Breathing Words

and become a photographer! I think I have a real eye for it! (Hah! Whatever!)

First, let me share pictures of our okonomiyaki Mother’s Day dinner. It was a pretty fun evening. My job (self-appointed) was to get in T’s way and take pictures of the food and of everyone cooking in his mom’s tiny kitchen. She’s got the most adorable blue stove.

And then to Vegas…

I think this was our most productive trip ever. The traffic was beautiful, meaning there was none. We stopped by Donut Man in Glendora to pick up some of their famous tiger tail and strawberry donuts to give us sustenance on the drive. Bellagio was our hotel of choice this time around. Their casino (we lost fast!) was not as kind to us as it had been in the past, but I guess that’s gambling karma. We can’t break even all the time, can we?

We watched Stomp Out Loud at Planet Hollywood (formerly known as Aladdin). It was PHENOMENAL. I consider it my favorite of all the shows we’ve watched (Ka, Zumanity, Mystere, and some other ones…) It really brought me back to New York, when I saw shows or plays in the small, cozy theaters. It was funny and just amazing. Everyone should go see it!

We took a trip to old Las Vegas, which was new to T and nostalgic for me. There wasn’t much there if you didn’t intend on gambling or buying cheesy souvenirs, but I snapped pics of the old hotels that I know my parents first went to, before all the fancy schmancy stuff on the strip. I wish my Dad was here so I could show him how much it’s all changed. The last new casino he saw was probably New York New York. Wynn, Paris, Venetian, the new Treasure Island… all of those would probably surprise him. T and I are wondering when they’re going to build an Asian-themed casino. Imperial Palace is old and really doesn’t count, in my opinion. Besides, it’s Japanese. We need a Chinese one!

Let’s see, what else… we lounged by the pool and met a nice older couple from Oklahoma that was celebrating their one year wedding anniversary, and chatted with them about careers, politics, religion, and Vegas in general. They left first because they had to get ready for their special dinner and show later that night. After another half hour, we left and ran into them getting coffee. And then! Later that night, at around 1 a.m., T went to get ice and ran into the gentleman in the hall on his way to get ice too! That’s the last of it though. We’re shitty, we didn’t even think of exchanging names. It’s like me and the ramen guy in Japan. We must work on our social skills.

T and I went to this wonderful lounge bar named Peppermill on the northern end of the strip. They have little nooks where people were making out! First I saw a young 20-something couple, and I’m like, okay, they’re young, but ew! Get a room! (I’m not for public displays of affection. I think it’s rude.) Granted, the lounge is darkly lit, with black-tiled walls, and designed to allow that kind of behavior, but I still find it uncomfortable. And then, across from that young couple, was a 50-something couple going at it with more ferocity than the younger couple! T and decided to take a seat around the fire pit instead. It was very relaxing, not like the casino bars that are inundated with loud music, chatter, and sounds of machines sucking away people’s money. There was music, loud enough to hear but not loud enough to drown out conversation. The hostess was sweet and attentive. T tried his first mojito ever and got hooked. I stuck to my vodka tonics.’

We also took a trip to Madame Tussaud’s and looked at creepy wax models of famous people. I only took pics of the ones I thought were particularly good or of people I like.

The weather was hot and dry, but not so that we couldn’t bear to be outside. We did a lot of walking and window shopping. T promised to buy me a Louis Vitton wallet if he won, but he didn’t win.

I ate a lot, but I ate well. Cutting out all breads and pastas and pigged out on shrimp, prime rib, veggies, and the best beets in the world (at the Paris buffet).

For images of Stomp Out Loud (lobby) and Peppermill and other random Vegas shots, click here.