Simple Stout Visits Vegas

Everyone who has been has told me to go a least once. So, I went. Not only did I go. I went as part of a 5 man entourage. We went equipped with the expectation that our friend's bachelor party was going to be off the hook....and it was.

First of all, when he woke up on the morning of departure, he had no idea that he was going to be in Vegas that night. He was told to bring some spending money and a passport and that's all he was given. It turned out that it was his first time as well. So, when we got there, the 2 of us talked out our initial impressions as we walked from our hotel... Which happened to be the Bellagio... Not a bad first impression.

My friends and I sat at the bar at the Burger Bar having a drink while waiting for our table so we could eat our fancy dinners. Which, as you might guess from the name, were Burgers. Only in Las Vegas do you have to wait 40 minutes to get a burger... and only in Las Vegas is it worth the wait. And, so, while we were waiting, my VVB "Virgin Vegas Buddy" and I figured out Vegas. We figured out that living it up correctly must be accompanied by the correct mind frame. 2 overwhelming feelings were needling at us both as we sipped on our beers. Las Vegas is constantly whispering to you....

1 It's getting harder to care.

2 I deserve this.

If you listen to those 2 attitudes while in Vegas you will have an amazing time. You will also come home broke and regretful. But, I'm telling you, you feel those 2 overwhelming feelings dictating your every move while in that city. Vegas is crazy.

"I deserve this" hit one of my friends in the head while he was ordering his burger. All the burgers were expensive, but he ordered the sixty dollar kobe beef burger complete with truffles and fois gras. And after having a bite of it, I must admit, it was worth it. I couldn't get over the price while watching him eat it, but when I took a bite "It's getting harder to care" nailed me right in the mouth. I didn't care about the price, I didn't care about anything. I just wanted the yummy to last forever.

Of course Vegas is more than just a great hamburger. We had some some serious bachelor partying to do. So, now equipped with the Vegas attitude and a couple pints of beer, we were ready for a serious night out at Tao Nightclub.
Before I continue, I must thank two of my friends. You see, they are making great money, so they took care of the bill that night. In Vegas, someone better be making great money if you want to enjoy a night out at Tao. We not only had a night out, we had VIP table service. You have no idea what that means unless you've experienced it. We were ushered straight thru the 4 hour lineup (people actually waited 4 hours not kidding) straight up the elevator to a packed club with snow coming down from the ceiling.
Our fancy wristbands got us past the last line of security where we were greeted and seated and spoken to on a first name basis. Oh yeah, and the last words I heard before we entered the land of drum and base... I've got a table for you right next to Charles Barkley. "I deserve this. I deserve this. I deserve this."
It was a night of self indulgence for sure. We were told by our very personal hosts that we could have had anything that we wanted. and when they said "anything", they meant "anything". I'm glad my will power outlasted my new found Vegas attitude that I didn't take them up on their offer. We did well enough with our own private bartender, free bottles of dom and our celebrity neighbour. Charles Barkley's words of wisdom to me that night. "Never stay longer than 3 days"
And that's exactly the length of our trip. We ate, we drank, we hurt, we walked, we gambled, we deserved it and at times we didn't care. I was very tired last night when we touched down in Toronto. I was happy to see my wife, and was happy to get back to life. I want to thank all of my buddies for being a part of my first Vegas experience. I want to thank my 2 very generous friends who made the experience a tough one to match. I can only imagine what is going to happen when one of you gets married. The bar has been raised to very impressive levels.
And if I may repeat the words that were spoken to me before I left.. If you haven't been, you should really go and see it at least once. You deserve it.
Vegas Baby. Vegas

Truckin'

I've been having a regular breakfast meeting once a week with a good friend of mine. He's got 4 kids, and a really busy career, so I'm glad to have an hour of his time to myself. Like anyone, he's got his own struggles in life, but in my eyes, he is succeeding. Part of me covets what he's got. A family, a well paying job that he loves, and a growing investment portfolio. Which leads me to ponder my current situation.

I'm happy, well married and on the road to success. -But I have no idea how long the road is or what the route looks like to get there. Heck, I'm not even sure if I'll recognize success when I arrive. Maybe I'll keep driving. I hope I'll keep driving. You see, it is very clear to me already, that I'm sitting in a big rigg on this open highway of life, with a full tank of gas and a very limited set of directions. I'm eager with anticipation, and scared of the unknown. What if I keep driving and I'm never able to deliver what I'm supposed to? Will I ever be able to afford a nice house? Will my investment portfolio ever expand? I keep reminding myself that the most important fact is: I'm driving.

Like I said before, we all have our struggles. I'm dealing with mine own. I'm coveting a little certainty, coveting a little family, coveting success in my career, coveting that this big rigg full of ideas reaches its destination, coveting a little more faith that all will be well despite all of my coveting.

Ah the life of an artist. exploring ideas, creating beauty and over analyzing everything. It sure is great to be back.