I'm One of a Kind, I'm Designer!

Queens of the Stone Age are a band I've enjoyed for quite some time and had not seen live.  I was hooked the first time I heard "No One Knows" in 2002.  Their music is loud, riff heavy and has a driving rhythm.

The security guard found my camera so I was not able to get any good shots.  Which is fine.  I'm there for the music any way.  My readers aren't going to suffer for it.  Although it might be suffering for some of you to listen to the music.  If I hear your wails and gnashing of teeth, I'll just turn it up louder.  I even gave you a link above.

Sin City

What happens in Vegas stays there according to the masses.  That makes it difficult to write a post about my trip and it has left my blog in limbo for a bit.  I can't tell you everything but I can say I had a great time.

I have not visited any place quite like this town.  Obviously it has it's own mystique from it's history and movies.  It also acts like an amusement park by continually changing and adding new attractions.  While the entertainment factor was part of the reason for the trip, the other reason is known to most of you.  A few demons had to be faced before the fun began. After that exorcism, it was all good.

My starting point was the Excalibur.  I didn't get a great deal on the room but it was a decent rate and got me on the strip.  The casino wasn't bad and neither was their breakfast in the morning.

I walked quite a bit to experience the casinos.  I spent some time drinking along the way so I couldn't feel my aching feet.  It's been awhile since I've been to Vegas but I know these dancers weren't there last time.  They were strippers who didn't actually take off anything.  I may or may not have run into a slot machine while she was performing.  Call me.

I had to stop by the Bellagio too.  They have an amazing garden that changes with the season.

Ah Paris - it's only a model.

To experience the desert, I went outside of town and drove a dune buggy.  Check them out at Sun Buggy.

What me worry?

And a fine dinner at the Voodoo lounge.  Filet, lobster and a bottle of rose champagne.  Then off to see Penn and Teller.

That's all I can say other than I did some gambling.  I'm ready to go back; there's a few things on my list yet to do.

Saint Pat's Parade

I met some friends in Conshy to enjoy what was advertised as the St Patrick's Day parade.  An annual event has been going for six years now.

The parade itself wasn't very impressive.  Mostly emergency services vehicles.  Even the bomb squad drove by.

Occasionally, a band or group would march by giving us the 'feel' of it being Irish.  The parade was more about the community celebrating together on the streets with no hassle.  Plenty of Guinness to be drunk - as well as a few drunks.  And those Irish potatoes are decadent.

Flower Show 2011

Every beast has a soft spot.  No, I'm not talking about one on top of my head or between the scales over my heart.  I'm referring to flowers; thousands of them creatively displayed in amazing ways.  The theme this year was Springtime in Paris.

I've been to Paris twice but not in the Spring.  The city does have beauty and charm.  It's also got quite a history.  The artists were meant to capture some of this in their displays.  I believe most of them hit the mark.

It is a difficult decision on which pictures to show.  I'll post some of them for you to enjoy.  If you want to see more, send me an email and I'll give you a link.

Part of going to the Flower Show is to celebrate Mom's birthday.  Dad goes along to so he can see all the orchids.  This year I invited Crabby along for company.  We all had a great time regardless of the crowds.  Of course don't get Crabby started on the price of a sandwich at the event.  These things don't come cheap when you are a captive audience.

The other half of the show is vendors.  This year we avoided that section and were better off for it.  The main event is tiring by itself.  Walking through rows of vendors can be the nail in the coffin.  Figuratively of course, my folks are old but let's not rush things.

Let Me Tell You Something About You...

...that you don't know.

One of my favorite lines from the comedian Ron White.  I enjoy irreverent humor and Ron's style fits.  It's funny to think he was part of the Blue Collar Comedy tour because he just doesn't fit.  Again this is why I like him.

I had my camera with me but it would have been too obvious to use it or my phone.  I was in the second row.  The last thing you want is to be the target of a comedian as they berate you.  I'm not really using the picture above with permission.  I'm crazy like that.

The tickets were purchased long ago with someone else in mind.  I took Ms Bunny with me and we had a great time.

I may see him if he comes back next year.  He's one of the few I'd still see live.  To paraphrase him - his job is way better than my job.

Lemmy IS God

I remember seeing Motorhead t-shirts at school.  Mostly worn by people I didn't speak to.  Sometime later I had my metal awakening and enjoyed MTV's Headbanger's Ball.  It was there that I first heard Lemmy's gravelly voice.

We are Motorhead. We play rock n roll!

I don't pretend to be the band's biggest fan but I do enjoy them very much.  I almost lost my hearing at the show.  The sound was perfect but cranked up l-o-u-d.  Lemmy's 65 now and I wonder if he can still hear.

It was everything you'd expect.  Loud, packed tight, leather everywhere, slutty women, mosh pit, crowd surfing and smoking drum solo.  It wasn't really smoke but looked cool.

To make the night even better, Clutch was the opener.  I love these guys.  They are a great complement to Motorhead.  Heavy, loud and a bit of humor thrown in.  The ringing in my ears and waking up late for work was all worth it.

You may have noticed the pictures are better.  I was able to sneak in with my new camera.  No more crappy cell phone shots.  Like this one...

Now who's ready to Rock Out With Your Cock Out?