enough.

Well, I think you hit on the reason in your next update. We had the kids with us and got to the point where we were like, "Yeah, I think they've seen enough of Vegas."

If you go fast enough,
the world spins in the opposite direction.

Saw that on Superman.

(Think 1978 version.)

Yes! I'm still working on figuring out how to fly that fast.

You expect to put my best work
into a product that you are
merely skimming???

Hey, I said "may or may not". So there's some wiggle room there.

Two words.
Internet. Café.

I'm too cheap.

They actually do have a
vegetarian option!

Hang on, I'll find you a photo...

Got it:

Well, I would, but...
If Alison's friend finds out...
Not only would I be banned...

But probably she would too!

Well, we wouldn't want to do that to her. It would make for some great photos, though.

Cute girls and a catchy idea are one thing...

But you better deliver where it counts.


Don't get me wrong.
It wasn't the worst burger I'd ever eaten...
but it was far (faaaarrrrr) from the best.

Yeah, I'm with you. In a restaurant, food is king. I'm less inclined to pay for atmosphere or presentation.

Yes I am married too, why?

If the food was a bit better....
But... quality over quantity, please.

Besides, I can get this right here in town:

Plus... I've had their burgers. And they're good.
(No, not that one. Just a single, thanks.)

Whoa. I might have a heart attack just looking at that.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Did you know that in the 90s,
Vegas tried to make itself over
as a family destination?

Can't say I'm familiar with that story!

Legalized gambling was cropping up
in other areas and Vegas suffered
as a result.

In under ten years,
at a cost of $12 billion dollars...

Yes... billion...

...Vegas rebuilt itself.

Wow. They could have built Star Wars Land!

But the families were spending time
with the kids... and not at the tables.

Imagine that!

Pro tip:
If you have kids and want to bring 'em
to Vegas...


Don't.

True Story.

Oh, sure. There's stuff there for kids...
But the amount of explaining you'll
have to do would be tedious.

"Mom? Why is that man naked?"
(Well... almost. Naked, I mean.)

'nuff said.

This is exactly why we gave up after driving halfway down the Strip. "So, kids, who wants to head for the generic hotel pool!"

It was a pretty complicated package.
You could either book a room.
Or you could book a room with
a $100 resort credit for an extra $10 or so.


Um....

Seems like a no-brainer. So what did you choose?

The only problem I have with buffets,
is I always eat more than I should....

and have no room left for dessert.

Yeah, I fall for that one, too. All you can eat! I need to get my money's worth!

One of these days I'm going to do
one of two things.
1. Book a dessert party at Disney. Or;
2. Start with dessert and work my way backwards.

Julie's grandfather reached the point where he would just order sundaes for dinner. "I'm 80 years old and I just want ice cream. So that's what I'm getting."

Don't get me wrong,
The Strip is great for just
walking along and seeing the sights.
But... when you get to that point
where you've walked your feet off
and you want to head back
to your hotel....


It's wayyyyyy over there.

Just like Disney!

He's called that for his penchant
for putting horns on... well... everything.

Here's his bus, that was parked outside.

Well, I guess everyone has a thing.

There's another guy who shows up
on occasion.
His name's Roli.

When I asked him for a photo,
he told me to buy a T-shirt
and he'd sign it.

1. Not what I asked.
2. I don't collect autographs... and I definitely don't want yours.
3. I did buy a T-shirt... and I don't want it ruined by someone scribbling on it.

Roli, would you like to hear me tell a joke?

I'm not really a car guy.
I'll appreciate a nice car,
but start talking engines and stuff...

Well, the fact that I called it "stuff"
should tell you all you need to know.

Same here. My boys have really gotten into cars lately, and I have to admit, when they start talking about different models it's all I can do to keep my eyes from glazing over. Kind of like when they were really into Minecraft a couple years ago.

In a corner of the showroom,
they had a couple items
that were topics of the show.

They had a competition
to see who could design
the coolest yet fastest trike.

That sounds like fun!

So we went... to the mall.
Just off the strip,
the Fashion Show Mall
houses about 250 stores.

I think we went in all of them.

Thank Heaven they had wifi.

Somewhere between then and there
we must have had supper...
But I have no idea what it was.

So.... let's say it probably wasn't
anything super memorable.

It probably wasn't anything super memorable.

But she dealt one card to the person
on my right....

...


and then...


....



.....


One to me.


....


And....


eventually.......



.....




One to herself...

She must have been one of the Zootopia DMV workers.

Good news is you won't go bust
very quickly sitting at her table.
You run the risk of dying of boredom...

But you won't go bust.

So you have that going for you, which is nice.

So I left $5 dollars richer
than when I sat down.
Woot! At this rate,
my winnings will pay for the trip!

Don't spend it all on one Harley Davidson poker chip!

Imagine this.
A woman walks across what appears
to be a pond.
Shallow, obviously.
She barely gets her feet wet.
Then suddenly a man plunges
one hundred and ten feet from above and dives
into the water where moments before
the woman was walking.
And he never resurfaces.

Whoa. Sounds pretty awesome!

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

I'm trying to catch up on as many TRs as I can as both the hubby and I start new jobs on the 14th and 21st respectively... and I'm assuming I won't have a bunch of time to read for a while. However, my new job requires me to travel around the country... so I'm hoping maybe one of the trips will be to ORLANDO... and in that case the fam will have to come with me on that trip!
Can't wait to read more about your Vegas & your other Dis trips!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

Finally... Schools done for the quarter and I have 3 weeks off before fall quarter starts. Finally read through everything since my last post. Sad that I didn't get to finish the contest... But I still would answer the questions before moving on to the next update lolol. I would have still judged poorly!

Your trip with wifey sounds so nice. So much more relaxing (well other than stressing about the forgotten ipod) than most vacations to Disney. The mall you guys went to is crazy huge!

Vegas is on my bucket list. It just always seems to lose out to Disney when the planning starts happening. Also kids... Just not a place I want to take them and up until the past year or so, they haven't been old enough to leave behind.

 

[pkondz]

Looks like I have a few shout-outs to get to.
Sorry, been awol lately.
Busy!

Hoping to catch up in a day or two.

 

[franandaj]

$18.99/person Mon - Thu
for breakfast and
$25.99/person for Fri brunch.

So that's $90 right there.

Does math work different in Canada? I don't see how you come up with $90 from those prices....

I try to do that.
I take small portions.

Of wayyyy too many things!

You see, I can't have my foods touching so much less fits on one plate. I have to go back numerous times...

She does?
Didn't know that.

Didn't know anyone (until now)
who did!

Well, she'll take a few salady things, or appetizer stuff, and then hit the dessert table for a chocolate covered strawberry and a cookie or piece of cake. Says she enjoys it much more when she is not stuffed. Me, I can't eat "out of order". Must have savory before sweet, and if we're talking sushi, raw before cooked.

That's called "being comped"

And I doubt it will ever happen to me.
I need to roll a little higher
(i.e. $$$$$)
than at $5 tables.

It hasn't happened to us and we have been known to play for hours at a time. I guess $5 tables don't count.

Hmmm....
I'd say give Ka a try before you make
up your mind.

I liked O quite a bit...
But Ka blew me away.

I think Fran is not so interested, so it may not happen.

 

[Tracy161]

Pro tip:
If you have kids and want to bring 'em
to Vegas...


Don't.

Noted!

One of these days I'm going to do
one of two things.
1. Book a dessert party at Disney. Or;
2. Start with dessert and work my way backwards.

YES!!! I need to do both of these things. I approve of this list, however brief.

So we went... to the mall.
Just off the strip,
the Fashion Show Mall
houses about 250 stores.

I think we went in all of them.

Oh, my. Just your cup of tea, no doubt

Awesome picture of you with the guy from that show... I already forgot his name... and the name of the show, clearly

 

[Steppesister]

Actually, that was part of the problem.
Parents were gambling until the wee hours
and abandoning their kids during that.

Not good.

Well, that's not good. The Almighty Dollar is SO much more valuable than family relationships.

I don't eat nearly as much as I used to.
But... while I didn't eat that much,
since it was a resort credit, I didn't mind
just having what I did have.

I guess you more than made up for it in the price of the room. Because you certainly didn't at the $5 table. ( I mean from their point of view.)

I did find greener pastures.
Wifi. It's a wonderful thing.

Ah, the wonders of wifi. Proving things possible you never thought possible.

I had it framed.

Then you should!
Heck, you're closer than I am.

Maybe someday. Italy first.

Which is one reason I haven't seen it yet.
I don't want to squeeze that
into a five minute look-see.

Give it its due justice. Maybe you should consider hiking rim to rim when you go!

Besides... WestJet uses B737s.
So it's accurate.

And here I thought you didn't take any notes. It's a wonder you remembered which airline you flew. Or even IF you flew.

Not Enterprise?
Or was it National?

I was hoping you would forget that little lapse in lucidity on my part.

And yet I am the only one who used it.
But yes. There was room for two there.
Throw in some bubbles...
maybe some chocolate....
Or perhaps some cheese.
Or both.

And voila. A little piece of Heaven.

It was a pedestrian bridge
crossing the road.

I KNEW it had am up-there perspective!

I only do that alone.
Or with appropriate company.

Ah noted. Sashaying is done together. Moseying is done alone.

(Just getting my methods of "getting there" figured out.)

You must've been starving
to eat at Rotten Ronnie's.

I eat there, by default, almost every Tuesday. Yes, it's disgusting. No, I'm still too lazy to pack a dinner.

Isn't it more suicide if you eat like that
so much that it kills you?

Yes. And I have thought on that.

 

[pkondz]

I'm sick! Feel awful! dizzy and nauseous. Yucky! Think it's an ear infection.

Let's see... you posted that on Monday.
How are you feeling now?
Any better?

I've actually always wanted to see O. But never wanted to pay the money.

No problem!
I have a way around that for you.

Get DH to pay.

 

[pkondz]

Wow! Sounds amazing! Every once in a while, sports fans get rewarded like that. Pretty cool.

But a lot weren't.
After the other side scored,
putting it "out of reach"
with about a minute and a half
to go, a lot of people left.

They must've been in a panic
when all they could hear
was wild screaming
coming from the stadium
they just left.

Well, I think you hit on the reason in your next update. We had the kids with us and got to the point where we were like, "Yeah, I think they've seen enough of Vegas."

Oh.
Yeah.... That I totally get.

Sad thing is, they would have loved
a Cirque show....
But who could afford to take
a whole family???

Yes! I'm still working on figuring out how to fly that fast.

Here ya go.

Hey, I said "may or may not". So there's some wiggle room there.

Uh, huh.

I'm too cheap.

My condolences to Julie
on anniversaries...
Birthdays...
Valentine's Day...
Christmas...

Well, we wouldn't want to do that to her. It would make for some great photos, though.

Yeah, I'm with you. In a restaurant, food is king. I'm less inclined to pay for atmosphere or presentation.

Agreed.

Whoa. I might have a heart attack just looking at that.

It's sooooooo good.

 

[pkondz]

Can't say I'm familiar with that story!

And that, ladies and gentlemen
(and Mark)
is why God created Wikipedia.

Wow. They could have built Star Wars Land!

Or at least a small corner of it.

True Story.

You would know!

This is exactly why we gave up after driving halfway down the Strip. "So, kids, who wants to head for the generic hotel pool!"

"And don't look at the billboards!!!!!"

Seems like a no-brainer. So what did you choose?

Nothing.
I let the coin flip decide.
As in all difficult decisions.

Yeah, I fall for that one, too. All you can eat! I need to get my money's worth!

Julie's grandfather reached the point where he would just order sundaes for dinner. "I'm 80 years old and I just want ice cream. So that's what I'm getting."

Brilliant!

Well, I guess everyone has a thing.

Yep. What's yours?

Oh. Nevermind.
A penchant for travelling long
distances with a family in the back.

Roy Walley: Once I drove all of them to Florida. T
he smell coming out of the back seat was terrible.
Clark: I know that smell, Roy.

Roli, would you like to hear me tell a joke?

Subtle! I like it.

Same here. My boys have really gotten into cars lately, and I have to admit, when they start talking about different models it's all I can do to keep my eyes from glazing over. Kind of like when they were really into Minecraft a couple years ago.

Ah yes.
Kay was into Minecraft for a year or two one month.

It probably wasn't anything super memorable.

I knew you could.

She must have been one of the Zootopia DMV workers.

Don't spend it all on one Harley Davidson poker chip!

Too late! Already had it.

Whoa. Sounds pretty awesome!

It was...
And (IMHO) it still pales
in comparison to Ka.

 

[pkondz]

I'm trying to catch up on as many TRs as I can

Nah.
You only have to catch up here.

as both the hubby and I start new jobs on the 14th and 21st respectively...

Oh! This is good news? Yes?

and I'm assuming I won't have a bunch of time to read for a while.

Sounds like it's time for a vacation!

However, my new job requires me to travel around the country... so I'm hoping maybe one of the trips will be to ORLANDO... and in that case the fam will have to come with me on that trip!

Nice!
Any chance of November?
Probably too soon to know.

What about North Dakota?

Can't wait to read more about your Vegas & your other Dis trips!

Coming soon, to a DISboard near you!

 

[pkondz]

He was actually better than I expected - I think he is able to let loose more in a smaller venue. DH really loves Rules of Engagement, so we took a chance.

Don't know Rules of Engagement. I hardly watch TV anymore.

There was a time when the entire continent
would tune into the same show.
Now... too much choice. Too many channels.