We went to Las Vegas, Nevada to cover the Play4Kay charity event atT-Mobile Arena and stayed at the New York, New York. As Travel commenced at the Airport in Louisville (Louisville International Airport); we began by getting our luggage checked and boarding passes.
I had one bag that I had intended as my carry on; it was too big and I had forgotten about the personal item option (which can be a backpack). So I removed the empty backpack from the bag I had and stuffed it full; leaving the additional bag less than half full. In addition, I ended up kicking it into the metal measuring unit they use for conforming your bags (honestly the damn thing is really small altogether; they use those standards to encourage you to spend more money just checking your bag in with them for under plane stowage. I don't trust that option much anymore).
So after kicking my bag to conform to their tiny standards and it being approved. I go through the security check (to liquids, gels and aerosol); good-bye coffee, heads have gel, body spray, toothpaste. Because I forgot about their requirement to only bring piss sample size bathroom utilities or risk a good latex-probing if you give them lip. I do love the TSA. Sometimes I feel like they purposely agitate people because they've developed a sick sense of humor and want to see someone go apeshit and get tased, tackled, and probed in a cold sterile room.
I also happen to lose my toothbrush on the way out of Vegas's Airport TSA because it was too sharp; and when I mentioned that the pen in my pocket was more likely to be a weapon, the Officer didn't really seem to mind the pen (has he not seen any prison movies? Pen's are like ShankMaster Gold).
Beyond my experiences in the Airports however, the trip itself was pretty decent minus the cramped space you get shuffled into for about 4-5 hours. I happen to meet a guy named Dave who sat right next to me on the plane; whom I then got to interview, while the gentleman on the end seat wanted nothing to do with me (I love you too, ya beatnik).
We had a good 20minute discussion about Dave being a traveling rep for a company and not having been home in about 3 months; so he was eager to get back and spend the Winter Season with his wife in Vegas. My short adventure, however was only beginning.
On the way back we stopped at a Strip-Mall Casino, looked about the shops, the local fashion and a couple eateries. Way to Expensive for young budgeted travelers. Even the propositioning from local Tier-One talent was out of range (not that it was relevant; but it's interesting to check the local prices of comfort foods). I did however play a Penny-Slot for the novelty of the Casino Experience; it was short lived having only invested a dollar- to see how the machine worked. Comical Disappointment ensued and I learned how quickly you can lose money in a Vegas Casino (slot-machine).
I returned to the hotel to finish shave #15 shortly after.
The following day I got up early to mozy around the area about the hotel vicinity; there's a lot to see in Vegas for a first timer who had no plans. I suppose that's where Lego Man comes into play, the Brewhaus experience I just cut out entirely, random tourists activities - though I added in the ice skating rink outside the T-Mobile Arena.
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The last night in Vegas was pretty decent; I lost a little bit more at the Casino - no biggie.
The idea is not to take any more with you than you are prepared to lose; I had more beer with me than cash in my pocket.
So because I enjoy interacting with strangers and don't mind helping folks with general stuff; I was donated a box of beer by someone who had a truckload of it for a larger party. Funny thing was that I was leaving Vegas early the next morning and I wasn't in a huge party mood myself.
I took the beer down to the casino and tried to give it away; most people thought it was a scam...Imagine That...
Though I did perch myself in a spot and handed it out to a few people (still reluctant because people aren't used to charity; especially in a place designed to shake you of all those loose wages you bust your ass for). But I had pretty solid conversations with all sorts of people; I wasn't allowed to have my camera out in the Casino though - Policy. I tried a couple times and upon threats of being kicked out (of the very hotel I was staying at; I made my decision to stay in the warm, sleazy, drunkin, gamblin atmosphere), thus I put my camera away.
We left early the next morning, I can't remember much specifically. Just losing my toothbrush, giving away a bunch of gatorades and just being ready to GTFO of Vegas.
I returned home just in time to go to a Christmas Eve party with the family.
It's always interesting to see how people have changed over the course of our annual meetings; the only way I'm normally able to keep up with people is to showcase my life in progress. Otherwise I might miss out on some form of face-to-face.
Again, just enjoying the family without too much video recording; it was fun as a kid because it wasn't what I did on a general basis for a living - home video ideology changes as you grow up. Especially if you work with technology everyday for a living.
I got to visit my Grandpa and gauge his reaction to my baldness; he was giddy about it because he always though he would be the first, and he's 93 with just a thinning hairline.
We celebrated the oncoming 2017 at our friends place; the Holidays have become so booze filled and I'm not the hardy-partier I once was. I've found myself susceptible to heartburn when I drink rums and whiskeys lately; really not a fun experience if you've never had heartburn. Drink water/milk to eliminate this issue.
So, without giving away too much else; watch the video.
