Viva, 21!

As I continue catching up on past blogs, I just realized that I started marveling over the fact that it is already November when I realized it is actually DECEMBER.  I could make some cliche remark about time flying by but surely, it is just because I'm getting old and don't need to trumpet that fact. Despite this geriatric onset, we spent 5 days in Vegas in honor of Jo’s 21^st (finally!) birthday. We arrived on Tuesday night and were picked up promptly at the airport by Janie and Kaylee. We then hit the nearest liquor store to ensure our cups would not be empty for any length of time.  We then checked in to our room at the Imperial Palace.  I had to laugh a little every time I told someone where we stayed: the place was a dump. The bath tubs didn't drain, the A/C was loud and emitted a weird odor and a host little flies took up residence in the bathroom sink.  Not to mention the only functioning elevator was a death-trap. A few stories were shared with other lodgers (survivors) about getting stuck between floors and clanking stops that felt a little uncertain 18 stories up.   None of this though would dissuade the masses from taking advantage of a cheap room on the strip as the hotel was packed  with veterans and wedding goers (I guess 11-11-11 was a hugely popular day for nuptials). Since we got in so late, we spent the first night taking in the flavor of the place after a few Jack and Cokes in the room.  In lieu of a proper Vegas show, the IP showcased the talents of their dealers who all impersonated famous singers.  These "Dealertainers" imitated everyone from Tina Turner to Kid Rock to Toby Keith and even Lady GaGa. All of them, like the hotel, sucked.  All of them, like the hotel, were oddly endearing after several drinks.

At least we had a view of a nice hotel...

The next morning we met up for breakfast at the Hash House A-Go-Go which has been voted several times "Best Breakfast in Vegas" and, conveniently, was also located in our hotel (so I guess it wasn't *that* sucky). That afternoon we had to run out to Henderson and pick up a cake for the birthday girl's party that night and then spent the rest of the afternoon on the strip, taking advantage of our central location.

I give this bennie 3 stars

Enjoying a cigar as we roam about

 Palazzo faux waterfall

That night we celebrated to some shitty service at the Cabo Wabo Bar n Grill inside the Planet Hollywood.   Even the free Karaoke couldn't make up for our disinterested waiter. (AKA: Delta Bravo.) The guy was so lame, I thought briefly about writing a letter to Sammy Hagar.

Mom, Jo, Aunt Tina, Matt Ryan, Me Sharon, Dad Uncle Steve @ Cabo

After dinner, we decided to cross the street to take in the newest hotel on the strip, Cosmopolitan. I was intrigued because they had started running bizarre commercials the week before we left.  I wasn't necessarily wowed by the joint, however, as we walked through the main casino floor, I was impressed by the band playing in the lobby which, turned out to be Mates of State.  Best free show in Vegas!

Hippest Commercial of 2011.

The joint was really shiny. Crystals!

Thursday we all hopped in the minivan and drove to Hoover Dam.  None of us had ever been there before and I don't know much about it so I had no expectations.  For just walking around and looking at a bunch of concrete, it turned out to be a really fun day.  Also, the most ironic thing happened when we stopped at the gift shop - THE POWER WAS OUT! (seriously!)

Engineering. It's just awesome.

"Look how low the water is!"

Crossing timezones

My dam hubby

That night, the girls had planned to take Jo to her first official Vegas show and we thought, what better than Chippendales?! She spent a good deal of time fretting over whether they were going to, as she put it, "shove their junk in her face" but over all, the show was pretty tame and I think the birthday girl ended up enjoying herself.

Having a sip from her b-day cup

This show was more of a present to us old and married chicks, I think..

We got to spend our last night with Janie and Kaylee.  By then, I was pretty sick of the strip, I must admit, but Janie got us in to a comedy show for free.  We all four ate dinner together and then the grownups enjoyed the show at the Palms for a low-key evening to wind down our week.