Who knew my nemesis would follow me to Vegas? Yes, I mean the blackjack dealer from Bosnia. Did she not know of my plan to win on just $40 and have a great story to tell? It appears she had other plans and being of sterner stuff, she was the victor. (All this fuss over $40...I know, not a huge amount to most, but we all know the real issue is I hate to lose!)
So, is there anything to do in Vegas besides gamble and drink over priced cocktails? Well, there is world travel of course. Venice, Rome, Indonesia, NY, Paris...All of the beauty of foreign destinations without having to learn a different language or eat "exotic" foods. The differences between Vegas and Epcot center are negligible. Throw down a couple of slot machines in Epcot and drop the pretense of "an educational experience" and you have the same place. It appears the backstreets of Paris and Venice are very ...sterile.
There were some highlights, of course. Rusty and I managed a show - "Blue Man Group". Their show was an awesome visual/electronic display with a bit of social commentary mixed in for good measure. I was hoping for a little more of biting hard edged German style cynicism - as is generally my want. Perhaps the most visceral experience in the show was of a river of paper flowing over the audience, this as blaring house music, and giant lighted tubes dropped from the ceiling. This bit was barely tolerated by the elderly gentleman, smelling of pipe smoke and scotch, sitting next to me. No doubt he was expecting more showgirls and nudity. The most poignant commentary came in the men's room after the show. Two post-middle age southern men can be quoted as saying, "That was the worst show I ever sall!" The response was equally telling, "I could'a sall a better show at my chruch." Hmmm...
Another highlight was the Liberace museum. Two miles off Vegas Boulevard in a strip mall, the museum begins in a converted bank and continues in a seperate building one suspects as having once been a shoe store. The museum hosts many costumes, rinestone encrusted pianos, antiques, and over-the-top cars. Conspicuously absent, of course, was any mention of his "limo" driver and any mention of dying from AIDS in the late 1980's. So, the clientele in the museum consisted of elderly women, their bored husbands, and the gays (much like the audiences of any iconic gay events-i.e. Cher concerts). "Mr. Showman" embodied the conspicuous consumption of wealth prevelant in Vegas, but with an unparalleled vengance. Liberace's costumes could weigh up to 200 pounds. Not bad for a man weighing in somewhere around 180 pounds. 
My favorite parts of Vegas had nothing to do with casinos or shows. Rather, the sunsets and sunrises viewed from our hotel room reminded me how vibrant and beautiful the desert skies can become in a matter of minutes. Spending time with Lenette, Carol, Janet, Julie, Ryan, and Rusty had to be the best part of the trip.
Leaving Vegas was bittersweet as breaking up a group of traveling friends always leaves me wanting for more. To say nothing of the fact that managing a relationship on two weekends a month is frustrating at best. Our relationship has flourished in much greater challenges, owing to the strength of communication, respect, and love. Caroline, my muse and conscience, and I were having beers discussing the overall mood of Vegas. Caroline mentioned the undercurrent of desperation that is omnipresent. I take issue with that, not so much the word 'desperation' rather the word 'undercurrent', this adjective is way too mild. One can smell and see the desperation at every slot machine and table, the uncomfortable laughter at loosing money consistently, the worried looks on faces, even the forced joy of winning twenty dollars after having lost $100 the night before. Several locations in the US always remind me of an almost Gestapo like forced fun. Vegas is one such place. In saying that, I did have a good time, and I do think everyone should experience "Sin-City" for themselves. Good Luck!
