ok, that was Vegas.....

Been quite a while since I did any serious posting, and it still might be so. After being sick last week, then being in Las Vegas for the weekend (more later), I woke up Monday with a stomach bug that just will not go away. I feel better, but three days is a long time to feel so weak and worn down from it.

Ah, yes, Las Vegas. Let's just say that "one and done" will also work for visits there. Now, maybe when Morgan and I were younger, or if I really "had" to hit the casinos, but even then I don't think I would have liked it. Besides Morgan's work time, and our dinner at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, it was really a waste for us.

I'll start with Bobby Flay's place, Mesa Grill. It is located in Caesar's Palace and is a really nice place. Tucked all the way in the back of the hotel and casino (a long walk from the front doors), it was a fine dining experience. The service was excellent, and the food was great. Every plate was done up "fancy" and garnished in different ways for presentation, which is what you would expect from the Food Network star. Not my normal place to eat, but as a special treat, it was really nice. I know Morgan enjoyed herself and did not have a bit of disappointment after being there. Sometimes your expectations can bring on a "letdown", but that was certainly not the case here.

Saturday, Cassie and I joined Morgan at the MGM Grand for her day of country star interviews. It was nice to see Morgan do her thing with the artists. Many of them she has know for quite a while. It is a little unnerving though to see Keith Urban come up to your wife (twice, when he first arrived and then leaving) and give her a big hug and kiss, but they have known each other for many years, and it is nice that he remembers her all the time when they do see each other. I even heard him compliment her on how great she looks. Back away, Aussie boy! :-)

As for Cassie, she made herself best friends with Taylor Swift. Taylor was very nice to Cassie, and during the interview while Cassie had my iPhone, was hamming it up for her, and letting her take any picture she wanted. Then Taylor took my phone, and was snapping pictures with Cassie like they were girlfriends. It was very nice.

Besides Taylor, Cassie was also treated very well by Keith Urban, even though see "goo-goo eyed" most of the time (most be a mother/daughter thing), and he asked her to take a picture with him. There were many others including Trisha Yearwood to were very kind to her. The best though, had to be Randy Owen of the group, Alabama. He asked Cassie if she could sing, and when she said "yes", he had her sing a song, so Cassie picked the song she will be singing for her school play (We love you California). He was impressed that she was able to stay focused. So impressed, that later in the day, when Luke Bryan was going to be interviewed, Randy stopped by and told Luke that Cassie could sing. When Cassie started a Hanna Montana song, but then forgot the words, Luke mentioned that he forgot the words while singing the National Anthem at the Women's SEC Basketball Championship. Well, Cassie told him that she knows the Anthem, and next thing you know, Cassie is singing the National Anthem for him. Very funny, and also great that these "stars" were so nice to a 10 year old.

So, basically, that was our trip. Hope to feel better and get more caught up with everyone, and everything going on around us.

I will quickly follow up on something I wrote about last week concerning Coach Laviolette of the Hurricanes. On Friday it was announced by the team that he would be keeping their job (nice of management). Well, I have been trading a few e-mails with N&O writer, Luke DeCock, and it seems my take on the situation was not far off, and coach is not a happy man. I have a bad feeling that this will come back to bite the team down the road.

- Soon it will be cheaper to ship your clothes than fly with them
- Who's your Idol?
- Penguins vs. Red Wings starts on Saturday

Until the next time.....