battling winter storms, 26 hours in Vegas and swagg

Monday, January 11th, 2010

I spent pretty much of all of last week cursing Chicago winter and begging the weather to cooperate on Thursday. Why? Because it was time to kick off doing Epic Shit in 2010. I didn’t have time for a winter storm.

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend a press launch party for Swagg. It was going to be making it’s debut in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronic Show. And we all know how much I love Vegas and being asked to attend as press for such a big event was pretty exciting for me. I was praying the incoming snow storm wouldn’t ruin my plans.

Luckily, my flight still managed to take off and four hours later, I arrived in sunny, warm Las Vegas.

I stripped off my winter coat and hurried over to the Hard Rock Hotel where I would be staying for the night. I’ve never been to, let alone stayed, at the Hard Rock because it’s just off the strip but it was a really cool hotel. I had a killer room in Paradise Tower with a great corner view and the most luxurious bed I’ve ever been in.

(I also may or may not have a slightly drunk video tour of it on my camera that I may or may not upload later)

Later that night, I got dolled up in a pretty purple and black dress and made my way down to Body English for the press party. I mingled with some people, drank quite a few tequila filled drinks, seen Kara from American Idol and grabbed a press kit. I made my way over to The Joint because there was suppose to be a VIP Kid Rock concert there. Personally, not a fan of his but Khloe Kardashian was going to be there and I basically wanted to drink shots with her because she’s freaking crazy.

BUT

I got a message on Facebook from a friend who lives about 15 minutes away from me that I haven’t seen in a couple years that he was in Vegas as well. I ditched out Kid Rock and any hopes of getting hammered with Khloe in favor of heading over to the MGM Grand to meet up with Mark.

While I was waiting for him to find me, I sat just outside of the lion habitat (and was very upset they had gone to sleep) and was hit on by two Russian dudes in their 60s. Then Mark called and I walked away in the middle of their what I’m assuming was a plan to kidnap the really drunk girl from Chicago who was very sad the lions had gone inside. The rest of the night involved me playing slots with his money, him feeding me gin and tonics, Burger King, O’Sheas and a failed attempt at frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3. Probably lots of ridiculous conversation of which I remember bits and pieces. And who knows what else happened.

I eventually made my way back to the Hard Rock to catch a few hours of sleep. But my phone kept ringing and I guess people in Chicago thought it would be awesome to call me around 8 which is like 5 in Vegas. Then Mark texted me to tell me he was just getting in at 5:45 so lunch the next day was probably out and then the alarm in the room burst into my short lived dreams with Mexican music at 6.

Vegas did not want me to sleep. But who am I to argue with Vegas? When it calls, you listen.

I dragged myself out of bed slightly hungover, got ready for the day, packed my new gifted goodies in my already over packed bag, checked out and headed to the strip. Amazingly, I did not burst into flames when I finally seen the sunlight and decided to take a look at the newly opened Aria which was stunning. I walked the shops in Planet Hollywood, lunched in Caesar’s and finally got my hands on a frozen hot chocolate. Hit the slots again as I waited for my car and made my way back to the airport.

And that my friends, is how you do 26 hours in Vegas.

(I mean if you HAVE keep all your teeth, not find a baby in your closet and wake up with no tigers in your bathroom sans Bradley Cooper’s hot ass in a suit)

(but it could have been infinitely better had I had a suited up Bradley Cooper)

(many, many thanks to Swagg, Mark and tequila for an amazing time in Vegas!)