Musings from Vegas winter stay Nov 15 thru April

[Dead Money]

I will update this periodically

Home is a little dusty, but no issues; we "winter" in a guarded and gated community 15 minutes from the strips center.

Thanksgiving in Vegas....

NFL game kicked at 9:30.

Visiting in-laws wanted Caesers
buffet.... instead of normally semi-outrageous 29.95, it was $44.95 (due to holiday and the fact we as Caesers could give the tourists an extra fukin) and for an ADDITIONAL $15 a head you could bypass the long line.

Having a vehicle made the choice VERY easy...we laughed and headed to plan "B" Green Valley Ranch about 15 minutes from strip.

Excellant local stop, very good buffet, all the fixins and more, 17.95 a pop.



I went to the local YMCA to transfer my membership for my 4 month stay, and saw the indoor pools empty and surrounded by chain link fences. "Due to monetary concerns, they were closed"
The local economy here appears to be tanking even more than last year.
The fantasy world of the strip is just that.

I saw the same panhandlers as last year on their staked claims. Down the street is a center with a Target.
I saw the same gal carrying an empty gas can asking for money, 2 days in a row.
When I go to an outlying casino (Texas Station, Fiesta) in the parking lot when an obvious local stops me with an "excuse me"
I am at the point of preempting them with "Can you spare any change"

It is a very cruel town if you have no money.


On a happier note, I sprung for tickets to take my wife to the new Smith Cente
r for performing fine arts to see "The Addams Family, the musical"


Enjoy your turkey leftovers...and good gosh, why did I bet the Jets?

I watched that fiasco at the Rampart, a Marriot property casino, very nice small book and VERY nice scenery.

Actually hit $325 on a 50 cent Napoleon- Josephine slot on my 4th pull.

 

[kickserv]

Dead Money and his Vegas updates.

Awesome:thumb:

 

[Dead Money]

Morning after Freemont experience...

Morning after Freemont experience...

I had not been to the Freemont "Experience" since the year it opened, (1995-96) my Brother-in-law wanted to see it.

In the opening year, it was more of a curiosity, mostly middle aged folk like myself gawking at the overhead show marveling at the sound system. Other than the wandering down and out locals, it was a serene experience.

Fast forward to 2012...it is now a "gaudy circus". Sound stages with music too loud, Margarita machines lining the streets and a clientele around 30 something clutching their oversized drink of choice.

It looks now like a street performers convention....I saw several Elvi (plural of Elvis) of which one was a Midget, an 8 foot tall Alien, Superman and Batman.

There were live acts, not sure if they were sanctioned or impromptu, a black fellow in green leotards contorted thru a tennis racket then stuffed himself in a small wooden crate, hoping for a donation. There were many panhandlers with signs asking for money. There was a skinny skank in a bikini asking for dollars, I thought of offering her $10 to put some clothes on...

The most unusual act was 2 fellas playing hard rock on nothing but VIOLAS....that was true talent, got a couple bux from me.....I don't freely throw money away, except slots.

The real drama was a on Carson, near the Plaza, a street away from the tourist "mecca"....an ambulance rushed away an attempted suicide, a fella broke a beer bottle, slashed his wrists and had to be Tazed by Metro....police here play hardball.

Leaving the Plaza Hotel casino, (it garnered best downtown hotel award 2012, they have done an amazing restore, check it out for a cheap stay) again on Carson St, a 30 something male was literally hopping up and down, pulling out his hair while screaming into his cell phone, we watched the show for a few minutes then headed for the Golden Nugget..

The Golden nugget was packed, on a Wed nite...lots of action here....never saw so many near drunk short tight skirts .... sigh, to be 30 and single again...
Their hotel has a pool with a shark tank that has a tubular water slide pass thru it....got to be a rush.

Went to Binions, remember playing poker their in the 80's....the Rio bought it for the WSOP rights, the poker room appeared near empty and downsized sharing space with a discount tee-shirt vender...gosh, the glory that was...

Side notes of some interest...

Bills, formerly Barbary Coast, (a great book in the day) is closing Feb 4 for a year long remodel..Caesers the current owner is converting it to a "Boutique Property" we sadly know what that means...ask dogs that are neutered.

SW Air who purchased Airtran is expanding Vegas flights to include Aruba, Bermuda, Punta Cana,Dominican Rep, Mex City, Cancun and San Jose Obo Mex.

Skyline Eco Adventures is putting in a huge zipline adventure thru Fremont St, early 2013.
Saw additional info on the zipline...the participants will be jettisoned out of a huge slot machine....not making this up..

Lastly, the announced Retail Vacancy Rate here is now 11% with some entire mall strips going repo...

Thats all I got, going for Metro Pizza...if you are here, treat yourself, eat in on weekdays 2:30-4:30 and it is half price.

 

[comfortable1]

Great stuff!

 

[Samson]

If you like sushi, "I love Sushi" in Henderson is unbelievable. Blows anything on the strip away. Awesome room and the staff/sushi chefs are incredable

 

[Dead Money]

Thanks for Sushi tip

Thanks for Sushi tip

Will try it....many buffets have sushi, but not being their specialty, it is usually near inedible.


A few minor tidbits.

Speaking of Buffets, the Henderson "M" resort (voted best of Vegas 2012) has a deal, all the beer and wine is included.....lunch about $17.95.
How this was picked "Best" is beyond me....long winding buffet with just above Cafeteria quality food....avoid unless you want to get plastered.


NFR is in town lots of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado car tags in casino parking lots.
Jerry Jones (Modern day Jabba the Hut) is trying to get NFR to Dallas. Their contract with Vegas is up next year...not going to happen IMHO...too much money at stake for Las Vegas.
Dec is Vegas's least profitable month, NFR fills the Hotels, Bars, and Casinos.

The Mob Museum has teamed up with an indoor shooting range...for $139.00 you get tickets, tee-shirt, transport, instruction AND get to shoot a .45 cal, snubnose 38, and 50 rounds with a circa 1920's "Tommygun" in the day it was called a "Chicago Typewriter". They expect a good international following, many countries not allowing guns...I can see the orientals lining up for this.

Played Hold-em at Red Rock last nite, near Summerlin (nice room not smokey) bad beat hit at Boulder Station payed $163 to all Station players, 4 aces over 4 sixes...first for me, hit at 7:30pm lots of room excitement.

Orleans FINALLY adding electronic tracking at their poker tables....about 8 years after the rest of the planet.

Not much else, slow time of year, kinda "been there, done that" for me and wife. We plan on checking Xmas displays and the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit at Venetian.

Lots of relatives and friends coming in Jan-Feb. The word is out, lets see Vegas.

Till next time, stay safe:toast:

 

[Roger Baltrey]

Bummer on Bill's. Fuck the boutiques. They better leave Casiino Royale alone. Is O'Shea's gone too now?

 

[Dead Money]

Bummer on Bill's. Fuck the boutiques. They better leave Casiino Royale alone. Is O'Shea's gone too now?

Yep, the Leprechaun be gone....Casino Royale still there...Caesers and their Ferris wheel and boutiques emasculating the strip.

The strip will never be the same, long gone are the days of tourists scurrying across traffic and the uncluttered look the strip had.

They should make no pretense anymore, meet the tourists at the airport, take their money, and board them back on the planes.

 

[Roger Baltrey]

Yep, the Leprechaun be gone....Casino Royale still there...Caesers and their Ferris wheel and boutiques emasculating the strip.

The strip will never be the same, long gone are the days of tourists scurrying across traffic and the uncluttered look the strip had.

They should make no pretense anymore, meet the tourists at the airport, take their money, and board them back on the planes.

That Ferris wheel is the dumbest idea ever. No one wants boutiques. These guys are fucking buffoons.

 

[kickserv]

When I read this thread I think of this.....:0006

 

[JT]

Broke my poker cherry at Bill's. Stayed there a bit over the years. Very easy parking garage to get in and out of. Sorry that they will probably fuck it up.

 

[JT]

Might go out in later Jan. I understand they are moving the Bally's poker room. Was a nice little action room but will probably die off now.

 

[azbob]

The Ferris wheel is such a bad idea they are actually building two of them...one across from the Luxor. I guess you can get about 8-10 people in a "room" that spins around with full bar service, couches, etc...it's more of a party suite.

The buffet at the M reflects what has been going on at that resort. When it opened, they were totally focused on customer service, the sportsbook was great, the slots loose, lots of options for food and drink. Now Cantor has ruined the book they have cut back on the comps and tightened the slots and you are right on regarding the buffet...was best in Vegas, now mediocre at best...being big doesn't make the food taste better.

I enjoy your updates. We have a place in Flagstaff and are about four years away from spending the summer there and winter in Vegas or Phoenix. If we choose Phoenix, we'll be in Vegas at least once a month anyway.

Barbary Coast (now Bills) used to have great odds on the parlay cards and lots of DD BJ. They might as well change it as the main attraction now seems to be Fat Elvis and the discount ticket booths.

Enjoy your winter.

 

[Hashish]

I can see the orientals lining up for this.

:facepalm: Seriously!?!! Which century are you living in?

 

[Hashish]

When I read this thread I think of this.....:0006

Yep.

 

[krc]

When I read this thread I think of this.....:0006

Same Here

 

[Dead Money]

As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.

Ben Hogan

Guys, I am comfortably rounding the 14th fairway....

My reviews will not be nights of drunken debauchery....enjoy that while you can.
Hashish, I had 2 friends who were heavy "hip users" both died very young of brain cancer...just saying.


Wynn Buffet....

Ever go to an expensive lunch buffet and wander its length (twice) and say "good Grief $25.95 for this"

No boatloads of shrimp, crap sushi,
cold clam chowder, dried out seafood, poor service...

I actually was hungry and could find nothing to zero in on till I saw
a slab of beef being carved with the description "WAGYU Beef" YOWZA this is Japanese bred beef. Absolutely melts in your mouth like foie gras.

These cattle are fed corn and grain for 2 years...not massaged by virgins, like Kobe.


Got my $25.95 worth with 2 good sized helpings....

The desserts were well above average

I WOULD go back and just eat WAGYU....going to keep my eye out for it in future.

Did hit a slot on a freeplay on the way out, enuf to cover gas and buffet....



Been a cold winter so far, nites near or below freezing, highs 50-55.

I have gotten involved in politics in my community, sucks up time, but there are some serious imbalances here between the Villa Owners and Home owners.

I am considered "fresh blood" here;
hopefully we can address 20 year old problems.



Everyone have a good holiday and a safe New Year.....:toast:

 

[Hashish]

Dead Money, I'm not sure what you mean by a "hip user?" I am a moderate user. Even when I smoke daily, it is very rarely an all day kind of thing. It's usually a 2-4 times a week kind of schedule. Right now I am not smoking at all. I like to take time off to purify my mind and body from time to time. I haven't used any substances for eight days, and I plan to abstain until my birthday on the last day of January.

I'm really enjoying this thread. You have a nice way of sharing your musings. I like your voice. Keep them coming, please. Have a wonderful Christmas and all my best wishes for the coming year. :toast:

 

[Dead Money]

Venetian Poker room...

Venetian Poker room...

Big, open, airy, food brought to table,
$2.00 an hour poker comps.

Valet at front registration for a shorter walk to poker room.

They did a VERY good job on the rebuild. Must be 60+ tables, only annoyance is nearest restroom is being redone, plan on crossing entire casino to drain it.

Name your game, it is probably here....No Limit 1-2, thru 8-16.
Omaha, Limit. Great tournament following.

Obviously lots of tourist types here;
refreshing change from the local players.
Lots of LOOSE players just wanting to play....sadly never got that one crusher flop.

Played the slots for a bit, reminded me of a Dyson Vacuum cleaner on steroids.

Lots of good looking hotties floating around here. The poker room masseuse was amazing.


Going to look into some comedy clubs; everyone needs a chuckle once in awhile.

 

[kickserv]

Played the slots for a bit, reminded me of a Dyson Vacuum cleaner on steroids.

:lol: :142smilie :mj07: