image is everything

Ideally, one with machinations of taking a vacation would invest a little planning into the venture. But then that would take the fun out of the experience. It was that form of thinking that led to my little excursion to the big city/bright lights recently. Or lack of thinking.

Leaving the driving range the other day, the following surreal exchange took place. On information and belief, excessive sun and perhaps a margarita were involved...

instigatrix: Wanna go to Vegas?

mjw: Sure. Never been, but always wanted to go. When?

instigatrix: Now.

mjw: Don't you have to work tomorrow?

instigatrix: Eh.

mjw: Good enough for me.

And so it was. Rather than driving home, I drove to the airport. I still had golf cleats on. Got on a plane about 45 minutes later. About halfway through the flight, I found myself wondering what I had gotten myself into. Good night...I didn't even have a toothbrush or clean socks!

No matter. On the way to the casinos - no reservations had been made at this point - we stopped at Wal-Mart. Picked up the requisite toothbrush, socks, and, for good measure, a case of Red Bull. Just in case no hotel was forthcoming.

Fortuitously, we found accomodations. Of course, no luggage awaited the bellhop. All we had were a few Wal-Mart sacks. Not wanting to look like a cheapskate, I insisted that the bellhop hang our plastic sacks from his cart and chaperone them upstairs for us. I didn't want anyone in there thinking I wasn't a high roller.

Vegas truly is an amazing place. We didn't go to any shows or any of the other attractions, mostly because we didn't bring money, but plently of Blackjack got played and I finally learned how to shoot craps. Next time I go up there, I'd like to plan it ahead so I can go to some of the shows and sundry other sights, but like I said, the beauty of this most recent experience was the lack of a plan.