Notes on Vegas

Vegas nightclub or American Gladiator?

1. Rain
2. Sky
3. Gemini
4. Siren
5. Asia
6. Atlas
7. Triq
8. Crush
9. Krave
10. Jazz
11. Jet
12. Tao
13. Lace
14. Toa
15. Moon

answers: 1. V | 2. A | 3. A | 4. A | 5. V | 6. A | 7. V | 8. A | 9. V | 10. A | 11. V | 12. V | 13. A | 14. A | 15. V


» On two consecutive nights, I woke up disoriented and peed on my left foot before locating the toilet.

» I was carded twice — once in a sports book and once at a roulette table. I wasn't sure whether to feel flattered or dismayed. 25 going on 18…

» I won $215 playing roulette. I don't see how you can lose if you just play probabilities and bet colours, thirds or halves accordingly.

» Odd seeing Star Wars slot machines in the casino section of The Star Trek Experience.

» Are high limit slots profitable at all? Every room for high limit slots I passed was empty. Who in their right mind would wager $100 a spin? You're better off playing dollar slots and enjoying yourself before you're down $100.

» I counted more people inside my monorail car to the convention center than I counted inside the entire Monte Carlo casino.

» MGM Mirage is building a mixed-use complex called CityCenter between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo.

On February 6, 2007, a 3000 pound steel wall used as a concrete mold fell from a crane, hitting another wall which struck four workers, killing two.

On August 10, 2007, a worker was cut in half when the counterweight for a construction elevator came down on him as he oiled the machine. [source]

» Save for Caesar's Palace, MGM Mirage basically owns one side of the Strip.

» Caesar's Palace could have expanded more harmoniously. Every building looks like it was designed independently of the others.

» Cirque du Soleil's is like a live-action Super Mario Galaxy. Its stage design is incredible. Also, I didn't expect indoor fireworks.

» The structure for Wynn staff parking is ridiculous. Rough estimate: 148,000 square feet, five, six stories high.


I spent $15 on a cab ride to Sonic.

Ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger TOASTER Sandwich (om nom nom), Tater Tots (wondered what kind of oil they were fried in) and a Watermelon Slush (Jolly Rancher watermelon flavour — ick). Finished the meal off with some Cheesecake Bites.

Sonic's Cheesecake Bites… Good heavens! Deep-fried cheesecake with a cinnamon caramel dip… So unhealthy yet so delicious.

An hour after eating at Sonic, I sat down for a full-course dinner with my boss and his army buddy at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants.

What happens in Vegas stays around your waist for weeks.

I wanted to use the gym in my hotel but it cost $10 a day. Fuck that.

Two absolutes in Vegas: Everything's overpriced and everyone expects a tip.

I must have spent $20 just tipping the guys who hail taxis for taxi queues. "Here's $2 for blowing a whistle!"


Next trip: Either SXSW in March (to catch all the British acts I like who never tour the States) or the Seattle International Film Festival in May/June.

Then: Dark Knight weekend in Los Angeles.