Why We All Love Vegas -- A Reminder

Sometimes, when it's been too long since the last Gathering of Buffoons, or there's just too much time until the next one, it's easy to forget why Vegas is so much fun for people with our particular affliction.

Everyday life gets in the way, chores need to be done, people and other priorities are vying for our attention, yet sometimes in a moment of quiet introspection, we get a little reminder of what draws us like moths to this big neon flame out in the desert. Maybe it's a certain scent, or a background song, or even a colleague's offhand remark that takes you away from the present and transports you back to our favorite city. Not everyone in your daily life understands where you go in those momentary lapses during the day. But we do. We all do the same thing from time to time.

I feel very blessed to be living here. Not only have I made so many good friends that I never go more than a couple of weeks without a visitor, but I can stand out on my back balcony and drink in the gorgeous view of the entire Strip lit up like a million diamonds against the black velvet sky. That alone is worth all the ups and downs that come with being a resident of a place like this. It's just beautiful.

Sometimes I am guilty of taking Life in Vegas for granted--it's here every day, it's home, traffic sucks, and I can't walk around out in public without somebody trying to bum money off of me at least once a day. More often than not, the Strip seems to be an obstacle instead of a destination. And I don't like feeling that way about a place that has provided so many great memories and experiences.

But I still love it here, and I can have that moment of quiet introspection every night if I choose to, where I can raise a glass of the good stuff towards the not-so-distant Strip and recall all of the great times I've had in this wonderful city.

I had one of those moments tonight. Not only did I take some time away from my normal activities to just chill out and enjoy the scenery, but I spent several hours reading old trip reports and looking at old pictures. And then I remembered--I never wrote a trip report from the latest March Madness. Once I got back home and unpacked, it was back to business as usual and my inherent laziness took over. Nobody complained, and actually, talking to a handful of the Usual Suspects, not too many of them felt like taking the time to write it all down, either. I don't know why that case of laziness was so contagious--maybe it was too much of a good thing and we all needed to decompress a bit. And then it was too late--the moment was gone.

But we all need our Vegas moments to help us get through the dead space between trips. So without trying to sound like too much of a dirty old man selling little blue pills, I'm gonna try and rekindle that old Vegas passion that seems to be missing, at least to me, using some never-before-seen photos.



This Is Why We Love Vegas:


Because our friends show up to meet as at the airport--with drinks in hand!




And sometimes those friends do silly things, like say, breaking the luggage carousel.




At some point in the past five years, it was decided that tequila was the social lubricant of choice, and it's been downhill ever since.




I think the tequila rule came about as a happy side effect of the other March Madness tradition, a [strike]limo[/strike] party bus ride. Five years ago, it was a dogpile on T in the back of Jim's caddy. For MMV, he got the same treatment, but with chicks this time.




Luckily, we have Mama Angy providing the voice of reason and stability, making sure everyone has a good time and nobody drinks too much or gets out of hand.




But even Dougie knows--You can't put the tequila genie back in the bottle.




One of the best things about this crew is that there is so much Vegas experience among the veterans that they make it easy for the newbies to find their way around. Like, for instance, how to get to a certain penthouse suite.




I think we can all agree that another one of the great things about Vegas is that even when no self-respecting restaurant in town will allow you to dine amongst their regular, well-behaved, guests, room service will still bring your drunk ass a sandwich...




...Even if you don't appreciate it at the time.




And Vegas just wouldn't be Vegas without a well-stocked bar handy. Who says you need to be pissing away money down in the casino?




Another great thing about Las Vegas is the never-ending supply of Holy Shit! Did you just see that??!?!?!? moments.




There's no shortage of beautiful people in Vegas, either. Too bad Drea couldn't seem to find one before the picture was taken...




This may be the only picture in existence of Sticky with an empty glass. I'm just sayin'... She's kinda like the Canadian Ted Kennedy, except with better driving skills.




You know you're attending a great party when somebody laughs so hard they lose control of their bladder. In their defense, however, the punch line was pretty funny.




Another great thing about being in Vegas is that you can do things that you normally wouldn't do at home. Doc, for instance, insists he would never adjust another man's package back home in Minnesota. But in Vegas, it's totally cool.




One thing that Vegas is known for is that you can always find something good to eat, 24 hours a day. Like this pancake, for instance, in the hallway at the Imperial Palace.




But one can't spend their entire trip on fine dining or binge drinking. A friendly poker game is always a good diversion.




Besides, you never know when the Unabomber, Phil Laak, will make an appearance.




Out of the four people in this picture, you'd think Angy would be the one getting groped. You'd be wrong, however. Not that there's anything wrong with that, Ron...




Not all sharks live in the ocean, not all fish live in the sea...




But the best thing about being in Vegas is being in Vegas with a bunch of people who share your same affliction, and know what it's like to come here a couple times a year and forget about life for awhile.



Hope you all get back here soon.

Mikey

 

Mikey - thanks for the TR in pictures. Hope all the MM folks enjoy the stroll down memory lane. Is that guy eating a sammich?

later, GVJ

 

That. Is. Awesome!

Other than the hangover I acquired just looking at those, that is....

 

Mikey,
Great pics, thanks for posting. Many of us really enjoy the TR's or photos of the exploits of your crew. Kinda gets us through till out next trip.....which is next month, finally!

 

Thanks Mikey, eventhough I never been able to make one of these incredible parties I can still live through others trip reports and the pictures.

 

pics

Very Cool Mikey. Thanks.

 

Well done Mikey. I have no countdown timer.

 

You brought back some great memories Mikey...awesome TR!!!

 

haha - excellent...


has to be said that the bar shot was excellent.

seeing it live was even better.

not sure exactly where Patti getting getting the Captain from but it was never in short supply.


no pics of security breaking up the party???



I may have to return for the next one...

 

Thanks Mikey
That is exactly the medicine I needed today.
Awesome friends
Awesome memories
= PRICELESS MOMENTS

 

Well done Living here, you do get wrapped up in the day-to-day grind, but I love those moments that grab my attention and allow me to soak up the neon. It causes the warm fuzzy feeling just like when I used touch down at McCarran for regular visits.

 

Excellent pics Mikey.

I have to make it for one of these weekends to meet the crew in person. You guys definitely know how to do Vegas!

 

Good job Mikey!

 

nice photos!

 

That's just GREAT. Now my office chair looks like that picture of the couch.


Luckily, we have Mama Angy providing the voice of reason and stability, making sure everyone has a good time and nobody drinks too much or gets out of hand.

Brotha PLEASE!!


dammit... what's the countdown?

 

Very Nice Mikey! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

In the words of Mayor Quimby: "You got nuthin, that could be anyone's package."

Seriously, I'm about this > < close to doing the couch number (or as vegasbound put it, the "warm fuzzy") myself after reading/viewing that.

Holy crap. All I need now is an ATV. oh yeah...

 

I never second guess a trip, especially with awesome friends. I maybe had forgotten how much fun that really was. God job, Mikey. And good times. Thanks for pulling them out of the recesses of my mind.

 

Great times! Thanks for bringing them back Mikey!

 

Nice Mikey! And with PaM on near Horizon, I can't help but think how blessed I am to have found this place. What an awesome bunch of people!

Dude, 13+ days!