Las Vegas

Hot and I ventured out west to Sin City for Thanksgiving. Most people's responses to our telling them our Thanksgiving plans was a dash of shock, sprinkled wth awe. Las Vegas isn't exactly your traditional Thanksgiving getaway. But those same people would swing towards approval once we informed them that Vegas becomes my annual familial round-up locale. I guess it's not as a sinful if you're there with the fam.

There is plenty to do in Las Vegas. Especially if your girlfriend is an olympic medalist speed walker. One day we walked over 11 miles. I complained and she just kept on walking. But thanks to her we did get to experience classic Vegas.

Casinos: With stops at Ceasars Palace, Wynn, Venetian, Mirage, Bellagio, Paris, the glitz can be a bit overwhelming. It's all so ornate and over the top. From the gondolas on the canals at the Venetian to the moving statues in the Forum at Caesars, it's all very intense.

Stratosphere: This is one of the highlights of the trip. Go through one of the lamest casinos on the strip to get to one of the coolest spots on the strip, the top of the Stratosphere. We strapped ourselves into a seat and this thing shot us straight up in the air a couple of times. You go weightless for a couple of seconds and the ride is well worth the $15 we spent on it. The view from the top is incredible.

Cirque: Now when my parents got me tickets to see Cirque de Soleil's Love, I was less than thrilled. However, those Cirque people are incredible. It was a blast, dare I even say balst? I was thoroughly entertained the entire show. If you have never seen Cirque, click on this link to buy tickets now. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

Gambling: There are 7 million different ways to lose money in Las Vegas. I think next time I'll just go up to my hotel room, pull out my cash and light it on fire a split second before I drop it in the toilet and flush it.

Family: Not usually a part of the Vegas experience but it was wonderful getting to see some family I don't see very often and spend a few days with Hot.

Greg's Temporary Desk

So I know you're wondering, who is this Greg character? The more important question, however, is why does Greg have a temporary desk? In no less than 250 words, I will tell you.

When the mantle of Middle Earth was formed nearly 700,000 years ago and he who shall not be named rose from its molten depths in search of forlorn lovers Edward and Bella, there was foretold a prophesy. This prophesy spoke of one desk. One desk to rule them all. Enter Greg. As the son of two wise Elderin Elves, Greg was happy with his permanent desk. It was elbaborately decorated, ornate, and magnificent to view. Townspeople spoke of its opulent furnishings and travelers ventured form far and wide to gaze upon its splendor. It was even rumored that the desk contained, deep within it's mahogany framing, magical healing powers that could restore health to the sickest, or cure even the meanest case of carpal tunnel. And so Greg was happy. Happy until the day the Morlocks rose from the underworld and removed Greg's desk, piece by piece. Greg was powerless to stop them of course and found little solace in a cruel and hostile, desk-stealing world. Greg slipped into a deep depression, wallowing in the mire of his own defeat, mourning the loss of his 'precious'. But all was not lost, for the townspeople built Greg a new desk, a temporary stand-in that would, at the very least, provide for Greg a safe harbor, a respite in the storm that was his search for redemption, for retribution.

Oops

I just realized that the '24' season premier was tonight. My apologies, iPhone will be punished.

3 planes, 2 Italians and 1 psychopath

That pretty much sums up my weekend. And if you weren't there for it, I'm sorry you missed it. But if you want to get a feel for what it was like, watch the season premier of '24' next week.

Also, my iPhone has figured out how to take a picture of itself. One step closer to becoming self-aware. iPhone will be contacting you soon with further instructions.

40 Seconds

Life is funny. I flew about 800 miles, over 4 states, sunup to sundown and was late getting home by 40 seconds. 40 seconds meant that I had to fly to another airport and find a ride home (thanks Hot) because my home airport is under construction and the airport turns into a pumpkin at sunset. Well, maybe not a pumpkin but the place shuts down at official sunset. Really, no exceptions. I was just under 2 miles from touchdown when it shut down. Now you may think that I was a little upset about the whole thing, a day like that coming down to 40 seconds. Not even a little bit. It wasn't too long ago that I wasn't even getting paid to fly. In fact, I was paying other people a lot of money so that I could fly. A year ago, I could only dream to have this kind of "40 second problem". So I hope that I never lose sight of the fact that the problems I have today are problems of progress and luxury. Life is real good.

Those helicopters in the photo are Blackhawks. One followed me into Gainesville this afternoon. Pretty cool.

The t is silent

That's what I learned about mortgage when I purchased my first home 9 days ago.

But what a home! It really is amazing and I recommend that everyone go out and buy a home if you don't already own one. Hot and I found a great little condo in the woods and the price was awesome. So thanks to some really great people (Dave the Realtor and Dennis the Magic Mortgage Man), we are home owners. Here is a picture of Hot in our new place.

Nik and Gina

Congratulations to newly married Nik and Gina. Two of the best people I know and I was honored to be a part of their special day. You guys are awesome!