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Thirteen days is a long time! So this is a long trip report!

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Piggylane, Mar 15, 2015.

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  1. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Messages:
    679
    Location:
    Quabbin Reservoir, MA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159

    My Trip Report

    Note to the Administrators: Repeated attempts to upload pictures unsuccessful. These are just .jpg images. I resized them to make them smaller and nothing happens. It just sits there. If you can figure this out and contact me I will edit and re-post with the pics.

    My latest Vegas trip, number 159 according to Accounting and the 2 personal adventures I've taken, was thirteen days at the glorious soon to be renovated and rebadged Monte Carlo.

    I left snowy Massachusetts with about 48" of heavy wet snow on the ground. Arrived and measured 22" of hard packed ice that had beeb rained on. Buildings are still collapsing around here, A barn in adjacent Brookfield, MA collapsed last night as rain+snow=too much weight for old structures. As I write this it is snowing again.

    One of my bags came of the belt in Hartford dripping water. The morons must have dropped it in a puddle. I showed the Baggage Office and they said contact Delta. A pair of dungarees inside was wet. So I filed a claim. Nice way to treat a Two Million Mile Delta Diamond! Or anyone for that matter.

    Back to Vegas. Cycles per second rental car company (pun for those of you with no humor) gave me a brand new Buick Regal with an annoying ONSTAR "this is ONSTAR in demonstration mode. If you want to learn more, push the blue button" every time I started the car up! I couldn't adjust the volume and they would probably charge me if I put a .380 in the speakers and I wanted to listen to KOMP 92.3 while driving so I just put up with it. I hate to be solicited that way. I don't want ONSTAR, have a cellphone and can take care of myself. No way to shut it off - it's a covenience they told me.

    The Monte Carlo has several "Reserved for Platinum" parking spaces right near the entrance on the second level of the parking garage. Go to the mLife desk, get a hang tag, park there. Some people parked there without one despite the warning they would be towed. Others put their Platinum players card on the dash. Sure saved lots of walking. There are about eight spaces.

    Check in was simple. They offered me a spa suite for thirteen nights, I refused, accepted two queens at the end of the hallway. The end rooms are quieter (umm, not so much...) The suites are in the center of the hub and all the partiers, well, party there. Also the spa suite they offered my was a non-smoking suite on a mixed smoking/non-smoking floor. That means I'd have to deal with Ms Newport 100's sitting outside reading the paper while hubby was dropping stink bombs in the morning. Two queens on a non-smoking floor is heaven!

    My room was in deplorable condition and in need of reno quick. The drawer slides in the tiny dresser were broken. I carry tools with me so I fixed them. Wallpaper was torn in a couple places. The window didn't seal properly so street noise from LV Blvd (this was a strip view room) was pretty loud up on the 28th floor. One electrical outlet had a loose connection. I fixed that too. I set up a wireless router so I could read on my iPad in bed because they have wired Internet, not wireless, except on the first and second floors and in the central hub with Ms Newport 100.

    I don't believe in overtipping the maids as they are very well compensated so I left them $4 a day and for that I leave my room very neat. Not much to do but make the bed, clean the bathroom. They were all very pleasant, left me plenty of water, soap and shampoo. I still had a $20 ticket from Aria to cash out the day I checked out. I left it there for them. Never had an issue with the maids at Monte Carlo.

    Checkout with the intervention of a host dropped my bill by around $1500 keeping my Express Comps intact. After all the gambling below and creative accounting my net loss will be under $800 for the trip.

    I had some significant interactions with people. One night I came back to my room and I had new neighbors, let's call them the Bickersons. They weren't bickering though. It was an all out full blown fight! This was going on, and on and on. She was the loudest, not he. It started out about somebody losing all their money downstairs to somebody not paying bills to somebody drinking too much to ... It was about that point I heard things getting pushed against the wall! I was at the cheesy desk they have in the room and I hear it being banged up against the wall! Has this become domestic violence? I call the operator! I don't want to be party to a murder here! If you had been in my shoes and heard what I did I think you would have done the same. Two Security guards were there in less than two minutes, one female, one male. They listened for only a couple seconds as they could clearly hear the ruckus while they were running down the hall. As soon as they banged on the door - crickets! The woman answered the door and admitted they were having "a little argument". Security pretty much ripped into them and explained what they heard, what was reported, said they would "have to pay for the damage!" and if they had to come back tonight it would be with Metro!

    Guess I did the correct thing! Not a peep out of them the rest of the night. They were gone the next day. I wish them well. Good Deed #1.

    Another night I get into an elevator, the door starts to close, an arm comes in to stop it and this big, tall kid - maybe 30 - stumble bum drunk swaggers in. Door closes. I ask him what floor. He looks at the folder they give you when you check in and says 24. I punch 24. I asked him if he's had a bad night. He can't focus on the card. He bends over as if to puke but straightens up. We arrive at 24. I look at his card. He is in 23-324, wrong floor. We arrive on 28, my floor. There is no way this guy is going to make it to his room. I punch 23, take him to his room, open the door for him and put him inside, hang the "do not disturb" sign on his door and go to my room. I'm old enough to be his Dad and have kids his age. Good deed #2.

    Another interaction. The Monte Carlo has a couple 100 Play and 50 Play penny and nickle video poker machines. They actually go up to quarters I believe. I was walking through the casino and I saw this older couple, probably in their early 80's, with huge smiles on their faces, just thoroughly enjoying life playing the 100 play video poker machines. My job requires me to be observant, so I am. So I looked very carefully. He had on a suit and tie, she a dress. They were out for the night. Not unusual. But something was off a bit. I went up and dropped a $100 into the 50 play machine and noticed they both were playing one hand, one cent per hand! Also the suit and the dress, well, looked like they perhaps were a bit dated or maybe from a thrift store. Right about then a cocktail waitress came by looked down to see what they were playing, got a funny look in her eyes, looked at me and I just nodded my head. She clearly got the message. She smiled, asked them if she could get them a drink? They were beaming! Yes! They each ordered a drink! She came to me and I smiled, and ordered a ginger ale, slipping her a $20.

    Clearly I had found an older couple who had very little in life. All they probably had to gamble was probably $1 each and they were thoughly enjoying their time together. This might have been an anniversary, a birthday, a whatever. I never introduced myself, they never knew where the drinks came from, the CW probably would never have offered them any playing that little but this one moment made my whole trip for me and I hope they had a great time. I wish them a long and happy life. Good deed #3.

    I ate in many of my usual places and a couple new ones. Here's a summary:

    Yusho - Japanese Grill

    The Steamed Buns are fantastic (eggplant, oyster, pork shoulder) as is their mushroom miso soup. They frequently run out of octopus, get their early. Twice I missed it. The Hamachi (swordfish) was superb but messy to eat.

    d.Vino - the cavatappi was terrible. Too dense. Denser than Gnocchi. I haven't been happy with this place and I noticed it empty most of the time. Expect this place to close soon.

    Tom's Urban makes a great four egg omelet

    Shake Shack's shakes suck. At $5.25 for a 12 ounce shake? That's twice what's I pay for one around here that is just as good. Excellent fries.

    Oyster Bar at Harrah's made a so-so New England seafood boil for me. Overcooked everything. Seafood gets tough when you do that.

    Wicked Spoon buffet was Wicked Good! Loved the seafood stew (freshly prepared)

    Brand steakhouse has a great porkchop in addition to great steaks.

    Fantastic rack of lamb as usual at Nine Fine Irishmen.

    Greenberg's Deli - my favorite for a quick corned beef sandwich.

    Subway - MC Food Court, Only place where they make an omelete for you for the beakfast sandwich, not a microwaved piece of crap. Pretty good!

    Several meals, including my free birthday one, at Twin Peaks. I had their Trophy Trout. It was excellent.

    Tilted Kilt's food isn't that good but who cares? I'm not dead yet!

    Now for the gambling..... SORRY. No pictures - see the note above. I can't upload them for some reason. Tried everything for the past 30 minutes. File path length, resizing, etc. Stupid computers.

    I played mostly slots, many $5 but favorite penny machines too as I'm lucky with them. I won't say what my total coin in was but it would make a nice lifetime earning for some residents of small African nations...

    I had a $250 freeplay with my room offer. I don't blow it the first day but find a lucky slot. Even though I stay at Monte Carlo I have my best slot luck at NYNY. I found a $5 machine and at $10 a spin turned that $250 into $720 cash out. I hit bar-bar-10X for $500 as the biggest hit on the machine.

    Buffalo stampede was good to me. Lots of hits including 1500x60 for $900! Many hits (about 20) in the $500 to $800 range.

    Only one hand pay, exactly $1200 at NYNY on a quarter wheel poker DDB machine. Drew four OAK 10's.

    I turned $200 into $1600 playing crazy four at Aria one afternoon. I played almost three hours, the last 2.5 hours was betting two greens on each circle. Jay the pit Manager was a nice guy! The dealer was having issues and mixed up the cards in the shuffler, red/blue. He pushed everyone's hands but paid everyone on the queen's up. I had two pair. No need to do that, it was a mis-deal but that builds loyalty and made me another $100.

    On Friday of the last day of my trip I made the ride to FEDEX with all my crates (300 lb worth of training and surveillance equipment) and headed back to th hotel. Grabbed a coffee, and headed for my least favorite remaining hole, the Riviera. I just had to rub those buns one last time! The casino floor was pretty packed, all the tables were pretty busy. I was surprised. I spoke with a few slot players, nobody, as usual, was winning. I dropped $20 into a dollar machine one last time. Didn't hit a thing. Bye bye Riviera. I definitely won't miss you.

    Across the street to Slots o Fun. They have an electronic dog racing machine in the back. Another $20. I sat there for almost 2 hours on that $20! I got it up to $45 at one time. Met some fun people from Idaho. Headed back to Monte Carlo.

    I know everyone is really excited about the progress of the CVS at Phil Ruffin's Treasure Island. I'm sure you're borrowing money for the trip when it opens. Just to let you know, it should be soon. They are stocking the shelves! Where or where did the Sirens go?

    Crossing the bridge between Caesar's and Bellagio there frequently are a couple of three card monte hustlers. I saw their milk crates and close up pad but not them. Hope Metro hooked them up. I saw Metro writing a lady a ticket for selling water in front of Wynn. Good. Get a job. There are hundreds available in the paper. Don't buy water from these people. CC Board of Health found some of the water bottles had been picked out the trash and refilled with tap water! Not all are dishonest but is it worth the risk.

    Stupid people in character suits, And the people who tip them!

    Last, I saw a couple shows. Beatles LOVE for the second time. I had two tickets via my room offer. Very enjoyable. However there were huge sections empty. Maybe 70% of the seats taken? I think this CDS show has run its course.

    Zombie Burlesque at V Theatre was a scream! Totally hilarious and will do it again. The theatre is very narrow and don't buy the general admission tickets, get the VIP seats. I used the 2 for 1 coupon in the LVA MRB and upgraded so a buddy and I basically got the third row for what GA would have cost. We sat next to five drunk teachers from Austin, TX who helped the show quite a bit. The music is live, the girls wear pasties and it is very, very funny. Highly recommended!

    So that's it for now. I have next week off then it's week long visits to:

    New Jersey
    New Hampshire
    Wyoming
    Houston
    Houston (yes, two separate, no I'm not staying the weekend!)
    Nashville
    Las Vegas (May 18-23) at Aria

    Wish you all the best of health, wealth and luck!

    # # #
     
  2. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Nice! I like the vibe at Monte Carlo but fear the upcoming renovations will preclude them from fixing anything at all in the very shabby rooms. One note: you said you left a Tito for housekeeping. I used to do this too but I chatted with a casino worker once while she fixed a broken machine I was on and she said the maids are not allowed to cash the titos and the hotel (I was at MB) conducts stings to catch them taking them from rooms. They are supposed to turn them back in to the hotel. I am not sure if this rule applies to CWs and other staff.
     
  3. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159
    Didn't know that about the TITO's. I left some cash too. Thanks!
     
  4. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    I enjoyed your TR; very nice of you to treat the elderly couple. I hope to do a long stay later this year.

    PS The easiest way to include photos is to use Tapatalk.
     
  5. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

    Joined:
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    Kudos to you for all those good deeds.
    You sound like a lovely person.
    Enjoyed your report!
     
  6. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

    Joined:
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    Enjoyed your trip report! Thanks for posting! Love your good deeds. Keep it up wherever you go. Good karma!
     
  7. sandybeachbar

    sandybeachbar Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Loved your tr. I like the thoughtful things you did, too!

    One thing I was upset to hear ,was about leaving the maids titos, and them not getting to keep them. I accumulate and leave them for the maid as well as leaving daily cash.
     
  8. Slotchick

    Slotchick High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Thank you for taking the time to write a trip report, I really enjoyed reading :)
     
  9. Irishwake

    Irishwake Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Patsland
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    Nice report.
    Agree 100% about the costume creeps. Get rid of 'em, all they do is clog up the sidewalks and expect foot traffic to come to a halt so someone can take a stupid picture.
    Disagree 100% about the water sellers. I've heard the rumor about guys bottling their own water. So far as I can tell it's simply an Urban myth. Every bottle I've gotten has been sealed. So until I see someone rummaging in trash cans for emptys and caps, lugging them home, filling them and have invested in a sealing machine I'll assume it's "good" water. It has to be easier and more profitable to buy water wholesale and resell.
    And most importantly I find it to be convenient and cheap.
    They're about the only guys hawking crap on the strip I find useful.
     
  10. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

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    Location:
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    Risk equals the probability of occurrence multiplied by the consequences! The consequences of getting sick drinking tainted water are severe. The probability is non-zero. There are dozens of places along the strip where $2 buys a guaranteed sealed water. I will happily pay that for the peace of mind. Metro enforces the CC prohibition against selling water, albeit sporadically, for a reason. It's not a licensing issue either.

    Either way, at least we get to enjoy Vegas arguing this fine point!
     
  11. SandPete

    SandPete Low-Roller

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    So darn sweet with that old couple, and so very nice of you :nworthy:
     
  12. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    Good Report and good Karma for you.

    I learned something from your report. i had never heard of a Sigma Derby dog racing game.
    I just put it on my list of to dos .

    One note about the three card monte guys, It's not so much the game as many times the "player" is part of the team.
    These games are set up to attract a small crowd and then another member of the team will look for pockets to pick.
    I learned that from an undercover cop i know. The show at the TI was one their best places to lift.

    ps. Drove over Piggy Lane this afternoon.
     
  13. scc31

    scc31 Low-Roller

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    I'm surprised you carry tools with you and fix their appliances... you must enjoy handy work at home
     
  14. travelling_greg

    travelling_greg Tourist

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    Thank you for an entertaining / informative read. Really enjoyed it. I truly 'smiled' reading about your good deeds.
     
  15. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    Have to ask, how does one or anyone last 13 days in LV? No dronking, or little? Full sleep each night? Drugs? Can't understand how folks go a full week yet 13 days? Wow. I'm impressed with your skills in this area.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Oppps dronking? Sorry, drinking of course.....
     
  16. WickedWife

    WickedWife Tourist

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    What an awesome Trip Report!! You sound like an amazing person, thanks for sharing such a great trip with us :)
     
  17. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    This is pure trip report gold.

    GOLD I tell ya, GOLD!!!

    I loved your stories, if some of those things happened to me, each paragraph would have filled a whole blog post! You are terse, sir, and well spoken.

    Now, a couple more things - the story about the old couple actually got me kind of misty eyed.

    Second, your pun hurts.
     
  18. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice report!
     
  19. Kkirk777

    Kkirk777 Tourist

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    You're a nice guy! Thanks for the post. Very entertaining!!
     
  20. Kari

    Kari Low-Roller

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    Hi! What a good guy! Good karma will be yours!
    Lol! I'm going for 13 nights in April. I love it! I don't gamble
    Every day, I do the pool, shopping, an off strip
    day spa for massage hair and facial. Saffron day spa on Tues and
    Wed the offer 3 20 min services for $60 + tip!
    I love to visit the dam, and enjoy ethnic restaurants like Paymon's Lebanese.
     
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