I left work early, as you might imagine. Good that I told people there cause they kept reminding me that I needed to be leaving every 2 minutes. Sara and I planned to pick up a rental car from the airport, so I drove her down. It was just a reminder about 'weekend traffic' here in LA. it took 1 hour there, and 1 hr. back. I didn't take that time into account so I didn't really have enough time to pack. Plus, Sara somehow beat me on the drive back. They must have put a time travel device in the new Chrysler Aspen's cause there's no way she 'honestly' beat me back to my place. I still have to look more into that though.
Our drive out of town started out with everyone super excited and VERY talkative. Our conversations would go fast and furious. It would leave my head spinning. And no matter what was said, Danny would add his legal aspect point of view to every conversation... at least twice... and so would Jeff. So as you can imagine, our ears were Very Thoroughly filled (whether we wanted it or not). One moment of excitement led us past a semi truck who's engine had exploded, and a bus, who's rear end had been on fire. I completely spaced it and didn't have my camera out, so I can't prove it to you, but the others witnessed it. So other than that our freeway ride was smooth and easy and we didn't really have to deal with traffic. I must add that Sara was a splendid driver Almost the whole way. except for that one time she was busy taking a picture, rather than merging onto an off ramp, so when I looked up I saw the big yellow median barrels directly in front of us, so I mildly freaked out. I'm pretty sure that I wet my pants a little ( I didn't tell anyone else about it, cause that would have been embarrassing.) Oh ya, and there was a time when we were just driving and talking and driving and talking, then Cheryl asked why were were headed west on the 5 freeway, and Sara was sure that we weren't, but then we pointed out that Dodger Stadium was to our left, so we had to quickly adjust our travel plan. Then Sara started yelling at me for not being a good navigator; I was in the back seat mind you, so I started scolding Jeff, and then he started complaining to the 'Back-back seat' (cause thats who he was talking to). It all rolls down hill you see. It was very talkative like I said with everyone talking to everyone else. We stopped about 2 hours in, at some random In N Out place. After that I was compelled to force everyone to play 'They Quiet Game'. It was nice to let my ears relax, but then the closer we got to Vegas the more talkative everyone became. Finally as we saw city lights everyone just snapped and they all lost the Quiet Game all at once, and started releasing every conversation they'd been building for the previous 90 min. Jeff had prepared a music mix for us, of his favorite 'Vegas themed' oldie songs. It immediately transformed us all into 80 year old grandpa's, on an elevator to the old folks home. So soon as I build up the energy I demanded he change it.
As soon as we opened the doors it was like opening the oven with your face right next to it. Ahhh, the desert. I was immediately dehydrated and lips pruned up. We had to 'strategically' check into the the hotel cause the rooms were only for 2 people (we may or may not have had 3 for each room), so they all told Cheryl and I to 'go for a walk'. I wasn't quite sure what they meant by that, but we scoped out the ground floor of the Monte Carlo. When we finally made it to the rooms, they were smoker rooms. They guys' room was worse than the girls, so after staying there for more than 5 minutes I felt like the smoky smell had permeated my body, and now I was tainted. I forgot how disgusting that smell/feeling was.
We then went out for a night on the town. It was fun, except for the horrible constant smoky smell, the perverted Mexicans/Indians who were handing out those stupid porn cards, and beer & liquor bottles everywhere. We made it down to the Bellagio and were hoping to watch the fountains. Sara was like a kid in a Candy store. We were waiting for the 1am show that never happened. At one point I turn around and Cheryl is hunkered over as if someone had just slugged her in the stomach. I quickly look around to see if the perpetrator was running away. I didn't see such person so I went to her to see whats the matter. She said that she was about to puke everywhere. So I suggested we move more to the center of the sidewalk to be funny, or over to the railing to spew into the fountain pool. She didn't like those options so simply asked her what she needed. She wasn't sure, so I decided that she needed to go back to the hotel. I asked Sara if she had a room key but politely asking got me nowhere. I had to forcefully tell her that Cheryl was going back, and she needs a key now! Then she realized I wasn't asking, (I was telling), so she complied. I think the others were a little to busy slapping each other around and touching each other to realize that someone was in peril. I was nervous that she wouldn't make it for a second, but after she laid down I think she felt better. The others were still slap happy, calling and texting for a while implying that she wasn't actually sick. How immature of them.
The next day we woke up late (it was so nice) and we walked again up to the Bellagio, and ate at their buffet there. It was spectacular! I imagine that moment like being in heaven. Like walking up to the Pearly gates, and when they let you in, its bliss! I definitely ate way to much food, but I was trying to test the theory about 'what happens in Vegas, stays there'. I think I ate 4 times what I should have, but I had to get my money's worth! Honestly I'm still full from it. Its the most glorious feeling ever. The food was definitely Top-Notch. No one wanted to move from our table for at least 30 minutes, and when we did, we were slow. Then we found the 1 cent slot machines and played for a bit. Cheryl won 20 bucks, while everyone else lost a buck or two. Except Jessica who won and cashed in her 5 cents.
After the food settled we moved on, They all wanted to go hang out poolside, and I wanted to go to another casino. Cheryl realized how boring and uneventful poolside was so she came with me. We went up to the Venetian Hotel, then took a cab back cause I was fearing that I'd melt. The pool was nice, but only cause I found a seat in the shade. I didn't like the idea of melting in the sun. Then after an hour or so we went to Matt & Gleidy's reception. It was a lovely time there. The reception was out on a ranch of Gleidy's relatives. We had a nice time there, but it was short lived cause we were rushing off to a show. We went to see the Cirque du Soliel show of 'Ka', at the MGM. It was fun. We were really pushed for time and had to hustle to the MGM, and then run through the casino to make it on time. I'll have to tell you about the show some other time, on another blogging perhaps. But it was cool. The funniest part was when a couple arrived 30 minutes late and wouldn't stop talking so Jeff 'Shushed' them. Everyone around him was embarrassed. After that we again walked around a tiny bit but then just crashed at the hotel. The other kids went out again, but I didn't have the energy.
On Sunday morning we all woke up a little 'late'. And the only reason it mattered is cause we were on a tight schedule, and cause i wanted to go shopping really quick right before everyone else got up, but that didn't happen. After Sara woke us all up at 9:45, we all dashed down to the car (40 minutes) and sped on down to the Paris Buffet.
It came highly recommended by many people, so I had to experience its goodness. And yes, it was indeed good. It would have been better if we got there 11 minutes earlier so we could get the Brunch price, so we'll have to remember that for next time. The buffet was really good, but honestly it wasn't a homerun like the Bellagio was. I had to peel the shrimp myself, the king Crab was difficult to crack, and the Crab legs were far to skinny. It didn't quite have the selection that the B. had, but I can't say that I won't go there again. On the way out of the buffet I went through the VIP entrance to exit. They manager was standing there and asked what I thought of it. It took all my strength to hold back my honesty. Should I have told him that the Crepes were too big? Or how about the Sausage being undercooked? Na, I'd have to let it slide this time.
After that we drove straight out of town. Sara had me drive, cause she knew I am an experienced professional driver and I wouldn't crack under any pressure. By this time on the trip there was 1 driver and 5 backseat drivers. Maybe the 5 backseat drivers wore her out. But I was impervious to backseat demands. They all tried, but I ignored them, and got us home successfully.
Later that night we all met at my place to watch the food network show and a de-briefing on our trip, and to exchange pictures. We also had to let ourselves down slowly from all the Buffeting that we did, so I helped us out with some of the most Spectacularly Delicious Pancakes ever, made by me. And we exchanged pictures. Good times.
I'm sure I've forgotten something, so I'll fill you in when it comes to me about our trip.
I'm listening to the news right now.
Lunch was sponsored by Subway toady.
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