Vegas 2010, Day 2

Laugh all you want but this cape weighs at least 20 pounds. Libby had some as much as 200 so he was a strong guy and he was only 5' 9".

Our first full-day in Las Vegas and it was an eventful whopper too! So much, the major pieces will be broken down into separate entries when I return to Austin because these attractions were awesome. I also don’t want to lose any momentum.

After our obligatory morning of exercise, hitting the hot tub and cheap breakfast in the timeshare’s full kitchen (we found a stackable washer/dryer in a closet too), we hit destination number one: The Liberace Museum. I had stumbled upon it in 1997 one evening while looking for a laundromat yet I kept failing to check it out until this trip. It’s not quite Graceland which is a blessing and curse. However, Liberace did meet Elvis very early in the King’s career, where else did Elvis get the idea to wear outlandish getups after dressing like Memphis pimp ran its course? Moving along, paying my respects to Mr. Showmanship was overdue because he was from Milwaukee, his name is Italian (his mother was Polish too), he sponsored at least one scholarship to Marquette in the theater department (my alma mater has no music degree program) and my grandmother thought he was a great pianist. Therefore, this pilgrimage was for Grandma as well as me. It’s worth the $20. You get to see his cars, his costumes, try on a cape (sadly it’s a replica, not one he ever wore), learn the official story of Walter Liberace (this bigger post will really impress some due to his place in US History, I guarantee it), an incredible collection of pianos, the world’s biggest rhinestone (over 55 pounds/25 kilograms) and a show with a talented duet. As you can see in the picture above, I also tried to do my best imitation of Bugs Bunny imitating Liberace (you’ll see it after three minutes into the cartoon link).

One of many pianos Liberace owned and played.

Lastly, I endorse this attraction due to its charity status. His museum is a non-profit operation not as a tax dodge (it began in 1979 while he was alive) but to aid his causes, namely supporting other talented musicians/singers hone their skills through universities around the world. Liberace grew up poor in West Allis (‘burb of Milwaukee) and received a scholarship as a child to attend a prestigious conservatory during the Depression. So he never forgot his roots nor was stingy with his wealth (he managed it pretty well too).

The memories of this machine. How many hours I wasted at Metropolis Comics playing it while ignoring deadlines at GDW.

Next came the Pinball Hall of Fame. We usually keep our agenda to one thing per day. However, this place was only a couple blocks from the museum and we figured if it was cool, we’d come back again on this vacation. PHF will receive a larger treatment too. The short version…it’s a must see for anybody who grew up in the early Nineties or earlier. I love video games yet there will always be a place in my heart for pinball. Younger kids probably don’t see the appeal since skill can be trumped by Physics. Back in the Seventies, my father got Brian and me hooked on it to kill time while Mom was shopping. The majority of pinball machines did function plus there was a good selection covering the decades. PHF even has the latest which are just some licensed property slapped on it these days: seriously, CSI and Austin Powers? Oh yeah, they did have South Park with the profanity enabled! We had a good conversation with a couple volunteers about the place. Sadly, the founder is ill. I did finally send them the link from Marketplace interviewing an Economics professor claiming that Black Knight started the demise of pinball. PHF like Libby’s museum is a non-profit, I put them on my wishlist of charities to support. Can’t wait to return with my fistful of quarters.

Nice view but I hope the Arab prince who backed this kept the receipt.

Being this close to the Strip, we pressed on for dinner at New York, New York and I tormented Somara by hoofing it on to the new CityCenter. Not exactly the smartest move by the MGM casino corporation with the current economy. It’s mostly a “me too” high-end mall trying to compete with Caesar’s Palace’s and Wynn’s. Actually, I would call it a photocopy since the same overpriced fashion stores are present: Prada, Dior, Versace, etc. Maybe the ladies can answer this riddle. Who the hell is buying this? Obviously the 400 wealthiest families in America aren’t. It can’t be a bargain for all these rich foreigners visiting neither. I’m guessing the fashion houses make money by other means (they secretly own Target, K-Mart, Old Navy) while taking a loss in Vegas just plant their flags here. Ladies, clue give me the scoop.

We wrapped it up at with a visit to Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladdin) which appears to be under the Harrah’s umbrella (there’s only two major casino corporations, MGM and Harrah’s) from all the plugs we saw on their big screen display. We placed a couple roulette bets there and concluded the night at MGM where Somara took the lead in our ongoing poker duel. There were a pair of funny encounters along the way, one is a separate Funny T-Shirt entry, the other is below. Sleep came quickly for us both and we needed it, the next day is my birthday!

An honor to meet the Dark Knight. I didn't have the heart to tell him how I abused his good name on my 21st birthday.

Gambling Report:

• Video Poker: Somara 1, Steve 1 ($2, $0)
• Somara: -$38
• Steve: -$40