Vegas, baby! Now what?

I arrived in Vegas this evening around 9pm Vegas time, yet my body was still on East Coast time, making it feel like midnight. It's now 12:47am Vegas time, which means it's nearly 4am East Coast time.

I'm only blogging this late becuase I have the most incredible view from my hotel room. I'm staying at the Bally's Hotel and Casino, and just outside my window, about 100 feet directly in front of me is a huge replica of the Eiffel Tower, which stands in front of the Paris Hotel and Casino, adjacent to Bally's.

I'll post a picture that I just took when I get back home. Tonight, I just freshened up, walked around the strip for about 2 hours, and came back to the room. I'm just too exhausted. But, I did check out Caesar's Palace and the fountain in front of the Bellagio. I've seen these places before, even though it was 7 years ago, tonight it just feels like, "cool, i'm back... now what?"

Last time I was here, I was 20 years old, and just 4 months shy of 21. The trip was paid for by my family, but I felt like, oh just 4 more months, I could really have enjoyed this town as a 21-year old. Now, 7 years later, I feel like, "so what?" I had one drink tonight and I wanted to go to sleep. I see all the lights, the glitter, the glammer, and I heard all the slot machines chinging and changing, and I didn't even play anything. Not even a nickel. When I look around and see where all this extracted wealth is going to - just back into the casinos and hotels, I feel it just isn't right. So, even though I planned to gamble just $20 or so while I was here, I am not sure I'll gamble anything at all - what's the point?

I think entering Sin City just makes me feel less like sinning. Does that make sense? Well, tomorrow Freedom Fest 2005 begins, and I feel like after 3 days here, I'm going to need a Virtue Fest. Although, if they ever did have a Virtue Fest, I don't think they could hold that here. But maybe they should.