Skyler's New Drums

Here is a short video of Skyler when he first saw his new drum set for his 2nd birthday. He really loves them. Even though it’s for a 3 year old, the next day he had figured out how to use the bass drum pedal. Enjoy!

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With eyes fixed on the horizon, Sinatra singing away, and thoughts of sleepless nights ahead of us, I came to the realization that we were on our way to Vegas, and since I was driving it was a good idea that I had realized that early on. Trailing the countless line of cars, we were finally out of Orange County by 19h30 and after a stop at McDonald’s, a potty break north of Baker, and a short three-and-a-half hours later, we could see the oasis of light at state line.
We had reservations at Buffalo Bills for that night; we pulled in to the parking lot and found a spot right under the towering Desperado, the roller coaster that looms over the hotel like some kind of guard dog from hell.

A western theme was a constant thought out the hotel, from the cowboys hanging in the fake trees in the casino to the nightstands in the rooms that were made out of tree stumps. We dropped our stuff off in the room with trout wallpaper and set out for that crazy cowboy casino. Here’s a quick recommendation: while at Buffalo Bills don’t expect to get served any cocktails on a Friday night between 11:00 and 1:00. After eluding us for most of the night, I was just about ready to send out a search party when we saw them, a group of waitresses all headed in the same direction. We tracked them down to a corner of the casino, they were not going to get a way from us this time, we were finally going to get our free drinks. In a blink of the eye they were gone. They had disappeared into the restroom, never to be seen AGAIN!!! The horror! Eventually a cocktail waitress came around and took our order, I guess we looked pathetic enough at the nickel slots to warrant a drink. Twenty or so dollars lighter and my eyes heavy from the smoke filled casino it was time to call it a very long day.

That next morning we woke to the screams of people rushing past our window, mind you, we were on the fourth floor. I pulled the drapes back and there it stood, Desperado. All I can remember is the long journey to the top, the endless clunk, cluck, clunk. There was no end in sight, just a clear blue sky above, a mountain range in the distance, and a blurry abyss below; there was no turning back now. The last thought that raced through my mind before I heard the last clunk was, “I hope my breakfast won’t come back to visit me.” Whoosh!! Beyond was a blur, an almost vertical drop with a speed that was intense. Drops and turns followed, it was great. As it finally ended, the adrenaline was running through my veins, I felt invincible, onward to Vegas!

We hit Vegas about 45 minuets later and did a quick survey of the area. Drove down the main strip and saw the new mega hotels like Paris, The Venetian, and The Bellagio. We saw those old standards like Caesar’s Palace, The Flamingo, and The Stardust. We ventured to downtown on Fremont Street and saw those classic casinos like, The Plaza, Golden Gate and The Four Queens. After our driving tour of the city we ended up at The Hilton, and went to see The Star Trek Experience. Without going into much detail it’s close to what Star Tours is at Disneyland but the actual “experience” is what makes it great. We dropped into Quarks for a quick drink and appetizers and then headed over to The Luxor.

Unbeknownst to Jon we had reservations there. In an attempt to fool Jon, Jen and I had told him that we were staying at The Holiday Inn with that huge scary clown face on the outside. I’m sorry but there is no way in hell I would stay at a hotel where I would have to walk into the lobby by way of the Evil Clown Head. While walking though the casino at Luxor, Jen and Jon had to use the restroom. The opportunity presented itself; I bolted for the reservation desk, signed in, got the room keys and with a grin on my face headed back towards the restroom.

We were on the 21st floor with a great view of The Tropicana and the rest of the strip. The decor was Egyptian with hieroglyphics on the dressers and nightstands. It was a very nice room. Once settled in and rested a few, we soon ventured out onto the strip. We headed towards Excalibur and then to New York, New York. We hung out there and gambled a little, we then headed across the bridge to the MGM Grand. We had just barley set foot in The MGM when Laura and Sheldon called on Jen’s Phone; they had finally arrived on their Harley. We were to meet them outside in the front of The Luxor.

15 minuets later we were in front of The Luxor, Laura and Sheldon were not there. After much confusion as to where the “front” of The Luxor was we finally found them clad in leathers by the side entrance. They had ridden their Harley from Orange County to Vegas!! We showed them up to the room so they could drop their stuff off and then we all ventured out into the night. We set out to The Tropicana, the main event, Sam Butera and the Wildest at the Celebration Lounge.

We got there at around 10:00 that evening. Sam was scheduled to play at 10:25. Since we hadn’t eaten yet, the rest of the gang went to get some dinner while I held the table down front/center stage. I ordered a Sapphire Martini and just sat while the band warmed up. There I was feeling like a lounge lizard, kicking back in a lounge with martini in hand and Sam Butera on stage.

With a quick wave of his sax he was off like a tornado. He started off with the Tune, Let the Good Times Roll and then cruised into Night Train. Night Train was the first song he ever played for Louis Prima back the 1950s.

Now in 1999, Sam still wails like he did some forty years ago. He didn’t miss a beat and played all the old songs from way back when. Jen, Jonn, Laura and Sheldon returned from diner somewhere in the middle of the first set and took a seat to watch the show. After the first set, I went over to talk to Sam and buy a CD from him of which he signed. We talked about his past shows and his upcoming show sometime in L.A. at the House of Blues. He didn’t have a date for that show yet, what he said was, “Don’t worry ’bout it, baby. I’ll write you when we do.” And then socked me in the shoulder. The second set started at 11:50 and went through until 12:45. After a quick photo with Sam we then headed out to conquer the city, the city at night.

We walked to the New York, New York hotel then ventured to the Monte Carlo, took the tram to the Bellagio and stopped at the atrium to look at all the colorful and lively flowers. We took a few pictures here and headed out into the cold to cross the street to Paris. We arrived in Paris about 15 minutes later and stood in a Casino that looked like the streets of Paris. This would have to be one of my favorite themed Casinos in Vegas. We stayed there a while and decided to head back to our hotel, The Luxor. We took a taxi back Jon was beat, and we dropped him off and then headed back out. We drove over to eat Pecan Pie at the Peppermill and to see the seriously sweet surroundings inside this lava lounge of luxury. It was finally late enough to call it a night and head back around 3 in the morning. We had seen as much as Vegas as we were going to see that night and, hell, we were damn tired.

Sunday Morning Sheldon and Laura were going to head back on the Harley so they got up and ready and headed out. Jen, Jon and I checked out of the hotel and headed over to Paris for Brunch. The line was so long that the next available seat was three hours later. We decided to find some place that took less time. We ended up at New York, New York and ate at an Italian Café/Pizzeria.

We were soon on our way back home. It was a nice drive, even with the smell of stinky cheese we picked up in Paris. The wind kicked up and the whole way back gusts of wind push and pulled at the Truck.

With eyes tired and memories of smoked filled casinos and echoes of Sam’s saxophone in the distance, we all were sort of glad the weekend was at an end. We had a great time and knew we would be back soon. We arrived back in Fullerton in a short 4 hours and as the weekend drew to a close, plans for the next trip were soon in the works, Catalina baby!

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