Licensing Blog

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Viva Las Vegas!!(Posted: 21-06-2012)

Our annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas started off on the ever-ageing Virgin flight out of Gatwick. Not for us video on demand. Need the loo and you miss half the film. I heard a rumour from a Virgin insider (that almost sounds wrong, doesn’t it?) that a brand new aircraft will be soon allocated to the route. But not soon enough for us this year.

A couple of drunken evenings later and all of a sudden it was Monday. I foolishly decided to waste a couple of hours of my life that I will never get back watching England play football. You couldn’t mistake that Frank Ribery for being anything but French, could you? Thanks Advanstar, for altering the rebooking process and taking it out of show hours. Much easier for those of us who know we will definitely be exhibiting each year.

I heard rumours (which I had no reason to doubt) of a late-night catfight on the dance floor at Eye Candy, and some-one being carted away by security in a wheelchair because she was too drunk to walk! At this point, please be aware that I was tucked up in bed because the show was on the next day.

A quick meal in The Pub at the Monte Carlo (about 40 different draught beers can help wash down the 8lb burger you can order – yes, you read correctly – 8lb!!) on the Wednesday night preceded a visit to the Piano Bar in the New York, New York, where the party was well attended to celebrate Mr Sock Man’s 40^th birthday. The press-ganging of $30 from everyone to guess the total number of sequins on their suits was well received and no doubt raised oodles of cash for the Light Fund. Well done chaps.

A Thursday night trip to Fremont St saw me persuaded on to the zipwire. Not being much of a thrill seeker (don’t ever invite me to Alton Towers) I have to admit to enjoying it so much I went twice. Although (and only in America) they did have a Happy Hour special with a discount for the second ride. We went before and after sunset, and if you only do it once I suggest in the dark (I think my wife said that once).

We finished off at the strangely named Hash House A Go Go in the Plaza Hotel & Casino. I am happy to recommend a visit here. American diner-ish in appearance, the food was more upmarket than you would have thought, beautifully presented, not expensive at all. We had to order the dish that carried the tag-line “As seen on Man versus Food”.  If you’ve never seen the programme, basically this American guy travels the country making a pig on himself on the biggest meals he can find. Well, if what we were served really was a chicken breast, I reckon the chicken must have been the size of a small horse. Needless to say, and not for the first time that week, more food went to waste.

Not a moment too soon, back on the tired Virgin plane. Fingers crossed for next year...