What motivates you to write a trip report?

For those of you that write trip reports why do you write them? So you will have a written log of your trip? To try to be funny? To show off your mad gambling skills?

Just curious and I thought it might generate some interesting discussion.

 

I like to read the TRs posted so I figure I should share too.

 

I am pretty much the same. I feel like I should contribute to the board community. But I also think my TRs are boring as hell, lol. So I am not sure how much of a contribution it really is

 

I like to read single installment TRs and post the same. I would like to think I'm helping some of the newer Vegas visitors, but who knows, maybe they are boring as hell?

I must admit I have given up reading any TR that has "Live" in the title. I don't even open the thread.

 

Kind of a "pay it forward" aspect. I have been helped immensely by the posts and trip reports of others, so it's like returning the favor.

In life, there's givers and takers. Folks who give of themselves without looking for quid pro quo in return. We all know about takers, no further explanation is necessary. VMB is dominated by members who are givers, so it keeps me coming back for more.

 

Great thread Katmu!
I am with TY and UK, I really enjoy reading the TRs, regardless of format, so I want to contribute my own tales.
I also am afraid my reports are becoming boring and repetitive, since I stay only in the Cosmopolitan/PHo/Aria area, and I always eat at the same places, play the same games etc.

 

I first did it for TY's reason, and then found with that first report (now lost in the disappearing archives) that I enjoyed going back and reliving it.

So I have had one or two reports since written for both of those reasons. And the reliving is why thus far I've preferred writing prepared reports to semi-live jobs (that and a previous lack of internet while on holiday that may not apply in the future).

 

I haven't done one but I plan to next time for a few reasons. I'd like having a written log that I can look back on myself. I love reading them and find them entertaining and informative so hopefully people will enjoy reading mine too.

 

Umm....I don't think boring and repetitive would be the words most readers would use to describe your trip reports. I'm thinking more along the lines of "Best VMB Trip Report that involves the Creative Use of Foodstuff".


Interesting how many people so far have mentioned the pay it forward idea. You're making me maybe rethink writing a trip report for this next trip, even though other than the craps shoot I'm not planning nearly as much as usual.

 

I'm relatively new to the board, so it's like a new toy still to me, who hasn't grown bored with it. What I like about reading other's TR's is that I've found some things that I want to experience that I would never have known about if not for the VMB. For instance, my wife and I ate at Heart Attack Grill last month. I would never have known about Secret Pizza. Next time my wife and I go, we will try the verbena.

Also I often find out about games that look fun that I have never seen before by reading TR's. It's also helpful to get a first person report on a show I may want to see.

I've written two TR's myself. I'd like to think that perhaps I've given the incentive to someone else to try out "game x" or visit "casino y" for some particular reason. I think many people like to know table stakes at various places during certain times of the day, or times of the year. I like to point out specific employees who have given me good service; perhaps somewhere down the road it will help them receive a better tip from somebody. I'll also admit that I certainly do write my TR's with humor in mind. Not everyone enjoys my humor I am sure, but there is enough positive response to tell me that the people who do like it will continue to ride along with me during my stay. In return, I'm happy to share in their TR's and root them along.

Basically I write a TR because I think it's fun.

 

And if you're from Minnesota, well, you get a bonus right there. Write the report.

 

I write trip reports because:

I love to write
To re-live my trip
Pass on information to the board that might be useful
Give my review (opinion) of food, shows, new slot machines, hotel rooms, etc.

I have trip reports I've written dating back to 1999 (that were posted on older boards). When I re-read those, I cringe because those years were awful and awfully WILD compared to who I am now. I remember attending a board meet one year and realized, "dang, these people now know who I am after all my raunchy trip reports". I was actually embarrassed. Whew boy!

 

Easy... for the glory and fame!

Nah I do it for the same as others. I like reading em so I write em as well.

Joe, open my "live" one a few days after, since I do the groundbreaking hybrid TR....live but with a detailed wrap up at the end!

 

I don't always write trip reports. When I do, it's because I did something new to me and I was still excited about it when I came home. I also do it when something I did is something that is under debate. Maybe it matters to one person out there that I did something like eat at Ellis island and liked it. If things are just mediocre, I just do reviews on Trip Advisor on the more important things so I don't bore people.

 

I like when people write TRs so I can live vicariously through them. So I do the same in case someone wants to live vicariously through mine. Also for me, they're fun to write - I usually write mine after I get back so it's a good way to relive a trip. And I also like to go back and re-read previous TRs I've written.

 

For all trips/vacations I took before 2000 I used to build a scrap book or photo album of the trip... after that I pretty much went to writing up photo laden trip reports instead. I do it mostly as a way to remember and to share for those that might be between trips and need a Vegas fix.

 

Great thread Kat. TY.... For me I have learned sooo much here in the last year or two and that selfishly helps me. Never would have known about so many different places to see if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you all for that. I live vicariously through all of your TR's and appreciate all your hard work and info. Love the stories you all tell. Every TR is special in there own way. I also do TR's so you can live vicariously through my travels/antics. BUT...... It has turned out at least for me that I have met face to face you Kat and many many other friends from VMB. I am blessed to have many close friends from home whom (Whom or who?) a lot of you have met but now I have friends from all over the world! You all have been very warm and welcoming. It is my pleasure to have met you all. Life is short and I say the more the merrier! Now you cant get along with 100% of people 100% of the time but 99% of you are awesome! LOL! For those of you who I know personally and you know who you are I say Thank you.. Looking forward to many more Tr's. I too feel my TR's are getting repetitive and boring but I realize there are new people here all the time so I will keep doing them. Maybe!

 

We started to write detailed TR's in 2008. My wife had an accident which resulted in permanent brain damage. Not severe but bad enough to have an effect on her long term memory. So we kinda decided to write a detailed TR with a lot of pictures and post this on our own website. It was a sort of digital scrapbook so we could look at it at from time to time and share our memories of our various trips. This evolved into a great passion for Vegas and ultimately resulted in our current website. We still have about 100 pages to ad with restaurant and show reviews, tour information, etc. And with an upcoming trip we'll even have more stuff to post on our website. In other words: my dark winter nights will be filled with documenting our Vegas experiences. AND if other people enjoy reading our stuff as well, that's a big bonus.

 

I'm not a native, does that still count? Although I've lived here for most of my adult life.

I'm really hoping I like Vdara. I will do a trip report I think, not sure yet if I'll do live or wait until after and do a recap.

This was the 1st thing that popped into my head. What can I say, it's been a very long day today.