A Few of My Favorite Things

Hi Vegas Fans,
During the holidays, I am reminded of My Favorite Things - not so much the song from The Sound of Music, but more from jazz legend John Coltrane's sweet tenor sax in the album of the same name, released in 1961. My Favorite Things is one of my favorite things... hang with me, I'm going somewhere with this.

 

I always like to look back and reflect on the year and share some of my thoughts as well as look ahead to the coming year. For a lot of reasons, this has been a challenging year for me. It has made my trips to Las Vegas that much more meaningful. I feel so fortunate that I get to escape reality, which tends to smack me in the face from time to time, and visit the un-real world of the Strip, downtown, and outskirts of the most exciting city in the world.

Here is a short list of my favorite Vegas things from 2011, in no particular order:

• Playing $5 blackjack and craps and enjoying a few rum and cokes, especially at the Stratosphere. It's all about the atmosphere, and the Strat has a lot of creative characters roaming the floor. Good times. 
• Hanging with my best friend and fellow degenerate gambler, Steve. We have been going to Vegas for over 20 years, and we typically enjoy the same goofy stuff and craziness of the wonderful world of Sin City.
• Betting on my sports team and yelling at TVs as if they can hear me. It is amazing to me that the quarterback doesn't throw the ball to avoid the sack no matter how loudly I try to persuade him.
• Walking the Strip at sunrise. I am one of those annoying morning people who likes to get up as dawn cracks and head to Starbucks or the Peppermill for a nice breakfast. There are two kinds of people you encounter at this hour: runners and crazy vagrants. It's a good mix.
• Eating at Battista's Hole in the Wall. Yeah, I get arguments against this one from time to time. Foodies like to turn their noses up at this place. But for me, it's more about the tradition and atmosphere. I always enjoy the wine with my dinner, and I love when Gordie the accordion player stops by my table to play a tune. In a city where history is reduced to rubble with a flip of a switch, I'm hoping that this place doesn't change for a while.
• Visiting Red Rock Canyon. Check out my pics on Flickr. It was a really beautiful day.
• Enjoying Bellagio's Fine Art Gallery. The last one of its kind on the Strip. I'm no art expert, but I know what I like. They consistently show the best masterpieces by classic artists - from Picasso to Lichtenstein to everyone in between.
• Finishing Simplifying Las Vegas 2012. Just in the St. Nick of time.

I could go on and on here, but you get the idea. Whether you like to people watch, eat good food, gamble, party or sit by the pool and catch some rays, Las Vegas is a great getaway. I look forward to my next trip. I'm already planning it.

When I count my good fortunes, and yes I do have a lot of them even when times are more difficult, I often include how grateful I am that I get to go to Vegas and enjoy some of my favorite things.

Please feel free to post some of your favorite Vegas things... you can post anonymously if your boss or spouse also follows this blog.
Viva,
Mike

Happy Thanksgiving, Vegas Fans!

It's that time of year again. I know when you are in Vegas, you are thankful for winning a double-down at the blackjack table, hitting your point at craps, getting a royal in video poker, or hitting a jackpot on the slots. And I'm sure you are also thankful for friends and family and all of the good stuff in life.

I am too. And although this has been a challenging year for me in many ways, I'm still thankful. In addition to the stuff I mention above, I'm thankful that Simplifying Las Vegas has been successful this year, and I'm very appreciative of the people who have visited my site, sent me comments, joined me on Facebook and Twitter, and purchased my travel guide.

Finally, I am thankful that my Simplifying Las Vegas 2012 travel guide is almost done! I can't wait to publish it. It's got some new stuff in it, more tips, and cleaner formatting. Best of all, it will be easy to read on your tablet, smart phone, Kindle or Nook. It should be ready in about a week (maybe less if I skip the pumpkin pie tonight and get some more work done before the tryptophan kicks in).

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Viva,
Mike

Flamingo Website

Hi Vegas fans,

As you know, I tend to rail on Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC) for a few main reasons. First, their table games typically have horrible rules, especially for us average Joes. Second, they try to build consistency and brand recognition but in doing so have taken unique properties and turned them into blah. Finally, navigating (and even looking at) CEC websites is a painful experience.

For a major corporation who has a stake in all things Vegas, they sure don't make their sites very appealing. Remember your dad's old paisley ties that were wide enough to be bibs? Remember how you wanted to hurl when he kept wearing those well into this decade? That's how I typically respond to CEC websites.

However, I like to be a positive person. I like to give credit where credit is due. I like to avoid hurling. So here it goes.

The Flamingo website contains a cool video on the home page that makes me think maybe, just maybe CEC is starting to turn it around. Now, granted, it's a modest little video that only lasts about 30 seconds, so it's not like it's going to win a Webbie or anything. But it's good. Be sure to watch it (at 30 seconds, you can't go wrong), but here's a synopsis:

It begins with an old station wagon, complete with a radio (not a stereo with a CD player or Auxiliary jack for your MP3 player, just a radio that you tune to stations) and an old analog clock. It drives into the desert, and then you see the sparkle of a pool. The familiar Flamingo sign is out of focus, but you can see the classic Vegas neon lights, and you know we're getting closer. Then, some beautiful women. Of course. A woman puts on her lipstick, then there's scenes of them by the pool. The Flamingo sign comes into focus. Then, fellas in sunglasses are enjoying a drink. Everyone looks happy. Then the station wagon drives off into the sunset.

What's so great about this? Here's what I like about it:

• It's perfect for the web. They pack a ton of good stuff in half a minute. Lots of good images, cool music, and few spoken words. Even with the sound down, this is a fun video to watch.



• It blends the modern and the classic. It's in black-and-white, but yet you get a sense of modernism through the pool and the young folks enjoying drinks.



• It has character. This is what I'm craving from CEC. Nowhere in the video does the narrator say "Flamingo" or "Caesars" but you know when he's talking about "a place" he means that the Flamingo has always been a Vegas staple. That's their niche - Ben Siegel and pink flamingos. 1946 and a cool pool. Showgirls and art deco. Now blend that with modern Las Vegas and you have something.

And that's the feeling I get from the video, in a nutshell. The guys driving the station wagon aren't just going to meet some gals. They are going to meet some gals in Vegas, and they're going to have fun at a classic stop on the Strip. Bingo.

Now, if they would only change their blackjack tables to pay 3:2 instead of 6:5 in the 6 deck shoes, I might just play there....
Viva,
Mike

Updates to Simplifying Las Vegas Home Page

Hi Vegas fans,

For me, the first step to updating the website always starts with the Home page. The other day I was looking at the cool photos on the SLV Flickr group. I saw one that I really liked from Christine Holm, so I asked her if I could use it. She was more than happy to have it on the site, so now it's the feature photo. Be sure to check out Christine's other work on her Etsy store or her Facebook page.

I will be making some other modifications to the site soon. Revising the site is a lot of research but a ton of fun, and it always is a springboard to update my travel guide. I hope you enjoy the changes!
Viva,
Mike

"Bridesmaids" Didn't Leave Me with a Hangover

Hi Vegas fans,

Before you think this blog post is a movie review, I want you to just hang with me here for a minute. Ok - so I went to see Bridesmaids with my wife. She picked this one. I picked the last movie - Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell.

Rotten Tomatoes gave Bridesmaids an 89% fresh rating, and it has been billed as "the next Hangover." It had its moments, and a few raunchy scenes, but for me it really didn't live up to the expectations. And it's not because it wasn't set in Vegas or because my wife picked it. We tend to like the same movies, and I really trust her judgement.

But we tend to disagree on one aspect of movies: ratings. She follows Rotten Tomatoes pretty closely, and that's why she picked this movie. I do not follow the tomatometer. Here's why. They gave Secretariat only a 64% fresh rating. Worse, they gave Sense and Sensibility with Hugh Grant a 98% fresh rating. I liked Secretariat and thought it was a heart-warming but not over-the-top movie and gave me more than what I expected from a Disney flick - much better than a 64% rating. On the other hand, I'd rather stick my head in a vat of boiling grease and bob for day-old onion rings rather than see Sense and Sensibility. I have two very simple but strict rules about movies:

1. A movie shall not have Hugh Grant in it.
2. A move shall not be adopted by anything written by Jane Austin.

Those are my requirements. I don't need a fresh or rotten meter to tell me how great or how lousy a movie is. I just need to see a few coming attractions and read what the movie is about in order to determine whether or not I want to see it. Most of the time, I'm not disappointed. I'm sure you have your requirements, too, and I bet they have nothing to do with critics.

Ask yourself this question: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics loved but you hated? How about the opposite: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics didn't treat kindly but you liked?

But I digress. What does all of this have to do with Vegas? After all, I promised this was not going to be about movies. Well, here you go: don't trust ratings. You'll read lots of critics who review Vegas shows, restaurants, and so on. They all have opinions. Some of them will like stuff you hate, and others will hate stuff you like. You need to know what your Hugh Grants and Secretariats are. Then make up your mind.

Think about it this way - if the critics aren't always right, and you blow $35 or more on a movie (you're taking a date and buying popcorn), you're gonna be mildly tiffed that you spent hard-earned dollars on someone else's opinions. How are you gonna feel if you do the same thing on a much more expensive vacation to Las Vegas?

That's why my travel guide offers you something different. It has categories of information and provides you with a lot of context for what you need to decide about how you can have an awesome time in Vegas. And I've got a lot of work to do to update it for 2012. But that's for another blog post...

Viva,
Mike

Viva Las Vegas

Hi Vegas fans,

Here's a snapshot of our recent trip to the Strip. Steve and I had a blast, regardless of the fact that we lost some cash. Notice that the picture only shows us from the waist up. That's because we lost our pants. Ha! Just kidding.

I really had a great time. It's nice to escape from reality, if only for a little while. Part of the fun for me is that Steve and I go way back. Friends that gamble together stay together.

We checked out the Cosmo for the first time on this trip. Steve played some blackjack (and lost). It played it safe by just taking pictures. What a really fun place to hang out. It's really upscale, but unlike a lot of modern casinos, it's not difficult to navigate. I think the reason is that they built it "up" instead of creating a sprawling, 100 mile casino floor to roam until your feet ache.

We also saw a Dodgers game, and I cashed one of my only successful sports tickets. I had the Dodgers winning and also a second bet on the run line (Dodgers - 1 1/2 runs). They held on to win 7-5, which made the drive back to Vegas much nicer.

I'll be looking at another five day adventure within a few months, but until then I have a lot of work to do. I'm going to be making updates to the book and the site soon. I've just updated the Gambling tab on the website with a thought I had when Steve and I were losing money at the tables. It's a light, fun read, so take a look and let me know what you think.

Until then, remember... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.

Viva,
Mike

Flying Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease

Hi Vegas fans,

For those of you who fly to Sin City, you'll appreciate this article about America's Meanest Airlines. I have flown just about all of those major airlines, and I can tell you it's an accurate report. I now fly Southwest, new to my area, and I'm very pleased. It's a great airline with a spectacular business model.

I was surprised they issued paper tickets, and I am assuming this is because they are new to my city. However, even that was not a huge deal. I did have a problem retrieving my confirmation number (which only appeared on paperwork they sent me, but not on the ticket) versus my reservation number. When I wanted to check in 24 hours before my flight, I did not have all of my paperwork. My efforts to find my confirmation number online proved difficult, and I had to call to get it. Other than that, Southwest made my flight easy and enjoyable. Here are some highlights of my recent Southwest and airport adventures:

• Southwest is fun. Flight attendants are funny and one even sang on my flight, making it an enjoyable experience for passengers.
• For those of you not familiar with Southwest, boarding is different. You don't have an assigned seat, you just have a spot in an area. Then passengers board the plane and sit where they want. You'd think mass chaos would ensue, but it doesn't.
• Southwest planes seem to have a little more room to me than others. And they serve normal size snacks, not those tiny pretzels that other airlines throw at you.
• I love the charging stations available at most Southwest gates now. I charged my iPad and got online with free WiFi at the airports.
• Two "first time EVER" situations for me: 1. The first leg of my flight arrived right next to the gate to my connection. No running through the airport, dragging a bag, getting on a train to another terminal. Nice. 2. I had a non-stop flight home where I just stayed on the plane. With Southwest, this was nice because I could move up and sit in one of the best seats on the plane. Little things like this make me happy.
• Coming home, I went through one of McCarran's body scanners. When the TSA agent said, "remove ALL items from your pockets" that was no problem. But when he said, "remove your belts," I had to hold up my pants. This made it difficult when I was in the chamber and the agent said, put your hands up above your head and bend your elbows. I was afraid that everyone in McCarran airport was about to get a free showing of my boxers (plaid), but fortunately my pants stayed up. Barely.

Overall, traveling gets easier for me every year as I learned how to deal with airlines and airports. For me, the first step is picking my flights. I know when to fly into Vegas how busy the airport will be, how long the check-in line at the rental car and hotel will be, and so on. I'm ready for it. I also have learned that less is more in my suitcase, patience is a key, and most importantly, arrive early to the airport.

When leaving Vegas, I always leave my hotel 2 hours before my flight is scheduled to depart. If I get through security quickly and to my gate an hour early, so be it. I'll sift through my pictures and try to remember what happened on my trip. And then plan the next one.

Hope your next flight is safe and easy. And remember, for the love of all that is good and holy, ensure your seat back and folding tray are in their full upright positions.

Viva,

Mike

Final Four Madness

Hi Vegas fans,

Whether your brackets are busted or you are hanging on by a thread, it's always fun to watch the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments and pull for your teams. This year, I had two brackets for the men's tournament.

In my office bracket, I picked some big upsets (VCU beating G'town and Richmond beating Morehead St to reach the round of 16) but my brackets started to fall apart after that. My final four in that bracket are Kentucky, Connecticut, Kansas and Kansas St. I have Kansas beating UConn in the final. I'm in 3rd place there, and I don't think I have a chance to win it (haven't seen the other contestants' final four teams yet.

In my other bracket, run by my brother-in-law, I have the same final four, but in this one I have Kentucky beating Kansas in the final. This past weekend, a very specific scenario would ensure me a win regardless of what happens in the final four: Butler had to beat Florida, UConn had to win over Arizona, VCU had to topple Kansas, and Kentucky needed to secure the W over UNC. So you could imagine my surprise and utter jubilation when all four of those things happened. It was like my own magical mini-tournament.

College basketball - gotta love it. You never know what's gonna happen. I'll be in Vegas for the final four, and no matter who I bet on, it'll be quite a great experience watching the games knowing that I've already secured a win in one of my two pools!

Viva,

Mike

eBooks and Apps

I love apps. I've been playing with my iPad and discovering all kinds of fun stuff, especially Vegas-related. Apps are fun, cool and interactive. Perfect for small, mobile devices for people on the go.

Of course, I love eBooks, too, but they're different. eBooks contain more content and fewer features. The content might consist of words, pictures or maps, but the interaction doesn't work the same way as an app.

Obviously, there's a difference between reading/searching a book and surfing an app. There's a purpose for each. If I want to see photos of the Bellagio fountains and locate them on the Strip, then an app is great. Maybe I can read a review of them and see what time the shows run, too. So the app provides a snapshot of Vegas while you're there and gives you snippets of information. Which is great.

On the other hand, a good travel guide gives you a different experience. It connects the dots with a story. Now I don't mean a literal story, but rather one that arms you with information that you can use when you plan your trip and also use as content you can search while you are there.

Here's an example. Suppose I'm planning my trip to Vegas and I've decided that I'm going to see the volcano at Mirage because I haven't seen it in a while. I'm also a blackjack player, so I want to know what to expect at the tables. I know I'll only be in Vegas 3 days, so I want to explore as much mid-Strip as I can without having to take a taxi or spend a lot of time wearing out my shoes trying to find an Italian restaurant or a Cirque du Soleil show. By the way, my wife's coming with me, and she's going to want to shop, too.

That's my story, and whether I'm planning these things a month before I'm in Vegas or when I arrive at McCarran airport, it's the story that a good travel guide can help me tell, and it can do it comprehensively, in one format.

Maybe there's room for both apps and eBooks in this crazy new world. With free Kindle and Nook apps for the iPhone and iPad, you can have your travel guide at your fingertips. So while you're searching for "volcano" within your Vegas travel guide on your iPhone to see what time it erupts, you can also see that there's a free tram to take you to TI so you can see Mystere. You'll also see on a good map that there's a pedestrian bridge to take you over to the Venetian so you can spend some non-gambling money at the Grand Canal Shoppes. Oh, and if you want to spend some money gambling, your travel guide will remind you to find a 3-2 blackjack table and stay away from those 6-5 tables.

In any event, make sure that you tell your own story (even if you make it up) the next time you... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.

Viva,
Mike

Baccarat and Blackjack

Hi Vegas fans,

I read an article in the Las Vegas Sun recently which reports that baccarat and penny slots are overtaking blackjack as the number one game on the Strip. Baccarat is a high-end game, and penny slots are obviously cheap entertainment. The article quotes Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor, who points out that blackjack is a game for the mid-market gambler.


With the economy the way it is, this kind of makes sense. Affluent people who can afford to go to Vegas these days are going to spend some coin on a game like baccarat. But gamblers who may have played $1 slots before are probably downgrading to the penny machines. But what about the average Joe and Jane, who play blackjack as their game of choice? Would they just not play as much because the economy is bad? Maybe. Maybe not.

There is one other factor that I think is missing in this equation. Caesars Entertainment, formerly Harrah's, now owns a majority of the casinos on the Strip. Their blackjack rules are terrible (6-5 payout on natural blackjacks, dealer hits on soft 17, etc.), even on multi-deck games. I no longer play at any of these casinos, which is a shame. I remember when Bill's Gamblin' Hall (formerly Barbary Coast.... which was a better name that did not require apostrophies or ampersands) was a great place to play $5 blackjack. So was Caesars, Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood), the Rio... and the list goes on. As Caesars Entertainment acquired more properties mid-Strip, I found myself on the very northern and southern ends of the Strip.

The funny thing is that it doesn't have to be this way. Casinos can have their cake and eat it, too. They can make the rules slightly better for players, which will drive more people to the tables. They still have an advantage, even with good rules.

Casinos may be worried about card counters. I get this. Make single-deck games 6-5; that's the price you pay if you are going to try to count. Install a constant shuffle machine for multi-deck games and use other measures to ward off card counters. But you are losing an opportunity with the large percentage of us who are not card counters.

The Strip needs blackjack as a staple because it needs the mid-market. If it's going to attract gamblers, it must provide a few decent games with fair rules. The good news is that there are still some places to play $5 and $10 blackjack with good rules, including: Stratosphere, MGM properties, Riviera, downtown, and several of the outskirts casinos (such as Station properties, Orleans, Las Vegas Hilton, etc.).

I encourage you to seek blackjack tables with good rules and to tell anyone who will listen to you to do the same. If you get surveys or have questions about your experience at a casino, comment on the blackjack rules, especially if they are bad. I'm starting a blackjack revolution. Will you join me?

Viva!
Mike

You Pad, We Pad, All Vegas Fans Can iPad!

Hi Vegas fans,

In case you haven't guessed, I recently purchased an iPad. I'd been looking for an excuse to buy one, and this year's income tax refund sealed the deal. It's quite a fun tablet, and it's so easy to use. It's light and surprisingly fast. It has fun games for free and stores a ton of iTunes music and photos. Great stuff.

One main reason I bought an iPad is to use when I travel to Vegas. I don't like lugging around a laptop through the airport and up to the hotel. And my Kindle just doesn't quite cut it when I need to do a lot of surfing online. Plus I can download the Kindle and Nook apps for the iPad, which allow me to read my books on one device.

With the iPad, I can get online quickly. If I don't want to pay for a hotel's wireless connection, I can go to a nearby Starbucks or other hot spot to get service. I'm not online a lot in Vegas, so it's not like I'd be dependent on the connection, but it's nice to have.

I will also find it useful on the plane. Between blackjack games, music and movies, I'll be able to pass the time faster and have a lot more fun. I can also read my travel guide and get really excited about my trip. While I have time to read on the plane, I'll also probably come up with some good ideas to modify it.

Some folks just need a smart phone. Others take a Kindle or a Nook to read on vacation. And some travelers will bring their laptops with them to Vegas. For me, the iPad is a win-win!

Viva,
Mike

Of Robberies and Working Girls

Hi Vegas fans,

It's been a high profile week for Las Vegas. The two main stories were very eye-catching:

1. Harry Reid suggests that the time has come for legal prostitution to go in Nevada. He has little support in his efforts, especially from other legislators who mention that Nevada has bigger fish to fry, such as the economy and education. The Las Vegas Review Journal reported the response from working girls and others interested in the topic. Their main argument is that illegal prostitution in places like Las Vegas is dangerous, and street girls have a high disease rate.

Statistics confirm these statements. Remember, when you are in Las Vegas (Clark County), prostitution is illegal and "what happens here stays here" could mean that you get: 1) arrested 2) your money stolen and/or 3) HIV. Better to play it safe in Vegas by either forgoing sex and just visiting a strip club or going across the county border to a legal brothel - there are some famous ones about 60 miles from Las Vegas in Pahrump.

2. Two men were arrested in association with the Rio robbery, according to the Las Vegas Sun, but the armed robber is still at large. The story goes something like this: Steven Gao (gunman not yet apprehended) owes Edward Land $15k, Land drives Gao to the Rio, Gao steals chips from a Pai Gow table, Gao takes off in Hiroyuki Yamaguchi's cab, who also knew Gao was going to rob the joint. Police have recovered about $17k in chips from Land's home. Land and Yamaguchi have been placed under arrest.

These types of plots almost never work. You have to be an evil genius to plan a casino heist, and even then you'll probably get caught. I mean, look at Ocean's 11. If you recall, they had a great idea, it took 11 of them, and they still needed a lot of luck to pull it off. If you haven't seen Ocean's 12, then I'm going to spoil some plot for you. They got caught. Terry Benedict (played by Andy Garcia) finds the 11 robbers and makes them pay.

Ok I know what you're thinking... what about Ocean's 13? True, that one worked, but I don't buy it. Look, Willy Bank (Al Pacino) knew who robbed him because Ocean (George Clooney) confronted him at the end of the movie. Robbery is like kidnapping: the only way it works is if you don't know who the perpetrators are.

My take? Whether it's a fun fictional movie or the scary, seedy real world, crime doesn't pay. I'm sticking to $5 blackjack and craps to try to win my fortune.

Viva,
Mike

Legalized Online Gambling?

Hi Vegas fans,

Since 2006, online gaming has been illegal. Now that the economy is in a downturn, the government is looking for more ways to make some money, and the online gambling bug is biting. There are, of course, plenty of opponents to this idea. They fear corruption, crime and addiction. All good points.

However, if the government is prepared for these problems, it has a better chance of controlling it. If they eventually decide to legalize gambling, they must set aside money for problems and be sure to have experts help handle them. If the government does nothing, then illegal gaming will continue with all of its inherent problems, and the fed will lose out on some serious revenue potential. There is always a trade off with gaming.

If online gaming does become legal, what does this mean for Vegas? Will visitation go down as people forgo keno for keyboards? Probably not. My guess is that people will continue to visit Vegas for the experience, which you can't get on a computer monitor. They may supplement their trips with online gaming, but for travelers, there's nothing like going to Vegas.

Viva,
Mike

Valentine's Day

Hi Vegas lovers,

Don't forget today is Valentine's Day. Give that special someone in your life an extra hug. Even if it's your dog or cat. Hopefully it's a little less fuzzy than that.

Here's another idea. Book a romantic getaway to Vegas for the two of you. Yes, just the two of you. You deserve it. And Vegas is a great place for lovebirds. Try Paris - go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and look out over the city. You can see the Bellagio fountain show from there, too, which is another romantic site.

Go see a show together. Any of the Cirque shows are great for couples - from the daring and sexy Zuamanity at NY NY to the visually stunning Ka at MGM Grand to the Beatles Love at Mirage.

Rekindle your zest for each other. Vegas has a lot of options in this category, from the mild (like the Sirens at TI) to the medium (Peepshow at Planet Hollywood) to the wild (let's just say if you can dream it, Vegas can make it happen... for the right price).

Whatever you do today, I hope you enjoy love, whether you are with someone special or just doing something nice for yourself.

Viva,
Mike

The Myth of "Touristy"

Hi Vegas fans,

I read a very good article in the New York Times today about a travel writer's first visit to Las Vegas. Matt Gross describes the path most travel writers try to take when they visit new cities: the "locals" route. This is a decidedly different method than the majority of people take: the "tourist" route.

Living in Charleston for many years has taught me the difference. When you live in a city that people visit frequently, there is some sort of "code" that we all have to follow. Residents shall not go to places that the tourists go, and tourists search out all the things that the locals do. I'm not really sure why. For one thing, I can tell you that many a Charlestonian enjoys when family visits so that they can go to the downtown historic section of the city and "play tourist" in their own town.

My point is this: the touristy parts of a city and the locals only corners are all part of the puzzle. In Las Vegas, the Strip and Fremont Street are fun and fantastic. So are Four Kegs and the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas and M Resort. There's no shame in liking the "touristy" parts of town, whether you are a tourist or a life-long resident.

I think Gross puts it quite nicely when he describes his transition from the outskirts to Las Vegas Boulevard:

The 'real' Las Vegas I’d been exploring was a diversion from another, just as real version: the Sin City of the Strip, the crowds, the resorts, the gambling.

Absolutely.

Viva,

Mike

It Takes All Kinds

Hi Vegas fans,

I learned recently that the Digiscrap-apalooza conference will be in Vegas at the Riviera the same time that Steve and I will be there. In case you don't know (and I didn't), this is for scrap book fanatics. Not exactly something we would get excited about, but it got me thinking.

There's this Big Game this weekend (Super Bowl XLV), and although Vegas will be packed with football fans this weekend, it's not everyone's cup o' joe. It takes all kinds.

People go to Vegas for all different kinds of reasons, but it seems clear to me that it's a great gathering place, whether you are watching a sporting event, having a reunion, getting married... I could go on. Bottom line: when people think of "fun" and more specifically "over-the-top fun," Vegas often comes to mind. Viva Digiscrap-apalooza.

So whether you are watching the game in Vegas this weekend or at home or at a bar or at a friend's house, or whether you are knitting or baby-sitting or doing a crossword puzzle, whether you have never been to Vegas or whether you are going for you 100th time, remember my motto: Go to Vegas. It's that simple.

Enjoy your weekend.

Viva,

Mike

Classic Las Vegas

Hi Vegas aficionados,

Steve and I will be staying at the Riviera on our next trip. We've stayed there a few times, including on our very first trip back circa 1992. What a blast - we were just kids then, really. We really didn't know what to expect, but we had fun playing $2 blackjack and craps, even at the high-end places like Caesars and the Mirage. Back then, Caesars was a great place to gamble. Lots of tables, bonuses for things like 6-7-8 blackjack (not a side bet, a bonus!). Those days are gone.

My favorite venue was the Stardust. Even back then, it was kind of old and starting to show its age. But the blackjack tables were a blast, and the dealers were friendly. Above is a picture of me with one - her name was Penny and she was really funny. Great dealer.

Las Vegas still has some awesome, professional dealers, even if the bonus deals are long gone. That's one of the reasons I still enjoy visiting Las Vegas. The dealers really make the experience worthwhile. Well, the dealers and the cocktail waitresses.

The good news is that if you come across one that you don't like, you can just switch tables. Who needs Grumpy the Dealer? I've added some more ideas on blackjack tables and dealers on the Gaming tab, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, too. So please feel free to post some comments about good and bad experiences at the tables in Las Vegas.

Viva,

Mike

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:

• http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_readers
• http://news.cnet.com/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy

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

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

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