Vegas Redux

I spent the past week in Vegas again. Some quick observations:

I love the Venetian Hotel complex. It was a much better location for me since I'm on my own all day long (and into the evening) while Larry is attending the conference.

Among my expeditions were a trip to the Fashion Mall (Sur la Table was having a sale!) and to the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace (Anthropologie was having a sale!).

I had my first chocolate macaroon. It will not be my last.

I have a new favorite pool. Much as I loved the wave pool at Mandalay Bay last summer, there were issues. Like the burning sand giving me a blister on the soles of my feet. And no shade anywhere. But the pools at the Venetian do have shaded areas, particularly the Venezia Tower pool garden where I spent much of my time. Lovely comfy cushioned lounges, water coolers w/ cool water you can help yourself to, and even sunblock if you forget yours up in your room. I did a lot of reading and just relaxing out there.

I discovered that it is possible to go on vacation and forget about work. Last year, I checked my work email the instant we got to the hotel room and set up the laptop. This year, thanks to the gmail account I set up for my personal stuff, I decided that I was not going to check my work email at all. I had set up an out of office message that I would be unavailable until Monday when I returned to work and I knew that everyone had my cell number if a real emergency arose. So, I deliberately did not check the work email. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself in terms of relaxing. And I did relax.

If you have a chance to see the Cirque de Soleil show 'Beatles Love' before it closes in December: go. It's wonderful.

If you ever have a chance to see Paul McCartney in concert: Go. He's wonderful. He may be 69 years old, but the guy can still rock and roll. The concert was one of the main reasons I decided to go back this year with Larry. I'm so glad I got to see it (and so grateful to Larry for making it possible).