Donny and Marie Pics

I don't think I need to say much more!

Update and Happy Holidays

Oh the weather outside is frightful.





It's freezing rain here in Cleveland at the moment. I'm not too worried though as it is supposed to warm up a bit overnight and by AM it should be just showers.





Prepared or not the holidays are here. Christmas is in 2 days and the new year rings in way to quickly.





I turned 40 2 weeks ago today and haven't really stopped to admire what that means. 40 is old. 40 is young. 40 is just right.





I have worked at my current job for over 1/4 of my life. I have known several of you who might be reading this (Jen, Lynne) for 1/2 my life. I have been in my house for 1/8 my life.





If I live to be 80 I am middle aged. If I live to be 60 my life is 2/3 over. If I die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take. What kind of bedtime scare tactic was that to lay on a child?





I spent a realizing evening last night with some friends from high school (and earlier really) I have kn own one of them for 2/3 of my life. I had not seen one for 1/2 my life until last night.





I have lived in Cleveland since 1995. I graduated high school in 1987. I graduated college in 1991 and grad school in 1993. These dates which for so long seem so important now only seem like a piece of history. Memories from years ago that become hazier and more distant as I march another year into my life.





So, happy holidays to you. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa.





hugs from the old, young, middle-aged man, boy, human.

An oldie, but I still Love it!

A Letter to Martha...

Dear Martha,

After watching your recent holiday special and seeing how easy it is to make 300 plum puddings for your closest friends and after seeing you decorate your entire house to appear like a scene right out Dicken's A Christmas Carol as it might have been staged by Currier and Ives, I decided to try my hand at a little "holiday magic."

First stop was my local super store where I picked up your 8 books on Christmas planning and decorating, 4 DVDs of yours teaching me how to make my house look like yours for the holidays, all the needed Martha Stewart brand decorations mentioned in the books (thanks for the pull off book cover with the shopping list) and even a copy of your CD "Relaxing Holiday Sounds."

Unfortunately, I was out of commission for the next week because I threw my back out trying to load all of my purchases into my car. (Total cost $1254.87 for the books and such and another $100.00 for the doctor and my prescriptions (how about a chapter in a future book on making your own pharmaceuticals?))

Once I was able to stand up straight again, I set out to make 300 plum puddings for all of my closest friends just as you suggest (although I wasn't quite sure what my friends were going to go with 60 plum puddings each).

Although I was beginning to panic as I was already a week behind the schedule set forth in your book.Next stop was my local grocery store where I spent $523.74 on the ingredients. I went home and began mixing up the batter. Of course, at the time I was living in a 1-bedroom apartment with a half-size stove and oven so I couldn't mix up all the batter at once like you show in your book, so I set out to make them one at a time. Each pudding took 1 hour to mix and bake, so 12 and a half days later I was done making the puddings.

Now I was three weeks behind the schedule of your book, and Christmas having passed 3 days earlier and with no other presents for my friends I ventured out singing the old wassail songs listed in Chapter 5 of your book. I learned them in the Middle English just like you suggested.Well Martha, here is where my question to you comes in.

During the almost 2 weeks of making and baking the puddings, I hadn't showered, so when I showed up at my 1st friend’s house with a wheelbarrow of 60 plum puddings, singing in an what sounded like an unknown language and smelling like an old gym sock, my friend called the police and had me arrested.

Since I had spent $523.74 on ingredients and another $1254.87 for your books and such (not to mention the $100.00 on the doctor) and since I hadn't been to work for the past month, I had no money for bail.

So dear Martha, do you have a book on how to pass the time in county jail (I am hoping your recent stint in prison will make it so) or at least some ideas on how to accessorize this orange jumpsuit?

Forever Faithful,

Shannon

Back to Normality

It's Sunday. I spent the weekend at my Parent's (as I usually do every other weekend). It's been quite a departure from Vegas. I've been doing very little and sleeping a lot.

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only a week and a half away. The whole time I was in Vegas I knew it was December and there were some decorations here and here and often times the piped in music was Christmas related, it still was very easy to forget it was holiday time. I'm sure the next several weeks will rush by as they always do and the feelings that come with the holidays will be strong as ever if not stronger because of the ills that are hanging around our world these days. Yet everything will be OK and all things will work out in the end. It may be hard but I have to believe that we will all come out OK in the end.

So as I prepare to head back to Cleveland tonight and get ready to go back to the corporate grind tomorrow I greet the next few weeks of craziness with a smile and hope for the best!

Fairwell -- Vegas Day 8 and 9

Sorry about not posting sooner, but I had bought a week's worth of internet access (yes the IP does not have free service) and it ran out on Wends.

Wends was a typical kind of slower day fr us in Vegas. Beoing that I had already lost most of my Vegas Stash I played the same money all day.

The highlight of the day however was walking through the Bellagio shops and Concervatory. They know how to do Christmas. Here are a few pics and I will be uploading all new Vegas pics to Flickr (shanmans) as soon as I can.

Thursday was coming home day. I slept in a bit (to 6:30 am LOL). Got up and had to drop off Lynne at the airport at about 7:45. I then went back to a local place pff strip we have found (called Blueberry Hill) for breakfast and then I headed to the Rio to wile away a few hours til I had to head to the airport. I then spent some time at the Hard Rock then headed to return the rental car.

The flight boarded little late and as I was closer to the front of the plane than the back when they finally called my I stood up and got in line. Soon a woman walked up behind me and was beng escorted by a Continental employee. She fell into line behind me so still being in Vegas mode where it's common to talk to strangers I turned to say hello and found I was talking to Jamie Lee Curtis! We chated for a few minutes as we were boarding. What a way to end a grand trip!

I can't beleive it's over but am so glad to be home. As stated before I will try my best to revisit many parts of the trip with additional details in future posts t help get us all through the rest of the long winter.

Happy 40th B-day to me -- Vegas Day 7

It's late. 1 am and I've been up since 6am, so this one is short.

I had a great B-day. Played on the same money all day (well mostly lost a bit at craps 1st thing).

Donny and Marie were freaking fantastic!! They put so much energy into the performace! I got to meet them and get autographs and pics which i will scan when I get back home.

I also plan on reliving many moment sthorugh the blog over the next few months.

Night kids, and thanks to all who thought of me on this my special day!

Day 6 - Vegas -- Getting Tired.

Today was a very floaty kind of day. No major plans so Lynne and I after moring craps, and breakfast headed out the the south end of the Strip to Luxor. We parked and then headed over to Excaliber and played a while. Then headed over to Mandalay Bay to play some more and for luch. I ran inot a fello New York Lifer at lunch, Virginia Coyle who was in town with her daughter, sister and neice. A nice surprise to run into them.

More playing after lunch and then swanky drinks at one of our fav places for food/drink -- Red Square.

Headed back to IP in late afternoon and played somemore. Overall not a productive gambling day but is still fun. I just love the comradery that exists amound people so different from each other bu race, nationality, gender etc.

I just got back from picking up a surprise b-day package sent by Kathy and Debbie from work. Such a sweet thought. Thanks gals!!

So off to bed, and tomorrow the actual big day which ends with Donny and Marie in concert (and meeting them after for a picture!!!!!!!!!)


Peace out!

Vegas Day 5- WOW!

Today was a great day. The wetaher was cloudy and it was actually sprinking a few moments ago as I headed back to the IP to catch ou all up and then get some sleep.

I started a bit laer than Lynne this morning, I slept in until 6:10 (LOL). Played some craps at the IP and then we headed out the the Harrah's Buffet. This is one of my favs for breakfast. We then headed down to New York< New York. I had read that they had renovated the casino and wanted to see for myself. It was redesigned. Unfortunatly kit has lost some of that New Yorkness that made it kinda kewl. It's been made over in that geberal modern look ala Planet Hollywood and the Wynn (and also the Luxor).

Played craps though and did VERY well.

We then had a liht luch and headed back to IP to kill time before dinner.

At IP played Blackjack adn did VERY well.

Then we headed off to dinner at Spago in Caeser's Palace. Excellant food and service.

Then we went to Bette Midler's new show at the Colunmsium at Caeser's: The Showgirl Must Go On.

What a show!

So musch energy and love she showed the adoring audience!

Brava Miss. M!!!

Off to sleep now to perhaps to dream of Bette!

Day 4 Vegas Hits Hard

Today I lost. It happens. It's not fun but it's part of Vegass. I still had much fun though, as always!


The clear highpoint of today was a trip 40 miles from Vegas to Primm Nevada to see Three Dog Night AND Herman's Hermits in concert! It was a blast. I always forgot how many hits Three Dog Night actually had and of course Herman's Hermits sings nothing but sing along songs!

Tomorrow night is Better Midler preceded by dinner at Spago!

What a great trip so far!


Well, it culd be better if I could win back some $$$$...


Peace out.

Vegas Day 3

Today was one of those days that make me love and hate Vegas at the same time.

We started out with some craps at the IP, made a little money and ten headed off to Breakfast off Strip at a place called Blueberry hill on Flamingo Blvd.

We then headed off to the Hard Rock Casino which is one of my favs in Vegas. The craps crews at the Hard Rock have always been super fun and they also catch on quickly to Lynne and my not normal betting structure. Long story short, I won big on Craps at Hard Rock but gave it all back to Blackjack.

Lunch was at Lowry's (yes the seasoned salt maker). Last trip with Lynne and Jim we saw the Prime Rib resteraunt Lowry's as we drove around and thought we would go and figured it could't be too fancy as they only make seasoned salt after all.... well it was a very fancy place with excellant food. Lunch is new at Lowry's but was excellan and not so formal.

Afternoon was spend winning and loosing (more loosing than winning) at Blackjack all along the Strip.

No more pics yet, may start doing more tourist like things over the weekend to try to curb the slow bleed of money.

Vegas Day 2

I've written in this blog before that one of the best parts of Vegas for this introvert is that it's OK to talk to people in Vegas. I had one of those experiences last night. As I was playing Blackjack, I met this Canadian guy who has been living in Hong Kong for 4 years. I ran into him later in he evening and we spent like 2 hours just talking about the world. It was very kewl.

Today started out at 4:30 AM after only aout 4 hours of sleep for me. Lynne and I had breakfast at the carnegie Deli in the Mirage and then headed over to our fav early morning spot to gamble at Treasure Island (TI). We stayed and gambled there until about 1pm. We then went back to the IP and napped and then went to lunch at the Flamingo. Then gambled the afternoon away after picking up out ticks for Donny and Marie next Tues.

It's now 9:30 and I am heading to sleepy bye land soon. I did not burn through all my money for yesterday and today so I will start tomorrow ahead of budget which it a good thing!

That is unless I go back down and try to find Travis so we can talk some more... LOL

Vegas B-Day Trip Day 1, Wend, Dec 3

I got up at 6 this AM to prepare myself for the trip to the airport. A fellow New York lifer was gracious enough to give me a ride to the airport. Arrived at airport at about 7:30 made my way through checking in (no line) and security (about 15 minutes to get through). I grabbed a nice cup of coffee and made my way to the gate. Plan boarded on time, took off on time and landed on time. Clear skies most of the trip so I got to glance down at the brown and greenish fields of the Midwest turn into the white capped mountains of the Rockies and then into the red tinged desert before we landed. Total sunshine and about 60 degrees! Love it. Met up with Lynne at Baggage area and then we boarded the bud to the car rental facility. For those of you who ave been to Vegas but not to recently, McCarrin airport created a central local for all rental car agencies a few years ago. So much nicer than all those buses running people to 10 different locals to pick up and drop of cars. I got a great deal through hotwire on a car rental. I got a full size car for the entire 9 days (!!!!) we are here for less than 200 bucks!. We ended up with a Toyota Sienna minivan so for all those who couldn't make it I really would have been a soccer mom (maybe even with lipstick) as I drove you all around in the minivan. After we checked into the Imperial Palace (for those who know or don't know the IP is on the strip across from Caesar's Palace. It really is not the best place but it's great location and cheap price keeps me staying here (after all how much time does one spend in their room in Vegas!!)) we went to lunch at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (our typical 1st meal stop). We then headed back to the IP, played some craps, blackjack and then Lynne went to take a nap. I played BJ a little longer, played a few slots and then cam back to the room, signed up for internet access and wrote these few lines for my adoring masses. Sorry for no paragraph breaks but whenever I hit enter nothing happens. I will upload pics to Flickr as I upload them and will try to put some here, but can not right now so check Flickr.com (seach for person named shanmans) and check Vegas Dec 2008 folder! Later peeps!