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Notorious -- TheBucket LV 4/28-5/2 Pre-TR

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by thebucket, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    You pay the prophets to justify your reasons
    I heard your promise but I don't believe it
    That's why I'll do it again.
    -Duran Duran, 1986 (Capitol Records)

    [YOUTUBE]HGDmBLAPikU[/YOUTUBE]

    That's right, ladies and gentlemen and everyone else... There's a Southwest 737 looking to take off in late April, and it's going to have a some jackass tourist in a suit on board. The guy Encore told was flyered by OSN. The guy who carried a fistful of Benjamins thru security. The guy who is on Circus Circus' no-mail list courtesy of a progressive dollar royal at the ever-so-posh West Bar. The one who always tries to rent a Crown Vic... But they quit making the #$*#( things. So this time it'll be done Danny McCoy style, modified a bit with a drop-top brand-new Mustang that someone at Alamo listed for $200/wk after what must have been a serious crack-smoking session.

    Yes, indeed, The Bucket returns to Las Vegas. This time with not-wimpy reporting... And it all starts here, in the classic totally-unnecessarily early-starting Pre-TR. Subscribe, if you enjoy unending drivel about the miscellaneous thoughts I have coming up to the trip, every last detail of my meticulous, painstaking, and often entirely shoddy preparations for the trip. If you're old-school, you know how these things work... Prepare to be entertained and randomly frustrated for months on end before and after the trip. My posting is sporadic, the content ranges from inane drivel to those classic OMG Vegas moments... It's all here, all free. Just drop zero tokens into the slot, hit Max Bet, and enjoy the show. If you're not used to these, please do be aware that I welcome all input, be it positive, constructively critical, negative, pointless, rambling, needlessly self-promoting, pretty much anything but downright nasty. So have at it folks, come on up to my big suite in Misc Vegas Chat and enjoy the party!

    Here it goes... Hopefully the trip will live up to its moniker and become...

    No, No, Notorious.

    Enjoy. :beer:
     
  2. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Well, things have been a bit static over the last few days. The car reservation still stands as the best-deal-ever... But the hotel, and traveling companions are up-in-the-air. My steadfast, level-headed (at least compared to me) photographer friend may be coming along, but money stands in the path of that. He and I are going to be quite busy over about the next month developing semi-legal nefarious ways of making $250. Sure, it sounds like a paltry sum (is the price of airfare, a great deal at that price), but he's a proud guy, and won't just let me buy the ticket. If we aren't at the required level by the end of the month, we're going to go roll the dice on it, take whatever money has been raised to our local (Boyd joint) casino, and apply the most advantageous betting strategy to turn it into nothing, or into $250. Yep, outside of any BS promotion, we'll try our darndest to win him a free trip to Las Vegas. (Odd how winning that somehow seems more dramatic than the nights we've walked away from craps up $1000). Anyhow...

    On to the first-night planning.
     
  3. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Between a Rock and a Hard Place

    First night accommodations... One of my favorite topics to address in the pre-trip phases of things. Those who may have read my past reports may remember the 'Fiesta Henderson Experience'... The adventure that was had by checking into Fiesta Henderson and partaking in the full offerings of the resort, from a dinner that four hours of $100 BJ play could not comp, to the awesome experience of playing 9/6 JoB in full view of a crashed airplane on the casino floor... To strolling around the place with the rare knowledge that Fiesta Henderson was in fact a symbol of Ameristar Casinos failure to penetrate the LV market (they've done very well in the midwest)... Anyhow, I digress.

    This time, we'll be heading up north. If Henderson was the 'hard place'... Then Boulder Highway must be the rock. We've done Sam's Town (everything comped by a host without batting an eyelash), which was nice. It is tempting to go back there, but when there are so many options, and so few opportunities - I just love to test the waters with something new. Enter stage right: Boulder Station. Recently remodeled rooms, rock-bottom rates... A Stations joint so we're quite interested as to what happens to our food expenses. Though we can book it in the $20-$30 range right now, I'm going to call the player's club (Amigo card in hand, my performance on the Stations card is poor) and ask if they can hook us up with a room up-front (Fiesta Henderson did that for us without play history AT ALL). Or at least drop the $$@(@%#*%#*%#($@()%@*@% resort fee. Time will tell.

    More soon, stay tuned.

    (Any suggestions as to where to spend the rest of our week?)
     
  4. Rumdranker

    Rumdranker Grateful Lurker

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    Oh Mr. Bucket. ...my friend. Thanks for the invite I look forward to a wild (yet educational) ride.

    Your TR including the Rivera have me a whole new view of the Grand ol Dame.

    Thank you.
     
  5. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    I had given up on The Bucket! What a treat to have a new trip report coming. Bring it on!!!
     
  6. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Ahh, I am glad to hear that. Look forward to a whole new level of insight (I hope).... On this trip. We'll go back to the Riv, which has become mucn more interesting now that north-strip development is taking shape. If I had the money to buy it, I would. In that absence of that, we'll explore it. Maybe as hotel guests (there's no better excuse to be where one is not supposed to be than an odor of alcohol about one's person, and a valid room-key in hand).
     
  7. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Consider it broughten. ;P
     
  8. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    The Hotel Question

    Yes, this is the key moment.. That in which I make the hotel reservations.

    Bear in mind, the company I work for is facing a management change... So this may be my last chance to spend in an entirely egregious manner to score a room that is far beyond that which is reasonable for an average convention-goer (so far the 1600sqft suite at the Rio tops the charts for size, the Penthouse Suite at Mirage tops it for luxury)... That said, I love to stay in a new place. So... Where to stay? That is the question.

    The first night, it would seem at this point, is to be spent at Boulder Station. Time to roll up into valet in the drop-top Mustang, toss the keys to the valet dude (hand it over with top up, top down?, ask to keep it up front or let him/her know that we're in for the evening?), and enjoy bell service to see how it compares to the excellence of the 'Fiesta Henderson Experience'. We're going to put Boulder Station to the test, folks... And see what exactly it is that they can offer in terms of a top-notch room, service, and style to a pair of tourists who toss portraits of President Jackson around like they're going out of style (really, they are). Yes, it will be a rack room with the $20 trick. Yes, we'll chat up any and all service folks for tips in exchange for tips. Yes, we'll do Boulder Station up as if it were freaking Caesars... And then we'll go play video poker on a respectable pay-table, and drink them out of JD.

    But that leaves the question... Where to go next?

    This may be my last good time to spend company money. Therefore, options such as Cosmo, Aria, Bellagio, and Caesars come to mind. But I've stayed at those... (other than Caesars), and I'd like to expand my experience. Downtown Grand seems like a good mark. I could easily take a suite there, and enjoy all that they have to offer. I've never been there before, watched and waited as it became what it is today... That's a very tempting one. I could go for the California, my personal budget favorite. Average but quite affordable rooms, incredible service, and coin-op VP (Fortune class machines!). I am tempted just to hit a room at the Cal. Or perhaps at MSS accross the way.

    So what do you think, folks?

    Aria (been there, done that, the room introducing itself to you is AWESOME)
    Cosmopolitan (Their ads are sooo perfect for my Vegas mentality)
    Bellagio (Been there, done that, Spa Tower room.... Fountain view)
    Caesars (Seems like too much money for too little room-bang-for-the-buck, but it's a Sarno joint)
    California (The old stand-by)
    Main Street Station (Never stayed there, rooms a lot like the Cal, awesome VP)
    Downtown Grand (Loved seeing the Lady Luck on the horizon, now that its open maybe I should score a suite)
    El Cortez (The first destination my travel companion and I shared... Great for sentimental reasons, and could score one of their suites)

    And my personal favorite so far... The Riviera. I've stayed in their Bridal Suite before, it was an amazing trip back into the 80s, and I'm tempted to do it again (complete with open balcony)

    Any thoughts, folks?

    Speak up, Hollar. Heckle me It's all good. Bring it ON!

    :p
     
  9. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    It is time... For the first of many giveaways on this thread. Tell me, ladies and gentlemen and anyone else...

    What did Circus Circus open without, that is a mainstay of strip resorts today?

    The first correct answer in this thread will be mailed (Send me your mailing address via PM if you win) a Silver Strike token from Palms.

    Go.
     
  10. karens625

    karens625 Low-Roller

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    I know! I know! A hotel! Right!
    Karen
     
  11. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Class?
     
  12. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Looking forward to the Trip Report. I'm a fan of downtown, but with a corporate account, I'd splurge for a nice Strip room and spend a night or two during the trip downtown to gamble.

    The Riv is a good option if, in the words of Tessio, for old times sake, before it joins Tessio.

    I'd pick Cosmo among the Strip options.

    Downtown Grand or one of the designer El Cortez suites would be my option for downtown suites (MSS and The Cal are a little nicer than standard, but mostly just larger).

    Circus Circus opened without hotel rooms.
     
  13. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Ladies and gentlemen... We have a WIENER!!! A WINNER. Yes, a WINNER, that's what I said isn't it? Dang it, give me the mic back. Thanks. And TURN IT BACK ON. Geez. Anyhow.... Yes, that's right, karens625 provided the correct answer first! Please step right this way, we have some forms for you to sign, as well as an unreasonably exacerbated procedure involving as many slot attendants as possible to pay you your winnings in nothing smaller than $20 bills so as to induce tipping at least one of the Jackson's to every single one of the 43+ people that somehow managed to get involved in your payout! Welcommmeeee... Tooooo... Las Vegas!

    Ok, ok, it isn't really a W-2G handpay. But it is a really nice Silver Strike token. Just PM me a mailing address, karens625, and I'll get it to you before you head for Vegas in what your banner proclaims to be just under 2 weeks! Wish her (I assume her given the name) luck folks! May a wholly annoying handpay be in your near future. :)
     
  14. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    You made me laugh with that one. A lot. In fact I woke up 3 kids (one of them next door). Called Wynn reservations to see if they thought it was as funny as I did (they didn't, gave me some line of BS about how their number was just for reserving rooms). Eventually I calmed down enough to come to the realization that... Yes... Royal Flusher has just taken the top prize for snarky-remark-of-the-month!

    Flusher has a point, but really the opening of Circus Circus was... Well, it was a bit of a circus. If you haven't get your hands on a copy of this:

    Grandissimo, The First Emporer of Las Vegas

    Get it, read it... It's the amazing story of Jay Sarno, with a ton of amazing and amusing insights into the construction of Circus Circus and Caesars Palace. And once you've gotten it, and read it, you can likely get it signed by the author, Dr. David Schwartz, if you take a quick journey off the beaten path to visit the Center For Gaming Research at UNLV. Tell him I sent you. Well, on second thought don't. Depending on the volume of visitors I might manage to generate, I'd hate to show up in LV to be greeted by a group of 60's style goons with a big black Cadillac for an up-close-and-personal demonstration of what happens to annoying people who manage to flood 'important people' with autograph-seeking tourists.

    (Seriously, though, he's a great guy. Buy the book, and quite seriously go get it autographed if you'd like to, he'd almost certainly appreciate the visit)
     
  15. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Yeah! Most quake with fear of the impending erratic posting of meaningless drivel. Welcome, one and all... to the TR to beat all TRs! (Surgeon General's Warning: Consumption of The Bucket's Trip Reports have been found to be hazardous to your mental health)

    Yes... And give the recent notion that the Riv might not be long for this world... I think I may well have my destination decided for me. Was my Bridal Suite in the Med. North tower the top room in the original building? I quite intend to swing my full budget at the best room-choice fastball they can pitch my way, and hopefully knock it right outta the park. As long as my stay doesn't fall among the final days of the place, I'd like to think that money might talk quite loudly in terms of putting me in the very top room in an entire resort, which is one of my pun-intended bucket list things to do in LV. Penthouse at Mirage was awesome, but that isn't actually their top accommodation. Can I possibly hit the high note at the Riv? I'd like to think so, and the $100 trick is waiting in the wings for the clerk that makes it happen.

    Right you are, but you were beaten to the punch, I'm afraid.
     
  16. karens625

    karens625 Low-Roller

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    Yes! Thank you! Sent you a PM. March can not come fast enough!! Your report is making it bearable.
     
  17. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Thanks Bucket. I'm sure I would love that book. If I get the eBook version, will he sign my iPad?
     
  18. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    I'll be looking for you trip report.. I think I last saw you at the Sam's Town buffet. Funny that there is so many Circus Circus references here because I am thinking of that as a destination in the fall. Perhaps by then the Riviera will be gone. Maybe the Peppermill as well. Perhaps it will be a vast wasteland with Circus Circus being the only oasis.
     
  19. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    I wouldn't bet against it... Though he might well ask you a time or two if you're real sure.

    If you actually do this (just the sort of WTF thing I'd do actually, so I'm rather tickled at the notion), I'd recommend having it done on the back cover rather than the front, and it's going to be difficult to get anything to stick permanently even to the back. Therefore, I'd highly suggest (for the sake of permanency) getting one of these to have the autograph done with:

    General Tools & Instruments 88CM Tungsten Carbide Scriber
     
  20. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Got it, thanks! Your Silver Strike is all packaged up, ready to go in the mail as soon as the Post Office gets done taking a holiday and starts delivering little packages again. Thanks to everyone who participated, and keep your eyes peeled - This won't be the only silly giveaway in this TR!
     
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