Green Valley etc.

I came home today and packed EVERYTHING!! I had been putting it off and putting off and finally I just packed it all. It wasn't that bad. Once I got on a roll, it was smooth sailing. I took a couple of suitcases over to the new place today and tomorrow I'm moving the rest of it before work. I'm looking forward to getting it over with.

Since I've had a dog for the past year or so, I haven't been able to get a kitten. I love kittens though and I miss the one I used to have when I lived in Maryland. Her name was Reese and she was so cool. Whenever I would turn the water on in the kitchen sink - she would come running from across the house and dive under the water. It was so damn funny. She had quite a personality. I'm hoping to adopt another kitten when I move. I went online tonight and checked out the kittens that are up for adotion at Petco on Saturdays and these are the two I've decided that I must have. They are sisters and they must be adopted together...



Last night I went to the gym for the first time in about 6 months. I used to workout like everyday when I lived in Florida - but ever since I moved to Vegas I've been a lazy slug.

So, we joined this new gym next to the house and it finally opened. I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to do on my first night back - but I was happy with my performance. I did cardio for about an hour and then I did several sets of crunches. Not bad for my first night back. I wasn't even very sore today.

We'll see what happens when I start training with the weights. I'm preparing to be VERY sore.

I went over to Henderson tonight with my friend Jenna and did some shopping. I've never been to the Green Valley Ranch, so it was pretty cool. I didn't buy anything because I'm trying to save money, but she bought some really cute outfits.

After we were done shopping, we went into the casino so I could see what the Green Valley is all about. It's very similar to the Red Rock, but not quite as modern. They had Lucky Lemmings all over the place, so I finally caved in and sat down for a while. I started off really slow and was about to leave when I FINALLY hit the bonus round twice and won back most of my money. It was pretty fun overall.

Back to work tomorrow - I'm glad - I hope this weekend is lucrative. Mariah Carey is playing Saturday night in the Grand Garden Arena so it should be pretty good.

Fright Dome

Wow - I can't believe it's that time of year already - Halloween! I didn't even realize it until one of the bartenders came running in with 2 for 1 tickets to Fright Dome over at Circus Circus. Apparently they turn Adventuredome into Frightdome for the month of October and from what I hear - it's pretty good!!





All MGM employees can go down to the Employee Services Office and get 2 for 1 passes, so that makes a big difference too. I think a one-day pass is like $27.99. They supposedly have 4 different haunted houses, a bunch of rides and freak shows too. What exactly is a freak show? I'll let you know when I find out.

I was just watching Dancing with the Stars from last night and as usual Mario Lopez and his partner rocked the house. I just read recently that they are dating too. I'm not surprised. Their chemistry is amazing. The judges really slammed him though. They said he didn't do the tango correctly and they were really harsh. Hopefully he'll get a lot of viewer votes and make it to next week.




And why are Harry Hamlin and Jerry Springer still there? They really need to go home. Neither of them have any talent when it comes to dancing.

Tuesday Trash

I watched the E True Hollywood Story - Curse of the Lottery on Sunday night. What a good show! I never knew how dangerous winning the lottery can be.



A lot of the people turned to drugs and alcohol because they had so much money they didn't know what to do with themselves. A few people died. One guy committed suicide. Another man lost his granddaughter because she overdosed. It was crazy! I would still love to win the lottery though - I'll take my chances with the curse.

I called the culinary union the other day because I'm anxious to know when my benefits are going to kick in. I haven't had health insurance in a couple of years!! So, the rule is that you have to work something like 28 hours per week for 3 months straight in order to qualify for the benfits. I went through all of my paystubs and I definitely have the hours covered. But, when I called the girl said I didn't qualify for at least another month. I was about to start some commotion when she decided to check a little farther. She soon realized that I definitely do qualify so as of October 1st - I have benefits!! YAY! I'm going to the union tomorrow to enroll since I have the day off. Finally - I can get some dental work done.

Since I'm moving this week - I have a lot to do. I haven't even started packing. I still have to get the key for my new place too. I was going to move on Sunday, but I was nice enough to give up my day off and work for someone - so now I have to start moving stuff like tomorrow. I'm really only moving two exits away from where I live now, so I can basically just load up the car and van and make a few trips. I think the clothes are going to stay on the hangars cause that's the easiest and quickest way.

Well - gotta get ready for work. Have a good day :)

The Wynn

What can I say about the Wynn?




It's a beautiful property and I used to go spend money there. Not anymore!!!! This bullshit they are trying to pull with dealers is out of control. I was so glad to see this story this morning on the news...

Wynn Las Vegas tip-sharing prompts class action suit

Sep 22, 2006 12:19 PM PDT


Two dealers at Wynn Las Vegas are filing a class action lawsuit to end the casino's new tip-sharing program.

Daniel Baldonado and Joseph Cesarz say the new policy violates Nevada state law because employers are sharing tips. The new policy forces them to give some of their tips to floor supervisors.

The dealers say they are filing the lawsuit on behalf of more than 500 dealers affected by the new policy which went into effect earlier this month.


I really hope these guys win the lawsuit. I would be SO mad if I had to share my tips with management. I mean, really, if the managers are mad that they aren't making the money, then they should step down and roll up their sleeves and start dealing. I for one will never put another penny in another slot at the Wynn.

I'm Alive - I Swear!

Okay - I'm going to whip out a quick post before I head off to work. I feel terrible because it's been so long since I updated last. I really don't know what my problem is. I have been working a lot - but no more than usual. So, whatever. This weekend was SO SO SO awesome at work. Saturday was fight night at the MGM and my restaurant is located directly across from the Grand Garden Arena. We got a lot of traffic. Friday night my favorite hottie from boxing - Mr. Oscar De La Hoya himself came in for a party with Golden Boy Promotions. He's so HOT!!





He was signing autographs and taking pictures - what a great guy huh????

Anyway, Friday night was very lucrative for us and it flew by in a flash. Saturday night was even better! We actually opened early because it was fight night. It was Barerra vs. Juarez. Whatever. Never heard of either one. But I gotta say this... people that have tickets to the fight - do not mind spending money! I love that. I had the best tables. I started off with a party from a latin radio station here in town. They rented out the patio and they had open bar for 2 hours before the fight and we had a buffet set up for them with appetizers. The gratuity on that party - $500.00 and they threw me an extra $100. All I did was clean up plates and pour margaritas. Can't beat that.

When the fight ended we got a BIG HIT again. This time I had the winner of the Contender at my table.



I never heard of it - but it's some reality boxing show on T.V. Anyway, he sat down with his entourage at my table and immediately ordered about 10 shots and 3 buckets of beers. I actually wasn't fond of him - he had a major attitude and he was pissed because I did't roll our the red carpet and grant his every wish. But whatever - I had 5 other tables going and he didn't even get sat by the hostess. He sat down with no menus at a table for 8 people. He had like 12 people with him. I had to find chairs and add place settings. But, the guy that paid was cool as hell and he threw me and extra $100 on top of the gratuity that I added.

So, to make a long story short - I made a lot of money this weekend. I was happy.

My latest T.V. addiction is Dancing with the Stars. Now that we have the DVR (Tivo thingy) thru our cable company, I am able to watch all of the prime time shows that I always missed out on before. I love this show!!! So far I love Mario Lopez and his partner - they have the best chemistry and he can work those hips...




I also think Joey Lawrence looks great out there too - remember he used to look like this???



Now he looks like this...



Anyway, I gotta run. I'll update again soon!

I'm Still Here

I haven't updated in ages!!!!! This weekend Delirium was in the Grand Garden Arena over at the MGM. They were only in town for 2 nights, so the place was pretty packed! I heard it was a great show...




I made plans to go home to Maryland in December, so that's kinda fun. I'm looking forward to visiting the family and eating some yummy crabs.

Go Ravens!! We had a nice win this weekend - I wish I would have placed a bet!!


Speaking of bets... I went to the Red Rock Casino last night and what a night!!! It started off slow and I was down almost $100 bucks when I headed on over to the Lucky Lemmings machine. Earlier I had put in $40 bucks and lost immediately. I decided to take my chances again and it paid off. I hit three bonus rounds almost in a row and cashed out for about $60.00. I went over to Mr. Cashman and put in $20.00. I hit the bonus round on the 2nd spin and won $50.00. Next I went over to the sports book and put $15.00 in a draw poker machine. I didn't realize that it was a dollar machine until after I put the money in. I hit quad 8's on the second spin and won $140.00. WOW! What a good night. I also played my dad's numbers on keno, but I only broke even over there. I never have good luck playing keno.

Since Entourage is over for the season, I've been watching the Wire. I especially enjoy watching it because it's filmed in Baltimore City. It's fun to see all of the landmarks that I grew up with. It's no Soprano's, but it's damn good. Looking forward to next week!!!!

I have to work doubles both Tuesday and Wednesday. We aren't usually open during the day, but there's a special event, so hopefully I'll make some money.

I have officially completed my first 90 days at the MGM. Probabation is over and I can finally BREATHE!! What an awesome feeling. I am so happy!!

It feels like a lot longer than 3 months - but I guess not. I should start getting benefits soon too and that's exciting. I haven't had health insurance in ages.


How is this fair at all???


NEW YORK -- Some people seem to have all the luck.

A woman who won $1 million from a New York state lottery game four years ago has improbably hit the jackpot again.

Valerie Wilson, who works at a Long Island deli, said she won another $1 million on a lottery scratch-off game last month.


Overall, her chances of winning both games were a slim one in 3,669,120,000,000.

Wilson tells Newsday she used her first winnings to help buy homes for her three children.

The new jackpot, she says, is going to be for her.

I haven't put any pictures up of Lucy lately - she's so damn cute...

Utah

I love The Palms!!!! They might not have a great poker room - but damn do they know how to throw a party!!



This is where I was last night and DAMN was the view amazing! We had the whole 55th floor to ourselves and oh my god it was fun!

Oh, and did I mention we had this suite too???



It's a playboy suite from the new playboy tower. Hot stuff! I love the Palms.

Anyway, I made a nice little trek out to Utah today. A couple of friends and I decided at the last minute to go to Zion National Park to go tubing on the Virgin River (yes, that's really the name). We got a late start and when we arrived (after a 3 hour drive) we were informed that the whole town was shut down due to a power outage. I just about died. 3 hour drive for nothing??? Thank god my girl Shiloh came to the rescue and found another tubing store that had just gotten it's electricity back - woo hoo!!! We got 5 tubes and headed on our way. Little did I know that the journey down the river was over 2 hours long. Oh my god!!!!! It was beautiful - but come on!! I was so DONE with that river by the end. I mean, I thought it was a leisurely ride down a lazy river - hell no!!!!! It was insane. There were river rapids and a lot of rocks and I kept getting stuck and the water was sooooo cold. DAYUMM!!!! But let me show you the view...









Absolutely beautiful!!!!

So, we are heading back to Vegas and I'm a little beat up from the sun and the rapids - pretty ready for bed - when we stumble upon an accident on the 15. I am not kidding you when I say this - I sat in a complete stand still for 2 hours. No joke!!!!!! I was 10 cars away from the scene of the accident and there were a few fatalities. I was annoyed with the delay - but grateful that it wasn't me.

Last night was the Mary J. Blige concert over at the MGM Grand. Concert night is always crazy at the MGM and last night was no exception. LUCKILY - I was in the party room and I was able to put an automatic gratuity on most of my checks. I won't go into details, but you can imagine the type of clientele we received based on the performer. Enuff said.

The new schedule for next week came out and they only gave me 3 days. I'm kinda annoyed. I like having days off, but I'm addicted to the money. Whenever I'm not at work, I'm thinking about the money I'm missing out on.

I went on a little shopping spree today and it was so fun!! I was in one of those moods today where everything looked awesome and I wanted to buy it all. Not a good combination when you are only working three days this week. Anyway, I went over to the Fashion Show Mall and I had a 20% off all day shopping pass for Macy's. I started off in the shoe department and found a really nice pair of boots that I had to have...



So, I purchased those and then I headed on over to the jewelry department. I've been thinking about buying a new watch for a while and since I had that shopping pass, I decided that today was the day. I looked at the Fossil and the Guess and the Gucci and I finally decided on the new Anne Klein Diamond Collection and here she is....





I finally decided to leave Macy's for a while and I headed over to one of my new favorite stores, Marciano. I love that place!!! They have some beautiful clothes. I tried on a bunch of different things and I finally decided on this...




I ventured back over to Macy's and bought some more jewelry and then I left and headed to the Macy's Home Store. It's not in the mall - it's actually down Spring Mountain Road and closer to my house. My cousin is getting married next month and I needed to send her a gift, so I printed out the Macy's Registry and bought her gift, had them wrap it and send it too. Very convenient!! I was happy because I got to use my coupon over there too!! Coupons are the best. I used to make fun of my mom and all of her coupons, but now I understand the allure.

Geez - what am I going to do with all of these days off? I can't go on a shopping spree everyday. I do have room keys for about half of the resorts here in Vegas - I might have to go pool hopping tomorrow.

Oh, and just for the record, I finally caved in and bought a belt. Since I STILL haven't received the knock off that I bought online and I'm sick of waiting. So, I went over to this store called Marshall Rousso and it's in the MGM Grand. It's next to the really expensive store with the $445.00 belt. The Marshall Rousso place is a bit more reasonable and I fell in love with a belt that was $120.00. I finally bought it. I went in and looked at it a few times and when I realized that they only had one left in my size, I seized the opportunity and bought it. Here ya go...



Ahhhhh yes - it's a beauty. I guess I'm going to have to wear it the next 25 times I go out so I can get my money's worth. hehe

Okay, I think I'm done with the Fashion Update. Maybe I'll have some poker content sometime soon. Don't hold your breath though :)