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.

Send me email! Keep me from falling asleep!

mcmcgreevyATgmailDOTcom

Nothing exciting to report today at all. Not so far, anyway. Woke up this morning and came straight to the course after my shower. Had breakfast and coffee here. Went to a place called Kancha Thai Express for lunch. Pretty decent, and not the fast food I was afraid it was going to be. They did something weird with the egg drop soup, though. There were peppers and tomatoes in it. Very strange.

There was a grocery store there, so I got some snacks and drinks to take back to the hotel room. Tired of paying $2 for a late night drink of water.

Not sure if I’m really going to go “out” tonight. I have some quarters that I’d like to drop into a slot machine, but I don’t know if I really feel like getting in my car and driving down to the strip. I think that, tomorrow, I’m going to hit the Star Trek Experience with the trainer. I dunno. The time difference is really kicking my ass here. By 9PM last night I was totally fried.

I think I am going to stop by Fry’s again today on the way back to the hotel. Maybe pick up a few toys. Dunno. Probably going to try the Buffet at The Plaza for dinner tonight.

Whee! I’m so exciting!

When I left the training center today I made a wrong turn and ended up at Fry’s Electronics. I swear. I wanted to go there, but not today. Ah well. The place is HUGE, but I didn’t buy anything. I wasn’t in the mindset to shop, and spending money in that state is no fun.

I came back to the hotel and finally got some of the real “Vegas Experience” in. Popped down to The Buffet and grabbed a bit to eat. Was $13 bucks, and pretty decent fare for the price. I managed to get full but didn’t overstuff myself. After I was done there I finally managed to figure out the slot machines and threw actorkat‘s quarter in.

Sorry, Kat. You’re still working next year.

I emptied out the rest of the change in my pocket ($1.75 if I’m not mistaken) and managed to make it last about an hour. I was up over $50 at one point, but when I finally walked away I was at $30. Not too terribly shabby, if I do say so myself.

I believe tomorrrow I shall be placing that wager for ross_winn. Of course, he never gave me the $5 so if I win giving any money to him is entirely optional. Heh.

Afterwards I wandered out on to Freemont street and did some more exploring. Got a fried twinkie. A little dissapointing, to be honest. Pretty much tasted like an eclair. Saw the light show, talked with some folks (even the damned tourists are friendly and chatty here) and made my way back here.

Now I’m going to chill out for a bit before bed.

Added a few new pictures.

So, according to the brochure that they gave us Applebee’s is “walking distance” from the training center. I’m assuming that they don’t figure on having Canadian’s in the class when they say that. It’s about 4 blocks away, in 105° heat. One of the poor guys was completely red by the time we got back.

Me? A bit of a sweat. Nothing much. Drinking lots of water, though, just to be safe.

Lunch ended up being free. I have managed to stay relatively “good” eating wise today. Had a bagel with cream cheese and ONE doughnut this morning (even though the tray, which is still out there, beckoned to me often to return). Got a Thai Pizza and an order of Onion Peels at Applebee’s (which, as those who have dined with me know, would usually have been a Thai Pizza Appetizer with some entree on top of it). Only drank water, and turned down the free dessert that was offered to me because there was a RAW chicken tender at the bottom of my onion peel basket. I laughed it off, though. No big deal. I’ve worked in the service industry before and I know accidents happen. The manager comped my lunch, though, even though I didn’t complain.

Now if only that stuff would happen when I was actually footing the bill.

netgoth – sorry I didn’t call. I didn’t have time to before we had to be back in class.

Oh, BTW…my mail server port is blocked from here, so if for some reason any of you want to email me during the day you can use my gmail address – mcmcgreevy.