Have You Ever Over Imbibed in Vegas?

 That's a ridiculous question, isn't it?

I have only done what I would describe as "over imbibing" twice and they were very memorable occasions.  I would say that both of them occurred because I was having too much fun and the resulting hangovers were worth the fabulous time I had.  Let me tell you about them, shall I?

Incident Number One

 Way back in 2008 I was lucky enough to be invited to a slot tournament at Bellagio.  I don't know how that happened but I was very excited.  The tournament was wonderful complete with free rooms, free food, and free beverages and I wound up coming in sixth.  The big money was awarded to the top five winners. I missed out by a hair. But I was thrilled to be awarded $1000 in free play. 

Since I was leaving the next day I asked if I would be allowed to use my free play on my next Vegas trip and Bellagio said yes.  I can't remember how long the free play could sit there for, a year possibly?  

Anyhow I was back in Vegas in six months and was so delighted to be staying a Bellagio again and ready to dive into that $1000 free play.  I was betting much higher than I normally do and so when I would bonus the bonuses were much bigger. I was having blast!!!  Winning is so much fun!

 I also discovered how delicious Mudslides were that trip. Why they don't taste like alcohol at all!  They are just yummy milkshakes.  Because I was hitting like crazy, and because I was tipping five bucks a drink in 2009, the waitresses were glued to me.  They were bringing me "yummy milkshakes" that I hadn't even asked for. 

I decided to visit a friend who was over at Paris but I barely made it across the road and back. I figured it was time to retire.

The next morning...oh the agony!  I could barely lift my head off of the pillow. I thought I was going to die right there in that hotel room!  My head has never hurt like that before in my life. I have heard it is because of the sugar.  In my incapacitated state I vaguely remembered people talking about sports drinks helping hangovers.

 

I managed to make it down the hall to the drink machine and Glory Halleluiah, there was a sports drink in it.  I had a terrible time trying to come up with the appropriate amount of money for that drink. I was ready to tear that machine apart to in order to get it to relinquish that bottle.  I just kept shoving money at the machine until the drink finally crashed to the bottom. I think I paid ten dollars for a four dollar beverage. 

Clutching it to my chest I weaved my way back to my room and downed it with some painkillers. When I awoke again several hours later I felt semi-human.  I certainly learned my lesson about sugary drinks.  You can have ONE or possibly TWO but definitely not a million.

Incident Number Two

This happened back in 2010 and I was staying at Palazzo. I had wandered over to Venetian to play.

The woman next to me was sipping a glass of white wine and I asked what kind of wine it was and whether or not it was good. I have had wine before that tasted like pure vinegar. She said it was Pinot Grigio and that it was delicious. So I began to covet my own glass of Pinot Grigio but could never get a waitress.

Finally, in desperation, since we were playing right near a bar I went up to the bartender and told him that I was just going to buy my own glass of wine because I couldn't get a waitress.
I was shocked when he said it was $12 a glass. (Remember, this is 2010) 

"OK…never mind…I will wait " I told him and slunk back to my machine.
A minute later he brought a glass over to me himself and told me the waitress was on break. He got a five dollar tip for being so sweet. (The angel on my shoulder intervenes…apparently she supplies alcohol too!)

My machine decided to slurp back all my winnings so I went in search of a new playmate. I sat down in front of another machine I had never played before called EXTRA EXTRA LUCK. It had this goofy four leaf clover-man making faces at you and all manner of random bonus rounds. I was only betting the minimum so I never made any real money, but I got in with I group of fun women and we were all cheering each other on, and the wine flowed, and flowed, and flowed.

At some point during the evening my stomach suddenly gave me notice that it was in revolt "RIGHT NOW" and I had better get my butt over to a washroom pronto if I didn't want to make an ass of myself. It is wise to always be familiar with the locations of the washrooms. Happily I was close by the one in Venetian.  The wine tasted a lot different coming back up than it did going down!

For this trip I had treated myself to a beautiful new candy apple red purse. I loved that purse!

Now I know I did not actually vomit IN my purse…but I am assuming from what it smelled like the next morning that there must have been some kind of "splash effect" going on. I spent the remainder of the trip repeatedly washing the inside of that purse and trying to eradicate the smell. Luckily I had brought a smaller "spare" with me.

After the "washroom incident" I was making my way out of the V when I stumbled across some Star Trek machines I had been wanting to try. The only problem was that if you are already very nauseous, having your chair vibrate like crazy is really not a good thing. The chair was making me sicker than ever and I couldn't hit a bonus so I gave up and went to back to the room.

I observed the next day that the "Pinot Grigio hangover" was not quite as bad as the "Mudslide Hangover" but I made a solemn vow never to let either one happen to me again, and I have kept that vow.

My drink of choice now when playing slots is usually some kind of whiskey and mix. This never results in the unpleasant aftereffects that sweet drinks have.

Be forewarned!!!

Pictures by Popsugar and Cookist

Fun Things to do in Windsor, Ontario - Caesars Windsor and Ojibway Prairie Complex

Let's face it, Windsor has very few "fun" things to do. Some of the tourist activities we had in the past have shut down in recent years. But thankfully we still have two of my favorites; Caesars Windsor and the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

On a recent weekend my daughter and I spent a weekend at Caesars. Although the CW is not fully functional yet after Covid, it is getting there. There is still no pool, no hot tub, no gym, no Forum tower, no shows etc but I was just thrilled to be able to eat food I didn't have to prepare and to sleep on the magnificent beds they have. They have also installed lots of new slots and I was happy to try them out. It is always enjoyable to spend some one-on-one time with my daughter.

Caesars Lobby

The View of Detroit

I arrived Friday afternoon but my daughter couldn't come until much later so I spent half of the afternoon with my new favorite slot machine, Wheel of Fortune Cash Link.

On Saturday my daughter had an lunch engagement so I went downstairs solo and had a tuna sandwich at the 377 restaurant and then continued to play video poker and various slots. By five we were both back in the room for the night.

Sunday turned out to be the best day ever!  I have not been to Ojibway Park in over two years so Nicky brought me there. First we stopped and bought birdseed for the feathered friends and some carrots for the deer. The weather cooperated by being sunny and not too cold. Sloughing through the snow wasn't easy but I was determined to locate some agreeable birds who would eat out of our hands and eventually we did.

I can't even describe what a thrill I get out of this. I love the feeling of their tiny little feet on my fingers as they study the seeds and decide which to choose. Most of these pictures are my daughters because she is capable of feeding the birds and taking pictures of them simultaneously. 

The squirrels were pleased that we were dropping seeds all over the place.

Further along the trail we ran into this lone deer. Often times you run into a group of them but this one was solo.  She was skittish but my daughter managed to toss her a few carrots which she seemed pretty excited about. 

I think she had had enough of the crowd of people who assembled to look at her.

It was a truly lovely day at Ojibway. Different seasons bring out different animals. On other trips we have seen turtles, raccoons, ground hogs, frogs and countless other creatures.

May I suggest that if you are in our neck of the woods you check out these places for yourselves.

https://www.caesars.com/caesars-windsor

https://www.ojibway.ca/index.htm

Pictures by Caesars Windsor and N.Farina

How to Do Vegas On A Budget

 There are countless ways to economize on your Vegas trips. A comprehensive article on the subject would be almost impossible but I will tell you a few of the things I do to find the best values. Vegas lovers are a curious lot; we will drop a hundred dollars in a slot without a moment’s hesitation, but we detest being overcharged for a cab ride or a meal.

So part of the “game” we might say, is to figure out how to get the absolute most for our money, thereby ensuring that we have enough funds left over to gamble with.

The best piece of advice I can give anyone is to prepare to devote a lot of time to comparing prices. I feel sorry for the people who traveled prior to the internet when all you could do was rely on what you hoped was an honest travel agent to get you the best deal. Now we have the world at our fingertips and can do our homework ourselves.

The first thing to consider is what time of year are you going to travel? August or early December are two of the cheapest times to visit Vegas. Hotel rooms are always cheaper from Sunday to Thursday so if you can schedule your trips to avoid the weekends, do so. Make sure that you are aware of your hotel’s policy regarding resort fees and holds on your credit card. You don’t want a nasty surprise at check out time.

Check to see that you have lots of small bills before you leave home. You will need these to tip and should you wish to tip three dollars instead of five, you had better have a supply of ones ready. If staying connected via the internet is important to you make sure to budget for the daily WIFI charges at your hotel. Do your research and you may be able to locate free WIFI near your hotel.

ATM fees inside the casinos can be $10 or more. To avoid those visit Casino Royale. It has the cheapest ATM on the Strip. The charge is only three dollars. The ATM is right next to the cashier’s cage. Downtown there are relatively cheap ATMs at Binion's and at the 4 Queens and various variety stores on Fremont. Some people will also make a purchase at Walgreen’s or CVS and ask for cash back, but the only time I tried that they would only give me $20 in cash back so that was not helpful.

My next concern is always where can I get a comped or cheap room. A comp is a perk you receive for having a prior gambling history with that hotel. I have been fortunate, and I have not had to pay for a room in many years, but previous to this I used to take advantage of websites that did a lot of the comparing for you. Then I would check those prices against the prices quoted when I called the hotel directly. Some hotels in Vegas will offer you what they call a “casino rate” if you have their Player Club card. The cheapest hotels are always off the Strip or downtown.

Remember to use your Players club cards whenever you play, and you will earn freebies and future offers. Before you check out, ask at the host’s office if anything can be taken off of your bill.

Once you have secured the best possible room price for your dates you need to start checking for decent airfare, hopefully without red-eyes (overnight flights) and four plane changes before you get to Vegas. Some people check airfare before rooms, and some do the reverse. Whatever you do there may be some juggling involved to get things set just the way you want them. Sign up for email alerts from your favorites airlines and watch for sales.

Now that you have a flight and a hotel (or many hotels as you may have to change locations to follow your “comps” ) the next question is what will you do while you are in town?

I always purchase a coupon book from the Las Vegas Advisor Membership. Taking advantage of just a few of these coupons will more than pay for the book itself. The coupons can save you money in many ways; dining, gambling, attractions, shows, etc. A fun and frugal way to spend your time is to go on a “coupon run” where you run around town using as many gambling coupons as possible.

There are also free coupon books in magazines, in the back of cabs, and in stands near the check in desks of hotels. These free books aren’t as useful as the ones you pay for, but they can save you a few dollars too.

Be sure to study sites like Groupon and Living Social for deals on food, activities, and shows.

Another way of getting cheaper show tickets is by visiting a Vegas  company called Tix4Tonight (Now called Tix4Vegas) that offers many popular shows at heavily discounted rates. There used to be many locations on the Strip and downtown. Currently there are only three open (BALLY’S GRAND BAZAAR SHOPS, SHOWCASE MALL and CASINO ROYALE)  and more will be reopening soon. The drawback to Tix4Vegas is that you have to stand in a long, hot line up to purchase your tickets on the day of the show. To avoid that situation you can purchase tickets beforehand through websites like Goldstar, SmarterVegas and others like them.

Another money saving technique is to play the Facebook games like MyVegas and Wynn Slots.  Many freebies can be acquired just by playing these games.

Be sure to consult a list of Free Things to do in Las Vegas in Vegas as going to see these sights is both economical and enjoyable. Two other free pastimes are lounging by the pool or wandering the Strip while people watching.

Getting around the city cheaply can be a challenge. You can watch for good car rental prices if you drive, but if you don’t or wish to have a few cocktails you may want to consider other options. There is the monorail, but it is a fairly long walk to get to it from some hotels. You can always take a cab although they aren’t always the cheapest way to go. The addition of Lyft and Uber ride-sharing to the Vegas transportation scene has given us more ways to get around for less. Their fares are often cheaper than regular cabs, but watch out for surge pricing. You can check how much your trip will be before you consent to it. If Uber is "surging" check Lyft or wait ten minutes and check again. There is always the RTC transit system, and if all else fails…walk.

I find that economizing on meals is one of the easier things for me to accomplish. I frequently have a small breakfast in my hotel room; a protein bar from home or some fruit I purchased once I hit town. I often stay downtown, and there are many places there to get a good meal for a reasonable price. Often if you have had a big meal at lunch you won’t want an evening meal, sometimes just a few nuts you purchased at Walgreen’s will be enough. Many of the major hotels on the Strip have food courts for value-priced meals. Take a pass on expensive sodas and juices…drink tap water instead. Research Vegas Happy Hours. They are a great way to try a new restaurant for a smaller price tag. Look for 'fixed price' meals where you can get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for one low price.

One of the things we all love about Vegas is the ability to get a cocktail while we are playing for the price of a tip. Make sure that you tip a dollar or more if you ever expect to see that cocktail waitress again. If you would like to enjoy a cocktail in your room before you go out for the evening you can purchase a bottle almost anywhere; ABC stores, CVS, Walgreen’s, souvenir shops, etc.

It is possible to gamble in a frugal manner if you want to bad enough. Divide your money into days and DON’T dip into the next day’s allotment. Force yourself to play nickel video poker, instead of quarters. You don’t have to hit those buttons at the speed of light, play more slowly. Play for a half hour, then get up and take a walk to the next casino and play there, and so on. Anything you can do to slow down your play will save money.

Another inexpensive time filler is to meet up with Vegas friends that you have met on Vegas Forums and Facebook groups for a cocktail at an economical bar. You could always check out the latest movie.  I know that is something we normally do at home, but no law says you can’t enjoy one in Vegas. Another idea is to grab your camera and wander Vegas taking artistic pictures. Vegas changes so quickly that the hotel you always wanted to get some pictures of might be gone before your next trip.

Since the hotels and casinos in Las Vegas are always finding new ways to separate us from our money  it becomes increasingly important to use some of these methods to keep from going broke. Happy budgeting!

[Images: Michael M]

This article was featured on another site.

Vegas Mistakes!!!!!

I am a mom; issuing edicts and warnings is what moms do. So here are a bunch of “mom warnings” to take heed of before you venture off to Vegas; a list of Vegas Don’ts.

1. For heaven’s sake, do not buy cute new shoes and bring them to wear in Vegas. You will be crippled and bloody in mere hours. Bring your oldest, most comfortable pair of shoes instead. No one is looking at your feet.

2. Don’t underestimate the distance between places. Yes, you can see hundreds of signs out of your window, and they don’t look THAT far away, but they are. They are far, far away. You will curse yourself for attempting to walk to them; especially if it is summer time and you are dying of dehydration after three steps. Just take an Uber or a Lyft and get there quickly and painlessly.

3.Don’t drink yourself into a stupor. Yes, drinking is fun, but you want to be able to remember your trip, don’t you? If your defenses are down all manner of nasty things might happen to you. Also never leave your drink unattended. Have fun, but keep your wits about you at all times. There is no shortage of people who would like to take advantage of you in your inebriated state. And don’t gamble while drunk, that is, unless you want to lose all your money in an hour.

4. Don’t lose all your money in an hour. You have to exhibit restraint. Your money has to last through your entire trip. No one wants to sit in their hotel room watching TV and eating crackers. Budget! And should you actually WIN some money, be discreet, don’t flash it around or you might as well put a giant sign on your back saying “ROB ME!”.

5. Don’t forget that the hotel will put a hold on your credit card. Make sure you have access to enough backup funds to last your whole trip. Which brings to mind number 6…

6. Don’t be that person who has to borrow from their friends.

7. Don’t forget to take a picture of your room number with your phone, just in case the amazing-ness of Vegas wipes everything else from your mind.

8. Don’t get burned to a crisp. The Vegas sun will do a number on your skin. Lobsters aren’t cute, so don’t become one.

9. Don’t forget to pack your drugstore. No, not a literal drugstore, but your regular meds and certain things such as anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medicine. Those things have saved my ass (literally) more than once.

10. Don’t call the numbers on the porn slapper cards. Do you really think that gorgeous young lady will show up at your door? The person that shows up will not even vaguely resemble her, plus the price listed is just for someone showing up, not for any “activities.” I would skip this altogether unless you want to bring home more than you bargained for (your mileage may vary).

11. Don’t stop and talk to the timeshare people, or the CD people, or the cream people, or any other kind of people that seem to be stringing a line of BS, because that is exactly what it is. Don’t waste valuable Vegas-time listening to it.

12. Don’t forget to tip. Vegas runs on tips. You will get a better seat, a better table, and better service if you tip.

13. Don’t wander too far out of the major tourist areas. (i.e., the Strip and under the canopy downtown, with the exception of Fremont East). There is safety in numbers.

14. Don’t run yourself ragged. You can’t see everything in one trip so don’t try. Remember this is a vacation so relax, sleep, chill. It will all still be here the next time you visit. (Or most of it will)

I could go on indefinitely, but you probably stopped paying attention ten rules ago, much like my children.

Enjoy, but be safe.

Photos by Casino.org, Micheal M, and Civilized Life
This article was published previously.

Blonde4ever's Tour of Casa de Shenandoah (2017)

 

Blonde4ever Takes a Tour of Casa de Shenandoah

Ever since I heard that Wayne Newton’s former residence Casa de Shenandoah was open to the public I have been longing to visit. I have seen pictures of it and could tell that his taste was right up my alley. If there is ever a choice between modern and antique, I choose antique every time.

I had purchased tickets for a bargain price from Groupon. Due to budget restraints, I had not sprung for the full tour of the barns and their inhabitants, the cars, and the museum, but should I ever go again I would certainly want to have the full experience. As it was our tickets only included a pre-tour movie and a full tour of the house.

When you arrive at the Visitor’s Center, you can purchase your ticket or hand in your Groupon printout as was the case for me. We were given wristbands to denote which tours we were a part of. We were a little early, so we had time to wander through the pricey but appealing gift shop and study all the pictures on the walls. We were given a picture of Wayne and his monkey, but I wish they would give those out at the end of the tour as no one wanted to carry it around all day and it wound up folded and shoved in my purse.

At the appointed time we were led into the theater to see a 20-minute movie to learn some history about Mr. Newton and his many accomplishments. Next, we were led out to a tour bus to be driven across the road to the estate itself. I felt a surge of excitement as we approached the gilded gates. I love seeing how the “other half” live. I was amazed at how lush and green the landscape was around the house. We learned that Wayne had originally intended for there to be an underground parking area and in digging for it had hit artesian wells. After some struggle, the water was declared his and that explains the many lakes and fountains you see all over the property.

As we approached the house I spotted what I thought were peacock decorations on an upper railing. I was stunned when they moved. Wow! How many people do you know have live peacocks as house adornments?

Our tour guide had been with the family for years and knew every detail of Wayne’s mansion and all its furnishings. We progressed slowly through the house. I am sure every article and picture in his “red room” or study had a story to it. I particularly loved the crystal footed pool table in the next room. Wayne had an amazing collection of Margaret Keane “Big Eyes” paintings on the wall of this room. I am well known for loving all things ornate and/or sparkly; almost everything in that mansion was ornate and sparkly. I oohed and ahhed my way from room to room. The dining room was incredible, the main living room breathtaking. It is hard to come up with enough superlatives. Yes, this style is from an earlier era but that does not detract from its beauty as far as I am concerned.

 

A child's bedroom

The living room

When we left the mansion we were allowed to spend a few minutes with the pheasants, bunnies, Boo the Capuchin monkey, the otters and all the myriad of creatures that are in the mini zoo there. At one point a tiny chihuahua ran over to me. It has to be the cutest thing I ever saw; apparently, Boo the monkey has his own dog. We only got to see the Arabian horses from a distance but I would love to see them up close. Next time.

Pictures don’t do this place justice. I recommend going yourself and buying the full tour. I came away with more knowledge and more respect for Mr. Wayne Newton.

(Update- Sadly this attraction has closed )