Friday, July 29: Week 52

Vegas Trip: Okay, back from Vegas four days and haven't kicked into high gear yet. Wish I could blame it on something, but I think it's just good weather mixed with a vacation mind set. And thinking more seriously about needing to wrap up the novel, and a feeling I may miss my target end date. Which will be more of a self-fulfilling prophesy than anything else if I don't drop the hammer and write like a speed fueled Kerouac right now. But before I get rolling, I wanted to capture some of the moments and images from my second trip to Vegas, just as a reminder (I'm not much of a snap-shot guy, memories forged into stories tend to be more my preferred nostalgia vehicle. Yeah, I'm nuts.)

Background: The trip was in honor of my friend Pierre, celebrating his end of bachelorhood. A former roommate of Pierre and Harris, Ryan, was the only other non-childhood friend invited, and I think I was the only one over 30. Harris (who is Pierre's best friend, and a former colleague of ours, was the trip coordinator) decided to get a vacation house in Henderson NV, about 15 minutes from Vegas proper. Sweet place, pool table, swimming pool, gas grille, strong AC.

Flight Out: Pierre's betrothed, Jenny, was nice enough to drive us both to National in their cherry little Cooper Mini. The biggest problem encountered was the indifferent service, and more indifferent food, we got for breakfast inside the terminal. Once onboard, we were asked twice to move seats to accommodate passengers separated from family members. P wound up by the window, I wound up next to a young mom and her baby. I have never been so delighted, I fell in love with both of them, and it was the best flight I've ever had. Though I was a bundle of envy for husband Lance by the end of the ride, I just want to know where they hide all these smart, funny, smokin' hot Greek orthodox kitties around here?

Rental Car: This is jumping to the end a bit, but I was so whored by Budget I can't begin to express the level of contempt I have for those losers. Somehow I didn't catch an insurance charge, which turned out to be $20 shy of the rental fee. God how I hate such tactics. Bastards!

Observation 1: I knew three of the celebrants at the house well, and have met the others at least once before, and as one would expect of singular spirit like Pierre, his friends are most intelligent and cool. I did feel a bit third-wheel-ish from time to time (particularly as the level of inebriation increased), the level of intimacy shared by these dear friends was amazing, and I was reminded that I only have one friend left from my childhood. Which is a bit of a bummer.

Observation 2: I am no longer able to "party all night" nor "party hard". There, I've said it, and I ain't gonna' apologize! I've seen the sun rise, yeah, it's cool, but dammit, I need my sleep! I couldn't have felt more like a geezer!

Observation 3: As much of a yokel-fest as Vegas is (see previous Vegas analysis), there's no denying the raw kitty volume there, it's a show. As we wondered around the various clubs in Caesar's Palace and Bellagio (special props to club "Shadows" in CP, go-go dancer's shown in silhouette behind the bar, sweet). I got three drunken hotties to give Pierre a pre-wedding hug, which I felt there wasn't enough of for a trip of this nature.

Observation 4: The crew was face down on Saturday, so I hooked up with my old pal Todd to kill some time. I was horrified by his apartment, but he seems to be on an upward trajectory, so I tried not to dwell on the horror. We wound up at the Rio, and noted they had scantily clad cocktail waitresses, scantily clad dealers and scantily clad dancers who randomly climbed up on oddly spaced platforms to dance a mutant variation of the Charleston for the edification of the slack-jaws. I applaud the Rio's approach to commerce.

Observation 5: Parking at Caesar's Palace is ass.

Observation 6: On Saturday night, the gang grilled up perhaps the best barbeque chicken, steak, and pork I've ever had. Good God, I'm glad there were no video camera's present to capture my porcine behavior. Oh, and Harris made an avocado salad that made me want to move to California, just to have access to better and more ripe avocados. Jesus, what a feast.

Observation 7: As noted in the "Dispatches from 20,000 Feet" snippet below, I can't sleep on an aircraft if you put a gun to my head. Which isn't so much of an issue unless you're climbing on board at midnight (3:00 am DC time). I was surprised by how packed the airport was for such a late flight, but I'm sure they were all there for the same reason I was, cheap ticket. Sleepy parents and fully awake kids are hilarious to watch, the juxtaposition is never so stark than when confined and bound by travel.

Okay, that's about it, I'm sure I'm missing something of value, but I'll let that flow out over the next few days. Gotta' run to the gym and salvage the rest of this day!

Tuesday, July 19: Week 51

Yeah, I know, it's been nine days since the last post, but let me tell you I've had a few shocks that have really thrown me off my game...

1. Started new workout last Monday, on Tuesday the 12th I "hurt" my back doing some deadlifts (it wasn't as bad as it could be, but I couldn't sit in a chair for five days).
2. Tried to gut it out, but decided to call the Doc on Friday
3. After many phone calls it appears I've had no health insurance for the last 12 months, mind you, it has cost me $4000 to not have insurance.
4. Many more phone calls have left me with no further knowledge, but I've got to get on a plane for Vegas Thursday so I'm not going to hassle with it any further till I get back, and pray for good health till I get back!

Whatever, I'm back on my game now, and I'm pumped for Pierre's Bachelor Party Weekend, though I'm a bit afraid to be shown up as the alcohol lightweight I am. God, I'm amazed how booze becomes a thing of fear as the years progress, long gone are the days of drinking till 3:00 only to rise again at 7:00 ready for action. Okay, gotta' get my travel act together and figure out what I'm gonna' bring on this trip!

Sunday, July 10: Week 50

Dude, I'm tired of my difficulty in dealing with having my schedules getting knocked out of whack. I've been in high good samaritan mode lately, which by definition means helping out when needed, not at predetermined times. Anyway, it's no biggie, I've just found the last two weeks have been very unproductive, and looking at the week count, I'm only two weeks from a full year on this novel. (Well, now that I think about it, not really, have to deduct eight weeks for the job I did over the holidays, still it's been a long time.)

All in all, everything with the exception of my productivity (didn't meet targets I set out at the onset) has gone as I had anticipated, and its been well worth the cost. I'm healthier than I've been in years, physically stronger, and on a creative high. The downside is the isolation, which I find is most problematic during periods of writers block, I just don't know anyone I can just shoot the creative shit with and that sucks. Well, that's my cross to bear, but if I sell this book and need to follow it up, that'll be a big issue I'll need to deal with.

Had a great weekend, and now it's time to get my schedule together for the coming week. I'm leaving town for a few days on the 21st and want to be far along to finishing the book before I leave. Time to drop the hammer.