Viva Rad Vegas...pt. 1
10/15/2003 1:48 PM
You may have driven past the offices of Rad World lately and notice that the lights are off. My lovely wife, Kendra had me kidnapped and delivered to the friendly runways of General Mitchell field for a trip to the land of 24 hour gambling and steak and eggs for 2.99. Thats right... "Vegas, baby...VEGAS!" Oh sweet bliss. As I wander about the airport waiting for the flight...And I see Roger Ebert!!! Now to most of you you could say "big deal?" But my reactions Roger Ebert is one of my fan boy moments. I have seen a few of his lectures and he blows me away each time with his knowledge of film and speaking ability. What a precursor to the trip. I knew it was going to be a good day. Before I know it...I'm in the air watching Casino on DVD and knocking back a gin and tonic. Touch down several hours later and the heat blasts you in the face coming of the airplane...I hear the bells on the slots. The audacity of Vegas to say "We're going to take your money and you're gonna be happy to give it to us". They put the slots 20 yards from the jetway...amazing. Like you can't wait the 10 minute ride to a casino. The bells don't sound like they are ringing as much as it sound like they are laughing. I check into the Monte Carlo...Kendra won't be coming for a few hours so I do what any married man in Vegas would do...I go the giant arcade across the street. After awhile I realize I no longer look like a man young at heart who enjoys video games but rather a pedophile. I better get myself to a respectable casino. I lay down a $20 at the Blackjack table and get some chips and bet $5 automatically draw an 11. The scene from "Swingers" plays through my head..."You always double down on 11, baby.". I follow Trents advice...and wind up like Mike losing $10 by drawing a 2. I take my 2 $5 chips and my confidence and move off to the slots. Several pulls later my $20 is gone. I decide to go to the ESPN sportszone and watch their wall of TVs full of every sport imaginable. Vegas has to be one of the last bastions in America that favors the smoker. I ask for a table in non smoking and promptly am led to a table the furthest most desolate spot in the resteraunt. I'm eating by myself in a corner meanwhile in the smoking section people are laughing and cheering. High fiving and slapping backs. I feel like I'm in 7th grade again. The waiter grabs a taxi takes my order. I'm in need of mood change, a cigar and a stiff drink. I hike my lonliness back to the hotel buy a nice cigar and lounge by the pool reading Newsweek ordering gin and tonics from the pool boy. Rad Vegas is back in full! Sunglasses on I catch a cat nap or two and then head back to the room. Just in time for a quick shower before Kendra arrives.