So…this 16 year old meme. It would be tempting. How often have I said “if I knew then what I know now?” Thing is, I’ve seen enough Sci-Fi to know that even the smallest amount of information can dramatically change the course of history, and I like where things are.

I remember once, when I was around that age, that I passed by a mirror in my high school and saw my reflection. But it wasn’t me then. It was an older me. Thinner. Content looking guy. I took comfort in seeing that. This brief flash, that was probably my imagination, set me at ease and has been the benchmark of my mindset ever since.

“It will all work out in the end.”

So that would be my message. Which has already been sent anyway. So I think, instead, I’d take the opportunity to go get a bit to eat at Wags.

—

I really, really want to see Bewitched. What can I say? Loved the original show, and the cast of the movie is awesome. Looks like a great “date” movie to me.

Then again, I also really, really want to see Land of the Dead. For similar reasons. Previous movies rocked, and the cast is awesome there as well. That, and there are zombies. Gotta love the zombies.

—

Went to Todai last night and did some sight seeing on the strip. Honestly? I think I like the downtown area better. It feels more like the Vegas you see in the movies. The Vegas of the Rat Pack and The Godfather. It’s slick, but at the same time it’s kind of grimy. Not everyone is pretty, and not everything is shiny. There are classy casinos next to places that sell fried twinkies. I like that. I like that a lot. The strip is amazingly impressive, but it feels like a theme park.

Ahh..you know what it feels like? A local comparison? “Old” Ybor vs. “New” Ybor. There’s a lot of really amazing stuff in the “New” Ybor, but it’s just not the same as the original.

Of course, I forgot my camera.

Anyway, some observations from last night –

The Todai in Tampa is bigger and better. How crazy is that?

There is a show called Fashionistas that is supposed to be this really intense erotic show. Looks like everyone in it just left The Castle. I think I’ll stick with the Castle. The admission is less and the music is better.

The manager of the Godiva shop in the Dessert Passage is an incredibly open, charming, and funny woman. Unfortunately they do not sell Godiva Chocolate Liquer.

Finding Vegas oriented souvenir t-shirts for young boys that they will think are cool but are not inappropriate is damned near difficult. So far it’s been impossible.

I have definitely gained weight since getting here. Quite a bit of it, if I don’t miss my guess. Not only that, but eating like I have been is quite likely to cause my ass to literally explode.

My back is really a mess.

Considering those last two thoughts, I’m very glad to be going home tomorrow.

But I’ve had an absolute blast.

Yay for company training!

Airplane + Hard Bed + Week in a classroom with really uncomfortable chairs = FRIGGIN’ OUCH.

My back is a complete mess right now.

The scenario – I’m at lunch with two canadians from my class, Steve and Neil. Steve is discussing the fact that he has to have his cholestorol checked a week after he gets back, and that if he did so today they would put him right in the hospital.

S : The worst part? I can’t have any beers for 48 hours.
M : That’s the worst part?
S : Well yeah.
M : I don’t really drink a lot of beer.
S : What do you drink?
M : I don’t drink all that often.
S : Smoke weed? Hash?
M : Nope. Not anymore.
S : Well what’s something you drink every day?
M : Water.
S : Ok, it’s like going without water for 48 hours.
M : Yeah, that would suck.
S : Right, eh?
M : I have to say – It disturbs me that you equate drinking beer to drinking water.
N : Yeah, well in the states that’s pretty fucking easy to do.

Are a bad thing.

I now understand how Norman got as big as he did. There is only so long you can resist the urge of Free Doughnuts.

So – Additional details on last night…

Harry and I were supposed to meet for dinner in front of Quark’s at 6:30. I got there early and purchased my ticket for The Experience. Then I went out front to wait. During that time I was accosted by not only a Ferengi but a patron. Apparently a 6’2″ guy in a kilt and a sci-fi based t-shirt (All Your Base Are Belong To Us) looks like he is employed by the Hilton. The Ferengi was immensely amused by my outfit, and one guy that walked past turned to me and said “Nice Utilitkilt.” Not “nice kilt.” He knew the brand. I thought that was pretty cool.

While waiting for Harry I dropped two quarters in a slot machine. Apparently, though, you have to have a card to gamble at The Hilton. I lost my .50 and didn’t even get to roll. Took that as a sign and did no more gambling last night.

Got tired of waiting and got a table for us. Ordered a Warp Core Breach. Whoo boy. That’s a potent drink. Harry showed up shortly thereafter and ordered himself a Liquid Latinum.

The food items alone were worth going.

I got us a Smorgasborg (appetizer – Quesadilla, Empanada, Chicken Fingers) and had a Class-M Pizza (Triangular shaped pizza). Harry ordered a Sulu Toss (stir fry). While eating another Ferrengi came by to solicit our business. Told us that bulk was the way to purchase, and that we should get one of everything. I told him I was buying a case of Romulan Ale, and he said I had great business sense – “A rare thing in a hoo-man.”

After dinner we went into the Experience itself. The first ride we went on was The Klingon Encounter. Cut For Spoilers

Coolest. Rides. Ever.

Ok, maybe not…but DAMN that was fun. And I got lots of good overly priced and chintzy stuff from the gift shop. Including…

A bottle of Klingon Blood Wine!

AND

A case of Romulan Ale! I mean, hell…theonebob asked me to get him a six pack, and I wanted one too. Just made sense to get a whole case.

Yes, it will be a pain to carry on to the plane! I’m aware! Don’t confuse the issue with facts, damnit!

I’ll write more about it tomorrow. For now, it’s time to chill out and bask in the warm glow of Trekker fandom.

Mmmmmm….Trek….

Grandfather kills leopard with hands.

Holy crap. You couldn’t pay me enough to mess with this dude.

In other news, I tried an In-N-Out Burger today. It was pretty good. I don’t see what all the hubbub is, though, to be honest. It was kind of a cross between a Steak and Shake burger and a Big Mac. No way I could eat there often, either. I like a little variety in my menu.

2 hours of class left. Good lord help me make it through.

Gah

Hands on training has stopped.

Today has been all day lecture.

In one ear, out the other.

Whoo boy, am I feelin’ fat today!

Been bloated, too. Took off my socks last night and had a deep impression of where my socks had formerly rested on my legs. I’m eating a lot of food that normally I only eat on occasion (red meat, in particular).

I’m trying my best not to feel bad about it. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back to healthy living again next week.

Tonight – Super Geekery is in order. Dinner at Quark’s and then hitting the rides at the Star Trek Experience. Will probably get some souvenirs at the store as well.

Well, I was supposed to go hang out with some of the guys from class tonight, but they said they were going to call at 6:30 and had not done so by 7:30, so I ventured out on my own. I hadn’t been feeling really well at all, and almost considered just going to bed, but I figured I’d at least go get some dinner. Went to the Golden Gate Casino. It’s one of the oldest hotels in Vegas and home of the infamous $5.95 Prime Rib Dinner special. I did not end up getting that. They had a 12oz on the menu for 9.95 where you could get different sides (I wanted mashed potatoes) and a salad (which costs $1.50 more on the special). Got that and a bowl of chilli. The food, as the name of the place implies (Golden Gate Diner), is typical Diner fare. But at those prices it was pretty damned good. The Prime Rib was quite tasty, and I left happy and full. Came back to the Casino and threw some money in the slot machines. I started with about $6 and was about to be out of money when I scored about $90. I said I would quit at either 100 or 50, and walked away at 50. Went to the roulette table and put $10 on 28 black (minimum bet).

Sorry, Ross. We’re still poor.

Considered doing some blackjack after that, but decided to call it quits while I was ahead. Up $40 for the night.

I realize I’m not going to come home rich this way, but I’m keeping myself entertained and not losing money. I’m sure that after Star Trek tomorrow night Harrison and I will probably play some Blackjack. That’s his game.

Saw the same Freemont street show that I saw last night. Boo.

And with that I’m calling it a night.

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