Las Vegas 09

For those of you who have followed this blog (all 3 of you), you know that I had a trip to Las Vegas coming up. Well that trip has already come and past. It was a trip that went entirely too fast, not in the sense that I wanted to stay in Sin City, just in the fact that I was not ready to go back to work. But alas, this silly world we live in revolves around the mighty(?) dollar, and in this economy I should just be happy to have a solid job (I'm a manager in a grocery store and we all gotta eat).

Brian, Rachel, Jillian, and myself all jumped into my Scion XD and took off for Vegas late on a Thursday night after we all worked. We left early instead of the planned Friday morning departure to give us more time to play as we always seem to just nap our first day if we leave early. Since this was not the original plan we did not stay at the MGM Grand this night. We stayed in an "upgraded" room at the Stratosphere. If you read my blog in which I review all of the hotels I have stayed in down in Vegas, you know that this is my fall back hotel. Always solid. Well, this "upgraded" room and exactly the same as their standard rooms, except for the bedspread. That was it. Still, it was clean and we were just staying for the one night. We arrived at the hotel around 11pm and for some reason they only had two people working the checkout line and had a line a mile long. I waited in the line while Brian made a new best friend with some drunk guy who kept yelling weird things and telling lame jokes. Brian gave plenty courtesy laughs to the fella. This was the extent of our fun at the Stratosphere.

The next morning we all woke up and took off for breakfast/lunch at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. We always seem to make a stop here as the food is good and the atmosphere is fun. After that we checked into our room at the MGM Grand. The room here was nice. The beds were soft. The hotel layout was nice. Everything about the place was great, except for the drunk gaggle of dumb girls who had rooms down the hall. Every night these drunk girls would come slamming down the hall yelling, crying, laughing, hell they even breathe loudly. It took everything thing in my power to not run out at night and beat them down with my verbal assaults. As I write this right now I am searching for clean words to describe them, instead of the four lettered ones that come to mind. Anyways, Friday night was spent eating our weight in Japanese dumplings and shrimp at the Mirage. After gorging there we went to see the Beatles Love show. I have seen this show before and I love it (no pun). However, when I sat in my seat, I sat in a puddle in which I hope was just spilt soda. Brian thinks it's fat guy under butt sweat. Dear god. The hostess brought me a towel to sit on and I enjoyed the show non the less. Brian however, full of Prim Rib and seafood, found the music calming, the temperature too warm, and the lights dark, and had one expensive nap.

The next couple days were spent relaxing. Gambling, in which I never won anything. Walking the strip. Eating good food, and just having a good time. Speaking of good food, Jill and I had dinner alone one night and at at Enoteca San Marco, by Mario Batali. The food was excellent, I had the Chef's special of the day, which were Pork Ribs in a Blood Orange reduction. Jill had a very good Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza. We shared a yummy cheese appetizer and had an excellent Peanut Butter and Banana gellato. We will defiantly be going back to this place.

Overall this was a very good trip, but I can say that I am a little worn out with Las Vegas. I'm going to take a nice break from this city so the next time I go back it will have some of its allure again. I have spent so much time there in the past ten years, it feels like a second home. Now I just need to figure out where I take my late summer/early fall trip. Do I go to New York? Hawaii? California? Florida? Colorado? Too many places to see, too little money....

My Hair

Ever since 1999 I've kept my hair either buzzed or spiked. It is simple to maintain and I've always thought fat dudes look funny with long hair. I always say I'm going to grow it out to see what I'd look like, but I always give in and shave it bald. Jill told me she doesn't think I'd be able to grow it out and that I'd go crazy, so here I sit with the longest hair I've had in almost 10 years. Who knows how long I'll be able to stand all this hair, but I'll keep growing until I rock my super mullet :) So anyhow, the last picture is of me tonight after only my 2nd hair cut since July, and here's to hoping I can prove Jill wrong and rock some killer "Flock of Seagulls" 'do real soon....

Evolution of the Hair 7/14 - 1/13

Knee Injury Update

So I went to the Orthopedic Surgeon today and had him look at my knee. After pulling and pushing, bending and tweaking, the Dr. told me that he thinks that my ACL isn't the problem and that it actually feels pretty strong. He says the problem is either bone damage as in a deep bruise or fracture, or that I may have a torn meniscus. He then told me he was going to give me a shot in my knee. For those who know me, you know I have a huge fear of needles. But since I am tired of this pain and limping around I told him to "BRING IT ON". The shot consisted of a steroid, an anti-inflammatory, and some pain medicine. It hurt like crazy and now my knee feels heavy and warm, but hopefully it will bring down the swelling. But thanks to the build up of fluid in my knee, when he pulled out the massively long needle, my knee began to "gush" as my Dr. said. Nice, eh? Anyhow, now I play the waiting game. He wants me to wait six weeks and see if the shot and time will heal my knee. If not, or if the knee keeps slipping I'll have to go back and have an MRI to look for meniscus damage. Keep your fingers crossed that with time my knee will heal without surgery.

Brian and Elijah

My brother Brian and his son, Elijah, came home for the holidays. Brian is in the Navy and I only get to see him around once a year. It is always good to see him and I love him more than words can express. He is such a strong man and has been through hell and back and he has never lost his drive or smile. I admire him very much.

Brian and his girlfriend, Marceau, have a beautiful son named Elijah. Brian got to bring Elijah home with him and I got a nice long week to start a relationship with him. He came home for Christmas last year, but was only 1 1/2 at the time, so needless to say he was shy and uncomfortable around this fat kid. But not this year. Every time I'd come home from work he'd yell "Unka MATT" and run around the house, jumping and screaming. We'd watch movies together, play with cars, and we even wrestled to the point that I blew out my knee! But every moment with him was a blast. I love him very much. His Aunt Jill is heartbroken he had to leave as it maybe another year until we see him. Hopefully it will be much sooner.

Other then my knee injury this was the best Christmas ever. We had family members bury the hatchet on some old drama and reunite. For the first time in 10 years with the exception of the awkward moments at my wedding, we had all the Mabey kids in the room together. It was very special.

Brian, if you read this, just know that I am proud of you and all that you have done with what life has dealt you. You serve this country and you do it selflessly. You are loved very much. Take care of Marceau and Elijah and come back soon!