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What Happens in Vegas
From the Slope of Hope: I'm not a very good hedonist, I guess.
Here I am in Las Vegas, and to my way of thinking, everything I hate about the human race is conveniently compressed into one tidy package.
And I ask myself: what's my problem? Why do I let places like this get to me so much? I mean, after all, why should I care what other people do with their time and their lives? What business is it of mine?
Well, it's none of my business, of course. The whole human race could wallow around in whatever it wants, and as long as it doesn't adversely affect me or the people about whom I care, it really shouldn't matter. And, on the whole, this is the state of affairs, because I have designed my life in a tidy little bubble and need not trouble myself with such thoughts.
It still chews at me, though, why I get so irked by hoardes of people engaging in as many bacchanalian propensities as they can muster. Drinking. Drugs. Sex. Slack-jawed gaping of The Things That Are So Bright and The Things That Are So Big. It just isn't my cup of tea.
My little girl, whose competition brings me here, expressed it wisely beyond her years when, unprompted, she said to me: "Dad, I notice that everything in this town is fake." And that, I finally realized, was what had my panties in such a wad.
The blonde hair is fake. The big boobs are fake. The wretched, fawning smiles are fake. The attitudes are fake. The posturing, preening, and posing are all put-ons designed by the ho-bags and douche-wads stumbling up and down the streets to hopefully bed whatever quarry about which they fantasize.
So is it because I'm repelled out of some sense of moral repugnance? Nope. I think we're pretty much responsible for our own souls. I don't really care what these nitwits do.
How about disappointment? Well, I think we're starting to get close. And it isn't because I'm personally associated with these folks. I don't directly care about any of these people, but I guess since I identify myself as part of this group as a fellow human, it's disheartening to see it race to the bottom by the most basic cravings. Aren't we capable of more than this? Do we really need to make these distractions and destructions the high point of our existence?
In other words, is heading to a place like this the best thing to which people may look forward? I see nothing around me but (a) ads for sex; (b) ads for drinking; (c) and, in the greatest abundance of all, ads for personal injury lawyers (the most popular one of which has the unlikely surname of - - and I'm not making this up - - Golightly).
Now, look, I realize that the human race doesn't consist of a bunch of poets and artists. We're not all going to be sitting around engaging in witty bon mots and cerebral repartee. Bell curves are everywhere, and most people, ipso facto, are average. I'm not naive enough to believe that humanity can elevate itself to its highest potential.
I also recognize that this place is a house of mirrors, and authenticity is still present in the world. But what puzzles me is how persistently people are drawn to this circus.
"Oh, Tim, you're such a stick-in-the-mud! They're just having fun!" Yeah, yeah, I know. And you're not convincing me. And as this cancerous convergence of self-indulgence and glitter (understood broadly as "Western Culture") metastasizes in China, Russia, India, and everywhere else it can be developed, more and more of our fellow humans are going to squander at least a portion of their lives exchanging their dollars for the hope of some kind of temporary escape.
The best I can do is stay as far away as possible and draw whatever edifying lessons I can from my repulsion to what troubles me. We can learn of ourselves by what we love, what we hate, and what causes us to react.
Party on, Wayne!
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Fuckin A, FunkyOldGeezer---I was thinking the same thing.
If assholes, like this judgmental author, would worry about their own lives instead of focusing on how they believe others should live, everybody would get along much better.
And big shit if a girl wants to get tit implants. Newsflash to the author---Women have breast implants in every fucking city of the world. I bet many of the same sanctimonious judgmental bastards condemning her have dental crowns, dental implants, wigs or toupees. No difference.
If the author doesn't like lights he can always stay the fuck out of Vegas.
Well Smokey, thats probably what they said in the early 1900's, also, and look where we are because of that attitude.
The author's opinion doesnt make a difference, but dont get butt hurt when what you seem to enjoy has a fat shit taken on it. TRUTH is a Bitch, aint it?
Back to your American Idol, now.
It's the scary realization that, after years of thinking you were average, perhaps one standard deviation up, that in reality you are three or four sigma ... The world s f$cked if shows like Jersey Shore represent average or what those below average aspire to.
In New Jersey we would be like God's, we just sell Hair product and Special shoes for effed up children, we could start our own State and call it, New Jersey?
I hung out in the elevator lobby at the Cosmopolitan for half an hour and didn't see any puppies or bunnies. WTF?
Check out Nawlins for New Year's sometime.
At least with Mardi Gras it's got a religious foundation. Heh.
There should be something for everyone in the big dark carnival.
Yeah! And go uptown at Mardi Gras for all the parades especially the Zulu and walk thru the Garden District and dig some really beautiful old old homes while you're at it. Not to mention the great food and really great people. Jazz fest about this time of year is really fantastic.
As they say there: "We're a drinking town with a party problem."
Absolutley love NOLA!!
Don't forget to pick up a beat-down by the NO PoPo. They are the best in the the country for it. Chitown cops could learn a thing or two from them.
I totally understand your feelings, Tim. Condolences.
Rest assured, there are others like you. Not enough, but some.
i'm not sure it's just las vegas
"Straightneck, do yourself a favor, be groovy. Now sit down, turn on and tune in the TV"
Tim, I reallly like your stuff.. as you are most certainly aware though, this is the biker bar of economic and finance web sites.
.. and there is not a lot of difference between Vegas and the markets today.. the hangover is going to be a doozy. ;-)
I was there for the first time two weeks ago. Your daughter nailed it ...FAKE.
Talk to the taxi drivers and you will get a small dose of reality.
Go two blocks south of the defunct Sahara Casino and reality will bitch slap you quick.
Better yet, rent a car, head towards Nelson, NV (population 25?) and get out to hike in the desert.
Lake Mohave, Bitchez!
Nothing wrong with loathing Las Vegas.
T'was meant to be.
Lemme guess, your escort stood you up and you burned through your bankroll
+100 LOL
He probably blew his bankroll in his first hour---that doomed Vegas for him.
My Mom had a pearl necklace stolen off her neck in a Vegas casino 30 years ago, and she hates the city to this day.
stolen off or washed off?
;-)
As my Grandma used to say, clean up your own back yard.
Life, provides the back yard, some big, some a mere patio. If we choose to look and listen and care we will make and keep it tidy, maybe plant a tree or two. Times 7 billion or so, and presto. It doesnt hurt to lend somebody a broom or a couple of cleaning rags, especially if they ask for them, or there is need.
TK,
Please put your diary where I can't read it....
TK, go forth and alleviate some suffering: http://www.worldvision.org