HB & Robbie C in Vegas

Note: I'm probably missing a lot of details in this description of our Vegas trip, maybe because it was undescribable!

Probably goes without saying that Rob and I were estactic to be heading to Las Vegas, Nevada for vacation. It was our first time in the city of bright lights, Elvis, and showgirls, and it showed. As we were about touchdown, our excitement mounted higher and higher at the sight of desert and mountains (or as we grew to call them 'mow-taings'). The desert heat hit us immediately as we left the ear-popping plane. An amazing 40°C (and it maintained that temperature for the rest of the vacation)!

At the Tropicana Hotel they didn't have the room we requested available, so they upgraded us to an Island Tower room. Bonus! We quickly threw our baggage into the room, so we can explore the Strip, but not before taking notice the king-size bed had mirrors surrounding it at the top, right, and above. Funny. Now, we walk. This being our first time here, our senses are loaded with bright flashing colours selling tonights show and sounds of the 80s blaring from hidden speakers, creating feelings you get when you first enter a candy store as a kid. We walk forever in the heat seeking refuge at cooling stations and air-conditioned casinos serving free beer, we thought we can go on without sleep, so we wouldn't miss one beat of this city. Fat chance! We wuz tired!

The next day we continue walking despite blisters from the other day. Walking past vendors handing out strippers-to-your-door fliers we found Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. There, we posed with many celebrity wax-replicas. Touching and prodding them as much as the curators would allow. Very fun. At night we head over to Cheetahs, the topless club where they filmed the movie Showgirls. Surrounded by beautiful women, I kinda got carried away with the booze, making the next day a write-off. Sleep and vomitting took up the whole day, leaving me enough energy to eat at Todai for a Japanese buffet dinner.

Tuesday was spa day. We booked that day to get ourselves pampered a bit. I got an aromatherapy wrap and a massage, and it felt good! At the end of it all my skin felt smooth, my body relaxed, and I smelt like coconut, almond, jasmine, and eucalyptus at the same time. And at night I decided to take in a show. I went to see Zumanity and it was awesome! Nothing beats watching half-naked contortionists, acrobats, and dancers performing unbelievable feats. Highly recommended!

Then it was time to leave. I was sad to go. I had to take in the sights one last time, trying to burn in the imagery into my mind what my camera couldn't capture. We board the plane. Rob gave up his window seat, so I can see the Vegas terrain as we took off. Lotta mow-taings. At our stop-over in Minneapolis we were running late, so we had to run for it like you see people do in the movies. Finally we were home in Winnipeg. It was weird coming back, we had just left a city with bright lights and +40° weather to a flat town with a mild 15° temperature. It felt so laid back compared to the energy of Las Vegas. I kinda missed it. But can't wait to leave it again! ;)

Photos of our trip can be found here.

SONG OF THE DAY
Jody Watley - I'm Looking For A New Love

The countdown begins...

In about 34 hours me and my pal, Rob, will be boarding a plane to fabulous Minneapolis! What's in Minneapolis? Another plane to wisk us off to Las Vegas, Nevada! What's in Las Vegas? Nothing but 4 nights of family-oriented sin!

I've lost sleep thinking about Vegas. It'll be the first time to fly in a plane. It'll be that farthest I've even been from home (Edmonton being the furthest so far). It'll be just two guys in a town geared for having a good time and we have no gameplan whatsoever! I was just thinking of standing in the middle of the street and letting the natural flow of the city's energy take me whereever it wants. If anyone happens to see us, feel free to join us in the grand adventure they call Sin City. Drinks on whoever feels like paying.

On a different topic, if you're philipino born in North America, please rent The Debut. It's like watching your family onscreen...only with a dance-off. Please check it out.

"An award-winning English language film for the whole family, "the Debut" revolves around Ben Mercado (Danté Basco), a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage. The long-simmering feud between Ben and his immigrant father Roland (Tirso Cruz III) threatens to boil over and ruin the 18th birthday party of Ben's sister Rose (Bernadette Balagtas). But to Ben's surprise, his sister's celebration challenges his sense of misplaced identity, and the way he regards his father and grandfather (Filipino film legend Eddie Garcia). In one night, Ben faces the true nature of his relationships with his family, his friends, and himself."
Summary by Anonymous on IMDB.com

SONG OF THE DAY
Christina Milian - Dip It Low (JJ Flores Extended Mix)

To be categorized under: WTF!?

Ika, the Calamari Wrestler. I really don't know what to say about this. Um... Hooray for outside-the-box thinking? Uh, yeah...the trailer to this is 2nd from the bottom right.

SONG OF THE DAY
Mase - Welcome Back

Beautiful weather today, wasn't it?

And guess what I did to enjoy this weather? I went shopping (was at Polo Park 3 days in a row), had ice cream (2 for $2 sundaes at McDicks), and watched a couple of rentals in my cold basement (highly recommend 50 First Dates). :P

SONG OF THE DAY
Specials - Hey, Little Rich Girl

I wanna see Saw!

This trailer freaked me out! If it weren't for the fact I have complete control over my bowel movements, I'd crap my pants after seeing that. Definitely for the horror/thriller aficionados. Geez... I'm gonna go listen to some Quiet Storm to put me at ease.

SONG OF THE DAY
Patti Austin & James Ingram - Baby Come To Me

FEEL MY BIONIC ELBOW OF FURY!!

This past Monday and Tuesday, me and my amigos were at the WWE Raw and Smackdown shows, respectively. Even though we had less than spectacular seats, it was a fun time filled with blood, sweat, and smoke! Good times, good times.

Though I'm fully aware of it's homo-erotic undertones and it's ridiculous storylines, there's something about wrestling I find appealing. I think it's because it's the closest thing we have to real-life super heroes. Think about it: characters in colourful costumes, larger than life physiques, good guys vs. bad guys, people performing incredible feats and taking inhuman amount of pain. The only difference is the whole "flying and shooting lasers out of your eyeballs" thing, and I think they're going to have the Undertaker do that next week.

SONG OF THE DAY
Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You

Happy Canada Day!

G'day, eh? I hope everyone's enjoying their day off to celebrate Canada Day. Whether it be camping, catching the fireworks display, or just getting piss-drunk. Me? I did what any good Canadian would do and saw Spider-Man 2.

I have to say that I enjoyed it. Even though the movie had the same amount of cheesiness the first one had (must be a Sam Raimi-thing) and many parallels can be made to the first movie (villain created in lab accident, kidnaps MJ, yadda yadda yadda), I thought the overall presentation was superb. The effects were better, fight scenes were really cool, and you still feel for Parker (the poor sap).

Verdict: Well, it get a (some-what biased) thumbs up from this comic-nerd! And if you're wondering what Spidey and Canada have in common? Not a damn thing, you hoser.

SONG OF THE DAY
Hidden Cameras - Boys Of Melody

I must be tired....

I was going to go on a rant on how addicting the internet is, but I didn't have the energy to do it. BUT...It did remind me of one of the reasons why it's addicting: mindless dribble that yet somehow manage to entertain.

SONG OF THE DAY
Prince - I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man