What Happens in Vegas
Now that mother’s day is over, I can make plans to ditch my entire family and party in Las Vegas. Which is precisely what I’ll be doing one month from now. The Atomic Mama and Auntie Kerry are going to par-tay for four days straight. Can you tell I’m looking forward to this? Just a little?
At the end of an academic year, after finals are over and campus is quiet, there’s always something in me that needs to totally let go. Release. Leave town. Lie in the sun wearing hangover glasses, waiting for my next drink to be delivered to me.
So the prospect of four days in Vegas with the one-and-only KerryP was too fabulous to pass up. I can spend the next month daydreaming about the trip, planning what to pack, shopping for sparkly things to wear, and practicing blackjack. Those outings with the jogging stroller and the dog are made just a little sweeter with visions of Vegas dancing in my head.
I used to despise Las Vegas. Considered it a blight on the face of America. A total and complete waste of natural resources, water, and electricity. Now I just get into the whole thing, the seediness of it. The celebration of fantasy. The opulence, the conspicuousness. The dirty edges. The exploitation. I try to see all of it when I’m there. I try not to look the other way when something unpleasant presents itself. Vegas is like an entire world in one place. Moving around in that world is surreal. I also find it pleasing, for a short time. When I board the Seattle-bound plane to travel home, I’m always ready to leave.
But when I board the Vegas-bound plane in Seattle, I’m ready to have fun. And today, one month before I board that plane, it feels tantalizingly close. This is the vacation I need, and it’s on my calendar. Brilliant. But don’t think you’ll read about any of the glamorous details here, my friends. That shit stays in Vegas.
May 19th, 2006 at 18:02
freshly empowered from battling with bastards at the dog park, I am ready to look towards the gleaming city in the desert. the stars in my eyes are sparkling, my flight has been confirmed, and the checklist writing has begun. a vegas virgin, but only for another month.
bring it.
May 24th, 2006 at 18:15
Never been to Vegas but my imagination is running wild. I know how excited I get about taking a solo trip to Target so the thought of a whole weekend is mind-blowing. I’m looking forward to living vicariously through you on this one. I’m going on a 5 day “retreat” for work in August and while I can’t wait to get to sleep through the night, I’m guessing you are going to have waaaaayyyy more fun.
Kristine