Vegas, Baby!

[IrishGolfer]

So just back from LV, what a place! I don't gamble as a rule, but the sights and sounds alone just blew me away. It was my first time there and we arrived at night to an amazing spectacle. I had no idea of the scale of the place. A pyramid hotel (Luxor), a hotel with it's own full scale roller coaster wrapped round the building (New York, New York!), a hotel with it's own golf course (Wynns), a replica Eiffel Tower, waterfalls, fountains, giant golden lions (MGM Grand) all added to the visual sensation. We were there the week of the big fight so lots of boxing fans milling around, which added to the excitement. I flew back on Saturday so missed the fight, but I stood next to footballer Jason McAteer at a bar on Thursday night!! I met two guys who had given $1500 each to a tout for tickets. He was meeting them the next day to give them the tickets!!! I wonder if they got them at all.

And of course did I mention the casinos? We stayed at the Monte Carlo, a small 3,000 room establishment on the strip. Funny how the lifts say Casino instead of Lobby. Walking through the hotel casino was a mind blowing experience. People just couldn't throw their money away fast enough, they looked totally transfixed!

And did I mention the food. We dined at two fantastic restaurants, Andres, and Smith & Wollensky and can highly recommend both. At the latter I had the biggest steak I think I have ever eaten in my life. It was like half a cow came over and sat on my plate.

I was blown away by Vegas. Not sure I'd want to go there every week, but just to experience the place up close once was worth it.

And now onto my biggest news. I was there for work, more specifically with my new employer!! I've been a bit busy recently negotiating terms etc. I don't start until the end of January but I took a week's vacation to attend a sales meeting to meet and greet and start getting up to speed with my new family. So 2008 will represent a new chapter in my career. And guess where this company is based? Austin, Texas. My role will still be based in belfast but I expect frequent trips to US, so look out Dave E, I'm coming to get my title back!

[warbirdlover]

One thing about the US. It has something for just about everyone. Meeting in Vegas? Damn. All of mine are in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, Cleveland etc etc...

[Bravo]

IG:

Great news about your new position! And all the better that it is U.S./based...we will meet at some point and you will school me on the game....

I've been to Vegas for meetings and conventions for years....it is indeed dazzling to see the Strip at night...there's nothing like it in the world. FYI - Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in the U.S. so the number of new residents there each month runs into the thousands.

I too am not very much of a gambler, learning long ago I wasn't very good at it (the hard way), but I do love going to the shows in Vegas. They are superb....

All the best from stateside.

bravo

[Eracer]

Well done IG! Vegas is indeed quite a place. I go there most every year, since our industry's biggest trade show is always held there. The most amazing thing to me is that it's different every year. Some new hotel going up, or old casino coming down. New shows, new restaurants, etc.

Did you happen to go downtown to see the overhead light show? Truly dazzling. They've really put a lot of money into revitalizing that area.

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bravo

we will meet at some point and you will school me on the game....

Bring a turkey!

[warbirdlover]

If you're in Texas in the fall you can shoot your own!!!

[Lorax]

I spent 5 days in Vegas over Thanksgiving. Teh sheer number of golf courses in that are easily accessible is amazing. A friend who lives in the area took me to Lake Las vegas to play. I had never palyed on a canyon course before it was amazing.

One hole had a 300 foot drop from tee box to fairway and then climbed all the way back to the hole.

I hit some shots where I ended up playing lies like gerry from BB Mesquite.

[Andy_79]

Great stuff, IG. I would sure love to head to Vegas, although I am unfortunately the type of person who can get transfixed / obsessed with things, so I would require things to be put in place to ensure I didn't blow a fortune !

That steakhouse place looks like a small part of Heaven to me...