E-294: Patting the Soft Helmet

Random Vegas 

In 2002, Stratosphere owners proposed a roller coaster attraction that would depart from the base of the pod, drop passengers to the ground at a top speed of 93mps before curving at the bottom into a misshapen "U" track that would cross Las Vegas Blvd.  The project was blocked by residents claiming it would not only be a distraction for traffic but would undermine plans to revitalize the area by discourage new residents from moving in. Almost 20 years later, the revitalization plans have yet to materialize (No Limit) 

Twitpic of the week 

This week I realized I will not be able to get a helicopter pilots license; because there is a 100% chance that I’ll be too distracted enjoying views like the one shared this week by @MaverickHeli and die in a fiery crash.  That being said, what a way to go.  If I could only guarantee that I’d crash into a remote area so I was the only one hurt.  But again, I can’t, because I’d be too distracted looking at views like the one shared this week by @MaverickHeli.  Something else this picture forces me to realize is I need to work on my patience so I can take a Helicopter ride over Vegas, or many of them.  Or maybe not so I can continue to be captivated every time someone shares a unique view.  Shit, now I have dueling patience issues. 

News

Elon Musk's Underground Loop to Nowhere

2019 Oscars Betting

Wynn Resorts Received Record Setting Fine

Sports Betting History...ish

MGM Booze Dispensing Machines

Neon News 

Palms' Crushes

E-293: Icahnic Evil

Random Vegas 

3 years after the 1993 Dunes implosion destroyed one of the most iconic strip marquees in Vegas history, the Neon Museum nonprofit was officially launched after 16 years of planning.  One of their goals, prevent anything like that from happening again (VegasSeven.com) 

Twitpic of the week 

What most people don’t realize, is that, like most things, snow in Las Vegas isn’t the same as it is everywhere else.  It’s better.  Here, it's just mother nature's contribution to the spectacle.  And just like the decorations on display promoting whatever random celebration is going on that week, the following week, you’re unable to find a trace of the past.  Watching snow fall here is just as magical as it is everywhere else without any of the residual issues that come with a prolonged winter season.  @NickyFurmage shared our favorite picture of snow falling around the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign this week.  I was hoping for a great picture of Luxor covered in snow but unfortunately all that were shared looked like they were taking with a Motorola razor flip phone.

News

Carl Icahn Looking to Destroy Caesars Entertainment

Starbucks Closes @Bally's Grand Bazaar

LVCVA Selling Riviera Strip Frontage

Tattoo'd America Coming to LINQ

E-270: The Howard Hughes of Podcasting

Random Vegas

When it first opened, one of the selling points for the Desert Inn was individual thermostats in all guest rooms (Vital Vegas)

Twitpic of the week

Thanks to the unbreakable rules I've made up in my head to govern the "Twitpic of the week" selection process, I've known who this week's winner was going to be for about two weeks.  Even thought I could break one of said rules and almost non one would know, considering I'm the only one who knows what they are, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that doing such a thing would be unthinkable.  Let me explain.  The 1st "Twitpic of the week" after a 360 Vegas Vacation is actually the "Twitpic of the TRIP".  A photo, usually taken by me, that best encapsulates the spirit of that 360 Vegas Vacation & inspired a monolog.  After the trip report, all candidates nominated since the last "Twitpic of the WEEK" was awarded are reviewed.  That means a photo has to stand out for 2-3 times longer than usual to earn, and in some cases retain, the right to the designation.  In some cases, this only reaffirms the reason a picture is eventually awarded the honor.  This week's winner was one that was able to pretty easily hold off potential usurpers.  Captured in the air, on approach to McCarran, official 360 Vegas Vacation photographer @Japluto09's photo of the strip over the wing of a plane creates a coastal beach illusion causing those familiar with the desert landscape surrounding the strip to do a double take to comprehend what they're seeing.  As if the view wasn't ethereal enough, placing the strip in the distance over said wing inspires correlations to stories of afterlife ascension.  This shot embodies peace and tranquility amidst chaos and disorder, wrapped in mathematical probability.  An equation that most certainly always equals an epic adventure on the horizon.

News

360 Vegas Vacation 7 Details

Stevens Group Expands Again

Solar Powered Casinos

Lego Vegas 2.0 revealed

Sports Betting Franchise Ownership Dilemma

Wynn Drops Parking Fees

The Hangover Experience @Madame Tussauds

LINQ Renovation Plans

More Convention Center Parking for LVCVA

E-265: Fun Cunts

Random Vegas

Ralph Engelstad, owner of the Flamingo Capri before it became the Imperial palace, was once offered a contract to play for hockey professionally for the Chicago Blackhawks.  He turned it down to build his own construction company.

Twitpic of the week

Based on the landmarks pictured, its a little before my time. But it still captures the essence of the city as it was introduced to me in 2004.  It wasn't by design but there was magical transition that used to exist just beyond the northern curve of the Las Vegas strip.  It felt almost like traveling back in time at a leisurely pace. The Mirage kicked off the next generation of Vegas resorts on the strip to be built around and south of it, while the elder statesmen of the market continued to do their thing to the north.  However just like a mid-life crisis corvette, the desire to feel young again eventually took hold.  And just like a pick up game of basketball with people 20 years your junior, at some point you realized you can't keep up.  Best intentions to improve on a proven formula returned the majority of north strip to the desert.  What was once densely populated by the icons of yesteryear, showcased in the picture shared by @tonyIllia, are now mostly giant undeveloped parcels of land again.  Glass half full, they're prepped and ready for the next visionary to make their mark on the city. 

News

Wynn Resorts Rundown
Las Vegas Convention Center Expansion
Podcasters After Dark Tickets
Vegas Golden Knights News
Icahn Sells Tropicana

E-250: Kevin Spacey's Little Darlings

Random Vegas
While in the developmental stage, the Dunes project was originally named the Araby

Twitpic of the week

Westward Ho is a property that I never had the opportunity to experience.  According to our parallel timelines, the property was open in 2004 when I first basked in the glory that is the strip.  However this is one of the few times I question the validity of documented facts.  During that initial trip, I made a concerted effort to visit every casino on the entire Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding area, going so far as to walk all the way down to the Hard Rock and back.  I find it highly unlikely that I would have somehow accidentally walked right past it on my way to Slots O Fun and Circus Circus after checking out the Stardust.  Regardless, intelligence won't let me truly believe that facts are wrong so I'm forced to come to another logical conclusion, the property must have been in such a state of disrepair that it didn't appear to be open. If that is truly the case, then I celebrate the fact that it lives in my mind in the idealic state I imagine it to be in, as glorious as those exterior umbrella lights, elegantly showcased this week by @NeonMuseum

News

M Resort Robbery
Palms Face Lift 
Golden Nugget Hippy Bar
Bonnano’s Expands Ability to Disappoint
Las Vegas Stadium Breaks Ground
LVCVA Real Estate mismanagement 2.0
Moulin Rouge Resurrection...part 17
MGM Resorts Vegas Reinvestment
Neonopolis Announces Big Plans