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Sept 13-18 Solo - with friends

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by smonster, Sep 19, 2005.

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  1. smonster

    smonster Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2002
    Messages:
    134
    Location:
    Upstate NY

    My Trip Report

    This trip was scheduled around the AMOA convention on 9/14-16. It was to be myself and my business partner but he was forced to cancel out. As it turns out, the AMOA show was the least enjoyable part of the trip.
    9/13
    Checked in at the FlamingO with a room overlooking the pool. Air conditioner kept it nice and cold all week.
    I caught Forever Plaid at the Gold Coast with an old friend and recent LV resident. The show was very enjoyable and reasonably priced with the LVG 2-1 coupon. Also went to the GC buffet witha 2-1. The food was varied and fine fare. Returned to the FlamingO and played some PaiGow hitting a royal flush with $5 on the bonus (150-1).
    Played a few more hands and cashed out. On the way back to the room, I dropped $40 into the $5 WOF slot that seemed to have hit constantly back in July. I hit the spin and the wheel stopped on $1199! What a great start. I headed to bed up ~$1500 and I had
    only been in town for 8 hours.
    9/14
    Took the monorail over to the convention center. The show was geared mostly toward the redemption game industry and my interest is pinball, so I had wandered the floor and seen what I was interested in in under an hour. So much for three days. I saw that there was an interesting talk coming up at 1, so I headed over to the Hilton to check out their casino until then. broke about even there and caught the very good talk for ~3 hours. I walked over to the strip and headed south, bypassing the WYNN and grabbing a late lunch at the Venetian. Met up with my friend downtown briefly and decided to head up to the strip to catch the comedy show at the Riv. Stopped at the Ho for a Ho dog , but the sheer size of it scared me away. My friend risked it and ate all but the last inch or so. I opted for the shrimp cocktail. Saw Diane Ford and two other comics. All were funny. Back at the FlamingO, I played some LIR but my luck from the night before was waning.
    9/15
    I looked at the schedule for the show and there was nothing that even tempted me to return. So I gambled around midstrip getting together with my friend and his wife for dinner at the Paris Buffet. The food was varied and good, the deserts were great! A little more gambling and then to bed.
    9/16
    I had now been in Vegas for three days and had not had to touch my gaming money yet. If only I had stopped gaming then. But gambling is why I like Vegas.
    I will continue the report later. It is approaching nap time.
     
  2. smonster

    smonster Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2002
    Messages:
    134
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    part II

    9/16
    Picked up a friend at the airport. Did some gambling. Toured the Conservatory at the B. Dinner at Lawry's Prime Rib. I had their traditional cut, my friend had the Ribeye. Both were very good. The spinning salad was tasty as well. Went to the We Will Rock You show after dinner. I had seen it in July and I could not detect the changes that have been made by Harrahs. The show was again great. The evening continued at the FlamingO bar with video poker, many drinks, and great conversation with friends.
    9/17
    Wandered north. Checked out the Wynn via a stop at the Venetian. The Wynn seemed quiet except for the annoying electronic lady who kept harassing you to join the Red Card club. Lost a bit, but won it back with video Keno. (Did he say Keno?) Yep! Some Cleopatra bonus round that wouldn't stop coming up. My friend continued to make $20 last forever in a video poker machine. This was an ongoing phenomenon. Late breakfast at the Frontier Cafe. Mixed opinions. Friend's Eggs Benedict was OK, my scrambled eggs were cold. We wandered thru the Fashion Show mall a bit. Entered TI and trammed to Mirage. Another $20 video poker demonstration at the Mirage while I donated to Roys 401K. Headed to MB for a gelato and then the Mamma Mia show. We all thought that the sound mix was less than Ideal. We were seated about 10 rows back from the sound board so it should have been fine. The Volume was too high. The voices at times were hard to hear. By the end of the show you could hear the speakers crackling. Overall a decent show, but WWRY is much better. Dinner at PF Changs on Paradise ended the day with a full stomach. Excellent fare for minimal $s. Called it an early night.
    9/18
    Breakfast of pastries at Paris. I had possibly the richest Eclaire that I have ever tasted. I ate 2/3 of it and felt like I was burning off the sugar for the next 4 hours. Yet another $20 VP demo while I donated to the Eiffle tower upkeep fund. Lunch at the FlamingO Cafe of burgers and fries. Check out and head for the airport. Long lines in the security. Then a backup for takeoff gave me a ~1hr + delay to head back East.

    Summary:
    It is great to start with a win in Vegas. I ended up paying for most of my expenses from my gaming budget and still had almost half of it to take home with me.
    WWRY was again great entertainment. AAA gives 30% at the Ballys/Paris box office.
    I enjoyed Lawry's and PF Changs. Good food, reasonable $s
    Time with old friends is always enjoyable.
    Meeting up with new friends is priceless.
     
  3. doctor_al

    doctor_al VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2002
    Messages:
    11,670
    Location:
    Twin Cities
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    I can see where that would make for a good trip... although sounds like it was a good time anyway. I gotta figure out how to work this "business trip" thing.
     
  4. smonster

    smonster Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2002
    Messages:
    134
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    You need a side business that has related conferences in Las Vegas. That is almost any business. I don't think I would return for that show again though. I will have to find a different "business" avenue.
     
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