OK, this is the stripped down version, but I am scrambling to get all this up on the site, so I will have to add some links and pics later, because I am over the dealine and have to get SOMETHING up.....
Jen and Garth made it official in Las Vegas on Saturday, capping off a fun-filled weekend in Sin City. Sufficed to say, the weekend was a rollicking good time.
Chopper and I arrived in Las Vegas on Thursday evening, in time to catch a late dinner, meet up with everyone, and poke
around a bit. Friday we hit the pool at the Bellagio for a while, fed the birdies, did a quick walking tour, and then
headed to the church for our rehearsal. (I know what you're thinking... a church, in Vegas? - More on that later).
Later that day, we caught a big bus with a big exhaust leak to take us out to the rehearsal dinner. Right about when
everyone was about to pass out from the fumes, we arrived in North Vegas at Bobs Ranch House. And just about then,
everyone got in a good, festive, country mood. And how can you not get in a festive country mood with straw cowboy hats
and bandanas for everyone! Yee Haw! After all of that country excitement, we met up with my parents and Philippa, who
had arrived earlier in the evening and still coming to grips with their first pilgrimage to that bizarre machine called
Las Vegas.
Saturday morning, we met up with Philippa, my parents, and chopper's parents for breakfast, and then did a quick tour of
a few casinos to show my parents around and get them acclimatized to pure intravenous capitalism. While touring the
town, we made sure to pick up some players club cards, and also scope out the Sports Books for my April Vegas trip...
Marl discovered that she was not very good at the slot machines, and also not old enough to legally play. That didn't
stop her though, as she ripped a few one armed bandits quickly to stay one step ahead of Johnny Law. Mamma Dukes
discovered she was very good at Video Poker, getting 4 aces within 5 minutes of sitting down and netting a nice $42.50
payout. The newbies were coming around...
After a full morning/afternoon of touring and gaming, it was time to get down to business. The wedding ceremony was at
a catholic church just off the strip, and went off without a hitch. I even read a few lines from the bible without
incident or divine intervention. Jen was poised and beautiful during the ceremony, and Garth, as always, looked like he
was waiting for the bus. But, that's his style man.
When all of the official business was wrapped that up, we headed back to the Bellagio in time to catch the fountains
blasting off, and made our way to the reception. The reception was a fine time for all, complete with plenty of
libations, the compulsory singing of John Denver's Country Roads, and some other shenanigans. Everyone was having such
a good time that Albie & Janna added another hour, wrapping things up at about 1:30AM Sunday.
After the reception subsided, it was time to do some gambling. And late night / early morning gambling means craps. I
found a nice $10 table, and went to work. After the first 5 minutes, the jokers at the other end of the table had me
down over $100. I should have been betting the Don't Pass line, but as soon as I got the dice, I came roaring back to
life. Nothing turns the tables like a wild eyed scot in a kilt yammering on about Bubby
Brister and Fran Tarkington. By the time I had finished rolling, a good 20-30 minutes, I was back even, and that
was enough excitement for the morning. We had a final drink with the bridal party: "Another Caucasian Marty!" and
finally hit the rack at about 3:30AM
|
| © |
|