Business and Pleasure

The view from my room at the Monte Carlo. You are looking at the New York New York hotel and the coaster, Manhattan Express, we rode the first night in town.

This is me and my So Oregon manager after a few drinks. I'm bright eyed and he's lazy eyes. You do to the math to determine who either 1: holds their liquor better or 2: at this point of the night who was 3 sheets to the wind.



It is good to be HOME.


Not tired anymore but this is only because I turned off my phones and slept ALL day today and now when I should be sleeping, I am wide awake.

The meeting went well. The trip was the right mix of business and pleasure. The only downside was coming back yesterday. There was a mechanical failure on our plane so we spent about two and a half hours on the tarmac in Vegas. At least the AC was going otherwise it would have been really unpleasant.

I am so very glad I picked up James Patterson's latest book to read on the way home...before I knew we would be delayed. I read the whole book on the way home. It made sitting on the tarmac and in the middle seat ok. Well, bearable I should say.

I usually don't sit in the middle seat but I wasn't assigned a seat until the last minute because I booked this flight late in the game. I was sandwiched, and I mean sandwiched, between a man on the right and a woman on the left. Both of them thought I didn't need any room so they squished me in something good. Oh, and they both proceeded to drink (her a few gins and him a few crown royals). Wanna guess what happened next? Yea, they fell asleep. He snored. She tried to lay her head on my shoulder.

All I am saying is thank goodness for iPods and the foresight to read a book instead of trying to get some work done on the way home.

So, I know you want to know what we did and how my presentation went over don't you?

We, my HR co-worker and I, arrived on time. Upon arrival to the hotel we ran to grab a sandwich at Subway in the hotel (Monte Carlo) before we headed up to the meeting.

Arrived at the meeting and found out my presentation was last on the agenda for the day. That's good stuff huh? Lay the smack on them right before dinner. Can you say buzz kill?

It generated a lot of candid conversation and some good BOY (balance of year) actions so I consider it a success. Both boss mans did too.

Post meeting, we had dinner at the steakhouse in the hotel. We chowed and the wine was free flowing. More business conducted at dinner, laughs shared, and since we had to make it a tame night the girls and I decided we would head over to the New York New York to ride the coaster and grab a drink or two at Coyote Ugly.

I know. Making it a tame night in Vegas goes against what you know I'd normally do but hey, the next day was full of business. We might be in Vegas but it is still a business meeting.

Post coaster and Coyote Ugly (No, I didn't dance on the bar), we headed back to the hotel to catch up with most all of the boys at the brew pub. There was a Prince imposter thing going on which was very entertaining and the place was popping. In between sets they were playing booty shaking music so all was good.

Headed to bed sometime after 2:30 AM and making sure everyone was accounted for. That is the only downside to meeting in Vegas. We tend to disperse and I go into Mother Goose mode. Someone has to be responsible for those who choose not to be responsible for themselves on these outings.

Woke up around 7:30 AM and headed down to the buffet for breakfast with two of my managers. From there we headed to the meeting and proceeded to freeze our arses off. Ever notice how cold hotel meeting rooms are? I totally forgot to pack my wrap or a cardigan so I moved around a lot to stay warm and honestly, to stay awake too.

Post meeting, we went to dinner at the same buffet I ate breakfast at and went to see Lance Burton, master magician.

We got a special shout out from him. Apparently his mom worked for our company as a packer for 25 years and retired. He was 5 years old when he saw his first magician at one of our company Christmas parties and the rest is history as they say.

I didn't think I would enjoy the show but it was entertaining. There were a few cheesy moments but would you expect anything less from a Vegas magic show?

After the show we wandered around for a bit and ended up at the Houdini Lounge. A laid back, red velvet chair, lounge in which the lounge singers were playing Barry White, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, etc. We were a bit rowdy and became part of the act. I was nicknamed the paparazzi by one of the singers and got him to laugh mid song by echoing him. My apologies to the other patrons.

From there, because the service sucked, we went back to the brew pub from the night before. It was a totally different scene. The place was empty and they were doing a 90s throwback. We jammed to the music videos, talked, laughed, did some shots, and made comments on the others trying to shake their groove thing.


We were here. One of our tables at the brew pub. I made them move so I could take a picture of the aftermath.


Snapshot of one of the many shots consumed. I don't think you can see it but this was Sambucca; hope that is spelled right.

Around 3:00 AM it was decided Scooby Snacks were in order. We headed to the Cafe and the rowdiness continued. To the point of almost being kicked out of the restaurant. Is it possible to get kicked out of a restaurant in Vegas? If so, we were well on our way.

My Scooby Snack. Eggs, chicken fried steak, hash browns. Someone else ate my toast before I got a chance to take a picture. Them boys were starving!

After we scarfed, we said our good-byes. Some of us went to bed and others decided to try their hands at lady luck.

I decided to head to bed. I am not a gambler. I work too hard for my money. If I am gambling with someone else's money that is an entirely different story. I don't even do the $1.00 slots. I am such a cheapskate.

Got up the next morning with just enough time to pack, check out, and head for the airport.

Sorry to disappoint you. If this had been a purely pleasure trip, there would be lots more to tell you. The outcome would be totally different. But like I said, even though it was a celebration, it was still a business trip.

If you want a relatively good room rate, the Monte Carlo fits the bill. Just prepare yourself for the mass quantities of hookers working the casino floor. Ladies of the night were at every freaking corner. And peeps, that is no understatement.

I'm going to try to get some sleep. I'm heading to Pete's for a bit in the afternoon and then it is back home to pack for Alaska. Leaving on another jet plane first thing Monday morning.

And for those of you wondering, we did not have dinner Friday night. He was not feeling well and had to work early the next morning. I was none too happy about that but what can I do?

We talked for about 3o minutes when I was sitting on the plane and again for about 1 hour after he woke up from sleeping. We just about decided to call it quits but after talking it through have decided to hang in there and continue to try to make this work while recognizing the next few months are going to be tough to make it work.

Both of our schedules are going to be crazy but we care enough to give it a go. I'll be sure to keep y'all updated. But for the time being know that if I don't post about him, it is because we are not physically seeing one another. I promise to update you if we break up.

Ok, love kitty is pawing and yelling at me so this means it is time to go to bed. Or at least try to get some sleep.

Peace and Love Peeps.