In Search of Criss Angel

I wasn't stalking Criss Angel from Mindfreak. It hadn't crossed my mind that he'd actually be walking amongst us at Luxor. I was 10 paces behind him on the last two trips to the Luxor.


I will stay at any hotel that will give me a free room. The Luxor gave us an offer we couldn't refuse including checking in at the VIP at the east valet. There were three sports cars covered and surrounded by posts so you couldn't touch them.


Me to valet: "What's under the covers?"


Valet: "Those belong to Criss Angel. One is a Ferrari, One is a Lambo, the other is...."


I stopped listening because my husband had a glazed over slack jawed look on his face of pure nirvana. Nothing like a hot car or a hot woman to get a man to smile and command his total attention.


Valet: "You just missed Criss".

My husband had no idea who Criss Angel is because he's always watching ESPN. I dragged him into the official Criss store and he got a look of recognition until he saw one of Criss' bikes on display. He was smitten. Criss was just there talking to his fans, we'd just missed him.


A couple of weeks ago, we're back at the Luxor. The same valet remembered me because I'd say to him "Get the key and we'll go for a spin". As we pulled in, the valet said "I'm going to get the key and we're going for a spin. You just missed Criss." At check in: "Criss just walked by."


Later, we headed back to valet to get out car. Criss just brought the Lambo back from a spin. Lambo is cool for Lamborghini, which makes my car a Grambo, short for granny mobile. I wanted to see Criss up close, hubby wanted to see the Lambo being driven.


Back in the casino, a gal sits down next to me. "You'll never guess what just happened to my husband. He was just in the elevator with Criss Angel and three gorgeous blondes. And the dumb ass didn't say a word to him. He said he was really cool but I know he was checking out the blondes." She said she was going to stand by the elevators all day because if he went up, he's going to have to come down. She didn't have to move, because the cocktail waitress said "There goes Criss". The dude is such a good illusionist, he disappeared into thin air.


Is Criss Angel really walking around the Luxor? Is the staff just mentioning him to keep you in the hotel and casino? Can Criss stand upright wearing all his silver bling and chains? Are his nails really painted black? And why in God's name are some women getting his logo tattooed on their body? OMG! I'll just be content to be 10 paces behind him.

RIP Joey Bishop, the last member of the Rat Pack

Joey Bishop was the last living member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack died at age 89. Joey was a stone faced comedian who made the phrase "Son of a Gun" famous. Frank called him the hub of the wheel in the Rat Pack that ruled Vegas in the 60's.

Things I didn't know about the Rat Pack:


The Rat Pack was a social group that originally revolved around Humphery Bogart.
The Rat Pack appeared at the Sands Hotel in Vegas and was a singing and comedy act that changed every day depending on the whims of the performers. It could get really crazy and the craziness is what drew the crowds.
The group consisted of Frank Sinatra, Joey, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford.
The group made two movies together: "Ocean's Eleven" and "Sergeants 3"
The group made President John F Kennedy an honorary member.

To read more about Joey's life, click here.

Las Vegas Makes Me Stupid!

Yes, its true. I've been known to become very stupid in Las Vegas. Maybe its the time change. Maybe its because I don't sleep very much. Maybe its the nonstop excitement. Maybe I've stepped one buffet over the line. Whatever it is, Las Vegas makes me stupid.

I hit the cash machine when I know I shouldn't because I'm sure I'm going to win a jackpot. Yes, I've actually hit jackpots. But most of the time the only jackpot is the payout at the cash machine.

I've been known to buy stuff that when I get home I wonder what I was thinking. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. I came home with three overpriced sparkly handbags. I LOVED them in LV. Back at the hometown grocery store, I get some strange looks.

I've bought makeup that looks ridiculous. Sephora is nirvana to me. Wall to wall cosmetics, I get stupid and fill up my basket. I'd never spend $50 on a lipstick at home, but in Vegas, I gotta have it. It made sense at the time. It was a good thing I had cash from a win, because if I had charged it, I would have been sick when the bill arrived. Another time my cousin who lives in LV convinced me I needed this thing that paints purple highlights in your hair. I've only used it on Halloween. At the time, it was wooo hoooo....purple highlights!

I've bought another suitcase in Vegas to haul home cheap junk that the casinos were handing out free and they sit in my basement. My husband went right along with it even though he knew I was toting home useless junk. Guess he figured it was easier than arguing with Stupid. But it was FREE!!

I went hiking in the desert. STUPID! It was nearly triple digits and I am deathly afraid of snakes. DUH.

I've gone to the pool without sunscreen. Dumb, stupid. I paid for it.

I let a hotel bartender mix me a special ladies drink at a slot tournament. I have very little alcohol tolerance, but this was so tropical and fruity. I ended up sitting in the elevator to go to my room. STUPID! I bet the people in the elevator thought I was a lush. I still had half of the drink in my hand.

I am the poster child for stupidity in Vegas. Don't be like me. Pack your brain when you travel. Oh, and by the way, I'm only stupid in Vegas. ;)

Its Time For A Viva Las Vegas A-Thon

Its time to take a break. Its time for Viva Las Vegas. If this doesn't get you in the mood for a trip to Vegas, nothing will.

This is pretty cool, old Vegas, Elvis and Ann Margaret cut with today's Vegas.

ZZ Top's Version

Movie Title, very cool! Lots of old Vegas hotel shots.

Tix 4 Tonight, Discount Same Day Show Tickets

Located in 4 locations around Las Vegas, Tix 4 Tonight offers you same day show tickets and dining discounts. I've seen their booths and I've seen the long lines and I always figured the show were those second rate shows that couldn't get anyone to fill the showroom. Well, I was wrong. There I said it. I don't admit it very often.

A friend was telling me about all the shows they saw in Vegas. "You must have had to win a jackpot to be able to afford to see all those shows." That's when he told me about Tix 4 Tonight. They have a sneak peek of the day's shows on their web site. Today this is what I found today, they change daily:

David Copperfield 25% off!

Dirty 50% off!

Gordie Brown 40% off!

Harmik as Tom Jones 50% off!

Mamma Mia for Today or Tomorrow 50% off!

Menopause 40% off!

Stomp Out Loud 27% off!

"V" The Ultimate Variety Show 50% off!

These are all good shows. And there are a lot that aren't publicized online. You have to que up to see what's available. Check out their web site for locations.

And, here's a bonus. Las Vegas Leisure Guide will give you a dollar off the service charge and a front of the line pass that should save you 30 to 60 minutes in line. Only in Las Vegas, a line pass to bypass the line. Gotta love it, and I thought only the casinos issued line passes. See, I was wrong again! ;) Make sure if you are using the service, that you print out your line pass coupon. I hate waiting in line. The city loses money every time I'm in line, I'm not shopping, I'm not gambling, I'm not eating and I'm not spending money. Don't forget your coupon, I have mine!