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lv711texasrangers
01-01-2004, 10:14 PM
Hello Everyone!
Sorry it has taken so long to write this.
1st of December, not a good time to take a vacation to Las Vegas. Between planning, kids, Christmas, and work, WOW!

Anyway, here we go.

Roll Call:
Myself=Randy
Wife= Barb
Barb's boss= Troy
Troy's wife=
Sister In-Law=Brenda
Other friend of Barb's= Julie

Saturday December 6th.
4 big pull luggage, 2 smaller bags, and 1 4 pack of wine. All loaded into our Durango. Pick up Julie, 3 more big bags. Off we go! Leave Salina 8:00 a.m. Get to MCI (Kansas City), two hours before flight. Check in, our flight is 2 hours delayed. But, they can get us on a flight 1 hour sooner, than our original flight! Life is good!LOL Of course when we go thru the medal detector, Barb has to take off her shoes. (Every time we fly, she has to) We get in line to get boarding pass, I call Rio, to tell them we will be there an hour sooner, so they change our limo. No problem. GREAT! We get into B section of boarding. Fine, we're an hour ahead!!!!!
Only place on plane that has 3 seats is in the very last row. No big deal. All 3 of us get to sit together, and we're by the restroom.
Las Vegas, HERE WE COME!
We take off on time, and have the best flight attentant ever! He let us use ALL of my Southwest drink coupons! I have Jack Daniel's for a year! LOL It was a VERY rough flight. But, we made it safe and sound.
We always take 2 rolls of quarters, for the slots in the airport, we play them, with little luck. Oh well, we're in VEGAS BABY! Get down to baggage claim, find our limo driver, get our bags, off we go to the Rio. 1st, we have to stop, and get some Diet Pepsi! Limo driver pulls into a grocery store, takes us 5 minutes! My wife can smell Diet Pepsi, 3 blocks away! LOL
Get to Diamond services, here goes my blood pressure! Our host had a masquerade suite for us. Strip view, NON-SMOKING. Wrong. All they had was SMOKING rooms, left, with strip view. Not a problem, mountian view is good. Lady behind counter says, I need a credit card. I've never given a credit card before, with a FREE room. Fine, gave her our bank debit card. She runs it thru for $875! Wouldn't go thru. You think maybe that's because, we brought it to Las Vegas? So, she tries it again, rejected. Tries once again, no good. I ask, why so much? She says for the room. Even if it's a comp, you have to put $125/night down.WHAT!!!!! So she says, I'll try $150. But, I mill run it thru $75,$75. Fine! She runs the first $75, it goes thru. Tries the second $75, bank wont let her do it. 5 tries in 3 minutes, bank locked up my account! So she makes me give her a cash deposit of $500!!!! What the HELL is going on? It's almost 3 p.m., and our host will be in then. I'm getting REAL pissed-off! She gives me our keys, and off I go to the room. (Barb and Julie are playing somewhere, in the casino). Get up to the room, the keys DON"T WORK, in the lock! Go back down to Diamond services, stand in line, get new keys,(hear,"They should work") go back up to 22nd floor, all the way down the hall, THESE WON'T WORK! I'm about to have a heart attack now! Go all the way back down, stand in line again. They said they'll have to send someone up from maintianats. Wait 20 minutes. Here they come. They try, no luck. They have to change the lock on the door. Call down to the bell desk, to get bags. Takes another 30 minutes. So far, I've been in the hotel 2 hours, and haven't put one nickel, in a machine! And I'm HOT!!!
Call down, to host, he asked what's going on? Ask to talk to him, he'll meet me in Diamond services. GREAT! I unload, on him, what just happened. He says first thing, we need to do is get your $500 back. So he does that, and gets us a $100 comp to Antonio's, and a $75 comp to All American Grill. This starts making it a little better! Blood pressure starts going down! I will NEVER use Diamond services again! I will use our host, from now on. I give our host 3 bottles of wine, and our list of shows we would like to see. He tells me I'll have them, by the end of the night. He's the man!
Finally, get to put my first dollar in a machine 3 hours later! Put $40 in a Big Times Pay. Hit $300, alright, Blood pressure, back to normal!
That's the worst, of the trip! It's all up hill from there.

Go find Barb and Julie, haven't ate all day. Go to Toscano's Deli. Lady asks how our trip is going? I said, DON'T ASK! LOL She takes our order, and hands me a STACK of football tickets for Sundays games.
These tickets, have 5 games on them. Plus a score for each game. If you match 1 of the games, you win 5,000 reward credits. Match 2, you get 7,500 reward credits. Match 3, get 10,000 reward credits. Match 4, get $10,000. Match all 5, get $1,000,000. Cool! maybe I'll match at least one, and get 5,000 reward credits. ($50, in comps!)
Go to the sports book, and make a bet on Kansas State, that is almost ready to kick off against Oklahoma. Play a little, take Julie over to the Gold Coast to check in. And head to see the Scinta's.
To everyone who has never seen the Scinta's, one word. GO! they were great! We got free tickets, thru a mail offer, but, I would pay to see them again! Family is all talent! We laughed, cried, and was totally impressed!
When we got out of the show, our host was there, waiting for us. He has a HUGE grin on his face, I knew Kansas State, had won the game!!!! LIFE IS GOOD!
Barb want's to try some $5 machines. Why not? Put $100 in a Double Diamond machine, and cash out $500! We put the coins in a tray, and take them to our room. At the very least, we will take home $500!
Time for bed, it's midnight, and it's been a LONG day!

Sunday December 7th.
Get up around 6:00a.m. Get to the casino around 7:00a.m. Play a little, VP. No luck at all. Go cash in my Kansas State winning ticket! And put a bet on the white hot Kansas City Cheifs. Or is it CHEFS, after Denver kicked the crap out of them? WOW! Ez come, Ez go!!!!! LOL
Go to the Gold Coast to meet up with Julie, and eat at the buffet. This is one of my favorite buffets in town. And the 2-1 coupon from ACG, makes it taste even better! Around $6 for Barb and myself.
Head Downtown, for the day. We always take one full day, for downtown. Get there around 9:00a.m. Girls want to go to Fitzgeralds. I want to go the other way. Plan on meeting for lunch at Shoe at 1:00 p.m. GREAT! BYE! LOL
1st stop, Golden Gate. Pull out 2-1 blackjack coupon from LVA, and $100 and sit down. The coupon is good for one hour. First 55 minutes, ZERO blackjacks. Last 5 minutes, 6!!! After number 6, the pit boss, tells me no more time. Alright, BYE! Those blackjacks put me about even.
I head out the door, and across the streat to Plaza. Some of you will remember what happened last trip. UGLY! I take out 4 $25 MatchPlays, and a $100 bill. Pit boss tells me, they no longer take those MP's. Alright, BYE!
Go to the Las Vegas Club, and play some blackjack there. Lose $40 in about 8 minutes. Lose another $40, at craps.
Go back outside to go back to Golden Gate. There's the girls! So, we all head over to Golden Gate. Take out my 3 coupons from Casino Perks. $5 roullette, $10 craps, and another 2-1 blackjack coupon. Roullete, lose. Go figure! Go to craps table, only one there. Put down $10 and MP, roll a 7, win! Walk away. Back to the blackjack table. Still have my chips from before. Give pit boss my coupon, and play for that hour. this time I get 3 blackjacks in the first 10 minutes, and zero the rest of the hour. Lose $40.
Head back to the Shoe for lunch. Use 2-1 coupon from LVA. This coupon is good for their hamburger. They are GREAT!
Bought my dad a hat for the NFR. They had a big trailer set up, with all sorts of stuff, for the Rodeo.
Got one of those, deep fried twinkies. They were alright. Wont get them again. But, glad I tried one.
Played a little more downtown, then headed to Palace Station.
A sad note, they took out the Krispy Kreme, from Palace Station. :(
Barb starts playing, the Munster's nickel machine. Cashes out $200. I lose $20 on 5 different machines. Should have just given her the cash!
Go back to Rio around 7:00p.m. Play a few hours, call it a night around 11:00.

Monday December 8th.
Barb's first day of her convention.
Get up around 6:00a.m. Meet Julie at the Rio buffet. Not bad, but they are in the middle of a remodel! I feal their pain! LOL
We get in a cab, and head to the convention center. For those of you that have never been there, this place is HUGE!!!! There is 5 different conventions going on there. And you'd never know!
The girls go check in, and off I go!!!! Free in Las Vegas! Just kidding honey! Whatever. LOL
My first stop, Hard Rock. I have 6 $10 MP's. I didn't win 1! Tried craps, blackjack, even roulette. Ouch!!! Got my FREE $60 shot glass, and left.
Walked down the street to Terriables. Got a free T-shirt, for signing up for their slot club. Played 2 $10 MP's Lost one, won one. Played a little slots, lost $30.
Next stop, Key Largo. Had a $25 alternate MP. You have to place a $25 bet first, then you can place a $25 bet/MP. The best thing about this casino, was their slot club booth. It was a liquor store/slot club! Maybe you have to see it, for it to be funny! I got a good laugh out of it! LOL
So anyway, I go to the blackjack table, and buy in for $50. Made my first $25 bet, won. Made second $25bet/MP, won that one also! Left the table with my $125. Cashed it in, and headed back to the Rio.
Had a ticket to see Ronn Lucas. He is very talented! You have to tell yourself, they aren't real damn it! LOL
Don't know, if I'd pay the $20 price tag. But, free, or the price of one drink, it's great!
Barb, Julie, and the latest to join, Brenda, all met me for Supper at Antonio's. The Italian Restaurant, at Rio. This place was very cool. Thank goodness we had the $100 comp that our host gave us. Because the bill for 4 of us was $180. I'm glad we eat there, but, wouldn't go again. Felt out of place.
Was heading over to the Gold Coast, to play some, when I remembered the football tickets I got for Sundays games.
Barb, Julie, Brenda, and I looked over the tickets, and found 3, that were winners! That's a total of 15,000 reward credits! Tried to cash them in, but was told I had to "send them in". What? I'm right here! Oh well, That's $150 in comps for next trip.
Get to the Gold Coast, and WOW! I've never seen so many cowboys, in my life! And, I've lived in Kansas for 34 years! LOL Not much to talk about on gambling, we lost about $100, over 2 hours. Getting late, so Barb and I head back to Rio. Get to bed around midnight.

Monday December 9th. (Barb's Day!)
Got up, around 6:00am. Barb's convention had a "fun run". Now there are two words, that should never be used in the same sentence! LOL Running is Barb's #1 sport. She loves it. She's also crazy! Over me that is! I'll stick to softball!!!
Anyway Barb and I head to the convention center. Meet Brenda, who has disited to also do the run. The run starts, and I "hang out" for 30 minutes. They get one, looks like they had FUN! NOT!!!!
Walk over to the LV Hilton, where Brenda is staying. Go up to Brenda's room, and make plans to meet up, for supper. Barb and I head downstairs, to catch a cab. But not before Barb puts $20, in a 5X machine. On the second pull, she hits 7-5X-5X! $3,000! Oh Yeah! It's a good thing I have her DL, and her SS card!
Get back to the Rio, Barb says she's skiping the convention today! I would to! LOL
She puts her winnings in the safe, takes a shower, and off we go.
She wants to go to Hard Rock. Maybe it will be better this time. NOT! Make a long story short. We both got "free" $100 shot glasses! Hard rock was not good to us this trip. But, the Steak and shrimp, at Lucky's was good as always.
Went to the Boardwalk, so Barb could play Austin Power's. I played craps, lost $50. Played Blackjack, lost $50. Went over to Roulette, lost $50. Barb won $100 on Austin Powers!
Next stop, NYNY. We both love the feel of this place. Went to the slot club, to get my free $20 play, that they sent me. Gave it to Barb, while I went to the craps table. I lost another $50. She turned that free $20, into $150! Barb, spent that $150 in the gift shop. She won it, so.........
Went across to Excalibur. I had 10 $7-$5 MP's. Bet 7 of them on Roulette. Guess what? I lost! Didn't win one of them! Damn that game! Took the other 3 to the blackjack table, and won all three! Stuck around for about an hour, ended up $40 ahead. Barb met up with me, with a big grin on her face. She had played Monte Carlo, and hit $400. I hate her. No wait, it all goes to the same place!
We go downstairs to the midway games, to try and win a few anaimals for our girls. Guess you won every game we played? Yep, not ME!!! We played 10-12 games, and she won everyone! She had a bag of animals, and I got to carry it! I guess it was truly her day!
Went back to Rio. Eat at the All American Grill. Great as always. Played the $5 slots again. Guess who hit another $500? Yep.
Went to bed around 11:00.


Look for part 2, coming soon!

I know I cannnn't speel, so giv me a break!
LOL

Randy

Bluejeans
01-01-2004, 10:43 PM
Sure glad you had Barb with you. You lose it and she wins it. Can't wait to see the end of this balance sheet. lol

Sounded like you were keeping up a good pace. No dust under your feet thats for sure.

Was Antonio's a little high hat???

Look forward to the next segment of the TR. Great so far!!

What a blast, all Vegas.... :woo :woo

Also it is good to have you back Randy :thumb:

gregrio
01-02-2004, 03:26 AM
Check-In from HELL.........I was there once with Mom's electric scooter. They can be so good or just a Nightmare on Flamingo St.
Wonder why those key cards screw up....?
I heard half the Buffet is down...did they only charge you half the price?

Did you read Jean couldn't get CasinoHype T-shirts...how many FREE ones did you get at TERRIBLES? You DID get some for EVERYONE didn't you..........

Ronn Lucus is real talented but I sware I saw Billy and Scorch in Masquerade Village during the "Puppets" convention last year with out him...

You two had such a cool trip...VERY LAS VEGAS, good ups and downs, and Uptowns Downtowns too! Your coupons made the gaming all the better....what does Jean Scott know!...as a matter of fact, I kinda like the sound of that...........the "Frugal Ranger"........... got a neat ring to it don't ya think?
and if you can use the line "to make a long story short", Barb can use "Fun Run"

Looking forward to PART II.................time for the bathroom NOW!

Grant
01-02-2004, 06:41 PM
Randy, great start on the TR. Glad Barb was hitting those big wins!!

Hate to hear about that mixup at the beginning, I know how frustrating that can be!

Can't wait for the rest... :thumb:

Morpheus72
02-22-2004, 09:31 PM
Coming Soon, eh??

This isn't *wine*; you don't have to let it age!!! ;)

<passes Randy a calendar>

Dave

lv711texasrangers
02-22-2004, 09:55 PM
Ouch!!!

Dave
Your on the band wagon also?
LOL

Alright! Alright!
Get off my butt!
LOL

Randy

GARLINNH
02-22-2004, 11:19 PM
You know-

I got all excited-I saw "Trip Report," "long,"etc and I thought to myself...."Here it is!!" :thumb:

So I go to the bathroom, :D take the dog out to go to the bathroom, ;) go to the kitchen,mix myself a rum and coke, :drink: and sit down at the computer and get ready to read the conclusion to a wonderful story about a great,great trip. :thumb:

I've looked high...I've looked low....I just can't get my computer to load that page.

I'll have to call tech support in the morning and tell them there's a trip report stuck somewhere in there, and I can't find it! :stoned: :stoned:

gregrio
02-23-2004, 03:55 AM
I was taken too GARLINNH!...AT LAST...PART DEUX!!!
I didn't have to, but went down stairs stood in front of the toiet for two minutes anyway, just in case!

I even got through an inch and a half before it started to sound vaguely familiar.....I could have said, "i got through one paragraph" but he doesn't use them...

Ever been to Kansas this time of year Gary? he should be back from Harrah's early next week....we could beat him home and surprise him, Duck Tape him to his computer and make him DO IT!

GARLINNH
02-23-2004, 04:04 PM
I don't know Greg-

Obviously we're just not important to him anymore. :( :(

He must be spending all his free time in the batting cage getting ready for his upcoming softball season..... ;)