We're Goin' to Vegas, Baby!.....

The hardest part about writing this blog is deciding what to write about. Sometimes something happens in the news that I feel like commenting on. Sometimes I do something interesting that week. Or sometimes it's just seasonal, like Christmas songs. But usually I'm clueless until I start writing. So here's the story about how this happened this week.

Grab a cup of coffee.

It started as a regular Saturday evening. Our son Kenny was playing at a restaurant, keeping patrons entertained. I was enjoying fried calamari and beer. Earlier in the day, I had been talking with my wife about her birthday coming up later this month. (It's a big one that ends in a zero.) We had a great time traveling last year, and I suggested we look into a quick trip. The discount airlines in town now make it quite affordable. I plugged in one location after another reaching no real conclusion. Although Las Vegas seemed to be interesting.

I have been intrigued by Las Vegas ever since I saw Ocean's Eleven. (The original one with Frank Sinatra, not the the remake with George Clooney.) It seemed like a cool place for cool people. On the surface, it's about as fake as fake can be. Fake statues, fake Elvis's, even fake boobs. But I guess it's sorta like a train wreck. You gotta' look.

They say the drinks are free in the casino.

The gambling? I've never done much of it. But you have to try, don't you? I know my wife doesn't have the patience for it. After an initial visit to our local casino here in town, she was disgusted after 2 empty pulls of the slot machine. "I work too hard for my money", she would say. I can see her point. But as the slogan from the lottery goes, you can't win if you don't play.

Back to the restaurant. Later in the evening it was great to see our good buddies Mike and his wife Anne stop in. I've been buddy's with Mike since high school. I've known him longer than I've known my wife. I think Richard Nixon was President. Well, you get the idea.

"So did you make any New Years resolutions? " Mike asked. "Not really," I replied. I told him I thought last year was pretty good. I got a bike and rode a lot. We also had a great time with the traveling we did.

"Then you should travel more," he said. I told him we had been looking into a trip like Las Vegas. Then everything changed. "Vegas! I love Vegas. We'll go with you!" he said. Mike was serious. He has been to Vegas over a dozen times. Mostly for work. To say it would be valuable to have him with us would be an understatement. But more than that. It would be an absolute blast!

JLo - You probably always wanted to meet me.

Immediately, I tried to use the restaurant WiFi to connect with an airline or travel site. But my janky phone just locked up. But I don't think money will be a big issue. Vegas trips seem reasonable. They count on you leaving money there in other ways. Time is the real issue. Everybody has commitments. (But I don't have anything I couldn't get out of for a few days).

I can't wait to see the sights. The old Vegas of Sinatra is long gone. But seeing Jennifer Lopez would be a good consolation prize.

KLove, Lebron, - Hanging with Rich

Maybe I could re-enact the famous poolside meeting between Lebron and Kevin Love from last summer.!

So will it actually happen? Magic 8-Ball sez - Maybe Yes.