Vegas Trip Summary

As you know it was a trade show that brought me to Las Vegas on Saturday morning for a stay until Wednesday. The weekend was Greg and Gaby's 15th anniversary, and perversely, they invited me and Austri to spend it with them.

We met up with them around 5pm Saturday for an early dinner at Daniel Boulud's Brasserie at the Wynn. I'll take credit for the pick -- mostly because the menu looked good. Gaby and Greg were sceptical of the place because she isn't a fan of anything French. I had reasonable expectations as did Austri. To sum it up, this was one of the best meals we've ever had. We all agree. In fact, it may be the second best meal I've ever eaten. The food portions were reasonable -- not that art over edibility crap -- and the flavours were distinct yet excitingly blended. The food was succulent, tender, moist, firm, and every other texture all at once. We all shared each others' food (me skipping Gaby's mussels as I don't do shellfish) and they were all excellent beyond measure. The deserts were just as good. Although overpriced like most Las Vegas restaurants, we still came in at just under $100 per person with alcohol included. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's at least a 15 and possibly a 20. Go eat here. Really.

Next up was the Wayne Brady show at the Venetian. It was funny. Good but not great. As an "improv" variety show parts were good and parts weren't. But when something fell flat, he didn't let it go. I wouldn't go back, but I didn't hate it.

Sunday was walk-around day, leaving Greg and Gaby to their devices. Austri went home today because she had work early Monday morning, so it was just the three of us for the 7pm Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. Gaby really wanted to see this but neither Greg nor I did. It's the story, in case you don't know, of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Gaby enjoyed herself. Greg and I were pleasantly surprised. This was a GREAT play. And unlike most plays in Vegas it wasn't a shortened, dumbed-down version of the Broadway play: this was the whole enchilada. The music, was of course, fantastic. But the play, which Greg and I thought would be dull and un-interesting sprang to life. It was a fantastic show and I'd even see it again.

After that Gaby booked us at Table 10 the new Emeril Lagasse restaurant at the Palazzo. We went in with extraordinarily high hopes -- after all his Delmonico's at the Venetian remains the finest meal I have ever eaten in my life. What a let-down. The service was the best part of the meal. The food was okay, but not spectacular. The ambiance was all right, but the food lacked the certain je ne sais quois that makes a great restaurant a legend. Almost as pricey as Boulud's but not even half as good.

A word about the Palazzo while I'm on it. I've stayed at the Venetian twice before both as a paying customer and invited guest. Great hotel. The Palazzo is the sister property in the back and they're connected. It was designed to be a second Venetian -- same standards. The hotel is new, only a few months old.

Upon check in, I noticed the room was warm. I called maintenance who eventually came and fixed the AC which was broken. He was unable to fix the burnt out bulbs as he didn't have any with him and promised he'd send someone up -- indeed he called down while we were there. For two days nobody came to fix that burnt out bulb (my reading light over the bed, dammit). The clock was wrong when we checked in (about 5-1/4 hours off). Sounds simple enough. I was unable to figure it out. The alarm was easy enough, but not the time. I called down to ask how to fix it. They said you need a screwdriver to take it apart to set the time! Really! So they had to send someone to fix it. Nobody showed up, so the aforementioned AC repair guy fixed it for us after he called for instructions because he couldn't figure it out. That earned him a nice tip :) Walking over to the blinds to look out at the view, I noticed a few moths flying around inside the sheer Roman curtain. Looking down, there were dead ones. Not that I care, but I was there from Saturday until Monday. They were never cleaned up. Further, and again, I don't care but the buttons on the couch in the room were coming off. I picked one off the floor and left it on the table. Another was missing. For that amount of money, these problems are inexcusable especially in a new hotel. Oh, and video check-out doesn't let you type in your fax and/or e-mail to get a copy of your receipt. You have to stand in line at the counter to get one defeating the purpose of video checkout. Never again.

Ah well. Monday was a boring day and I didn't do much. Switched over to Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladdin) which I am sad to report has a great casino but the rooms now suck. I won't be back. Half the room was broken. That evening I had dinner with a friend from LA who flew up. Arrived at 4, we ate at Kokomo's at around 6, and he left at 8. Turns out Greg's evening plans were cancelled so I sat with him while he ate some stuff and then we gambled.

Tuesday was the show. The show was a big waste. I was surprised as the show's usually good. So much for that and I'll skip boring you with the details. That evening we saw Louie Anderson at the Excalibur. Very funny but for $60 you think he'd go longer than 70+ minutes. We gambled more. I got up at 345am and flew home, arriving at 130pm followed by my luggage at 230pm. Then, trooper that I am, I went to work.

Stuff I am currently thinking about....

1. I miss the Fab One-Shot. The best laundry product ever. I discovered it in college. Obviously invented by a guy. No need to think. One packet in with the clothes and it contained detergent, fabric softener, everything. Then move the whole batch to the dryer. All done. SCORE!
2. The Aero bar. No longer available in the US -- most people here just didn't go for it -- but thankfully I can still get them in Canada and the UK. Mom brought me one and I intend to eat it tomorrow.
3. Smarties. Yum. Screw M&Ms. Smarties are way better. Not for sale in the USA due to a trademark issue with the US Smarties. Totally different candies.
4. Josh. I should know better, but I don't. ::mutter:: Oh, and Eric Hedlund, too. I wonder what he's doing right now?
5. Austri. I really do have to tell her about the Billy Crystal concert being cancelled. Tomorrow for sure. Which reminds me, my trade show in Vegas is rapidly approaching.
6. Banana Nesquik. I am running low and the other brands are just not as good.
7. Milo has returned to the USA and I've just bought some at my Publix. I first had it on the Caribbean island nation of Dominica when I was a kid.
8. Schweppes Lemonade -- a UK only drink, not for sale in the USA. I'd like some right now.
9. My review of Vladimir Tod from Friday. I'm thinking I'll re-read it again.
10. The fact I spent $180 on the plumber. He was here for 16 minutes. But the shower in my guest bathroom works again.
11. I am itchy.
12. Dinner did not fill me up. I am hungry. I am a pig. Blech.
13. Adrian because we ended up not skating and not seeing a movie. Nobody is to blame because it just didn't work out.
14. London. I'm half tempted to go for the weekend. I could use miles. Leave Friday night. Arrive Saturday morning. Spend the day there. Fly home Sunday morning. Travel is great. No way would I do it. But I like thinking about it. Nobody would be crazy enough to go with me, anyway. Foyle's, Forbidden Planet, the London Transport Museum, a tour of the new Bond exhibit at the Imperial War Museum, maybe a show, a dinner at Rules, and a trip on the Eye. I could it all in that one day. That does sound fun, doesn't it?
15. Both The Simpsons and Family Guy are repeats tonight. Hence my ruminations on number 9 above.
16. I was thinking about Rob Barry. He wrote me -- snail mail -- two years ago and said we ought to write something together. I wrote him back twice (email and snail mail) and never heard back. That's a project that has always interested me. Rob's smart. I like Rob.
17. I'm still vexed by converting Claris Resolve to a current format, especially now that I can't even run OS-9 reliably.
18. I was thinking about visiting Pystar's offices to discuss the Mac clone. Pystar is a short drive from my house. I'm sure they're scammers, but I want to see for myself. If I'm wrong, I'll buy one.
19. I need a literary agent still. I'll never get published without one. One day... One day...
20. Scooter's vet check-up went well, so another 90 days of hopeful good health. Everything was as normal as could be. The thyroid medications is working her kidneys are starting to fail but she's compensating well.
21. How to get more traffic to my Panthers (and other teams) Hockey Message boards.

Robin Williams' Reality What A Concept

When I was a kid -- 300 to 400 years ago --, I first heard Robin Williams' album "Reality ... What a Concept" and it was uproariously funny (subversively bawdy might be a good term). I believe it was my cousin Mike who first played this album for me. I never forgot it, though my vinyl collection had long since vanished while I was off at college. I always wanted it on CD though it's never been able to be released. Once, I saw a copy on e-bay for like $90. Yeah, as if.

Anyway, I was perusing the web with Google. Google's an amazing thing. On a lark, I typed it in and boom. There it was. Laugh.com sells it for a reasonable price. I ordered it and it came yesterday. I listened to it today and it's as funny as ever. What scares me, is that I still remember almost every bit as crystal clear as when I used to listen to it over and over and over again.

"Rented lips" and "Sammy Davis Junior Junior" come to mind. As well as the New York Echo. I laughed hard listening to it again. I also got some bits that I didn't get when I first heard this album in 1979. Innocence I suppose. I would encourage everyone to locate and purchase this album. It's 41 minutes of bliss. It's classic OLD Williams -- unfocused, random, pointless, and guaranteed to cause paroxysms of laughter.

My eyes won't stop watering but I don't think I'm actually sick. This is day two of mostly runny eyes and occasional sneeze attacks. It feels like a bad allergy onset, though god knows to what.

It's Passover and I was off to see Mom and Grandma for dinner. On the way over, there was some sort of horrific accident. It must have just happened because I was only about ten cars back. Finally a cop comes flying through. Moments later traffic begins to slowly creep by on the median, directed by someone who had stopped. Ambulances and other police hadn't arrived. I got to the front and it was pretty horrific. There was a guy laying in the center lane, a big, bald biker dude who wasn't wearing a helmet. He was clawing at the ground in obvious pain and there was an enormous puddle of blood. It was everywhere. I drove on since a cop was already on scene and others had stopped to help -- what could I do? Some minutes later I passed an ambulance head that way. I'm sure it was far too late. I didn't relate this story over dinner.

I got to Grandma's, gave her the present from Sophia (Feng Fang Fu) and took a photo which is posted over at Flickr. Then we had dinner at Outback. The service was good, the food was average -- I am not an Outback fan as they've gone downhill. I had a nice time.

Why I won't return to Tony Roma's

Today I had a great meal and decent service, but a really bad experience. I live near Tony Roma's Doral. I've been eating there regularly since they opened. I've been eating at their chain since the very first one opened in North Miami Beach back in the 1970s. Yeah, most people don't know it started right here near my Grandma's house -- a dark, dingy place up against the railroad tracks; but long since closed. Mighty good eating at fair prices.

Over the years they have continued to jack up their prices but I still go. You know what? It's all about the food. If the food's good and the place is clean you can forgive a lot. But I can't forgive being insulted as a customer. They've managed to do it.

So we (me and a business associate were there) ordered our drinks, then when they came, our food. My associate asked for the bread right away because he was hungry. We were told that "bread now costs a buck." The entrées are now $16 to $22 each -- just raised recently. Our particular entrées were $18. I bumped in and asked specifically why they would do that to which our server had no answer. He was hungry so we paid the buck (and were charged) for the bread over my strenuous objections. It's not the buck, which I can afford but the principle of the matter.

They could raise their prices a little more and still give the bread away. Or they could serve it on request? I was offended at how cheap they were. Our tab was around $60 for two people and they wanted that extra buck really bad? Maybe the should have charged for that last minute glass of water too. Cheap bastards is what they are.

I wrote them (in their itty-bitty feedback form box) a short note. I wonder if they shall reply. I don't much care because if they don't change their policy, I won't ever go back: and I hope none of my loyal readers go to any of their restaurants any more.

Here's what I crammed into that itty-bitty box if you're curious:
I've been a loyal customer of yours since I was young. I used to eat at your original NMB store and now eat regularly at the Doral location. You raised your prices again and I understand that. However what I don't understand is how you can raise your prices and ALSO charge me $1 for bread that every restaurant gives out for free. I objected when told, but they say it's been that way for a few weeks. I won't be returning until you change this policy. Shorty's BBQ is just down the block. Not quite as good but they don't insult me by charging $20 for an entrée and then another buck for bread. Nice work -- you should be EMBARRASSED.

4-24-08 Update:

I received an e-mail reply on 4-16-08 which was CC'd to 6 people:

Dear Mr. Seiden:

Thank you for contacting Tony Roma's Guest Relations. Please accept our apologies for the disappointment you had at the Doral Tony Roma's in Miami, FL. Each guest plays an important role in helping us maintain the standards by which we operate and we appreciate your feedback. Your message is being forwarded to Karen Weinberger, Executive General Manager. Management would like to discuss your visit to Tony Roma's and will contact you at the earliest opportunity. Thank you.

Martha Killion
Guest Relations
Romacorp, Inc.
(Phone redacted)

Having not yet received a reply from ANY of those people as of 4-24-08 548pm:

Dear Everyone:

Judging by the lack of any further contact, I must assume this to be entirely untrue. You sent this email to quite a few people. Nobody's made any effort to contact me. (I don't specifically care, but this certainly does make me just a bit more ticked off than I was). "Earliest Opportunity" implies some level of urgency. The time elapsed has indicated there is no sense of urgency.

Peace Out.
-- E

Lunt The Cunt

What a horrid title for a blog entry, but you see, it's really not my fault. I refer you to the original article if you want, but I shall summarize this here. It's a riot.

Anyway, the city of Lunt is having a problem with graffiti artists changing it to the city of Cunt. The charge is being led by, I kid you not, Mister Ball. Ball and Cunt work well together, I'd imagine.

Residents in the graffiti-plagued village of Lunt are being asked to change its name to beat vandals. But the proposal, designed to combat yobs who repeatedly change the L to a C, has been met with fury by some locals in the rural community in Sefton, Merseyside.

Retired police officer Martyn Ball, a prospective Conservative councillor, is canvassing residents for their support for the change. Dr Ball, now a law lecturer, says he is fed up with the offensive graffiti which greets visitors to the village. He said: "We are all painfully aware of the repeated times our village sign is defaced by mindless yobs who change the L to a C.

"Drive in every day and you see a very offensive word."

According to the New Oxford Dictionary of English, the offending word is Middle English, of Germanic origin, and is offensive slang for female genitalia or an unpleasant or stupid person.

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In other news, amusing and way less offensive, we have the first automated restaurant ever. It's in Germany, of course, a model of efficiency. The clickable URL will take you to the full BBC story with video. I realize the AutoMat was first, but the food was pre-packaged and not cooked to order -- AutoMat wasn't really a restaurant. The short video is worth a look. I'd eat there.

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Mom's recovering from food poisoning so GET WELL MOM :) I'd tell you all to call her on her mobile phone, but that would lead to a different story. For $20 I'll tell you....

Another Rough Day

This one for Erin who was the victim of an attempted mugging at the mall.

The Higgi called in sick to the game. So I called Erin from work to plan dinner. Last night (Friday) we were planning to meet for dinner. She called me and changed from Food Court #1 to Food Court #2. Then Thomas decided to go with us for dinner. Then she called me again to change to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

I arrived first, Thomas arrived a few moments after me, and she said she was pulling into the mall momentarily. She asked us to get the table and wait for her. We did indeed.

We were seated way in the back, so I called her to tell her. I got her voicemail, which was odd, but perhaps she was on the phone. Another 10 minutes went by and I called again. No answer. I was a little concerned considering there was parking aplenty.

A few minutes later the phone rang, she said she was robbed and hung up. As you can imagine that didn't sit well. I called her back and asked where she was, but she didn't say other than to say she was with security and to just wait and she'd come by. With no way to actually find her (the mall is enormous if you've never been to Sawgrass Mills), we decided we'd order without her and just wait. She finally traipsed in some time later covered in mud.

What happened? A young female (probably a teen) came up to her in the parking lot and asked if she had a dollar. Erin replied that she didn't carry cash. Then when Erin tried to put her phone in her pocket, the female hit her wrist had to make Erin try and drop her phone. Erin did but started to chase the crook (crookette?) but Erin slipped in the mud and lost her. Thankfully Erin is okay and nothing was taken. Mall Security was unable to find the perpetrator nor were the police. She, understandably, ditched the game -- at least the Panthers won in her honour.

Me, I awakened at 310am with violent and explosive diarrhoea and vomiting. Felt like food poisoning. Not sure it was dinner (Orange Chicken on a bed of rice with Snow Peas from the Cheesecake Factory) or lunch (a pork sandwich and baked beans from the hitching post). I might have to throw away my orange chicken leftovers. I probably shouldn't eat it though it was very tasty.

Erin came over and we did geeky computer things together. Yay. I even updated the Panthers Hockey Message Board to phpBB version 3.0 -- woo-hoo!

I still have the frequent diarrhoea, though calling it that implies there is some substance to it. More like pure water. Where it's all coming from I have no idea. Sorry. You didn't want to read that did you.