I just got back from two days in Las Vegas. Gotta say, I’m not a fan of Sin City. I went to a glass show, which was great. Relevant information in the seminars, useful products in the exhibit hall, networking with industry peers, dinner with great business partners, all in all a very productive 48 hours. Plus, I came home a hero because I had a little foam football for Reed, 32 pens for Craig and 3 coozies for Cole. Yep, our 6-year-old LOVES coozies. Luckily, he’s still using them for Sprite and Dr. Pepper, but if you know him, you can understand my apprehension about his appreciation for them. I can almost hear him thinking, “I’ll have the coldest beer in middle school!”
As I wandered around before the show the first day I stopped by a Sports Book. (A room with about 50 big screen TV’s and odds on every sporting event in the country.) This is pretty much the only part of the typical Vegas stuff that appeals to me. If I could have found a meaningful game that was taking place while I was in town, I would have bet on it. (The Cowboys are still the favorite to win the Super Bowl. I guess they realize the loss to the Skins was a fluke.) I didn’t want to bet on something, win thousands of dollars and have to back to Vegas to collect it, what a hassle.
I think one of the reasons I don’t like Vegas is because I was there on 9/11/01. That alone is not enough to make me not like it, but it gave me an understanding of the city. I was in my hotel room getting ready for a trade show when Kim called. I turned on the TV and watched in horror with the rest of the nation as the towers fell. When it was time to go to the show, I walked through the casino and it was business as usual. Slots, poker, whatever. People watching a little on the TV’s, then going back to their gambling. I stared and thought, “Do you people not realize that our world just changed forever?” I was disappointed, disillusioned, disgusted. (Think Jackie Childs from Seinfeld.) It left a lasting negative impression on me.
The other reason I don’t really care for Vegas is that just about everything there is to do can get you in big trouble. Sure they have good food and lots of shows, but the trinity of Vegas is gambling, booze and scantily-clad women. Not that I have anything against those things, it’s just that when you add them up, BIG TROUBLE. So, I retired to my room early in the evening after a very small amount of two out of the three vices. I’ll let you figure out which two…
4 comments:
Mike...I feel the same way about Vegas. Its way out of my league. I was there for a bike show and spent any free time I had in front of the fountains at the Belaggio Hotel( probably spelled that wrong )Oh, and I ate diner at Bobby Flay's Blue Mesa Grill.
Jay
I've never been, and I don't think I want to. Unless........any scantily-clad men?? Just kidding - really I am!!!
Mike. Just fess up. HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU LOOOOOOSE??? huh?
:O)
I never had any interest in going to Vegas... and i never knew you were there on 9/11, that must have been surreal seeing everyone just go on with life as usual.
If I had known you were coming, I could have gotten you comps.
Anyway, I'm tired of Vegas myself. I'm eyeing New England as my future home. Washington state and Oregon are also on the list for consideration.
BTW, “scantily-clad women”? Where??? You must tell me!
Post a Comment