mK -- LV Update -- aug 11, 2006

[misterKeno]

Hello everyone... It's me, plain ole misterKeno. Right now it's a mostly clear afternoon here in LV. Today it got up to 103. The forecast for the next 7 days is 102 or 101 for all seven of the days. A slight chance of a t-storm this sunday. But, then again, i got suprised just this last wednesday when the skies opened up for 40 minutes.......... then clear again.


My drive from N. Calif was eventful. It included me falling asleep on the highway and me running into a cactus. It's not a joke. I didnt realize that i fell asleep til i was a good 20 feet off the paved highway 58 and onto earth. Then my eyes finally opened and i swerved to miss some tumbleweed. But, next in my path was a cactus. I guess it wasnt too bad, on account of there really wasnt a jolt & no airbag went off, but my vehicle seat felt like a pogo-stick. I couldnt see any damage to the vehicle. So, i kept going.


I would have stopped 8 more times between Edwards AFB and mecca. These were for stretching the feet & my eyelashes. Sigh.


I rolled down I-215 from the I-15, and soon was in Henderson. Met with the roommate & unloaded some stuff. I had been up for 29 hours. My only nutrition for the last 511 miles was potato wedges from jack in the box. Yeah, same one i think from 20 days ago (when i drove down with Steve).


So, i wanted to eat. Headed to GC for the lunch buffet. $8.03. Was good as usual.


This really isnt going to be a traditional TR... because, well, it just isnt. Read on if you want to folks.


I spent monday/tues/wed (of this week) doing a combination of:

1) bringing stuff from storage to the room
2) hauling it upstairs to the 2nd floor
3) relaxing and taking aspirin ... also trying to sleep (tough in a new town)
4) doing tourist stuff (which is costly & not making any sense)
5) burning fuel left & right
6) learning about the spaghetti bowl (if you're a local - u know)
7) misc.


On thursday i went to an employment agency & they said come back friday. Today is friday. Went there & they have me starting at a warehouse monday morning. I'm not too sure about the type of work, because the recruiter was vague. But it's 9-10 hrs per day (M to F).


Frankly, i'm nervous as heck - ive burned thru dough quick this week (even some gaming). I need this job to WORK OUT for me. I havent worked in a heck of a long time. My room for error is very very small. There's work avail in this town -- quite a bit i think. But, you just need to get your foot in the door. But, i wont lie -- i'm nervous as heck. I've got rent due in 28 days.


I'll do a summary of my eating / gaming. It's not my style to do it in a format such as this, but oh well. I guess this isnt a real TR.

Sunday...Dice @ GC won $315
Monday...Dice @ GC won $77
Tuesday...Dice @ Orleans lost $200
Wednesday...Dice @ GC lost $220
Wednesday...Dice @ TI lost $200
Thursday...Dice @ SC lost $80

Sunday...lunch buffet @ GC $8.03 -- $1 tip
Monday...didnt eat
Tuesday...lunch buffet @ GC $8.03 -- $1 tip
Wednesday...hotcakes @ McDonalds $3
Wednesday...produce from supermarket $6
Thursday...lunch @ EI $4.95 steak special & soda $8 total with tip
Friday...lunch buffet @ Orleans $8.03 -- $1 tip


I've been eating about once a day. I've had some tough headaches each morning when i wake up. I guess my chemistry or barings are off. Heck if i know. The gaming was pretty much dumb. In every form of gaming............ you may win, you may lose.... but eventually.... the House wins. Way i see it, i'm going to keep clear of gaming. Would you believe i'm nearly to the point of saying LV is 'ho hum' ??? Nawww, just kidding -- but i've got a new perspective (now that i'm a resident).


Speaking of which, i spent 5 hrs at the NV DMV getting my documents on wed. My photo isnt too hot. Well, heck -- if you want to see it, then come to LV folks, lol.


I still dont know if this town is for me or not. I'll have a better idea once this job 'takes hold'.


I ventured to the Orleans, GC, SC, Sam's Town, and one other place to look at the bowling facilities. All seemed pretty good. Then again, they have to be on account of the tourists. I dont even know if i'll join a league or not... i need to get a ROUTINE DOWN first of INCOME etc etc etc. I cant even say for sure if this job will work out. I've got a lot of worry in me.


The Orleans buffet is a notch below the GC buffet. It's due to it's age, offerings, more kids @ the Orleans, and general quality. I think the salad bar is less than 'fair' @ the Orleans. Yep, it's just random info. But, heck----so is this 'report'.


I'm a gallon' worth of gas (r/t) between the nearest major casino, i guess that's a good thing.


My roommate seems like a good person. He is quiet. Just like me.


He has told me about the commute directions & times. More random info.


Well, there's HIGH-SPEED internet in this place, so that's a plus. I have a walk in closet, and my own 'this n that'.


I think i'm getting a headache again. Well, i'll talk to you all later.


Sigh.

mK

[doctor_al]

Found some income, that's a start. Keep looking. May take a few months to get settled, hang in there, but don't hang in THERE (pointing to the casino) for a while. Gotta have excess dough for that, as you know. Don't wanna preach, but I'm pulling for ya, and gaming is a drain you don't need. So Vegas probably won't be very fun for a while. That's ok. Just have to hang in there as/until things start to come your way. Better times ahead!

Glad you stopped by to let us know how it's going!

[misterKeno]

hiya Doc Al ... how are things going with you?

I appreciate the kind words. I think gaming could become my demise. If i can have a regiment of

work
rest
E.I. 4.95 steak
repeat

... i'll be fine. The town has a lot to offer i think. Oh, i wont go into the political race that's brewing here -- it's one big circus of attack ads on the radio/tv/signage/and helicopters trolling with signs above the strip.

I'll be especially happy if this work assignment works out (and i dont collapse). I need to get my feet planted.

Once i have a regiment of worktime - playtime, it will make sense to me. Like i said - i've still got fear.

matthew

[GREGRIO]

LOL...used to say, glad you're back...it would be premature to
say welcome home, so I'll settle for glad you're here!
Moving is always so hard but the hardest part is over for now...
What's the space on the 2nd floor?...a house, apartment, condo,
what's the deal? any yard or parking? washer/dryer...

All I've learned about the Spaghetti Bowl has been from Chan 8's
morning news/traffic and my view of it from the 13th floor at RIO.
It's funny......folks there think it's a mess...but we know California
freeways in the morning now don't we! lol.....pieceacake!

Your headaches should pass. It's the stress of your new world, nerves
and more stress...the job will help burn off some of that during the days work.
You might try to make some 'quiet' time throughout the day or night
and invent your own meditation time. Breath/calm/in a quiet peaceful
space for 30min a day or so.............it's good for you.

I'm glad you've realized it's time to change you 'gaming ways'.
This isn't a vacation...it's the fucking rest of your life and there's no
time like now to start acting like a 'local'.

My local friends usually go gambling once a week. When you get settled,
choose a home base. Maybe the GoldCoast will be it...you like the 'eats',
the bowling and gaming is good, and it's an affordable entertainment
choice. GET AND USE THEIR PLAYERS CLUB CARD. As a local, you'll get
stuff in the mail you didn't recieve as a tourist. You'll earn weekly points,
get 2for1 or discounts for food, movies...maybe even bowling.

My friends only go out gambling on DOUBLE POINTS DAYS...my friend Barbara's is Thursdays at the Orleans and it's great. You'll get stuff
we don't get that will be fun and make gaming more reasonable.
For a while now...I just wouldn't gamble much at all!
Get a CLUB PALMS CARD too. I play there in the mornings and it's a steady
flow of locals in the morning coming in to 'swipe' thier cards in the 'kiosk'
there by the doors on the foodcourt/movie side of the casino. The PALMS
has weekly drawings, giveaways, $$$, all sorts of things going on for locals...check it out.

In re. to the bowling. My friends at the RIO belong to a league at Orleans.
I see lots of local folks coming and going in the GC too...and that might be a fun place to join a league. Locals make up the traffic in those lanes, not the tourist. It's a great place to meet new friends, eat, gamble...can be
very social and positive. Both lanes seem good...check 'em out!

I'm really curious about what the job will be like...let us know, what it's
about, what they want you to do, do you get breaks, is it union, how many
other folks you work with, etc.

So far, it sound very cool Matt, YOU DID EXCELENT!
The Medeor shower is still going on this weekend...check it out if the city
lights and full moon aren't too bright...late night or early morning.
Oh and by the way..............any work on how the cactus is doing?

[doctor_al]

I'm busy as heck here, thanks for asking, but I should be out that way in November. Hopefully by that time you're pretty well planted.

Great comments by Greg. Also, being local, eventually you can really take advantage of things like the eats and matchplay coupons like the ACG and what not.

[misterKeno]

hiya Greg & Doc Al ...

Al, i guess staying busy is a good thing.

Greg, i understood what ya said... i'm doing my best to FIT IN. I think once i get situated with work - things will be better.

The work is at some sort of a mega building. I got it thru an agency... the employment agency said the work would last at least two months as 'it is busy season'. And, that they 'often hire direct afterwards'. My title is Graphics Technician. I think they do stuff for conventions, like signage and booths. It's out of my realm of what i told her. I told her my work is usually call center work, or warehouse/delivery.

So, i guess the only parallel would be that the place is a warehouse. I drove by it on friday... it looks to be the size of 3 walmarts put together. Oh well. They said my hours (to start) would be 9am-7pm (M to F). I just hope i dont collapse as i have not been working in a while. I've got a feeling that the clerk was eager to put me THERE on account of it was an empty space just vacated by a worker who couldnt show up on time.

I'm in Henderson -- off the 215. The place is a townhome. Well that's what i'd call it. 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath, living room n such. Not large at all. But, i've got my own room/bath & a bit of room to stretch my arms.

I've got the coast card (although i havent updated my address). I'm thinking of getting a p.o. box. Not real sure when i may move to another part of the city. I've got the STATIONS card, but not sure how often i'll make it in there.

I talked with a LEAGUE DIRECTOR at the Orleans Bowling center & she was a nice person. I'll probably get my work situation settled before i join a league.

-- Priorities --

Not sure what else to say. Oh, i posted a 'random thoughts' POST yesterday.

mK

p.s. i ate a meatball sandwhich last nite from this hole in the wall joint here in Henderson. Owner is italian from brooklyn, ny. So, yes, it was good eatin.

As a mother and grandmother, my advice is to eat more than one meal a day. The headaches are probably coming from not eating at least twice a day. Sounds like your going to do ok, Greg gave some good advice about the gambling. I am sure all will work out great for you. Figure it'll take at least 6 months or more to get settled and feel like its your home town. Good luck and keep us posted.

[misterKeno]

thx Granny... i'll definately keep you posted.

mK

Matthew
Everyone has given you some excellent advice. It will take you some time to settle in and feel like it's home and not another quick trip to Vegas.

Meeting people and socializing is going to help you feel more like a local and not a tourist.

I do hope the job works out for you, it may be the stepping stone to a better job later.

Good luck and remember we are all pulling for you.

[misterKeno]

Thank you Jean !!

I'm doing my best to fit in as a citizen


mK