Mostly Semantics

Random thoughts from my two days in Vegas so far:

• Service people here are friendly. I mean really friendly. To the extent that they’re apologetic when they don’t need to be. I understand it’s because they know the size of their tip is dependent upon it and if they keep you happy you’re more likely to come back (to them, their employer and/or Vegas in general), but it’s still shocking sometimes when you’re used to average or worse assistance and attitude from people in those positions.

• Salon haircuts might not be worth their price, but they’re damn nicer than the cheap ones I usually get. After convention stuff today I got a trim at the salon here at the hotel and it was about four times the price of my usual cut. However, it was the most professional and best combo of quickness and quality that I’ve ever had. I don’t think I could pay that price once a month, but it might be worth splurging every now and then.

• I don’t know who’s in charge of the music at the MGM Grand, but it’s an odd mix. I’ve heard Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones and The Who right along side Cracker (”Sweet Potato”, not even “Low”), Hot Hot Heat and We Are Scientists (the last of which played during my haircut and was the most surprising of all).

• The coolest thing I’ve seen so far here, at least in terms of mind-blowingness, is Panasonic’s 150-inch HD plasma TV. It’s not ready for the market yet and there’s no chance I could afford it, but someday my current 56-incher will be relegated to kitchen status.

It wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows me very well, but I’ve never been kicked out of anywhere before.

I’ve left before it was possible/likely I’d be kicked out, but I’ve never actually had someone tell me to leave. No loud arguments. No real fights. Nothing.

Until yesterday, when I was escorted out of Wynn Las Vegas. (more…)

So it’s Christmas, and I realize that no one actually talked about how awesome Rock Band is. (more…)

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, and I have learned my lesson: next time I fly home in the winter, I’m renting a car to get home. (more…)

This guy!

Yesterday afternoon after running my cat to and from the vet to have sutures removed, I logged into my bank account online to check my balance before going back out into the holiday traffic to buy last-minute Christmas gifts. I had just gotten paid that morning and had a rent check that hadn’t been cashed as far as I knew, so I wanted to make sure I had enough money in my checking account to cover all my expected purchases. (more…)