I have now been alive for a quarter of a century, more than two dozen years, a bit less than three decades... twenty-five years. And what better way to celebrate the slowing of my metabolism, the increased wrinkles on my face, and my greying hair than to force my liver to age even faster by spending my weekend in Vegas with a bunch of fun-loving friends? Yesssss!
For starters, to celebrate my bday (big day birthday), I took Friday off from work. I didn't mention to my boss that it was my birthday, or that I was going to Vegas (you know, for professionalism's sake). Mike and I decided to fly in early, that way we could rest up and get ready for the weekend while getting some him-and-me time. We didn't fly out Thursday because that would just be a wreck and we'd have to spend more and, you know, as law students who aren't really getting paid much this summer, we were ballin' on a budget. Either way, we got in at 8:30 am or something, met up at the airport, stepped into the muggy and humid dessert air, taxied to the hotel, and got up to the front desk to check our bags until we could check in. But then we decided, what the heck, why don't we upgrade our suite and check in early? Genius! Then Mike and I went to eat at Morel's for a breakfast-brunch at 10 (reserved by our lovely Venetian concierge). I got this delicious gruyere and ham crepe while Mike got the turkey hash (I think). It was delicious and a great way to start the morning, finishing off a savory meal with delicious coffee and hot tea. My treat, because Mike pampered me the rest of the weekend!
We decided to wander around outside and slowly make our way over to dinner, gambling and sight seeing along the way. (I ended up being $30 up, and while Mike was $150 the first two hands in, he was only $10 at the end of the trip...too bad, so sad). We walked through Harrahs, walked through the Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, and so on, ending up at the Aria. It was HOT outside and it made me tired. When we got to the Aria, we looked for Sage, where Mike had made me dinner. It was ranked as one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, and let me say... I think it was definitely amazing. Mike had two Moscow Mules (which were super strong but amazingly refreshing, with a fresh ginger kick), I had a ginger sour (which was also delicious), Mike got us some Kuchi oyster shooters, and the chef gave us this amazing sage-crusted pork cut with a cherry garnish which was amazingly flavorful. For my entree, I got the rabbit, which was wrapped in this almost paper thin bacon over a bed of mashed potatoes and spinach. Wow. Melted in my mouth. Mike got these wonderful scallops, over a bed of pulled pork and other beautifically savory confections. Ammmmmzing. I loved it. Thank you Mike (and Mike's parents, who helped foot the bill).
We closed off dinner with a chocolate peanut butter something dessert, got some hot tea, and then the chef sent us this incredible, toe-curling, orgasmic dessert drink called ... chocolate soup? I think. Unbelievable, really, that was probably the best part.
Later that night, we met up with Jenn and Lam. Mike and I got ready with Jenn, then Lam showed up later. We got dolled up early to make the guest list at the Tao where we got in for free and Jenn/I got wrist bands for free open bar (woohoo), some of which drinks we got from the bar we gave to the boys. We waited for Sam and Kyle to fly in from LA, and to hear back from Sue and her girls who were (supposedly) going to Marquee, but I don't really know what happened to them because Sue's texts were garbled! Yay, Vegas! It was a good start. Then when we got our fill and Sam got in, we headed over to XS! (It reminded me of Tryst, without the waterfall). It was pretty nice indeed!
In addition to meeting up with the girls (Sam, Kyle -- sorry Kyle -- and Sue&Crew), we met up with some random 30 year old guys who ended up being really nice. They weren't creepy because, as the biggest indicator, they were as interested in me and Sam and Jenn as they were in Mike! Wait... hmm, never mind! Haha Either way, they were nice boys and we ended up helping them get more drunk, so everyone had a good time. Mike got one of their business cards (a professor at SUNY Law school, go figure) and we got the number of one of his friends in NYC. Ah, Vegas. How easily friends are made, but not necessarily kept, because I don't really remember their names. And of course, it was fun seeing my friends pole dance for my bday (thanks girls) and seeing Sue! The one damper was that when we walked to XS from the front of the Wynn, I was walking past a bar and slipped and fell. No, I was not drunk. Rather, I stepped into a puddle of water! I was really mad, because that's pretty tortious, if you ask me. I ended up calling security, got witness statements and so on. The bartender, this guy named Scott, who saw me fall, ended up telling me to file a complaint, so I did. Poop. What a good way to bring in my birthday, because it was past midnight already.
It was a pretty crazy night, but tons of fun. I woke up with bruises from my fall and dirt on my feet, so obviously it was a good timme. Considering it wasn't her birthday, Sam had the most fun and she was the only one who woke up hungover! Poor girl. Shari and Kris showed up to join the festivities and we tried to get it together so that we could go to Tao Beach (we had VIP tickets), but it ended up pouring and we didn't make it. Jenn's friend Renee came to hang out, but I needed to look for some nude underclothes (I wanted to wear this white dress) so I dragged Mike along with me. Unfortunately, we didn't find anything so I just changed my mind and wore something else for dinner. We all regrouped and went to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse... AMAZING! I've overused that word, I know. But we got that Frog's Leap cab that Mike and I had when he made me diner at my house, and almost all of us got the Power Couple menu. DELISH. Filet Mignon, sides, dessert. Zomg yum. I was stuffed! Thanks everyone! It was an awesome bday dinner... I also think I have an extra 5 pounds to prove it. Charissa joined us partway and then we headed home to pre-party. But we took two taxis, so Sam, Kyle, Kris, Shari and Charissa went ahead and Jenn, Lam, Mike, and I went back to the Venetian to drink up our two fifths of alcohol. Kyle made it back to join us. For some reasons, I started shouting "KYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYLE" in a weird voice, and then Mike, Lam, and Jenn started doing it. I think that's what made him come back to us! So we got our drink on... and the Hsu-Gregory couple were for the win as the drunkest of the weekend. Bottoms up! We went to Moon at the Palms (Playboy hotel) where we got a table and walked right in. It had such an amazing view!!! It was breezy outside, the music was popping, and the crowd was good. Definitely an amazing way to celebrate the big two-five. Thanks everyone!!!! You guys are such wonderful people. I'd say top two birthdays ever.
Epic night ended (for Kyle) with epic win! Despite being so drunk, Kyle passed out while carefully holding a bottle of water so it wouldn't spill. Sam and I went to get food downstairs, but Lam, Jenn, and Kyle were passed out so only Mike, Sam and I had any. Ahhh, goooooood times! When everyone woke up, it was a bit of a rush to the airport for most of them, and it was hectic getting our stuff together. Lam, Jenn, Mike and I headed to Treasure Island where Lam had a room for two more nights (he had a business conference in the Venetian on Tuesday), checked in, left our stuff, and went to walk the strip in search of Hash House A GoGo, which is a DELICIOUS breakfast joint with ginormous, gigantic, GIANT portions.
After we ate the belly-busting, belt-snapping, coma-inducing meals pictured above, we had to nap so Lam's room definitely came in handy what with its two beds and all! Sadly, when I woke up after 20 minutes or so, it was time for me to catch my flight out! :( Mike came with me because our flights were within forty minutes of each other, sadly in two terminals so I waited from about 4:00 pm to 7:25 when my flight took off. Jenn spent another night... probably living it up. Man, I will miss you all! Especially Mike because I won't see him until two weeks from now. Sigh... and now it is back to work. BUT NO REGRETS! I had a great time and I couldn't have asked for more on my birthday weekend. I LOVE YOU GUYS!
You're beautiful!
Posted by: Michael | July 13, 2011 at 10:41 PM