Vegas At Night

Okay, enough about Brett Favre, the Vikings, and conspiracy theories about the stadium dome collapsing. As someone pointed out, it isn't like that was the only time it has collapsed. Actually, I think it is the fifth time. They sure build them to last in Minnesota.

But on to more pleasant topics. Strolling around downtown Las Vegas at night is always kind of fun. Plenty of lights and you can actually walk from one place to another. The casinos and bars are closer together downtown then stuff inside the casinos on the strip. It literally took me half an hour to walk from the sports book of Ceaser's Palace to a smoke shop in the place, buy a cigar and walk back.

Bright Lights Of The City


On this particular evening we had eaten dinner at, I believe, Three Georges.  A very good steak house and quite reasonably priced for what you get. Not that it is cheap, but the food is very good and the ambience is classy.

Afterwards Tom, Jon and I headed for The Griffin for a nightcap.

I See The Light


This is one of my favorite nightime haunts when I am in Vegas. Mostly locals and a nice quiet place to have a drink. We were well served by a bartender whose name I took pains to write down on a napkin that I can no longer find.

The Unknown Bartender


I asked her if she would take a picture of the three of us and she gladly obliged.

Smile, Everyone


She asked me why Jon wasn't smiling and I said sometimes if you pulled his ear you could get him to smile.

Trying To Get Jon To Smile


As you can see, I wasn't very successful. She asked if she could try.

Much Better Results


We finished up our cocktails and we then headed to downtown. for a final nightcap. Unfortunately, or not, the one picture I took of the exterior was out of focus and I forgot to take any pictures inside. It was getting to be that time of night.

The Knicks played a thrilling game against the Celtics last night and for the first time in a long time I am not being sarcastic. Went down to the wire and, although they blew a seven point lead in the fourth quarter to lose by two, it was exciting all the way. Up to, and including, Amare's three pointer at the buzzer to win the game, except that it was one-tenth of a second after the buzzer.

Bring on the Heat.

Breaking Rumor

Word has leaked out that Brett Favre was so distraught at not being able to start last night's game that he gnawed off his own arm in frustration.

On Its Way To Canton?


Well, nobody said that Brett wasn't tough.

Favre Vows To Return

Brett Favre said, after missing last night's game and ending his streak of starts, that he will return.  He said with the advances in medical technology he would be back next year better than ever.

Just Strap Her On


His original arm will be shipped to Canton, Ohio.

Monday Night Football

I guess Favre must have said he needed another day to get ready.

And the Jets managed to have yet another game, their fourth, without scoring a touchdown as they lost to the Dolphins.

Who would think the high point of the day would have been watching the Knicks.  They actually beat a good team, the Nuggets, in an exciting game.  And Amare Stoudemire set a Knicks record by scoring 30 points or more in eight straight game.

I am reading Keith Richards' autobiography, "Life."  So far it is pretty good, but I think his knowledge of geography is a bit lacking.  He goes on a bit about how the Rolling Stones were originally a blues band, steeped in the history and culture of the delta, etc., etc., etc.  In one passage he says:

"Our thing was playing Chicago blues; that was where we took everything that we knew, it was our kickoff point, Chicago.  Look at that Mississippi River.  Where does it come from?  Where does it go?  Follow that river all the way up and you'll end up in Chicago."

Ah, somehow I seriously doubt you will end up in Chicago if you follow the Mississippi River all the way up.  You might end up in Minneapolis, though.  Or, maybe, Bemidji, if you keep following it.  Or Lake Itasca, if you really want to follow it all the way.  Chicago is on Lake Michigan, a slightly larger body of water than Lake Itasca.