Travel Log Part 2

Post script to Saturday.  On Saturday I got asked to dance by a guy named Jose he was drench in sweat but friendly enough.  I think it was a bet to see if I would and normally I would have jumped at the chance regardless but my feet were killing me from standing on my new shoes.  However, he convinced me and then was sorry as I kind of blew him away.  It was fun and funny and since I am recording this for my own senility I thought I better not forget that detail.

Sunday.  On Sunday things were calmer on Sunday and slightly melancholy as approaches the end but those who remain really area all about the music and this is a good thing.  I had been waiting for Sunday because I wanted to see Kim Lenz more than anything and I really enjoyed the All Stars last year and was excited to see what this year held.

K. wanted to get out so we got up on Sunday and went to the Strip.  We visited the gardens at the Bellagio and loitered about Caesar's Place before returning in time for a retro slide show tour of DisneyLand! with Charles Phoenix it was awesome and made me green at the thought of being able to visit Disneyland as day trip kind of attraction.  Living in Canda it is the story of most kids elementary school lives to get to go to Disneyland.

Next up was the jiving contest.  It was packed in the ballroom but I found a place to capture the scene -however the energy seemed to be kind of stalled. It was not at all what I was expecting but from what I understand things this year were rather atypical and that usually it is more exciting.  The couple who won were super cute though and we saw them later when we came downstairs to see Kim Lenz.

That night I wanted to be comfortable so I put on my good old black halter dress and some sparkly accessories.  We were meeting up with a guy we met on Friday night but he was way more interested in talking to K than me so I was mostly worried about getting downstairs late.  However, we were early and K. was less than impressed but it was all worth it.  Kim Lenz is as awesome in person as she is on her CDs and look at that cute skirt!

Next up were the All Stars which was MC'd by Big Sandy. I was thrilled to hear Clyde Stacy sing Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor, Al Hendrix looked cool in his fedora and I really enjoyed seeing Young Jessie, and Roddy Jackson.  The thing that made it even better though was all these performers were back by what they call the "house band" which also includes some of the best players in the hotel that weekend all of whom appeared to be as excited and happy as the crowd.  It was cool to see Deke Dickerson playing saxophone (like what can't he play), Ashley Kingman, Bobby Trimble from the Fly-Rite boys up there as well .  I was pretty wore out though at this point and closed up shop at this point in favor of getting some rest.

Monday, was gorgeous but my feet were in severe need of rehab at this point.  I did a pretty good job of not getting them blistered (I am predisposed to this) but it was like they had carpet burn or something.  I had soaked them in cold water in the hotel room but that didn't help enough.  The real solution came when I put on my new favorite summer sundress and headed down to the pool where after finding a shady spot in the deserted paradise I soaked my feet in the lovely cool water for the better part of an hour waiting for K to come downstairs.  It seems she was not feeling well though and never made it.  I had been all set to do some power shopping that day but in the end we ended up going back to the strip late in the day and seeing the northern part of the strip up to about Circus Circus where it gets all creepy.  From there we caught the bus and I finally got to see Freeemont Street! which was awesome we stopped on the way back to get some food and made it back to the hotel at last to crawl done the long hallway one more time.

We checked out and left for home the next AM.

Travelogue VLV 14

So finally this is what I did on my trip to Vegas.

This year I stayed at the Orleans from Wednesday to Tuesday AM with my friend K.  The flight was uneventful we went through customs in Vancouver this year which was different and flew with Air Canada instead of Alaskan Airlines (last year).  We arrived Wednesday and took the shuttle from the airport to the hotel.  All was fairly quiet and we went down to Brendan's for a drink before calling it a night -this was not my preference but I played along.  We faced out to the strip from the 18 floor which was awesome but our room was pretty much at the end of the hall and it was a long trip to our room from the elevator.

Thursday morning we took the bus out and about as I did not rent a car this year.  We went to Trader Joes and Target and I got Hot Sticks finally as I had not been able to locate them in Canada.  Waiting for the bus however I sunburned my purse straps into my arms.  It took a while but we got our supplies for the week and we were glad to get back to the hotel.  Las Vegas is incredibly windy and this year it was also hot.  K. really wanted to do some outlet mall shopping since she was low on summer clothes so we then headed over to the mall.  I did not enjoy this part of the trip but I owed it to her to as she was a sport about staying at a hotel that was completely over run with people. 

When we finally got back to the room K. was wiped out but we got our wristbands and looked around at the vendors and then I walked her back to the room and got dressed up.  I decided to wear jeans my first night and a pink western shirt.

I didn't intend on seeing them but I got upstair in time to see Pacho Jose -I was really in awe of how many people were on stage it was a sight to behold.  I then headed over to Bienville and caught Lauren Marie who I really enjoyed she was backed by the Horton Brothers so that was also cool.  I can't remember if I saw anything after that though because I was pretty burnt out from all the activities earlier in the day.

Friday arrived and I was excited to go and get our tickets for the Burlesque Show.  I had breakfast in the room and was ready to roll.  The line up was insane and wound around the casino and out the doors by the pool but in the end we got in to the show we wanted to see and all was well.  After we got our tickets we got some refreshments (K was all about the pre-mixed Clamato & Beer and I found the most delicious pina colada mixed drink at the Coast Liquor store which we ended up making a regular stop).  Next on the agenda was the movie Deuce of Spades - I picked doing this because I knew K would never be up for the Jiving Class.  It the movie was okay and very cool that it was done all independantly but I would also like to mention that the theatre had some of the best real butter popcorn I've had in my life and we used our coupon so it was a super deal and they had refills!

Next up was The Charles Phoenix slideshow it was awesome.  I caught it last year by accident on Sunday and was determined not to miss it this year as it is the funniest most relaxing thing to do at Viva.  Shortly after that I ran back to the room we got ready and headed for the Burlesque Show.  It was my first time seeing the Show and K. was excited to catch it.  I must admit it was very entertaining and I was glad we made time for it. 

After that we caught part of the Medallions, Jessie and the Orbits,  Joe Bennett, Big Sandy, and the a bit of the Sureshots & Ezra Lee before retiring.

Saturday was another big day and I was not about to slow down.  I got out to the car show around 10 and went through the vendors and came back to have lunch with K. then we went back out to the cars we came back in just before 2 and caught Cash O'Riley (who's CD I bought), and Jinx Jones both acts were a welcome retreat from the afternoon heat.  After that I rested for a bit before hurrying out to see Jerry Lee and capture a few more pictures before heading to Deke's Guitar Geek Show.  Jerry Lee was awesome and it was truly the coolest thing to be there to hear him in person -he definitely still has it.  Deke's show was hilarious and awesome it was cool to see the different performers and guitars and it was something I regretted missing last year.  After that though I didn't get back to the shows until it was time for the Roy Kay Combo.  I was really sad I missed Gizzelle but alas there's really only so much you can fit in a day and Saturday was my fancy dress day so I felt like I need some time to shower & dressed after all the car show dirt and sunscreen. 

After Roy Kay it was back to the main showroom to catch Deke Dickerson and what I can only call the crazy hooligans.  It was amazing and hilarious.  Then came the Caezars who's music was great and who it was cool to see around the hotel all weekend but I must admit I like better on CD than I did live.  I think it is because one of my favorite things is how much performers normally smile and these guys don't (except for the drummer) they reminded me of a Morissey album cover with all the posturing going on but hey the music is great and they are all young so cool if you are not old like me ;)

I will follow up with Sunday later and maybe some of the odds and ends I bought.  The collapsible cooler was awesome I think next year I might bring two as it will leave more room for random things and beverages.  This is me on Saturday in my favorite dress of the weekend and the gold shoes I bought on a whim for $30 from a vendor that day!

Your Suspicions are Correct

So last year the Viva timetable looked like this and I printed it out starred what was super important to me and carried it around in my pocket all weekend.  We got programs when we got our wristbands but the program was not practical to carry around so I was glad to have this and by the end of the weekend it was a torn shred of it's former self.

This year the timetable is a whole wack of sheets and left me wishing for something I could slip in my pocket.  I started with my chart below but after listening to the bands I didn't know online checking out what I wanted to do in Las Vegas I wittled it down to 2 columns (first choice, second choice) and made these and laminated them.  They are double sided and slightly smaller than a recipe card but on I feel like now whatever time it is I will be able to tell what I'm missing because trust me you can't see everything ;)

So, here it is the proof that I am crazy....

Hope everyone has a safe trip 'cause there's gonna be a whole lotta shakin' going on!

Update and Long Stay Hotel Room Essentials

Things have been super busy cause this week is year end at work but I think I've got some of my wardrobe for Viva in place and I'm expecting some new bangles and a dress to show up before I leave.  I just renewed my passport and it will be here shortly as well.

I haven't been doing a lot in terms of exercising -just my pilates 2 times a week but I think I've got my schedule cleared up and can actually get some more gym time in now.  I have lost about 3 lbs so that is good news (not like those watery first week of the diet lbs real several weeks in 3 lbs).  This weekend my big goal is to get some sewing time in. 

My suitcase for Viva is big the biggest I ever take anywhere because I like to leave room for what I will home and I know I will not be moving it once it is parked in the hotel room for over 5 nights. In the olden days you had the option of just adding a bag on your flight home but now that costs $$ so I had to switch to a lameo giant suitcase for travelling.  Normally I try to take next to nothing when travelling but being in a hotel room with one sink (located in the together with the tub and toilet), two people and what essentially what amounts to getting ready for prom every night has lead me to bring some extras that you just don't take on normal adventures.

I picked up some portable speakers that I absolutely love on Amazon and updated my Ipod and I bought my secret weapon which I will reveal now for all interested....a small collapsible cooler that will fit in my suitcase and keep our sink free from ice.  Last year we stayed at the Rio for the first 3 days specifically because there are no mini-fridges at the Orleans this year I really wanted to be at the site for the whole thing so this was my compromise.  This particular type of collapsible cooler will fit a 1 litre container of milk standing up but not hog the ice -so you know other people can still get ice on your floor.  The other good new is that it has a special insert for the bottom and if you don't leave it open it should keep ice for over 24hrs in normal daytime conditions.  It doesn't leak and is no bigger than a hoodie when collapsed. 

Other considerations on this list as space permits are my makeup mirror (I'm wear glasses and like to be close to the mirror) it has lights because the desk/table with the extra mirror is a little shy in that depaprtment and my electric kettle because the coffee maker make one cup of hot water at a time that tastes like coffee which is not what you want when you are making oatmeal, tea or hot chocolate (okay you could get a way with it for hot chocolate but I like to be homey and I like to have breakfast in my room). 

I always travel with my travel mug (leads to less spilling) and my swiss army knife for knife, scissor and corkscrew needs but I think I will include a spoon it doesn't take up much space and I like to have yogurt with my oatmeal!

Don't get me wrong I like to eat out as much as the next person but when I'm away for more than 3 days I like to have some really boring healthy stuff and fruit available so I don't get feeling all yucky and preserved in salt by the end of my holiday.  So, my MO is to hit the grocery store when I arrive and pick-up some chocolate, & perishables (fruit, veggies, milk, yogurt, cheese, & juice), I always pack tea, and lately Starbucks VIA, fake sugar packets, oatmeal packets and granola bars in my suitcase.  I put the granola bar in my purse because low blood sugar = grouchy and it is better to eat a yucky granola bar than yell at someone better yet it is easier to make a grouchy low blood sugar friend eat something if you have it with you.  This over the years has saved me some money but most of all it has kept me feeling good and able to enjoy my holidays.

best advice

So I don't know about anyone else but it is stressful trying to pack for trips.  I plan and plan and take way to much stuff and then end up wearing the same thing over and over because it is the only thing I feel like wearing.

Viva right now is eating away at my consciousness right now.  Last year was my first year and I stress and worried a lot about what to wear and pack.  I watched and read everything I could get my hands on and after returning I can now tell you the best piece of advice I got was from a you tube video done by Lisa Freemont Street it had all sorts of good information but the best advice and what me kept me sane as I got ready to go was what she said at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbhMrKfz7kQ&playnext=1&list=PLC6E6D64F1B2E8514

Sometimes its hard to remember that it's still going to be you wearing those clothes and hair so it's important to be yourself and not try to remould yourself into what you "think" will be smashing.  You've got to love what you're wearing and be comfortable in it to really rock it.  Confidence is your best accessory.  Not everyone wants to stand out and so take YOU into account when you plan your outfits. 

I went lowkey with a few accessories that made me feel special.  I did extra work on my hair but I realized that I like to blend and in the company I was keeping I had nothing to worry about provided I did come dressed as a flower child.  It took the pressure off and brought the fun back.

So that is my goal this year.  Not to get caught up in a last minute Etsy frenzy but to wear the clothes that I feel good in and stay in the moment.

Conflicting Interests

So as you may know the Viva Schedule came out last week.  I for one was estatic but found I couldn't logically sort out my priorites so I set about reformatting it for myself and thought you  might appreciate a copy for yourself.  It is broken down so that if 4 events are taking place at once you can see your choices and potentially select your priority so that you could with any luck weed it down into an itinerary for the day when you are done making your selections. 

Enjoy!  and if you want the Excel file let me know and I will send it to you :)