It was partly for business and partly pleasure, but there wasn't much time for pleasure because the entire trip lasted almost exactly twenty-four hours. The flight down was smooth, on time and uneventful. Nobody protested being forced to wear a mask. Nobody started a fist fight or assaulted a flight attendant, unlike some people who have made the news lately for doing exactly those things. And, being 30,000 feet in the air, we didn't have to worry about going through bat country.
I've always enjoyed the sites of Vegas. So, after taking care of the bit of business I was there for, I went for a walk. I like signs. Especially colorful ones with lots of neon. There are plenty of them on the Strip.
I didn't go in or out, but I like the colors.
I like the retro look of this one.
And under this sign, at about 11 o'clock, a woman said I was "adorable." She was kind of cute, but I doubted her sincerity. I'm in my mid 60s, have a funny walk and am not a sharp dressed man. I will give her credit though for a rather creative approach. I hadn't heard that line before.
A few more observations -
There was a crew filming a scene for a movie or TV show on one of the walkways over the Strip. A notice was posted stating that by crossing the bridge you were allowing permission to be filmed. So it's possible I have a part in an upcoming movie. Or TV show. I have no idea which, or when, or what studio or network. So I don't think I'll be joining the Screen Actors Guild any time soon.
There are vending machines in at least one hotel that sell cake. Insert money, push a button and you get cake.
On a more serious note - The homeless problem seems to have gotten worse since the last time I visited. You will see them pretty much everywhere and at all hours. Some passers by will venture a look, but most just ignore them and keep walking. I'm not sure what else you could do.
In the morning during breakfast at a sidewalk cafe I watched a man intentionally walk into traffic waving his arms and yelling at cars as they sped past. It was like he was trying to get hit. Incredibly, the cars avoided him by swerving or stopping abruptly. Eventually he wandered back onto the sidewalk and out of sight. I hope he gets some help.
Soon after that incident it was time to head back to the airport for my flight home. But first, I tried to catch a glimpse of that high-water mark Hunter S.Thompson talked about. That place where the wave finally broke and rolled back. I couldn't see it from my room on the 21st floor.
I couldn't even spot it from the airplane window at 10,000 feet.
I guess I don't have the right kind of eyes.
Roger O'Dea 12/3/2021
