Road Trip to Las Vegas

My husband and I took a few days off of work and took a road trip to Las Vegas. We packed the Prius with some luggage and snacks and hit the road. The Prius is awesome. We had to crank the air conditioning as the temperatures were well over 100 degrees so the mileage was a tick lower than usual. We averaged about 49 mpg.

After a pleasant drive through the desert we reached our destination in about 6.5 hours. We stayed at Bally's Hotel and Casino. I had stayed here years ago. The rooms were clean but the decor was a little schizophrenic. I think it was trying to say Art Deco but I was not sure.

The rooms were clean and the bed was comfortable. We had to pay $12 a night for internet service.







This was the view from our window.

This was waiting us in the bathroom. $4 bottled water. Man that pisses me off. The hotel would be better off just not including this in the bathroom as psychologically it makes them look like they are ripping people off. There was also no mini-bar fridge in the room, although you could order one brought to your room. I'm sure there was a price tag attached to that too.

If they really wanted to sell $4 bottled water they should have used a scare tactic like... legionnaires disease free water only $4. Now that's how you sell water baby!

In my opinion this hotel has moved down a notch in my book. They are going to have a tough time in the future with all of the newer, cleaner, more modern hotels on the strip popping up.

Bally's and Paris Hotel and Casino right next door to each other and connected through a walk way.

We had breakfast one morning at the Le Village Buffet at Paris Casino. $15 bought you a nice breakfast with a good selection. The wait time in the line was about 15 minutes at 8 am. We saw longer lines later.

Life is good ....

After a day at the Bally's pool and $20 pina coladas we took the walkway to the Bellagio.

This photos is taken from the walkway through the glass. The maintenance crew is cleaning the famous fountains.

B is for Bellagio

Portrait of my foot visiting the Bellagio.

I am a huge Dale Chihuly fan. I can never get enough of the glass ceiling at the Bellagio.

The Atrium at the Bellagio is always on my list for a visit. They change the theme each season. The theme at this visit was American National Parks. Too cute.

Miniature of the Bellagio with working fountains. Also adorable.







Mannequin at the Chanel store at the Bellagio.




(buy me you Euro-trash)







"Bitch please"










The construction never ends on the strip.






The traffic never ends either.

My smarmy heroes Penn and Teller on the side of a bus. Nice Ax.

Photo from my car of New York New York at night.

Seen at the Body Shop at the shopping mile at Paris. Who knew!

Studio 54 has a billboard at the MGM. Sounds like fun. Alas, we did not go to any night spots. I hate lines, and dressing up, and wearing uncomfortable shoes....

It looked like the hot spot was Pure Nightclub at Caesars. Lot's of beautiful 20 year olds with Lippy from the Body Shop.

Saw this girl get pulled over. It took her a while to realize she was being pulled over.

A photo from off the strip.

A few more photos from the car.

More construction on the strip. This looks interesting. I can't wait to see the final results. It seems that the strip is in constant flux. (Trying to keep up with Vegas A.D.D.)

I know, this looks like Michael Jackson's hyperbolic machine but it is actually a water massage. I tried it out at Ballys. $20 for 20 minutes. You get inside (with your clothes on) and are pummeled with water just like at the car wash. It basically beats the shit out of you.

I'm sure the idea must have come from the old classic Barbarella and her orgazmatron. Now if they had those machines in Vegas everyone would try it.

Barbarella - Jane Fonda for you youngun's

Not unpleasant but I prefer a human massage.

Big motorcycle crashing through a wall at the Harley Davidson Cafe.

More drama on the road. What a way to start your vacation.

We did not stop here (maybe next time) but I loved their logo. The Freakin' Frog. Moto - Get your freak on here.

We happily stumbled on the Zappos shoe outlet

.
Great selection.

Hooray! Friday arrives and we go to the Bette Midler show. Our main reason for going to Vegas. The show was very nice. She has such an excellent voice and her great bawdy sense of humor. She made a point of telling the audience that her showgirls were all augmentation free. I thoroughly enjoyed this show. Ms. M. is still divine.

Alas, our trip had to end sometime. I left with a lighter wallet but no worse for wear. A good time was had by all.


Upon our arrival home our cat Gary was sooo happy that we came back.


I love you

I missed you so much

Now fill my food bowl - human.

What $10 Will Get You

Sunday my husband and I hit the thrift stores for something to do. I ended up buying a few books. I spent $10.94 for six books. Now, I don't need six more books as I have a stack of summer reading already, however the price was right.

I bought a cat book. Can't read enough about cats.
I bought a book of answers from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. I love reading about the area and when visitors come I usually place a couple of local magazines or an informative book about the area in the guest bedroom.
I also purchased a book titled "My Forbidden Face, Growing up under the Taliban: A young Woman's Story" Sounds interesting.
Running with Scissors is a book I've wanted to read for a while. Bought it.
A hardbound copy of "Rescuing Patty Hearst, memories from a decade gone mad". Hope it's good.

And an extra copy of one of my favorites, "The Time Traveler's Wife". Love this book. I'll probably give this copy to a friend.

Most of the books were $1.99 or $2.99. There are a couple of thrift stores I visit that have books for a better price but when the original price is $23 - $30, $1.99 feels good.

My mother-in-law is an avid reader. Nothing makes her happier than paying .25 cents for a paperback at a book sale or flea market. I'm just keeping the tradition alive.

Thongs in the workplace and other appropriate work attire

To thong or not to thong, that is the question.

To pant-suit or not to pant-suit, that is a whole 'nother question.

Lately I've had some discussions around the water cooler at my uber-sexy job in the city about proper work attire. Personally I think what you wear should be a personal choice however I do agree that for certain industries some clothing options are just not a good choice.

With the current style of low-rise everything we definitely see more flashes of thongs and skin in the workplace than ever before. Bending over without showing my granny panties has never been a problem for me - because I AM COVERED UP! I don't particularly want to show skin let alone my unmentionables.

Note to self - if your thong shows THIS much your pants are too low-rise.

In the immortal words of Fergie "My hump my hump my hump my hump my lovely lady lumps" - lady - oh so lady-like

Us 40 somethings tend to cover up more. I'd say this is because we are more self conscious about our aging bodies. I know that I personally do not like to wear sleeveless shirts. Mini-skirts are out for me at this juncture.

Yes, I wore dresses this short - but not to church.

Recently I blogged about a now defunct department store in my home town. I found this guideline for womens attire from 1969. (comments are my own)

Rikes Department Store Clothing Guideline 1968

MEMO TO: ALL WOMEN EMPLOYEES (or as we say in 2008, all my bitches and hos)

Attached is an up-dated version of the guidelines for proper business dress. The new guidelines allow you a much wider selection in choosing your clothing for store wear. All we ask is that you choose a style suitable for your particular job…..and in good taste. (This remains true today)

If you have any doubts about a dress or costume (costume - for the day you are required to wear a chicken suit and hand out nugget samples?) you have selected, please check with your Department manager, Floor Superintendant, or the Fashion OfficeTraining Department. (they train you to be fashionable?)

Having an expert dress you is so cool. It's the undressing you have to worry about.

Dressing for Business

Whether you are assigned to selling or sales-supporting work, it is essential that you present a business-like, well-groomed appearance. Rike’s does not expect you, as a new employee, to buy a new wardrobe immediately (not immediately but eventually you are expected to spend your whole paycheck here) just to work here, but we do expect you to keep the following guidelines in mind when making future purchases.

Special prices on clothing are offered to employees from time to time. (We are happy to offer you the crap we can't sell at a major discount ) Watch our in-store newspaper, the Arkay News-O-Gram (Our brain-washing guide - buy some stuff, buy some stuff ) , distributed daily in the employees Cafeteria (Because we can't let those haggy cafeteria bitches on the floor where customers might see their unfashionable asses ). And for fashion ideas, check the Fashion Office’s display also in the Employee’s Cafeteria. “Be Business-Like and Fashion-Right.” (Separate publication for the cafeteria ladies - all about hair-nets)

Guidelines for Women
First impressions are important. To be an alert, successful business woman, you must look the part. (Play a role, don't be yourself, feel free to pretend)

COLORS (Crip or Blood, your choice)

Solid colors that are basic or subdued are best for the “business look”--black, grey, navy, dark green, brown or beige. (dull is the new black) You will find these colors “wardrobe stretchers” as well. Simply by changing accessories -- scarves, jewelry, etc., you can make the basic dress into a new look.

FASHION COLORS

Fashion colors and designer styles may be worn if you are selling in a fashion department (and if you have a husband who's income can help you to afford the clothes that we sell in this store because our wages ain't shit) : for example, The Moraine Shops, Boutiques, Junior Shops, etc., but the guidelines for good taste still apply.

Ahhhh, the good old days when work attire was work attire, but no voting allowed.

FABRICS (holy-crap - not only colors but now they are instructing what fabrics to wear too)

Fabrics may be chosen according to your own taste. (we can think for ourselves now? I'm so confused) The weight of the fabric should be heavy enough not to show an undergarment. Knit dresses and suits are acceptable, but use good judgment in selecting the proper size and always wear a skirt liner with knits.

The ever fashionable and sexy 80's work uniform. I'm waiting for a comeback. We really rocked the glass ceiling with this look.

NECKLINES
Necklines should never be too wide or too deep for modesty when reaching or bending. (Solution: Never reach or bend)

WW J-lo D

SLEEVES

As a rule of thumb, sleeveless dresses should not be worn by mature women. (HEY, They stole my rule)
If you have any doubts about the suitability of the clothing you have selected for business wear, check with your Department Manager, Floor Superintendent, for the Fashion Office. (because those bitches know everything and can help mindless losers who can't think for themselves)

DON’T’S

DON’T chew gum on the selling floor at any time. If you feel you need to freshen your breath, use a spray mouth freshener or a mint, not chewing gum. (just leave your nasty breath at home)
Don’t put a pencil behind your ear. (up your bum is fine though)
Don’t wear too much jewelry. It should complement the costume.
Don’t apply make-up or comb your hair in the presence of a customer.
(Note for my friend JJ who currently works at Dillards, don't ever, EVER bring a cup of Starbucks into the building even if you are just walking through the store - we'll see you in detention bitch.)

Buttons (All bases covered here)

Political, fraternal and organizational buttons of all kinds may not be worn if their size is larger than a U.S. 5 cent piece. (5 cents, damn I wish I was alive in '68, political buttons now are HUGE.)
The smart woman is always accessorized properly from head to toe. (All thong-ish and whatnot) Be sure your gloves are clean(Gloves!? WTF?- oh yeah it's 1968), hose are neat (as apposed to saggy and hanging down to your knees, thank God for Spanks 2008 ), shoes are polished (right) . For over a century, RIKE’S customers have associated the fashion reputation of our store with good grooming, good manners, and the fashion sense of the employees. All of us have an obligation to maintain Rike’s reputation for good taste by our neat, business-like appearance. (P.S. you men can dress anyway you damn well please and feel free to judge our attire whenever you see fit. Also feel free to imagine us naked.)

(Photo of that recurring dream I have about going to work in a bra and slip - oops, where are my clothes? Oh well, since I'm here already I guess I will keep working)

When I rule the world this will be the uniform of men in the workplace. Expecially insurance salesmen, MANDATORY!

Rules, Rules, Rules.... Here is my solution - a uniform. Problem solved.