The Art of Not Gambling in Las Vegas...Well, Almost

The Friday of my Vegas trip (a.k.a. the day after I ate alone) my friend had to work a half day. I figured I could handle a half day alone on the strip as I hadn't yet seen the whole thing. So be proud of me again because since he doesn't stock breakfast food in his house, I ate breakfast alone at the Starbucks at MGM. Okay, so that's not such a big deal because a lot people eat alone at Starbucks, but remember this is new for me. I also ate a muffin and a had a bottled water so it's not like I was there long. Anyway, the day before my friend had picked me up at MGM. I got there a little early so I figured I'd wander around, check out the lions, and then play a two cent slot machine. Big spender I am, huh? I sat at a two cent slot machine for a half hour and spent...wait for it...$2.00. Yes, two dollars, oh, shoot, maybe it was only $1.00, regardless, it was one or two. Well, my friend called to say he was there so I cashed out and I had $2.44 left, which brings us back to the point of the story. I had him drop me off at MGM Friday morning and after an over-priced, but tasteful breakfast at Starbucks (I hardly ever go there in "real life" as I don't drink coffee), I decided to spend my $2.44 at another two cent slot machine. I suppose I could have cashed it, but who really wants to go to the cashier and ask for $2.44 or stand at the cash machine while other people are waiting for big bucks and I have $2.44 so I am almost embarrassed to admit this, but that $2.44 lasted me two hours. I did switch machines at one point just to get up and stretch, but yes, two hours. Does that make me a loser? Okay, well, perhaps, I am, but not for that reason as I've seen people spend hours in a casino. As I was pretty tired from a late night the night before, it was a nice chill way to start the day that involved little thinking. I just kept hitting a button. Following my two hours of wasting time aka the two cent slot machine, it was off to the strip to visit some casinos and shops I hadn't been to the day before. I mostly just looked around, bought a souvenir and a bottle of water (very exciting huh?) and took some pictures. I guess two hours at a slot machine was enough gambling for one day. Who goes to Vegas and hardly gambles? Me. Then when my friend got off work I met him at a bar at Planet Hollywood. He was there before I was and all ready playing video poker and having a drink so I ordered a drink and since I wasn't gambling it cost me $10. Jeeze, I could get the same thing down the street for $5 or $6, even in NYC two days ago it was only $6. Guess these gamblers have the right idea since they get their drinks for free! Oh, well. We spent the rest of the afternoon driving/walking around Lake Mead. We weren't dressed for the beach, but we decided to check it out since we were there. It was amazing to see such an empty beach and for the water to be so warm. You don't find that around here too often at this time of year. Of course I imagine most people don't associate Vegas with the beach so I guess I get the lack of people. I won't bore you to death with all the details of the rest of the day: dinner, me baking dessert, which was a hit if I may be so conceited as to say so (it's interesting to bake at other people's houses when you can't find half the stuff you need, ugh, but I managed, barely, but I did), and a Netflix movie. Had to be an earlyish night because I was being forced to get up at 7AM the next day, but I'll save that for a future blog. :)

P.S. I realize the hat doesn't match my outfit, but it was hot and sunny around Lake Mead so I was trying to refrain from getting a sunburn on my scalp.