Elvis Was Right

VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVAAAA, VIVAAH LAS VEGAAAAAS!!!!

I can't tell you how good free money feels in your pocket. The most fun in Vegas for me isn't the shows, the buffets or even winning at the tables. It's the first twenty feet outside of a casino when I've won money. Because to me, you really haven't won until you've left. Inside the casino you're still fair game to the bright lights and big bets. But outside you're free, the only things beckoning you here are hawkers for hookers and strip clubs, which are easily avoided.

Initially I went to Las Vegas for my friend Aida's, 21st birthday. Interestingly enough, I never did catch up with her, but I did get a chance to hang out with an old friend of mine from high school. He makes a living playing poker, and since poker players pretty much choose their own schedule, he was able to hang out with me the entire weekend. He taught me the error of my roulette ways and showed me the wonderful world of craps. It wasn't long before I was betting the inside, six the "hard way" and backing up my pass line bet. I was hooked instantly, and the extra $300 in my pocket after that first night didn't hurt either!

Each day throughout the weekend played out the same: breakfast at 8:00 with mom and dad, free buffet at noon, craps with Sean till the next morning and back in bed around 3:00 AM. All in all, I think I ended $400 up while also earning my dad another $100 and a funny story that ends with me buying a Band-Aid from O'Shea's Casino for $100. It was a great start for stop #1 on my world tour.

All Skiied Out

My former roommates would scoff at the title of this one! But it's true. The next time I knock the snow of my boots and 'click in' may be three seasons from now. Funny thing, the opening day of Deer Valley is my last day of the season. It was a good farewell though. I went to Brighton after they received 11 inches and Deer Valley got at least that much the next day. My quads are tight and my knees are talking to me, it was a good season.

My time here is short. I leave the mainland in 10 days, 15 hours, 47 minutes and 33 seconds... 32 seconds... 31 se- okay but who's really counting right? My parents and I are going to Vegas next week. I'm going to try to fund a month on the French Riviera at the roulette table, my dad will be feeding slot machines while my mom stands off to the side saying, "Okay that's enough, wasn't that fun. You don't need to spend anymore." We will though. We'll play until we win, and if we don't win we'll think of how to get it back. That's Vegas though right?

My backpack came last week. I sold my Lowe Alpine I'd taken to Central America, Barbados and camping in Wyoming. I wanted something smaller, something that was carry-on legal. What I got was just that... SMALL! I'm not disappointed at all though. I knew that I'd pack a large backpack until it was full, whether I needed all the stuff or not. So this will be a new challenge. I anticipate being really good at hand washing clothes by the end of the trip! I'm also planning on buying and giving away clothes as I go. It'll be nice to support the local economy and maybe I'll blend in more if I'm wearing local garb. Blending in is fun. I like to blend.

So that's that. Just a few days left before go-time. Good things.