Vegas, Baby

[fabrisse]

Apparently, there's no one over the age of nine who lives in California that has never been to Las Vegas. At least, that was the impression I got from talking to the people at my office.

And now, I can be included in the "everybody" who's been to Vegas.

I'm not certain how I feel about it.

For one thing, I've gotten used to Los Angeles (and before that Boston) with its no smoking rules. I nearly passed out walking in the door to Caesar's Palace (where they give you little potted histories of Rome on the elevator doors. I'd never known about the Vestral [sic] Virgins.) The smoke was thick and the alcohol scent was nearly as strong.

All I saw was the Strip. There was Caesar's where we were staying, the Bellagio which was next door and had the show the four of us went to see (Sis and our mother's cousins who are sisters made up the group), and, for me, New York, New York where I saw Zumanity.

I can't complain that almost everything felt artificial, because, hey! it IS artificial. From the trompe l'oeil marble to the painted "tapestries," Caesar's Palace is opulent (and smoky) fakery. Which is fine. I generally like good kitsch -- and frankly, as kitsch goes this was outstanding. But something about the experience felt ugly.

It wasn't the women in their cocktail waitress togas. they ranged in type from great broad to little pixie, but they all seemed to be hard working women who had a difficult (if occasionally lucrative) job.

There was just something about all the noise -- slot machines, canned music, and raucousness were everywhere -- and the flashing lights that made me want to pick-up a megaphone and shout for peace. (oddly contradictory, no?)

I'll write more about Zumanity later. It was definitely my high point, at least partially because it all seemed so playful and innocent.

I've never thought of myself as a prude, though I acknowledge my Scots Presbyterian upbringing. I don't think it was the gambling that got to me; I played blackjack and enjoyed it. I only lost what I had set aside for gambling with. I drink, and I had a cocktail a day while I was there which means my yearly total my reach double digits.

I had a good time. I got away from my parents and the dogs for a weekend. I had a massage at the spa and bought some exotic chocolates for when Lent is over.

Something just felt off.

Comments

[gileswench.livejournal.com]

Apparently, there's no one over the age of nine who lives in California that has never been to Las Vegas.

Nah. There's still me!

BTW, the package arrived safely. I look forward to reading it. Thanks, Twistie!

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the package arrived.

And I'm glad to know there's someone who has never been to Vegas. *G*

[gileswench.livejournal.com]

Yep, we exist! LOL!

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

There's an old Jewish joke about Moishe who's been a black hat all his life, kept kosher and Shabbat, the whole deal. He decides since he's coming to the end of his life, he deserves to be able to live it up a little. So, he swaps his black suit and hat for a check jacket and sports slacks and heads off to Vegas.

He lands at the airport, steps off the kerb and he's hit by a bus. Lying there, he looks to the skies and says 'Hashem! I've done everything you ever asked for, I've been your faithful servant. Why did you do this to me?'

Suddenly a voice booms out 'Moishe! I'm so sorry! I didn't recognise you! What in the world is a nice Jewish boy like you doing in a place like this?'

It truly is a surreal kind of place :o) Enjoy the chocs when the time's right and you can at least chalk it up to experience.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I love that story and hadn't heard (read) it before.

It's even more ironic considering it was the Jewish mob (of course, they weren't the NICE Jewish boys) that started Vegas, the Italians just came along for the ride. *G*

Experience it is, and if there's a need to visit with cousins again, I might return. But I'm not holding my breath.

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

It's even more ironic considering it was the Jewish mob (of course, they weren't the NICE Jewish boys) that started Vegas, the Italians just came along for the ride. *G*****

I know! I think Meyer Lansky was on a pretty short list of Jews who *weren't* allowed into Israel *g*

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

*nods* Sounds like the Tulalip Casino north of me. The only place you can freely smoke anywhere within its boundaries.

But... Vestral *facepalm* Is that like a cross between a Thestral and a Vestal Virgin? ::desk::

{{{{{{{ hugs you }}}}}}}}} Going to Sin City was a good idea. Even if it was weird, it's nicely distracting, which is what you needed, yes? :)))

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how that R got in there. Since it was imprinted into the brass doors, I know it's not an easy fix, but did no one check the spelling first?

Yes, it was a very nice distraction, in spite of feeling off. I wish I could put into words what disturbed me, it would let me know whether it is just vestigial (not to be confused with Vestral ;-)) prudery or whether there's something deeper to it.

{{{{{{hugs you}}}}}} back.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

:)

I think the "off" feeling for Las Vegas is the "Fake and Deceit" world there. Everything is made to get your money and nothing there is real, apart from the people who live there.