What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

April 19th, 2010 - I am leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow morning on a 7:00a.m. flight. Vegas is to me, a playground for adults. It is the most fun place to go to where you don't even have to do anything but people watch and still have a ball. You will see all kinds of people, in so many different types of clothes, (especially like the multiple Elvis's I will see around town), some playing slots, others the tables, hurrying form one place to the next, taking pictures, eating, watching sports on the multiple TV's, and all with the same thought on their mind...Will I strike it big? It two words, probably not, but it sure is fun dreaming the dream.

I go to Las Vegas at least once a year, and each time I come back with enough stories to write a dozen blogs, because contrary to the ad, what happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas, especially if I saw what happened. I am amazed by the amount of monies that go into the slots, with so little being returned, yet we are drawn, almost compelled, to put in one more quarter. Which aside from, there goes my last quarter, everyone knows, if you are going to play the slots, you need to play the max....so it is not just one quarter it is your last three quarters. And since that means having an odd quarter left out of your dollar bill (oh yes, they are smart in Vegas, the machines don't take change, only bills) you end up putting in a little bit more than you intended. And after putting in what you thought was an enormous amount of money ($20 for me), you sometimes walk away, watch someone sit down, pop in their money, and with the first pull, you see the three 7's come....Oh, that is so frustrating. Doesn't happen often, but when it does...you swear no more slots for me. That is until you get to the next hotel, and well, you just gatta try your luck. Besides the casinos, which are incredible, there is all the shopping. Now I am talking shopping on steroids. The shopping in Vegas is not for the faint of heart, or for those with tight pocket book strings. No,the shopping in Vegas is opulent, sinful, decadent and Yes, very expensive. On more than one occassion I have been witness to some small boutique closing its' doors while some celebrity did some obscene shopping..(Tony Curtis, maybe before your time and once Rodney Dangerfield). While the shopping sometimes is to Rich for me, I still enjoy looking, browsing and admiring all the beautiful items. Sometimes, I try on the jewelry that I could never afford, just for the shear enjoyment. I have my friends take my picture for my dream photo album.

So I have checked my suitcase one last time, to make sure I have everything I need, remember I am an overpacker. I have shut the lights and the TV. I have alerted my neighbors I would be gone, and I have pulled my garbage out to the curb. Only one last thing to do...place all my lucky charms in my purse, take all important phone numbers with me (in case I win I will want everyone to know) put my sunglasses on and go live the life of luxury for one week. We can talk when I get back.