Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is running out of water. Imagine that, we’re in the middle of a desert and running out of water. So where is all the water going? More than half of it is going to grass. Sod. Bermuda or Rye or St. Augustine. Now, given the law of conservation of energy, I don’t think the water is permanently gone. Rather, I think that our city is a little on the dumb side for even allowing grass outside of public parks. But that’s just my opinion.

I sometimes forget (read: block from my mind) that Vegas has some peculiar sights. The monorail by the strip is one of those.

Now, I remember when I first heard about it I was thinking, “Awesome! A light rail system that runs to and fro throughout the city making transit efficient, cheap and easy.” And then I found out it runs like three blocks around the strip. Hurray.

So yeah, apparently I’m not the only one who thinks it sucks.

Oh and O.J. got arrested. I’m sure the gloves won’t fit.

I often wonder if the people that make up the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority must have some sort of contest where they attempt to come up with more revolting and eye rolling slogan for the city.

The new slogan “your Vegas is showing” is meant to show potential tourists the products Las Vegas has to offer them.

Your Vegas is Showing? Unbelievable. I mean, whoever threw that one out ought to be given a diamond ring and allowed to retire.

Next up, “Vegas is the full frontal nudity of America.”

This story is so good I almost don’t believe it.

Normally, in Vegas, you get a story like this:

Las Vegas is going to get the world’s smallest Battlestar Galactic reenactment bridge. Only one person will be allowed in at one time and the tickets are going to be $85.00.

But the idea that we will be getting two full sized sports arenas? That’s just amazing. Maybe Oscar Goodman did something right for once!

Las Vegas has new Hydrogen fuel cell buses! The environment is saved!

Oh, wait, you mean there’s only two? For the whole city? And it doesn’t even begin to touch the hundreds of regular diesel buses? Or the hundreds of construction vehicles that run day and night here? Or the millions of cars that run the roads ragged twenty four hours a day?

“These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company’s strategy to deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO 2 and reduce our dependence on oil,” said Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president. Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We are pleased to partner with the city of Las Vegas to place these buses into service so that Las Vegas residents and all its visitors will be able to experience this unique form of clean transportation.”

So basically Oscar Goodman and Ford are making a drop in the bucket for a photo-op and publicity stunt. Awesome. I can feel the air getting fresher by the moment!

And for bonus points, Harry Reid secured the earmark that spread this cost to every person in America so that Las Vegas isn’t actually paying for this. Hurray!

Those Wacky Las Vegas Judges!

Seriously, since moving here I have heard more inane and almost unbelievable crap about Las Vegas judges than I have heard about any judiciary, anywhere, ever.

Take today’s fun for instance:

Jonathan MacArthur, a 34-year-old criminal defense attorney, listed among his interests beating prosecutors and used a graphic phrase that he said was common “among blacks, people who associate with blacks or in a sports context.”

I am not entirely sure what exactly that means, but this guy, who is a temp judge and works for the city, has a MySpace profile wherein he uses graphic phrases that are common ‘among blacks’.

They decided not to use MacArthur’s services any longer, March said.

“A judge’s job is to be unbiased in all matters, and on that MySpace page, it appears he definitely has a bias against prosecutors,” March said.

Yeah, those wacky judges and their bizarro biases. Just so you know, I plan to never get arrested and have to go before a judge in this town.

I’m just getting this thing started so bear with me. My intent is to post news and happenings in and around Vegas as well as local interest points and news that might be, well, newsworthy.

To begin, I think I’d like to drop my two cents about the now pummeled and much maligned reporter for NBC, Michelle Madigan. Honestly, having been a bit of a white hat hacker in a previous life, I know enough about both black hat and white hat to know, definitively, that you do not mess with them.

They can be petty, jealous and downright vindictive. Michelle Madigan might have gotten off easy with just a humiliation and having her face splattered about the interwebs.

Basically money plays are no longer an option and you have to give your social out if the casino thinks you’ll walk with 10k at the end of the day. You can read all about it here:

Las Vegas Sun

I guess I won’t have to worry playing the penny slots and all, huh?

A visit to architect Paul Steelman’s website leads us to this image:

which seems to be a rendering of an all-new Flamingo. Looks spiffy.

I, for one, hope it materializes. The new Go Rooms are fantastic and I have always loved the pool there. The Strip needs to maintain some nostalgia and this is a good sign that Harrah’s isn’t gonna blow up the pink beast anytime soon.

NYNY Shooter Police Report

A simple read-through of the above report says a ton about the edumacation of Las Vegas police officers. In it we find that Zegrean drank from a sink in the bathroom because “he had know money”. He then waited “till there was know children” on the casino floor before he started shooting.

Seriously?! “Know” really…seriously?!!?

This man:

Yolando Ferguson, was a basketball coach at the Doolittle Community Center and is accused of using his position to lure the kids to his house to create child pornography. Please help catch this sick bastard and let him rot in jail (or hell).

Any info please call 385-5555.

Full story at Las Vegas Now.

The Las Vegas Review Journal recently posted an article with tourist reactions in the wake of the NYNY shooting. One man’s idea: add metal detectors to the casino entrances. To this, I say “No, no, no”.

I have nothing against public safety. I think metal detectors are brilliant for schools, airports etc. However, the Las Vegas Strip breathes an air of freedom and unrestraint that cannot be found anywhere else in the US. This would all evaporate were detectors to be installed within the resorts and hotels. The inconvenience would most definitely result in less traffic between casinos.

Inconvenience over safety?!
(more…)

Credit for pic: Roy Vegas

I’m gonna miss those frozen margaritas!

Multi-level progressive slots have been all the rage since 2005, so it’s a wonder IGT has taken this long to get the most popular game in the history of slots onto the bandwagon. Maybe they didn’t want to decrease the moneys spent on their MLP behemoth that is Fort Knox (which I love unconditionally by the way). Although we all know slot makers and the casinos care far more about you, the gamer, than the money. Ahem.

Anyhow, it’s finally here folks. The Wheel of Fortune MLP and I couldn’t be more…bored. IGT has spread this franchise about as thin as the hair under Trump’s comb-over. It needs some innovation. Some pizazz. A bit more interaction.

And the there’s this, taken from the machine’s brochure: A unique buy-a-pay feature sets the stage for exciting game play,
where players buy wheel pointers to get bigger rewards. Huh? So now I have to pay extra just to have a pointer on a bonus I’m already paying to get into?

Not that it matters what I think. IGT could release The Wheel Of Fortune - You Lose! Edition and people would still flock to it like a free buffet. Eh. I’d like to buy a drink please, Pat.

NYNY shooter Steven Zegrean

There is a great news video update on the NYNY shooter here:

Las Vegas Now

If this really was a “suicide by police attempt”, I wish they would have shot the crazy bastard