How about that free trip!! or you know the saying about insanity is doing the same
thing over and over thinking you'll get a different result.
Anyway.
Left Friday 11-11-11 from Milwaukee on AirTran. I drove myself because my sister
works at Chilis Too at the airport and I thought I'd eat there and visit. I did see
her, but she was too busy so just said hi and I'll see her on Thanksgiving at my house.
My cousin Ann was also working there as a bartender.
Lou, the player at Harrahs Joliet who had this offer for air and hotel for him and
up to five people, Rick his brother, and Joe a good friend of all of us(for Rick and I
grade school classmates) arrived about 20 minutes before take off. They did eat
at the airport, which Lou regretted later on the plane.
I know I'm kind of long-winded on these reports, but I'm at work with little to do today.
I did not check my bag. At the gate they wanted volunteers to check bags for free.
I did and saved the $20 baggage charge. On time take off. A few years ago I bought myself a portable DVD. Watched Live Free Or Die Hard with Bruce Willis.
Arrived a few minutes early. Shuttled over to Dollar. Why O Why people don't join Dollar I don't know.
We walked right to the car and were out in five minutes.
Drove to Paris and checked in. I had Room 2171. Southerly view of PH Westgate tower. Was okay.
Walking the corridor to my room there were six bottles of beer outside a room after house cleaning.
I grabbed three. Saved another at least $12. I thought what a nice start to the trip. Not.
The other three beers were still there the next day; so, no, I did not steal them from someone.
The other three had eaten before the flight and weren't that hungry. We went to the Diamond Lounge
to see what they had. Good thing they weren't hungry. Chips, salsa, pretzels was it. I wonder
what the Platinum Lounge would have. Probably have to bring my own food in.
I walked to Ellis Island and had two slices of pizza and a beer. It was good. They did not have their
egg nog for another week. I've never had it. Played some VP and won $30. Take note of that.
Walked back through Ballys and played the progressive VP. Lost.
Walked through Bill's and saw Big Elvis. I enjoy his show. He was in his gospel tunes.
Went to Harrahs to the sports book to say hi to Tom, a bartender, who is from my home town.
Played VP and had a few Guinessesssss(sp?) and talked for a bit. He's been out here 23 years
almost all at Harrahs. Nice guy. Lost here.
Walked to Casino Royale for the $1 Michelobe. Yes, I like going to these places. Had one beer and...Lost.
Went back to Paris to find the guys. By now Lou has hit two $4,000 and one $4,800 jackpot on
the Blazing 7's right in front of the steak restaurant. I played vp....lost.
We had 7:00 pm reservations at the steak place. Good thing. The line for the buffet was nuts, even
for Diamond players. Dinner's on Lou. I just had the garbage salad and small filet. Meat was
cooked to order but cool. Didn't complain. It tasted fine. I don't eat desserts. Dinner was $280
without tip. Rick, Joe and I tipped. No alcohol.
After dinner Lou and Joe went back to the Blazing 7's. Joe had no luck during the day and
borrowed $300 from Lou. The rest of his $$ was in the safe. Five minutes playing Joe hit
for $4,000. Great for him. I'm in shut down mode now until tomorrow.
It's about 9:15. I've been up since 4:30 Central time. Headed up to the room. Key didn't work.
Went and got new keys. Told not to keep them near cell phone, credit cards, blah blah blah.
First night in bed at 9:30. Getting older but hopefully wiser.
Lots of brides and grooms in town. Some real fancy, some in 11-11-11 T-shirts.
Saturday, 11-12-11
First up at 6:30 with next door neighbor's tv blaring. Up and out at 8:00.
Joe, Rick and I head to M. Lou's trying to get a flight out today. He knows if
he stays his $$ will be gone. I'm estimating he's (only) up $6,000 this morning.
He played 'til about 2:30 last night on the 7's.
I'll say it again. I really like M. Clean, wide open, sunlight, good food.
Our gift was a white M Polo shirt. We came here to watch the Penn State/Nebraska
football game. Joe was just able to put some $ on Nebraska. He won in the end.
I watched the first half with him while having coffee and an apple danish from Babycakes.
At halftime I started playing vp. Hallelujah, I'm up $300. Coming back. Maybe this is
why I like it here. This will be my last win. Played craps for a bit and lost, and then we went to the buffet.
Rick and I had a free meal with a line pass, and Joe paid with points. I didn't realize it was the seafood buffet.
$33. Glad mine was free. Highlights were turkey, some veggies, and the lobster bisque. Of course, people
had two plates overflowing with crab legs. You know, you can go back. They won't run out.
Tried a few desserts today to see how they might taste. They looked better than they tasted.
Rick had to get brother Lou to the airport by 2:00. I walk the strip for a few hours. I saw Pete Rose
at one memorabilia store and Dick Butkus at the other. Rose had no grey hair and Butkus was
realistic enough to at least have a little.
Walked passed PJ Clarke's. There was a Guiness chugging contest going on. I thought they only
did these things at O'Sheas-type places. Didn't stick around to congratulate the winner.
Walked back through Harrahs and after losing at casino vp I went to the sports book again. Tom was
working again. Lost at bar vp here. Watched some college football. This is the first time I've been
in Vegas during football season. There's cheering or groans after every score. Fun atmosphere. Told
Tom I'd be back tomorrow(Sunday) to watch the Bears/Lions game.
Met Rick and Joe at PH. I didn't play. Rick is getting killed this trip. Joe can't lose.
We drive out to the Orleans. I haven't been here. Parking lot is jammed. They're having
a $10,000 giveaway three times today. The last one is at 7:00. We get there around
6:30. I get my card and put the necessary 50 points on for the drawing. Actually I put
350 on. Of course, lost doing that. I wanted to eat at Big Al's Oyster bar but couldn't
get a seat even at the bar. Found Rick playing craps. I buy in and lose. I went to play
bj. Lose. Can't spell it the French way, but such is life.
Riding back to Paris I tell Rick to drop me off at Ellis because I wanted to have the
steak special. They decide to come in and eat. It's what they advertise. My steak
was cooked to my liking.
We get back to Paris. I try vp again. Nope. Sometime today I did try the Lord of the Rings
slot game. It remembers me from last year without playing. Lost.
Up and to bed at 12:30.
