High Rollin: Away to Vegas

From the plane, in the middle of the day, I could see the strip stretched out for miles in the middle of the desert. The canyons of glitz and glamour called for all to come and participate.

Las Vegas is such a particular place. I've been here twice in my life and have had a great time on both occasions. However, one can't help to feel something shallow beneath the non-stop show that goes on around a person for 24-7. What is underneath the sleak, modern and cool looking hotels/casinos/resorts? What is beyond the intricate labyrinths that are the casino floors and the stunning modern architecture that captures anyones imagination?

Probably a lot of debt. I thought yesterday about the many people who gamble away their houses or even worse, their childrens college tuitions. I can certainly understand how gambling can be addictive...especially if one doesn't set boundaries for oneself. I heard yesterday on the Las Vegas monorail that 40 million people visit Vegas every year. Of that 40 million people, the average person spends $627 dollars on gambling. That is quite a lot of money to throw away. But people do so with a bright smile on their face.

Now, I don't want this to be an article talking about the dangers of gambling or lecturing people one way or another about the culture of this place. There is a definite evil here but there is anywhere. Most people, myself included, have a fun time in Vegas. I can certainly say that is true for me with the two times I have been down here. Granted, I'm not a high roller and all I usually play is blackjack. I hate slots and haven't mounted up the courage to visit a poker room. I wished I understood roulette fully but maybe that will be the project for next time. The game just looks like a blast to play.

I've never come away from Vegas feeling bad about the amount of money I spent. As a matter of fact, the first time I came away ahead $160 dollars and this time I'm about even. My friend Jake, however, is up...BIG TIME...and all we have played is blackjack.

Blackjack is one of the things I enjoy but I also find excitement walking on the Vegas strip. Taking in the spectacle that is some of the biggest hotels/casinos/resorts that a person could ever see if there life.

At night, the place is amazing. All the casinos are lit up. The Bellagio has a fantastic waterworks display to old classical songs by Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. This was the site of the final scene of the film, Oceans 11. In front of the "Mirage", a fake volcano erupts at night sending water high into the air that is all colored in red. The "Luxor: (the big black pyramid- where we stayed in 2005) shoots a giant beam of light from its top point into the heavens.

I also liked playing cards at MGM Grand. In this massive casino is a lion habitat. This is an enclosed place that houses 3 or 4 lions. Saturday, I saw one of the trainers lying down right next to the one of the lions with the lions paw wrapped around his chest. I can't say I have seen anything like that before.

We caught two shows while down here. Criss Angels' "BeLIEve" and the Blue Man Group. "BeLIEve" was OK...I liked some of the artistic aspects of it but being that Criss Angel is a magician, the magic was the weakest part of the show. This part seemed like second rate David Copperfield. The Blue Man Group was fantastic and right now, I'm trying to find the words to describe this show. Description evades me. Blue Man Group is a variety show that heavily involves the audience. It is very random and the guys in blue makeup do not speak and don't show any emotion throughout the show.

I'm leaving today and feel thoughtful about this place. I'm sure I'll come back at some point but this is a city that one doesn't know how to think about it. Most people have fun, a great time as a matter of fact. But everything here is one big show and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I would say enjoy the surface-level presentation and don't think too deep. There is nothing underneath.