My First Trip to Las Vegas

I'm back from my first ever trip to "Sin City". It was...quite an experience. The flight there was cake, and finding our hotel and everything was easy. We stayed at the Excalibur. Friday mom, Karla and I went walking down the strip, but it was easy to get lost. These giant casinos are like, blocks long, so easy to get disoriented in. Also, I got dragged along for the shopping, and since dad was at a boring machine shop, I was kind of stuck either way. That evening we went to the Tournament of Kings at the hotel, which was by far my favorite part of the weekend. We were sitting in the section cheering for France, and the king of France was incredibly hawt. Every time he rode by he would get the whole crowd cheering. Probably helped that our section was mostly girls who were more than willing to stand up and scream. Also, our king was the champion, and there were some amazing acrobats too. The staging was beautifully done. I had such a great evening that I was hoarse by the end, I could barely talk. Next morning was the drag races. The track in Vegas is nice, and our favorite drivers did very well. We also had tickets for the Checker Auto courtesy tent, which was great, as it was a quiet, shady spot with free water and lunch served.

However, after that, things started to go downhill. Dad and Mom insisted that we go out and check out the scene. We took a cab down the strip, even though I was incredibly tired already from the day at the races, and seeing all the lights and things was cool. We had dinner and my folks insisted that I get a drink, which was fine. Then we wandered through a few casinos and heard some music and things. Still ok, but I was getting even more tired. Next we took a cab down to Fremont Street, to see the light show. Also cool, and we saw a guy who was doing the most amazing paintings, with spray paint and putty knives. Such a cool concept that I actually bought one, which rocked. By then though, I was utterly exhausted, and wanting to go back to the hotel and sleep. But no. More shopping and more visiting casinos and clubs. I was trying to be a good sport, but I really find it difficult to have fun when I'm so tired and when I feel so out of my element. Gambling is not something that appeals to me at all, and I hate being in a crowd with loud music playing. Dad could sense that I was getting tired, and finally we went back to the hotel. They stayed downstairs to gamble a bit more, but I went straight upstairs and went to bed. It's not that I didn't want to have fun, but my idea of fun is very different from that of my family in the long run.

Today I had to endure a lecture about this from my mom, who still insists that no, I can't possibly be as introverted as I say I am, and that I really need to learn to be more social. Is it really that hard to understand that I feel the way I feel and I'm not going to try to force change? I can handle being social in small doses, and on my terms. I think next time I go to Vegas it'll be more for the shows and the sights, and with people who don't want to just go out and get trashed and waste money. I felt so awkward gambling, it was like throwing money away, and it just felt wrong. If I'm going to spend money, I'm going to use it for something that I can show for it, rather than just a chance to get more.