TxH
10-30-2003, 05:04 AM
This trip had been planned with a group of 5 guys for the past few months. We had an epic trip 7 years ago, and decided it was a good time to give it another try. These guys are not my usual LV partners in crime, but thought I would branch out and spend some time with friends I dont see that often. Leaving thurs, coming back sun afternoon
Well, as previously reported here, the trip, which had been planned for several months, was in jeopardy when I found out I had a job interview (for a job I’ve been working on for almost 4 months now) 2 hours AFTER my flight was supposed to leave for LV. A few calls to the airline showed that guaranteeing a seat on a later flight would have cost almost $700, so I figured I would wing it on standby later in the day. Technically, if I was more that 2 hours late for my flight, the airline COULD void my ticket and make me buy a new, full fare ($1000+) ticket. But I crossed my fingers, and went to the interview.
THURSDAY: The interview went well, got to the airport about 3 hours after my initial flight. No first class seats on the next flight, but at ticketing they confirmed me for a seat on the next flight out in an hour, and no additional charges. Yippee. Went and had a slice of pizza and a beer. Read most of Poker Nation on the flight, preparing for my first pilgrimage to the Binions poker room.
Landed at LAS, and the cab line was huge. But by the time you figured out how long the line was, you were a bit too far from the other side of the baggage claim where the gipsy limos always hang out. Note to self: next time, spend the extra $10 for a limo ride. I had heard the Mr. Olympia event was in LV this weekend, and it seems all 50 of the contestants and 100’s of their groupies are in line for cabs. Lots of muscle tees and mullets.
Got to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (“HRH”) around 5pm, get a NS king room in the front part of the hotel. This is the “old tower”, but rooms were just refurbished, and the elevator bank is right in the main casino, not down a long hall towards the back. Forgot to ask for a view of the pool, but the room is fairly large, clean, and overall pretty nice. Much better than 2 stays ago when the room was pretty threadbare (prior to the refurbs). Room has French doors that open, but no walk-out balcony. Nice to be able to get some air in the room, though. Good view of the airport and MGM / Mandalay.
Go down to the sportsbook, and make a bet on the Marlins to win game 6 over yanks, primarily based on the fact that the odds were 1.60 to win 1.00. Seemed pretty good to me……having lots more yank fans than fish fans always helps the line when betting against the Yankees. Got the bet in with 2 minutes to spare. I like the HRH, but their sports book is LAME LAME LAME. Grand total of about 25 seats, and not many TVs.
I remember I never called to see if the HRH vip office got the fax of my credit line info. Hope so, since I’ve only got about $400 in my pocket. Luckily, they did, so I’m good to go. I started going the credit line route, as I hate having to carry big amounts of cash with me. Taking out a marker everytime I sit down at the table seems to be a good bit easier. The downside is it feels a bit like a kid (or some adults) using a credit card…….its not REAL money, I’m just using my credit card. Hehehe
The weather is awesome, so I decide to go for a walk. I’ve got 4 or 5 hours till the rest of my group shows up, so I figure I’ll get some fresh air and grab a bite to eat. Walk about 10 minutes down Paradise Rd and come to PF Changs. Decide that’s a good option for sitting at the bar, watching a bit of the game, and having a beer. Talk to a nice local guy that has the "ultimate vegas opportunistic job" ......a personal bankruptcy attoney in vegas. Said he handles over 200 cases per month. Eat some pretty good dumplings and 2 Kirin drafts, and head back out. Starting to get nice and cool, so keep walking, and see the big sign at Terribles for the Octoberfest beergarden. Sounds interesting so hoof it over there. Bad idea. Pretty ugly scene:
DISCLAIMER: The following (and everything else below and following TR posts by me) is merely commentary by TxH regarding my view of the sights, scene, sounds, and experiences of Vegas. The comments are not meant to be mean spirited, intended as comments on anyone else’s personal selfworth, or anything else deeper. I merely am commenting on my view of things from MY perspective. Incase you care, I am in my 30’s, professional (kinda unemployed / temporarily retired now), responsible, etc. But when I go to Vegas for a guys trip, I don’t want to hang out with families, kids, gang members, or people not in the same basic demographic group as me. That doesn’t mean I’m racist, ageist, heightist, or anything-ist. Just that I am going to LV to have fun, gamble, party, and talk BS to chicks after several rounds of drinks. I’m sorry if that offends some people, but thought I would get that out up front. If you are offended by that attitude, please stop reading now.
OK, you’re still here?
The Terribles Octoberfest was a fairly grim scene. Heavy on the over 400 lb set (which says a lot, since I’m not a small guy, but this was pretty scary) of both sexes. Also, a bunch of guys with Iron Maiden teeshirts and mullets (you know, the “business up front, party out back” haircut). And their girl friends with Black Sabbath teeshirts and Mullets. I would have been afraid to light up a cigarette with all the people connected to oxygen bottles. And the beer girls were probably attractive back in the early 80’s but hadn’t changed their appearance since then. 2 minute lap around the tent, and I was back on my way. Too bad, as the beergarden concept was a good one. Just poor execution.
My walk continued down Flamingo (?). It kept getting cooler, and it was a nice change from the swampland humidity we have here in my hometown. Came across a locals sports bar, and sat down to watch the last 4 innings of the game. VP machine was in front of me. I’ve never played VP before, and after a few minutes, figured out how to play. Played $0.25 hands while watching the game, and stayed basically even for the remainder of the WS game. Had 3 or 4 jack and cokes ("J&C"). Fairly cute bartender, but looked like she had been living in Vegas, and working in a smoky bar for a little bit too long……..you know, the kinda rundown look. Too bad, nice girl. Marlins win, I win my bet!!! Last couple hands win big at VP, and take away $15, about covering my drinks. NICE. Good tip to the bartender and hop a cab back to HRH.
Time to play a little BJ: Back at HRH, friends show up so we hit the BJ table. Take out a marker, and start playing. Get up a small amount, but basically it is a steady decline until 1 hr later my marker is gone. Originally sat down at an auto shuffle game, but then moved. Both tables were "dealer hits soft 17".....bummer, this is a new development since the last trip, I think. The 6 deck hand shuffle game was no better. Throw down a few $hundred more, but that disappears too. My dumb arse buddy is playing HORRIBLE Basic Strat (hitting 14 against a 3…… ugh) and winning. After one particularly dumb move where he stil wins, the guy next to him gets up and leaves the table. I think I would have too, as I'm kinda embarassed by his play. Its amazing he plays like this, since by day he runs a mutual fund (and does so very successfully). Its not like he cant do the math or memorize the tables. To make matters worse I'm doubling 11s against 5's and pulling 3's and 4's, while the dealer makes 21 with 6 cards. OK time to go to out to a bar, this BJ thing is killing me.
Me and one other buddy hop a cab to MGM to check out the new lounge Taboo and the old standby Studio 54. Taboo looks empty and the cover charge is $20. We opt for the more crowded Studio 54. Good dance club. Older crowd than the usual LV dance club (average age maybe 30+ vs 22 at most) so we like it. Basically sit upstairs and drink J&C’s and catch up since I haven’t seen him in 3 years. Later some chick asks him to dance, and he disappears for a while. I’ve now been up for almost 24 hours, and the J&C is starting to really kick in. Friend shows back up, says we are going to go do some shots. A group of us then ends up heading out of the club to go drinking somewhere else. We go to some other casino bar, and continue the shots. Thinks are starting to get pretty fuzzy now. End up with several us going up to some girls suite for more drinks after they cut us off at the bar for being obnoxious IIRC. The suite is not at the MGM, so I am happy when I assume we are headed back to the HRH.
I awaken to bright sunlight in my eyes. I’m crashed on a couch in the suite. See one of the girls asleep (Dead?) on the bed. My friend no where to be found. OK, I’m getting the hell out of here and back to my room. Wallet? Check. Cell phone? Check. Shoes? Still on my feet. Step into the hallway, look at the room numbers, and it’s the high 900’s. Awesome, my floor, I’m in room 901.
The walk down the hallway is tough. Its 8am I’ve just slept/passed out for maybe 2 hours, after being awake for 26 hours. So I’m half asleep, half hung over, and still 100% drunk. Oh well I’m almost to my room. Wait a second. 927, 925, 923, end of hallway. Where the hell is my room? Oh, heres an access door, maybe I’m in the new tower? Nope stairway. Am I that drunk I missed 901? Check again. All the way down the hallway. Nope. No 911. Sit down in the stairwell. My head hurts too much to think too hard, but how the hell am I gonna find my room? Then it hits me. I’m not in the HRH. :(
Find an elevator, wander thru a breakfast buffet (I wish I had a video of the looks I got), finally find some back door that opens out onto some main street, where I just about get run over by a cab. He stops, picks me up, and takes me back to HRH, where I find room 901 VERY EASILY. Its 8:30 am. Boy is tomorrow (today) going to be painfull.
Still have no idea what casino I woke up in. Hope the person in the bed was sleeping, not dead. No word from the LV cops, so I figure I'm probably safe either way.
Day 2 TR to follow later........
its getting late, time to head over to the local bar (just kidding, actually still have work to do tonight)
Well, as previously reported here, the trip, which had been planned for several months, was in jeopardy when I found out I had a job interview (for a job I’ve been working on for almost 4 months now) 2 hours AFTER my flight was supposed to leave for LV. A few calls to the airline showed that guaranteeing a seat on a later flight would have cost almost $700, so I figured I would wing it on standby later in the day. Technically, if I was more that 2 hours late for my flight, the airline COULD void my ticket and make me buy a new, full fare ($1000+) ticket. But I crossed my fingers, and went to the interview.
THURSDAY: The interview went well, got to the airport about 3 hours after my initial flight. No first class seats on the next flight, but at ticketing they confirmed me for a seat on the next flight out in an hour, and no additional charges. Yippee. Went and had a slice of pizza and a beer. Read most of Poker Nation on the flight, preparing for my first pilgrimage to the Binions poker room.
Landed at LAS, and the cab line was huge. But by the time you figured out how long the line was, you were a bit too far from the other side of the baggage claim where the gipsy limos always hang out. Note to self: next time, spend the extra $10 for a limo ride. I had heard the Mr. Olympia event was in LV this weekend, and it seems all 50 of the contestants and 100’s of their groupies are in line for cabs. Lots of muscle tees and mullets.
Got to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (“HRH”) around 5pm, get a NS king room in the front part of the hotel. This is the “old tower”, but rooms were just refurbished, and the elevator bank is right in the main casino, not down a long hall towards the back. Forgot to ask for a view of the pool, but the room is fairly large, clean, and overall pretty nice. Much better than 2 stays ago when the room was pretty threadbare (prior to the refurbs). Room has French doors that open, but no walk-out balcony. Nice to be able to get some air in the room, though. Good view of the airport and MGM / Mandalay.
Go down to the sportsbook, and make a bet on the Marlins to win game 6 over yanks, primarily based on the fact that the odds were 1.60 to win 1.00. Seemed pretty good to me……having lots more yank fans than fish fans always helps the line when betting against the Yankees. Got the bet in with 2 minutes to spare. I like the HRH, but their sports book is LAME LAME LAME. Grand total of about 25 seats, and not many TVs.
I remember I never called to see if the HRH vip office got the fax of my credit line info. Hope so, since I’ve only got about $400 in my pocket. Luckily, they did, so I’m good to go. I started going the credit line route, as I hate having to carry big amounts of cash with me. Taking out a marker everytime I sit down at the table seems to be a good bit easier. The downside is it feels a bit like a kid (or some adults) using a credit card…….its not REAL money, I’m just using my credit card. Hehehe
The weather is awesome, so I decide to go for a walk. I’ve got 4 or 5 hours till the rest of my group shows up, so I figure I’ll get some fresh air and grab a bite to eat. Walk about 10 minutes down Paradise Rd and come to PF Changs. Decide that’s a good option for sitting at the bar, watching a bit of the game, and having a beer. Talk to a nice local guy that has the "ultimate vegas opportunistic job" ......a personal bankruptcy attoney in vegas. Said he handles over 200 cases per month. Eat some pretty good dumplings and 2 Kirin drafts, and head back out. Starting to get nice and cool, so keep walking, and see the big sign at Terribles for the Octoberfest beergarden. Sounds interesting so hoof it over there. Bad idea. Pretty ugly scene:
DISCLAIMER: The following (and everything else below and following TR posts by me) is merely commentary by TxH regarding my view of the sights, scene, sounds, and experiences of Vegas. The comments are not meant to be mean spirited, intended as comments on anyone else’s personal selfworth, or anything else deeper. I merely am commenting on my view of things from MY perspective. Incase you care, I am in my 30’s, professional (kinda unemployed / temporarily retired now), responsible, etc. But when I go to Vegas for a guys trip, I don’t want to hang out with families, kids, gang members, or people not in the same basic demographic group as me. That doesn’t mean I’m racist, ageist, heightist, or anything-ist. Just that I am going to LV to have fun, gamble, party, and talk BS to chicks after several rounds of drinks. I’m sorry if that offends some people, but thought I would get that out up front. If you are offended by that attitude, please stop reading now.
OK, you’re still here?
The Terribles Octoberfest was a fairly grim scene. Heavy on the over 400 lb set (which says a lot, since I’m not a small guy, but this was pretty scary) of both sexes. Also, a bunch of guys with Iron Maiden teeshirts and mullets (you know, the “business up front, party out back” haircut). And their girl friends with Black Sabbath teeshirts and Mullets. I would have been afraid to light up a cigarette with all the people connected to oxygen bottles. And the beer girls were probably attractive back in the early 80’s but hadn’t changed their appearance since then. 2 minute lap around the tent, and I was back on my way. Too bad, as the beergarden concept was a good one. Just poor execution.
My walk continued down Flamingo (?). It kept getting cooler, and it was a nice change from the swampland humidity we have here in my hometown. Came across a locals sports bar, and sat down to watch the last 4 innings of the game. VP machine was in front of me. I’ve never played VP before, and after a few minutes, figured out how to play. Played $0.25 hands while watching the game, and stayed basically even for the remainder of the WS game. Had 3 or 4 jack and cokes ("J&C"). Fairly cute bartender, but looked like she had been living in Vegas, and working in a smoky bar for a little bit too long……..you know, the kinda rundown look. Too bad, nice girl. Marlins win, I win my bet!!! Last couple hands win big at VP, and take away $15, about covering my drinks. NICE. Good tip to the bartender and hop a cab back to HRH.
Time to play a little BJ: Back at HRH, friends show up so we hit the BJ table. Take out a marker, and start playing. Get up a small amount, but basically it is a steady decline until 1 hr later my marker is gone. Originally sat down at an auto shuffle game, but then moved. Both tables were "dealer hits soft 17".....bummer, this is a new development since the last trip, I think. The 6 deck hand shuffle game was no better. Throw down a few $hundred more, but that disappears too. My dumb arse buddy is playing HORRIBLE Basic Strat (hitting 14 against a 3…… ugh) and winning. After one particularly dumb move where he stil wins, the guy next to him gets up and leaves the table. I think I would have too, as I'm kinda embarassed by his play. Its amazing he plays like this, since by day he runs a mutual fund (and does so very successfully). Its not like he cant do the math or memorize the tables. To make matters worse I'm doubling 11s against 5's and pulling 3's and 4's, while the dealer makes 21 with 6 cards. OK time to go to out to a bar, this BJ thing is killing me.
Me and one other buddy hop a cab to MGM to check out the new lounge Taboo and the old standby Studio 54. Taboo looks empty and the cover charge is $20. We opt for the more crowded Studio 54. Good dance club. Older crowd than the usual LV dance club (average age maybe 30+ vs 22 at most) so we like it. Basically sit upstairs and drink J&C’s and catch up since I haven’t seen him in 3 years. Later some chick asks him to dance, and he disappears for a while. I’ve now been up for almost 24 hours, and the J&C is starting to really kick in. Friend shows back up, says we are going to go do some shots. A group of us then ends up heading out of the club to go drinking somewhere else. We go to some other casino bar, and continue the shots. Thinks are starting to get pretty fuzzy now. End up with several us going up to some girls suite for more drinks after they cut us off at the bar for being obnoxious IIRC. The suite is not at the MGM, so I am happy when I assume we are headed back to the HRH.
I awaken to bright sunlight in my eyes. I’m crashed on a couch in the suite. See one of the girls asleep (Dead?) on the bed. My friend no where to be found. OK, I’m getting the hell out of here and back to my room. Wallet? Check. Cell phone? Check. Shoes? Still on my feet. Step into the hallway, look at the room numbers, and it’s the high 900’s. Awesome, my floor, I’m in room 901.
The walk down the hallway is tough. Its 8am I’ve just slept/passed out for maybe 2 hours, after being awake for 26 hours. So I’m half asleep, half hung over, and still 100% drunk. Oh well I’m almost to my room. Wait a second. 927, 925, 923, end of hallway. Where the hell is my room? Oh, heres an access door, maybe I’m in the new tower? Nope stairway. Am I that drunk I missed 901? Check again. All the way down the hallway. Nope. No 911. Sit down in the stairwell. My head hurts too much to think too hard, but how the hell am I gonna find my room? Then it hits me. I’m not in the HRH. :(
Find an elevator, wander thru a breakfast buffet (I wish I had a video of the looks I got), finally find some back door that opens out onto some main street, where I just about get run over by a cab. He stops, picks me up, and takes me back to HRH, where I find room 901 VERY EASILY. Its 8:30 am. Boy is tomorrow (today) going to be painfull.
Still have no idea what casino I woke up in. Hope the person in the bed was sleeping, not dead. No word from the LV cops, so I figure I'm probably safe either way.
Day 2 TR to follow later........
its getting late, time to head over to the local bar (just kidding, actually still have work to do tonight)