Going back to Vegas?
So now that I have revisited Vegas since 1992 I'm sure folks are wondering if I plan on joining Amazing Guy again for his annual trek to the Sin City.
Ehhhhhh...... probably not. Or at least I'll wait another 15 or so years.
It doesn't have anything to do with Amazing Guy and everything to do with the city. Or at least the Vegas strip. Specifically the gambling.
As I mentioned before, the sight in 1992 of seeing an elderly man in a wheelchair having his shaking arm lifted by another person so he could put a coin in a slot machine made me cry. On the spot. And spend the rest of the night alone in a hotel room.
The image from this trip were children. Children playing along the edge of slot machines as parents sat putting coins in. Children sitting on carpeted walkways behind parents' chairs pulled up to poker tables. They are images that still chokes me up. I don't want to see them again.
However, one extremely positive thing about any trip that doesn't involve my kids (sorry darlings) is I get to read on the plane. Read for hours - uninterrupted. I read The Lovely Bones from cover to cover on a flight to Phoenix several years ago.
The flight over to Las Vegas gave me the chance to finally, finally sink my teeth into The Devil in the White City about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I am very sorry to have publicly doubted this book. The last 100+ pages flew by and was amazing in the true sense of the word. Did you know that the Chicago World's Fair inspired the look of Oz in the novel The Wizard of Oz? Did you know that shredded wheat was unveiled at the Fair? Walt Disney's father worked at the fair and Disney junior often cited stories about the fair as inspiration for a certain World he created years later.
And how did Chicago "out-Eiffel" the Paris World's Fair? Let's just say an engineer named Ferris won the design competition. The story of how his creation was built is breathtaking.
So, what are you reading for tomorrow's Day to Read? Be sure to come back on Friday and either leave a comment about what you read or write about it on your blog. I will list posts that celebrate reading.
So go forth tomorrow and read. A book. A newspaper. A magazine.
12 comments:
I hear you about the Vegas strip thing. I visited a friend who lives ther ea few months ago and, yeah, the whole obsessive gambling deal is nauseating.
BTW, I'm shamelessly promoting Day to Read for Wordless Wednesday this week.:)
I'm so glad you feel differently about the Chicago book - it's back on my reading list now. And I'm with you on the Vegas thing.
I've had the book for a while and it has been sitting on my shelf.
I think I am going to read Diving Bell. THE MAN BLINKED THE BOOK.
BLINKED!
You know what I'm reading. I'm going to pre-post or maybe post-post about Day to Read. Hoping to get through some pages tomorrow.
And the Vegas thing is sad. Saw similar stuff in Reno which is even seedier.
Hey, I just learned about Day to Read, and I think it's a great idea! I think I'm gonna write up some recommendations today and just post them tomorrow, and then get reading. :)
i'm surprised they let kids sit behind poker chairs, everywhere I went in Vegas they were REALLY strict about kids under 18 could only WALK THROUGH the area to get somewhere else. When my 3 year old daughter would even pause to look at the pretty lights someone would hussle her along (and no, taking a 3 year old to Vegas was NOT my idea - my BIL planned a surprise for my inlaws anniversary there - didn't ask us, just booked it. so we went.)
That's funny about that book - some friends of ours from Chicago, in their Xmas letter, raved about the book, and when I read what they wrote to my husband - something like"if you like historical novels with serial killers you will love this book" he said "it DOES sound like something I would like."
whoop-de-doodle-doo it's day to read tomorrow and I am busting open the Orson Scott Card novel I got for Christmas.
I just have to say if going to Vegas each and every year means more gorgeous photos from you of the desert surroundings, I am all for an annual trek. You can tell Amazing Guy I said so.
I am off to post something about Day to Read, which will LOOK as if it's been posted on the actual day, but in reality will not be posted on the actual day. Cuz I am taking the actual day off from blogging to READ, READ, READ!!!
Can't wait for A Day to Read!
I'll be reading Stalemate by Iris Johansen. Happy reading !!! (((HUGS)))
I go to Vegas every once in a blue moon. It's fun to watch the freak show, but it's so not my cup of tea.
Husband loved Devil in the White City btw!
I keep picking up Devil in a White City only to put it back down. Yes, it looks interesting, but interesting enough to add to the already 2 ft high to-be-read pile next to my bed?
You have me convinced. I will pick it up and make certain it is placed near the top of the pile.
And read I will. HUGS and Hellos!!
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