Reporting from Las Vegas

[kristoff]

I find it a bit disconcerting that, because I couldn't check in on the EA last night, I was feeling deprived and jonesing for my fix - minus the political shit.

On the other hand, I have mixed feelings about being in Las Vegas. Damn, it has been 20 years since I've been here, and things have changed drastically. I'm lost - can't hold cabbies responsible for taking the long way around, since I don't know. I know one ripped me off this AM, compared to half the price for the return trip from an honest driver. And, boy, are they expensive. And one city block is still a friggin mile.The hotel even charges $12 for 24 hours of internet access. With plane fare, hotel, meals, cabs, etc., this trip is getting expensive. Only 3 more days to go.

OTOH, the trade show is huge - had to hold it in 2 locations - convention center, and the Sands Expo Center - and I walked every bit of it today. Almost 90% of the Sands was jewelry (seldom see that much crap in one location). So much, that my leg was killing me so bad, I went to CVS and bought another cane. Took a pain pill. Left my usual walking cane at home, because the airline refuses me an aisle seat with a cane - impedes egress.... I am NOT flying without an aisle seat - gotta be able to stretch my leg out.

I am finding a lot of good, saleable merchandise for hustling on ebay, etc. Some very good prices. OTOH, waiting until day 4 to make any purchases - that's when the wholesalers start to drop prices to get a deal. Tomorrow will be a mad house - limit it to 2 hours AM and 2 in the PM. Close inspections on day 3, making a list of wants, day 4 dealing....

I cringe at the amount of $$ I will likely spend and then not be able to sell (for the most part) until the Fall Xmas season.

Meantime, I am getting rid of 20 years worth of leather working tools - anyone interested? Current value up to about $5,000 - negotiable. Selling a lot of construction tools and equipment, too. Damn, this isn't Ebay.

Oh well, time for another drink...

K

[Dave (imported)]

I remember Las Vegas and conventions, that's where I learned to play craps and lose money, what a top-secret photocopier looks like, and how to make letter bombs. Gee, my top three reasons for visiting any town (sarcasm alert)...

Unless you go there, you may not realize that there are slot machines at the airports. Slot machines on the streets. When you check into a motel you have to walk through the casino and then you have to walk through the casino to get to your room. There is no way to not see gambling in Vegas.

Even when you go to the restaurants in a casino, the wait-staff asks for Keno slips before your order.

If you are standing at any table there are circulating waitresses who bring you drinks. Alcohol costs but tea, soda, milk, etc... were once free.

I was rolling dice and the guy next to me had an employee manage his bets when he went to relieve himself. His instructions were amazingly specific and the employee followed them to the letter.

Take lots of money and expect to lose it...

The payoff on the quarter slots gets bigger if you bet 5 quarters at one time. Think about it.

As for privacy - - too bad -- the cameras see all, all the time, 24/7 -- you are never out of sight --

if you cash a check, every casino in Vegas knows so you can't drain an account. They aren't stupid, just greedy.

Otherwise-- it's a fun place!

[kristoff]

I remember Las Vegas and conventions, that's where I learned to play craps and lose money, what a top-secret photocopier looks like, and how to make letter bombs. Gee, my top three reasons for visiting any town (sarcasm alert)... Unless you go there, you may not realize that there are slot machines at the airports. Slot machines on the streets. When you check into a motel you have to walk through the casino and then you have to walk through the casino to get to your room. There is no way to not see gambling in Vegas. Even when you go to the restaurants in a casino, the wait-staff asks for Keno slips before your order. If you are standing at any table there are circulating waitresses who bring you drinks. Alcohol costs but tea, soda, milk, etc... were once free. I was rolling dice and the guy next to me had an employee manage his bets when he went to relieve himself. His instructions were amazingly specific and the employee followed them to the letter. Take lots of money and expect to lose it... The payoff on the quarter slots gets bigger if you bet 5 quarters at one time. Think about it. As for privacy - - too bad -- the cameras see all, all the time, 24/7 -- you are never out of sight -- if you cash a check, every casino in Vegas knows so you can't drain an account. They aren't stupid, just greedy. Otherwise-- it's a fun place!

Only thing I would differ with you on, Dave, is the booze. If you are actively gambling, the booze is free, the more the better. Just tip your waitron. Good thing I don't gamble.

[Dave (imported)]

The night I drank six double Black Russians in four hours and was stone cold sober was the day I quite drinking.

Las Vegas will do anything to keep you gambling because that's when they win.

And it's all spectacle and extravagance, easily enjoyable and fascinating, but everything is aimed a consumption.

So when you go, take lots of money and have fun coming home without your money.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

Oh my dear Gawd, poor Las Vegas has been invaded by a eunuch Red Nun - Can it possibly survive the trauma?

[kristoff]

Day 3. walked the AM around the sections of the convention center I was most interested in. Have my products picked, although the majority of what I intend to buy is not at this show. Nevertheless, it's deal day. Had enough of walking about noon. Went back to the hotel, had lunch and a cocktail, went to my room, and promptly fell asleep for 3 hours. Waiting for friend to come pick me up for dinner. Promises a dive grease joint. Mmmmm good.

[Sweetpickle (imported)]

I have really been impressed by the Las Vegas police, from what I've seen on TV.

They seem to be really well trained at handling drunk tourists and hookers.

[Dave (imported)]

I have really been impressed by the Las Vegas police, from what I've seen on TV.

They seem to be really well trained at handling drunk tourists and hookers.

hmmmm,

I know how to handle hookers

[kristoff]

hmmmm,

I know how to handle hookers

That is a wide opening for so many jokes, I won't even begin... Hard to tell what department is which. Sheriff, trooper, constable, and marshall, missing any? good thing I dont get drunk in public - I wouldnt know who was hauling me off to detox or jail.

[considering (imported)]

I spent my 21st birthday in Las Vegas, circa 1961. To arrive on jet plane was still an experience and the highest building on the strip was maybe six stories. All day by the pool you heard pit bosses being paged and at night, you had to work to spend fifty dollars on a great dinner and a show you could not see anywhere else. To quote Debbie Reynolds speaking of those times, "Nobody got shot who wasn't supposed to....". My favourite way to get there was on the Union Pacific Railroad that ran a train from Los Angeles that arrived around dusk. There may have been a return trip...It was yet to go through a really sleazy period and was then too distant for all but the wealthiest of patrons from any place other than California or Arizona. You didn't get "tourists" such as they are now. (And I must agree that based on television coverage, the Clark County Sheriff's patrol and Las Vegas Police do indeed handle drunks and tourists with tact and discretion.) The last time I was there was to do a piece for ABC and, somehow, ended up on a cherry picker watching them change light bulbs on the Fremont Street Experience. Would I go back now? Probably not. I'm too old to enjoy the canned fun and too wise not to know the fraudulent from the authentically amusing. I have friends who live there and have nothing to do with gambling or gamboling and they say it's a great place. If one likes the heat and can avoid "the Strip". What amazes me is that in 1961 it was hard for me to imagine gambling in public in any place other than Vegas and the French Riviera. Now I can drive a dozen or so miles to Mulvane, Kansas and find an all purpose casino or, a bit further, across the state line into Oklahoma to another casino on an Indian Reservation. That I can do that probably explains the almost palpable desperation in Las Vegas to be bigger, wilder, more over the top than any other place. It won't be long before I can probably drive a dozen miles to see naked girls or boys not to mention a floor show starring whoever is famous just then...