Works of Art

Hi Vegas fans,

I noticed that the Bellagio has some fantastic art in their Fine Art Gallery. The Bellagio has the only art museum left on the Strip. There used to be some great ones - the Venetian had the Guggenheim Hermitage, the Wynn had some of Steve's personal collection, for example. But now, the Strip just has the Bellagio. I would love to see more art presence on the Strip, but it just hasn't proven profitable for the casinos.

Downtown has some hip places, like the Arts Factory, which is not only home to cool art but is also a bar and bistro. The whole downtown art scene is pretty happening, including First Fridays, which is a fun festival every first Friday of the month. Very cool.

So art is definitely alive in Vegas. And I love it. Along those lines, I wanted to add my own little art contribution to Vegas. About 18 years ago, I took a picture of a 1965 Corvette outside of Caesars Palace. Back then, Caesars wasn't owned by Harrah's. So it was fun. My buddy Steve and I used to play $2 blackjack there, and they had lots of tables. They even had these cool little extras, like if you got a five-card blackjack, you'd get paid extra. Or if you had three sevens, or six-seven-eight, you'd get a bonus. Without even placing a side bet! Unheard of today. It's a different world.

But, I digress. I hope you enjoy my picture on the home page of the site (it's a little grainy... I had to scan it in. The good old days meant developing photos, not downloading them via USB cable to your computer!).

Viva,

Mike

p.s. Fill out the trivia contest by Friday and win a luggage tag!!!

Site's Done! Sort of...

Hi Vegas fans,

By now, you've seen the new Simplifying Las Vegas website. Whew. Lots of work, and I still have to fix some minor details, and I want to update a little of this, a little of that. And then I'll tweak it some more.

That's the thing about a website. It's a living thing, constantly changing. But for now I'm taking a step back and enjoy it. For now.

And I'm happy to report that I'm ready to take my next trip to the Strip. Four days in September. Oh yeah, I'm already looking forward to it.

More later...
Viva,
Mike

Almost there with the new website

Hi Vegas fans,

The new website is almost complete. I have a few details to figure out, then I will bring it live, probably this weekend or Monday night. I'm very excited! It has a new, fresh look and some new features. And at the same time, I still have the familiar stuff that you know and love.

The site is a great place to explore, see/contribute great Vegas pictures, learn more about Vegas and gambling, and throw in your two cents about all things Vegas. And the site really complements the whole Simplifying idea, as expressed in my travel guides -- Vegas is about having fun on your terms, not someone else's. Don't just read forums that tell you which restaurants they like, which shows are good, etc.

Now I can tell you what I like. That's easy. But, more importantly, if you tell me what kinds of stuff you like to do, I can give you a list of items that you can choose from and then decide for yourself. In Vegas, there's always more than one of anything, and any guide book that points you in one direction is either uninformed, being paid to tell you what to do, or has not done the comprehensive research that I've done (and continue to do) for Simplifying. It's that simple.

People who have the knowledge of what's out there and then decide for themselves what they want to do always have a great time. If you strictly rely on some other source, you may be disappointed. And so the Simplifying site and travel guide present you with the best guidance of all - your options. The rest is up to you. Remember, no one can have fun for you.

Anyway, enough rambling! I will keep you updated on the site and my upcoming trip in September.

Viva,
Mike

News n' Notes

Hi Vegas Fanatics,

A few quick notes. I can't stay long because I'm working hard on a new and improved website. So I guess that's the biggest news item I have this week! It's really coming along, and as long as I can figure out how to switch over my domain, it should be ready in about 2 weeks. I hope

I also wanted to mention that I have a new poll and have received a few votes. Be sure to check it out. Don't forget to leave a comment or email me if you want a chance to win a free t-shirt.

And, the Flickr group continues to grow. There are new pictures every day (over 4,000 of 'em), and there are 350 members!

Thanks for your continue support... I really enjoy writing about Vegas and building the site. Don't forget that you can purchase a copy of SLV either via PDF or download a copy to your Kindle.

Viva,
Mike

Let's Go!

Hi Vegas Fans,

I am in the midst of trying to convince friends and co-workers to go to Vegas with me in September. Steve, my best buddy for over 25 years, is of course on board. It's really like a competition between us to see who's more pumped to go on the next trip. I have a few other people interested, and I'm hoping this momentum continues.

I've tried this before, right after my high school reunion a few years ago. A few people showed a lot of interest and said they would be there for sure, and then only one friend, Merrie, showed up. It was great to have Merrie meet up with us and hang out in Vegas. In fact, she brought a friend with her a few months later, and four of us had a great time. And, it was more fun making fun of the people that didn't show up. No, we really didn't do that.

I've never regretted a trip to Vegas. I've never gone there and said, "gee, I wish I saved a few bucks or spent time doing something else. Instead, here I am stuck in Sin City and all I'm doing is having the time of my life with fun people. Again!" On the other hand, there are plenty of times when I'm at home or doing something I'd rather not and I say to myself, "I wish I was in Vegas right now." Speaking of...

I wish I was sitting at the blackjack table with a rum and Coke, laughing it up and chatting with the dealer, cocktail waitresses, and other players. I wish I was at the craps table, chanting 'fifty-four' or 'sixty-three' at the top of my lungs with the guy next to me, rooting on the shooter to roll a nine (this actually happened on my last trip, by the way. And the shooter hit the point!).

I wish I was at Battista's drinking red wine from a tiny glass, eating the heck out of some good pasta, and waiting for Gordy the accordion player to drop by. I wish I was at a club dancing like a fool till my feet hurt. I wish I was driving down the Strip at 3am because I was so excited I couldn't sleep, and I wish I could stop at the Welcome sign to take a few snapshots (yeah, this actually happened, too.). I wish I was at the Peppermill for a hangover-cure breakfast, with scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a whole lotta coffee.

Yup... no regrets in Vegas, even when I lose a little money. But I do spend some time thinking about how much fun it'll be when I go back.

Are you all with me???? Don't miss out. Don't postpone fun. Don't wait until it's the right time. The right time is in September. I promise you won't regret it.

Viva,

Mike

The JUMP and a new Cirque Show

Hi Vegas fans,

Jump from the Sky
If you like to get your thrill on, you're in luck because there's a new ride at the Stratosphere. The Strat already has three nutty rides, including Insanity, X-Scream, and Big Shot. Now, there's SkyJump Las Vegas. Here's the deal. Go way up in an elevator and press the button for 108. Then, get into your jump gear and get ready to free fall 855 feet. Wow! I don't think I'm brave enough for this. I get woosey when the plane hits some turbulence. My thrill ride days may be limited, if not over!

King of Pop Cirque Show
A Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show will debut in the fall of 2011. The show is a joint production with the Michael Jackson estate and will feature, of course, the music of MJ.

Well, I gotta wonder. We already have Love and Viva Elvis. Cirque is either keeping a great thing going, or they are spreading it too thin. I guess we'll know in the fall of 2011.

Coming soon... new, exciting stuff! Like a revised scavenger hunt and, eventually, a revised website. Yup, I've got my work cut out for me. Wish me luck, and help me out by giving me as much feedback as you can.

Thanks!
Viva,
Mike

It's a good thing that...

Hi Vegas nuts,

In my last blog, I commented on "What's Up With?..." and listed stuff that baffles me about my favorite city. This week, I'm taking a different approach. This is a little bit more of a positive spin, which of course is more my style!

It's a good thing that...

• Gordy the accordion player is still singing his heart out at Battista's Hole in the Wall. It's a Vegas tradition for me and my friends/family and a must every time we go.
• The Statosphere is still shining high in the sky. I love this place, as you may have read, and it's so much fun to play $5 blackjack and craps there.
• Excal and Trop are still shining, too. See above.
• Paradise Road runs parallel to the Strip. With the addition of City Center, the Strip is really crowded these days. Of course, remember my golden rule: if you want to drive the Strip and all its glory, try to do so before 10 am or after 1am. During those times, it's less crowded
• I am afraid of foreign ATM charges. It has kept me from the ATM Crawl of Shame many a time. My buddy Steve is not immune to it, but on our last trip he rebounded quite nicely from his last withdrawal and ended up with Fat Wallet Syndrome.
• The drinks at the tables are free. If they weren't, I'd have to perform the ATM Crawl of Shame (see above).
• My wife is a patient and understanding woman. She encourages me to hang out with Steve and "howl at the moon" whenever we go to Vegas. Viva Muffles!

There's a lot more I can add to this list, so I'll do a Part II soon. In the mean time, send me your Vegas lists of "It's a good thing" and I'll post them.

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