What happens in Vegas.......

doesn't ALWAYS stay in Vegas! I know because I spent last week in Vegas and I am about to tell you about it. However, it will be far less interesting than you would think!



It was my first visit to Las Vegas and what I immediately noticed was that as soon as you exited the plane, slot machines were EVERYWHERE! It was as if those coming TO Vegas couldn't wait until they reached their hotel/resort to play the slots and those that were LEAVING Vegas hadn't already lost enough money! Of course, there may be a small percentage of people who are just on a layover to another destination, so they would be the exception to the rule.



My husband was in Las Vegas for a business conference, so I spent a good portion of my time at our resort which had a 16 stadium theater and a bowling alley to add to their many gambling devices (I lost $10 and called it quits). It also had 7 pools from which I could choose and a shuttle to the mall. I wasn't bored, but I definitely desired to see the "night life". So, we walked the "strip" on Thursday night which was interesting in itself. On Friday night, we saw "O" at the Bellagio. And, well, I was in awe the whole time. After our show, we walked the strip again, stopping to eat at the Harley Davidson Cafe. I had one of the best hamburgers I have ever had!



And here is one of the things that bothered me the most about Las Vegas. Everywhere we went, they served Pepsi products. Okay, I am not ANTI-Pepsi. In fact, my preference is Diet Dr. Pepper (which was no where to be found). In the absence of Diet Dr. Pepper, I am a Diet Coke kinda gal. But, I can suffer through one week of Pepsi products. It isn't the worst thing in the world. However, while browsing the strip, this is what I saw:



It isn't a great picture, but it is a HUGE Coca-Cola botttle on the strip where there is a Coca-Cola store! Now, I ask you, if they don't SERVE Coke products in Las Vegas, who buys Coke themed merchandise??? I didn't even go in the store!


I did buy me a nice pair of western boots from The Boot Star, which is located in The Fashion Show Mall. I haven't had a pair of western boots in several years, but I have been wanting some and well, these spoke to me, so I had to buy them. They are handmade by Old Gringo, which is worn by many of today's stars (at least that is what they claim, but since I don't know any stars, I can't confirm that!).


People keep asking me if I would go back. The answer is - maybe. Only to see more shows. I am not interested in gambling. Of course, there are a million other people who are, so they won't miss me and my Ten Dollars! I don't think the recession has hit Las Vegas!

I told you this wouldn't be of heart-stopping interest. But this is a brief look at what happened while I was in Vegas! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Until next time.....

NO SMOKING

I swear, this is going to be my next tattoo! Okay, not really, but it has crossed my mind! And if you don't already know, I have 9 tattoos now, so one more is not out of the question. I didn't think I would get on my "No Smoking" soapbox this early in bloghood, but something I saw today brought it to the front of my mind.

First, let me say that I grew up in a home with a smoker. My Dad. After I moved out, it was all I could do to visit for long periods of time because of the smell and the way it made my contacts feel like I had plastic saucers in my eyes! Thankfully, my Dad finally realized what the risk of smoking was doing to him and how it affected his family, and around January of 1992 he quit! Cold Turkey! Ironically, 10 months later he dropped dead of a massive heart attack. Now, we always joke that if Dad knew he was going to die, he probably would have smoked a carton a day! I miss him every day, but I am thankful for the short period of time where he put his family before his addiction and QUIT SMOKING! Thanks, Dad! I love you!

Okay, on to my story for today:

I am driving home and get stopped for a red light. In front of me is a gentleman (loosely using this term) who is SMOKING! However, he is holding his cigarette outside of his car through his very slightly cracked window. After he takes his much needed puff, he blows the smoke OUTSIDE THE CAR! So, I ask you people, if you smoke, why in the world if you don't want the smoke to be in the car with you - THE PERSON WHO IS SMOKING - why, oh why, do those of us who don't smoke want you to blow it OUTSIDE INTO THE AIR??????

In the city where I live, smoking is not permitted in restaurants. The city ordinance also calls for smokers to stand 25 FEET FROM THE ENTRANCE while smoking. However, this rule is never obeyed. It is even posted on most restaurant doors, but I am beginning to think that smokers just don't know how to read. That must be the answer. Surely, if they could read, they would read the warning label that says "SMOKING CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH". Restaurants aren't the only place that smokers tend to loiter at the doors. It happens at the entrance to Wal-mart, K-mart, Kohls and the mall, too!

So, can you tell that I am ANTI-SMOKING???? I mean, really, we all have our addictions and our vices. I know that. However, mine are not hazardous to anyone else's health, well-being or wallet. I could write a whole book about this subject, but who wants to read THAT?

So, I beg of you, if you smoke, please be courteous to those around you who choose not to smoke and stand away from the entrances that everyone - smokers and non-smokers alike - have to use. And if you are a smoker and already use "good smoker's manners", thank you from the bottom of my heart! I hope your example will rub off on others!

As always, I am open to comments. Until next time......

Do you have good "Beach Manners"?

While talking with friends today, the subject of beach vacations came up. Well, most of the people who I socialize with vacation at least once during the year at the beach. As we were talking today, we all agreed that we find it in poor taste for people with those large family tents - and sometimes multiple tents - to set up right at the edge of the water making it impossible for anyone else who gets to the beach later than 6:30 AM to see the water from their chairs. Now, before you go saying that it is "first come, first serve", let's be reasonable. Those people who set up at 6:30 AM aren't actually on the beach, nor do you need shade at that time of the morning. They are still in their houses/condos/hotels sleeping, eating breakfast or getting ready. They purely get their gear set up to get the front row. I am all about the front row - but please - set your tent up closer to the back and bring an umbrella to use near the water! I think it is just discourteous to do otherwise. I wonder if those same "front-row-beach-tenters" are discourteous in other areas as well.

What do you think? Do you agree with me? Disagree with me? Why? Are you one of those people? Do you feel a sense of entitlement? Please enlighten me!! I MAY even see your point.

Please, let me hear from you. Until next time....

Does cussing (cursing, foul language) help you make a point?

I am not sure why I picked this topic for today. Maybe it is because you just about can't watch anything on TV without hearing at least ONE cuss word. I just don't understand people's use of them either. I don't cuss. I just don't. I can smash my finger, break a glass, cut my foot and watch a favorite team lose - all without ONE cuss word. I just think it is useless language. Now, I am no goodie-two-shoes! I have my own issues (which is another post in itself). I can be judgemental. I can gossip. I can even lie. However, I can do all of those without using offensive language. Does that make me better than you ("you" in a general sense)? No. I think the use of foul language can make the most attractive person become the most UNattractive person in the breath it takes them to say the word.

My 8-year-old son used the word "hell" in context a few days ago. After my husband explained to him that we don't use that type of language, he finally admitted that he heard it used in the movie Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell. Now, that movie is stinking funny, but I am sure it would be just as funny without the foul language. I am not going to spend my time sensoring EVERY movie (PG of course) for reasons not to let my children see them. I can only hope that the moral values that we instill at home will help them to make the right decisions when they need to.

Of course, this is just my opinion - which I am entitled to have. You can try to change it, but I am pretty stuck on this one.

As always, I am interested in your comments. Until next time......

A New Outlet.....

I am not new to blogging, but am taking on this new blog as a release of conversations that I don't often get to have with adults because much of my time is spent with 8 year olds! I am sure that a lot of you can relate to that! Don't get me wrong, I love my children, but sometimes I want to debate issues other than those that are important to school children - like what Susie is wearing, what kind of bat Johnny has or who is having a sleep over and didn't invite _____ (insert name here)!

I am an opinionated person. I will listen to your opinion, but you better have a darn good argument if you want to change the opinion that I have already established. I get that we will not always agree with everyone and I can agree to disagree. It is OKAY with me if we have different opinions. Really, it is! Be true to you!

I am a truth-teller. You know - don't ask me if you don't want to know the truth! I tell people that I am "mean". Most people disagree and say that I just tell it like it is. I don't intend to be mean, and I don't intend to hurt feelings, but I am not good at faking my emotions, so what you see is what you get.

I am high maintenance and I am spoiled. Do I deserve to be? NO! Who does? But such is life! Of course, this is my opinion of myself - you are entitled to yours!

I have so much that I could talk about! Books, because I love to read! Pet Peeves, because I have them! Questions, because I'd love to hear your answers! Music, because it makes your heart sing! Technical gadgets, because I love them and have them!! So many things, so little time....

So, check back. You may find something worth reading. Then, drop me a comment. It's a free world and you are entitled to speak!!! By the way, remember to thank a soldier for that!

Until next time......