Las Vegas Tidbit - #2

Fun Fact
The very first hotel/casino on The Strip was the El Rancho Vegas, which opened on April 3, 1941. It burned down twenty years later. However, its That casino stood for almost 20 years before being destroyed by a fire in 1960. The second one to open was the Hotel Last Frontier, in 1942. The Flamingo (which is right next to our hotel and we have access to their pool) opened in 1946, and the Desert Inn, opened in 1950.

The second period of development saw the opening of the first MGM Grand in 1973. This hotel had 2,084 rooms and, at the time, it was one of the largest hotels in the world. However, it burned down in 1980.

The next important period of development on The Strip started in 1989 wuth the opening of The Mirage which set a new level to the Las Vegas experience, as smaller hotels and casinos made way for the larger mega-resorts.

They just want your money but they have to get you in somehow...
The Mirage also has this big volcano out front that in the evenings until midnight erupts every 15 minutes.

Great Quote
"I lost $35,000 in less than a week at the Mirage in Las Vegas."
-Dennis Rodman

Las Vegas Tidbit - #1

Flying out this evening!! I thought I would do a little series that will post while I'm away. I feel like I haven't been posting as much as I would like, so hopefully this will help me get back into it.

Fun Fact
The Las Vegas Strip is not actually in Las Vegas the city (or Las Vegas proper). The Strip is found in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester. An unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality and is therefore not subject to or taxed by a municipal government

They just want your money but they have to get you in somehow...
The Mirage has both an Aquarium and large Tropical Rainforest in its main casino/hotel that anyone can wander around and look at for free, 24/7!

Great Quote
"Las Vegas was and is a hard town that will make you pay for your inability to restrain your desires.... If you have a weakness, Las Vegas will punish you."
- Hal Rothman

To Travel Or Not To Travel

I'm leaving for Vegas tomorrow!! Yes, I know I just came back from Alberta but, as Teri pointed out, the older we get the less time we have to travel. I think she meant that we will have families and responsibilities, because if she stays a teacher she will always have "summer's off" (they aren't as "off" as you think they are). Also, usually the further along in a career the more vacation weeks you are given. Regardless of the accuracy of her statement, I never need much convincing to travel!!

Nor do I need a lot of money apparently. I'm definitely feeling a little strapped for cash. I wish I had a job lined up for when I get back which I could start in late August or early September but I haven't had time to look. I lucked out and got a bit of a break on my MRP which means I don't have to rush this last bit of the final draft, also Kristen and JennB will be happy to have more time to help me with final edits since I am always so last minute. I'm not planning on taking piles of MRP stuff along on the trip, but it will be hard to leave it all behind. I will have it on the laptop so if the mood strikes me I can work on it a bit. However, I really just want to see what this place is all about and worry about the MRP next week. (I'm pretty sure the place is all about partying, but I will let you know.)

Get Well Soon Jack!

Teri sent me a very sad news article today: Jack Layton is taking a leave of absence. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago and was able to beat it. However, doctors have now found another type of cancer and he is going to take a little time off to try to beat this one was well. He hopes to return to office on September 19th, which is a very ambitious goal. This would be sad on any occasion but the NDP had a record breaking election and hold a powerful place as the official opposition. I hope he is able to triumph against this and be back on his feet soon. Take care Jack!!

Today's The Day

It is Taylor's Wedding Day!!!

This I Will Show You

So Taylor's Bachelorette was crazy. I did determine two years ago that I was born to go to Bachelorette's! Read that post HERE. Taylor's was no exception, it was awesome. I want to thank Kristen for organizing it all and then everyone who went for making it such an amazing party. I didn't drink and I still had a great time - we laughed so much and all of us lost our voices from screaming so much. I don't want to get into too specific of details about what the weekend entailed but I will post these strange photos:

Going For It

I was fake posing so that it would look like I was about to kiss Taylor. However, instead of joining me, she seems to be having none of it. I like the picture because I think from this angle I look a little like Mila Kunis, which I have never thought of or been told before.

Taylor Went For It

So, even though outside in line, where the first picture was taken, Taylor was having none of it once we were in the bar she decided to lay one on me. As you can see I'm not all that impressed. I was so gross and sweaty from all the dancing I didn't want any pictures taken of me and no one to touch me.

It was an awesome night and a great weekend!!

Shhhh It's A Party

I'm starting a weekend long crazy party for Taylor's Bachelorette. I can't tell you much more since I have been sworn to secrecy by the party's main organizer, Kristen, Maid of Honour at large. I am not going to drink since the final draft of my MRP is due very soon and I need to keep all of brain cells I can over the next couple of weeks. However, I will have my camera and will try to document the craziness!

Thanks Kristen!

I spent a crazy weekend at the Calgary Stampede and then a relaxing few days in Banff. However, it is now very late at night. There was a slight delay at the Calgary airport and then the flight home from Alberta is surprisingly lengthy. After waiting for bags and taxis and then the drive to Bayit, I'm exhausted. I had to navigate my very messy room and pull out/organize a few things. Anyway, when I finally got to flop down in bed I nearly had a heart attack!! I hadn't noticed but in my absence the following had been affixed to the ceiling above my bed:

She's Lucky I Didn't Scream And Wake Her Up!