Horrible Times In Vegas Part 1

Sorry, I got to do this in 2 parts. Still fighting this sickness and its hard to get it all out at once. Brandy is working on the pictures so hopefully we will have them ready for part 2.

Okay, here goes. Sorry if my sickness becomes a bore but it became a very big factor in this trip.

Day 1 Feb 1, 2004 (Superbowl Sunday)

Awoke at 4am. Feeling fine at this point we made a pot of coffee and loaded the car. Left for the airport and made it to DFW south remote parking. Waited for about 2 minutes for shuttle ride to gate. Used the AA kiosk for the first time and all went well. Really like those kiosks. No waiting in line. Flight left on time another first for the both of us. This is where the OH MY GOSH WERE GOING TO VEGAS feelings usually kick in. But that feeling wasn’t there. It was replaced by a slight tickle in my throat and a little cough throughout the flight.
Flight landed on time. Again another first for us. You would think so far everything was going perfect. We took the tram from D gates to where we get our luggage. We had decided the day before to just go frugal and cancel our limo so this time we did another first and got a shuttle. I paid for 2 roundtrip rides from airport to downtown, total cost for two was $24. Okay this is where things turn south, way south.
While waiting for a shuttle to pull up my legs became very week and I had a hard time breathing normally. It was cold and windy (about 35) so I thought that might have something to do with it. All of a sudden I became very nauseated and very cold. I began shivering uncontrollably. Brandy helped me get back in the doorway just inside and told me to wait there and she would wait outside for the shuttle. About 5 minutes later our shuttle pulled up. I helped with the luggage and climbed in. I was out like a light before we could even get out of the terminal area.
When we got to the LVC, Brandy had to wake me. We got our luggage and went straight for the front desk. The place seemed kind of vacant. Brandy explained to the lady our problem and asked if we could get checked in early. (It was only about 10am) The lady seemed concern and could obviously tell that I was sick. but had nothing available. We checked our luggage and went straight for the sports book. The sports book was full of older men mostly discussing and arguing about who was going to win the big game. (By the way the sports book at LVC is very small)
Brandy grabbed some betting cards and a pencil and we made our bets. Four different bets. 3-3team parlays and 1-4 teamer, which none paid off. Damn those Panthers!!
We decided to just sit there and chill out for awhile and maybe I would start feeling better. Brandy became very worried and scared; I guess I looked as bad as I felt. I assured her that I would be okay just as soon as I got a room to lie down for a couple hours. She told me to stay put and she was off to get me bottled water and check on our room. When she returned she had to wake me up again. No luck with the room, but the water sure was good. I kept falling asleep and after about an hour a security guard came over and woke me up and asked if everything was okay. He obviously thought that I was passed out drunk. Brandy quickly explained things to him and he asked if there was anything he could do. Brandy said, yea get us a room. He said he would go see what he could do and walked that way. He quickly got distracted by a couple young kids making cell phone calls from the sports book.(yea, Mikey you can’t do that) After about 30 minutes Brandy went to speak to a manager at the front desk and that seemed to do the trick. We got our room. It was with a double bed and a crappy view in the south tower, but I wasn’t complaining. I jumped in the bed as Brandy called the bell desk for our luggage. I must have fallen asleep fast because I don’t remember the guy bringing our luggage up.
When I awoke the curtains were drawn and it was pitch dark. There was no clock in the room, so I had no idea what time it was. I felt like I had slept for about 6 hours. I called out for Brandy, but no answer. I fumbled around until I found the lamp switch on the night stand between the beds. Brandy was sound asleep on the other bed. She quickly awoke when the light was turned on and asked if I was okay. I asked her how long I had been asleep. I was wondering who won the super bowl, pretty sure that I had missed it. She looked at her watch and said about an hour, What ….. It seemed like I was asleep for ever. I opened the curtains and the light came in and I smiled.
I took a few deep breathes. Man did that nap do justice or what. I feel great. I’m ready to paint the town. We quickly arm ourselves with our ACG coupons and were headed for the bus station. We get our $5 day pass and head for the Stardust. This place is packed. Its only 2:30 and there is already a full crowd in the room where the party is going on for the super bowl. We decide just to pick up our Wayne Newton tickets that we bought online and head over to the $10 party at Ellis Island. By the time we finally got over there I was becoming very tired and weak again. Oh well, nothing is stopping me from the big game. We paid our $10 cover which included all u can eat buffet and all u can drink beer. I don’t know what ya'll think of the Ellis Island beer, but I think it sucks. I had a dark beer and Brandy got a lighter one and they both were nasty. I took a sip of mine and threw it away. The Barbeque ribs were excellent along with the tator salad and corn and buffalo wings. There was a lot more to select from ,but that’s all I had to eat. I believe Brandy had the same.
We were watching the game on a bunch of 55†or smaller TVs that were set inside of a tent outside and scattered through out the casino. There was no place to sit so we stood and watched the kickoff through almost the first quarter. And then it hit me again. Along came the cold chills, fever and body aches. Brandy talked me into just taking a cab back to the room and watching the game there. Honestly, she didn’t have to do a lot of talking. We left Ellis Island and walked across the street to the Westin Hotel and grabbed a cab to the LVC. It would have taken too long on the bus and I needed to get back quick. We made it back to the room by the middle of the second half.
I watched the rest of the game slipping in and out of a coma. No alcohol during this game unless you consider a handful of Advil and a belly full of Nyquil alcohol. Between my wife yelling run you sob run and our cell phone ringing because my friend wanted to know if the bet he wanted me to make for him was going to pay off, I caught a couple more zzzzzs. Damn, those Panthers!!
After the game and my short naps I was feeling better again except my throat was hurting to top things off. It became so painful that I couldn’t swallow anything, not even water without feeling excruciating pain. We didn’t want to jump right up and take off this time so we chilled out in the room and watched Survivor All Stars.
After seeing Tina get booted out we decide to get ready and head back to the strip. After taking a shower and getting cleaned up we decided to head to The Riviera and try to get tickets to their comedy club. We took the bus using our passes that we got earlier in the day. Man, I really like those bus passes.
We got our comedy club tickets with a 2 for 1 coupon out of the ACG. Total cost of 2 tickets with coupon; $20. Our tickets were for the 10:30 show so we had about an hour to kill. How better to kill an hour than some bj. They had a couple of $10 tables that were full and a few $25 tables that I wasn’t going near. Oh well maybe after the show. So we decided to play some nickel slots that are close to the entrance of the comedy club.
We have always done okay on nickel slots at the Riviera. Brandy put $5 in a Reel em In machine and got a few good hits that panned out to $50 cash out. Not a bad turn around in about 10 minutes. I played about $10 and lost it.
This was our 4th time to go to the Comedy Show at The Riviera and we love it. Last years trip wasn’t all that good, but these guys were good. There are always three of them. The first one being the mc and the second one just getting you warmed up for the final guy. I can never remember their names but all three of these guys were absolutely hilarious. I highly recommend this place, especially if you got a coupon.
After we left the comedy show we decided to play some more slots. So far between the both of us we are up $35. (Brandy is up $45 and I am down $10) We played for about 2 hours. I kept checking in on the bj tables, but none that fit my budget. We decided to head back dt. We caught a bus dt from the bus station right out front of the Riviera. We got off at Freemont Street and low and behold if there wasn’t a Wal Greens right there at our stop. We ran in and stocked up on more Advil, Nyquil and cough drops.
We then headed to Four Queens. This place was absolutely packed and I then told myself that I wasn’t going to find a low limit table at all tonight because of the super bowl crowd.
We walked around dt a bit and did some people watching. Part of the FSE is blocked off because of the reconstructing of the lights or something. Its cold and windy so there are not a lot of people outside. Kind of weird looking. We went in and out of a few casinos and dropped some money in the slots but no craps or bj. Head back to the LVC and call it a night. Its 3:30 am. After we got to our room we did a soft count and we are about $70 up for the trip. Not bad when we haven’t sat down at a table yet. 4 am Lights out!

Day 2

Awoke around 10am. I try to wake Brandy up and I quickly realize the worst has happen. I can’t speak. My throat is so swollen I can’t speak or swallow. I try and drink some warm water. No help. It hurts too badly. Brandy said that she wants to get me to a doctor or to the hospital, but I fight her on this. That means I curl up in a ball with a blanket over me and shake my head no. No doctor!! I whisper to her that I will take a shower and feel much better when I get out. While I am in the shower I am amazed that we have a window in our shower. We have no clock, no coffee pot, but we have a window in our shower. That’s really classy. The shower didn’t help my throat or speech impediment. I can talk just above a whisper, but not without slobbering all over myself. (This came in handy when we get on the bus and there are no seats. Someone always quickly gives up there seat for a poor retard.) Brandy, being the caring and loving wife she is, insists that we try to find a doctor, but I told her that I would be okay. I was starving but thought that a hot cup of coffee would be best so we decided that If I wasn’t feeling better by this afternoon we would try to call the doctor. In the mean time we headed to the Upper Deck restaurant at LVC. This is kind of a cool place the waitresses aren’t anything to look at, but they wear cool baseball uniforms. I had ordered a plate full of food, but couldn’t eat it. I drank about 4 cups of coffee and that seemed to sooth my throat a bit, but I still couldn’t say a word. Brandy had bacon eggs hash browns and toast. She didn’t finish all of it, but said it was okay. We had a 2 for 1 entrée coupon from ACG so it was good for the price, esp. since I hardly touched mine.
We headed back to our room and grabbed our luggage and checked out of the LVC to check in at the Golden Nugget. The lady at LVC checkout tried to charge me the $1 a day for the safe, but I told her we didn’t use the safe, so she took it off. We were only talking about a buck here, but we are in Vegas and every dollar counts. Right Jimbo?
Okay, headed to the Nugget and check in was smooth. We got a room on the 12th floor in the South Tower. Right next to the elevators. As soon as we got in our room, Brandy called down to the spa to make us an appointment to get massages. I told her I wanted a female. Brandy laughed and said they don’t do it that way. I have never gotten a massage before, so I said what the hell do you mean they don’t do it that way. She told me not to worry about it, I will be okay. Now just to set the record straight, I am totally comfortable with my sexuality, but I don’t want a man rubbing his hands with lotions all over me. She made the reservation for 1:30 for me and 2:00 for her. I got Javier and she got Mary. Why couldn’t I have gotten Mary? Anyways we head down for the spa and it is really a cool place. It is located on the fourth floor of the North tower. You check in and pay or charge it to your room with the lady at the front. She gives you a slip of paper and told me to give it to the guy at the men’s spa and Brandy the same at women’s spa. This is where we of course split up. The guy took my paper and I followed him into this locker room. He showed me my locker and key and gave me a huge robe. Asked me to take a quick shower and Javier would be here in a minute to get me. (yippee, can’t wait) I took my very hot shower and went to wait for Javier. While waiting for him I enjoyed sitting in a big leather chair and watching espn. There was a huge bowl of fruit on the counter in front of me and a large fridge in the hallway that had all kinds of juices, bottled waters and sodas. Waited for about 5 minutes and Javier showed up. A slender man about 6’. He introduces himself and asks if there are any special parts he wants me to focus on. I laugh and just said my back would be okay. I of course had to explain to him my dilemma with my sickness because he couldn’t hear me. Oh great, as I enter the very small room with the table. I realize that I can’t scream for help. He tells me to take the robe off and hang it on the door and lay face down with the towel over me and he would be back in a minute.
After a short wait he returned with a special belt that had a bottle of lotion with a squirt top attached to it. He closed the door and began the massage. It was a 25 minute deep tissue massage. It took me about 10 or 15 minutes to relax enough to realize, hey this is nice. He started working on my shoulders and oh the pain and agony that was. I’m glad he couldn’t see my face. I didn’t want the guy knowing that I was grinding my teeth. He asked me if that was an ok level of pressure or if I needed more. I said it was ok. Truthfully the guy had me wanting to yell uncle in a matter of minutes. He put a hurt on me but good. After 25 minutes he said he was through and for me to take as long as I needed to get up. After he left I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. It took me a good ten minutes to stand up straight, but once I did and stretched it felt good. Now I know why my wife likes these things. Or I hope that why she like these things.
After getting my robe on and getting out of the room Javier was waiting out in the hall. I shake his hand and told him that I was going to be adding a tip to the bill. He thanked me and asked if I needed any thing to drink. I told him I was good and I headed off for another shower. After about a 20 minute hot shower I chilled out on the leather couch and watched sports center. After that I thought it was time for another hot shower. I was still feeling bad, but the showers sure felt good. After the last shower I shaved and brushed my teeth. They had a wide selection of hair products, aftershave lotions and colognes. Over all it was great experience. One that I am sure will become a Vegas Ritual. I headed back to the room and was surprised to see Brandy had not made it back yet. I climbed into bed and about 10 minutes later she arrived looking just as fine as ever. We decided to chill out in the room some more, for I was beginning to feel really bad again. We had 6pm reservations for Delmonico’s but decided it would be best to cancel it for I am not going to pay that much for a steak or even a bowl of soup that I am not going to be able to eat. I was afraid that this was going to disappoint Brandy, but it did not. I promised her that we would make it there on the next trip. Which may be sooner than we originally planned since this one is going so south on us. We chilled out some more because I was going to need all the energy I could muster to make it to the Wayne Newton show.
At about 6pm we decided we better get something to eat, so we walked across the street to the Plaza. We went up to the Center Stage restaurant. The place was completely dead. There were a few couples up near the window. We waited for the hostess to come up. She asked what time our reservation was and Brandy told her that we did not have one. She said the best she could do was 8:45. But the place is dead. Brandy asked her if a big party was due to arrive soon and she said no. I swear the entire place was about 25% full. The girl became very rude stating that was the best she could do. We just turned around and walked out. We vowed never to give them our business, but you never know we’ll probably be back in there before too long. The view really is nice. We decided just to get McDonalds for Brandy and I passed on trying to eat anything. I was in too much pain. We grabbed Brandy a burger and headed for the room.
While Brandy was eating I took another shower (4rth for the day) and got ready for the show. I chilled out while Brandy got ready. I could tell I was becoming very sick and needed to get to the doctor, but was trying to fight this one out. We decided to catch a cab for our trip to the Stardust. We arrived at the Stardust about 30 minutes before showtime.
I go over to the bar to get 2 complimentary drinks that came with the tickets while Brandy calls the kids that way they don’t call us during the show. After I got the drinks (2 screwdrivers both for Brandy. The alcohol made me sick whenever I tried to drink any) I went back over to where Brandy was talking to the kids on the cell and waited for her to get through. I was standing there with both drinks in my hand and out of the blue just kept leaning and leaning. Before I realized what was going on it was too late. I fell flat on my ass. Not a drop fell out of either glass, but everyone was just standing around looking at me and probably thinking what a drunk. And the truth was I haven’t had a drink all day and practically the whole trip. Brandy quickly helped me up and asked if I was okay. Sure, just my pride. I don’t know what the hell just happened but I was pouring in sweat. I told her we better get inside the showroom and sit down, so we did. Our seats were okay. We were on the far left of the stage and three rows back. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Luckily there was no one seated behind us because I kept getting up to stand up and move around for a bit. There was a real nice older couple in there late 70s or so that was seeing Wayne Newton for the first time as well. The last time they were in Vegas was in 1963. They had seen the original Rat Pack. What a blast. These folks were from Pennsylvania and were a real enjoyment to talk to.
Well, Wayne Newton came out at exactly 8:00. The show was a blast. I am really glad that I got these tickets because Brandy really seemed to have a good time. I hate to say it, but Wayne’s voice is toast. That is no reason not to go see the guy. He really puts on a great show and it is non stop. The band he has is wonderful and plays a very big part of his show. He has got one member that does impersonations and a really good one of Wayne Newton. Hilarious wonderful show. I highly recommend this show to anyone and everyone. At one point that I was standing up I noticed that a bunch of guys standing around the back, dressed in dark suites wearing earpieces. I walked up to one that was standing near me and asked if there was a restroom in the theatre and his answer was; “I don’t know I don’t work hereâ€. That was really strange and then I thought it would be funny if George W. walked out on stage. As it got closer to the end of the show, Wayne became very emotional and began talking a lot about our military and the sacrifices that they make every day to protect freedom around the World. I thought for sure this is where George was going to come out, but Wayne asked all war veterans to stand and they received a loud round of applause. After the veterans sat down, Wayne said that there was a very special guest with us tonight and went on and on how special of a friend this guest was and that he had known him for years. Finally, he introduced General Tommy Franks and his wife that were sitting in the audience. They both stood up and got a standing ovation that last for several minutes. Surprisingly there were no anti war members in the audience that wanted to make there presents known. I guess the men in black were his private security. Normally secret service wears a silver pendant on their lapel.
It was a really great time. I wouldn’t mind seeing him again when I feel a little better. The show ended so we headed outside to catch a cab, but decided to go across the street to the Walgreen’s to restock on Nyquil and get some Gatorade for me and some sodas and bottled water for Brandy. By the time we got back to the cabstand at the Stardust I had the chills and a fever again. This is really getting old by this point. We gout our cab to the Nugget and got the cabby from hell. This is one of those only in Vegas moments, so pay attention. This guy did not ask us one question the whole time. He began telling us that he just dropped off a couple working girls at some strip joint and then went on to tell us about what he does on his days off. When he gets off at 2 am and doesn’t have to be back at work until the following day he stays out until about 3 in the afternoon partying with all these working girls and there pimps. And goes on talking about how most pimps get bad raps and they are really nice guys then ends up telling us as we pull up to the Nugget how he has got an appointment with his cable guy at 8 am in the morning so he can’t party all night tonight. I said that sucks and got out of the cab. Only in Vegas….
We make it up to the room before I pass out again, so I guess that’s a good thing. I climb back in bed and cuddle up next to the remote. A nightly ritual that I have become accustomed to. I am running a fever of about a 103. I promised Brandy that we would call the doctor tomorrow if nothing changed. I drank my nightly dose of Nyquil and called it a night. 11:30pm Lights out!

 

Billy,

Sorry to hear you were basically sick the entire trip. The best advice I've got for you is to get well and get your butt back to Vegas. Isn't this like falling off a horse. You've got to get back on as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may never get back on that darn horse.

T-129

 

Billy-
Sorry about the bad beginning to your trip. I had a similar experience a couple times ago, not as bad as you though. I hate being in the best place and having a hard time enjoying it. Hope you are doing better.

 

Wow your only half way done with your trip report and I'm starting to feel a little nauseous myself. By the time you got Brandy the McDonalds hamburger I was wondering what our doctors phone number was.

Feel real bad for you. I know how it is to wait so long for a trip like Vegas and get sick to where you only wish you were back home.

Looking forward to part two of your trip with hope you got a little better to enjoy yourself. Sounds like you got yourself a little trooper of a wife to take care of you though. Mine would have been the same way. Taking care of me and insisting to go to a doctor. I'm sure there are some wifes who would of just gone out by themselves and had a good time figuring there wasn't much good they could do. You better hang on to her.

 

Billy, that is just awful! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story, though.

 

I'm so sorry to hear this, Billy. I, too, had been following your posts and know how ready you were for this trip. Lady luck was not on your side this time, but give her hell on your next trip! No one deserves a return trip more than you and Brandy.

 

Wow, no Superbowl party, sick and then not going to Delmonicos...

Sounds like you need to schedule a return trip as soon as possible.

Although it does sound like you tried to make the best of it though.

 

wow, im sorry billy. you def need to go back sooner than later!

ps. how much was your visit to the spa at the LVC?

 

tvon
We got a $10 off coupon at check in. My massage was $45 and Brandy's was $40. She got a diffrent type of massage than I did. And those prices include the pass to all their spa amenities. Its really a cool place to relax for a couple hours.

Brandy got an offer from The Tropicana today. We may go back in May for our anniversary. $25 per night.

 

I think March would provide a nice 'mulligan' trip...

Baz

 

uhm....... You Got a Massage from a DUDE!!!

hahahahahaaahaaa

Sorry bro, it needed sayin'.. hahahahahaa

 

tvon
I noticed that you asked about the price of the spa at LVC. The prices I quoted you were actually at the Golden Nugget. I don't think LVC has a spa. I just noticed, Sorry!