Fuzzy does Vegas... 6/20-6/23 First ever solo trip

I know I might be jumping the gun with the trip report as I dont leave until tomorrow, but I'd ask for dispensation from the moderators, as this report is going to be both highly emotional and extremely cathartic.

A little over a year ago I was pretty much a regular on here, Las Vegas was my retreat, where I went to blow off steam, clear the head, have some fun, and get myself centered. Funny how that works in a city where all you do (at least for me) is drink, gamble, and deprive your body of sleep, water and other essentials. Vegas was a 3-5 time a year destination, normally for a week at a time.

Then Ms. Fuzzy and I hit a rocky patch from which we did not recover. Now there is no Mrs. Fuzzy and I have not been back to Vegas in over a year. About 6 months ago or so I posted a couple questions about how to do Vegas alone after always being there with a former sig. other. A handful of times I booked trips, but never followed through, I just thought it would be too triggering and might have ruined Vegas for me forever.

A few months ago I started hitting up the local spots again. Never did those a lot, but forced myself to go alone. At first it was hard, walking by her favorite machines, it was hard not to think "if she were here, we'd be playing that right now", then I started forcing myself to play "her" machines...(for those that don't know, I'm really a table player and sports better(w/ VP)), I really only ever played slots with her. But slowly over time gambling by myself (or with friends - not her) felt normal, and while the memories have never (and I know never will) fade, they have changed from being painful memories of what should be happening right now to pleasant, bitter-sweet memories of what used to happen in the past.

Anyway, long story short, I have now gotten to a point that while certain things/experiences give me a sharp pain of sadness, I am more than capable of being in a casino for long periods of time by myself. And while I know Vegas will be full of triggers that will at times stop me cold (checking into "our" hotel - alone, waiting in the airport, favorite restaurants, or simply walking the strip and remembering), I am to a point I know I can go to Vegas by myself and not just be ok - but have a great time.

And yes, I know some out there will say this thread is off to a bad start, that I'm clearly an emotional wreck, and this is going to be no fun. But I promise I gave the intro only because over the last year when I posted a few things about my personal life I've gotten more than one message from members here wishing me well - so thank you all for that, and I wanted to lead with that just to be clear that this is a special trip for me. In some ways I'm reclaiming that which was so special to me for years, that was in jeopardy because of the collapse of my marriage - but I am going to recapture it and make it my own.

I've always been an emotional guy, and so I'm sure I will have emotional moments on this trip. But I'm determined not to avoid the things we used to do together, but meet them head on. And in doing so reclaim the Vegas experience for my in the present, while not totally forgetting the past. So I'm hoping this trip will be all about having fun with my favorite person (myself), forging new memories, (hopefully) winning some money from the Casinos, and fondly remembering (sometimes with a tear in my eye) past experiences and joys in this wonderful playground we call Vegas.

So I'll shortly give a separate message with the itinerary. But I'm determined to finish this trip report. I hope to do a lot of the following:

(1) A lot of drinking
(2) A lot of gambling (mainly craps and VP - a few slots)
(3) A lot of sportsbetting (bad time of year for sportsbetting, but I'm going to force myself to play the World Cup)
(4) A lot of winning
(5) A lot of pictures - because that's what I love most about these TR's myself.

That said, here's the trip.

(1) Fly out of CMH tomorrow at 12:38 pm (splurged for first class - getting drunk on a plane)
(2) Layover in MSP
(3) Land in Vegas at 3:51 - already drunk, be at the casino hopefully by 4:30
3 Nights at Palazzo (may extend to 4 if things are going well)
NO PLANS
(4) Leave Vegas at 1:15 Saturday - backup is 10:30 am Sunday (direct on SW)

Will post more shortly, but for now back to work.

I'm dedicating this trip report to the former Mrs. Fuzzy, with whom I developed a true love for Vegas. While my foreseeable future is going to Vegas alone or with friends, I will on more than one occasion order her a drink for old time's sake at our favorite haunts...and then move on, because life is forever changing and evolving, and if we don't change with it, we'll never experience all life has to offer.

Viva Las Vegas!

 

I hope that you have a great time and that the emotions are, on balance, good ones.

You are a much better person than I am. I was in Vegas a couple times before the ink was even dry, and I was quite a bit more likely to mail her a box of flaming poo than to dedicate a trip to her. I got over it though, there's quite a few places that were better with her there.

 

Have a wonderful trip, Fuzzy!

 

I'm rooting for you Fuzzy; looking forward to following along.

 

Best of luck to you Fuzzy. Hope things go good for you on all levels.

 

I wish you the best on your adventure, Fuzzy!
I hope you have a great time!

RICHARD

 

Hope you have a fabulous time. Look forward to reading about all your wins and new memories you’ll make along the way. Good luck!!!

 

I feel your pain about the triggers. You will have to fight them off and be strong. Take it easy on the drinking, you will be fine. good luck.

 

Have a great trip. You do Vegas any way you want. Hopefully the good times will outnumber the sad times, and you will learn to love Vegas in a different way. I am sorry for all the pain you are going through.

 

Have an excellent and enjoyable vegasvacation
I like your truthfulness says alot about you as aperson good luck

 

Be at peace and have fun.

 

It sounds like you are finding peace and moving forward...which may be painful at times, but is much better than wallowing in what was...

 

Enjoy your trip Fuzzy!

 

Better days ahead! Have a wonderful trip!

 

A simple thought might apply here - u never fail until you stop trying. Best of luck and enjoy.

Solo works as I’m sure many would agree. Our kids (da dogs) typically keep the queen home dog sitting. I do hate that but I press on. You can too.

 

Rootin' for ya Fuzzy!! Hope you re-claim your love for our fav city big-time! We will be following along while you enjoy a great solo trip!!

 

Kudos to you for getting back to your favorite place... and making new memories while keeping the old ones neatly tucked away (the goal?).

Best of luck to you, and have a great time!!

 

Have a blast, you deserve some time to enjoy Vegas solo (I prefer Vegas solo hah). Probably best to leave those memories behind where they belong so you can concentrate on getting drunk and winning some money!

 

Have a great trip! I'll look forward to reading along. I love Vegas with friends but I also love my solo trips. Something so freeing about not having to have the "what do you want to do?" .... "I don't care, what do you want to do?" discussions or having to crash in the room before you want to because your traveling partner day drank too much or isn't having a good gambling trip. I'm sure some things will trigger you but just remember the good times and choose to enjoy the present and not dwell on the past. We'll be here for support.