Sin City

It's been 4 years since I lived in Las Vegas. Only 4 years. It may as well have been 40. Everything has changed. All the landmarks are gone, or grown over, or overshadowed by a new land mark. Oh, sure, many things are still in place, those things are just ones I have no interest in.

I damn near got lost trying to find the house I used to own. The 6-foot mesquite tree I planted in the back yard is now 30 feet tall. I wanted to check in on my former neighbors, but I have since forgotten their names and I didn't want to look stupid. Hell, I don't even know if they still live there.

Unfortunately, I am staying at my least part of Vegas - the Strip. When I lived here for 10 years, I avoided th Strip like the Black Plague. Of course, I always had to indulge every relative that would crawl out from under a rock to come visit me by dragging them through every buffet, casino, and relatively affordable show. But, for me personally, I stayed as far away as I could.

Why? Chaos. The strip feeds on chaos. That kind of energy in the air will suck the lifeforce and soul right out of you. I am just not meant to live here. How I survived it for 10 years is beyond my comprehension.

When I first saw the hotels/casinos (those two words are synonomous in Vegas) crest the horizon as I drove in, I was amazed at the intense haze that covered the city. I know from experience that most of that haze is dust from all the massive amounts of construction, but the other part is also exhaust from the thousands of cars.

Vegas' population swelled past 1 million before I left. I can only guess what it is now. Maybe 1.5 million? Maybe 2? All I know is that the streets are dog-eat-dog and the cabbies are wolves in waiting for a weak motorist or pedestrian.

If you like city light views, Vegas boasts one of the most glamorous. From Henderson, looking Northwest, the view is a spectacular array of glitz and color. I always preferred stars myself, especially the Plaides, but I am a simpler person.

The drive in was actually quite pleasant. It took me less time than I expected, regardless of all the road destruction and constant observance of the posted speed limit. (My days of driving like a bat out of hell are long gone - unless it is to a hospital)

I was slightly dissheveled when I arrived, so I quickly made haste to my room to wipe the shine off my face. And then, a taste of heaven: I had my first In'n'Out burger in 4 years. It's good that some things don't change.

I tried calling some old friends. One was permanently indisposed and I will not get to see him on this journey. A second has agreed to meet me on my last night here. A third has not yet returned my call, and, finally, my former colleagues have agreed to have lunch with me on Thrusday.

Friday, I return home. Maybe to stay, or maybe not. A phone call tomorrow morning may change my future. It may not. These uncertainties have lead me to another bottle of Baileys for this evening. I have also acquired a small bottle of Bombay just in case the Bailieys doesn't have enough kick to it. It really doesn't, but I enjoy the hell out of drinking it.

I have a few pictures of the strip at night from my hotel room window. Maybe I will complement them with some daytime photos as well.

Then again, maybe not.