The Dreaded Return (2 of 3)

Ok, so last post left off with me and a fresh set of jeans after I lost the back of my drawers at the security checkpoint. We boarded the plane and hoped, beyond hope, that it wasn’t full. No dice. Fully booked. But, it was only a short flight to Vegas, (3+ hours isn’t too bad after an 8 hour marathon trip).

We landed and headed on to the baggage claim terminal. I grabbed my luggage pretty quickly, then Marge, then Shannon….but Matt had yet to find his. So after 20 minutes of waiting, and checking various bags which looked like his, we were about to head to the lost baggage area when Matt looks at one of the bags that had been there since we arrived.

Viola

It’s his.

He forgot it was “two tone” and not straight black like he thought it was….oops. So off to the car rental center where Marge and Shannon had rented a vehicle for the week plus they would be there. The reservation was confirmed and we headed over to the garage to pick the car up. That’s when it happened. Shannon tried looking for a deal. Now understand, they had gotten the “Compact” size. After finding a decent vehicle, we watched as Shannon started perusing the other vehicle lines asking the attendant if these were available, or these…without luck. Marge was about to pull her hair out. Matt and myself were just laughing at it all.

So FINALLY, we pile in the Nissan Versa, (yeah, tiny), and head on to the strip. On the way there, we stopped at a convenience store for some energy drinks, a small water for Marge, and a lighter for SD. We walked out with the energy drinks, a Monster Chai Hai (see below image), a HUGE water for Marge, and no lighter….which we had to wait an additional 5 minutes for Shannon to run back inside to get. Again…Matt and I were laughing as Marge was cussing Shannon out under her breath.

BTW, I had no idea that Monster Energy Drinks had released this, but if you like spiced chai, you’ll probably like this. I was skeptical, but it really is good. (not getting paid for this pitch either)



So…Marge and Shannon drop us off at the Bellagio, where our room for the next 4 days is waiting for us. They scoot off to Fatboy’s place a few miles off the strip, (pictures later on). Now, before I get into the hotel room, or anything else, let me tell you….it’s been 10 years since I’ve been to Vegas. Last time I was here, you could tell where one casino ended and the next one began. Yeah, not so much anymore. It’s one big conglomeration of neon, reflective glass, concrete, water fountains of various degrees, and valet jockeys (attendants) running around.

So, this is what we walk into when we get dropped off.

The valet port



The front lobby



Pretty impressive. The lines weren’t too long, so we went ahead and checked in. Only took about 5 minutes. I don’t think they were ready for us, because the suite they were going to put us in wasn’t cleaned yet. (WTF?) But, they did find one ready to go. We get up there to the 19th floor via VIP elevator, (which really wasn’t too VIP. It was in the same damned area as the other elevators. You needed a key to get the thing going was the thing) But it was worth the hassle….

View from the room



Bathroom #1 (the steam shower)



Bathroom #2 (the Jaccuzzi)



So we get settled a bit. And I’m curious to see the poker room, and Bobby’s room in particular where the Big Game is played. So I head on down, and check in at the counter…and there’s open seating at the 2-5 limit tables. Ehh, what the hell. So I get a seat and buy in for $400. About 5 hours later, Matt shoots me a text that his stomach is about ready to eat itself, and Shannon and Marge are on their way to hit the Mirage Buffett. So I get up and cash in for $1125…woohoo. Already winner…I was up a little more than that, but just started going card dead at the end, so it was a good thing that it was time to eat.

So off to the Mirage Buffet!
….which had just closed when we got there.
WTF *sigh*

So, we wandered back towards the entrance and ended up eating at the California Pizza. Not too bad at all, even if it wasn’t real East Coast Pizza. Finished there and decided that with all the traveling, ripped shorts, and closed buffet’s, it was time to call it a day. We headed back to the room, and Shannon and Marge headed back to the Fatboy Compound. (Hereforto referred to as “the compound”)

The next morning, this is what I wake up to….



That’s right, we’re in Vegas….ahhh. So what do I do? Head down to play poker again, before Matt wakes up…and break even after about 3 hours of play. Before I had left, I went and left a $20 for the turndown service, and called for fresh towels and sheets, as well as an extra set.

So, Matt comes down and we decide to hit up the Bellagio Buffet and see what it has to offer. We get in the long line and are waiting...when an employee comes asking for groups of 2 or smaller...we raise our hands. And are promptly taken out of line and given a table.

OH YEAH. Feed. Me. Seymore.

So we get to the serious business of buffet eating. Lamb, roast beef, all kinds of goodness went on the plate. But then...

My world stopped....because I spied the dessert table. And it was good.

So, began the serious business of desserts. Pictures say it better than I....



I wanted to go back for seconds, but knew better. There would be another time. Yes...we would meet again.

After gorging ourselves on the buffet, we decided to venture out and see what was available.

Yeah...we weren't feeling it. So back to the room.

I decided to try the Steam Shower. Now, I know that the desserts downstairs were great and all, but this steam shower sh** is just insane. I want one. I will have one. It's going to happen. And whoever thought to put a jacuzzi in the bathroom right next to it...PURE GENIUS.

So after all was said and done, I felt nice and refreshed, and promptly passed the hell out until Shannon and Marge called for dinner. We were going to....drum roll please....

Bellagio Buffet!

Hahahahahaha....I have you now, dessert bar. (even though I was still full, I did however manage to get regular food down as well...the lamb was great!)

Take 2 on dessert...



So...we fill up. And then it's time to head out to a club, but Marge isn't feeling so hot, so she goes up to the room and crashes. That leaves me, Shannon and Matt. And the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio...oh boy.

Off to the cab stand...and Shannon is convinced that they have the tickets to the clubs. Little does he know that the law has changed and they are now no longer allowed to give those tickets away. But that's ok...

About that cab ride...

So our driver, he was of the, well, older, original Woodstock era type people. Kind of quiet at first. But, Shannon was sitting up front...and he was on a roll. The conversation went somewhere along these lines....

Shannon: We're here from out of town and I was wondering if you could score us some tickets to the Voodoo Lounge?

Cabbie: No, I'm sorry, don't have em...any passes I do have are in there though.

(points to the glove box)

Shannon: These are all stripper flyers...what are we going to do with these?

Cabbie: That's what I have...so where you from?

Shannon: Oh I'm a pastry chef working in Zimbabwe who flew in for a conference at the Wynn and met my friends here from the southeast. (Shannon is a professional pool player and tournament promoter)

Cabbie: Oh that's cool, I've been to Mali and Zambia a couple of times. It's real cool over there.

Shannon: I guess so if you can deal with all the infestationism' there....

Cabbie: Yeah that's pretty bad.

(lull in conversation for about 30 seconds)

Shannon: You know where I can get some *insert illegal substance here*

Cabbie: Oh I don't know about that...

Shannon: Well what about some pot? You look like you smoke some good ganja...

Cabbie: Yeah I do on occasion...

Shannon: Makes you do crazy things...good pot, huh? Like *insert vulgar act of depravity here*

Cabbie: Oh no! Not that, but I did screw a seagull once...

Shannon: A seagull! How the hell did that happen?

Cabbie: I was up on some real strong sh** and was horny. It was there and I gave it what for. When it started flapping it's wings I went cross eyed though...

At this point in the conversation, we had reached our destination and Matt and myself exited rather expeditiously, both laughing hysterically.

Shannon catches up with us and we go upstairs to the VooDoo Lounge...

If you didn't know, it's on the roof of the Rio. The views are pretty spectacular.



So, after a few of these



and some dancing, it was time to head on back. We were all a bit schnockered, so it was straight to bed after SD and Marge headed out.

And the next morning was a firm reminder on why I only drink like that maybe once a year. Thank god for the steam shower. 30 minutes in there, and I felt right as rain, with only a lingering headache.

So that day I was, (originally), to have lunch with Sunny and Mark Griffin of CSI (Cue Sports International). However it got pushed into a dinner arrangement...and we decided to go to the Aria City Center for their dinner buffet. On the menu, for $38 was 1lb. lobster, and all you can eat crab legs.

MMMMM....Lobster....

I have to say that their buffet was at least as good as the Bellagio. Of course, the desserts were a highlight...



What can I say, I've got a sweet tooth...

But it was an absolute pleasure to meet Mark and Sunny. They are both extremely passionate about the pool and billiards world, and just plain good people. It's people like them which make me happy to be involved in pool, and I look forward to the next time our paths cross, hopefully, sooner than later.

I'll cut this short here. In the final part, I'll go over the last day in Vegas at the Compound, an odyssey getting to CT, a nice time back home with family and some monster crustaceans...