Summer 2012 – Day 6
I woke up about 6:30 AM and began packing for the trip to Laughlin today. Contrary from yesterday, the sky was clear and my view from the room was terrific. It wasn’t long when I looked down about two blocks away and noticed a bloom of smoke coming up from what appeared to be an apartment building. Soon fire trucks were coming in all directions. They had the fire out within about 20 minutes. I later learned that it was an apartment and that a dog died and three families were displaced.
Fire just starting
I finally finished everything and left the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH), which I’ll say again that for a hotel that was built 50 years ago, they have done a great job at keeping this place look modern and vital. I’m not sure how much longer they can sustain these slashing prices (I just received an email offering $25 per night room rates through August 31) and still stay competitive. I would hate to see this becoming another Circus Circus.
I made a stop at Costco in Henderson once again to fill up the tank and then on to Starbucks to send in yesterday’s report. As I was there, a woman walked in with two children I guessed at 2 and 3 years. She also was pushing a stroller and was pregnant. The kids sat down quietly as she brought them waters. I was struck by how well behaved they were and said thank you when handed the bottles. I thought to myself what this mother’s life must be like every day bringing up all these kids at such young ages (my own daughter-in-law did pretty much the same thing after the twins were born). At my age, I’d never find the strength. I sat there wondering about their future and as much as things have changed in my lifetime, just what their world will be like in the next 50 years.
As I walked out of the Starbucks, I passed a bread shop that is just next door. I’ve walked passed this place a dozen times not giving it much thought other than my usual “I wonder how they’re doing in this economy?” However, I put my computer in my car and walked back. It was 10:30 and I hadn’t eaten anything today, so I thought rather than the usual hamburger and fries for the drive, I’d have a turkey sandwich. I went in and was greeted by two college-age girls who were very helpful showing me how to order it with a piece of paper that you circle the type of bread, cheese, veggies, and condiments. This little strip mall joint makes their own bread on the premises and offers a free sample. They had seven or eight different kinds of bread this day. They gave me large piece of the cinnamon swirl, which was wonderful. They finished my turkey on sourdough and I was on my way. I’m mentioning all of this because I was struck by how small this “boutique bakery” was and that there are wonderful alternatives out there, if we just take a moment to explore. I didn’t catch the name of the shop, but I’ll be sure to add it along with a pic on my next trip here, which will be in about a week.
The drive to Laughlin was fine, but I would like to mention to those of you who have made this drive that if you’re familiar with the large solar cell farm north of the 95, it is going under another expansion. What started out as one block, then two, is now becoming four. Obviously, they’re doing very well and why wouldn’t it? This part of the country gets sunshine 168 days a year. Again, I’ll stop and take a pic my next time through.
I arrived in Laughlin, but it was too early to check in. I had a choice to either gamble until then or go see a movie. Considering my gambling has been so poor as of late, I took in the just released Oliver Stone SAVAGES. It was showing in the struggling little shopping center in the center of Laughlin. I’ve been afraid that like many of the empty storefronts here, the theater would succumb as well. However, when I arrived I noticed all new display boards and TV monitors over the snack bar. Perhaps they’re doing okay after all. The movie was as advertised: grisly, brutal, bloody, and tense. This flick is not for the squeamish. I’m getting just a bit tired of drug themed movies and though this one was okay, I’d not go back to see again. (2 ½ claps)
I checked into Harrahs and was given a room in the South Tower with a view of the roof. I’ve stayed here many, many times. When I first made Diamond about five years ago, I was usually given a suite, which I honestly didn’t need being alone, but the last few years; the Caesars company has been cutting way back on their perks and Diamond players have lost many of the things we’ve taken for granted. Nowhere is this more evident than the Diamond Lounge. Here at Laughlin the first couple of years the lounge was open from 8:00 AM serving breakfast items and fruit to 11:00 PM with foods ranging from shrimp scampi to roast beef. Today, the lounge is open at 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (noon on weekends) and serves tuna salad and chicken salad, chips and salsa—that’s it! Oh and there’s some kind of soup that honestly looks like gruel. They no longer serve any other hot food whatsoever. If you don’t know, in order to be a Diamond player, you must gamble $110,000 (for video poker players) per year or $55,000 for slot players. You do still get line passes and though Caesars initially took away the two free B style show tickets away this year, they rescinded that due to a revolt by members. I’m whining about all of this because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to renew Diamond this year. Truthfully, the only real perk I actually use is the Diamond Lounge for the free drinks, but I don’t drink very much and you can get free drinks by just playing the games anyway. I’ve decided to put most of play into the Stations and Boyd properties that have better VP schedules and looser machines. It’s hard to cut the apron string, but I think it’s time.
View from my room. Look at all the roof space. Why not solar cells here?
I unpacked my things and walked down to the Diamond lounge to have a margarita. They recently repainted the place and put in one Internet station, so I checked the emails and read your comments (thank you for all the kind words). One reader has asked that I go back to the huge pictures. I would except I know that many people read this on their tablets and phones. When the pictures are that large, it expands the entire format forcing the person to constantly scroll in order to read the script. The smaller pictures allow them to more easily get through the reports.
I’m here on a slot tournament offer. I get three free nights and everyone gets $50 in free play regardless of the results. I’ve done these tournaments many times. To be honest, they’re ridiculous. You’re assigned a machine for each session and for five or ten minutes you sit there tapping on the spin button. After two sessions, one each day, the totals are made and the top ten finishers get more free play up to $6000 (Harrahs now pays their jackpots in free play, not cash—which is not as bad as you think. There’s no tax form to fill out because you’re not given cash, and then you can play it off in smaller increments and win most the money back without having to deal with the tax forms—of course you STILL declare all your winnings and losses at the end of year anyway!) I honestly do the deal for the free rooms and the $50. I have no delusions of winning anything. There are ten winners and there are over 500 players. I’d have a better chance drawing names out of a hat. Harrahs did something odd this time around. Usually, their MOD is to give you the $50 on the third day (in order to force you to hang out all three days), however, this time around, after you sign up for your machine numbers, you’re directed to the desk where they handed everyone their $50 script right away. Nice!
Laughlin Senior Center? No. It's the Diamond Lounge
I ordered a club sandwich to go from the café for dinner and was walking around until it was ready to be picked up when I ran into Ed. It’s a small world. Ed is my daughter’s girls’ other grandfather (grandfather-in-law?). When I first met Ed and his family, he played a lot of Internet poker. I told him about Diamond at the time and all the perks, so he came here to Laughlin and did his Diamond-in-a-Day and has renewed ever since. Now he mostly plays poker at Harrahs Rincon, and like me, takes advantage of the free tournament offers. Like me, he gets the same kinds of offers and he had a coupon for two for a free buffet. Since we both have one, we decided to take each other on Saturday and Sunday. Cool. We were going to use one today as it was steak night, but I had already ordered the sandwich. We agreed to meet up tomorrow after the first slot session. I did use the free play on 7/5 bonus poker (the best schedule to be found here) and lost. I then put $20 into a new machine called String of Pearls. With only $1.20 left, I hit a bonus that end up awarding me $88.00. I took the money and ran.
I grabbed my club sandwich and headed up to my room. A couple of sitcoms later, I was done for the day.
More tomorrow.
I woke up about 6:30 AM and began packing for the trip to Laughlin today. Contrary from yesterday, the sky was clear and my view from the room was terrific. It wasn’t long when I looked down about two blocks away and noticed a bloom of smoke coming up from what appeared to be an apartment building. Soon fire trucks were coming in all directions. They had the fire out within about 20 minutes. I later learned that it was an apartment and that a dog died and three families were displaced.
Fire just starting
I finally finished everything and left the Las Vegas Hotel (LVH), which I’ll say again that for a hotel that was built 50 years ago, they have done a great job at keeping this place look modern and vital. I’m not sure how much longer they can sustain these slashing prices (I just received an email offering $25 per night room rates through August 31) and still stay competitive. I would hate to see this becoming another Circus Circus.
I made a stop at Costco in Henderson once again to fill up the tank and then on to Starbucks to send in yesterday’s report. As I was there, a woman walked in with two children I guessed at 2 and 3 years. She also was pushing a stroller and was pregnant. The kids sat down quietly as she brought them waters. I was struck by how well behaved they were and said thank you when handed the bottles. I thought to myself what this mother’s life must be like every day bringing up all these kids at such young ages (my own daughter-in-law did pretty much the same thing after the twins were born). At my age, I’d never find the strength. I sat there wondering about their future and as much as things have changed in my lifetime, just what their world will be like in the next 50 years.
As I walked out of the Starbucks, I passed a bread shop that is just next door. I’ve walked passed this place a dozen times not giving it much thought other than my usual “I wonder how they’re doing in this economy?” However, I put my computer in my car and walked back. It was 10:30 and I hadn’t eaten anything today, so I thought rather than the usual hamburger and fries for the drive, I’d have a turkey sandwich. I went in and was greeted by two college-age girls who were very helpful showing me how to order it with a piece of paper that you circle the type of bread, cheese, veggies, and condiments. This little strip mall joint makes their own bread on the premises and offers a free sample. They had seven or eight different kinds of bread this day. They gave me large piece of the cinnamon swirl, which was wonderful. They finished my turkey on sourdough and I was on my way. I’m mentioning all of this because I was struck by how small this “boutique bakery” was and that there are wonderful alternatives out there, if we just take a moment to explore. I didn’t catch the name of the shop, but I’ll be sure to add it along with a pic on my next trip here, which will be in about a week.
The drive to Laughlin was fine, but I would like to mention to those of you who have made this drive that if you’re familiar with the large solar cell farm north of the 95, it is going under another expansion. What started out as one block, then two, is now becoming four. Obviously, they’re doing very well and why wouldn’t it? This part of the country gets sunshine 168 days a year. Again, I’ll stop and take a pic my next time through.
I arrived in Laughlin, but it was too early to check in. I had a choice to either gamble until then or go see a movie. Considering my gambling has been so poor as of late, I took in the just released Oliver Stone SAVAGES. It was showing in the struggling little shopping center in the center of Laughlin. I’ve been afraid that like many of the empty storefronts here, the theater would succumb as well. However, when I arrived I noticed all new display boards and TV monitors over the snack bar. Perhaps they’re doing okay after all. The movie was as advertised: grisly, brutal, bloody, and tense. This flick is not for the squeamish. I’m getting just a bit tired of drug themed movies and though this one was okay, I’d not go back to see again. (2 ½ claps)
I checked into Harrahs and was given a room in the South Tower with a view of the roof. I’ve stayed here many, many times. When I first made Diamond about five years ago, I was usually given a suite, which I honestly didn’t need being alone, but the last few years; the Caesars company has been cutting way back on their perks and Diamond players have lost many of the things we’ve taken for granted. Nowhere is this more evident than the Diamond Lounge. Here at Laughlin the first couple of years the lounge was open from 8:00 AM serving breakfast items and fruit to 11:00 PM with foods ranging from shrimp scampi to roast beef. Today, the lounge is open at 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (noon on weekends) and serves tuna salad and chicken salad, chips and salsa—that’s it! Oh and there’s some kind of soup that honestly looks like gruel. They no longer serve any other hot food whatsoever. If you don’t know, in order to be a Diamond player, you must gamble $110,000 (for video poker players) per year or $55,000 for slot players. You do still get line passes and though Caesars initially took away the two free B style show tickets away this year, they rescinded that due to a revolt by members. I’m whining about all of this because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to renew Diamond this year. Truthfully, the only real perk I actually use is the Diamond Lounge for the free drinks, but I don’t drink very much and you can get free drinks by just playing the games anyway. I’ve decided to put most of play into the Stations and Boyd properties that have better VP schedules and looser machines. It’s hard to cut the apron string, but I think it’s time.
View from my room. Look at all the roof space. Why not solar cells here?
I unpacked my things and walked down to the Diamond lounge to have a margarita. They recently repainted the place and put in one Internet station, so I checked the emails and read your comments (thank you for all the kind words). One reader has asked that I go back to the huge pictures. I would except I know that many people read this on their tablets and phones. When the pictures are that large, it expands the entire format forcing the person to constantly scroll in order to read the script. The smaller pictures allow them to more easily get through the reports.
I’m here on a slot tournament offer. I get three free nights and everyone gets $50 in free play regardless of the results. I’ve done these tournaments many times. To be honest, they’re ridiculous. You’re assigned a machine for each session and for five or ten minutes you sit there tapping on the spin button. After two sessions, one each day, the totals are made and the top ten finishers get more free play up to $6000 (Harrahs now pays their jackpots in free play, not cash—which is not as bad as you think. There’s no tax form to fill out because you’re not given cash, and then you can play it off in smaller increments and win most the money back without having to deal with the tax forms—of course you STILL declare all your winnings and losses at the end of year anyway!) I honestly do the deal for the free rooms and the $50. I have no delusions of winning anything. There are ten winners and there are over 500 players. I’d have a better chance drawing names out of a hat. Harrahs did something odd this time around. Usually, their MOD is to give you the $50 on the third day (in order to force you to hang out all three days), however, this time around, after you sign up for your machine numbers, you’re directed to the desk where they handed everyone their $50 script right away. Nice!
Laughlin Senior Center? No. It's the Diamond Lounge
I ordered a club sandwich to go from the café for dinner and was walking around until it was ready to be picked up when I ran into Ed. It’s a small world. Ed is my daughter’s girls’ other grandfather (grandfather-in-law?). When I first met Ed and his family, he played a lot of Internet poker. I told him about Diamond at the time and all the perks, so he came here to Laughlin and did his Diamond-in-a-Day and has renewed ever since. Now he mostly plays poker at Harrahs Rincon, and like me, takes advantage of the free tournament offers. Like me, he gets the same kinds of offers and he had a coupon for two for a free buffet. Since we both have one, we decided to take each other on Saturday and Sunday. Cool. We were going to use one today as it was steak night, but I had already ordered the sandwich. We agreed to meet up tomorrow after the first slot session. I did use the free play on 7/5 bonus poker (the best schedule to be found here) and lost. I then put $20 into a new machine called String of Pearls. With only $1.20 left, I hit a bonus that end up awarding me $88.00. I took the money and ran.
I grabbed my club sandwich and headed up to my room. A couple of sitcoms later, I was done for the day.
More tomorrow.
