Saturday Night Fever

                It’s Monday again and that means I am back at work. But wow what a weekend. Seems like it flew by so fast I didn’t have time to sleep. That is probably because I didn’t sleep very much at all. But that’s just another “Vegas” thing to do, especially when you’re with good friends. But as for an update from Saturday’s activities, here it is.

                Going to sleep when the sun rises, or for some when high noon hits, is just a normal thing on vacation right? I mean don’t get me wrong, I will be the first to admit how much I love to sleep. But when there is only so much time to spare for sleep when it could be spent doing who knows what…I’ll take the uncertainty of being awake.

                The night started out just as early as the last one. There was a birthday occasion that was being celebrated so we started off with a dinner of kings. Expecting to pay a lot for dinner, just because it’s Vegas, was not the problem. The problem was that the food was so good and so filling, how could we make it out for the last night in town?! Steaks were flying, side dishes were being passed, lobster bisque was being spooned into every mouth and not to mention the home made whipped cream to give us that slight insulin boost we needed to wake up. Needless to say we were all just a little too satisfied with our meal.

                It was a good thing we made such good friends with the party bus driver from the night before because it would have been terrible carting 10 people around in cabs trying to coordinate everything. Not only that, there is always a need for a party bus. And this time we were smart and brought enough drinks and mixes to feed an entire AA meeting. As usual, we always run out of ice. Ice is always an interesting thing because there never seems to be enough of it or there is always a need for a colder drink. These were two problems we ran into many times. That means we had to stop at the local gas station to restock on frozen H2O.

                So I expected some interesting places and people in Vegas as I expect here in Austin but I assumed that the gas station was a sanctuary for regular, hard working Americans. Well I was I was right about the hard working part. The guy at the desk was on the night shift and had to work until 6 am…when he got there at 6 pm. And of course there are always the best items right by the register. I guess the new cool thing, in the form of energy supplements, is a vapor that you inhale that gives you a boost of energy. Conversing with the clerk I asked which one was the best. He was reluctant to advise using one because he said they are stupid. I made the comment that “is it like doing cocaine?” and that started a riot of laughter. The guy behind me stated “haha yeah its just like that…I got some though.” I just shook off the comment and smiled and laughed with him continuing the conversation with the clerk. Finishing out my transaction, I had something else hilarious to say and everyone laughed again. The same guy behind me goes “haha no really I have some if you want it.” I knew it was time to get back on the bus and get the party started.

                So tonight was the night where we hit the best club in town, the one that everyone talks about, TAO. Needless to say, it was magical. Right when walking in there are girls taking baths in rose petals, and swarms of people. This place was THE place to be. With it being two stories, the top was obviously where the party was at. We stroll up and boom hit with more intense face pounding action. There were girls laying on couches that resembled opium whores in Saigon, laying there with no emotion and no expression on their faces except needing more drugs to stay awake. But the dance floor was where it was going down. Resembling a Ghostland show, the lights were insane. Not to mention the first song of DJ Vice’s set just blew the place up. Lightening crashing, feathers falling from the sky, bottles popping, and fists pumping, was just the highlights of the beginning of the night. Once everyone finally got into the club, we all decided to get a Costco size bottle and grab a couch. Craig Owens, formerly from Chiodos said it best: “This is probably the best not to mention the worst idea that I have ever had.” Our area was right by the front so when our dance party got going we just took over the walk way, causing a problem once everyone was in the middle.

                So here is one of the odd things I found while enjoying my time at TAO. The music was awesome and it was steady dance party themed. But none of the DJs really mixed their tracks besides intros and outros. I went up to the hottie blonde DJ and wanted to get something that all of the crew knew and something that was just good music to jam to; Ratatat. Here is how the conversation went:

                “Do you have any of the Ratatat remixes?”

                “Who is Ratatat?”

“You don’t know who that is? It’s these two guys who “blah blah blah” (I don’t remember exactly what I said describing them)”

“What is a remix?”

“You know when they made the CD first and then some famous lyricists put words to their tracks?”

“Yeah no I don’t know who that is…”

                Wow for real?!? You are a DJ and not to mention you are a DJ in Las Vegas, the place where club music gets its fame and glory from. Ratatat is not the most famous group in the world but I am pretty sure their shows sell out and you don’t know who they are? Thanks, now I know there are better DJs outside of the party city capital. You jabronie.

                So we spent the rest of the night after the bottle finished upstairs on the main dance floor. It was out of control. Trapeze artists cruising the ceiling, more fists-a-pumping, beating the beat up, getting kicked out of VIP areas, getting into VIP areas, slanging shots of patron, and who knows what else.  Needless to say we stayed until closing…at 4:30. Then the coat check guy was being a big dbag and wouldn’t give us our coats back. He needed an exact description of it. Hey guy, they are all black and long cause its cold outside, let us see the jackets and we can let you get out early to your stupid after party.

                Next stop was Bills Saloon and Casino…or as I like to call it “Dirty Bills.” First off this place is gross and old. I mean older than old and might be one of the original places on the strip. But it was where everyone we talked to was going to after party. We roll up, have to pay the stupid door guy too much to get us past the velvet ropes, and then had to pay more once we got into the club. Dirty Bills was how do I say, oh that’s right, DIRTY! There wasn’t anything special about this place what so ever and resembled a regular club outside of Vegas, minus the only good thing about it which was it was open until who knows when. Needless to say it was lack luster, and ended up leaving and getting back to the hotel around 8 am. Finally a nights rest was in order. The only problem is that I had to be at the airport at 12.

                Looking back on the trip, I wouldn’t change a thing in the world. Not even Dirty Bill could have ruined the trip for me. I saved up money for a reason and had everything paid for a reason. I know what you do in Vegas and that is spending money. There is no way around it. But every dollar was well spent and everyone had a great time. This is what happens when you are surrounded by the right people who know how the world works…well not really, more like they love having a great time. Being 6’3’’ makes plane rides terrible and hard to sleep on. I finally got home and to sleep only to wake up and come to work.

              At least it’s a short work week and there isn’t much going on at the site. What will I come up with at work this week? I guess you’ll have to stay tuned and find out.