I made it back home about 6 p.m. this evening and after punching out an 18-inch follow up on the fight, I went home and slept until 2:30 a.m. Oh well, at least I caught the second showing of Entourage.

I don't want anyone to think that because I cut my trip a day and a half short that I didn't have a good time. That's actually far from the truth, I had a great time. However it was so damn hot that it ruined my Sunday plans, which are to walk down the strip and check out as many hotel lounge acts as I can. Also I wanted to get home before early Tuesday morning.

But I go to hang out with my good friend Brew for the first time since he left Florida. And I really got to meet his brother, who I knew but didn't really KNOW. Kyle is a funny cat too. I can really see the similarities between the two of them, it was a good time.

I also got to do a bit of clubbing with Jessica and it's always a joy to spend some time with her. Oddly enough Brew, Kyle and Jessica are all from Kentucky although Jessica will probably only claim California as her home.

So without further ado, more Vegas tales.

Best Food

...Definitely a cross between the fruit plate at Raffles Cafe (Mandalay Bay) and the Garlic Chicken Pizza at Wolfgang Puck's Grill (MGM Grand). Now I never thought a fruit plate at a cafe would get best food honors, especially a fruit plate that runs $11. But it was a massive dish of fresh, delicious watermelon, pineapple, papaya, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cantaloupe and honeydew. It came with raspberry shebert and banana nut bread. This thing was freakin' awesome. And healthy to boot.

The Garlic Chicken Pizza just melts in the mouth. I never thought I'd taste a slice of pizza that good outside of Brooklyn.


Best Gambling Story

...Friday night at the San Remo capped a terrible blackjack weekend. I didn't stand a chance at the tables. I'd throw down a $100 and be gone in ten minutes. Cotey faired no better but at least he could've gotten up.

Ok, after dropping an initial 50-60 at blackjack, Cotey went up against Remo's closer. Now you all remember this woman, I described her on a previous trip. Calling her a closer is a baseball term for the pitcher that closes the game because their stuff is unhittable. Well this closer had already beaten me and Cotey in past trips and I wanted NOTHING to do with her. But Cotey decided to go after her with a small investment (50) and to my surprise, he was beating her solidly. He actually had regained the money he lost in his first trip to the table that night AND he was up about $20-30.

He should've walked away.

The Remo, sensing that their closer is tired, sends her out of the game and brings in the lefty. The lefty is their other closer, way younger, WAY cuter. After a couple of "feeler" hands, Cotey places $25 down and draws an 11 with the dealer showing a 5. Cotey decides to double and draws a 9 for a 20. Should be a winner and the extra $50 will surely send him home happy.

Nope, they pushed. No harm, no foul...No extra $50.

So Cotey, undeterred throws down another $25 and draws a blackjack. Great that's $37.50 in the post unless....

They Pushed.

So basically in two hands Cotey has lost $87.50 of almost guaranteed profit.

And then the closer gets aggressive. She pulled 20 or 21 on the next FIVE hands, leaving Cotey with nothing more than his pride. After the final hand Cotey says "I hate the fucking Remo". Amen brother.