There weren’t any major accomplishments beyond upholding a couple traditions we established at our wedding.
First we had breakfast at Paris (the casino, not the city in north Texas). Normally, I tend to avoid eating “the most important meal” of the day because I’m rarely hungry that early. I love the Sunday routine with our friends but much like work and college, it’s the social interaction I’m stoked about. I often get motion sickness in my stomach from standard fare: eggs, bacon, etc. This made me a pain in the ass as a teenager whenever I was on long family car trips since I would try to get a burger instead.
Somehow my digestive system enjoys the morning buffet though. It’s one of the dozen highlights which keeps me coming back to Sin City. What makes it special? Crepes made to order, I often get cherry; eggs benedict; various types of sausage; cheese wedges which go really well with the fruit; corned-beef hash with prime rib in it; raw salmon and mainly French-influenced food. You’re wasting money if you take any small children or people without “grown-up” tastes; you people know who you are! It doesn’t sound impressive on paper but when you remember how much you would pay at Denny’s, IHOP or any other chain for this much food and variety, Paris clobbers the competition. This meal also serves as all the fuel I take in until dinner. So we always recommend Paris for any visitor’s short list.
I also got to practice some my French listening skills while waiting in queue. A couple elderly women spotted the Cher concert ad and I could comprehend the gist of their conversation about Chastity Bono’s sex change. There’s a challenge Mr. Prevost should throw in for extra credit!
Somara continued her victory streak with our video poker tournament. I just can’t get a break at the game.
Due to the impending carb coma, jet lag and the relaxation goal of every Vegas vacation, we kicked back at our room. We are staying in Tower One which has older amenities, namely the televisions…they’re not flat screens. Neither of us really care but recently the timeshare people modified the cable package to receive both Cartoon Network feeds!
Somara still felt pretty tired by the time my nap gave me a second wind so I hit the Orleans. It was a smart move. She dislikes this off-Strip place. Somara claims it’s all the second-hand smoke. I believe it’s the whuppin’ I gave her last year in video poker, I may have lost the 2010 series yet winning in three hands rocked. Orleans has added some non-smoking sections but it didn’t sway her negative opinion. Anyway, I like to play craps at the less glamourous joints to get my walkin’-around money to last longer. If there’s a Recession happening, it’s hard to say if the Strip is participating. All the table games have been $10 or more the whole time. Meanwhile, there’s rumors about the hotels averaging a 40 percent vacancy rate all year. I’m not too disparaged, the Orleans and Casino Royale people are polite and hospitable. I just need a craps buddy for all future trips.
How did it go though? I was ahead by $20 within the first 10 minutes. Then the table went cold, especially after I was the shooter. It’s the story of my life! Whether it’s craps or D&D, the dice rarely go my way. As my hour was winding down, there was a hot shooter who managed put me back up through sixes and eights. I colored up (cashed out) when the alarm sounded but decided to let the employees keep my 12-dollar gain, the Vegas economy remains sluggish.
Breaking even at some games is a victory.
I cruised over to the south end of the Strip to take in New York and MGM, see if they had anything interesting. Tropicana got a major facelift on its exterior so we may check it out before we head home. Nothing great to report beyond this amusing replica…
"We finally really did it. You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you. God damn you all to hell!" Still a better ending than Tim Burton's version.
Gambling Report:
- Video Poker: Somara 3, Steve 0 ($7.50, $0)
- Somara: -$12.25
- Steve: -$75 (yet even at craps!)