360 Vegas

Random Vegas

Another story about Benny’s Binion’s bravado.  Benny used to drive from Vegas to Texas alone semi regular.  One time he picked up a hitchhiker.  At first the two didn’t say much to each other until the hitchhiker ask Benny “What would you say if I told you I got a gun on me?”.  Benny replied “I’d say we’re even”.  Benny then pulled the car over and the hitchhiker got out

Twitpic of the week

This week, @pixvegas777 shared a reflection that inspires one to reflect on life, neon and chance.  An escape from the norm in exchange for the unforgettable, even if it's hard to remember the next morning.  Quiet contemplation makes one wonder how askew existence would be through the Vegas looking glass.  Perhaps it would have single zero roulette and 3:2 Blackjack. A place where parking would be complimentary and the drink services is prompt and poured from the bottle. What a world we used to live in.

News

• Adele Residency

Random Vegas

The pirate skull signage at Treasure Island was only on display for a decade, from 1993-2003 and is identified as the signature symbol of the Family Friendly marketing concept. (Neon Museum)

Twitpic of the week

This week’s winner is another look behind the curtain.  This time, it’s the Flamingo, the oldest property on the Las Vegas strip.  Although none of the original structure remains, she still sits as an icon.  The views shared by @MaverickHeli continue to show the majesty of Vegas as an adult playground with larger than life landmarks to stimulate the senses.  I seriously need to get off my ass and enjoy the sensory overload one no doubt gets from a helicopter ride.  While that reeks of effort, I’m sure its little more than going to a website and booking.  One day, my friends.  One day.

News

• Martha Stewart’s Vegas restaurant

Random Vegas

Vegas casinos won $1.3 billion in November, one of the highest figures ever.  It’s the 9th straight month of casino winning exceeding $1 billion, another all time record.  The previous record was 8 consecutive months between Oct 2006 and May 2007, right before the great recession hit (@lasvegaslocally)

Twitpic of the week

Oh Stardust, how we miss thee.  Frontier can go fuck itself.  No, I’m just kidding about the Frontier.  Here we see former properties on a densely populated north strip, shared by @Las_When.  Today, they are home to large plots of land waiting for the next visionary to come along and reincarnate the space into another hotel/casino. Resorts World took the first steps by building a somewhat forgettable Vegas incarnation on the Stardust site.  Hopefully the projects that pop up in the Frontier and Riviera spaces are somewhat more inspired.  Hope rings again as the Fontainebleau project may actually have ownership that will complete the long dormant eye sore of the strip.  Only time will tell.  In the meanwhile, we celebrate what we have and what we had and what we might have in the future.

News

• Paris Stabbing Update

Random Vegas

58% of restaurant and hotel employees intend to quit their jobs by the end of 2021 (@VitalVegas)

Twitpic of the week

A beautiful picture of a beautiful property.  Balconies and roof top pools were both things you couldn’t do successfully in Vegas.  Cosmopolitan proved that wrong.  At 4.4 acres, it’s the best use of available space in Vegas history and offers one of the best views of strip for people to enjoy via your balcony.  Again, @MaverickHeli gives us a unique perspective as only they can.  It makes one wonder if the person taking all the pictures is a brilliant photographer or if the views are just that great.  Don’t know, super care.

News

• Mirage Sold

Random Vegas

Dancing dealers at one popular Fremont street casino bring home upwards of $1800 in tips a week, twice what regular dealers make. (@LasVegasLocally)

Twitpic of the week

If you can’t be on the strip at least you get a great view of it.  @MaverickHeli gives us a gods view of the Stratosphere tower.  Well, maybe not a gods view considering you can get a view like this via apple maps.  Either way, it’s a great pic because it showcases all the stuff properties make a concerted effort to hide from guest’s view.  Personally, I’m attracted to said views because its like stepping behind the scenes.  I really enjoy seeing behind the magic.

News

• Adele Residency

Random Vegas

In Bulgaria, if your palms itch, it's considered bad luck and gambling should be avoided. In Serbia, it's the opposite. Itchy hands means luck is on your side, expect a win. (Vital Vegas)

Twitpic of the week

It’s a shame that the Neon Museum didn’t rescue this part of Vegas history and repurpose it like it did the La Concha main lobby, now the main lobby to the Neon Boneyard.  It was right up there with the Flamingo marquee as the best neon sign on the strip.  The only thing that would have made it better was if it was animated.  It’s hard to moan about the lost of this theming when you consider the Cromwell is a vast improvement.  Today, its been replaced by a beautiful view of the strip while dining at Giada’s.  Thank you @VitalVegas for the blast from the not so distant past.

News

• Jonas Brothers Restaurant

Random Vegas

• When Jay Sarno would play craps downtown at the Horseshoe, Ted Binion, casino manager at the time, would deal the game himself.  It was the only way the game would move as fast as Sarno liked it.  He didn’t want the dice to stop rolling.

Twitpic of the week

Two awesome things in the photo.  First, it’s a picture of Caesars early on in its construction and it is wicked to see, not only the progress on the project but how much undeveloped land there is beyond the site.  It may not look like it today but Vegas really was an oasis in the middle of the desert.  Second, the photo was taken from a room at the Dunes.  Two things that together make me smile when I look at this picture shared by @Summacorp

News

• Mirage for Sale

Random Vegas

98% of MGM Resorts salaried employees got the covid vaccine by the Oct 15th deadline.  Only 90 employees nationwide decided to quit due to the mandate. (@LasVegasLocally)

Twitpic of the week

I love this picture but it isn’t inspiring monolog.  I think the only thing I miss at today’s Cromwell is Barbary Coasts exterior neon.  But I can’t lament about it when you consider what significant renovations did to it.  It’s definitely better off.  It may have remarkably more douches in it but for the most part they’re standing in line to get to the pool.  Hey, what do you know, the picture by @Las_when did inspire a monolog?

News

• Made in Vegas Closes