Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
I swear I'll get this updated soon!
Things have been very hectic since we got home, but this weekend looks to have some "down" time in it and I'll update the remainder of the trip.
We're so ready to move there . . .
We're so ready to move there . . .
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Still going . . .
Thursday we decided to "do the daylight". We started off at an outlet mall. HOWEVER, mall doesn't necessarily mean indoors in Vegas . . .it was an outside mall much like the big outlet mall in Osage Beach. And it was hot. And sunny. And I had no sunblock. So we stopped in a cosmetics store and they had a great smelling SPF70. I slathered some of that on my face, neck, chest and arms and away we went!
Went into many stores and when I came out of one, Ed tells me he's got something he knows I'd want to do. Hmm, what in the world could that be? He takes me to the henna tattoo lady! Anyone who knows me fairly well knows that I've been considering a "real" tattoo ever since my last surgery. What I want is a Phoenix - it was a hell of a year last year with two medical leaves and rehabbing new hips so I thought a Phoenix rising from the ashes would be most appropriate. Connor thinks it's not a good idea because, "face it mom, it's permanent" but finally said it would be ok as long as he didn't have to see it all the time.
Anyway - we got ourselves henna tattooed and I must say I like it a lot. It's a very cool set of wings with a heart in the middle which has "E & S" then "just married" underneath. It's one of those things that's visible if I want it to be and not if I don't. I like that idea a lot. It's fading a lot quicker than I'd anticipated, but it's certainly given me positives to getting a real tattoo....
I did go into the Coach store while we were there. I don't understand exactly why, but I want a Coach bag. They are entirely too expensive but I like them. I did get a long standing question of mine answered though - there was a kid in Connor's old school (rich kid) who carried, instead of a back pack, a Coach bag. Found one at the store almost like it - - $500. Ok, that's just too wrong for a kid to be using a $500 bag as a book bag in GRADE school.
After the outlet mall (we did get several souvenir t-shirts and some Nike products) we hit the strip. First was the Luxor to see all the Egyptian "artifacts". Very cool stuff - but no museum/exhibition like I'd thought there would be. AND I found that Criss Angel is coming to The Luxor with Cirque du Soliel in a new show "Believe". That would be a show worth seeing!
After that, we mosied on down the strip to the Excalibur and walked around there. Also great looking interiors. Didn't see any jousting but we only had so much time left before needing to get back for more bowling.
On Friday, we took to the daylight again. This time to the Imperial Palace to see the Auto Collection. Amazing vehicles - mint condition, antiques, sports cars and even the same model year MG that I owned once upon a time. Although this one was a '79 MGB and not the MG Midget like I had. But it sure brought back some great memories - like one night I'd parked it in one spot, came back and it was gone. Because "friends" had picked it up and moved it to the porch.
After that we walked down towards the M&M store but the further we got, the further away it seemed to get, so we crossed over to go check out Caesar's Palace. Now there's a place with an interior! It was, by far, the most gorgeous interior I'd seen. We went to the Forum Shops where we literally ran into a celebrity! Well, it was Ed that ran into him and it was actually the celeb that ran into Ed. Wolfgang Puck was on his way from one of his restaurants to another and he bumped into Ed as we were walking along! And he's much better looking in person than on the Food Network!
Getting close to time to go, we decided that I'd stay at Caesar's and Ed would go fetch the car from valet at Imperial Palace. After some confusion about where the valet ticket was, the car was retrieved and we made it back to the hotel with a few minutes to spare before bowling. It was another rough night of bowling, but that was ok. Afterwards, we ate and played some more machines before hitting the mattress.
Went into many stores and when I came out of one, Ed tells me he's got something he knows I'd want to do. Hmm, what in the world could that be? He takes me to the henna tattoo lady! Anyone who knows me fairly well knows that I've been considering a "real" tattoo ever since my last surgery. What I want is a Phoenix - it was a hell of a year last year with two medical leaves and rehabbing new hips so I thought a Phoenix rising from the ashes would be most appropriate. Connor thinks it's not a good idea because, "face it mom, it's permanent" but finally said it would be ok as long as he didn't have to see it all the time.
Anyway - we got ourselves henna tattooed and I must say I like it a lot. It's a very cool set of wings with a heart in the middle which has "E & S" then "just married" underneath. It's one of those things that's visible if I want it to be and not if I don't. I like that idea a lot. It's fading a lot quicker than I'd anticipated, but it's certainly given me positives to getting a real tattoo....
I did go into the Coach store while we were there. I don't understand exactly why, but I want a Coach bag. They are entirely too expensive but I like them. I did get a long standing question of mine answered though - there was a kid in Connor's old school (rich kid) who carried, instead of a back pack, a Coach bag. Found one at the store almost like it - - $500. Ok, that's just too wrong for a kid to be using a $500 bag as a book bag in GRADE school.
After the outlet mall (we did get several souvenir t-shirts and some Nike products) we hit the strip. First was the Luxor to see all the Egyptian "artifacts". Very cool stuff - but no museum/exhibition like I'd thought there would be. AND I found that Criss Angel is coming to The Luxor with Cirque du Soliel in a new show "Believe". That would be a show worth seeing!
After that, we mosied on down the strip to the Excalibur and walked around there. Also great looking interiors. Didn't see any jousting but we only had so much time left before needing to get back for more bowling.
On Friday, we took to the daylight again. This time to the Imperial Palace to see the Auto Collection. Amazing vehicles - mint condition, antiques, sports cars and even the same model year MG that I owned once upon a time. Although this one was a '79 MGB and not the MG Midget like I had. But it sure brought back some great memories - like one night I'd parked it in one spot, came back and it was gone. Because "friends" had picked it up and moved it to the porch.
After that we walked down towards the M&M store but the further we got, the further away it seemed to get, so we crossed over to go check out Caesar's Palace. Now there's a place with an interior! It was, by far, the most gorgeous interior I'd seen. We went to the Forum Shops where we literally ran into a celebrity! Well, it was Ed that ran into him and it was actually the celeb that ran into Ed. Wolfgang Puck was on his way from one of his restaurants to another and he bumped into Ed as we were walking along! And he's much better looking in person than on the Food Network!
Getting close to time to go, we decided that I'd stay at Caesar's and Ed would go fetch the car from valet at Imperial Palace. After some confusion about where the valet ticket was, the car was retrieved and we made it back to the hotel with a few minutes to spare before bowling. It was another rough night of bowling, but that was ok. Afterwards, we ate and played some more machines before hitting the mattress.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
So then . . .
Back to Monday night . . . our "wedding" present to ourselves (other than the trip) was to go see the LOVE show that Cirque du Soleil has at The Mirage. Tickets were outrageous (but not nearly as expensive as Elton John at Ceasar's Palace) but well worth every single cent.
I wore my veil as we'd been told that a lot of places would give brides free stuff, go to the front of the line, etc. It had gotten us a timeshare presentation at the Venitian as a "gift". Right. However, when we got up to the bar at the show, it did get us a great big popcorn for free instead of whatever monstrous amount they were charging. We got souvenier cups holding our drinks - I think my Margarita was $15 and Ed's soda was $8 or so. At least they were both really good AND we got the cool cups.
I'd gotten us balcony seats so we'd be able to see all that was going on - it wasn't as high as I'd expected, but high enough. We got seated and I noticed a black bar behind the seats all the way around the theater on every row. That was part of the sound system! You really were surrounded by the music!
It was truly the most incredible production I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of fabulous shows - Phantom of the Opera, Queen concerts, and lots of Muny productions. But this? It certainly flies to the top.
I'd never seen a Cirque production and Ed assures me that this one was very different from most, but still amazing. Now, a Cirque production that will be, probably, even more amazing than this one? When Chriss Angel and Cirque appear at The Luxor (starting in September) with "Believe". This guy is my all time favorite illusionist - and him with Cirque? Way cool.
Once the show was over, we headed back to the car and back to the hotel for some additional gaming. Well, for Ed. I went to bed!
Part of Tuesday's detailed in another post, so I'll take up from there. One of the side tournaments began Tuesday night and it was funny (yet sad) that we found out just how much we depend on each other for bowling! There was construction going on in the house and where Ed was set to bowl, I wasn't allowed to be. I was pissed and almost cried right there in the house. Ed was pissed, too, and it showed in his scoring that evening. I had never really realized just how much I enjoy watching him do his thing; point out what he might be able to try next; bolster his confidence if it's needed. I knew he liked me being there, but it turned out he "needs" me there and that is VERY cool. After the bowling we went back upstairs and turned in for the night. At least I did - I'm the early bird in this family!
Wednesday I checked my bank's web site and yes, the transaction with the hotel had been reversed, but there were now FOUR overdraft charges at $35 each! Marched my not so happy ass back down to the front desk and told them what had happened and was given the name of the hotel manager to speak with. No prob. I'll certainly speak with her! Called my bank and told them what had happened and they were surprised that the hotel hadn't asked for a reversal of any overdraft charges as hotels will typically do so. Imagine my surprise - NOT! I was beginning (?) to get a very bad taste in my mouth of this place.
Called the hotel manager and told her the long sordid story and she apologized profusely, comped us one of the expensive nights and apologized yet again. Well, fine and dandy we got our room for free for one night - IF we had been on the strip, I'm betting at least 1/2 of the stay would have been comped, not just one night. I've heard that most places want you to stay/leave very happy and satisfied so you'll spread the word. Apparently not SAM'S TOWN. Won't be staying there again - you can bet on that one.
Checked my Commerce account and it still hadn't been corrected so since I was in a "you'd better straighten up" mood, I called them and within a few minutes, had those overdrafts corrected.
I was SO tired of fussing and fighting with everyone and here it was - Wednesday. Half the trip over and I'd been stressed out every day with some sort of stupid thing.
Luckily, no more stuff like that happened for the remainder of the trip!!
Wanting to play on a real table, I picked Roulette. We found a table that wasn't being used although the dealer was still there. Told him I'd never done it and wanted to give it a try. I had no idea how much table etiquette there was! I would try and hand him things and he would tell me to put it on the table. I took my chip away before his marker had been moved away. I did learn a lot! AND - my first bet hit! I'd put a $1 chip on the "21" (my birthday) and got a $35 payoff on it! I continued playing and an older fellow comes up, cashes a $100 for chips, plays for about 15 minutes, DOUBLES his money and cashes out. The dealer looked at me and said "and that's the way it's done" - boy, no kidding! Soon after, I busted out and told him "and that's the way it's NOT done". We all had a laugh on it and I spent $20 to learn to play Roulette!
Wednesday night was our time at the Freemont Street Experience. It was amazing! The lights, the sound system, the new sax player I "found" on the street. What a totally cool idea and place. We needed something to eat for dinner and not wanting to eat a lot, we went to this little hole in the wall kind of place and had chili dogs. It was really what I would have expected on the streets of NYC - pretzels, sandwiches, slices and dogs. What a cool thing!
Wednesday was Ed's night with the Roulette video game. He did very, very well and instead of cashing out, decided to push it and lost all he'd gained. He was quite angry with himself and I reminded him - it wasn't "real" money yet because he hadn't cashed out and held the money in his hand - it'd only been numbers on the machine. Between that and a talk with a friend of ours who gambles and wins AND loses, he felt much, much better about it all.
I wore my veil as we'd been told that a lot of places would give brides free stuff, go to the front of the line, etc. It had gotten us a timeshare presentation at the Venitian as a "gift". Right. However, when we got up to the bar at the show, it did get us a great big popcorn for free instead of whatever monstrous amount they were charging. We got souvenier cups holding our drinks - I think my Margarita was $15 and Ed's soda was $8 or so. At least they were both really good AND we got the cool cups.
I'd gotten us balcony seats so we'd be able to see all that was going on - it wasn't as high as I'd expected, but high enough. We got seated and I noticed a black bar behind the seats all the way around the theater on every row. That was part of the sound system! You really were surrounded by the music!
It was truly the most incredible production I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of fabulous shows - Phantom of the Opera, Queen concerts, and lots of Muny productions. But this? It certainly flies to the top.
I'd never seen a Cirque production and Ed assures me that this one was very different from most, but still amazing. Now, a Cirque production that will be, probably, even more amazing than this one? When Chriss Angel and Cirque appear at The Luxor (starting in September) with "Believe". This guy is my all time favorite illusionist - and him with Cirque? Way cool.
Once the show was over, we headed back to the car and back to the hotel for some additional gaming. Well, for Ed. I went to bed!
Part of Tuesday's detailed in another post, so I'll take up from there. One of the side tournaments began Tuesday night and it was funny (yet sad) that we found out just how much we depend on each other for bowling! There was construction going on in the house and where Ed was set to bowl, I wasn't allowed to be. I was pissed and almost cried right there in the house. Ed was pissed, too, and it showed in his scoring that evening. I had never really realized just how much I enjoy watching him do his thing; point out what he might be able to try next; bolster his confidence if it's needed. I knew he liked me being there, but it turned out he "needs" me there and that is VERY cool. After the bowling we went back upstairs and turned in for the night. At least I did - I'm the early bird in this family!
Wednesday I checked my bank's web site and yes, the transaction with the hotel had been reversed, but there were now FOUR overdraft charges at $35 each! Marched my not so happy ass back down to the front desk and told them what had happened and was given the name of the hotel manager to speak with. No prob. I'll certainly speak with her! Called my bank and told them what had happened and they were surprised that the hotel hadn't asked for a reversal of any overdraft charges as hotels will typically do so. Imagine my surprise - NOT! I was beginning (?) to get a very bad taste in my mouth of this place.
Called the hotel manager and told her the long sordid story and she apologized profusely, comped us one of the expensive nights and apologized yet again. Well, fine and dandy we got our room for free for one night - IF we had been on the strip, I'm betting at least 1/2 of the stay would have been comped, not just one night. I've heard that most places want you to stay/leave very happy and satisfied so you'll spread the word. Apparently not SAM'S TOWN. Won't be staying there again - you can bet on that one.
Checked my Commerce account and it still hadn't been corrected so since I was in a "you'd better straighten up" mood, I called them and within a few minutes, had those overdrafts corrected.
I was SO tired of fussing and fighting with everyone and here it was - Wednesday. Half the trip over and I'd been stressed out every day with some sort of stupid thing.
Luckily, no more stuff like that happened for the remainder of the trip!!
Wanting to play on a real table, I picked Roulette. We found a table that wasn't being used although the dealer was still there. Told him I'd never done it and wanted to give it a try. I had no idea how much table etiquette there was! I would try and hand him things and he would tell me to put it on the table. I took my chip away before his marker had been moved away. I did learn a lot! AND - my first bet hit! I'd put a $1 chip on the "21" (my birthday) and got a $35 payoff on it! I continued playing and an older fellow comes up, cashes a $100 for chips, plays for about 15 minutes, DOUBLES his money and cashes out. The dealer looked at me and said "and that's the way it's done" - boy, no kidding! Soon after, I busted out and told him "and that's the way it's NOT done". We all had a laugh on it and I spent $20 to learn to play Roulette!
Wednesday night was our time at the Freemont Street Experience. It was amazing! The lights, the sound system, the new sax player I "found" on the street. What a totally cool idea and place. We needed something to eat for dinner and not wanting to eat a lot, we went to this little hole in the wall kind of place and had chili dogs. It was really what I would have expected on the streets of NYC - pretzels, sandwiches, slices and dogs. What a cool thing!
Wednesday was Ed's night with the Roulette video game. He did very, very well and instead of cashing out, decided to push it and lost all he'd gained. He was quite angry with himself and I reminded him - it wasn't "real" money yet because he hadn't cashed out and held the money in his hand - it'd only been numbers on the machine. Between that and a talk with a friend of ours who gambles and wins AND loses, he felt much, much better about it all.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Update . . .
What day is it? Yes, it's Tuesday, 8/5 and I'm just now finding some time to do additional updates to the blog. Hey, I'm still on Vegas time, at work (at lunch) and tired - at least I got pictures updated almost every day. Ed took some fabulous pics on the plane ride home and I hope to get those up to the website tonight...we'll see. I'm pretty sleepy right now.
So where did I leave off? Oh yes, the second day. Imagine my surprise when I logged onto my bank's site and found myself $500 overdrawn. Not knowing what in the world could have caused that (there should have been plenty money in there) I checked and it was the hotel. Since I made the initial reservation with my check card, EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM DIFFERENT INFO upon check-in, they debited by account for the expected amount of the bill. And because of that I'm getting overdraft charges.
Not wanting to continue incurring charges, I marched my happy little ass downstairs to the front desk and told them of the situation. After about 1/2 hour, the supervisor had consented to calling the bank and letting them know they didn't need that money and to please release it.
And did I mention that my other account (at Commerce) had transposed account numbers and took $450 out of my account that should have come out of someone else's account? On my birthday? And that they started charging overdraft fees because of their error? Oh yeah. They were good enough to correct that error within a couple of hours, but it took until middle of last week to get the overdraft charges reversed. So there I was, in Vegas, with overdrawn accounts.
So where did I leave off? Oh yes, the second day. Imagine my surprise when I logged onto my bank's site and found myself $500 overdrawn. Not knowing what in the world could have caused that (there should have been plenty money in there) I checked and it was the hotel. Since I made the initial reservation with my check card, EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM DIFFERENT INFO upon check-in, they debited by account for the expected amount of the bill. And because of that I'm getting overdraft charges.
Not wanting to continue incurring charges, I marched my happy little ass downstairs to the front desk and told them of the situation. After about 1/2 hour, the supervisor had consented to calling the bank and letting them know they didn't need that money and to please release it.
And did I mention that my other account (at Commerce) had transposed account numbers and took $450 out of my account that should have come out of someone else's account? On my birthday? And that they started charging overdraft fees because of their error? Oh yeah. They were good enough to correct that error within a couple of hours, but it took until middle of last week to get the overdraft charges reversed. So there I was, in Vegas, with overdrawn accounts.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Pictures are up!
http://slr72808.jalbum.net/Vegas/
And I'm adding new pics every time we get back to the hotel - so check it often. I'm running short on time, but will try to update our goings on soon!
And I'm adding new pics every time we get back to the hotel - so check it often. I'm running short on time, but will try to update our goings on soon!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Vegas, day one (still) - it was a long day
We last saw our intrepid travelers finally getting a room, some food and some much needed rest....then the day of the wedding arrived. Wait, that was the same day they checked into the hotel after a long ass flight and lots of fussin and fightin with the airlines and hotel.
So why was there fussin and fightin? The airline couldn't decide how to check through Ed's bowling balls - they were too heavy (50 pound limit, the balls and bag weighed 77 pounds). We suggested that we break the bag apart and check two bags - well, the guy would hear nothing of it. UNTIL IT WAS HIS FLIPPIN IDEA! So we did get the balls taken care of and on their way.
Going through security was a blast in itself - this whole security stuff about liquids, gels and aerosols just sucks. I had everything the right size but in a gallon zip bag instead of a quart zip bag and the TSA agent said i had to use the quart size, but was only allowed one bag per person. Ed raises is hand and tells her "Well, I'm a person, too". With a look of annoyance on her face, she gave me another quart size bag. So we go outside so Ed can smoke and I can rearrange the liquids, gels and aerosols. However, my mouthwash bottle had popped open and leaked all over everything. Great, just great. BUT, got it all worked out, distributed properly and up to screening.
This is the first time i've flown since I had my hips done. After I went through the security gate i had to go sit in the corner to have a wand search....she wanded my front, my back, my sides, my arms, everywhere. Then when I set off the wand alarm, she patted me down. Eventually I did get through security. Got boarded. Took off. Had a great flight.
For some reason, I really thought getting through security and getting the bags checked should have been easy. Silly me.
No problems with the rental car and OMG - we got a pontiac G6 and you would not believe the trunk room in this thing. Four door. We got Ed's bowing bag (huge), two larger carry ons and one big checked bag AND a laptop bag into the trunk. Now that's what I call a trunk!
Got down the strip (absolutely fabulous - the lights really are as cool in person as they look on tv!), to the courthouse, to the hotel and to bed.
The next morning we went to the buffet in the hotel and it was really quite good! Then I went to the front desk and got our room switched, got our stuff and got settled in the new room. Which was really cool because we got the king we reserved and this room has a HUGE flat screen tv on the wall. Very cool.
We goofed around for a bit then I called the limo service that came with our wedding package. Imagine my surprise when they said "We don't go to Sam's Town". WTF? For the next 1/2 hour, i'm on the phone with the place i'd made the arrangements through and he apologized, said it was an oversight and that we could book the limo for $200. Bet my ass. Told this guy that it wasn't my fault they had overlooked the fact we were out of the area and they needed to make it right. The limo came and got us at 2:30 and all was good with the world. :)
Got to the chapel - great ride in the limo - got pics taken (haven't picked them up from WalMart yet, but I'll have them posted soon after) and got married. IT WAS A BLAST! It was the most fun i've had in a very long time and I got married, too! Elvis was gracious enough to allow Ed to sing along with him during some of the songs. And he even asked Ed where he had his clothes made - guess Elvis liked them! Can't wait to see the video of the event but we don't have a VCR in the room, so it'll have to wait till we get home.
Went back to the hotel, changed clothes, got some Panda Express for dinner and headed out to the Strip. I walked more that afternoon/evening than I've walked in so very long. And guess what? Not nearly the amount of pain I'd thought I would be in....in fact, I haven't taken any more than my usual dose of Ibuprofen since we got here and I've been walking, walking, walking, walking....
So why was there fussin and fightin? The airline couldn't decide how to check through Ed's bowling balls - they were too heavy (50 pound limit, the balls and bag weighed 77 pounds). We suggested that we break the bag apart and check two bags - well, the guy would hear nothing of it. UNTIL IT WAS HIS FLIPPIN IDEA! So we did get the balls taken care of and on their way.
Going through security was a blast in itself - this whole security stuff about liquids, gels and aerosols just sucks. I had everything the right size but in a gallon zip bag instead of a quart zip bag and the TSA agent said i had to use the quart size, but was only allowed one bag per person. Ed raises is hand and tells her "Well, I'm a person, too". With a look of annoyance on her face, she gave me another quart size bag. So we go outside so Ed can smoke and I can rearrange the liquids, gels and aerosols. However, my mouthwash bottle had popped open and leaked all over everything. Great, just great. BUT, got it all worked out, distributed properly and up to screening.
This is the first time i've flown since I had my hips done. After I went through the security gate i had to go sit in the corner to have a wand search....she wanded my front, my back, my sides, my arms, everywhere. Then when I set off the wand alarm, she patted me down. Eventually I did get through security. Got boarded. Took off. Had a great flight.
For some reason, I really thought getting through security and getting the bags checked should have been easy. Silly me.
No problems with the rental car and OMG - we got a pontiac G6 and you would not believe the trunk room in this thing. Four door. We got Ed's bowing bag (huge), two larger carry ons and one big checked bag AND a laptop bag into the trunk. Now that's what I call a trunk!
Got down the strip (absolutely fabulous - the lights really are as cool in person as they look on tv!), to the courthouse, to the hotel and to bed.
The next morning we went to the buffet in the hotel and it was really quite good! Then I went to the front desk and got our room switched, got our stuff and got settled in the new room. Which was really cool because we got the king we reserved and this room has a HUGE flat screen tv on the wall. Very cool.
We goofed around for a bit then I called the limo service that came with our wedding package. Imagine my surprise when they said "We don't go to Sam's Town". WTF? For the next 1/2 hour, i'm on the phone with the place i'd made the arrangements through and he apologized, said it was an oversight and that we could book the limo for $200. Bet my ass. Told this guy that it wasn't my fault they had overlooked the fact we were out of the area and they needed to make it right. The limo came and got us at 2:30 and all was good with the world. :)
Got to the chapel - great ride in the limo - got pics taken (haven't picked them up from WalMart yet, but I'll have them posted soon after) and got married. IT WAS A BLAST! It was the most fun i've had in a very long time and I got married, too! Elvis was gracious enough to allow Ed to sing along with him during some of the songs. And he even asked Ed where he had his clothes made - guess Elvis liked them! Can't wait to see the video of the event but we don't have a VCR in the room, so it'll have to wait till we get home.
Went back to the hotel, changed clothes, got some Panda Express for dinner and headed out to the Strip. I walked more that afternoon/evening than I've walked in so very long. And guess what? Not nearly the amount of pain I'd thought I would be in....in fact, I haven't taken any more than my usual dose of Ibuprofen since we got here and I've been walking, walking, walking, walking....
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