I O U 1 Novel
13 Oct 2009 6 Comments
in This Writer's Life Tags: goals, novel, six months, writing
As you may have noticed my long absence from the blogosphere, things have been crazy for the last few months. But I’m back and better than ever. Friday night, I celebrated my return to the writing world with a trip to restaurant/club LAVO at the Palazzo Hotel & Casino. On that very special day, I made my writing goal official by writing it on a cocktail napkin and taking a picture of it. In case you can’t read the napkin, it says that I will be finished with my novel in six months (April 2010)… or ELSE!
Random Vegas Food Photo: Top Secret Vegetable Plate
30 Aug 2009 3 Comments
in Food & Drink Tags: bobby flay, Las Vegas, mesa grill, random vegas food photo
Bobby Flay's Top Secret Vegetables
Right now I’m working on my next bar exam. But I’m having difficulties, so it’s time to procrastinate!
I bring you, Random Vegas Food Photo stolen from somebody’s plate whose dinner I crashed. The restaurant was Mesa Grill. The person was a vegan. I am not. Nonetheless, I was so jealous of his dish that I just had to take a picture.
Now back to my regularly scheduled writing assignment.
Happy Birthday to Me!
26 Aug 2009 4 Comments
in This Writer's Life Tags: happy birthday
The Ghost of Birthdays Past
Today is my birthday. Three years ago, I thought it would be fun to buy a ’50s prom dress from Goodwill, chop it up into something “hip” and don a tiara. Did I mention the birthday party with red cups and a special stirrer for the birthday girl? I can so no better way to bid farewell to youth.
But now I’m a grown up and seem to be waving to youth in the distance as it slowly backs away. The best way to celebrate? With the knowledge that this year didn’t see my novel completed, but next year will, damnit! Hoozah! Now go buy me something!
NOTE: With 10 minutes to spare before my birthday, I hit the 150-page mark on my novel!
The Song that Death Cab Must Have Written For Me
22 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
in Las Vegas, Music Tags: death cab for cutie, little bribes, music video, ross ching
The resemblance is eerie. My favorite line: “Every slot machine is a robot amputee waving hello.”
This “fan video” was made by filmmaker Ross Ching looking to get his stuff seen. I’d say it worked. You can see how he made the cool video HERE.
Hoover Dam & the Bypass Bridge from the Air
10 Aug 2009 3 Comments
in Art, Las Vegas Tags: aerial view, airplane, bypass bridge, hoover dam, Las Vegas, photo, recent
Dam, Hoover!
Since so many people seem to be interested in photos of the Hoover Dam and the progression of the bypass bridge, I decided to post another photo. I took this one while fly from El Paso to Las Vegas in Southwest about a month ago. Notice that the Bypass bridge looks impressive even from the air. You may also see the low water level. Ahh, the good and ill of technology. This is why I always ask for a window seat.
A Vegas Local’s Take on “Winner Takes All”
09 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
in Books Tags: Book Review, christina binkley, Las Vegas, winner takes all
My friend and journalist Richard Abowitz suggested I read this book. Since he has been writing about Vegas forever, I took his advice. The book was so good that I now want you to take his advice.
Despite the fact that Winner is non-fiction I couldn’t put it down. Christina Binkley, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, achieved what every high school history teacher dreams of: She made history exciting. Sure she may have misspelled Danny Gans’ name once and there are rumors that she mixed up a few dates, but the book is indelible.
Basically, it explains what happened in the last 10-odd years to make Vegas what it is today. But mainly it’s a psychological portrait of the title’s three moguls. I’ve lived in Vegas for a year now and I’ve always felt like I arrived in the middle of a conversation. This book gave me an understanding of what I’ve been missing.
The only complaint I had was that this book didn’t have a satisfying conclusion. It seemed to stop instead of end. Certainly, the fortunes of Vegas has shifted since the book was published in 2008. If you’d like an update, check out this fascinating article in the Las Vegas Sun, which interviews three retired casino execs about the Big Crash.
I’d recommend this book to people who like: Las Vegas | business and development | a fast-paced non-fiction book | wheeling & dealing | an understanding of modern American pop culture
But don’t take my word for it, read these reviews:
- Liz Benston in the Las Vegas Sun
Random Vegas Photo: Bridge Over Hoover Dam
18 Jul 2009 2 Comments
I’m freaking out about a few deadlines and trying to work solid without taking any breaks, which of course, leads me to taking a blog break.
For this reason, you get to see a photo of the Hoover Dam bypass bridge that I took about three weeks ago. I believe that the gap between the two sides of the bridge is much smaller now.
While it’s an inconvenience to drive over the Hoover Dam when traveling from Phoenix to Vegas, I think I’ll miss the charm of it when the bridge is finished.
Meals You Can’t Have in Vegas: No. 1 Chick-Fil-A
12 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Food & Drink Tags: chick-fil-a, Las Vegas, Texas
*A gazillion happy calories*
As you may have noticed, Vegas is a culinary treasure trove and/or feeding trough depending on your budget and tackiness tolerance. This is very good for me because I love the pleasure of eating. I don’t gamble, so food is the sin I claim in Sin City. Nonetheless, there are a few things money CAN”T buy in Vegas, and one of them is Chick-Fil-A. Perhaps it’s because the company is Christian and the whole being closed on Sunday thing didn’t vibe well with a modern-day Sodom & Gomorra. Or perhaps they refused to anchor a casino food court on moral grounds. Whatever it is, Las Vegas is missing out. So one of the many things I did in Texas was indulge in a little pseudo-healthy fried chicken goodness. And crispy, happy waffle fries. And Polynesian Sauce. The best.
New Bar Exam: Rockhouse Las Vegas
09 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Food & Drink, Las Vegas Tags: 100 ounce guitar, bar exam, guitar hero, Las Vegas, photos, rockhouse, Strip
Read all about the joys of playing the booze guitar in the latest installation of my bar column for the Las Vegas Weekly. Also, could somebody in Vegas please pick up an extra copy of the Weekly for me as I am still in Texas. Thanks!
When in Texas…The Quebe Sisters Band
03 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in Music, This Writer's Life Tags: arlington, fastball, forth of july, levitt pavilion, Texas, the quebe sisters
I’m in Texas trying to stuff my heritage, family, and friends from high school and college–oh and a few deadlines, too–into a two-week trip. It’s been tight. But tonight, I went with my family to “Light Up Arlington!” at the Levitt Pavilion (I’m so so so happy this has been built in my hometown). It’s my hometown’s Fourth of July Celebration one day early. And what a celebration it was:
6pm: Arlington Community Band (adults reliving their glory days of high school band)
7:30 pm: The Quebe Sisters Band (Three amazing fiddler-sisters with harmonizing my grandmother and I both enjoyed)
9:15 pm: Fastball (The band I liked in high school sounds like a softer version of Brian Jonestown Massacre)
9:45 pm: Fireworks (Go America!)
