Blogs from Solo Trip to Vegas (May 2006)

I found the blogs from my last solo excursion to Las Vegas, when I was planning my move and looking for an apartment and a job.

5/1/06 - 8:54 a.m.

It's 8:54 a.m., which means I've been on my own for approximately 45 minutes. My brother brought me to the airport this morning - I played him the old Ben Nation episode about the conjoined twins, since he hates my music but has more than a apssing interest in those who would have once been considered "side show fodder." We had a good laugh.

I left my book in the car, so I've already stopped in the airport book store. They had the newest Palahniuk, so I picked it up... I figure between that and my iPod I should be distracted from my usual flight anxiety (side note: missing that Valium today...). I guess I'm really doing this. It feels both strange and comforting to be sitting here alone, listening to the strangers' conversations that surround me. If only I had read DaVinci Code, then I could jump in.

Need nicotene!

5/1/06 - 2:54 p.m.

Cafe in Henderson Fiesta

Man, traveling really swings you around by the balls! I'm finally at my hotel in Henderson, at the diner inside, enjoying a cup of coffee and a cigarette (grilled cheese soon to follow). My plan of attack?

1. Eat grilled cheese - yum.
2. Play a little blackjack, just to get rid of the bug.
3. Nap! I'm beat.
4. Shower and refresh - to begin my night.
5. Drive around Henderson - familiarize myself.
6. Note any potential jobs/apartments.
7. Eat dinner.
8. Go to a local bar - if I can't find one in Henderson, there's a divey blues spot in Vegas called Shifty's that I'm looking forward to checking out.
9. 24-hour cafe!!! Denny's? Haha.
10. Get a good night's sleep for tomorrow's interview.

Grilled cheese is here and the waitress offered me ranch dressing with it. Bleh. Guess that's how they roll out west.

One more note - renting a car is expensive! Way more hidden fees than I expected... hope my limited funds last all week.

Rice out.

*** Ammendment 5/6/06 ***

I did not accomplish anything that night. I fell asleep in my hotel room at 5:00 p.m. and slept until the following day. Oops.

5/2/06 - 3:26 p.m.

The Coffee Bean on Maryland Pkwy.

I'm currently sitting outside at a friendly coffeeshop on Maryland Pkwy., a busy drag that runs alongside UNLV; home to cafes, restaurants, tattoo shops, thrift stores and laundromats... the heavy traffic is more calming than one would expect.

Let's see... updates...

Most importantly, I found a place to live. A friend of the family introduced me to his niece, Vanessa. She's been an invaluable help to me and is a great person in general. She is taking me to a small get-together tonight to introduce me to some people she thinks I'll get along with. Yesterday, she showed me a condo that I plan to rent. It's affordable and nicer than anywhere I've ever lived. Thank you, Vanessa. Her uncle also got me another job lead at the City of Las Vegas. My interview with the paper supply company went great, but it's still unknown as to whether they'll be hiring once I relocate.

On Tuesday night, I met some friendly tattooed strangers at the blackjack table - Daveena and Patrick. We hung out later that evening and Patrick called me last night, too. Apparently, he has quite the crush on me - he keeps telling me how cute I am and that he wants to take me out on a date. He builds custom Harleys and sculpts; very cool guy and nice as pie, although I can't yet say if I'd be interested in dating him.

Actually, it must be something in the air here, because today at lunch I met another guy named Bobby, who also asked me out... I gave him my number and told him to call me in a month if he still remembers who I am. Ha. Confidence boosters all around here.

I'm surprised at how friendly everyone has been - I've met waitresses, barristas and bus boys galore who all want to give me a hand up in this new world of Vegas. They're all transplants, too, as is most everyone here. This new community of strangers has been even more inviting than I could have predicted.

Well, I'm off to the mall to buy a new outfit for tonight's shindig... apparently the host is a photographer who's done work for Abercrombie & Fitch - I know, what am I doing?!? Having a great time and keeping an open mind, that's what.

See you guys Friday night at White's. =)

P.S. I've already gotten highlights, botox, hooker nails and breast implants (or "fakies," as I so affectionately refer to them as.)

And that's all she wrote, folks. Just a taste of the types of blogs that will be coming after my trip next month. Cheers!

What an awesome weekend!

I had my dear friend's Vegas band, The day after..., in for a visit over the weekend. They are currently on an east coast tour, so I got to see two of their shows at two venues I've never visited before. I'll be adding some new reviews in the next couple days.

In the meantime, check out their MySpace here.

Also, I am hitting up Milwaukee, WI with my friend this upcoming Saturday. I'm looking forward to that, for sure. I'll keep all you awesome readers posted.

R.I.P. MJ's Bar & Grill

I just heard that MJ's Bar & Grill (Las Vegas, NV), which I recently reviewed, has closed down.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in Las Vegas, as well as in many cities around the globe - local hang-outs being shut down because they can't compare to more well-known, common tourist attractions and venues.

Please support local independent businesses, both in your town and others. Through your patronage, you can help to give them a chance when they go up to bat against their corporate rivals.

theALTERNAtraveler bows her head over the passing of another great local spot...

Las Vegas reviews are posted!

See it here, folks... or just scroll down a couple posts.

Las Vegas, NV (8/15/07 - 8/20/07)

Chicago, IL (O’Hare) to Las Vegas, NV (McCarran International)
Dates: 8/15 – 8/20-07
Airfare: $398 (United Airlines through http://www.travelocity.com/)
Spending: Approx. $300
Lodging: FREE – Thanks to my wonderful friend, Melissa!

TOTAL COST: Approx. $700

REVIEWS:

M J's Bar & Grill
3417 S Jones Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 364-1102

UPDATE 9/21/07: This venue has closed down.

I visited this bar/venue twice on my trip – once to see the band of a friend of a friend (Jesus or a Gun) and once to see my former drummer’s new band (The day after…). I had never been here in the past and, of course, I was excited to check out a new place. It reminded me a lot of the Cheyenne Saloon, which is also in Vegas, but this place was cleaner. I heard from local friends that MJ’s is the new “butt-rocker” home of Vegas. It was pretty big, with a nice bar and a decently sized stage. They also serve food, so there is no smoking allowed inside (Nevada law!). I didn’t eat there, but I did see quite a few people pouncing on the individual slices of pizza, which could mean one of two things – either the pizza is awesome or the patrons were just really drunk. I’m proposing that the latter is correct, having tasted many a crappy pizza while living out west. I liked this bar/venue and I’d definitely go back there.

Bonus! Check out the awesome all female punk band that opened up for The day after… - The Dirty Panties. They rocked.

Champagnes Cafe
3557 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 737-1699
http://champagnescafe.blogspot.com

Champagne’s is the definition of old school Vegas cool. I’m pretty sure that the door into this place is actually a wormhole, transporting you back in time 50 years. The walls are covered in red and gold velvety wallpaper and the long, narrow bar glows red from the overhead lighting. There are booths on the side and a tiny little stage in back, where Champagne’s hosts karaoke (with classy K.J. Bobby Shawn) on Friday and Saturday nights (which is the reason I popped in for a visit). The crowd here is a motley mix of young and old, hipster and hip-replaced, and the atmosphere is quiet and laid back. And the music! You’ll hear the likes of Frank Sinatra and classic lounge acts most frequently. Beers run about $3 and mixed drinks are about $4.

I’ve met more interesting characters at this bar than any other I’ve ever visited, and almost all of them have been local to the Vegas area, which is a major rarity. If you stop in for a visit, make sure to talk to as many people as possible - you’ll definitely walk away with a story or two to tell your friends back home.

Dino's Lounge
1516 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 382-3894
http://www.dinoslv.com/

I could go on and on about Dino’s, so I’ll try to hold back.

Dino’s was one of my favorite spots when I lived in Las Vegas. I went to karaoke there on many a Friday night with friends of mine who are in a local burlesque troop called Babes in Sin. Karaoke’s hosted by Danny G., who, incidentally, looks like an older, more bearded version of one of my ex-boyfriends… not that I should be bragging about this. Either way, Danny G. has a giant karaoke book with just about every song you could every wish to drunkenly bellow to your friends. I usually go for a little AC/DC and Alanis Morissette. The kids love it.

They have a house shot called a “blumpkin” – and if you don’t know the meaning of that word, Google it, but not at work.

The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists, many of the rockabilly persuasion, all happily co-existing in the little world known as Dino’s Lounge. The bar touts itself as “the last neighborhood bar in Las Vegas” and I think they’ve nearly hit the nail on the head. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve run into at least one professional Frank Sinatra impersonator, which is about as “neighborhood” as Vegas gets.

Note: Sometimes Dino’s hosts local bands, in which case karaoke doesn’t get under way until 12:30 – 1:00 a.m. If this bugs you, you might want to call ahead. Karaoke days are Thursday through Saturday.


Bonanza Gifts Shop
2460 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 385-7359
worldslargestgiftshop.com

I stopped into “the world’s largest gift shop” on my last night in town to pick up some last minute souvenirs before heading home. It’s big. So big, in fact, that I was too overwhelmed with cheap-o gifts to force myself to look through the entire bounty.

I walked away with a statuette of a showgirl for my roomie, Ashley, a coin purse and a key chain (featuring a naked dancing boy) for my other roomie, Stacy, and a shot glass and a transparent green visor for myself. I should have taken a photo with one of their decorated security guards, but I did not (hindsight is 20-20).

If you’re looking for a gift that says “Las Vegas” on it, this is the place. If you asked, I’m pretty sure they’d stamp your poo with those words and sell it back to you for $7.99. Although not an upscale joint, it did the trick and it did it well.