Fun Fact
The Golden Gate casino/hotel was the first to serve a fifty cent shrimp cocktail in 1959. This is now a Las Vegas cliché. The Golden Gate is best known for its "Original Shrimp Cocktail" served at the San Francisco Shrimp Bar and Deli inside the casino/hotel. It is served in a regular-sized sundae glass filled with small salad shrimp and topped with a dollop of cocktail sauce. Unlike many other places in Las Vegas that advertise a cheap shrimp cocktail, the one at The Golden Gate is not padded with lettuce or other fillers
It serves a ton of cold-water shrimp each week. The sheer quantity of shrimp sold gives the small hotel the leverage of a large mega-resort with orders. In 1991, the price was raised from 50¢ to 99¢. In 2008, The Golden Gate raised the price to $1.99, due to a rise in fuel costs. To offer a trade-off, the casino now uses larger shrimp in the cocktail. Prior to the fuel increase, the casino lost about $300,000 a year on shrimp cocktails.
They just want your money but they have to get you in somehow...
The price of a shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate is $2.15 after tax; it is a pile of shrimp served with a lemon and help-yourself crackers from a bucket.
Great Quote
"In Vegas, I got into a long argument with the man at the roulette wheel over what I considered to be an odd number."
- Steven Wright
Sunday, 31 July 2011
At A Loss For Words
Teri and I visited the Grand Canyon the other day. To do the trip in one day is a little tough, but we found a bus tour that goes early in the morning and comes back late at night. We did have to spent around 12 hours on a bus though and only got to hang out and hike along the rim at the canyon for a couple of hours. But it was so worth it. The Grand Canyon is absolutely mesmerizing. I have no words to describe it and I doubt our pictures will do it any sort of justice. It really is one of those places that needs it be visited and experienced.
"The human quest to conquer and possess began a new chapter in the history of Grand Canyon. John Hiller, the first to seriously photograph the Canyon, began what no one could ever finish. The Canyon challenges and then defies man’s passion to capture and communicate. No picture or word, no brush or palette, no lens or paint, can extend the wonder of Grand Canyon beyond itself."
- Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (IMAX)
"The human quest to conquer and possess began a new chapter in the history of Grand Canyon. John Hiller, the first to seriously photograph the Canyon, began what no one could ever finish. The Canyon challenges and then defies man’s passion to capture and communicate. No picture or word, no brush or palette, no lens or paint, can extend the wonder of Grand Canyon beyond itself."
- Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (IMAX)
Friday, 29 July 2011
Las Vegas Tidbit - #3
Fun Fact
The phrase "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" has been around for less than ten years. It was created as an advertising slogan for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in 2002. The campaign brought Las Vegas a record-breaking 37.4 million visitors in 2004. Jeff Candido and Jason Hof are credited with coming up with it. However, the slogan is not new; "What happens on tour, stays on tour" is a saying that has been around since the early 1970s. It was used by men who got together and travelled either interstate or overseas for sporting tours, it is more recently used my musicians as well.
They just want your money but they have to get you in somehow...
Planet Hollywood has an hourly thunderstorm, inside.
Great Quote
"To most people, Las Vegas is synonymous with gambling and glitter; a slightly, pleasingly sinful fairyland for adults where they can watch the most entertaining performers and biggest names in show business in between bouts of indulging in games of chance that everyone knows favor the house."
- Clifford L. Linedecker
The phrase "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" has been around for less than ten years. It was created as an advertising slogan for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in 2002. The campaign brought Las Vegas a record-breaking 37.4 million visitors in 2004. Jeff Candido and Jason Hof are credited with coming up with it. However, the slogan is not new; "What happens on tour, stays on tour" is a saying that has been around since the early 1970s. It was used by men who got together and travelled either interstate or overseas for sporting tours, it is more recently used my musicians as well.
They just want your money but they have to get you in somehow...
Planet Hollywood has an hourly thunderstorm, inside.
Great Quote
"To most people, Las Vegas is synonymous with gambling and glitter; a slightly, pleasingly sinful fairyland for adults where they can watch the most entertaining performers and biggest names in show business in between bouts of indulging in games of chance that everyone knows favor the house."
- Clifford L. Linedecker
Thursday, 28 July 2011
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
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
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
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
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
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
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.)
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.)
Monday, 25 July 2011
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!!
Saturday, 23 July 2011
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