Canadian Buffoon's Hi Low Vacation - South Central Musings

[pkondz]

My dh watches Counting Cars but I don't.

Then your DH would probably
recognize some of those photos.

We have only seen the Cirque show La Nouba but I really want to see Love.

Time to hit Vegas!

 

[pooh'smate]

Then your DH would probably
recognize some of those photos.

He probably would.

Time to hit Vegas!

I would love to go to Vegas just to see some shows. We don't have anybody to leave our dd with and as you said Vegas isn't really child friendly.

 

[mustinjourney]

Thanks for that.
Watched the youtube this morning
before work.

Glad you liked it. I'm a UT alumni so that game is always fresh in my mind.

It's widely regarded as the greatest championship game. USC had two heisman winners and were going for their third straight national championship. Texas' Vince Young felt slighted for not winning the heisman that year.

Despite being ranked #1 or 2 all season, the experts had all but conceded UT had no chance in the game. For two weeks leading up to the game, ESPN had been running features about how USC was the greatest college team ever. Needless to say, that Texas team felt slighted and they were not going to back down.

I think that disrespect by the national media helped further motivate the team. If you ever have a free two hours, I would suggest watching the whole game. It is great from start to finish.

 

[franandaj]

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

Yes, I do remember that. And I remember thinking, "what a stupid idea! There are plenty of places for families, let's keep some places for adults!"

I didn't realize that it cut into gaming profits eventually. At that time I did not have any disposable income. Heck at this time I do not have any disposable income. I've come full circle!

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.

That doesn't sound so confusing....

If we hit the buffet twice,
we'd use up the credit.
And we'd skip lunch.

But that sounds like a darned expensive buffet!

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

and have no room left for desse

I've learned to pace myself, and take tiny portions. I do a once over survey of the foods on offer and then plan my attack.

Start with dessert and work my way backwards.

This is how Fran does it.

If you were to walk from one end
of the Strip to the other,
you're looking at about an hour.
That's if you don't go into any hotels
which are mostly set back from the road.

That's if you walk fast, it would take Fran all day.

We arrived at Count's Kustoms
(Hence the name, Counting Cars)
a few minutes later.

That's one of Fran's few car shows that I actually like.

Horny Mike.

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

Yup. Know about him. He does nice work.

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

Yeah, know about him too.

I'll appreciate a nice car,
but start talking engines and stuff...

Yeah, I know way more about that "stuff" than I care to.

m glad we went, it was a fun little jaunt.

I wouldn't mind stopping there on a future trip.

Now, I did wonder why this table was practically empty.
There was only one person sitting there.
And it was a $5 dollar table.

Usually these tables are hard to find
and even harder to sit at.

I don't think I've seen a $5 table on the Strip on a Saturday night in 20 years or more!

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

You musta got a great deal on that room and the airfare if this is going to pay for the trip!

What can I say about
Cirque du Soleil's 'O'?
It's difficult to describe.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I saw it almost 20 years ago when it had first opened. We took my parents to Vegas and that's the show we saw. I was....underwhelmed. I think I'm not a Cirque du Soleil kind of person.

 

[KathyM2]

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

Don't.

I would definitely agree with you there. Vegas is the place you go to get away from your kids.

That's half a mile.
And those two are close.

We learned this the hard way
on our first visit.

Been there. It's like a mirage. You think it's so close but it's not. Same thing when you want to get on the monorail. You keep seeing these signs for the monorail stop but you have to keep walking forever to actually get to it.

I won't say more about 'O'.
Other than to say it was spectacular.

Agreed. Saw this show many years ago but would love to see it again.

 

[Steppesister]

Sorry, my feeble attempts at keeping up here have failed. Utterly and completely.

Nevertheless, read through 2.0 has occurred and I can finally quote.

This trip happened over half a year ago...
And I took precisely zero notes.

So, it should all very clear still.

Nevertheless, let's begin, shall we?

Sure! Why not?

Actually, I've yet to see
the planet's second largest canyon.

You won't be disappointed!

(A three hour flight.
The weather started getting rough,
The flying ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The Boeing would be lost, the Boeing would be lost.)

Because Boeing fits in there so much better than McDonnel Douglas. Or Airbus.

Unless I smacked my noggin
on the ceiling and got short term
memory loss....

hmmm.......

Well, that explains everything!

I grabbed our rental from National
and drove us to our hotel.

Well, thank God you didn't go with the Camera-eating company, Alamo!

We had booked a standard room,
but once again I did the credit card trick
and we were upgraded.

I used that all the time.

Hand over CC.
They charge it.

Works every time.

Spacious.

Big enough to swim in. Or at least large enough for 2. Nice!!

Were you up on a 2nd story or something? Perspective seems taken from high.

We moseyed down the strip,

WHAT??!!

No sashaying?

"How about there?"
"Nah. Maybe there?"
"Maybe. But what about that place?"
"No. Don't feel like it."

This sounds like any given dinner out here too. By the time we decide, I'm not hungry anymore. Or so hungry I could eat McDonalds.

And since:
1. This is a family board. And;
2. Ruby was with me.
I refrained from taking any photos of them.

And jail (from what I hear) sux.

You have to don a hospital gown to eat there.

As we entered, I was alarmed to see
that the place was practically empty.

Well, YEAH. Those things open in the back. Bare butts are rather unappetizing. (We call them I. C. U gowns cuz it's funny.)

See? Open in the back.

That chick's face in the background is hilarious.

This is obviously a men's kinda place.

And masochism, I presume.
In one form or another.

Yes, heart attacks are painful!

 

[Steppesister]

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

Well, those parents suck.

(Just kidding. Seriously.)

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.

Yeah, buffets are definitely NOT worth my money. I eat about $4 worth of stuff... maybe, and $59 would go down the toilet.

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

Sound reasoning! (He sounds really full of himself, and greedy to boot.)

But boy... did we shop.
Well.... Ruby shopped.
I hung around outside
the stores and...

... wished they had Dole Whips.

... commiserated with the rest of the husbands stuck there.

....plucked out your toenails since that is far more amusing.

....found greener pastures.

On the other hand,
of the two hands I did play,
I won one and tied on another.
So I left $5 dollars richer
than when I sat down.

YAY! You can now purchase a souvenir toothpick from the buffet.

Go see it for yourself.

I'd like to someday!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Hi Ponzi, remember me? From back in the Nebo days? Well, I just retred from Disney after 45 years on Friday, so I should have some more time to join the fun.
Marita

 

[rndmr2]

Sounds like you had a fun day.

I remember how far apart everything was, the walking wasn't too horrible but to do it in that Vegas Heat...

I haven't seen O although I'd like to someday. I have seen Mystere at Treasure Island and La Nouba in WDW, the 2 travelling shows (Dralion and Alegria) and Mystere was my favorite one so far, it was really cool.

 

[irene_dsc]

Gotta say, seeing a Cirque show in Vegas is one of my main reasons for wanting to go there, besides just seeing everything. I think I will skip the Heart Attack place, however!

 

[pkondz]

I would love to go to Vegas just to see some shows.

I'd go just for that.

We don't have anybody to leave our dd with and as you said Vegas isn't really child friendly.

No it's not.
But when she's a bit older...

You can dump her and take off!

 

[pkondz]

Glad you liked it. I'm a UT alumni so that game is always fresh in my mind.

It's widely regarded as the greatest championship game. USC had two heisman winners and were going for their third straight national championship. Texas' Vince Young felt slighted for not winning the heisman that year.

Despite being ranked #1 or 2 all season, the experts had all but conceded UT had no chance in the game. For two weeks leading up to the game, ESPN had been running features about how USC was the greatest college team ever. Needless to say, that Texas team felt slighted and they were not going to back down.

I think that disrespect by the national media helped further motivate the team. If you ever have a free two hours, I would suggest watching the whole game. It is great from start to finish.

Thanks for the background info.

I don't know how many times
I've seen players/teams/whatever
disrespect the other side... and pay for it.

 

[pkondz]

Yes, I do remember that. And I remember thinking, "what a stupid idea! There are plenty of places for families, let's keep some places for adults!"

Agreed.
I much prefer the "sin city" moniker.

I didn't realize that it cut into gaming profits eventually. At that time I did not have any disposable income. Heck at this time I do not have any disposable income. I've come full circle!

That doesn't sound so confusing....

No. Pretty much a no-brainer.

But that sounds like a darned expensive buffet!

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

So that's $90 right there.

I've learned to pace myself, and take tiny portions. I do a once over survey of the foods on offer and then plan my attack.

I try to do that.
I take small portions.

Of wayyyy too many things!

This is how Fran does it.

She does?
Didn't know that.

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

That's if you walk fast, it would take Fran all day.

I really don't know.
I just Googled it
and put in walking
instead of driving.

It's not really possible
to just walk it
without stopping
to see... something.

That's one of Fran's few car shows that I actually like.

Ah! So you know it.

Yup. Know about him. He does nice work.

But not as nice as Ryan's.

Yeah, know about him too.

Was less than impressed.

Yeah, I know way more about that "stuff" than I care to.

Then you're ahead of me!

I wouldn't mind stopping there on a future trip.

I'm glad we did.
It was a fun little diversion
that's not really your
"typical" Vegas thing.

I don't think I've seen a $5 table on the Strip on a Saturday night in 20 years or more!

I know!
I was shocked!

And in the Bellagio no less!

You musta got a great deal on that room and the airfare if this is going to pay for the trip!

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.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I saw it almost 20 years ago when it had first opened. We took my parents to Vegas and that's the show we saw. I was....underwhelmed. I think I'm not a Cirque du Soleil kind of person.

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.

 

[pkondz]

I would definitely agree with you there. Vegas is the place you go to get away from your kids.

"Mommy! Can we go with you?"

"NO!"

Been there. It's like a mirage. You think it's so close but it's not. Same thing when you want to get on the monorail. You keep seeing these signs for the monorail stop but you have to keep walking forever to actually get to it.

I know!
"Hey! Let's check out the resort next door!"

2 hours later, exhausted and dehydrated...

"We're half way there!"

Agreed. Saw this show many years ago but would love to see it again.

It's really something.
I prefer Ka's story line.
But that whole stage
is amazingly impressive.

 

[pkondz]

Well, those parents suck.

(Just kidding. Seriously.)

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

Not good.

Yeah, buffets are definitely NOT worth my money. I eat about $4 worth of stuff... maybe, and $59 would go down the toilet.

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.

Sound reasoning! (He sounds really full of himself, and greedy to boot.)

I was not impressed.

... wished they had Dole Whips.

... commiserated with the rest of the husbands stuck there.

....plucked out your toenails since that is far more amusing.

....found greener pastures.

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

YAY! You can now purchase a souvenir toothpick from the buffet.

I had it framed.

I'd like to someday!

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

 

[pkondz]

So, it should all very clear still.

As mud.

You won't be disappointed!

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

Because Boeing fits in there so much better than McDonnel Douglas. Or Airbus.

Actually, Airbus would work there too.

And who the heck flies MD11s anymore?


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

Well, that explains everything!

Explains what?
I forgot.

Well, thank God you didn't go with the Camera-eating company, Alamo!

Not Enterprise?
Or was it National?

I used that all the time.

Hand over CC.
They charge it.

Works every time.

Spacious.

It wasn't too shabby.

Big enough to swim in. Or at least large enough for 2. Nice!!

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.

Were you up on a 2nd story or something? Perspective seems taken from high.

It was a pedestrian bridge
crossing the road.

WHAT??!!

No sashaying?

I only do that alone.
Or with appropriate company.

This sounds like any given dinner out here too. By the time we decide, I'm not hungry anymore. Or so hungry I could eat McDonalds.

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

And jail (from what I hear) sux.

I wouldn't know.
I'd like to keep it that way.

Well, YEAH. Those things open in the back. Bare butts are rather unappetizing. (We call them I. C. U gowns cuz it's funny.)

I like it!

That chick's face in the background is hilarious.

This is obviously a men's kinda place.

Well, Ruby wanted to go there...

Not that I complained.

Yes, heart attacks are painful!

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

 

[pkondz]

Hi Ponzi, remember me? From back in the Nebo days?

Of course I remember you Marita!
Are you kidding???
You're one of my longest readers.

Remember you?
I saw Nebo and Smidgy just a few
weeks ago and your name came up!

(We were talking about people
who we both knew from the DIS.)

Well, I just retred from Disney after 45 years on Friday, so I should have some more time to join the fun.

Happy retirement!

And I'm glad you'll be around!

 

[pkondz]

Sounds like you had a fun day.

Not bad!

I remember how far apart everything was, the walking wasn't too horrible but to do it in that Vegas Heat...

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 O although I'd like to someday. I have seen Mystere at Treasure Island and La Nouba in WDW, the 2 travelling shows (Dralion and Alegria) and Mystere was my favorite one so far, it was really cool.

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

 

[pkondz]

Gotta say, seeing a Cirque show in Vegas is one of my main reasons for wanting to go there, besides just seeing everything. I think I will skip the Heart Attack place, however!

Those shows are so over the top
when it comes to production.

The settings alone are breathtaking.


I'll skip the Heart Attack Grill too, next time.
Way better places to eat.

It's a novelty.
Once and done.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Aside from (no... in addition to)
the adjustment of not traveling.

Not traveling is a nice change. Being able to go home to my family every evening is nice. 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.

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