Quick weekend in Vegas (May 1 - 4)

Saturday, May 1, 2004
Got up at 4:30 am and left the house at 5:00 am. Had a 7:00 am non-stop flight from Newark airport on Continental. Since we were just there for a few days, we did not check luggage and security was a breeze. We got into Vegas at 9:30 am and were at the hotel by 10:00 am. Harrah’s has really been irritating me quite a bit lately. Because I live near Atlantic City and gamble at the Harrah’s there, I am a Diamond level player, not that it matters at Harrah’s LV because it is virtually impossible to get an upgrade to a decent room there. (I almost always get either an upgrade or a very nicely appointed room in the tower in Harrah’s AC) I’ve been trying for years in Las Vegas and it only happened once and only because of a letter written to Tom Jenkins, the President. The only reason I stay there is when it’s free and I don’t have a free room elsewhere. Anyway, the room was just as loud and crappy as usual but as I said, it was free and I don’t get too free rooms offers for the weekend so it served it purpose. It was clean and the shower worked. They said it was an upgrade to a premium room but when I asked what the difference between a regular room and a premium room, they told me that a premium room contained a coffee maker. Big deal! We dropped our stuff off, went down to gamble a bit and grabbed a bite to eat at their buffet, which I actually do like. After that, we went to the Diamond lounge and have several really good cocktails. We went back up to the room around 6:00 pm and decided that we wanted to take a nap. We figured a power nap would be a good thing. We woke up after midnight! I was starving by that point and I really didn’t want to go to a restaurant and I didn’t feel like waiting for room service so I jumped into the shower and ran over to the Subway at Casino Royale. We ate in the room and then went downstairs and gambled until about 4:00 am. Didn’t have much luck but did have a lot of fun.

Sunday, May 2, 2004
Had breakfast in the café, which was really quite crowded. After that, we went up to the room to pack and we moved over to the Venetian. The Venetian gave me two or three free nights but they could only be used on week days so we spent the rest of the time there. They were also nice enough to give me $50 in slot credits and $25 in food credits. We wanted to lay out by the pool but we needed some sunscreen and a few other things so we walked to the Walgreens down by the Stardust. I didn’t realize just how far away that was. We used the ATM there, since the fee was only $1.50. I tried to get $500 out (which was my daily limit) but it kept telling me to ask for a lower denomination. I got it down to $300 and it worked. I thought it was me but other people were having the same problem. After that, we walked back to the Venetian and went down to the pool. We decided to order some drinks. I got a small mai tai for $10, my better half got a Corona for $6 and I got a bottle of water for $5. Add in the tip and it was $25 for a round of drinks! The waitress forgot my water but made me pay for the drinks. She said she would come right back and didn’t. Half hour later, I was chasing her around and she kept promising she’d get it. Finally, about 1 ½ hours after I initially ordered, I went to the bar area to get it. She was in there and was just about ready to leave again, without my water. She then told the bartender it was ok to give me a bottle of water. I paid $5 for a bottle of Evian yet they tried to give me some crappy generic water. I tried to cancel it but they already processed the charge and I was really ticked off. The bill said Evian and therefore they should have been serving Evian. I finally walked away with a lemonade in lieu of the water but I was still pretty pissed off about it. Every time the waitress walked by I had a sudden urge to accidentally trip her. After the pool, we took a nap, showered and went out gambling. We saw the Improv Comedy Show at Harrah’s. The Diamond card allows you to get up to four show tickets per year at 75% off (they used to give you free tickets) The first comedian was good but the second was rather boring. As soon as the show was over we ran out of there. We wandered around, drinking and gambling. I had a bit of luck that night playing double down stud/double bonus poker. I hit four deuces for $500 and four tens for $250. We finished that night just a few hundred shy from what we started with.

Monday, May 3, 2004
We had chocolate croissants for breakfast in the food court area of the Venetian and gambled. After that, we walked over to Harrah’s and took the shuttle over to the Rio. I had a coupon for two free tickets to see the Scintas. We played a little here and left up a few hundred dollars, which covered our losses for the morning. We decided to east lunch at the newly renovated Carnival World Buffet. It was good but aside from the gelato they added to the dessert menu, I really didn’t see a huge difference in the food. At least the colors in the dining area were toned down a bit. I hate it when the furniture screams at you. After that, we took the shuttle back the Harrah’s and walked back to the Venetian. We went out by the pool and spend the afternoon napping. When it came time for the show, we just didn’t feel like going so we basically wasted the tickets. Instead, we gambled, lost what we won but we didn’t have to hit an ATM again, which was a good thing. It was our last night in Vegas and we wanted to spend it drinking and gambling. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Venetian’s food court because we ate a big lunch and really didn’t want another big meal. We went to bed around 11:00 pm.

Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Woke up at 5:00 am, showered, dressed and caught a cab to the airport for a 7:00 am flight back home. I used the kiosk only to find that the airline had moved out seats. We were in row 8 and they moved us to the back of the plane. I am claustrophobic and had a fit. I argued with about five people until finally one of the gals at the gate was able to get us as close as row 12. It was acceptable but I was really mad at Continental and I gave them a piece of my mind up and until they closed the cabin doors. I spent the entire time at the airport arguing with everyone and didn’t get to stop at Burger King for breakfast like we usually do. They served nasty ground up bbq turkey sandwiches so I picked at the bread to hold me off until we got home. I really wish they would give an option to buy a real meal onboard instead of eating what often appears to be dog food on a bun. We got in a little early. Parking in the monorail lot at Newark Airport has increased to $20 per day and I think a lot of people are opting for car service and other alternatives so we had a great spot right near the monorail station. We got home. I ordered pizza and salad and that was it.

Our next trip will be a family trip and will include our friends and neighbors in July. We will be renting a minivan to accommodate all of us and we will be looking at property. I’d like to move there in about five years but in the meantime, I’d like to buy something and rent it out. I can't take much more of the cold weather, the traffic and the taxes in NJ. Life is too short to be miserable and I NEED to get out of here.

 

Whew...

Sounds like your slot-pushing finger might have got a cramp in it...

No dice this time???

Mikey

 

No Mikey, I'm waiting to throw dice with you!