360 Vegas

E-392: Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys

Random Vegas
Del Webb was a private person, egoless.  He wouldn't even allow himself to be paged in any of his properties.  In fact, he remained so anonymous that one former employee tells a story about a time Webb tried to get on a service elevator at the Sahara to go to the offices in the penthouse.  An employee stopped Del, asked who he was and when he claimed he was Del Webb, the employee told him, unless he could prove that, he wasn't allowed to use the service elevator and turned him away.  Later, it was confirmed Del was who he claimed to be, and rather than fire the employee, he was very please that he stopped him since he didn't know who he was because he could have been anyone wanting to burn the place down.
 
Twitpic of the week
 
It’s common knowledge that rain doesn’t happen often in Las Vegas.  When it does, neon reflections in puddles are commonly captured.  This time, @RemkoRinkema shared the view from a rain soaked windshield in traffic and it was fabulous.  Noticeable are both Bally’s marquee, the reflection of Bellagio and brake/headlights.  I hate precipitation in any form unless its used for recreation.  But its hard to deny how it captures the beauty of the neon jungle.
 
News
Wynn Sells Boston
Mad Apple
Las Vegas Grand Prix
Palms Hiring 

E-391: Counter Surfing

Random Vegas
49% of Las Vegas workers are at a high risk of being replaced by robots and other forms of automation technology, according to a new study.  Casino dealers have a “probability of automation” of 96% - highest among all professions in the us. (@LasVegasLocally)
Twitpic of the week
The tweet that brought this picture to our attention, originally shared by @Las_when, came from @Vital Vegas.  It said “Caesars Palace kindergarten picture”.  Not only did it make me laugh but it is a pretty accurate statement.  The photo, taken in 1971, shows both the original Roman Tower, built in 1966, as well as the 1 year old Centurion tower.  Other than the parking lot surrounding, you see a lot of desert surrounding the property.  No matter what your feelings are about Caesars Palace, it’s a fact that its an attractive property, past and present versions.
 
News
Tropicana Parking
Delayed Gratification
Vegas and Sports
giant smiley face

E-390: Insanely Astute

Random Vegas
Louie Anderson once lost $80K in an LA card room. That same night he rented a car, drove to Vegas, took out a $2K marker at Bally's, won $110K playing blackjack, tipped the dealer $20K, and flew back to LA to film a TV commercial at 7 am. (@lasvegaslocally)
Twitpic of the week
Debatably the best the Golden Nugget ever looked.  It’s true that its most recent incarnation suits the target market they look to attract but it lost its personality.  It exchanged a vibrant display full of animated neon for a stagnate, poshier exterior.  Today, the only way we can enjoy this exterior is in movies like “Diamonds are Forever” and “Viva Las Vegas”.  Thankfully we have @summacorp's twitter feed to remind us of yesteryear and rejoice.
News
Atomic City Industries
Bally’s rebranding

E-389: 202022

Random Vegas
Another story about Benny’s Binion’s bravado.  Benny used to drive from Vegas to Texas alone semi regular.  One time he picked up a hitchhiker.  At first the two didn’t say much to each other until the hitchhiker ask Benny “What would you say if I told you I got a gun on me?”.  Benny replied “I’d say we’re even”.  Benny then pulled the car over and the hitchhiker got out
Twitpic of the week
This week, @pixvegas777 shared a reflection that inspires one to reflect on life, neon and chance.  An escape from the norm in exchange for the unforgettable, even if it's hard to remember the next morning.  Quiet contemplation makes one wonder how askew existence would be through the Vegas looking glass.  Perhaps it would have single zero roulette and 3:2 Blackjack. A place where parking would be complimentary and the drink services is prompt and poured from the bottle. What a world we used to live in.
News
Adele Residency
Resorts World LED Show

E-388: Pocket

Random Vegas
The slots on a roulette wheel where the balls land are called “pockets” (@VitalVegas)
 
Twitpic of the week
 
Contemplation.  A mind set many who listen to this show have no doubt had on multiple occasions while casting a gaze at all the majesty Vegas offers.  @TastyOldMan captured one of those moments, enjoying the view of the strip from in front of Bellagio and her fountains.  There are moments in life when one must stop and smell the roses, or the scent of a casino, and soak in all the glory for recall at a later date, which then turns on the craving to return.  And why shouldn’t you?  You work hard, you deserve a little pageantry in.  Since I can’t state it any better, I’ll quote from @TastyOldMan.  The September of our years will come too soon.  Till then, in neon we play.
News
Beware the Hookers
Premium Restaurant Seats
Mirage Fireworks Show

E-387: Perspective

Random Vegas
The pirate skull signage at Treasure Island was only on display for a decade, from 1993-2003 and is identified as the signature symbol of the Family Friendly marketing concept. (Neon Museum)
Twitpic of the week
This week’s winner is another look behind the curtain.  This time, it’s the Flamingo, the oldest property on the Las Vegas strip.  Although none of the original structure remains, she still sits as an icon.  The views shared by @MaverickHeli continue to show the majesty of Vegas as an adult playground with larger than life landmarks to stimulate the senses.  I seriously need to get off my ass and enjoy the sensory overload one no doubt gets from a helicopter ride.  While that reeks of effort, I’m sure its little more than going to a website and booking.  One day, my friends.  One day.
News
Martha Stewart’s Vegas restaurant
MGM Rewards Details
Another Raiders Player Can’t Handle Vegas

E-386: Unpossible

Random Vegas
Vegas casinos won $1.3 billion in November, one of the highest figures ever.  It’s the 9th straight month of casino winning exceeding $1 billion, another all time record.  The previous record was 8 consecutive months between Oct 2006 and May 2007, right before the great recession hit (@lasvegaslocally)
Twitpic of the week
Oh Stardust, how we miss thee.  Frontier can go fuck itself.  No, I’m just kidding about the Frontier.  Here we see former properties on a densely populated north strip, shared by @Las_When.  Today, they are home to large plots of land waiting for the next visionary to come along and reincarnate the space into another hotel/casino. Resorts World took the first steps by building a somewhat forgettable Vegas incarnation on the Stardust site.  Hopefully the projects that pop up in the Frontier and Riviera spaces are somewhat more inspired.  Hope rings again as the Fontainebleau project may actually have ownership that will complete the long dormant eye sore of the strip.  Only time will tell.  In the meanwhile, we celebrate what we have and what we had and what we might have in the future.
News
Paris Stabbing Update
CES 2022
Uber Rapist
 

E-385: Mirage Mourning

Random Vegas
58% of restaurant and hotel employees intend to quit their jobs by the end of 2021 (@VitalVegas)
Twitpic of the week
A beautiful picture of a beautiful property.  Balconies and roof top pools were both things you couldn’t do successfully in Vegas.  Cosmopolitan proved that wrong.  At 4.4 acres, it’s the best use of available space in Vegas history and offers one of the best views of strip for people to enjoy via your balcony.  Again, @MaverickHeli gives us a unique perspective as only they can.  It makes one wonder if the person taking all the pictures is a brilliant photographer or if the views are just that great.  Don’t know, super care.
News
Mirage Sold
Las Vegas Superbowl
Homeless Attack