South By Southwest (SXSW) – Part 3

Posted on March 16, 2010 | Leave a comment
We started out Monday with a visit to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin.  It was an interesting experience and we learned a lot about Texas.  The exhibits were well laid out and there were three floors worth of exhibits.  We also decided to go to one of the history shows in one of their theaters.  It was a very fun 4-D Experience, I highly recommend that you purchase that option if you visit.  The kids will enjoy it.

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South By Southwest (SXSW) – Part 2

Posted on March 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

Before we headed to SXSW, we started out Sunday by heading to South Austin to do a little shopping in the antique shops and grab a bite to eat.  The concierge at our hotel suggested we spend a little time there.  He was right.  There are a lot of small, boutique stores and restaurants there.  We were able to find a parking spot on the street and walked down the block.  The weather was awesome and the shops were fun.  We wanted to get a little fun in before the show.

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South By Southwest (SXSW) – Part 1

Posted on March 14, 2010 | 3 comments

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this event, South By Southwest (SXSW) is an annual Film, Music, and Interactive festival that’s held in Austin, TX.  I’ve heard so much about this festival lately that I had to experience it for myself.  I decided I would make it a work vacation.  Milena wanted to come along, so I bought two passes to the Interactive festival and attempted to get a room at the Hilton across the street from the Austin Convention Center.  To my chagrin they would not offer me an employee rate.  As a matter of fact, I couldn’t secure an employee rate from any of the Hilton properties in downtown Austin.  Luckily, I have a couple of classmates from UNLV that live in Austin and work at a Marriott.  I contacted one of them through Facebook and explained my predicament.  He was able to immediately secure a Friends & Family rate through Marriott at the Renaissance Hotel.  It’s kind of funny & sad that I had to go outside the brand I work for to get a discounted room rate.
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Beer, Wine, or Scotch?

Posted on October 29, 2009 | 18 comments

I enjoy a nice glass of beer, wine, or scotch every once in a while.  The drink of choice depends upon what I am doing at that particular moment.  I enjoy a glass of beer when I’m watching a game at the ballpark, at a BBQ, or while I’m waiting for my plane at the airport (which I am doing right now by the way).  Some of my favorite beers are:

Rolling Rock
Hefeweizen (with a slice of Orange)
Stella
Corona
Dos Equis
Miller Lite (yes, I watch the calories from time to time)

When I go out with my wife, I enjoy a glass of wine, or two, or three.  Yes, I enjoy wine.  Red wine is my wine of choice.  There’s nothing like a Cabernet with strong flavors of pepper or berry with a nice meal.  Zinfandel and Syrah are a close 2nd and 3rd in my book.  I will drink red wine no matter what I eat.  I know some people will say that is sacrilege, but it is a preference of mine. I am by no means a connoisseur, and I don’t believe in spending a lot of money on wine.  Some of my favorites are:

Seghesio Zinfandel
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet
Zaca Mesa Black Bear Syrah

Now, when I’m having a drink with my boss, who happens to be a Scotch connoisseur, I will have a glass or two.  I have learned to appreciate this spirit.  When I was younger, I tried the blended scotch and it didn’t sit well with me.  However, after my boss introduced me to Single Malt Scotch, I changed my tune and now I enjoy a nice single malt from time to time.  The flavors of butterscotch and peat over just a little bit of ice is tasty.  This is a drink that I can’t have too often as it is not an every day drink for me.  The only blended scotch whiskey I can drink is Chivas Regal.  Some of my favorites are:

10 yr, 12 yr, 15 yr The Macallan
Glenmorangie
Chivas Regal

Other spirits I enjoy from time to time are Tequila, Vodka, and Irish Whiskey….but I’ll save that for another post.  What is your drink of choice?  If you don’t drink alcohol, what do you like to drink?  Please join the conversation, I would love to hear from you.

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Why do you come to Las Vegas?

Posted on October 28, 2009 | 32 comments

Las Vegas has been hit hard during the economic downturn.  Working in the industry (currently @ the Las Vegas Hilton), I’ve noticed a dramatic change in customer behavior.  People are still visiting Las Vegas, but they are spending less while they are here.

Before the recession hit, the restaurants and lounges were bursting at the seams during the weekend.  You had to wait in lines to get in to restaurants, lounges, and night clubs.  Now, you can easily get in to any of these places…..of course, except the night clubs, where you have to always wait in line.   The tables and slot machines were packed with customers and table minimums were higher.  I understand that people’s disposable income has been hit hard by the economy, so they are not spending as much as they did in the past.  However, the odd thing is that I see a lot of people here in the city during the weekend.  That means their spending money to fly/drive here, rent a room, and play for a few days.  Weekend occupancy levels are too bad in town.

If they aren’t eating, drinking, or gambling…..what are they doing?  Staying in their room, watching TV?  I doubt it.

So, I would love to hear from you, the Las Vegas visitor……why do you come to Las Vegas?  Have you been here in the past 12 months?  If so, what did you do?  How did you spend your money?  Business or Pleasure?  Do you plan to return soon?  What can we (Las Vegas) do better as a vacation destination?

Please join the conversation, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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