Nothing Like The First Time
I don't get gambling addictions. I mean, I “get” it, but I don't really understand it. Maybe it's because I’ve never won anything; the first time I went to Vegas, I wasted $20 on slots because I was in Vegas and that's what you do. It also wasn't what I was expecting. When I thought about slots growing up I pictured you getting to pull the big lever, see a bunch of flashing lights and sounds and hear the “clink, clink, clink” of all the coins falling into the tray. But no, all you do is sit there and press a button over and over and over… mind-numbing and boring.
The NAF (National Ataxia Foundation) hosts a conference every year. It's about all forms of Ataxia, new developments, and information regarding the disease. The year in question (2013) it was held in Vegas, and I just happened to turn 21… how convenient. My family and good friends I had known for years, Johnson and Amrit came along as well as my friend Victoria who also has FA. We had booked a standard ADA room at the hotel, however when we arrived we were told that they had made a mistake and overbooked the rooms. To make up for this they upgraded me to a fully wheelchair accessible suite for no extra charge. The hotel suite was gorgeous with a fully accessible shower, massive king bed and a giant jacuzzi in the center of the room.
Room for 3 plus me.
The conference had several meetings regarding Ataxia, however, I blew them all off because hey, I was young and dumb and in Vegas. My entourage and I were tearing up the streets of Vegas, bar-hopping, taking pictures with a sexy Catwoman, and the like. While exploring the strip in a drunken stupor, Victoria said she wanted to go to this country nightclub. Being the gentleman I am, I agreed to go as her date. When we arrived at the club I still had 3/4s of my meter tall margarita and the bouncer told me that I couldn't bring it in with me. So I could either leave it outside or I'd have to get rid of it. I simply replied “Well, I don't want to waste it” and proceeded to chug the rest of my margarita. In hindsight, it was probably not the best idea, but 21-year-old me thought otherwise. I couldn't hear or see anything in the nightclub, and this was before I lost my vision. So I just bought a beer from the bar and pretty much sat there the whole time. Did you know that's why they play music so loud at nightclubs. So that nobody can hear anything, so you keep buying more drinks since there is nothing else to do.
I think shes got a little Kitty on the way!
“I think this will quench my thirst”
The next night, I don't even remember what we did for the day, all I do remember was that I had a choice between a conference dinner that cost $125 or getting to see Jerry Seinfeld live… easy choice. My dad said the food sucked anyways. Johnson, Amrit and I bought tickets to see the iconic legend, Jerry Seinfeld. I don’t recall much of the show, except that it was silly, yet terrific in Seinfeld fashion. I am sure if I could recount more of the day’s activities I would have a few more paragraphs to add to this post.
And of course, I have saved the best for last. It was our final night in Vegas. We decided to explore the quintessential Freemont Street, an ADD sufferer's worst nightmare, as every two steps there is something else going on. A pandora of the mystical, magical, and just plain bizarre. Whether it be the street-long canopy light show, a Michael Jackson impersonator, or a large minotaur-like man in a thong and assless chaps (he winked at me) taking photos with people or one of the many other wonders you are bound to find there. Freemont Street is a Vegas Must-see.
A picture does not do it justice, but it is the best I got.
After returning to the strip we witnessed the mesmerizing fountain show outside of the Bellagio. We continued our adventure walking down the strip and we finally arrived at the the Mirage Hotel and Casino around midnight. In the lobby of the hotel, they had a sandwich deli, which worked out perfectly as I was a tad peckish and a little drunk at this point. The waiter came to take our orders but I was not sure what I wanted, so I asked what the most popular item on the menu was. The waiter suggested the cornbeef sandwich which sounded alright…or pretty lame if you ask me. But I ordered it anyway. The sandwich that ended up in front of me was literally two slices of bread with one pound of cornbeef in between. Challenge accepted. This resulted in me shoveling fistfuls of meat into my facehole, as I attempted to finish the sandwich. I gave it the old college try.
Beef, It’s whats for dinner.
After a little partying, it was time to simmer down as I had to get up early to make my flight. Johnson and Amrit came up to my room to quickly throw me in bed before they headed back to their hotel as it was three in the morning. Unfortunately, I had to be awake for 6am to make my flight home. When my mom came to interrupt my snooze three hours later, she yanked back the covers and was surprised to see chunks of cornbeef… but she didn’t know it was beef. My poor mother thought I shit myself. All in all, it was a memorable trip for me and especially my mom, and there's nothing like the first time in Vegas!
