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March 29, 2004
Play Ball, and Pass the Sake!
What is going on with Major League Baseball? Why is it that the New
York Yankees season opener is taking place in Japan? Stupid question,
I know the answer. It's the money, and Selig sold out.
Japan is paying so much money to MLB to host the opener, not to mention all
the merchandise sales on top of it. The Yankees are playing the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays. The crowd at this game will be bigger than any home game
the Devil Rays will see all season. Still if you are a Yankee fan in
N.Y., you will have to get up at 5:00am to see the game (2:00am here in the
wild west). Have fun.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:59pm
A little less....., A lot more....
Last Saturday night we went to Fremont Street, or should I say
"The Fremont Street Experience."
I remember downtown many years ago, before the road was closed
to vehicles and the light show was placed over the entire block. Downtown
was the "bad neighborhood" back then. The area fell victim to
the mega resorts on the strip and thus, visitors stopped returning to the
hotels downtown. These hotel casinos however, really are part of the
roots in this city's beginning. I know with all the
implosions in the
'90's of some classic hotels like the Sands, Dunes, Aladdin, and the
Hacienda, you would get the feeling that this town doesn't give a poker chip
for nostalgia. This may be true, at least for the city leaders, where
money rules and whatever brings in the green is the right way to go. I
also suppose that there is an argument that this "mega resort expansion"
is what has kept this city thriving so well for so long.
I do get the sense however, partly from all the small museums around,
that there is some respect for this areas roots in Las Vegas history.
Binions Horseshoe, for example
was recently closed down due to
mismanagement
of the property. Harrah's Entertainment then came in and rescued the casino
with no apparent plan to alter the name or look of the property. I get the
feeling if they had, there would have been an outcry from the city leaders
as well as the locals. Binions is not as old as the city, but it is one of
the staple casinos that so many people are accustomed to seeing in movies
and photos of downtown Las Vegas. I can still see Elvis Presley racing
in the auto race down Fremont Street right past Binions in Viva Las
Vegas.
Binions
is reopening this week, just in time to host the World Series of
Poker again, which is televised on ESPN.
I enjoyed our trip downtown. It is a place where the harder partiers
go, without a doubt. Many visitors are lured away by the Strip
hotels, but this areas is still thriving. Downtown has a flavor all
together different from the rest of the city. From the older casinos,
to the huge light show, and the loud live music in the street, everyone here
is looking for a good time and they're getting it. (almost sounds like
a Chamber of Commerce brochure).
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:50am
March 27, 2004
New Look
I'm trying out a new design for this site. Some of the comments may
be temporarily disabled.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
5:04pm
March 26, 2004
Happy Friday!
Fridays are always the day you look forward to. The weekend is ahead
of you. Two days to yourself, wondering, well what do I do now? This
Friday comes with a feeling of homesick. (If that's possible after
living on the west coast for nearly 18 years now). Yesterday brother
R. flew back to Albany, NY to visit with brother J, and then drive down to
RI to visit with mom and more family. I was supposed to be on this
trip, but with matters needing to be handled here, I once again put off making
the trip. Tonight they will be visiting with cousins I haven't
seen in as many years as I have been on the left side of the country, and
I'm sure that based on the kind of fun we had years ago, that tonight's gathering
will be a good time (if they can remember it). I told everyone that
I will surprise then soon with a visit. I look forward to that day.
Until then, I hope you guys have a good time stacking up
the empties and telling tall stories, and just in case you need any help,
these tips usually work for me. Have fun. I wish I could be there.
SYMPTOM: Drinking fails to give taste and
satisfaction, beer is usually pale and clear.
FAULT: Glass empty.
ACTION: Find someone who will buy you another beer.
SYMPTOM: Drinking fails to give taste and
satisfaction, and the front of your shirt is wet.
FAULT: Mouth not open when drinking or glass applied to wrong part
of face.
ACTION: Buy another beer and practice in front of mirror. Drink as
many as needed to perfect drinking technique.
SYMPTOM: Feet cold and wet.
FAULT: Glass being held at incorrect angle.
ACTION: Turn glass other way up so that open end points towards
ceiling.
SYMPTOM: Feet warm and wet.
FAULT: Improper bladder control.
ACTION: Go stand next to nearest dog. After a while complain to the
owner about its lack of house training and demand a beer as
compensation.
SYMPTOM: Floor blurred.
FAULT: You are looking through bottom of empty glass.
ACTION: Find someone who will buy you another beer.
SYMPTOM: Everything has gone dim, mouth full
of cigarette butts.
FAULT: You have fallen forward.
ACTION: If your glass is full stay put. If not, get up; latch self
to bar.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:42am
March 24, 2004
Operation Iraqi Children
Laura Hillenbrand is working out a way to get her book Seabiscuit
printed in Arabic and sent
to Iraqi children. This is not a bad idea, I just wondered if other books
may be more needed or welcomed, but evidently there was much interest in
the book from Iraqi youth. I idea of sending school materials is, of
course is an excellent cause.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
9:35pm
Reality TV
I watched American Idol
last night. What's going on with
Ryan Seacrest? I watched
and listened to Ryan Seacrest over the last 8 or 9 years, mostly on L.A.
radio, and an occasional TV show he hosted that never took off. I never
was too impressed. What's this "Seacrest Out" he's added to the end
of each show? It's obvious he's trying to create some signature sign
off, but it comes off too phoney. This year's Idol is not as good as
the past two. There is some talent, I think most notably in the youngest
contestants. Not that they will win, but they have the time to develop
their talent and as they mature to the age of some of the other contestants
their singing career will have developed far beyond the likes of American
Idol (John Stevens comes to mind). If the March Madness brackets didn't
turn out, you may you may want to try the
American Idol
bracket game.
Since this year's show lacks the talent of the previous seasons, it
may be time for a new Reality Show, and here's my idea:
-
You start out with 3 Senior (70+) couples (husband and wife
teams - ok)
-
Cameras follow each couple as they are given $700. each to
-
Drive a car (large Buick preferred) across town
(heavy traffic required) to Home Depot
-
They must buy and load a new barbecue in the car.
-
Drive back home
-
then unpack and assemble the barbecue
The cameras will catch all the action,
and the first couple to correctly assemble the barbecue
wins. How many episodes do you think this show will have?
Pass the phillips.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:53am
March 21, 2004
Cool Water
The RJ posted
a list
of hotel casinos (of the Mega Resorts) that are the largest users of the
areas most valuable resource; water. Surprisingly, the hotels are
not the water wasters you would expect. Most the the hotels' water
usage is due to the hotel guests and not the fountains and gigantic swimming
pools that most people find so awesome. Even higher up the waste culprit
list are the home lawn waterers. This is one reason we are putting
in a desert landscape in the new yard. The most disturbing aspect of
the water shortage in this town is how the water is recycled. After
water is used, in hotels as well as residences it is returned to the Las
Vegas Wash and back into Lake Mead. Of course the water is treated
by an ozonation process before it is returned to the lake as drinking water,
but one must wonder as to how effective the ozonation process really is.
There is some debate on whether all microbacteria are killed, and ozonation
has no effect on removing
perchlorate
(a rocket fuel by product) which is entering the lake from an old plant in
Henderson, NV. I had spoken to an area resident who says he won't
water ski in the lake because of the pollution problems.
So now I've started buying bagged ice, to go along
with the bottled water, or I could go on a steady
beer diet. Sounds good too.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
10:08pm
March 19, 2004
Too Much Talk Radio
One of those radio peronalities that are on the air during the day is Dr.
Laura. I can't believe some of the advice she dispenses to people who call
in to her radio show. On her radio show recently, she said that, as an observant
Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22,
and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.
The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, which was posted on
1 Mans View. It's
funny, and I think thought provoking as well. I'm not up
on all my Leviticus, so I am taking a risk that most of this is true,
my apoligies in advance if it is not.
Dear Dr. Laura:
-
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law.
I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge
with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly
states it to be an abomination... End of debate. I do need some advice from
you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow
them.
-
Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female,
provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims
that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't
I own Canadians?
-
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus
21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for
her?
-
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her
period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do
I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
-
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates
a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They
claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
-
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2.
The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?
-
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination
- Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree.
Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
-
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have
a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my
vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
-
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27.
How should they die?
-
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes
me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
-
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different
crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two
different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse
and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble
of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10
-
Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like
we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
-
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy
considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank
you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:46am
March 18 ,2004
More Talk Radio
All this driving around town has forced me to listen to a lot of radio recently.
In the Bay Area there were many AM stations that were worth the time
to listen to. Here, there's the typical conservative talk radio and
sports radio. I find myself listening to the sports radio shows mostly.
Since currently all there is on these stations is College Basketball
talk, I jump over to the other stations from time to time, if only for
entertainment. Much of the talk has been around the recent bombing in Spain,
and the more recent bombing in Baghdad. The scenario is typical, a lot of
finger pointing as to who is responsible. Republicans blame the Democrats
and Democrats blaming the Republicans and so on. One point that did
strike me as something everyone can be aware of has to do with the bombing
in Spain. If the bombing did in fact affect a change in the elections
there (and I'm sure the terrorists believe they did), then, can we expect
an incident here in the U.S. in late October, or just before the elections?
Sounds reasonable. What I think is important is, that whatever
side of the aisle politicians are on, they should come to an agreement
now that no matter what happens, the elections will take place on
the scheduled date. No postponements, even if there is a large incident.
At least there should be a game plan in place regarding election day
in the event of a terrorist event here.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:37am
March 17, 2004
Caed Mile Faltche!
And a happy St. Patty's Day too. I'm tempted to stop by
Nine Fine Irishmen today.
Seachas cothu na gael do faic. There's a steak in every beer
anyway, and this bar at NY NY is perfect for people with stout hearts and
strong livers. Let's start a rebellion.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
7:32am
March 15, 2004
The Desert Oasis
I'm back to selling ad space again. Swinging lots of doors. It's
not going too bad so far. First week is done and I have 6 new accounts.
I think I like Las Vegas! All this driving around gets me out
and amongst the town. Not just the "Strip" but the business end of the
town as well. I'm also getting a pretty good lay of the land too. Just
last week I was stopped at a light, and on the corner was a huge walled
in property. Looking very similar to the walls I've seen in Beverly
Hills, I figured that this must be home to one of Las Vegas' celebs. As
I looked at the bronze Arabian horse statue on the corner of the property,
I read the words Casa
de Shenandoah. Well, then it hit me, it could only be the home of
Wayne Newton. I thought, that's nice, and drove on. The most
striking thing I noticed about this property (what I could see anyway)
is that all the trees in there are not indigenous to this desert (I know,
neither are palm trees, but at least they look like they belong). These trees
look like they belong back east somewhere. Some looked like Dog Wood,
and I think I saw Birch and Maple in there. It
looked nice, but then I thought of how much water it must
take to keep them alive, while I'm at home deciding on what
desert landscape
design we will have at our new home,
and only watering on designated days of the week. Drip systems,
no sprinklers. Not to mention washing the car only
twice a month, and don't even think of installing a misting
system in your backyard to keep cool cause, they're illegal.
Unless you are Wayne Newton of course. As I drove by
I thought "I bet he's got misters all around his patio(s)." Now I know
that when he sings Danke Shoen, he's saying thank you
for all the water. I really do like this town.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
8:43pm
March 10, 2004
From an Artsy Bar to the End of the World
There are a lot of different kinds of bars in Las Vegas. Something
I like about this place. I've been in places that serve drinks
that knock you down, but
nothing like the Kunst
Bar. Watch the Salvador Dali drink! Then, some may find it nice
to know that after
the world has destroyed
itself with nuclear war(PG), the surviving continent will be Australia.
Only to be done in by nuclear winter. These flash animations are
fun and worth the load time. Let's have some fun!
posted by
Andy Loughlin
9:40pm
March 9, 2004
Forgive me, it's been two days since my last bloggie.
I Went to the Fights, and a Hockey Game Broke-Out
There is little doubt that Todd Bertuzzi will get a big suspension from the
NHL for sucker punching Steve Moore and ultimately fracturing his neck.
Moore never saw it coming! Bertuzzi flattened him from behind
as a retaliation for a hit Moore put on a teammate of Bertuzzi's.
This is nothing new to Hockey, or other sports, but it does raise an
important question.
What
civil, or even criminal liability do sports athletes have when this sort
of thing happens? While I think an athlete does waive certain rights
when they walk on the playing field, I also think that there is a limit to
what can be considered "part of the sport." The line is certainly opened
to interpretation, but as in baseball, when a batter enters the batters box
he knows that there is a chance that the pitcher may run the ball up and
in on him (and sometimes hit the batter). Does this give the batter
the right to charge the mound and punch the pitcher? It happens all
time. At the same time, the batter shouldn't expect to get
the ball thrown at him while walking back to the dugout. This never
happens (although it would be funny if it did) but the point is,
that there are times during the game that there
is a level of physical contact that can be expected, and times
when there is no expectation of such contact. Could Pedro Martinez
be held criminally responsible for throwing Don Zimmer to the ground in last
years ALCS? I think yes. If it was off the field it would be considered
assault, but because it's on the playing field, it is considered "part of
the game." Again, this is nothing new, except for the amount of
malicious intent that is seen lately. I can hear Bertuzzi's defense already....
"it happened in the heat of the game," or "it's a very physical sport,
" and "this happens in a game that already allows fighting," and so on.
There is no doubt in my mind that Bertuzzi wanted to hurt Moore. The
heat of the game had stopped. Moore was skating to the bench when he
was attacked by Bertuzzi (Bertuzzi has been suspended for this type
of behavior in the past). Yes, fighting is a part of hockey, like
it or not. It will never change. There are reasons why the fighting
exists in hockey. But there is a difference between two players squaring
off, and someone going out of the their way to harm another player.
I hope the penalty is severe. As for how the NHL reacts?
I think he should be banned for life, or at the very least he should
not play again until Moore is able to play again. More importantly,
because of the malicious intent involved, and due to Bertuzzi's past
suspensions, I also think the local DA should file a criminal complaint against
him as well.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
10:35pm
March 7, 2004
Change in the Weather
Spring is springin' around here lately. The latest week of on and off again
showers has moved on, and we're are getting temps into the 70's and low 80's
now. My dog is wagging her tail again. As a result of the warm
weather we decided to take the short drive out to
Red Rock Canyon National
Conservation Area. What an excellent place! This place is
full of awesome rock formations, in lots of colors (red being the the
most dominant of course). Also, the area has wild burros, Bighorn Sheep,
and if your are lucky (after the rains) waterfalls, and running streams.
The rocks are loaded with petroglyphs, fossils, canyons, and in some
spots Ponderosa Pine forests. Currently the peaks are still covered
with snow, which makes for an dramatic contrast from the summits to
the desert rocks.. This is an awesome park, and a perfect divergence to the
usual Las Vegas party. I plan on visiting often, as the park is only
a short 15 minute ride from where I live. Pictures do not do this area
justice. If you are ever in Las Vegas, you have to visit Red Rock Canyon,
the drive is much shorter than you think and it is well worth it! The
best time to visit is anytime but summer, unless you visit early in the morning
or late in the day to avoid the eyepopping heat.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
8:58am
March 5, 2004
Blair's Latest Work of Fiction
I caught a few minutes of Katie Couric's interview of Jayson Blair.
My first reaction was, why interview this guy? To help promote his
book? After some thought, I began to change my perspective. Perhaps
this story should be told (again). A local broadcast journalist here
was commenting today on his career with the Washington Post, The New
York Times, and Newsday. He spoke of how there were always a few writers
that were known to fabricate stories or make up quotes. His point was that
the problem is everywhere, and that while it is a very small minority (at
these newspapers) that were guilty of this, his feeling is that it is common
on most reputable newspapers. He further went on to say that most of
the time the supervisor was aware that some sort of fabrication was taking
place on a regular basis. If this is the case, then the story should
be heard again. If only to expose the bad writers, or maybe to create more
diligent supervisors and editors. I am reminded of my own experience with
a local newspaper in California. While managing a soon to be closing
branch office for a Direct Marketing company, I was contacted by the local
paper to comment on the companies decision to pull out of that particular
marketplace. This was a particularly delicious story for the paper
because it meant that one of their competitors were retreating at the
time. Rather than go into detail of the reasons for the company's decision,
I referred the caller to the Corporate Offices for the company. Of
course that was not what was printed at all. There was a whole conversation
and quotes attributed to me about my company. Naturally the conversation
(that never happened) put the newspaper in a favorable light, and implied
that my company retreated due to the aggressive competition of the newspaper.
Like I would really admit to that, even if it was true. Which it
was not. This is a small example, I know, but I am more inclined
to believe reports of poor, sloppy, and fabricated journalism in many newspapers
everywhere. I just hope nobody buys Blair's book.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
10:58pm
March 4, 2004
Vrooom Vrooom
There are
two
big races in town at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I guess I never
knew how big this sport has become. The whole town is "buzzing" about
it this week. The town will be full of Nascar Dads pouring into the
casinos to see their favorite drivers and finish off the buz they started
at the raceway. Maybe Bush will do a low altitude fly-by in Air Force
One before the race begins. It would be a nice addition to all the
fighter aircraft already in the sky.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
8:06pm
March 3, 2004
Those Flying Machines
We've been having a daily Air Show here lately. Nellis Air Force Base
is conducting Red Flag Exercises. A fancy name for war games. They
say there are hundred of aircraft involved from all over the world. We
have been told that people who live in our area can expect to see fighter
aircraft in the sky continuously for the next month. I thought that
was pretty much the case before the war games, but what makes this different
is now we can hear explosions off in the distance towards the Nellis Range.
It's really kind of fun to watch, except when they are flying over
past 11pm.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
3:15pm
March 2, 2004
School Records
It appears that the Basketball team of Bay Shore High School (the
High School my entire family attended on Long Island) is having a great season,
and are possibly headed to the New York State Finals. This information was
emailed to me by my brother J., who also passed along another interesting
piece of information. It seems that the
scoring
record set by my dad in 1949 is still listed in the top 60 (actually
#57) of the school's All Time Scoring Records. I don't think I set
any records at that school, at least none that I am willing to talk about
here. I remember something about something going down in "your permanent
record" but that was it.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
12:55pm
March 1, 2004
Tagging Down Under
I had an old friend move to Sydney, Australia a couple years ago. I new he'd
leave his mark on the city in some way, never thought his mark would be so
bold. Must be an old trick learned in the subways of New York.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
6:45pm
Lord of the Oscars
Not surprisingly the Academy Awards were very predictable. Again.
There were funny parts though, the high point being Blake Edwards in
a high speed wheelchair flying through a wall. I was hoping for Bill
Murray to get best actor, but was not surprised to see Sean Penn win. Oh
well, maybe next go 'round. He's come a long way since
Caddyshack.
posted by
Andy Loughlin
6:40pm
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