Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

Anyway, Mary mentioned the other night that rates in Vegas are verging on the farcical. As in really, really silly low. But we're hoist on the petard of the horns of a dilemma. Like how many more similes can I mangle? Well, that and what do we do in Vegas when we don't like to gamble?

I've never really seen the attraction to art of wagering myself. I have been to Vegas a couple of times with friends, and it seems like every time we visit the folks in New Orleans we end up going to one of the casinos, but on our own - it's not something that holds any appeal for either Mary or myself. Perhaps it's because of a genetic predisposition to logic. I look at the odds and see that over time I will always lose.

Well, to be honest, in every situation to date, when I've gambled I've lost immediately. None of this 'over time' stuff. I put the money down and it's gone, immediately. I can safely say I've pretty much never won at any type of gambling endeavor, ever. I've even lost betting on my college team during their last two national championship games. This, I think, is just confirmation that when it comes to gambling I am the Albatross of Doom.

So looking through this and that website dedicated to convincing people that Las Vegas is a fun destination for adults (I see they've finally put the whole 'Vegas is for Families' insanity behind them), I come up with gambling, shows, shopping, and dining.

Since the objective here is to take advantage of low, low rates to check out Sin City, shopping, especially in these dire economic times, seems a little contraindicated. And it's never really been our thing. Mary is of the firm and unwavering conviction that everything one really needs can be purchased online, and thus she does not have to put a foot into a stone and mortar establishment. For the most part it seems like a sensible alternative for us and it cuts way down on the impulse purchases. So cross off shopping.

That leaves shows and dining. I'm up for a show, though a little research seems to indicate that although hotel room prices are in a power dive, show ticket prices remain somewhat insanely high. Like top-notch Broadway show ticket price high. Ah, well, I guess I could fork over the greenbacks for a gander at a Cirque du Soleil show, since I haven't seen one yet. And maybe Penn and Teller. But Donny and Marie - that's right out!

Other than that, there's a restaurant or three I wouldn't mind trying. And couple that with a few days sitting by the pool drinking fruity tropical drinks, which are entirely appropriate for the middle of the desert for some reason, and I think I'm good. We'll see.