Well, first let me say I won $100 on the penny slots — yes, the penny slots — this morning. The Wheel of Fortune machine. Tres fun. That improved my mood considerably.
So my colleague and I decided to go down to the “Tickets 4 Tonight” booth at the south end of the Strip, and lo and behold, they had tickets for Mamma Mia. God bless Abba. We purchased $75 tickets for $37.50 each. I’ve been wanting to see Mamma Mia for quite some time so hopefully it will be a good show.
Back home tomorrow, thank God. One night at home in 10 days in too few for me.
A big winner I am not, although I did win $60 on the Joker’s Wild slots yesterday — remember that TV show from the 70s/80s? Loved it! — and $20 on Slingo slots.
I’m kinda over Vegas. Slots bore me and table games aren’t in my budget. The conference is really good, though, and tonight I had dinner with some old friends plus a few new ones (and I got to be the big shot and pay lol). I really want to return to the eastern time zone and sleep in my own bed. I haven’t been much of a party girl at all, but I’m blaming that on the weather: It is going to be 28 damn degrees overnight. I’ve had to wear my jacket when going out, plus a scarf and gloves at night — and I am from the midwest. I know cold. Brrrrrr.
What else is new? Nothing much. No word from my ex, so I guess all of the drama surrounding us both being in Vegas at the same time was for naught, although I figured that would be the case. I think I’m going to watch Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby and crawl into my tragically uncomfortable hotel bed. At least the bathrooms are nice here, with a delightful shower stall and deep bathtub …
Flew into Vegas today. The flight was nearly 30 minutes late getting in, so that meant over 4 1/2 hours on the plane. Good times.
I’m pooped. Lots of running around today. I’m not sure that I like what Vegas does to me. I had three rum-and-diet-cokes plus spent about $30 gambling (all gone). We gambled at Paris, Caesars and Bellagio. Maybe I’m just melancholy and tired but Vegas doesn’t seem nearly as cool as it did when I was 23. Then again, I’ve been awake for 19 hours and everything may look bright and shiny and new tomorrow.
I’ve been doing some thinking lately, about my life and what I want for myself. I don’t wany any more half-assed gestures, that’s for sure. It irritates me that Ryan sent me those instant messages because it forced him to the forefront of my mind. It also irritates me that my ex has been acting in such a half-assed way. Both Josh and Ryan have made it clear that their careers are their top priorities. I can’t fight that and maybe after 12 years it’s time that I stopped trying.
Why is everything so easy to understand when I’m exhausted? I wish I cut through the bullshit like this all of the time …
While I was waiting for my flight this morning in Detroit, two guys struck up a conversation with me. They asked if I lived in Indianapolis, and what was there to do on a Sunday night? I said, “Hmmm … there may be a Colts game?” Well, duh, that’s why they were in town. They flew in on the red-eye from Seattle, with a four-hour layover in Detroit. They said that they left the airport and drove over to Canada for breakfast. Why not? When the guy told me where they were staying, I must have made a face. The other guy asked what was wrong and I said that the area gets a bit dicey. Both guys said, “Great!” but in completely different tones of voice. Yeah, I’m a great ambassador for my city. Sigh.
So I got home from the airport about noon. I dragged my crap inside and upstairs, immediately threw my clothes in the washer and then crawled into bed for a nap. It felt sooo good to be back in my own bedroom that I can’t believe that I’m flying out again tomorrow. Then again, I can’t believe I will be in Vegas this time tomorrow. I haven’t been there in about 5 years, and each time I’ve gone, I was with my then-husband. Hopefully this trip will create some new, single-girl memories for me … or maybe I’ll just get really really drunk and text message then men who are currently irritating me!
Apparently, my 4 flights in 10 days has made me too
cool to double-check departure times. After getting
through security, etc, I still have 2 hours to kill.
Yay me.
So I’m flying back home Sunday morning. I should be back at my apartment by 11 a.m., so I can unpack, do laundry and repack for my Monday morning flight to Las Vegas. Gah. The flight out west is just over four hours and I. have. a. middle. seat. Double gah. There are a limited number of seats available for a $15 upgrade fee, so I will pay that out of my own pocket if it means an aisle or window seat.
In the bargain of the month, I scored 30 romance novels for $2 at the library here! They were in grab bags, so I didn’t know what I was in for. I was pleasantly surprised with the selection. There were even a few Harlequin Blaze books in the mix. A few cowboy books — not my style — and quite a few “regency” romances (with ye old lords and ladies) — I’ll save those for times of sheer boredom … like the 10 hours I will spend on planes over the next six days …
Scene: My parents’ house. My brother and I are in the family room, eating lunch. My parents are in the kitchen.
Dad: I was watching a movie last night and Xzibit was in it.
Mom: Xzibit Xzibit?
Dad: Yeah, when he was young.
Me: Wait, are you guys talking about Xzibit the rapper?
Dad: Duh. Pimp my ride!
Thanksgiving at my parents is always kind of slow. I made my potato casserole and later cooked up the cranberry sauce. That’s it. Watched some football, watched some of the Detroit parade, eh eh eh. I was online, hoping to find something interesting to read, when I had the thought to check my other yahoo messenger ID. The ID I used to chat with Ryan. I stopped using it when he stopped talking to me. To my surprise, I had two messages from him, both from last weekend. One was a link that didn’t work. The other message was an apology, of sorts. He said I was on his mind during the Michigan State-Penn State football game and that he was sorry for the way that he acted. No elaboration.
My first instinct was to reply, but what is there for me to say? Sometimes apologies don’t make that much of a difference.
I flew into Detroit today, an uneventful trip except for having to (a) get up 2 damn hours earlier and then (b) driving 25 more damn miles than normal. But, despite long lines at both the ticket counter and security, I was through both in 20 minutes. In fact, the line at Starbucks was more annoying. My flight was not even half full and after five flights into Detroit in the past two years, I finally figured out that there’s a monorail that takes you to baggage claim, saving me a 10-minute walk.
My mom and I did some shopping today and ran errands. Without even thinking about it, I was pretty open with her today. I told her about my date last night, my doctor’s visit last week, etc. I didn’t say anything about my ex, except for recounting the Bob Seger-esque text message he sent — which, by the way, no one has left me any suggested texts to send to my ex. Get to work on that, ‘k? — and the general consensus was, too bad for the dumbass that he fucked things up with me. Sometimes it IS nice to be around family. ; )
I finally got my birthday gift from my brother, six weeks later. Much to my surprise, it was a PostSecret book. I love PostSecret and apparently so does my brother. He was surprised that I read the site regularly, so it was a fun moment of brother-sister connection. My mom thought the entire concept was depressing, but my brother and I enjoy it. The book was one of my items on my “Secret Santa” for the Did I Say That forum Xmas gift exchange, so I’ll have to delete it. Yay, fun gift for me!
I started a trashy book on the flight today; I need to finish it up. When I say “need to,” I mean that I am compelled to. These books are basically porn with a somewhat classy cover and a flimsy plot. But I have a few friends hooked on the books, and even put a box in the mail to Kat. I’ll definitely be reading a book or two during my upcoming flights. Eight hours to and from Vegas is a bit much for me without something dirty to read …
My first “first date” since February was … eh, not so much. Really nice guy. Didn’t look a damn thing like his picture. No sparks. I was shocked when I got back to my car and it was only 8:30 — I thought it had to be at least 9:30 or 10. Nope. Just 90 minutes of chit-chat. Sigh. He wasn’t unattractive, just … eh. I’m kinda bummed, because he mentioned he’s a fan of the Daily Show and a democrat. He paid for dinner, that was nice. He mentioned his ex-girlfriend about 10 times. I mentioned my ex-husband once. Actually, he kind of reminded me of my ex-husband.
Speaking of, I’ve decided that turnabout is fair play and next week — the Vegas week — I’m going to send him nonsensical text messages. Leave me your suggestions in the comments, or else I’ll have to stick with lyrics from Night Moves, aka “the greatest song eveq!” (sic)
Sorry to disappoint y’all with a non-tawdry date report. You’ll just have to find me a better man next time!!!
