The last time I visited, must have been years ago. Its the same place that I remember, but I feel drastically different about it this time around. Chalk it up to heightened sense of responsibility, the fact that I took the trip on my own, or the crumbling world around me, but it was just not that enjoyable. I did a little search on my phone navigator for restaurants that were "vegetarian". I got THREE, in the whole city...none of which were remotely close to where I was staying. I thought to myself that this couldn't be true, so I called Barrett and asked him to do a yelp search for me. Guess how many he found....THREE...oh, and a vegan donut shop (out of place?). Needless to say I pretty much had to fake it. Luckily the convention I was attending was put on by Best Friends Animal Society, so there was at least one vegan(!) option at the lunch I attended, which was probably the most satisfying meal I had in the last 72 hours. I know that just because I didn't find a restaurant that was strictly veg, that that usually does not mean there are not options at regular restaurants. Not in Las Vegas I guess!!!! I wandered around an entire casino, with something like 8 restaurants, and found very very little that was not meat based. What was I expecting, in the land of the $2.99 prime rib on every corner and all you can eat seafood buffet in every strip mall? I guess the excess of the whole city really got to me. I can't bitch too much about Vegas though...they are in the middle of nowhere, and I AM pretty spoiled in the Bay Area...I just get REALLY frustrated at a public that is more selfish than selfless.
Let me switch gears and talk about the good points of my trip.
Every aspect of my flight in, and out, went incredibly smooth. No horrendous waits at airport security (I even got to go thru a special express line), no lost luggage, and a fantastically large cocktail to end the weekend while waiting for my flight to board. Smooth sailing!
I had a pretty nice room, quiet, about a mile off the strip. The hotel wasn't flashy at all, and was pretty much occupied by Convention-goers and smatterings of couples getting married.
I heard this man speak, Mike Arms
Mike started off his career at the New York ASPCA, way back in the 60's. He told us stories that made us laugh, and quite a few that brought the entire room to tears. His main focus now is working with shelters and rescue groups nationwide to install and enhance their advertising and presence in their communities, to save more lives. His absolute dedication and compassion could be heard in his voice. He is a tireless champion of the unwanted, and a very effective communicator to those that care for them. His 75 minute speech spoke to the person I thought I was, but have clearly forgotten. I have a lot of work to do to realign my priorities, and a lot of information to share with my colleagues.
The rest of the convention was good too. :)
On a pretty cool side note... I got one of these as my rental car!
It was ridiculously smooth.
