Leaving Las Vegas
I arrived in Vegas yesterday for the World of Concrete exposition. The expo is the second largest convention event put on in Vegas every year behind the consumer electronics show. There are over 80,000 people from all over the world in Vegas for WOC. To make a long story short, my feet are killing me from endless walking at the expo and I am glad to be back in my room.
There is something about Las Vegas that I don't like, but I can't pinpoint it exactly. I have been here for work numerous times and each time I look forward to leaving. I understand that gambling is a business for the casinos here, but have you ever stopped to think how much money has to be lost by people everyday to open and profitably maintain just one of these casinos? People come here with the delusion that they have the chance to strike it rich, but how often does that happen? When I look around as I walk down the strip, my guess is that the casinos win most of the time. Maybe my Vegas aversion is from watching Nicholas Cage come here to drink himself to death. Come to think of it, this is probably a good choice for that.
I fly out early tomorrow morning bound for Raleigh, NC. I am back in Austin on Thursday. Fun week, eh?
Have one for me too, Nick.
There is something about Las Vegas that I don't like, but I can't pinpoint it exactly. I have been here for work numerous times and each time I look forward to leaving. I understand that gambling is a business for the casinos here, but have you ever stopped to think how much money has to be lost by people everyday to open and profitably maintain just one of these casinos? People come here with the delusion that they have the chance to strike it rich, but how often does that happen? When I look around as I walk down the strip, my guess is that the casinos win most of the time. Maybe my Vegas aversion is from watching Nicholas Cage come here to drink himself to death. Come to think of it, this is probably a good choice for that.
I fly out early tomorrow morning bound for Raleigh, NC. I am back in Austin on Thursday. Fun week, eh?
Have one for me too, Nick.
posted by Chris at 4:27 PM
9 Comments:
I'm from Northern Nevada, and I get the same feeling when visiting Las Vegas. I remember looking up at one of the enormous computerized marquees outside one the casinos and figuring it cost more money than I'll ever make in a lifetime. Many of the buildings are marvels to behold, but like you said, they're built from the losses of people that probably can't afford to lose money. I recently browsed a book that reveals years of corruption between the casinos and the government (federal and state)...I'm looking forward to reading it!
Come on; you honestly think the House wins most of the time? No way!
And what about the free food and drink; that has to cost them millions. Vegas is like Disneyland for adults; it's where all your dreams can come true! :^)
Personally, as an Architect, Vegas is an abomination. They are not recreating NY or Venice, they are bastardizing it for the unwashed American tourist who either doesn't care or can't tell the difference.
But then again, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
i hate vegas.
i go every year for work. the only thing good about it is that our tradeshow doesn't start until 10 am, so i get to sleep in a little bit each day.
that, and i don't have to drive home after having dinner and drinks. i can just walk upstairs to my bed.
maybe if i were a gambler it would be more interesting.
and maybe if they had a bike shop closer to the strip - for renting bikes.
Jeff,
Since Vegas was started by Bugsy Seigel, a fine upstanding citizen, I am surprised at your notions of corruption. HA!
Old Man,
Are you telling me that you don't hear slot machines dinging at the Louvre? I thought they were accurate recreations. Those BASTARDS!
Lauren,
I remember you were just in Vegas. I guess the fact that you can walk home totally shitfaced is a bonus. There is some great road riding to the west of Vegas toward Parupmh. I think one climb between Vegas and Parumph is about 13 miles long. Bring your A-game if you attempt that.
Whoa -- Abbey called Phoenix a cancer in the desert -- if that's true, LV is a disease. It's the worst manifestation of MAN in the desert.
Chris:
The pronunciation is "lou-ver"!
Parumph? Are you kidding me? Is that a suburb of Who-ville? Or was that the home of the Hobbits; I can't remember. :^)
take a drive 2 blocks of the strip and you'll know why you hate vegas. it's a slum.
stay out of trouble! :)
peace out, yo!
Wow nothing like Vegas bashing. While I lived there the riding killed both road & mtn. Good stuff in town, west of town and just into Utah. It's were I made my first million after spending my last 3 million. Locals go the strip to work. I only went to the strip for my job delivering porno cards so the guys on the sidewalk would stay busy handing them out. I just loaded up the baskets on my bike and rode my route.
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