Monday, January 31, 2011

January's Luggage Tag


Hi Vegas fans,

A bunch of you have entered the trivia contest to win this month's luggage tag, but remember that if you have not done so yet, there's still time! As long as you fill out your entry at some point today, you could win this cool, attractive, durable luggage tag.

Starting tomorrow, I will have a new trivia contest. And don't forget you could win a t-shirt by answering my reader poll and sending me your name and e-mail. I don't use your e-mail address for anything other than contacting you if you win, so don't worry about spam.

Until next time... go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike

Saturday, January 29, 2011

E-Book Readers

Hi Vegas fans,

E-books are continuing to gain popularity, which is great news for those of us who travel. Last year, I predicted that Apple's iPad would basically eliminate amazon.com's Kindle and prevent the launch of barnesandnoble.com's Nook. How wrong I was! The iPad is a great tablet, but it looks like anyone who wants to primarily read books is buying either a 3rd generation Kindle or a Nook.

The good news for travelers is that any of these devices is better than stuffing a bunch of paperbacks or hard cover books into your luggage or carry-on bag when you are flying. And when you are in Vegas, e-readers are light, easy to read and make it so much easier to find the information you want. Or, if you like to sit by the pool and relax with a book, it's great to have a device like the Kindle, which is easy to read even in direct sunlight.

There are a lot of these devices on the market now, but all reviews I've read note that the Kindle and Nook are the best when comparing features head to head. Here are a few sites I've visited when looking at e-book readers:

Many reviews point out that the iPad and the Kindle different, so comparing them is kind of and apples and oranges argument. I agree. It depends on what you want in a device, and how much you're willing to pay for it.

However, I will make one final note about these readers. Both amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have free downloads for apps that you can use for your mobile phone, iPad or computer. So, if you're looking for one device to "do it all" and you don't mind spending a little more (base price $500), the iPad may be the way to go because you can get Kindle and Nook books on it.

Whatever your electronic fix, make your life easier the next time you are traveling and consider an electronic book if you are looking for a Vegas guide. The book you choose should provide easy navigation, quick links and a lot of information because, after all, e-books all weigh the same.

Viva,
Mike

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Super Bowl XLV

Hi Vegas fans,

The early line on the Super Bowl game has the Packers favored by 3 points. It will probably go down in the next week, and some experts expect the line to close around Packers by 1.5 points. If I was a gambling man, I'd take the Steelers. In fact, I think Pittsburgh will win by a touchdown. Wait, I am a gambling man!

Although I'm a long-suffering Vikings fan, I hold no grudges against the Pack. In fact, the last time I was in Vegas, I placed a wager on the Packers (I think they were favored by a few points) versus the Bears at Chicago. But the result? Not good. The Cheeseheads had the game won several times over but were called for penalties that opened the door just wide enough for the Bears to pull it out with a last second field goal.

My buddy Steve and I watched the game at Blondie's in Planet Hollywood. Regardless of our frustration (we both bet on Green Bay), we had a good time. Blondie's is a fun place to watch a game, and numerous waitresses in cheerleader outfits were kind enough to allow me to take their pictures with Steve. All good, goofy fun. And, after all, he's a single guy.

Speaking of cheerleaders, I have read some rather disappointing news about the Big Game. Because neither the Packers or Steelers have cheerleading squads, we won't see skirts (or short-shorts) at the Super Bowl, which will be a first in the game's history. And hopefully a last.

Viva,
Mike

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Positively Vegas

Hi Vegas fans,

January is the time when we think positive, when we are optimistic. Think about how many more people you see at the gym. Or maybe you're one of the people who just joined the gym. Anyway, it's got me thinking about a positive attitude. Does it have a place in Las Vegas? I mean, after all, the odds are always against you, its nickname is Sin City, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong out there if you are not careful. Or even if you are careful.

But I say, yes, you can be a positive person and have a good time in Las Vegas. Here are my 3 top tips for keeping things on the + side:

1. Be balanced. If you spend all of your time at the tables or on the slots, chances are you may lose some money. Don't keep playing blackjack until all of your money is gone. Take a break. Go see a show. People watch. Grab a bit to eat. Do all the other fun things Vegas has to offer. You'll have a better time, and your pictures will be a lot more interesting.

2. Go with the flow. I'm a planner. I like to know what I'm going to do pretty much all the time. I even plan (and over-plan) my trips to Vegas. But guess what happens every time I go? Yup, my plans change. And I'm never upset about it. Sometimes, you're just doing something with friends or family and you decide to be spontaneous. It can change things for the better.

3. Think about what works best for you. When you get to Vegas, it's easy to be pulled in to what other people want you to do or what everyone says is cool. Things like "you gotta play roulette" or "the strip club downtown is awesome... you gotta check it out." No, you don't have to do anything just because it's Las Vegas. It's your vacation, and it's your money. If you want to hang out by the pool and read a book, fine. If you don't want to gamble, it's ok. Remind yourself that you are the one in control and that you know what you like to do better than anyone.

Me? I like to escape. That's why I go to Vegas, that's what's in it for me. When I'm there, I'm positive. Positive that I'll have a good time.

Viva,
Mike

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A Few Words About My Book

Hi Vegas fans,

I feel like I am a very fortunate guy. I get to visit Las Vegas often and see the changes that take place so quickly there. Years ago when I discovered a need in the market for a fun, easy-to-follow guide that's unbiased (no sponsors), I wrote one. It's not perfect, but it's a result of a lot of research and this basic principle: you know what you like better than I do, so I'm giving you the tools to make it simple to search for and find what you are looking for quickly.

So I was a little disappointed today when I read a negative review of my book on amazon.com. A reader mentioned that my book has no Table of Contents, so it's impossible to navigate. However, my book does have a Table of Contents. In fact, I wrote the html code by hand to ensure that the table links specifically to the correct heading in the book. It can be difficult to find the Table of Contents on a Kindle, so I can understand the confusion. On my Kindle, I select the Menu button, then Go To. A little box opens at the bottom of the screen. Then I select the Table of Contents button. Voila!

I wrote my book specifically for Kindle, and with each new version I take great pride and care to ensure that it is easy to get from Point A to Point B. Many publishers (especially those that publish travel guides) simply copy their text from a Word document or PDF into an html file and publish it to Kindle. I code my book, line by line, including shortcuts to the next section and hyperlinks to find information easily. It's important to me to get it right and to make it fun and easy for you to read.

If you've purchased my book, THANK YOU! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I would love to hear your comments and suggestions so that I can continue to improve it. If you liked it and would like to comment on it, please log in to your amazon.com account or to barnesandnoble.com and share your thoughts.

Thanks for your continued support.
Viva,
Mike

Monday, January 17, 2011

This Year's Gonna Be a Great Year

Hi Vegas fans,

You all know that song by the Black Eye Peas - "I Gotta Feeling" - with the line "tonight's gonna be a good night." Well, I gotta feeling that this year's gonna be a great one for those of us who love to travel to Las Vegas!

What's my evidence, you might ask? Well, call it my gut instinct. Yeah, I don't blame you for not trusting that, either. Don't just take my word for it:
  • Visitation is up and continues to rise by a small percentage every month
  • Cosmopolitan is up and running, and reportedly fabulous
  • Bargains for the thrifty Vegas traveler are plentiful
Las Vegas is still the tops in gaming, shows, dining, and over-the-top fun. I'm planning my next trip for early April and can't wait to get back there. I'll be going with my friend Steve, and despite taking a good punch in the gut last September, we're ready to hit the tables again.

I'll have a lot more about my trip soon. For now, I'm focusing on updating the website by fine-tuning some of the tables, testing your knowledge with trivia, adding a new reader poll and more.

I've gotta feeling 2011 is gonna be a great, great year!
Viva,
Mike

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Consumer Electronics Show

Hi Vegas fans,

It's time to get your geek on. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is in Las Vegas again, and it's a huge show (over 125,000 attendees!) at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Venetian. Follow the show and its many, many products, vendors and exhibitors on their website: http://www.cesweb.org/default.asp.

I love gadgets, and I'd love to see the show someday. However, I am not crazy about huge crows, and I love discounts and cheap travels to Las Vegas more, so it'll probably be a while before I attend. Still, I bet it's lotsa fun.

Viva,
Mike

Monday, January 3, 2011

Neon Boneyard

Hi Vegas Fans,

What's one person's trash is another person's treasure. A friend of mine (thanks Kimberly!) sent me this USA Today article about the Neon Boneyard - the site where neon signs are on display after they have served their purpose at a property and are removed or replaced. As much as Vegas is about forgetting its past and moving forward, here's a place where visitors can see a slice of Sin City history.

Here's more information about the Boneyard and Neon Museum:

Viva,
Mike