......and it wasn't even my birthday!!
Just returned from my annual August Vegas trip (annual because for the past 8 years I have always gone around the 19th to make sure to celebrate lil sis, aka Fflowers, birthday). This year was special because it was an "epic" birthday for her. (she can tell you why it was Epic.)
The guest list included dbueler (Diane), Jill, Peaches and Jil's mom! The "Epic" celebration began Monday morning at the Bacchanal buffet at Ceasars. On my way there, from Paris (where I was staying), I ran into Diane who had just walked over from the Flamingo (her fave). I hadn't seen her since last year so it's always a good sign when I run into my favorite out of town LVAer in Vegas. I dropped my stuff (gym stuff for the Qua) off in lil sis room and then she, peaches and I joined Diane for the buffet. It was my first time at the "Bac", and it definitely won't be my last. I won't bore you with all the details of the buffet other than to say "every breakfast in Vegas should be this good"! (Thanks lil sis)
After breakfast we followed lil sis to her #5 cabana by the Caesars pool which is where we all would be hanging out during different portions of the day! Caesars hooked lil sis up! Lil sis then took me to the Qua where she got me a free admission ( the hows and why I will let her explain). Everyone dispersed as I went to the the Mirage for some poker (lost my a--) came back and worked out at the Qua and chilled in the spa (Fabulous) and then joined the rest of the crew at the Cabana till dinner time.
Dinner was at 5 at the Bellagio buffet compliments of Diane! I have never been to the Bellagio buffet before, but I now understand what all the the fuss is about. In a word...."Fan-Dam-tastic"! Again you don't want to be bored...and I don't want to start salivating at my computer. (Thanks Diane).
Monday evenings "pre-birthday event" was going to the Excalibur for the Austrailian Bee Gees show. I must admit that at first I was sort of hesitant about this show. But after Diane got us front row, center seats and the band got rocking...(I was in heaven). I had forgotten about all the Bee Gees songs that I grew up with. By the end of the show all of us were up dancing and I have a video of lil sis, Diane, Peaches and Jill in a "soul train" line doing some funky dance steps. It was a RIOT!! I was exhausted! Great show...(Thanks Diane). We all went back to our hotels and I crashed (after a brief stop at the Rio to try my hand at craps and some 8/5 vp $1.00 vp!).
Tuesday morning...the "Epic Birthday". We met at Mon Ami Gabi (which was at my hotel) for breakfast at 10:30. I had stopped there before 10 to let the head lady know that 6 of us were celebrating lil sis birthday and that (although you couldn't reserve an outside patio seat) I was hoping that they could save a 6 seater by the railing. I also put in a bid for whatever "special something" they could do to help celebrate lil sis's birthday.
The staff at Mon Ami Gabi came thru with everything asked for plus a fabulous breakfast! Seats right along the railing and the weather was mid-80's and a light breeze. We could not have asked for a better day for a birthday breakfast! The staff presented her with a lil birthday ice cream with a candle and the rest was history.
We all went separate ways till dinner. Lil sis signed me up again for another round at the Qua. I returned to the Mirage poker room to recoup some of my loses from the day before (and I was somewhat successful). And then I returned to the Qua and just basically did sauna, steam and then went to sleep in the roman pool area for an hour (best sleep on a hard surface known to mankind!!) Thanks Lil Sis!!
The evening began with THE EPIC BIRTHDAY DINNER! It was at a place that I have never eaten at before (you may notice a theme here) called Chris Ruth's Steak house. [Disclaimer - I am a buffet/McDonald's/fast food type of guy]. So when I arrived at Chris Ruth's via the Chris Ruth's elevator to the restaurant...I was in awe. Service. ambiance, 22 oz "Cowboy Rib-eye" steak and great company. Again I won't bore you with the details (I'm starving right now), about the meal etc etc but it was 1 helluva way to bring ones "Epic" birthday!! 1 special part of the evening for me was , while at dinner (round table) everyone had advice for me (I'm getting married October 9th) on what makes a successful marriage. Mrs. Lewis has been married over 50 years, Diane over 28 and Jill for 23....so plenty of positive feedback was given ...and appreciated!!(Thanks C. E. T. for 1 helluva birthday dinner for my lil sis)
Afterwards we went to the High Roller at which time Diane & Mrs Lewis declined (smart move on their part). I braved the heights for lil sis and to be quite honest it was worth it. Keep in mind I don't get on the Ferris wheel at my local park so the High roller was a serious move on my part! (Thanks lil sis and Diane)
After the high roller, we headed to the "Show". MJ ONE!!!!! We arrived at Mandalay Bay and I must admit I was pumped. I saw the "Immortal" Mj Show at Air Canada Centre in Toronto 3/4 years ago and I figured that this was the same thing....WRONG!!! The best Cirque show ever! There is nothing in Vegas that is close to what took place in front of my eyes for nearly 2 hours. The music, the performers, the dancing ("Thriller was the BOMB). It was (as the kids say) OFF THE CHAIN!!!! (Or is it "off the Hook" ). In any case..it was a great show. (Thanks Lil sis),
After the show we pretty much went our separate ways. And since some flights were as early as 8 a.m. the next morning, we all said good bye and retired to our favorite casino for that 1 last shot at a hand-pay. After all what better way to finish of a fantastic "Epic" birthday celebration. Hated saying goodbye to everyone, especially Diane who has got to be the best person that I, or lil sis , has ever met in Nevada. As true a friend as you will ever find!!
I headed to Ellis island for some nickle quick quads and I must say I did ok but.....
......................when I returned to my room my lil sis had this waiting for me on my phone
and then this.......
and last but not least this......................................
Thats right. $10,400.00 on super times pay with a 4 times multiplier!
If that ain"t a way to finish an EPIC birthday clelbration, then I don't know what is!
Ps Hopefully with photobucket, these pictures will remain!
Just returned from my annual August Vegas trip (annual because for the past 8 years I have always gone around the 19th to make sure to celebrate lil sis, aka Fflowers, birthday). This year was special because it was an "epic" birthday for her. (she can tell you why it was Epic.)
The guest list included dbueler (Diane), Jill, Peaches and Jil's mom! The "Epic" celebration began Monday morning at the Bacchanal buffet at Ceasars. On my way there, from Paris (where I was staying), I ran into Diane who had just walked over from the Flamingo (her fave). I hadn't seen her since last year so it's always a good sign when I run into my favorite out of town LVAer in Vegas. I dropped my stuff (gym stuff for the Qua) off in lil sis room and then she, peaches and I joined Diane for the buffet. It was my first time at the "Bac", and it definitely won't be my last. I won't bore you with all the details of the buffet other than to say "every breakfast in Vegas should be this good"! (Thanks lil sis)
After breakfast we followed lil sis to her #5 cabana by the Caesars pool which is where we all would be hanging out during different portions of the day! Caesars hooked lil sis up! Lil sis then took me to the Qua where she got me a free admission ( the hows and why I will let her explain). Everyone dispersed as I went to the the Mirage for some poker (lost my a--) came back and worked out at the Qua and chilled in the spa (Fabulous) and then joined the rest of the crew at the Cabana till dinner time.
Dinner was at 5 at the Bellagio buffet compliments of Diane! I have never been to the Bellagio buffet before, but I now understand what all the the fuss is about. In a word...."Fan-Dam-tastic"! Again you don't want to be bored...and I don't want to start salivating at my computer. (Thanks Diane).
Monday evenings "pre-birthday event" was going to the Excalibur for the Austrailian Bee Gees show. I must admit that at first I was sort of hesitant about this show. But after Diane got us front row, center seats and the band got rocking...(I was in heaven). I had forgotten about all the Bee Gees songs that I grew up with. By the end of the show all of us were up dancing and I have a video of lil sis, Diane, Peaches and Jill in a "soul train" line doing some funky dance steps. It was a RIOT!! I was exhausted! Great show...(Thanks Diane). We all went back to our hotels and I crashed (after a brief stop at the Rio to try my hand at craps and some 8/5 vp $1.00 vp!).
Tuesday morning...the "Epic Birthday". We met at Mon Ami Gabi (which was at my hotel) for breakfast at 10:30. I had stopped there before 10 to let the head lady know that 6 of us were celebrating lil sis birthday and that (although you couldn't reserve an outside patio seat) I was hoping that they could save a 6 seater by the railing. I also put in a bid for whatever "special something" they could do to help celebrate lil sis's birthday.
The staff at Mon Ami Gabi came thru with everything asked for plus a fabulous breakfast! Seats right along the railing and the weather was mid-80's and a light breeze. We could not have asked for a better day for a birthday breakfast! The staff presented her with a lil birthday ice cream with a candle and the rest was history.
We all went separate ways till dinner. Lil sis signed me up again for another round at the Qua. I returned to the Mirage poker room to recoup some of my loses from the day before (and I was somewhat successful). And then I returned to the Qua and just basically did sauna, steam and then went to sleep in the roman pool area for an hour (best sleep on a hard surface known to mankind!!) Thanks Lil Sis!!
The evening began with THE EPIC BIRTHDAY DINNER! It was at a place that I have never eaten at before (you may notice a theme here) called Chris Ruth's Steak house. [Disclaimer - I am a buffet/McDonald's/fast food type of guy]. So when I arrived at Chris Ruth's via the Chris Ruth's elevator to the restaurant...I was in awe. Service. ambiance, 22 oz "Cowboy Rib-eye" steak and great company. Again I won't bore you with the details (I'm starving right now), about the meal etc etc but it was 1 helluva way to bring ones "Epic" birthday!! 1 special part of the evening for me was , while at dinner (round table) everyone had advice for me (I'm getting married October 9th) on what makes a successful marriage. Mrs. Lewis has been married over 50 years, Diane over 28 and Jill for 23....so plenty of positive feedback was given ...and appreciated!!(Thanks C. E. T. for 1 helluva birthday dinner for my lil sis)
Afterwards we went to the High Roller at which time Diane & Mrs Lewis declined (smart move on their part). I braved the heights for lil sis and to be quite honest it was worth it. Keep in mind I don't get on the Ferris wheel at my local park so the High roller was a serious move on my part! (Thanks lil sis and Diane)
After the high roller, we headed to the "Show". MJ ONE!!!!! We arrived at Mandalay Bay and I must admit I was pumped. I saw the "Immortal" Mj Show at Air Canada Centre in Toronto 3/4 years ago and I figured that this was the same thing....WRONG!!! The best Cirque show ever! There is nothing in Vegas that is close to what took place in front of my eyes for nearly 2 hours. The music, the performers, the dancing ("Thriller was the BOMB). It was (as the kids say) OFF THE CHAIN!!!! (Or is it "off the Hook" ). In any case..it was a great show. (Thanks Lil sis),
After the show we pretty much went our separate ways. And since some flights were as early as 8 a.m. the next morning, we all said good bye and retired to our favorite casino for that 1 last shot at a hand-pay. After all what better way to finish of a fantastic "Epic" birthday celebration. Hated saying goodbye to everyone, especially Diane who has got to be the best person that I, or lil sis , has ever met in Nevada. As true a friend as you will ever find!!
I headed to Ellis island for some nickle quick quads and I must say I did ok but.....
......................when I returned to my room my lil sis had this waiting for me on my phone
and then this.......
and last but not least this......................................
Thats right. $10,400.00 on super times pay with a 4 times multiplier!
If that ain"t a way to finish an EPIC birthday clelbration, then I don't know what is!
Ps Hopefully with photobucket, these pictures will remain!
