OK, so I am having an “Ocean’s 11″ moment–sue me…..I am in Las Vegas, America’s Playground. Bummer, I have yet to spot one Elvis impersonator.
On the up side, my students are not only finalists in the Fashion Design competition for AOBA, they have placed somewhere in the top 6….I found out this morning that only those students who are receiving awards were invited to the convention. We just don’t know what they’ve won yet. That will be announced at tonight’s reception for the student winners. All of the design boards were displayed today and I am proud and pleased to say that the work that M.C. and K did for this project/competition is top-rate. I think that they both will place well.
After attending some conference sessions this morning, the girls and I went out sightseeing. It was my objective while here to have my “Ocean’s 11″ moment by visiting the Bellagio, seeing the dancing waters and (ocean’s 11 aside) seeing the Dale Chihuly chandelier and other works inside the hotel and casino. This I accomplished. The Chihuly stuff is breathtaking to see in person. I love his work. The Bellagio has a Chihuly store where you can purchase paintings, glass and other works by him—I decided against the $12,000 gold flecked, limited edition pieces and got a book instead. If Vegas is in my future, I want to come back and stay at the Bellagio. It is classy—not a “gaudy monstrosity” like some of the other places on the strip (ALERT–I plan to keep using all the “Ocean’s 11″ references and quotes, so if it is getting old for you, stop reading here:-))
I did a little slots gambling at the Bellagio and won $20.00. I quit while I was still $10 ahead, so I feel pretty good about my little foray into the dark underworld of the wager. I just like walking through the casinos and watching the people. I have noticed a couple of things about the hotels and casinos—First, there is no place to sit down in most of them unless it is in front of a slot or poker machine, a bar or a restaurant. If you are loitering, they want you gambling. Second, there is a distinct line dividing the “old Vegas” and the “new Vegas”. We are staying at the Riviera, a definite part of the old—the buffet is still high on the list, the folks are older and the casino is smokier. The decor looks like it has probably not been updated since the 1980’s. At the Bellagio, the Wynn or say the Paris, the crowd is younger and the restaurants and bars are more edgy. The decor is more up to date, or true to the theme.
Here’s a little example of what I mean: I had lunch at the Paris….really good veggie sandwich and pomme frittes. Very French cafe-like. Then I walked through the casino to get a pain du chocolat from their patisserie…yum. All the decor is very Parisian. Nicely done, not kitchy. Then I return to the Riviera. I wanted to stop by the “Chocolate Heaven” shop they have to get a little treat for my kids. Featured prominently amongst the die lollipops and poker chip chocolates are an array of choices in candy attire. Candy posing pouch, candy thong, candy garter belt and candy pasties. Old Vegas, baby.
“You think we need one more? We need one more. OK, we’ll get one more”
Tonight, we are all thinking of going down to Freemont Street which is really OLD VEGAS, we understand. There is supposedly a light show and music. Interesting. Side note–no one here could confirm or tell me anything about the NEON GRAVEYARD, a place I’ve heard about where all the old Vegas signs that have come down in the past few years have gone to rest. I’d love to see that.
I’ll update tonight after the awards are announced. Did I mention that if one of my students wins 1st place that I will get $500? Wish us luck!
1 response so far ↓
david // January 17, 2009 at 12:44 am |
you got a book? Honestly, a book?