So, there’s been many millions of people that want to know exactly what happened in Vegas last Friday/Saturday. The following is the breakdown of time as recalled by me.*
* Some facts may not be recalled exactly as they happened due to alcohol, and the WHIVSIV rule.
Friday
6:20 AM – Plane departs from airport. I find out that I am sitting next to some people that frequent the Portland Beaver games and know me from there. They are actually very cool people, but it is way to early to carry on too much of a conversation. The husband gives me a sample of an energy drink mix… this will come into play later.
8:20 AM – Touch down in Vegas. As usual, Vegas is awesome. I head to the bathroom to change into my presentation clothes because before I play, I have to work. That is the key to get the company to pay for a trip to Las Vegas.
9:00 AM – Caught a cab, and show up at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce for my presentation. As of now I’ve already been up for 6 hours. I ingest prior aquired energy drink, and catch up on my practice financing by listening to the guy from MBNA.
10:35 AM – I’m on, big presentation about dental direct marketing. Exciting stuff to them I guess as they were riveted to their seats and taking notes like crazy… nailed it.
12:10 PM – Finally finished, a little long, but nobody minded as I covered a lot of great stuff, answered a lot of questions. Eat my first meal of the day (ham sandwich and a piece of pie.
1:00 PM – 2 more speakers talk, and I try to look interested. I am pretty awake at this point which I believe is due to the energy drink.
3:30 PM – Panel discussion, I answer a question or two, but am looking forward to hitting the hotel.
4:45 PM – Seminar over, I head to the hotel and check in. Nice place. I hit a quick nap and a shower before…
6:00 PM – FREE Drinks in the hotel bar! Who am I to pass up free drinks. Sat with the crew to talk about marketing stuff, and ended up talking about Delta Airlines with the seminar producers wife. Ended up downing 3 Bacardi and cokes and a shot of scotch.
7:25 PM – Get a B&C for the road and stash it in my room for later. Then I catch a cab to the baseball game. Las Vegas vs. Colorado. Cab costs $11 to get there, but I am informed it will be at least $25 to get back.
9:30 PM – Great game, saw the LV pitcher throw a no hitter until the 8th, but now it was time to head back. Crack addict lady taki driver only cost me about $15 to get me to Treasure Island. Shoot, that’s close enough.
10:00 PM – After wandering around the strip a bit and taking in the sights (I love this place) I end up at a “Lucky Ladies” blackjack table in the Flamingo Hilton which I still think is super close to my hotel. I meet Kimmy, Lyn, Angie, and Teri…the dealers and Pit Boss for the night. Order me a beer.
10:15 PM – The great thing about having a table by the entrance to a casino is they like to make you look like you are having a great time and getting great service which means the drink lady is coming by every 15 minutes. I get a beer from her about every 2 trips.
11:30 PM – The last time I really remember looking at my watch. A new couple sits down at the table, and the girl pulls out a cheat card from her pocket. I proceed to look at it for help. Im not down too much so far, and almost pull even using her cheat sheet.
1:00 AM (approx) – Every dealer has rotated through, and I am by far the one that has been at the table the longest. Met some cool people, and it is a very transient crowd. people come and go blowing $20, or even $100. I am still playing on my original $80.
2:50ish AM – After many bathroom runs and $80, they close down the table and I figure I better head back to the hotel which in my mind is about a block away. I pick up my beer and head out the door.
2:55ish AM – I get about half a block up a side street and I can’t even walk straight. I toss my beer in a bush and head to the front of a Marriot to wait for a cab.
3:10ish AM – Cab drops me off at my hotel. I stagger and ask the hotel guy if they have an airport shuttle and he says no. I leave before he can finish explaining to me that they can call me a cab.
3:11ish AM – In the brilliant move of the evening category, I call my girlfriend. She actually answered. I have no idea what I said, but she does. Sorry babe.
7:15 AM – Wake up HURTIN’ and try to drag myself around packing and showering and dying. Finally get out of there at…
8:30 AM – Take a cab to the airport and find out that my flight has been delayed. I almost cry because my plane now leaves at 1:30 and I could have stayed in bed for another 3 hours.
From there it is a mash of eating Subway, drinking lots of water, napping in the airport, and listening to my iPod. I did sit next to a guy who ordered a Jack and Coke on the plane. that was the last thing I wanted to smell for 2.5 hours. He was a good artist though, designed furniture or something. I tried to sleep.
Got home about 3:00 and headed straight to the baseball stadium for work. It wasa almost too quick, but it was just a teaser for the good times to come. Of all the things I took, my iPod was the best. helped keep me entertained in the airport, and put a smile on my face during the difficult morning.
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