Day one in the Big Vegas house
The tour started well as I managed to get to the Hilton Gatwick in a little over an hour and my suitcase was roomed without me having to touch it thanks to Corry at one end and the little Spanish porter at the Hilton.
Things took a slight turn as I drove round and round the south terminal looking for the little signs that they told me would direct me to the car park. I returned to the Hilton twice to ask again for directions, but for some reason the little Spanish porter seemed more obsessed with me wearing my headset in the restaurant than helping me find the car park. Each time he would say "Headphono to meal"... "Headphono to meal". I kept telling him I never wear my headset to the restaurant but he just would not listen, waiving his hands frantically in a Manuel type manner. Eventually, I gave up and headed off back towards the M23 to try and reverse my steps to find the damn car park. It was at this point when I saw the sign for North Terminal that my translation skills came to full fruition and realised Manuel wasn't actually saying "Headphono to meal" but "Head for North Terminal". Signs became rather clear from then on.
Hotel went without a hitch and managed to get a lovely lad to take my luggage from my room and direct to the Virgin ticket desk to try and blag an upgrade to get more space. I was introduced to the lovely Di who said she will put me top of the list if any become available.
Arriving at the gate for our already 2 hour delayed flight, the queue was approx. 1.34 miles long and the room was crammed full of sweaty impatient travellers, so I decided to go to the gate opposite which was empty and stratch out a bit. I was soon spotted by Bigadz and the lovely Emma who decided to join me. After about an hour, the queue seemed to do a u-turn and all started walking back to the terminal. We learned there was a further delay of 2 hours and the reason given was that they could not get the engines to start. I have heard some very good reasons for aircraft delays before, but that is possibly the most valid reason ever... Engines wouldn't start!
Anyway, to cut a long story my name was called out over the tannoy and they sold me an upgrade dirt cheap. They also took me thru an emergency door to ump the queue and then shepherded me on to the plane before everyone else. It was all a bit OTT for a bad back, but have to say big pat on back to the Virgin staff. The seat itself was unreal. It didn't go as far as to lie flat, but was so far ahead of standard seats, it was well worth the extra and it is always nice to OD on champagne before a long haul flight. One minor problem was that Dale Hoy (played lots of TV poker events) was sat behind me and once we got chatting... well it meant me turning my head to the side to listen and when I eventually looked back forward after an hour it was like trying to wrench a rusty old nut on a downpipe. The flight itself was possibly the best I could have hoped for and the only time I had to lift my luggage was off the carousel which went without too much of a hitch.
By now I realised my chances of sharing a cab with Gavin and Oldgit were slim as I didn't have a clue what they looked like. So I took full advantage of being let off the plane first and got the first taxi to the Rio... only to find a queue of approx. 50 people and only one station open for checking in. Ah well, I am sure it will be worth the wait.
A quick unpack and shower and it was off to the bar to see who was about. The bar everyone congregates at is known as 'whores bar' as at a particular time of night, they all congregate there too. It is a general meeting are for poker players as it is at the beginning of the run down to the WSOP area and it is difficult to go anywhere in the Rio without walking past it. I had already spoken to s7eve who said he would meet me in the bar in a few minutes and that we were going to gatecrash the Betfair party that evening. I am not normally one for these party shenanigans, but as it was my first night I reluctantly agreed. I had by now met Gavin and had also invited him to the bar, but at this point was stood with Kosh, Canadean, Bilthebandit, Kegsy (and his mate), Dee and Murph. Kosh explained to us that he had tried finding the bar earlier but after walking past the bar many times eventually asked a few hotel workers where he could find 'whores bar'. Bet that went down well. :D
A good 3 hours later and after meeting and greeting the usual suspects at these events, I was now well and truly oiled when s7eve finally turned up. Apparently, this has become a bit of a trademark for s7eve as he tends to bump into a lot of people along his route. Nobody he knows... he just bumps into things a lot!
1st video...
A few laddiesforum members... (beware naughty words as some were tipsy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AZMbu0efYo
Now he took me aside to tell me he had been given this special invite for ten people from James666 to the premier PKR party but only had 4 spaces left. There were approx. 7 or 8 of us laddiesforum people stood chatting so I suggested we try to blag it for all of them but s7eve didn't want to risk it so asked which 4 wanted to join us. Of course, their loyalty shone through and they decided they would rather stay together. So off we trotted without them. Except, at the last minute one of them changed his mind and decided to join us... so Canadean tagged along.
So seven of us jumped in a limo and off to the Venetian for the premier PKR party and everyone was all excited in anticipation. We wandered around the Venetian for some time turning every corner looking for the dancing girls and listening for the vibe. The bar areas were busy and the restaurant was heaving but we could not find our premier PKR party. Eventually we had to ask and were pointed to a specific area. As we turned the corner we were met by the quietest area in the Venetian, perhaps in all Vegas. James666 was sat with a few people that can be described best as elderly family members waiting for their dinner. James is a lovely bloke and said we would have to split up into one group of 5 and one of 2. For what? The meal of course. Well, I politely said that I hadn't realised it was for a meal and had already eaten so I would wait for everyone at the bar. Joe from Isle of Man took a different slant on events and explained "I came for a party, not a fookin family meal, so I am going with Rich to the bar." Canadean tagged along.
s7eve did say he made it clear we were going for a meal, but he forgets that Big Vegas is always watching! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-qD_5WV7ds
Anyway, all joking apart we had a very lovely evening and as the night went on the bar became raunchier and raunchier which of course made me feel rather uncomfortable but I coped. So, first day and having got up at 7:30am uk time it was now 9:30 uk time next day so not a bad start. After downing numerous pills and throwing alcohol on top, feeling old and voice beginning to slur and fuzz... s7eve decided he wanted to leave! :D So I said I would go back to the hotel with him as I was knackered too. Canadean tagged along.
Arriving back at the Rio, I said to s7eve just stare at the lifts and DO NOT avert your gaze towards whores bar. DO NOT avert your gaze towards whores bar. s7eve stared at the lift for a good 3 seconds... then averted his gaze towards whores bar and forgot all about being tired. I showed much more discipline and continued to the lifts to finish the day while ahead. Canadean tagged along (with s7eve!)
Tonight is the premier Ladbrokes party. And Ladbrokes do know how to look after you...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkEaNhVvhzE
Apologies for droning on, but based on last year there is every chance the reports may start to dwindle so may as well overdo it now.
Hope all is well back home and best of luck to everyone.
Things took a slight turn as I drove round and round the south terminal looking for the little signs that they told me would direct me to the car park. I returned to the Hilton twice to ask again for directions, but for some reason the little Spanish porter seemed more obsessed with me wearing my headset in the restaurant than helping me find the car park. Each time he would say "Headphono to meal"... "Headphono to meal". I kept telling him I never wear my headset to the restaurant but he just would not listen, waiving his hands frantically in a Manuel type manner. Eventually, I gave up and headed off back towards the M23 to try and reverse my steps to find the damn car park. It was at this point when I saw the sign for North Terminal that my translation skills came to full fruition and realised Manuel wasn't actually saying "Headphono to meal" but "Head for North Terminal". Signs became rather clear from then on.
Hotel went without a hitch and managed to get a lovely lad to take my luggage from my room and direct to the Virgin ticket desk to try and blag an upgrade to get more space. I was introduced to the lovely Di who said she will put me top of the list if any become available.
Arriving at the gate for our already 2 hour delayed flight, the queue was approx. 1.34 miles long and the room was crammed full of sweaty impatient travellers, so I decided to go to the gate opposite which was empty and stratch out a bit. I was soon spotted by Bigadz and the lovely Emma who decided to join me. After about an hour, the queue seemed to do a u-turn and all started walking back to the terminal. We learned there was a further delay of 2 hours and the reason given was that they could not get the engines to start. I have heard some very good reasons for aircraft delays before, but that is possibly the most valid reason ever... Engines wouldn't start!
Anyway, to cut a long story my name was called out over the tannoy and they sold me an upgrade dirt cheap. They also took me thru an emergency door to ump the queue and then shepherded me on to the plane before everyone else. It was all a bit OTT for a bad back, but have to say big pat on back to the Virgin staff. The seat itself was unreal. It didn't go as far as to lie flat, but was so far ahead of standard seats, it was well worth the extra and it is always nice to OD on champagne before a long haul flight. One minor problem was that Dale Hoy (played lots of TV poker events) was sat behind me and once we got chatting... well it meant me turning my head to the side to listen and when I eventually looked back forward after an hour it was like trying to wrench a rusty old nut on a downpipe. The flight itself was possibly the best I could have hoped for and the only time I had to lift my luggage was off the carousel which went without too much of a hitch.
By now I realised my chances of sharing a cab with Gavin and Oldgit were slim as I didn't have a clue what they looked like. So I took full advantage of being let off the plane first and got the first taxi to the Rio... only to find a queue of approx. 50 people and only one station open for checking in. Ah well, I am sure it will be worth the wait.
A quick unpack and shower and it was off to the bar to see who was about. The bar everyone congregates at is known as 'whores bar' as at a particular time of night, they all congregate there too. It is a general meeting are for poker players as it is at the beginning of the run down to the WSOP area and it is difficult to go anywhere in the Rio without walking past it. I had already spoken to s7eve who said he would meet me in the bar in a few minutes and that we were going to gatecrash the Betfair party that evening. I am not normally one for these party shenanigans, but as it was my first night I reluctantly agreed. I had by now met Gavin and had also invited him to the bar, but at this point was stood with Kosh, Canadean, Bilthebandit, Kegsy (and his mate), Dee and Murph. Kosh explained to us that he had tried finding the bar earlier but after walking past the bar many times eventually asked a few hotel workers where he could find 'whores bar'. Bet that went down well. :D
A good 3 hours later and after meeting and greeting the usual suspects at these events, I was now well and truly oiled when s7eve finally turned up. Apparently, this has become a bit of a trademark for s7eve as he tends to bump into a lot of people along his route. Nobody he knows... he just bumps into things a lot!
1st video...
A few laddiesforum members... (beware naughty words as some were tipsy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AZMbu0efYo
Now he took me aside to tell me he had been given this special invite for ten people from James666 to the premier PKR party but only had 4 spaces left. There were approx. 7 or 8 of us laddiesforum people stood chatting so I suggested we try to blag it for all of them but s7eve didn't want to risk it so asked which 4 wanted to join us. Of course, their loyalty shone through and they decided they would rather stay together. So off we trotted without them. Except, at the last minute one of them changed his mind and decided to join us... so Canadean tagged along.
So seven of us jumped in a limo and off to the Venetian for the premier PKR party and everyone was all excited in anticipation. We wandered around the Venetian for some time turning every corner looking for the dancing girls and listening for the vibe. The bar areas were busy and the restaurant was heaving but we could not find our premier PKR party. Eventually we had to ask and were pointed to a specific area. As we turned the corner we were met by the quietest area in the Venetian, perhaps in all Vegas. James666 was sat with a few people that can be described best as elderly family members waiting for their dinner. James is a lovely bloke and said we would have to split up into one group of 5 and one of 2. For what? The meal of course. Well, I politely said that I hadn't realised it was for a meal and had already eaten so I would wait for everyone at the bar. Joe from Isle of Man took a different slant on events and explained "I came for a party, not a fookin family meal, so I am going with Rich to the bar." Canadean tagged along.
s7eve did say he made it clear we were going for a meal, but he forgets that Big Vegas is always watching! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-qD_5WV7ds
Anyway, all joking apart we had a very lovely evening and as the night went on the bar became raunchier and raunchier which of course made me feel rather uncomfortable but I coped. So, first day and having got up at 7:30am uk time it was now 9:30 uk time next day so not a bad start. After downing numerous pills and throwing alcohol on top, feeling old and voice beginning to slur and fuzz... s7eve decided he wanted to leave! :D So I said I would go back to the hotel with him as I was knackered too. Canadean tagged along.
Arriving back at the Rio, I said to s7eve just stare at the lifts and DO NOT avert your gaze towards whores bar. DO NOT avert your gaze towards whores bar. s7eve stared at the lift for a good 3 seconds... then averted his gaze towards whores bar and forgot all about being tired. I showed much more discipline and continued to the lifts to finish the day while ahead. Canadean tagged along (with s7eve!)
Tonight is the premier Ladbrokes party. And Ladbrokes do know how to look after you...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkEaNhVvhzE
Apologies for droning on, but based on last year there is every chance the reports may start to dwindle so may as well overdo it now.
Hope all is well back home and best of luck to everyone.
posted by richlizard at
9:26 AM
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