Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[ValerieJo]

1 minute ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I first went to Vegas sometime around 1985.  My roommate's little brother was graduating from UNLV.  It was VERY different back then.  You could get those great food deals that you mentioned.  My roommate's brother introduced us to a small place in front of Circus Circus called Slots A Fun.  Great place for cheap gambling and cheap beer for those who were on a budget.

 

I used to go to Vegas annually for Comdex and then the CES show.  I watched Vegas change several times.  I remember when they tried to "clean it up" and make it more family friendly.  That didn't last long.  They brought in celebrity chefs and the cost of food skyrocketed.  One by one, the old places were knocked down/imploded and replaced with mega resorts.  I remember staying at the Dunes once.  Cool place.  I don't mind the current version since it's a little more upscale and has great shows.  But I do miss the old version.  

 

Definitely miss the old Vegas.  I first went in 1978 with my dad.  We stayed at the Sands.  Way before all the high rises.  

 

Didn't go again until 1998 when Doug and I got married.  It was still pretty old school at that point.  The Bellagio was just getting ready to open and they were just building Mandalay Bay.  Loved the cheap hotels, cheap gambling, cheap food and free drinks.  Of course, the 99 cent shrimp cocktails were a must.  In the last 25 years that we've been going, things sure have changed a lot.

[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, NHProud said:

I’m sorry about your musician friend .  You must have great memories of your time together.  My husband’s brother asked us to join him and his lady friend in LV so we did . We had a fun time with them .  One month later he died . We are so grateful to have had one last visit him .   When in LV , I think of him . 
 

Woe , you go way back . I’ve only read of those deals .  The food is better and the shows are glitzier and it costs more , too . 

Very sorry about your friend, Greg . 

Thanks he was incredible. I think the pressure and stress of Vegas wore him down. I think he felt like he was in a rut and could never get out.

This was his audition for a job at Excalibur with the Royal Court Singers.

He would play with other groups around town including Santa Fe and this group called Vocalese.

 

 

I miss him dearly. What a great talent.

[DaniDanielle]

We enjoyed seeing big name entertainers up close and reasonably priced.  Siegfried and Roy were a fill in at one of the production shows?  Couldn’t believe we paid so little to see them and than their prices were ridiculous when they got famous!!!

[DaniDanielle]

Happy birthday to Susan.  Mark, looks like another fun summer for you,

[Sea Dog]

12 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I first went to Vegas sometime around 1985.  My roommate's little brother was graduating from UNLV.  It was VERY different back then.  You could get those great food deals that you mentioned.  My roommate's brother introduced us to a small place in front of Circus Circus called Slots A Fun.  Great place for cheap gambling and cheap beer for those who were on a budget.

 

I used to go to Vegas annually for Comdex and then the CES show.  I watched Vegas change several times.  I remember when they tried to "clean it up" and make it more family friendly.  That didn't last long.  They brought in celebrity chefs and the cost of food skyrocketed.  One by one, the old places were knocked down/imploded and replaced with mega resorts.  I remember staying at the Dunes once.  Cool place.  I don't mind the current version since it's a little more upscale and has great shows.  But I do miss the old version.  

It was better when the mob owned everything. I miss I was age earlier to go and see Sinatra, Sammy, Dean and all the great entertainers of that era.

[Sea Dog]

1 minute ago, DaniDanielle said:

We enjoyed seeing big name entertainers up close and reasonably priced.  Siegfried and Roy were a fill in at one of the production shows?  Couldn’t believe we paid so little to see them and than their prices were ridiculous when they got famous!!!

Yes I remember seeing Siegfried and Roy at the Frontier for $70 for two. Great act!

[ValerieJo]

3 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Thanks he was incredible. I think the pressure and stress of Vegas wore him down. I think he felt like he was in a rut and could never get out.

This was his audition for a job at Excalibur with the Royal Court Singers.

He would play with other groups around town including Santa Fe and this group called Vocalese.

 

 

I miss him dearly. What a great talent.

 

So sorry about the loss of your friend.  He was very talented.  

[Sea Dog]

8 minutes ago, ValerieJo said:

 

So sorry about the loss of your friend.  He was very talented.  

Thanks he had a band in Kc with another good friend of mine and they were called “Wheels.” Mainly did all original songs. Here is one of Brad’s song called “Finally” that I shot video of in the studio. I used the song after Brad died in my wedding as Linda and I’s exit song.

 

https://fb.watch/l0mLiyvvF_/?mibextid=l2pjGR

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by Sea Dog

[ValerieJo]

9 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Thanks he had a band in Kc with another good friend of mine and they were called “Wheels.” Mainly did all original songs. Here is one of Brad’s song called “Finally” that I shot video of in the studio. I used the song after Brad died in my wedding as Linda and I’s exit song.

 

https://fb.watch/l0mLiyvvF_/?mibextid=l2pjGR

 

 

Wow, what a great song.  Perfect for a wedding song.  He almost has a Kenny Loggins vibe to him.

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by ValerieJo

[BonTexasNY]

14 hours ago, HBE4 said:

When I stepped out last night, I smelled wood burning. I was wondering which one of my neighbors installed a fire pit but I guess it was the wilderness fires? 

 

Today was weird. Thick haze all day. Sunset lit it up in bright orange.  Looked very post-apocalyptic.   @Coralc & @NHProud is that how it typically is in California? 

Hope everyone stays safe from those awful fires. Lots of schools are banning outdoor activities, NY included due to the hazardous air quality.

[BonTexasNY]

@Sea Dog Greg, may your dear friend's memory always be a blessing to you.  Two years ago, I lost a dear friend of 45 years.  We're lucky to have had their friendship.

[Ozark_Kid]

35 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I used to go to Vegas annually for Comdex and then the CES show

The CES show has always been something I wanted to do.  I would read a recap of each day's show to see what was new in the electronic world.   How did you like being there.

[Sea Dog]

12 minutes ago, ValerieJo said:

 

Wow, what a great song.  Perfect for a wedding song.  He almost has a Kenny Loggins vibe to him.

 

Yes he loved Kenny Loggins. He had a great range and could sing really high.

Here is another song that Jimmy and Brad wrote.

 

 

[Sea Dog]

10 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

@Sea Dog Greg, may your dear friend's memory always be a blessing to you.  Two years ago, I lost a dear friend of 45 years.  We're lucky to have had their friendship.

Thanks Bonnie I know you know how I feel. Here is a pic of our gang. That’s me far right.

 

[Husky1987]

@Sea Dog sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

Reminds me...my mom and dad met a couple from Las Vegas on a cruise in the early 90's, and went on a few cruises together and became life long friends after that.  He was a retired musical director for one of the old hotel/casinos (knew Sinatra, et al).  She was a dancer/showgirl back in the day.  Such an interesting couple...I met them a couple times and heard so many stories about the old Vegas.  Tony was also a final puzzle winner on Wheel of Fortune.  

[George C]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

It was better when the mob owned everything. I miss I was age earlier to go and see Sinatra, Sammy, Dean and all the great entertainers of that era.

I had a table behind Sinatra wife at Cesar’s place around 1975 . Was supposed to see Sinatra with Dean and Sammy in Dallas but Dean Martin canceled , so he was replaced by Liza Minnelli, great concert but I really wanted to see Dean . Saw Sinatra about 6 times including in Madison square garden and Carnegie hall. Almost every singer at our favorite restaurant does Sinatra songs. 

[clochette]

2 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

I used to go to Vegas annually for Comdex and then the CES show. 

I used to work for a trade show company and spent quite a bit of times in Vegas for both of those trade shows, so exhausting and so fun at the same time.

[NHProud]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Thanks he was incredible. I think the pressure and stress of Vegas wore him down. I think he felt like he was in a rut and could never get out.

This was his audition for a job at Excalibur with the Royal Court Singers.

He would play with other groups around town including Santa Fe and this group called Vocalese.

 

 

I miss him dearly. What a great talent.

Very good friends are precious and are greatly missed when they leave us .  He was very talented. Such a great loss . 
 

A good friend of mine will be rolling through your state today on her way to NYC by train . It is such an ambitious endeavor for a senior female traveling by her lonesome.  I hope it is a smooth journey for her as she no choice for return except by train . She has a lovely two weeks planned in the big city . 

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Thanks Bonnie I know you know how I feel. Here is a pic of our gang. That’s me far right.

 

Great photo.  I spotted you right away without the tip.  The eyes never lie.

57 minutes ago, clochette said:

I used to work for a trade show company and spent quite a bit of times in Vegas for both of those trade shows, so exhausting and so fun at the same time.

My husband exhibited at the Vegas ASD trade show.  It was how I was able to visit Vegas so many times.  Wonderful memories getting together with other exhibitors through the years.

[h20skibum]

6 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Happy Birthday to Susan!

So excited to hear about and see all pictures you will post about the summer adventures with your grandson! You will post, right? Look forward to it!

Thank you.   Yes, I will probably post a few. 

 

4 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

 

Happy Birthday Susan and have a great summer.

Thank you.  We hope to have some fun. 

 

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

 

Thank you. 

 

3 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

Happy birthday to Susan.  Mark, looks like another fun summer for you,

Thank you.  We are going to try to make it fun again.  It won’t be long until grandkids will not want to spend time with us, because their friends are more fun.  Glad we haven’t reached that point yet. 

[lenquixote66]

3 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Hope everyone stays safe from those awful fires. Lots of schools are banning outdoor activities, NY included due to the hazardous air quality.

The sky is bright Orange here.

[lenquixote66]

1 hour ago, clochette said:

I used to work for a trade show company and spent quite a bit of times in Vegas for both of those trade shows, so exhausting and so fun at the same time.

By any chance was it an ASI show ?

[lenquixote66]

TSOTD is from St. Kitts where my younger daughter eloped.Her husband called his mother but our daughter waited until the returned from her trip

[HBE4]

My first time in Vegas was 2003/2004 when they were still trying to be a family friendly destination with hotels having massive pool complexes complete with lazy rivers, wave pools and waterslides. Many of the old gangster hotels like The Sands, The Desert Inn, etc. were long gone & the Stardust was dying while the new “themed” hotels had already been built all over that were designed to appeal to families such as Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay & New York, New York with its roller coaster. There were rides on top of the Stratosphere town and Pirates of the Caribbean pirate show at Treasure Island.    There were a few signs of the old Vegas on The Strip with a couple of small run down casinos that still offered 99 cent Shrimp cocktail and 25 cent roulette tables. They were demolished a few years later to make way for even bigger hotel-casino resort complexes. So now if you want a taste of old Vegas, you need to head downtown to Fremont Street but even that is changing.

We stayed at The Flamingo, one of the few old-time casino’s left on The Strip. The rooms were a bit dated but it had a fabulous tropical pool complex that was an oasis of relaxation and calmness amid the hectic frenzy of The Strip. Plenty of shade trees and waterfalls to cool off in, it was a great place to relax during the day before hitting the town at night.  After bouncing around to a few other hotels, we returned to Flamingo but now it was during the “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” heyday. The rooms were remodeled nicely but the pool area was turned into a “day club” complete with thumping music and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds so thick you could barely see the water.

 

Back in the good old days, Vegas would practically give away rooms and food to get people to come and gamble. Now, they make so much money off food, rooms, shows, concerts and day/night clubs, the gambling is almost a side business.

[HBE4]

9 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

The sky is bright Orange here.

 

Same here.  And the smell of many campfires. Brings back memories of when I used to go tent camping in a much younger day.