TR SNIPPET - MUSIC IN VEGAS

The older I get, the more I move back in time for the music I favor. Generally, I move back to well before rock and roll. However, the Nite Kings playing the Orleans from 4-8 PM ( they also play Sam's Town on Sunday nights) sang all the old 50's and 60's early rock and roll and Motown. I enjoyed them completely.

The music that annoys me most is the newer nasal sounds with indecipherable lyrics. If that dominates the piped in music when I'm playing or swimming, I'm annoyed.

Lately at restaurants at home I've been annoyed at the latest sounds piped in there. It is not dinner music at TGIF.

The Orleans does fairly well. Early morning when the old folks are out they pipe in older music. Much of it is rock, but it is old rock, songs I know and enjoyed in years gone by.

I do still think that the selections should be more eclectic. There is hardly a country song included, yet plenty of gamblers like that music. There is nothing in Spanish, yet the buffet has a “Mexican” section and offers Cholula on every table. There is nothing much from the Ratpack era, yet impersonators of those guys are Vegas favorites in shows all over Vegas. A Sinatra impersonator is the feature of the El Cortez Parlour bar.

I should have spent more time listening to this fellow. I watched him

http://elcortezhotelcasino.com/entertainment/sinatra-sensation/ and listened for a time. He was very good. He did not look like Sinatra, but he did a good voice and style imitation.

In the hotel rooms, on my computer I listen to John Pizzarelli

http://radiodeluxewithjohnpizzarelli.com/RadioDeluxePastShows.html

whenever I was able to download it onto my old and very slow computer. Were I in charge of casino music, it would be more like this radio show; I'd at least toss in a few Jazz vocalists.

The best overall music was at The Plaza. There a three piece jazz group performed every night. I could hear them while I played inexpensive poker tournaments across the casino. When they took a break, old songs I knew and liked were piped in. That ambiance appeals to me, and it may entice me to leave the Four Queens for The Plaza as my main gambling casino.

The pool is another place where music can be a delight or an annoyance.

In the Monte Carlo pool area the music was very modern, but not blasting, except for one song that kept repeating, “They call my name” Some strange hip hop number.

The music in the hallway while walking to the Aria was modern ,but clearly European and not bad. If there was music in the Aria buffet, I missed it. But then I was so very taken with the food choices.

LINK to Aria buffet.

The Planet Hollywood pool music was very modern, pretty much percussion based. It reminded me of old disco music. The sound system was very good, so I found the music more tolerable than in places where it is just some radio show broadcast perhaps with commercials.

The Gold Coast music was very lightly presented. I think it was radio as well, but it was easy to ignore.

My second day at Monte Carlo I had a fine music experience.

I was on my way to see if the half priced ticket booth had a deal on Jimmy Buffet tickets, when right outside the Monte Carlo was a Jimmy Buffet cloned band, and they were very good.

So I saved myself the price of a ticket and managed to get back earlier for some poker by just sitting there on the steps and listening to a couple sets.

I don't have the bands name, but Rick, the lead, was very personable and relaxed in a Key West sort of way although he lives in California where he is also a boat captain.

Included were these lyrics:

It's those changes in latitudes,
Changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.
With all of our running and all of our cunning,
If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.

The was a song about going to Paris.

There was some Elvis too and Buddy Holly's “Oh, Boy.”

The drummer did a good voice imitation of John Fogarty when they sang Credence's, “Pale Moon Rising”

Much of the music had that island escapism theme so popular in island music which promises happiness if we simplify and move away from the stresses that are bothersome.

I can feel that.

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today. Life is good today.

There was a great song “Live, Laugh Love.”

During the first set two young people danced an incredible swing. She was petite and he was wiry but in great shape. He wrapped he up and unrolled her in multiple turns. One time there were so many swirling turns that it drew applause from the crowd.

It was all graceful and fun to watch, especially when he picked this tiny girl up and turned her head over heals, her long hair flowing behind.

I don't much like improvements, but the redo of the front of Monte Carlo was very nice and allowed eating and drinking outside. Part of me missed the old European look of the place. The columns are still there, but it is not the same. But in general I saw this a great improvement.

This little theater formed by a small fountain and circular stone steps that become seats was brilliant. What a treat to hear all this fine music while watching the strip change from daylight to nighttime and seeing the parade of people whooping at a song or two.

The Key West flavored music was perfect. It felt like a little Key West band had been plopped down in the center of the Vegas strip.

The air was delightful. What a treat!

And just about the time the stone seats were beginning to wear on me, I headed back into the poker room.

And I loved again the Latin sounds of Claudine Castro in Marilyn's Lounge at the Eastside Cannery every Monday from 10 PM until after midnight. Such great music and such a great community of people dancing.

TR SNIPPET- CLAUDINE CASTRO AT THE EASTSIDE CANNERY

When my wife, in our daily phone conversation, wished me, “Happy dancing,” I thought she was overly optimistic because unlike the last trip I was not bringing Lady Fortuna (board friend from Denmark) to the lounge show as a dancing partner or meeting women from Calgary as I did when I went to see the Nite Kings last Wednesday.

http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2014/11/tr-snippet-dancing-at-orleans.html?zx=c2050790ff78e1e9

I was late getting to the lounge playing my freeplay and a bit more in video poker 10/7 DB. However there was on table with a rather strange Anglo guy with a red tee shirt and a large V on it who gruffly consented to letting me sit at the table he had. We had no conversation. Not a great beginning, but a great seat.

Luckily the gruff fellow left to kind of hover and move his arms in rather strange ways to the music in other parts of the lounge.

He was replaced by two Latino men who were very gracious and friendly, thanking me for sharing. The waitress was very pretty and one fellow introduced himself and his father and asked her questions in Spanish. He introduced me as his “amigo.”

The waitress then found them their own table.

Soon another waitress was asking if I minded two sharing my seats and two older men came to sit with me. The most talkative fellow spoke better English than I speak Spanish, but still we were tossing a sort of home made Spanglish all trying to share a bit of information above the loud sounds of Claudine Castro and her band.

I learned that the quieter fellow had lived in Spain for a while in cities and towns I knew. The older fellow had just bought a house in Vegas, so that the family could use it anytime they wanted.

I suggested we combine our table with the table next to them where their family was sitting and form a big circle. And soon a younger fellow made the same suggestion, introducing me to all the men and women. It was a mixed group from Cuba, Argentina. He was from Guatemala.

Such a gracious group!

The more talkative older fellow had great white hair and he was fairly tall and much better looking than I am. He started scoping out the room for dance partners in a way that was not aggressive, but also not as shy as I tend to be.

So I joined him and together we invited women who were dancing together to dance with us. In general, they loved it and we were often dancing in a larger circle of people. Only one woman seemed uncomfortable, a good looking Asian woman with hair below her waist.

My wife has taught me that beautiful women get hit on so much that they worry about such intrusions. So, as the dance progressed we shifted to two older and chunky women who loved inviting us into the dance. They were pretty funny.

After the first dance they moved toward the tables, but I said, “Otra vez” so we had another long bit of dancing.

I did not follow what the woman was saying but she was cheering me on, referring me to “Papi.”

It was good fun. My Spanish is poor so I really don't follow very much, but I totally enjoyed the experience and stayed until Claudine finished, thanking everyone at the table.

I find that these Latino groups are always very polite, gracious, and inclusive. They never just share a table with taciturn acceptance of a stranger, but welcome him in with conversation and story.

Mostly locals frequent this spot and all seem to know one another.

Sometimes that Latino welcome attitude is developed in the movies, and it seems to be more Hollywood than real, but I find it true to Latino spirit, and I am so grateful for that. I wish there were more Spanish closer to where I live and that I could integrate into a community to keep my small bit of the language current and enjoy the company of people who treat the outsider like family in spite of not always being well treated themselves.

On my second trip to see Claudine Castro I was very early for this last Latin lounge music of the trip. I used up my free buffet and three glasses of free merlot won on the Webpass page of Eastside Cannery. Rewards there are very skimpy and need to be redeemed within 7 days of printing, but then they are good for 30 days.

I gambled a bit, but stopped when I broke near even with 3-3-3-3 on Double Bonus. That brought me out of another pit of loss. The poker was fine, but I was not getting cards and the competition was all very good locals, so I did not ever expect to get an edge.

I took my last glass of wine into the lounge. I was an hour early, but they play some interesting canned Latin music. It was good I got there when I did because there were two birthdays being celebrated that night and all night the room was packed without a seat to be had.

I sat in a great position at a table that only had two chairs. As people came in, my extra chair disappeared to the table next to me which filled up with people and more were on the way, so I suggested we combine my table with theirs and look for more chairs. Once again I was immediately part of the group.

I had not expected to dance. I still had the remnants of blisters formed in Red Rock canyon.

But there were more women at this table than men, and one Puerto Rican woman and I seemed to hit it off, so she wanted me to dance with her. She was very good.

My salsa is very bad, more like catsup than salsa.

She was tolerant and liked that for some beats I could manage quite well. So, we danced almost every dance for almost two hours.

This finally did in my right foot that had started to bother me after hiking Red Rock.

It is better now but I was worried for a while and I wore my slippers in casinos and limped through the rest of the trip.

My dance partner looked more Scandinavian than Puerto Rican. She was very attractive and reminded me that some people around my age keep themselves very well fit. She loved to move and I could see how that would help.

I was also encouraged by the other women at the table who for a long while just assumed I was a local.

Of course, I was introduced all around and taken into the group just as I had been a week before. The folks who attend this lounge act regularly all know each other, but quickly, with just one introduction, I was one of them.

What a contrast with the Four Kings clique which can get irascible in the search for seats, and I never feel included for any reason with that inbred group.

For a while we shared seats, some sitting while others danced. And then some of our party drifted home and there were chairs enough and room.

There is a small Cuban fellow who is about my age but in fine shape. Facially, he is not attractive, but he has a winning personality and is an excellent dancer. Also, he so obviously enjoys the fun of the dance that we get taken in watching him.

There is also a large Cuban who moves his whole body and catches the beat and the music. He smiles all the while.

So, with partners these two fellows are dancing it up next to each other and every so often they switch partners in graceful patterns that fit the dance. It was amazing to watch and fun.

When Elizabeth and I go to swing dances, the faces are not so full of fun and folks seem to put on an affectation reflecting their polished dance steps.

Swing was not meant to be so sober, but neo swing experiences seem to be.

It was frustrating that it was so crowded, but none of the people looking for seats or friends with space at their tables ever lost their calm and polite demeanor.

I had a really fine time.

I caught the last 202 bus right there at the edge of the parking lot. It leaves just after one AM. This week the driver who brought me up took time to check the new book, read the confusing schedule and interpret when the last bus was going to come.

I really appreciated his attention to my anxiety. Very much in contrast to the driver I asked for help last week although the woman who actually drove the last bus was very helpful both weeks and she remembered me from last week. I did not use up her break time on this trip.

The 202 runs 24 hours but for the route after that bus we need to go to the Nellis stop on the other side of Sam's Town. It is a bit of a walk. The BHX could be taken to that stop and save the long walk. I also noted that the BHX goes by long before that last 202 bus. If I had missed the last 202, I'd have done that night to save a bit on my worry of blisters.

As it turned out the rest I gave my feet the day before seemed to have given a chance for enough healing and the long and frantic dancing did not seem to make them much worse.

It took just 35 minutes at that time for the 202 to drop me at the Gold Coast. It was longer going out just at rush hour, but never really crowded. Both ways I sat in the front upstairs and enjoyed the view of Flamingo.

It was amazing to me that the ride coming home went so quickly.

TR SNIPPET - SCINTAS AT THE D

A few years ago, I saw the entire family group before they got down to just Frank and his brother Joey. I like the sort of music they play, and I was raised in Buffalo as they were.

However, the style of delivery was just a bit too intense for my taste. The female vocalist was quite good, but again it was too much intense voice singing. I think of it as the Whitney Houston form of presenting lounge music, one that shouts so loud and lounging to it is impossible.

I had a great seat. It cost me extra to sit up front, but that was well worth the price. I had a great seat. Cost was $33 and included a drink.

I thought it well worth the half price I paid by staying at the D, but I won't be drawn to see it soon again.

Part of my problem was that I had just seen Kelly Holmes at the Italian Social Club and that show was so over the top that this one could not compete. Something Kelly said in her act seemed to indicate that Scinta is not well respected by Kelly and Clint.

In addition to being very intense, there was just a bit too much corny smaltz. I don't identify with smaltz much. It does seem authentic Buffalo West Side, but I'm just not a Buffalo boy much anymore.

I did enjoy Frank's impersonation of Dean Martin, but that is probably in part because there is no real way to intensify Martin's “Ain't that a Kick in the Head”

I did like hearing mandolin and guitar.

They did a long survey of all sorts of music

Artists included:

Garth Brooks

Michael Jackson

Neil Diamond

Ray Charles

Joe Crocker

Tom Jones

Very Motown

Songs included:

“Friends in Low Places”

“Get Offa My Cloud”

“Never Knew Love”

“I'm Your Baby Tonight”

“It's All Right”

TR SNIPPET - KELLY CLINTON HOLMES AT ITALIAN SOCIAL CLUB

When I say that my trips to Vegas are long trips and this one was 24 nights, I often hear people ask,

“What do you do for 25 days?'

The question perplexes me because many, many days I have more on my list than I can possibly do, and I find the hardest part of going to Vegas is deciding which of the list to do.

One day was like that. Stupidity and serendipity decided for me.

I was supposed to be going to Eastside Cannery to play poker during the nighttime football game. I had two squares that might earn me money. One other year I had one square and came just after the first quarter to find they had called my name and since I was not there, I had lost $100.

So, I was determined to play football and just not go out to the Italian American Club to see Kelly Clinton Holmes do her show, “My Half Italian Roots are Showing”

2333 East Sahara near Eastern (702) 457-3866

Wild Bill and I both had trouble deciding which buffet to try, Palace Station for which I had two free buffets or Eastside Cannery for which I had a two for one.

We picked Palace Station, but did not note that the buffets were not good on Sunday. Nor did the Player's Club tell us before issuing a voucher. We first learned of it in line. But the nice woman there called her boss and they let us pay the difference of $6 to make up the Sunday price. So that stupidity was adjusted.

Wild Bill decided to head back to downtown and meet our other poker buddy Slink. I was still determined to head out to the Eastside Cannery. So I got on the Sahara Express and HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. Ironic really since I am the guy with the bus blog helping others.

Not really did I go in the wrong direction, but I went for a long while, wondering how Decatur got to be on the route. I even took notes on the beauty of the SETTING sun which might have been a clue that I was heading West.

Finally, I asked the bus driver, left the bus, walked across the street and boarded the bus going East.

And that changed my destination. I just felt that in that mindset and as late as I was I did not want to play poker. I certainly did not want to arrive after the first quarter and find my name had been called and I'd lost $100.

I decided to try to find the Italian Social Club. I had complete directions in my room.

I asked the bus driver who was just the friendliest woman I have ever met.

She was unsure, but thought it was around Maryland.

But when I went to exit there, she held me back and told me to wait until Eastern because the intersection did not look right.

And at Eastern there it was, the Italian Social Club.

I thought I had remembered that the show started at 7, but it started at 8, so I had about 2 hours and decided to catch a bite to eat. I can't eat pasta so I skipped the temptation to eat that the Italian Social Club. I went toward the Pollo Loco bus saw a little El Salvadoran place and gave that a try.

It was not a good choice. One of the spices just did not appeal to me and it seemed to be in the chicken soup and in the pupusta ??

I liked some of it well enough, but the chicken that came for the soup was rather tough, overcooked and dry.

However, there was a cute little Latina serving me and great Spanish television.

I was very under dressed for the show at the Italian Social Club. Most of the audience wore coats and dress slacks. I had a double pocket hiking shirt and cargo pants. Oh, well.

I loved the spot and could see going there again and having some wine at the bar while listening to old music, canned or live. There was even a bit of dancing.

Kelly's show was in a large banquet hall with stage. In the audience were a number of people I recognized in the music circles of Las Vegas. Kelly's husband Clint was there. Bill Fae, the fellow who manages the Toast of the Town at Sam's Town was there. And in her band was the fellow who was head of the Classic Jazz band that played for years at the Gold Coast.

This was a one and a half hour show with no intermission and was absolutely great, one of the best shows I've seen. She told jokes, sang, and dressed in costume to create memorable characters. Much of the theme was Italian American culture. Kelly's mother was Italian and her father was Irish. Her parents loved Sinatra and she sang those sorts of songs, including Nancy Sinatra's “These Boots are Made for Walking.”

Others I remember were:

• Witchcraft
• Take it Easy
• My Eyes Adore You
• Mambo Italiana
• Come ona my House

It was ironic that I had been listening to both these songs that week on Radio Deluxe on the internet.

She talked about her loving Italian Grandma, her love of food, and the influence of Carol Burnett on her aspirations to perform.

She did the most amazing impression of Cher. It was very believable. Denis Blair did Bono.

She talked of being best friend with Louie Prima's daughter, Lena.

She impersonated here chain smoking Italian mother and then sang, “You're the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me” in tribute to her Mom.

Clint Holmes came up on stage and sang a duetwith her and then by himself he sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” He said it was the first time he had performed that song in public. As he sang, she changed into the most fantastic character, a NJ gangster type Jo Jo Spaghetti Morretti.

This was an amazing transformation.

I hope to see this show again sometime, to see Kelly again perhaps in her own show. Sometimes this material is worked into a show called My Half Freckles are Showing.

TR SNIPPET - MAC KING

I had not seen MacKing in a long while and thought I'd enjoy the show.

I was right.

I remembered practically nothing.

He did great bits with live nightcrawlers, a hamster, goldfish all seemingly eaten but actually unharmed.

His personality makes the show. He is very understated and not at all full of himself like Chris Angel.

The price has changed.

The price for the drink with a free ticket coupon from the American Casino Guide used to be $10. Now there is a tax, the entertainment tax I think, that makes it $15. always some added fee at CET.

Still, I was not disappointed. The show was worth it and the Merlot was really not bad either.

TR SNIPPET - THE ORLEANS

My play on the nickle three play 9/7 DB progressive earns me just two free weekday nights here at the Orleans every six months. But I can use two nights in October and two in November, one of the benefits of bridging my booking over those two months.

Then this year Wild Bill had free nights, so I came up to spend another Wednesday and play with him for the Young at Heart benefits of buffet and cheap movie tickets.

October 21-23

The Orleans was my first booking for the trip.

This is a fine place to come on the bus straight from the airport. I caught the WAX and then the 201. I decided this time to catch the 201 at the earlier Koval stop, but I won't again. Turtleman, who often goes to the Orleans on the bus, speculated that this would get us a better seat on the 201, and it did do that, allowing me to manipulate to a seat directly across from the exit door, which makes moving my large and heavy suitcase easily out the exit door. I pack so that once I get to the airport, into the suitcase goes a second light suitcase, my sleep apnea machine and small (very slow ) computer which I use primarily for writing. Off the internet the machine is not that slow and good as well to check my VP play on the tutor.

The problem with the Koval stop was there were four pan handlers hanging there and no one else. First one came and I actually broke my custom and gave the fellow a dollar. He told me a huge story of being locked out of his money and promised that one day I'd see him there, dressed in a suit and giving me my dollar back.

He thought he recognized me as a guy who comes to that stop often, in spite of my huge suitcase.

Three more followed. They actually asked for nothing, but they congregated just behind the stop shelter with their tall cans of beer and talked baseball. Wild Bill might have liked overhearing the conversation.

From what I gathered they congregate often. Both the first fellow and one other took me for a fellow they see regularly who must on occasion hand them a few dollars.

Normally, none of this would have bothered me much, and I might even find the characters worth collecting for a story, but I was really tired from the journey and from no sleep the night before and so a bit uncomfortable.

So, from the airport I recommend getting off at the NYNY stop where there are more people and no resident pan handlers.

The bus should have cost me $2, but I decided to get the $2.50 24 hour pass, thinking I might use the bus the next morning to ride in for my senior 30 day pass. And I did not have the 50 cents in change, so it cost me $3. Some bus guy I am!!!

I did not test any ID theories. I held my expired in April RTC pass with my fingers over the date. I was too tired to test anything. No one asked me for anything on the 201 and perhaps that was one more advantage to having the 24 hour pass in hand.

Our WAX driver was great. He gave out plenty of information on the buses. He said that two WAX buses often arrive at Terminal 1 at the same time, one going to Terminal 3 and other going Downtown. This had happened. We were all directed to the one going Downtown for the quickest ride.

He also gave me some information on the CX going to the University. I learned that there are more stops around the University now that the CX goes to the airport. It would be easier getting back downtown.

VP

October 21-23

I only play one machine here, the nickle three play progressive 9/7 DB VP.

I started with a poor VP run. I lost $80 in the first session, and quit to come up to the room. Then I remembered I had left my sheets of VP notes at the machine and went back. They were still there, and so I put in another $40 and won, bringing my daily losses down to $59. I noticed the Young at Heart Give away and got $5 and a very cheap plastic tupperware gift which I inadvertently set down and left. Not much regret there.

So my losses the first day were $54.

I played hard the second day. In the first dozen hands I hit four Aces and then a Club royal, filling in 10-J-Q after tossing a pair of jacks. Mine had not progressed much, $210, but it gave me plenty to play for all day. I never hit the Aces or another Royal. Toward evening there was one that was over $400 but I missed.

In the end I wound up down $32 for this first Orleans booking. I did not play the third day figuring I had played enough to keep the mailings coming for another year.

October 29

I came up from downtown to spend the Young at Heart club day with Wild Bill who was staying at the Orleans. I arrived in the morning, we played enough for breakfast. There surrendipitously we met Lucky Pete and his wife Carol, very old friends. Lucky Pete sat with us and caught us up on Silver Strike news and all the deals he had found around town as well as personal bits.

Then we went back to play the three play nickle 9/7 DB progressive which I think is the best VP in the place partly because the lower bankroll gives us a longer time for fun.

This was quite a day for luck.

First on the Mystery spin for a mathematical multiplier I hit 10X for video poker, a pretty good number.

Then the play itself just was very lucky.

I was down almost $100 when things started to catch. I ground my score up a bit and then had some fine hits. I hit a royal for over $300, had two lines hit the four Aces from a 3 Ace draw and had quad 7's dealt to me. I played until it was time to see the Nite Kings in the Lounge and cashed out ahead $250. This ia a pretty huge win on a nickle machine. I also had put over 1200 points on the machine before applying the multiplier so I'll get some good meals out of that day. Of course, both Bill and I ate a free breakfast and a free supper with no point reduction as part of the Young at Heart promotions. We skipped the movie this week. Lucky Pete came over an played a bit with us as well. I think he did pretty well. He is a great Silver Strike collector because many years ago I showed him a machine right there in the Orleans and that got him hooked. I also started him on video poker and he loves it.

BUFFET

reviewed with the rest of “Food”

INTERNET

I have read posts about the confusing bits to answer to get the free internet that comes with the resort fee. Comped rooms still have the resort fee, but the casino pays it, so the amenities are there. There is a free level and a more expensive, faster level. The free level is plenty for me.

I have a very old, small computer that goes to Vegas with me and it is slow. I don't go online much and it is slow when I do and often gets stuck in some ad virus. I use it mostly for writing out the day's adventures and thoughts, organized by subject. When I can catch an internet connection, I download Radio Deluxe, the John Pizzarelli show. Once downloaded this will give me the best music in my room.

November 13

My last two nights of the trip were to be at the Orleans again. This time I came from the Gold Coast and found that the shuttle would take my large suitcase in the back to make it easier for me to go. The driver was great.

It was a smooth and quick ride and an easy check in. I quickly got my lunch buffet for 50 points and ate. Then I went back to gamble a while. My point multiplier this time was 15X, a huge multiplier for VP.

At 4 PM I quit and deposted my virtual drawing tickets in the drum. Then I listed to some of the Nite Kings, coming back for the actual drawing.

I then returned to the Nite Kings.

YOUNG AT HEART

The main advantages for us old folks are concentrated by Boyd on Wednesdays now, but this first Tuesday they had a give-a-way for anyone earning 300 points.

Wednesdays include free buffets to be earned with very few points, a mystery multiplier that can be as much as 50 X. I got 5X for the VP and a 4:30 PM cash drawing which I missed because I forgot the time between the movie and the Nite Kings.

On my second trip I got 12X point multiplier and on my third it want up to 15X. That sure helps with food. I used some of the points too at the Gold Coast for the one room I bought. Even after all the buffets I had $11 to apply to my room.

THE ROOMS

I started and ended my trip at the Orleans. I was really exhausted this trip because I could not sleep the night before leaving for the airplane. I had been awake since midnight Eastern time. And I don't think I slept much on the plane, mostly because of this motormouth in my aisle. This woman's voice somehow penetrated my ability to drift off. She never took a breath. I envied the young fellow in the seat behind me. He was asleep the entire journey. Why does life make sleep so easy for the young who need to be up and about and so difficult for us old folks who need to be rested for all the opportunities of retired life.

I was just delighted to arrive at 11 AM, and be given a room with no early check in fee nonsense. And the rooms are always just delightfully comfortable with no displeasing odor. Both had a nice overstuffed chair and a sofa, a fine desk for the computer, and nice TV where I found things to watch.

Everything is spotless and in full repair and it is always quiet here.

I did not care much about view either time. I liked better having a low number, near the pool and without much of a ride. However, I got a delightful view of the spacious pool area.

The curtain actually shut out light as does the extra sliding bathroom door. I used my curtain clips, but I probably did not need them.

The only thing I don't like is that the water would not run cold in the first room. Both faucets ran warm water. Grabbing a quick drink without ice is just not an option. I don't mind room temperature, but this is heated water in the cold water pipe. I solved it by buying a gallon of water for 99 cents at the Walgreens.

However, the nice little coffee pot makes a good cup of the honey lemon ginseng green tea I brought and that makes a good iced tea in my oversized glass cup.

All this is important because I am up in the night and up early as well, so a cup of tea while writing is delightful.

This year I even packed in some Saratoga organic peanut butter, corn cakes and some flat wraps so a light and free breakfast is easy at any time.

For napping this is a great room. The curtains block the sun completely. I used my curtain clips but probably did not need them.

The small window in the shower opened for fresh air and for music from the pool area while I showered. I could not hear the pool music in the rest of the room unless this window was open.

Also, a call to housekeeping with a NO SERVICE request is noted and there is no knocking at the door in the morning. Some hotels rely only on the “do not disturb” note on the door, but these can be taken by other guests. I had a particularly bad time with that at the Flamingo one time.

My next hotel was a MyVegas night at Monte Carlo. I knew there would be no free early check in there. So, I thought I'd keep the room at the Orleans for as long as possible. Easy. The clerk said they could only extend for an hour because they were “sold out” tonight, but one o'clock is perfect. It cuts down on the time my bag spends with the bellman at Monte Carlo and gives me time for a late morning swim when the water may have had a better chance to warm up.

POOL

Swimming here at the Orleans is hit and miss at this time of the year. However, it was grand this first day and it let me stretch out all the muscles from sitting on the airplane and refreshed me. The water was plenty warm enough. I did not even feel chilled. However, I know some of that is bringing this Northern body that has somewhat adapted to much colder weather. The day before my swim I fished off the dock in a winter coat and scarf.

And the rest just the luck of warm days and sun in Vegas that arrival week. I went to the pool about noon the first day. The air was cold and it was windy. Out of the pool and out of the sun made a short uncomfortable walk to the jacuzzi.

The jacuzzi was just fine as always except they have taken out all the decorative rocks and put in an island that is practical for sun bathing, but not as nearly aesthetically pleasing. I missed the old rocks. It made it all look a bit sterile.

On my last day I felt pretty good so I took a fine hour swim and hot tub soak, my last for a while now because I can't do that outdoors in upstate New York.

It was November 14^th and the pool was well heated and comfortable. I guess I will be giving more attention to the Gold Coast followed with the Orleans on future trips.

I got to the pool before it opened at nine. I sat for a while, but I rolled in at 3AM and I was pretty tired. Down the right side the pool, where the bathrooms are located, were lounge chairs that were outside the locked gates. These were very comfortable for waiting. There was a huge exhaust fan for I could not hear the birds. Otherwise it was great.

And the life guard was there on time. No delays. Gates were unlocked and I could get a good swim in and still have time for a nice free meal before checking out.

If you like the pool, ask for a room on that side. Mine was facing the pool, 448, and that gave me a pleasant view. But most important to me is a quick ride in the elevator when I come back wet, both for my own comfort and for the comfort of the other riders.

There is an issue with the local dancers thinking they own the lounge. Sometimes it makes a tourist feel invisible and finding a seat is not easy although the later sets seem to offer more opportunities. I wrote and complained to the Orleans and the letter follows this post.

Drinks are reasonable. My wine was under $5, Bud Lite was on sale for $3 and iced buckets were available. They seem easy enough about the drinks. The Orleans cabernet is tolerable, but not wonderful. Sometimes I add just a touch of Stevia. On my last visit I had the Merlot and liked it better.

LAST NIGHT IN VEGAS

I pushed the walking and dancing so hard that I sent my left foot the wrong message.

I skipped my plans to hear out to the Springs Preserve and tour the museum. Another trip for that.

I skipped the pool one day and iced the foot. Then I wrapped it with a gauze bandage. I forgot the bandaging tape, but electrical tape worked fine and with one icing the pain was great decreased.

I was a bit sorry to change my plans, but being infirm at the Orleans is not so bad. I played the nickle triple play all day. I lost $42. In the evening I decided to take in a movie and have some popcorn.

FREE PLAY

I used my free play from the B Connected site in October and in November I used my American Casino Guide freeplay. On an earlier trip I had trouble using multiple printed offers on the same trip.

TR SNIPPET - DANCING AT THE ORLEANS

At the Orleans, at my free breakfast, my first full day in Vegas I was in line and three women from Calgary and Alberta were just behind me. Their talk was so perky and funny, I listened in and made some comment. They were so open and friendly that by the time we made the buffet, they had invited me to eat with them.

It was a delightful time. They were all full of stories and jokes and delighted with their Vegas adventures. I suggested the Nite Kings in the lounge for a good free show and sat with them there later as well.

Val (aka Kenna) had been a librarian and a dietician. She had an every pleasant natural smile and a twinkle in my eye.

Joyce engaged me the most, talking of the old music, of astrology and Chinese birth animals.

I've lost the name of the third woman other than her nickname of Nimsey.

I so enjoy meeting strangers. These were especially delightful with an accented English I rarely hear and stories of games like Lawn Bowling, similar to curling only on the lawn with a smaller ball. Val had been on a champion team.

They were slow to dance and that seemed odd to me at first because they were enjoying the music. Nimsey was bouncing out of her seat. I suppose they wanted some clear conservative boundaries with me, but after a bit they could see I could respect what they wanted, and we danced many of the faster bits. This was a treat for me because I so often end up in a mix of coupled locals and watching rather than dancing.

They were very open too about personal family information which I won't include.

These women were just a few years younger than I am, but in spirit and activity they were 20 years younger and full of more fun than I usually find in my peers. They were also more refreshingly open and easy without much reserve and good humored without sarcasm. They enjoyed life and they especially enjoyed this party time in Vegas. It was a perfect meetup; the Nite King's music was all from our youth.

In fact, listening to these women I was reminded of meeting up with girls in my college years. It was not unlike those sorts of times with intense conversation, jokes, energy for moving and delight in shared new perspective.

A very memorable Vegas adventure.

TR SNIPPET - MOVIES AT THE ORLEANS

ORLEANS MOVIES

Wild Bill and I often take a break from the gambling on Senior day and see a movie. This year we were too much involved in the gambling. On my solo senior day I had a large multiplier for VP and the Nite Kings so that really took up the day.

On my last day I was slowed down by blisters from asking too much of my right foot. It was pretty painful, and I had no idea what it was.

Folks with diabetes get a bit worried when feet are painful in unusual ways. I iced it twice and took some Ibuprofen and that helped enormously.

Still, I was rather casino bound and decided to see a movie.

Senior prices are $7.50 all day.

I stopped by the movie desk and the fellow working there told me that they also have a $7.50 large popcorn with a small senior drink that can be upgraded to a medium for 65 cents or a large for a dollar. The popcorn is refillable and I thought that refill would be the best in-room snack since I had not gotten up to Walmarts either to pick up any nuts.

I walked up to the popcorn counter. There were no crowds. I ordered the deal that the clerk had told me about earlier. The fellow next to me ordered just popcorn and they asked him for a player's card.

So I asked if there was any deal using the Player's Card.

“Well, not for you sir because you have to pay full price for the popcorn to get the special senior drink.

“Well, how much is the popcorn if I don't get a drink?”

“It is $1.80”

“But if I get the drink, I have to pay $7.00 plus the cost of the drink upgrade/”

“That's right.”

“Well, I'm thinking then that I don't really need the drink. Here is my Player's Card. I suppose you have a water fountain?”

“Why, yes sir, in fact we can give you some complimentary cups. Would you like a couple cups of water? Do you want ice?”

“How about you give me two cups of ice and I'll get my own water at the fountain.”

And that is what they did.

You just have to know just how to run the maze to get the bargains.

Now getting seated was a bit of challenge. I should have waited to fill the cups, but I did not. There I was trying to balance the popcorn and the two cups of ice water and get in my seat.

These popcorn buckets are made of thin folded cardboard, not really buckets at all and I could not hold them in my mouth. I suppose I could and should have put the popcorn on the floor. , but I was determined to wedge my cups in the cup holders.

The folks behind me laughed and asked if I needed help. I finally got it.

So I saw The Judge and enjoyed the movie as much as I expected I would.

I had plenty of popcorn. Too much really for the diet and for any one man, but I do love popcorn.

And on the way out I got a refill for my room. Pretty good deal for $1.80.

Earlier on a $4 senior morning I had seen “The Best Part of Me” and enjoyed that as well. That time I could not eat popcorn, having come from the free senior buffet.

TR SNIPPET - OPEN COMPLAINT TO ORLEANS ABOUT SEATING IN LOUNGE

Dear Orleans,

I'd like to thank you for engaging the Nite Kings in the lounge and for developing a fine senior day. On my last trip to Vegas I spent three days gambling and eating the free buffets, hoping against the odds in the drawing, and listening to that great band.

I have been wanting to see them for a long while now and it never seemed to work out.

However, I find getting seats is an unpleasant experience.

The first week I arrived after the drawing and all the seats were locked up. Luckily I had promoted the event with three women from Calgary that I met in line at the buffet at breakfast. They asked me where to find a good show, and I suggested they try this free lounge act. So they took a booth and table and I sat with them for that performance.

The second week I went up on senior day and met with my gambling buddy Bill. I wanted him to have a seat, so I went to stand in line during the time that the band rehearsed. I brought with me two papers with reserved on them because I knew that both Bill and I would need to duck out of the first set for the few minutes it took to see if all the virtual drawing tickets we had earned might give us a win in the drawing.

First, while I was in line, 8 people walked ahead of me to join friends who had saved them seats in line. I didn't complain.

However, what is the purpose of a line?

I was still able to get seats I liked, but two women also liked them and complained bitterly, one at the beginning and the second when I asked if she would mind keeping my two seats when Bill and I went out for the drawing.

She was so surly, I moved away from her. And took other seats

She told me that I could not use my little “reserved” notes. However, she was saving two seats with women's handbags, the acceptable “reserved” signs it seems for that event.

I understand that the Orleans is a fine local's casino, but the friendliness that clique shows to those in the “club” can be off-putting to tourists.

I noticed that quite a few people brought drinks into the lounge. We bought ours there. Great prices.

I also noticed that no one seemed to need to go to the drawing and yet all should be Young at Heart. This meant to me that few had spent the morning gambling there as I had.

On my third visit when I stayed at the Orleans in November I just decided that I'd watch from outside the rail until the 4:30 drawing was over and then try to find a single seat as I was solo.

It was difficult. Finally, a friendly local offered a seat at the bench in the back where he had his family. We hit it off and had a fine visit.

There two right ahead of us were two seats saved with the drink menu cutouts. No one actually sat in them, but it was the second set before one couple decided to take those seats and mover the “reserved” cut outs. No one ever came. I might have easily sat in one of the uselessly saved seats.

I'd suggest that some method of discouraging the Macy's basement sale mentality for seat choices be established for these popular lounge acts.

Perhaps an official reserved sign could be sold for the price of a lounge drink or tied into the Young at Heart promotion once 500 points have been earned that day.

At any rate it ought to be possible to stand in a real line, get a seat as a live person, and not have some surly local in my tourist face. The whole exchange soured me a bit, and Bill and I ended up leaving the Orleans early that day and heading.

I am not a high roller, but I put about 1200 points (without the multiplier) on my card that morning as did Bill.

I am not in the local club, but I write for three discussion boards and many of those folks gamble at higher levels and are regular Orleans staying tourists.

​I'll post this as an open letter on those boards along with your reply.

Thank you for reading this complaint, and thank you for arranging such a fine day for seniors, linked to good benefits and comped rooms. It draws quite a few of us into the casino each trip, even those of us who ride buses to get there.

I was sad years ago to see the 10/7 DB, the signature game, reduced to 9/6 DB, an unplayable game when 9/6 DDB is right there along side it.

However, I seem to find enough to keep drawing me to the gambling as do many of my board friends.

And I write an article every year in the American Casino Guide on Resort fees. You get good credit for dropping the fees on any comped rooms. Thanks for that. It would be nice not to have them at all, but at least if we are gambling, we get them waived.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Note: I sent this a week before posting this , but so far no response.

TR SNIPPET - FOUR QUEENS

I stayed there in October and November. Here are some things I learned:

The new comp dollar system is very good. I only play VP, but I started with $40 comps they sent me, ate lots of prime rib, treated my buddy one night, paid for an extra night, and when I left I had $80 comp dollars.

This is separate from cash back. I still turned in my points for cash back. I don't know if the cash back formula was reduced. If so, it was not dramatic as I got about what I expected from earlier stays.

MAGNOLIA'S

Because everyone has all these comp dollars and no place to spend them, Magnolia's is packed all the time with huge lines at some hours. They will have to rethink that.

I don't like all their food, but the prime rib is very good, served until midnight or later if you ask. It comes with a horseradish that is the strongest I have had other than what I grew myself.

I especially liked the seafood gumbo. I could make a meal on a couple bowls of that. It did not seem to have any rice or other carbs. I also like the simple vegetables that come with the meals, the carrots were especially good. I suppose they are buttered.

In the Neptune Platter I liked the crab cakes, but the rest was just okay.

And for me, having a bit of off diet mashed potatoes and au jus was a real treat. I eat no potatoes at home.

Frustrating was that for two days their computer was down and there was no back up procedure to use Comp dollars to pay for meals. It is a good idea to check first at the counter to see that the computer is working before standing in line for a seat.

Also, Magnolia's has always been a tough spot to know what to do about their specials or coupons like the ACG 2 for 1. They are fine about giving single eaters 50% off on the 2 for 1, but no 2 for 1 can then be paid for in comp dollars at the register.

Here is what to do if you can.

Charge the half off price to your room. At check out you can pay for it with comp dollars because all that gets to the hotel room desk is the dollar amount. They don't know it has been reduced by a coupon.

So, for me, the coupon is still a value because I only eat and play there when I have rooms there.

I met another solo traveler there one night and we decided to eat together. He was an interesting fellow from Alaska and had some good personal stories. He had moved his large family from Oregon to Alaska and resettled there. He liked the change. It was hard for some of the children.

He was staying at Arizona Charlie's and the only thing he played anywhere was keno. He got some good offers as well he should with a game that has a vigorish of 25%, the worst bet in the casino.

He did tell me that he thought dropping off at Arizona Charlie's from out Boulder Highway late at night was not worrisome. I had wondered about that. And he was fine with the rooms.

I was actually booked there when so many of my freebies forced it out of the picture. And because of that I missed some of the exploring I wanted to do out Boulder, the birding, the music of the Dumpkof's.

I am thinking that next trip I may pay a bit more for rooms and gamble a bit less. Arizona Charlie two room suites at $38 total a night are attractive. Unlike the Four Queens, those certainly would be quiet at night. That might help some of my sleeping issues.

It did look like they will reduce the generous 3 night offers to 2 night offers. They did that between October and November. However, the comp dollars at current rates will easily cover a third night, usually just $24.

And I used my two free nights for Friday and Saturday and paid for the incoming Thursday. Not all casinos do that.

The double 500 point coupon is good for a trip, not a day. So, if you earn the 500 points over one trip, a couple days or so, and then present the coupon, you will get the points doubled. These are cash back points. They used to be worth $12 in cashback, making that the most valuable coupon in the American Casino Guide.

Bad news is that on some weekends it will be impossible to get a quiet room. The D has taken a city block behind the Four Queens and built a huge music stage and audience area. There are not events every night. So far, they are just on some weekends. But I did two nights with my son and when he left I was exhausted. No chance for a nap. First was the rehearsal. Next was the concert. Some loud heavy metal stuff. I could not sleep. I could not really hear the television. It was my worst time on this trip.

The way to avoid this is to not book when there are events in that venue. The Four Queens said they would get the information probably as a courtesy from the D, but we could get it straight from the D by calling them and asking for the even calendar. Of course, this might be late to change bookings.

My plan will be to double book on the Four Queen weekends and if they have that concert, cancel them a week before and go to my second choice.

This is big trouble for me since I've arranged my trips around the Four Queens comping my weekends.

However, I'm thinking of alternatives.

One is The Plaza which now has full pay VP, great live jazz, great piped in music, and would be a quieter venue in every way. I'm thinking that what I pump into the Four Queens 10/7 DB would cover me at The Plaza too, at least for two weekend nights.

Quiet is a value for me.

In addition, while it would not help me pay for rooms, The Plaza has the cheapest poker tournaments on their Poker Pro machines that I have ever seen outside my own living room and right now they have them about four times a day. I play full pay 10/7 VP and live poker so The Plaza may well fit my needs.

In addition, they have a pool. Four Queens has only Binions and it is not open every day. I guess in October it would be as cold as the D pool, but I'd give it a try if the weather was right.

 

 

TR SNIPPET - THE D

 

Vegas pigeon

 

Wild Bill and I had planned a trip to the Palace Station for lunch when I realized that I was moving from the Four Queens to the D.

So, I tried to get the D room early, at 8:30.

And the girl looked to see if there was a room and felt bad she could not help me. There was not lecture about the time. There was no hint of an early check in fee.

She asked me to come back in an hour or so.

So I went and packed up, figuring to either get a room or leave my bags.

To move from the Four Queens to the D if I have the D room before noon is much easier than packing for a real move. I just make a few trips and don't have to worry about fitting everything in an overstuffed suitcase.

It was good I packed. They could upgrade me for $10 a night, but the regular rooms had yet to be cleaned. They did check me in to a nice room on the 19^th floor with a great view away from the Fremont experience because I asked for as much quiet as they might give me. And that did work because as I type I can hear a band below, but it is not loud.

I could fall asleep.

I checked my bag and retrieved it just before 11PM. 

The bellman was off taking three carts of luggage up to some rooms and so there was a few minute delay. It seemed odd to have that much luggage to manage at 11 PM. He apologized. It did not bother me much, but I was getting tired.

The room is very smart. It must have been remodeled recently. I love the art at the D.

Everything is clean and in good shape. The lamp near the bed has extra plugs in the base for my sleep apnea machine. The plug by the end of a combination TV stand, dresser, and computer station is serviced with a strip.

There is no coffee maker at all now, but I bring my own little Quick Cafe II

On the second morning the lights went out in the bathroom so I did my laundry in semi darkness. When everything was hung to dry, I called and reported the problem and the maintenance came very quickly. A few minutes later the front desk called to confirm it had been fixed. Good system.

It was very comfortable and quiet here last night when I finally got to bed and I slept easily.

There is a new elevator system. We punch the numbers on the outside of the wall, so when the elevator arrives, we are already in the journey. A workman was there helping people. As I left the Four Queens, where there had been some long elevator delays, a fellow was just livid with the front desk, saying his wife had waited for 15 minutes. So, I'm thinking the D now rules in elevators compared with previous trips. If the elevator is going to be faster, I will be more apt to take a high number room to keep it quieter and give me a bit of a view.

 

 

TR SNIPPET - MONTE CARLO FIRST DAY

MyVegas set me up with a night here, followed by a night at Mandalay Bay and then another here at Monte Carlo.

I had misgivings. I thought perhaps I would just be hassled by the check in check out of staying in one place for only a day.

Had I known that Monte Carlo does not add an early check in fee unless the check in is before ten. Somehow I got the idea the fee was as universal as the resort fee.

One thing to remember when booking a frugal trip is that the resort fee does not go up on the weekend, so if you manage a “free” room with only that fee to pay, a weekend night is really wonderful value. Weekends are hard to cover in long trips.

I stretched out my time at the Orleans, thinking that I did not want my luggage in storage for too long. I probably could have gotten in earlier.

However, getting in at 1:15PM makes a huge difference when only staying one night. I could head over for the Aria lunch buffet LINK and still have time to swim in the pool. LINK

The check in required nothing except my credit card and photo ID. It was simple.

I found it a long, long walk from the strip to the lobby, but it was no distance then to the poker room or the pool.

Aria was a little bit of a walk, but not bad. So, I was very comfortable.

ROOMS

I know from reading posts that I have the lower end of their rooms. It is fine, but in spots a bit thread worn. It does not equate to my room at the Orleans in size or comfort.

There is also two bottles of water in the room and the tap water is cold.

There is a coffee maker, but it has no tray for the bags of coffee and there was no coffee left, just three bags of condiments.

So, I ask a fellow with a clip board in the hall.

“So which do you need?” he asks me.

“I need both. I need a tray to hold the coffee bags, and.......coffee.”

It seemed like a fairly silly question to me, but he was pleasant.

He went off to find something for me.

And I never heard from him or anyone again.

These sorts of details would not be missed at the Orleans.

The machine did work to make the tea I had packed along in my fine glass cup. So, I started my pack out morning with tea and peanut butter wraps and a few mixed nuts.

POOLS

I have always been attracted to the lazy river, and I found it was very nice. I did not bother with a tube. Without a tube, I traveled faster and had to swim a bit to keep my legs from brushing the water, so it was a water ride with exercise built in. Very nice. The water was heated and the pool was in the sun.

Tubes are just $5, but I think I like not being quite that lazy.

Another pool directly behind the lobby area was nice but a bit cooler. It is in the shade, and so the life guard explained that it does not retain the heat as well. It was fine for swimming around and getting exercise, small than the Orleans pool but deeper so it was easier while swimming to keep from touching.

I was there from three to almost five and had the shaded pool to myself. That seems a good time to swim.

The jacuzzi behind the pool was smaller than the Orleans, but the jets produced much better water massage, and that was a delight for my arthritic ankle. I liked it very much.

No personal ID other than a room key was needed for admittance. Towels were abundant and very large. However, don't leave one on lounge with nothing else there or they will pick it up.

Bathrooms are at the Lazy River.

There is also some great cold water there, iced for drinking and free in those small paper cups that make funny hats for little kids.

CHECK OUT TIME

Official check out time at MonteCarlo was eleven. I called and extended that to noon. Note that this is an hour earlier than I managed at the Orleans.