Thursday, May 31, 2007
my coffee...
when I have a good cup of coffee in the morning it just makes the day start much better... :)
Saturday, May 19, 2007
My Vegas Trip... 5/19/07 - Recap
5/19/07 - Recap
Jerry was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, yesterday. He said he had been there only about 10 minutes. Once home Aaron started to unpack. Turns out he didn't loose his camera, he had packed it in with his checked bag. I still haven't unpacked.
Here are some more photos:
Jerry was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, yesterday. He said he had been there only about 10 minutes. Once home Aaron started to unpack. Turns out he didn't loose his camera, he had packed it in with his checked bag. I still haven't unpacked.
Here are some more photos:
My Vegas Trip... 5/18/07 - Waiting at the Airport
5/18/07 - Waiting at the Airport
So yesterday we went to Fremont. It's called Fremont Experience. This is apparently the old Las Vegas strip? I didn't like it. It smelled horribly, the streets were dirty, and the people matched the area. We walked the area, went into a casino and several gift shops. The gift shop was actually neat. We stayed there only a couple of hours as I wanted to start packing my bag for today's flight.
We checked out, dropped the car off, and then got our boarding passes. An hour before our flight Aaron lost his boarding pass. Quick fix, they printed him a new one in no time. He almost left his mp3 player at the counter while getting the new boarding pass. One thing that is lost though is his camera. Sounds like he left it on the table at the Desert Paradise. I account to this the lack of sleep. So now 45 minutes before our flight, hope Jerry remembers to pick us up.
So yesterday we went to Fremont. It's called Fremont Experience. This is apparently the old Las Vegas strip? I didn't like it. It smelled horribly, the streets were dirty, and the people matched the area. We walked the area, went into a casino and several gift shops. The gift shop was actually neat. We stayed there only a couple of hours as I wanted to start packing my bag for today's flight.
We checked out, dropped the car off, and then got our boarding passes. An hour before our flight Aaron lost his boarding pass. Quick fix, they printed him a new one in no time. He almost left his mp3 player at the counter while getting the new boarding pass. One thing that is lost though is his camera. Sounds like he left it on the table at the Desert Paradise. I account to this the lack of sleep. So now 45 minutes before our flight, hope Jerry remembers to pick us up.
My Vegas Trip... 5/17/07 - Afternoon
5/17/07 - Afternoon
Yesterday was another awesome day! Since we were to see Celine at night, I wanted to go see the casinos around the Colosseum at Caesars Palace which is where the concert would be. We parked at the Flamingo and walked down to Casino Royale for their free $50 in slot plays.
So we did that then we went to The Venetian. Wow! This place is nice. Even their players cards are several steps above nicer than the other casinos. We played about $40 here and then had lunch at their food court. We grabbed lunch from Pizzeria de Enzo. It was yum-olicious! I didn't take a picture of this food court, however didn't feel like a food court. It was a great environment, comfy chairs, décor. Awesome!
We then took a stroll through the shops at the Venetian. There they have these human statues. Creepy with a capital C! They do have some real nice shops and gondola rides.
We then walked down going back to Flamingo as we needed to head back to change for the concert. We did a quick stop at Harrah's so I could sign up for their players card. They gave me a mousepad and a small cosmetic-like bag as gifts just for signing up.
After getting ready we headed to Caesar's Palace Colosseum. We took pictures at the entrance. The concert was awesome. I wish it would have been longer. There were some really hot guys and gals as her dancers/acrobats. Celine sang awesome and the dancers/acrobats were great. The dancers created a sort of abstract performance of her songs. Aaron got me a show program and he got a photo of us that they took when we were inside.
After the show we went to Lucky's Café at the Stratosphere. That's where Aaron had won a free dinner from earlier in the week. It was really busy the food was good, but we were pretty full from the appetizers so we doggy-bagged most of our dinner.
It was now past midnight. We stayed at the Stratosphere playing several hours, but I was ready to go to sleep at 2 am. So I left at around 2:30am. Aaron said he would stay out playing and then get a taxi back to Desert Paradise.
I woke up at around 7:30 showered and went to see if Aaron was still at the Stratosphere. He had left his cell phone behind so I couldn't just call him. He was not there, so I figured he grabbed a taxi and went somewhere else.
I purchased breakfast to bring back. Aaron got in just a bit after I had gotten back. He brought breakfast. So I ate what he brought and he ate what I brought. We watched Family Guy as we ate breakfast. He had met some neat friends and went to the gay district. From his recount sounds like it was tons of fun! He went to sleep after breakfast. I too was still tired so I too slept in longer!
Today is just an up in the air day as tomorrow we fly back. Our flight leaves at 12:30 pm. I still need to pack and I hope it's not delayed this time.
Yesterday was another awesome day! Since we were to see Celine at night, I wanted to go see the casinos around the Colosseum at Caesars Palace which is where the concert would be. We parked at the Flamingo and walked down to Casino Royale for their free $50 in slot plays.
So we did that then we went to The Venetian. Wow! This place is nice. Even their players cards are several steps above nicer than the other casinos. We played about $40 here and then had lunch at their food court. We grabbed lunch from Pizzeria de Enzo. It was yum-olicious! I didn't take a picture of this food court, however didn't feel like a food court. It was a great environment, comfy chairs, décor. Awesome!
We then took a stroll through the shops at the Venetian. There they have these human statues. Creepy with a capital C! They do have some real nice shops and gondola rides.
We then walked down going back to Flamingo as we needed to head back to change for the concert. We did a quick stop at Harrah's so I could sign up for their players card. They gave me a mousepad and a small cosmetic-like bag as gifts just for signing up.
After getting ready we headed to Caesar's Palace Colosseum. We took pictures at the entrance. The concert was awesome. I wish it would have been longer. There were some really hot guys and gals as her dancers/acrobats. Celine sang awesome and the dancers/acrobats were great. The dancers created a sort of abstract performance of her songs. Aaron got me a show program and he got a photo of us that they took when we were inside.
After the show we went to Lucky's Café at the Stratosphere. That's where Aaron had won a free dinner from earlier in the week. It was really busy the food was good, but we were pretty full from the appetizers so we doggy-bagged most of our dinner.
It was now past midnight. We stayed at the Stratosphere playing several hours, but I was ready to go to sleep at 2 am. So I left at around 2:30am. Aaron said he would stay out playing and then get a taxi back to Desert Paradise.
I woke up at around 7:30 showered and went to see if Aaron was still at the Stratosphere. He had left his cell phone behind so I couldn't just call him. He was not there, so I figured he grabbed a taxi and went somewhere else.
I purchased breakfast to bring back. Aaron got in just a bit after I had gotten back. He brought breakfast. So I ate what he brought and he ate what I brought. We watched Family Guy as we ate breakfast. He had met some neat friends and went to the gay district. From his recount sounds like it was tons of fun! He went to sleep after breakfast. I too was still tired so I too slept in longer!
Today is just an up in the air day as tomorrow we fly back. Our flight leaves at 12:30 pm. I still need to pack and I hope it's not delayed this time.
My Vegas Trip... 5/16/07 - Morning
5/16/07 - Morning
Yesterday was a great day!! After waking up and having showered and gotten dressed, we went to Walgreen's to pick up some eye drops for Aaron and some drinks (energy drinks, soda, coffee). We then came back to Desert Paradise to do an "update" to refresh on our Club Sunterra benefits and got a $100 Visa gift card. We'll be using that when we drop off the car.
After this, we headed to the Stratosphere. I wanted to sign up for a card like Aaron had done and then go eat at Lucky's Cafe as he had won a free meal for 2. It was closed. So I signed up for a rewards and then we started playing some slots. My goal was to get to at least 100 points to get a "Free" t-shirt. So we played a while at different machines. Once I had passed the 100 points I was ready to get my t-shirt.
First, however, we went to play a game where we had a guaranteed win. It was called The $50 for $20 Boutique. We would get $50 of play for $20 and like the dressed up girl said, "A guaranteed win!" So we played. We didn't win the cash prizes so we got a consolation prize, which is what they meant by guaranteed win, that we could choose from a store from one of their shops. We each got a set of sushi mats chopsticks and serving plates. The store was called Bijoux Terner, where everything is $10. So we basically used $20 to get a $10 item plus some fun slot time.
Then we went and got our "free" T-shirts for reaching 100 points. We stayed for the dr
awing for the give away called $30,000 Piñata Cash Giveaway, the one Aaron had won dinner for 2 at Lucky's and $50 in Promo Chips, as I had now entered in my tickets. I didn't win. So we then went to eat at the Stratosphere buffet called The Courtyard Buffet. Aaron had gotten enough points to get two buffet comps aside from his t-shirt. This place was actually nice. There was a little bit of everything, Mexican, Chinese, American, soups, salads, etc. Aaron ate quickly and went to play slots as I finished dinner by myself.
It was past 7pm now and I wanted to go to New York New York Hotel & Casino. Roseanne Barr was doing her comedy show and we wanted to go to it. It was called Roseanne Barr's All You Can Eat Comedy and started at 8pm. We got there just in time. We got tickets, went in the theatre and sat down. Her show was just a little over an hour long. I loved it. She has a great act that includes stripping, dancing and singing. Too bad she did not come out for pictures, but I did get an autographed photo of her that she had signed earlier and Aaron got a t-shirt.
I was ready to go to sleep after this, but we stayed about an hour longer playing at the machines. We then headed back to Desert Paradise. We made a stop at Walgreen's for bath salts, tums, and soda. Once at Paradise we re-heated the leftovers from Joyful House and watched Family Guy. A bath before bed and then to sleep. Today is the Celine Show. So excited!!!
Yesterday was a great day!! After waking up and having showered and gotten dressed, we went to Walgreen's to pick up some eye drops for Aaron and some drinks (energy drinks, soda, coffee). We then came back to Desert Paradise to do an "update" to refresh on our Club Sunterra benefits and got a $100 Visa gift card. We'll be using that when we drop off the car.After this, we headed to the Stratosphere. I wanted to sign up for a card like Aaron had done and then go eat at Lucky's Cafe as he had won a free meal for 2. It was closed. So I signed up for a rewards and then we started playing some slots. My goal was to get to at least 100 points to get a "Free" t-shirt. So we played a while at different machines. Once I had passed the 100 points I was ready to get my t-shirt.
First, however, we went to play a game where we had a guaranteed win. It was called The $50 for $20 Boutique. We would get $50 of play for $20 and like the dressed up girl said, "A guaranteed win!" So we played. We didn't win the cash prizes so we got a consolation prize, which is what they meant by guaranteed win, that we could choose from a store from one of their shops. We each got a set of sushi mats chopsticks and serving plates. The store was called Bijoux Terner, where everything is $10. So we basically used $20 to get a $10 item plus some fun slot time.Then we went and got our "free" T-shirts for reaching 100 points. We stayed for the dr
awing for the give away called $30,000 Piñata Cash Giveaway, the one Aaron had won dinner for 2 at Lucky's and $50 in Promo Chips, as I had now entered in my tickets. I didn't win. So we then went to eat at the Stratosphere buffet called The Courtyard Buffet. Aaron had gotten enough points to get two buffet comps aside from his t-shirt. This place was actually nice. There was a little bit of everything, Mexican, Chinese, American, soups, salads, etc. Aaron ate quickly and went to play slots as I finished dinner by myself.
It was past 7pm now and I wanted to go to New York New York Hotel & Casino. Roseanne Barr was doing her comedy show and we wanted to go to it. It was called Roseanne Barr's All You Can Eat Comedy and started at 8pm. We got there just in time. We got tickets, went in the theatre and sat down. Her show was just a little over an hour long. I loved it. She has a great act that includes stripping, dancing and singing. Too bad she did not come out for pictures, but I did get an autographed photo of her that she had signed earlier and Aaron got a t-shirt.I was ready to go to sleep after this, but we stayed about an hour longer playing at the machines. We then headed back to Desert Paradise. We made a stop at Walgreen's for bath salts, tums, and soda. Once at Paradise we re-heated the leftovers from Joyful House and watched Family Guy. A bath before bed and then to sleep. Today is the Celine Show. So excited!!!
My Vegas Trip... 5/15/07 - Morning
5/15/07 - Morning
On Monday afternoon, we went to the Stratosphere Casino. Aaron signed up for a rewards card and got several entries for a drawing they were doing later that day.
After that we wanted to eat, the free dinner place was closed and would reopen at 10pm, so I chose to drive down and see if we could catch the buffet at the Palms as I heard from Rachael Ray that it's good and inexpensive. We were cutting it close as their dinner ends at 9pm and it was almost 8pm now, but we could make it right?
So we were driving to it and saw a sign that said $6.99 buffet. wow that was even cheaper that the Palms would have been. So we turned into this buffet. It is actually from a casino called Palace Station Hotel & Casino. We would need to sign up for a rewards card to get the discounted dinner. So we did. I got $3 in free slot play for being a new rewards member. Aaron had actually been here last year. The counter lady said a-day-to-the-year ago and gave him a new card.
The dinner was what we paid for. Kind of like Hometown Buffet here in Phoenix. After dinner we headed home (Desert Paradise) for a night cap of Family Guy and to crash. Tomorrow is the Celine concert. Can't Wait!!
On Monday afternoon, we went to the Stratosphere Casino. Aaron signed up for a rewards card and got several entries for a drawing they were doing later that day.
Surprise, surprise, Aaron won. They were doing 6 drawings. the winners would choose an envelope for the prize. He won dinner for 2 and $50 in promo chips. That was nice.
Then we were going to walk down to Circus Circus. We stopped on a few shops to get some postcards, and then I decided we should walk back to the Stratosphere 'cause I still wanted to go to their shops. So we did. It was now almost 8pm. So we went through the shops.
After that we wanted to eat, the free dinner place was closed and would reopen at 10pm, so I chose to drive down and see if we could catch the buffet at the Palms as I heard from Rachael Ray that it's good and inexpensive. We were cutting it close as their dinner ends at 9pm and it was almost 8pm now, but we could make it right?
So we were driving to it and saw a sign that said $6.99 buffet. wow that was even cheaper that the Palms would have been. So we turned into this buffet. It is actually from a casino called Palace Station Hotel & Casino. We would need to sign up for a rewards card to get the discounted dinner. So we did. I got $3 in free slot play for being a new rewards member. Aaron had actually been here last year. The counter lady said a-day-to-the-year ago and gave him a new card.The dinner was what we paid for. Kind of like Hometown Buffet here in Phoenix. After dinner we headed home (Desert Paradise) for a night cap of Family Guy and to crash. Tomorrow is the Celine concert. Can't Wait!!
Friday, May 18, 2007
My Vegas Trip... 5/14/07 - Morning
This post and the posts that will follow with the title My Vegas Trip, were written during my visiting of Vegas...
5/14/07 - Morning
With boarding passes at hand Aaron and I waited patiently near our gate for our plane to arrive so we could depart to Vegas. Our Flight 1380 through Southwest was to leave Sunday, May 13 at 1:20 pm.
Then through the intercom the Southwest attendant lets us know that the plane that was to arrive to pick us up had some mechanical problem so our flight was delayed as we waited for a plane coming from Sacramento. Delay Time 2 hours.
This is the first time in my life that a flight of mine was delayed. Aaron said to me if we had reserved our flights with US Airways this would not have happened. So we sat, impatiently now waiting for the new plane. Aaron watched Family Guy on his portable DVD player and I played New Super Mario Bros. on my Nintento DS Lite.
The flight itself was fast. We took a shuttle to the rental car facility and picked up the car I had reserved. They actually didn't have the car type I had reserved, so the guy gave me a free class upgrade. I had originally chosen a compact car like a Dodge Neon, he gave us a Ford Fusion. -note to self: look at these next time I buy a new car.
Flight Delay. Free car-class upgrade. Still an ok day.
We drove to Desert Paradise Resort where we were staying. check-in was fast. The 1-bedroom we got is neat. It has a full-size washer and dryer, walk in closet with safe box, full kitchen stocked with plates, glasses silverware, etc., roman tub, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, maid service, private balcony, 2 pools, 1 spa, fitness center, concierge, a tv in the bedroom, a tv in the
living room with DVD player, and it's gated. I am really glad now that we joined Club Sunterra. So while Aaron took a nap, I took inventory of items stocked in the apartment.
With Aaron rested and I tired as hell we drove towards the strip. I wanted to go to the pyramid one, which now I know is called Luxor. The décor was fab, but slots everywhere. I guess I hadn't realized that it's all about gambling in Vegas. You see I don't gamble and I don't like cigarette/cigar smoke.
Apparently all the places are like that here in Vegas.
So we walked down through Excalibur, which I didn't like, and got as far as the New York New York Casino.It was now 10:30pm and I was extremely tired and hungry. My normal bedtime is 8pm and on occasions 9:30pm but that's pushing it. After the long delay in flight all I wanted to do is eat and sleep. Aaron played a little at New York New York, so I went and got Krispy Kreme to have for the next day with coffee.
After this, we walked back to where we parked and drove down the whole strip and headed to the resort. We were driving down throw Chinatown and saw a Chinese place still open, so we stopped, ordered, ate, bagged our leftovers and drove back to Desert Paradise.
So as I sit here on Monday, May 14 writing this, I am drinking coffee and eating Krispy Kremes. One nice surprise of yesterday was that the Chinese place we stopped at was named Joyful House Chinese Cuisine, which was on my list of places I wanted to go. It was awesome to go to Joyful without even looking for it. So Joyful House is crossed off the list and whether I get to go to other places on my list or not it doesn't matter as all I wanted was to go to at least one of them and that's done.
5/14/07 - Morning
With boarding passes at hand Aaron and I waited patiently near our gate for our plane to arrive so we could depart to Vegas. Our Flight 1380 through Southwest was to leave Sunday, May 13 at 1:20 pm.
Then through the intercom the Southwest attendant lets us know that the plane that was to arrive to pick us up had some mechanical problem so our flight was delayed as we waited for a plane coming from Sacramento. Delay Time 2 hours.
This is the first time in my life that a flight of mine was delayed. Aaron said to me if we had reserved our flights with US Airways this would not have happened. So we sat, impatiently now waiting for the new plane. Aaron watched Family Guy on his portable DVD player and I played New Super Mario Bros. on my Nintento DS Lite.
The flight itself was fast. We took a shuttle to the rental car facility and picked up the car I had reserved. They actually didn't have the car type I had reserved, so the guy gave me a free class upgrade. I had originally chosen a compact car like a Dodge Neon, he gave us a Ford Fusion. -note to self: look at these next time I buy a new car.
Flight Delay. Free car-class upgrade. Still an ok day.
We drove to Desert Paradise Resort where we were staying. check-in was fast. The 1-bedroom we got is neat. It has a full-size washer and dryer, walk in closet with safe box, full kitchen stocked with plates, glasses silverware, etc., roman tub, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, maid service, private balcony, 2 pools, 1 spa, fitness center, concierge, a tv in the bedroom, a tv in the
living room with DVD player, and it's gated. I am really glad now that we joined Club Sunterra. So while Aaron took a nap, I took inventory of items stocked in the apartment.With Aaron rested and I tired as hell we drove towards the strip. I wanted to go to the pyramid one, which now I know is called Luxor. The décor was fab, but slots everywhere. I guess I hadn't realized that it's all about gambling in Vegas. You see I don't gamble and I don't like cigarette/cigar smoke.
Apparently all the places are like that here in Vegas.
So we walked down through Excalibur, which I didn't like, and got as far as the New York New York Casino.It was now 10:30pm and I was extremely tired and hungry. My normal bedtime is 8pm and on occasions 9:30pm but that's pushing it. After the long delay in flight all I wanted to do is eat and sleep. Aaron played a little at New York New York, so I went and got Krispy Kreme to have for the next day with coffee.
After this, we walked back to where we parked and drove down the whole strip and headed to the resort. We were driving down throw Chinatown and saw a Chinese place still open, so we stopped, ordered, ate, bagged our leftovers and drove back to Desert Paradise.
So as I sit here on Monday, May 14 writing this, I am drinking coffee and eating Krispy Kremes. One nice surprise of yesterday was that the Chinese place we stopped at was named Joyful House Chinese Cuisine, which was on my list of places I wanted to go. It was awesome to go to Joyful without even looking for it. So Joyful House is crossed off the list and whether I get to go to other places on my list or not it doesn't matter as all I wanted was to go to at least one of them and that's done.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Off to Vegas...
I am packing today as tomorrow I leave for Las Vegas! :) I'll be there from Sunday - Friday. The main reasons I am going for is to see Celine. I have been wanting to go see her for the longest time, Since this is apparently her last year doing her show in Vegas I just had to go. It's sort of my belated b-day gift for myself. The show is on Wednesday so the rest of the time I am there is up for whatever mood I am in.
I am not going without any idea of where I want to go. Food Network has done some neat shows of Vegas so I downloaded the guides from the shows $40 a Day, The Hungry Detective, and Food Finds. So you may find see me at these places for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and/or dinner:
- Palms Hotel - Sunrise Cafe
- Sam's Town Firelight Buffet
- Freed's Bakery
- Bahama Breeze
- Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
- Nora's Cuisine
- Joyful House
- Mermaids Casino
- Binion's Ranch Steakhouse
- Executive Sweets
- Big Mama's Rib Shack
- Selma's Cookies
- Aranda's Tortillas
Now for shows some that I am considering going to are:
- World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at the V Theater
- John Stagliano's Fashionistas at the Empire Ballroom
- La Cage at the Riviera Hotel and Casino
- The Ultimate Variety Show at the V Theater
- Burlesque at the Flamingo Hotel
So excited! Now I just go need to finish packing. I am taking only the bare minimum needed so that it will hopefully fit all into a carry-on bag. Don't fell like having to wait for baggage. Aaron will be joining me there and he's been to Vegas before so I'm sure he'll have some neat places to go to also. Well off to finish. :) Have a good week yawl !!!
I am not going without any idea of where I want to go. Food Network has done some neat shows of Vegas so I downloaded the guides from the shows $40 a Day, The Hungry Detective, and Food Finds. So you may find see me at these places for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and/or dinner:
- Palms Hotel - Sunrise Cafe
- Sam's Town Firelight Buffet
- Freed's Bakery
- Bahama Breeze
- Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
- Nora's Cuisine
- Joyful House
- Mermaids Casino
- Binion's Ranch Steakhouse
- Executive Sweets
- Big Mama's Rib Shack
- Selma's Cookies
- Aranda's Tortillas
Now for shows some that I am considering going to are:
- World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at the V Theater
- John Stagliano's Fashionistas at the Empire Ballroom
- La Cage at the Riviera Hotel and Casino
- The Ultimate Variety Show at the V Theater
- Burlesque at the Flamingo Hotel
So excited! Now I just go need to finish packing. I am taking only the bare minimum needed so that it will hopefully fit all into a carry-on bag. Don't fell like having to wait for baggage. Aaron will be joining me there and he's been to Vegas before so I'm sure he'll have some neat places to go to also. Well off to finish. :) Have a good week yawl !!!
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