airport drunk

Got some crazy plans coming up... Next week I'll be flying to Las Vegas (again), but then the next day heading over to Vancouver for the weekend. Back to Vegas, then staying for 3 weeks (lots of business to take care of), then back to BC (although technically flying to Spokane this time) to spend a month at a ski resort, sort of an extended vacation.

Hopefully I can manage it all, I'm basically packing for a 2 month trip with 1 carryon duffel bag (not counting my checked snowboarding gear, which I also stuffed my pants and jacket into).

Man, what a trip... After spending a full day drinking out at the pool in 115 degree heat, I managed to land myself in bed for a day with heatstroke... What a waste of a Saturday night, at least my suite at the Venetian was comfy :) Met this guy with a cool Las Vegas dating blog.

Chilled at the Wolfgang Puck Express at McCarran again... Had a few glasses of a very nice bottle of Macallan 18 year old scotch they had behind the bar. I had blazed through security in like 8 minutes so I had quite a bit of time to kill. I told the bartender that they were boarding in a few minutes and he told me I could probably wait 25 minutes before heading to the gate. I didn't want to look like a douchebag and say I was flying first class and wanted to get on the plane first, so I just smiled and paid.

What a great sleep! Had two glasses of red wine and passed out like a baby, waking up when we were landing in Houston. This was my first redeye flight in first, I always figured it'd be a waste because you don't get to enjoy all the cool shit, but it was the most comfortable plane sleep I'd ever had (aside from the time I had the whole row to myself and stretched out on it). Landed at Houston at an awkward 5am or so, and had 2 hours to kill in the Presidents Lounge. Didn't have an appetite for breakfast so I just enjoyed a couple coffees with Baileys and read some blogs for a couple of hours (brain wasn't functioning at a high enough level to get any work done).

The second flight was alright, I made the wrong choice for breakfast, but the bloody marys made up for it. Had a great chat with a young retired guy who flies down to Costa Rica every month to hang out for a week... People always wonder why I am flying first class at such a young age (and not dressed for business or anything) so it was cool being able to talk business with someone who seemed genuinely interested. Was the first one off the plane and through customs (which I am a pro at), and headed home to catch up on some work and then soak in my jacuzzi with a bottle of wine. All in all a great trip (aside from that sick day).

Yes, I'm on my way to Vegas again. Flew International Business Class this time... It's been a while since I flew first class, but damn do I miss it! Started on my first bloody mary before the first economy passenger was even on board... Breakfast was great too. I actually chose the traditional Costa Rican rice and beans breakfast just because I knew I'd get my fill of bacon and eggs over the next 9 days in Las Vegas, and it was quite good. It's so nice having a dedicated flight attendant just for us. You really notice the benefit of carrying on your luggage when you fly first class, nothing like being off the plane and out of the airport before the last coach passenger even deplanes!

Now I'm in IAH in the Presidents Club lounge, enjoying a comfortable armchair and free alcoholic drinks and wifi. Great because I know I'm not going to get any work done over the next week, so I may as well cram it in now while I've got the time. It's been a while since I was in the Presidents Club, now I'm considering buying a membership. With my elite status it won't cost that much yearly really, and you more than make up for it with the free wireless and drinks. Apparantly they are raising the prices later in the year though. Hmm...

Had a great time in Las Vegas as always, ended up getting a smoking deal on a condo that had foreclosed. Already found a renter too, and have a buddy doing the property management. That is how you make money in a bad economy ;)

For some reason I never think of going online when waiting for my flight at McCarran International, hell I don't even know how good their wifi is. I'm always just so worn out from the desert dryness and nevada heat that I flop down at the gate and wait for the boarding call. Houston was it's usual self... It's really my home away from home, I'm there so much. We saw some Quakers or something walking around the terminal, that was kind of weird... Dude with a big bushy white beard and his son, both dressed in the same overalls with long sleeved collared shirts and these straw hats, and the mother and daughter both with braids in matching flowered ankle-length house dresses. Not something you see every day, I wonder how these trips into society corrupts the kids like that.

I just can't stay away from this place! Just checked into the Venetian, which by the way is my favorite hotel in Vegas. It just seems like the service is so much better, and the rooms higher quality, while only being a bit more than the others... Plus you've got Caesers Forum Shops and Canal Shops nice and close for overpriced retail shopping (I like to browse and then buy my shit online haha).

Anyway it was a great travel day, flew Continental like always, took carry on luggage only, breezed through Customs nice and quick, had a great lunch at the Sky Box (they've changed their menu somewhat though and got rid of my favorite grilled chicken pesto panini, but have replaced it with a similar grilled chicken and cheese snadwich so I'll live). They were also out of Bass so I had a couple texas-sized Sam Adams instead.

Good friend of mine picked me up from McCarran, and we had pho at the vietnamese noodle place in Treasure Island... Sounds silly but after being in Costa Rica for so long I really miss stuff like pho.

It's gonna be a busy week, meeting up with a realtor tomorrow to look at foreclosures. Vegas' real estate market is plummeting and it's a good time for people with cash (ie. me) to buy!

The only bar near my gate seems to be part of a Wolfgang Puck Express... Now they won't let me order food at the bar, they do have menus available but apparantly I have to walk to the counter on the other side of the room to order. I think I'll just enjoy my beer instead ;) I hate overnight redeye flights, so I always figure the more I drink beforehand the quicker I'll get to sleep once I board the plane. I always enjoy a red wine once in flight, although the selection from most airlines in coach is pretty sad. I mean I'll pay extra for good wine (and the guys in first class get it free?!)

The slot machines are hilarious, one of those Vegas things I guess. McCarran (LAS) is full of them, they even have sealed off areas so you can smoke and lose whatever money you have left over before you get on your plane and head back to normalcy... If your life is normal, I guess. I must be the only guy who visits Las Vegas for two weeks at a time ;)

I'm on my way to Houston and then Costa Rica... I normally love the Houston airport (more on that later), but I know the 2 hour morning layover will be pretty dull. Such is the price I pay for living so far away from the real world I guess.

After being in Vancouver for Christmas, who wouldn't want a trip to Vegas? Thing was, I had no desire to return to Vancouver, and the airline I was taking from Latin America to Vancouver (Continental) can't handle the YVR to LAS route, so I booked a multi destination through Continental and then a one way YVR to LAS through Westjet.

I've only flown Westjet a few times, but like always I was impressed. Super cheerful staff, great price on the flight (Westjet doesn't penalize you for booking one-way), no problems or complaints, exit row window seat (like always). I love how they have full Direct TV in each headrest, so you have plenty of entertainment options (once on a 5 hour flight HBO was doing a Sopranos marathon, so that was great). I was a little disappointed that they only had Bloody Mary mix and nothing to make a Caeser (hey, it's a Canadian airline), but what can you do. Arrived in Vegas on a beautiful Sunny day, had a great strip view, and was 5 minutes early. If I still lived in Canada I'd fly Westjet everywhere.