Schindler's List was almost 20 years ago.
That's when most of us first saw Liam Neeson in his Oscar nominated role as Oskar Schindler. His acting career began more than 20 years prior and he's been working nearly nonstop the entire time (Neeson's impressive IMDB page).
Lately, he's been one of the best Hollywood kicking ass badasses. Some may have realized how awesome he is when he was wielding a light saber, or beginning Batman, but for me it was his throat-punching tour de force Taken. It was quickly followed up by a similar role in Unknown and yesterday The Gray opened in theaters. [I really wish "the" would've been dropped from the title - I wanted the starkly titled single word trilogy to have been completed].
Just when I thought my opinion of Liam Neeson couldn't have gotten any better, I saw the below embedded video. In my mind, he's a triple threat - with the ability to make others cry from an emotional monologue, cry from a painful beating, and now cry in laughter.
The “Share with All Friends” Album of the Year: Father, Son, Holy Ghost (Girls)
Runner up: Kaput (Destroyer)
Top 25 tracks of 2011 (NOTE: not listed in order of rank)
The “If Everyone Could Be Like This” Concert of the Year: My Morning Jacket (Riverside)
Runner up: the dual experience of Foster the People / Girls (both Lincoln Hall)
The “Phoenix” Becoming Too Big To Not Easily See Again: Foster the People
Runner up: M83
The “Franz Ferdinand” Must Now See Every Time They’re In Town: Foals
Runner up: Fitz & The Tantrums
The (newly named) “Bon Iver” Regret of the Year: Passing on seeing Bon Iver live at Chicago Theater
Runner up: Passing on seeing Bon Iver live at UIC Pavilion
The “Medulla” Most Disappointing Album: Zonoscope (Cut Copy)
Runner up: King of Limbs (Radiohead)
The “Should I Quit You” Most Disappointing Concert: Feist (The Riveria)
Runner up: Delorean (Lincoln Hall)
The “Shadenfradue” Guilty Pleasure Track of the Year: Party Rock Anthem (LMFAO)
Runner up: Barbara Streisand (Duck Sauce)
The "Buy an iPod stereo for the car" Best Decision I made in 2011: Cancelling my weekly basketball game in order to catch Broken Social Scene perform a free concert outside of Wrigley Field
Runner up: Creating an account on Spotify.
2011: A record setting year in venues attended. And more importantly, people who joined in the fun.
For the fourth year in a row, I have refreshed my iTunes playlist named "Lou'a'vul." It's about a six hour drive from door to door, and I stuck with the past strategy of whole albums with a few Lebowski inspired songs along the way.
It starts with "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by The Sons of the Pioneers. This is the song that opens The Big Lebowski. A no-brainer for Achievers followed by "Lookin' Out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. CCR is a must for a Lebowski-minded mixtape.
Next up are both the In Rainbows and King of Limbs (including the "Supercollider" & "The Butcher" add ons) albums in their entirety. These are the two most recent studio efforts by Radiohead.
After two full albums I'll remind myself why I'm in the car with "The Man in Me" by Bob Dylan. This is arguably, the most iconic song tied to The Big Lebowski followed immediately by "Hotel California (Spanish Mix)" by Gipsy Kings. Ya kinda need to have seen The Big Lebowski at least twice to know why this song is on there. It don't matter to Jesus!
After those two tracks, I'll be in full Achiever spirit, and ready to get caught up on the two most recent episodes of the Lebowski Podcast.
My Morning Jacket will then finally make their much deserved appearance. There are too many reasons to include this band. MMJ was the first band to perform at a Lebowski Fest. They are from Louisville. Shortly after their latest release I created an all-MMJ mixtape featuring my favorite tracks from their four most recent albums:
MMJ mixtape
Before getting back into an album focus, one more reference to the film: "Just Dropped In - To See What Condition My Condition Was In" by Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition. I'd say you'd need at least 4 viewing of The Big Lebowski to know why this song belongs here.
The entire Civilian album by Wye Oak.
The entire Pickin' Up The Pieces album by Fitz & The Tantrums
The entire Veckatimest album by Grizzly Bear
The entire Kaputt album by Destroyer
The entire This Is Happening album by LCD Soundsystem
The entire Cloak and Cipher album by Land of Talk
The entire XX album by The xx
(the back half the playlist is intentionally devoid of Lebowski as it's intended for the return home, and playing Creedence will probably make me start feeling sad that the next Fest is a year away)
Okay, time to get to sleep - I'm hitting the road as soon as I can tomorrow morning. I'll be on the road less than ten minutes after I get out of bed - "You didn't think I was rollin' out of here naked, did ya?"
Every year I love creating a Best of [year] Mixtape playlist in iTunes. Around this time of year I check in to see how many tracks made it through the nomination process of getting dropped into consideration and make a mixtape for the year's midpoint. The tracks are not listed in order of preference - there is no ranking with one* exception:
I have fallen behind on my In Concert posts, which is something I like to write for my future self - to have something to look back upon when my life moves on to its next (non concert going) phase. Last time I checked in I was eagerly anticipating a very busy month and posted a few pics from the busiest week of that month.
As I'm nearing my departure to the other side of the world, it is a good time to look back at the year so far in ticketed events. I wasn't planning on seeing anything else before I leave, although I am starting a new campaign to get myself and others up to Milwaukee next Friday to see Girl Talk perform at Summerfest - but that's besides the point of this post.
What stuck out the most in my mid-year self review was the diversity of the company I kept for these shows. There's no way to explain this without sounding conceited at worst or humblebragging at best.
Peter Bjorn And John perform at Chicago's Lincoln Hall in April
Concerts attended so far in 2011:
Girl Talk at Congress with DG & RM (with a fourth ticket going to JJ's friend)
Machinegun Mojo at Elbow room with ZC (with MC & RS there too)
Mountain Goats at The Vic with MB
Cut Copy (& Holy Ghost) at The Riv with JK
Park Ridge Chorale at St. Luke's with PB, SW and more
Delorean at Lincoln Hall with LT
Arcade Fire (& The National) at UIC with RG
Foals (& Freelance Whales) at Metro with DS
Peter Bjorn And John at Lincoln Hall with ?*
Janelle Monae (& Bruno Mars / Mayer Hawthorne) at Aragon with SS, MP and CW
Foster the People at Lincoln Hall with NB
My Morning Jacket perform at Milwaukee's The Riverside Theater in June
And then most recently My Morning Jacket at The Riverside with RG.
I'm separating out the last show because it's the first time I had to repeat a fellow concert goer. I was happy to tell RG he was the first person this year to go again with me to a show. It's a feat that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to repeat, even if it was done somewhat intentionally.
Since I made the choice to stop lamenting at home wishing I'd be at these concerts I kept hearing about and start going sometime in 2007, I've slowly figured out what kind of music my different friends like. Knowing I'd never be able to find one person that I can lean on to repeatedly join me, it became a challenge within a challenge. It also took on another appreciation for me.
For example, I did not discover Janelle Monae. My friend SS had brought over her album during one of our marathon Madden nights and I was instantly impressed. SS is not one to actively seek out, let alone attend anymore (he's been through the concert ringer - hip hop shows can do that to you), concerts. However, he said he'd go see Janelle Monae live. Therefore, I instantly started following her on Twitter, which granted me access to her fan club allotment of tickets - securing them before the quick sellout ensued. It was a great show, but I was too far away and don't have a picture to share here. The highlight of the concert was not only getting SS to the show, because he had discovered Monae for me, but also getting CW out there - who also doesn't get out to many shows and is someone who I introduced the wonderful dynamo named Janelle.
It didn't work out perfectly however. The "?*" next to the Peter Bjorn And John show refers to a night when I had out driven my headlights so to speak. I was unsuccessful finding anybody to go with me - even when I had offered to give the other ticket away for free. The show was sold out (in fact, even the second show they added at Lincoln Hall that night had sold out as well) which meant I could've unloaded both of the tickets with little hassle. But I really wanted to see this show and decided to go solo. Someone outside was looking for people with extras - so whether you count that stranger as someone new to the list or even the fact that I was by myself makes it unique experience among the rest.
As far as the other shows are concerned, I did write a post centered around the Foster the People concert and intend to devote a separate post to My Morning Jacket in the future - for that show was too great to be buried this deep in a post.
While I'm tooting my own popular horn with my full stable of concert going friends - here are some more stats to really drive home my point:
Not included in the above list is the Comedy show featuring Todd Barry & Brendon Walsh at The Hideout with BM.
Finally, I took five different people to Marquette basketball games this year:
-the win versus Notre Dame with DQ
-the loss versus UConn with JW
-the win versus Syracuse with MQ
-the win versus Providence with ZC
-the loss versus Cincinnati with AS
(Note, only ZC is a repeat ticketed event attendee, and he probably wins the virtual tiebreaker with RG because he is a Member of the Park Ridge Chorale - so technically he was at that performance too)
As much as I didn't want to write this because it looks like an awful attempt at a modern day yearbook that has to have all it's pages filled to convince an older me that I was somewhat popular - I really wanted to write it as a thank you to all of my friends who have had to deal with my constant propaganda efforts to convince them to join me to bands you have never heard of or basketball games involving schools you never attended. 2011 is shaping up to be a record year for yours truly - I couldn't be more appreciative... The song at the bottom is dedicated to you all:
There are a lot of parallels with my early exposure to this song and my experience with 2009's "1901" by Phoenix. Both were witnessed in the verge of Summer's start at a sold out smaller venue, but more importantly shortly after hearing the tracks had I known it to be the Song of the Summer without a doubt. Time will have to tell if "Pumped Up Kicks" will win my personal Song of the Year award, but it's easily the leader in the clubhouse right now. (quick sidebar: one thing these songs do NOT have in common are ties to any embarrassing encounters with cute concertgoers)
Foster the People have been riding quite a popularity wave after being a darling of SXSW in March, performing a sold out show in Chicago at Schubas in April and exposure on NPR in May before returning to Chicago to perform in front of a larger sold out show at Lincoln Hall in June. Not to mention they will also be back for Lollapalooza in August. All of it on top of this viral pop track that's been playing on the radio during this time span... But since I don't listen to the radio, by the time all this buzz finally busted through to me their show this past Sunday was already sold out. With the song basically on repeat for me the days leading up to the concert I decided it was time to attempt a plan that I have been thinking about for some time.
People who know me know I love Lincoln Hall. These same people know I'm quite the loudmouth on various social networks about it as well. I've shared my praise with a few people at LH and they have been appreciative while kindly asking for a Yelp review. As soon as I was asked I knew I would write a review - eventually. Part of me didn't because of sheer procrastination and laziness. However, I also thought I should attempt to withhold a review until the timing for me would be more advantageous.
Giving away tickets through their Facebook page and Twitter account is nothing new for Lincoln Hall. However, they seemed to up the ante last week. In order to enter to win free tickets to the sold out Foster the People show, LH asked for people to vote for them in Chicago Reader's "Best of Chicago 2011" poll. In addition to tickets for last Sunday's show, LH was giving away tickets to "an unannounced August" concert.
After nearly half a year of thinking in my mind what I wanted to write on Yelp, I finally signed up and published a review:
A list that is actually longer now in my mind
To really drive home my obsessive level of appreciation I attached a few of my crappy Instragram photos from past concerts and proceeded to run the propaganda train all over my social networks. I posted it on the aforementioned LH Facebook Wall and tweeted it myself. Finally, I submitted my ballet to the Reader and let LH know I had done so - while also not so casually mentioning that I was the same dork that recently posted on Yelp.
Less than 30 hours later LH had replied a thanks back on Twitter, liked my FB wall post and lo and behold sent me an e-mail saying I had won two tickets to Foster the People along with a not-yet-announced Lollapalooza After Party (again thanking me for the kind words on Yelp)!
And there you have it sports fans. Who says wasting time on the Internet doesn't pay? A wonderful song, a great story and an even better venue to encapsulate it all. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Lincoln Hall, I love you - don't you ever change.
I have zero musical talent - but if talent existed I would go by the following stage names:
Fictitious EP cover
Dance Music DJ: DISCO'TINUED
Singer/Songwriter: Cassanova Jones
Indie Rock Band: Beautiful Noise Rock
Radiohead Tribute: Karma PD
Beardy Folk: The Plurals
Techno Pop: Keystroke Anarchy Epiphany
Vegas Lounge Act: Max Thomas
Crappy Suburban Cover Band: Heart to the Shot
Comedy Hip-Hop: T&A
Jam Band: Kick Ass Summer
I really loved getting my Straw Hat. I wore that hat for every round of golf in 2008 & 2009. Yes, it was a joke - as was my game. But I wasn't trying to make a joke of myself out there - on the golf course. I've always been a huge fan of activity based haberdashery. I like to wear a headband during basketball, a cap for softball, visor for poker, and I thought a straw hat for golf.
In 2010 I ditched the Straw Hat. It had deteriorated to a significant degree, but I no longer wanted to be known as the guy in the straw hat. Because I feel most comfortable playing cards, I went with the visor route. My game continued to struggle.
unchecked aggression (Visor 2010)
This past March, in Las Vegas, for the first time I played cards without my usual costume armor of visor / shades / earphones and had the greatest success of my career. Call it what you will: Being more comfortable and confident / maturing / accumulated experience finally retaining what I've been learning... The same rules apply to why I decided to ditch the visor for golf as well.
While watching The Masters I noticed an overwhelming majority of the golfers wore caps. I thought to myself, why not? and picked up one of the finest golf caps money can buy. I'm not sure what it's called but it's one of those Titleist by New Era Tour Sport Cap Flex Fitted models. It's the most comfortable hat I've ever had on my head by a huge margin.
Golf Hat 2011
A friend, who had been golfing with me for over 2 years, quickly commented that it looked very odd to see me with clubs in a cap. I told him that it was a new year and I'm trying something new.
This is also the first golf season when I decided to not sign up for more golf lessons. And I also won't be buying any more clubs (like how I bought that expensive Driver everybody wants to have two years ago). But I did splurge for the fancy cap, and I've never had buyers remorse like I've had with every other golf related purchase.
No golf scores will be posted until I only need two digits to type them, however I'm more than happy to share scores verbally when asked. It's been a very soap operatic relationship: Golf and I, but it's one that's going to continue.
A friend and I had casually agreed that "hipster music" (for lack of a better term - for instance you may prefer "the indie scene") has a larger scope that is interpreted from the outside. He defined the spectrum by amount of Organic sound. I like this theory, and have decided to label the far end, or most Organic, by the NPR label "Beardy Folk" and the opposite end by the pseudo Lebowski quote of "Techno Pop."
Ah who am I kidding? I can't talk about Beardy Folk on the same week of a new Fleet Foxes album and not post a song from them too:
The sound that actually started this conversation was from Twin Shadow (although it's not nearly as far on the Techno Pop end, it's a song that's been in heavy iPod rotation recently): 16-Twin Shadow — Shooting Holes (Live) by hyperlame
Had I known, I would've stopped tweeting momentarily starting last Friday. How huge would it have been if my 1,000th tweet would have been a retweet of the official news of Osama bin Laden's death? Instead, I just simply tweeted that joining Twitter was a good decision as my 1,000th tweet. Then late on Sunday, my opinion was forever justified as my Facebook feed was full of newly posted pictures of pets and laments for the end of the weekend while Twitter was erupting.
Here are twenty selections from Twitter in perhaps the most intense four or so hours of my tenure (for lack of a better term):
It may be different for you. Personally, I choose to not customize my Facebook feed at all. I want to see that world in its most ugly grimy version. Nobody gets hidden and I'll only consider defriending you if you steal my kidney. Additionally, I have not "liked" many news pages - the ones that tend to break news. My Twitter feed is usually in constant flux as I list and unfollow accordingly.
For the most part, I don't understand why people spend money on a concert ticket to watch more than half of the show through their cell phone camera (or video camera). It's a fault I too am somewhat guilty of because I just want one picture of my own per show (often leading to multiple attempts to try to get the right shot). At almost every venue, there are multiple professional photographers taking high quality pictures with more skill and with better equipment. For example, I always hope there's a representative from Lost In Concert present whenever I happen to be.
The iPhone, at least my 3GS model, is an overrated camera. It's primary benefit is that it eliminates having to bring another electronic device to concerts. But one of the following usually exists to make my pictures unsuccessful: I'm a long distance away, the tight crowd around me limits my ability to stabilize, the subject is not a statue.
The National @ UIC Pavilion. April 2011
Which is why I've come to throw any picture I take at a show through crazy filters on my Instagram app. It's a free app for anybody too cheap to spend $2 for Hipstamatic. A lot of photographers (for example ones from Lost In Concert) loathe these apps. Their disgust is very reasonable and understandable. However, to argue in favor of these apps, I don't think it's a threat to their livelihood. At least from my pictures there isn't any competition from me. Nobody is going to rely on an iPhone for any important event in which a professional photographer is needed. These gimmicks, while they are certainly such, are increasing the interest in taking photos - which is a good thing.
Of course, I can't imagine how insulting it must be for any film taught photographer who spent a career crafting compositions and distorting images though tedious and careful developing techniques.
Tuesday April 5: The Mountain Goats w/ Mega Fun @ The Vic
Thursday April 7: Todd Barry w/ Brendon Walsh (Stand Up Comedy Show) @ The Hideout
Friday April 8: Cut Copy w/ Holy Ghost! @ The Riv
(Bonus After Party Show: Holy Ghost! (DJ Set) @ Smart Bar
Saturday April 9: Park Ridge Chorale @ St. Luke Church
Most of you have realized that this blog is more of journal that I'm just too lazy to make private or too conceited not to share. Weeks like the one that just ended are the kind that I need to document for myself. It's going to make me smile down the road when I remind myself just how my crazy April 2011 began.
I don't think I'll ever have as socially diverse of a week. Each one of the 5 above listed events required a purchased ticket - for reasons almost as random as the acts:
The Mountain Goats
A friend on Facebook was staring down the idea of attending a concert solo. Having done it once, I know it's a tough proposition. Although this friend is easily strong enough to carry out such an idea (I'm sure she's done it before), I think my gesture was appreciated. The Mountain Goats didn't exist on my iPod when I bought my ticket (although that quickly changed when Amazon listed their latest album on their 100 albums for $5 this month). The highlight of the show is when they brought out the opening band to join them for a song at the end of their set. This is an act I wish every headliner would do more often.
Karma quickly came back around in the positive two days later when a different friend agreed to attend a comedy show at The Hideout. Especially seeing how the early show had sold out, I know I wouldn't have driven into the city through that night's rain to attend the late show. I had seen Todd Barry's act not too long ago, but the opening comic (Brendon Walsh) had left a great first impression on me from a Conan routine. When we had left the venue that night, we saw Mr. Walsh just outside the door smoking. After a quick pause (to make sure it really was him in my mind) I complimented his set. Even though this man is a professional comedian, his snap response of "Thanks" sounded sincere.
Cut Copy
I've now seen Cut Copy three times - and I'm especially happy I saw them this time seeing as how I will be elsewhere when they are in Chicago next for the Pitchfork Music Festival. Cut Copy also holds a very important role in my "concert going lifestyle" because when I saw them previously The Metro I made a pledge to myself that I would wear earplugs at every show going forward. Some dufus lady made a snide remark before the encore to me saying, "Is it too loud for you?" while pointing at my earplugs. Maybe the old saying is true for me, but one of the first things my friend said to me when we exited was, "I won't ever hear that frequency again."
The wristband from The Riv show got us into Smart Bar for just $7 more to see the Holy Ghost! DJ set. Of everything that I experienced in the past week, the revelation of just how much I like Smart Bar might be the most significant. And I'm saying that even after knowing full well how large my bar tap was at the end of the night. Now stick with me on this next statement: I enjoyed Smart Bar to a level that makes me happy I live in the suburbs... If I lived a CTA card dip away I would spend way too much time and way too much money down in that glowing basement of fun. (By the way, there's a track from the new Holy Ghost! album available for free download on iTunes)
Finally, I found myself sitting in a Lutheran church listening to a choir sing (among other selections) show tunes. It was the perfect Week of Shows capper. For a week that started helping out a friend who wanted to see a show, I was at a show to support a friend who had auditioned for the Park Ridge Chorale and was excited to be performing with them for the first time. In a week that included some extremely foul language and worse subject matter for the purposes of invoking laughter, I also saw a show that was suitable for a newborn (although the Father felt otherwise, I didn't think bringing a crying baby into a choir concert was a good idea). Then, of course, there's the fact I sat quietly and respectfully composed in a church pew just 17 hours removed from being a sweaty dancy mess.
There are at least 3 more shows I plan on seeing before this awesome month ends. The second half of the month will have a tough chance matching this first half in diversity, but it does have a chance because not included in those 3 shows is a birthday party for a five year old girl and a poker night with six dudes all younger than I.
If there's one thing you can depend on in this world, it's that you can always count on someone to read a Facebook post out of context. I hope you all had a non-annoying April Fools Day. I'm pretty sure I survived without a scratch.
You see here what I did. I had a fear in the back of my mind that it would turn into something bound for the someecards blog, but thankfully nobody took the opportunity to post a viciously cruel response.
When I saw my Aunt "like" the relationship change I knew I had to act quickly before she got the family phone tree working overtime to plan the next Family Reunion. Although, I probably should have held out until getting a call from my Dad. I can hear it now:
I have been more Achiever-focused than usual in the past 24 hours:
Last night Burkhalter posted the official Facebook Event along with the updated 10th Annual Page on LebowskiFest.com. This morning I made sure to call the official hotel for the Fest to book my reservation under the discounted rate. (Something I highly recommend to everybody that knows they are going - the hotel block always sells out) And then this afternoon I noticed @lebowskifest started following me Twitter.
It's official fellow Achievers. The "LeBlogski" link was removed from www.lebowskifest.com. The Founding Dudes had given me fair warning. All I had asked was for a simple shout out when they finally did scatter the ashes. The result is easily the best tweet I've seen in my Feed since signing up on Twitter in late September 2010. If I could, I'd have Sam Elliot him-Stranger-self say, "Much obliged" to Will & Scott...
Well, I guess we can close the file on that one.
This was my final post on LeBlogski: I've got to uh-- tender my resignation or whatever (February 19, 2011)
Co-Star in the Beaver Picture
Like a toe (with nailpoish!), LEBLOGSKI is getting cut off.
When asked about the idea of shutting it down, I told the Founding Dudes that its absence will most likely go universally unnoticed. LF's social media integration (Facebook / Twitter) is strong enough to get it into the next round robin (#amiwrong). It is a much smoother way for them to connect with Achievers. But just in case people see this, thank you very much for reading. There have been a couple instances when people have mentioned to me at a Lebowski Fest that they've read it, which is always surprising and flattering.
Favorite posts from my tenure as the Lebowski Fest Blogger:
For those looking to feed their Lebowski fix by way of a blog, I can't recommend lebowskipodcast.com strongly enough. In addition to the podcast maintained by Fest-regular Chalupa, the blog on the podcast's website is consistently updated with Achiever-minded stories grabbed from the fringes of the Internet.
Thank you to Will & Scott (the Founding Dudes) for allowing me the privilege of sharing my like love of Lebowski on their website, and in turn with all of you. This news won't stop me from writing about Lebowski Fests in the future (they just won't be here, but on my personal blog instead). More importantly, I can't wait to catch ya later on down the trail at an upcoming Lebowski Fest.
Technically, because my flight departed at 1:30 AM, Monday was my last day in Vegas. But let me finish this multi-post story by chronicling Sunday.
In a scene polar opposite of the check-in mess, there was no line at checkout. This is probably more due to the fact that this was the earliest check out of my Vegas career (8:00 AM), but I needed to secure a TV for the late afternoon Marquette game.
I set out to Treasure Island, one of my favorite Strip stops (and also the hotel I've stayed at the most). I place a quick parlay bet on UNC moneyline + the over, which hit! This was a sign of things to come for me at TI.
I played a little craps, I won a little money.
I played a little blackjack, I won a little money
Enough of a profit to kill time in a poker tournament - it's a great feeling when you can buy in to one of these small poker tournaments with money already won. (After I got busted, the dealer told me I could buy back in - but after getting my flopped straight beat on the river by a full house - I chose to leave)
Then I started feeling nervous and anxious for the Marquette game.
Heading back to the Roulette Wheel hoping to repeat history.
AND I DID - EVEN MORE SO THAN I WANTED! (DJO #1 hits again!)
***And then the game began***
I befriended a couple UK fans in the Sports Book, which allowed me to run out for that Roulette Bet. They also kept saving my seat when I had to go through my nervous paces during the game's timeouts. During the game I noticed a fellow behind me wearing a Milwaukee Brewers cap - he was actually from nearby Park Ridge, Illinois! There was nobody else in the sports book with Marquette gear for me to confide in or fist bump with... I was pretty much by myself at TI.
***And then MU beat Syracuse!***
Yes, I ran a victory lap around the TI Sports Book.
Yes, I bought beers for the two UK fellows I befriended.
Yes, I also bought a beer for the Park Ridge Brewer cap wearing dude.
Yes, I even bought a beer for the ladyfriend of said Brewer cap wearing gentleman who I didn't speak a single word to the entire night.
Did I mention I literally ran a lap of joy around the TI Sports Book?
Oh, I also had some money on Marquette, moneyline baby, at 5 point underdogs!
My phone had been off for much of the game. Having already checked out of my hotel room, I was on battery conservation mode and didn't want to be distracted during the game (I usually love my #MUBB Twitter feed during games). After I finally turn it on, my phone started blowing up with messages of congratulations on my favorite team reaching the Sweet Sixteen. One of'em told me to head on over to O'Sheas.
I bust out out of TI with a grin a mile wide, to see a bunch of people watching the "Siren Show" outside on the Pirate Ship. It was about 55 degrees at that moment in Vegas - and the Sirens were wearing jackets. It didn't matter - they could have been twirling tassles for all I cared, nothing was going to make me happier than MU's win - and I had to get to O'Sheas!
So I won a lot of money at TI. I did tell myself to stop gambling for the trip... And I didn't want to repeat my post MU win blowup that led to a previous cash hemorrhage. Buuuuut...
The actual iPhone Note I used to track my gambling
I won money playing poker in the most insane - distraction intensive scene - at O'Sheas. I looked at my GAMING LOG (final tally attached, which I understand is one of the nerdiest things I've ever done) and saw I was so very close to a full thousand dollar profit! Most expensive attempt at winning just $20 ever... Oh well...
We left O'Sheas to New York New York (to meet up with more people that were going to be on the same Chicago-bound plane. The quick stop in their hotel room allowed me a much needed phone recharge). Nothing really happened at NY/NY, with the exception that I almost threw a pizza like a discuss out of unneeded anger. There's something about me during, and just after MU games: I have an overload of adrenalin that is beyond combustible.
The last thing I did in Vegas was something I've wanted to do for a very long time. At post 1:00 AM in Las Vegas, on a Sunday Night / Monday Morning, nobody is in McCarren Airport. The terminal was as empty as one I've ever seen in my life. But the moving sidewalks were still operational... and moving. Oh yeah, it was time to get my Feist on:
My Saturday in Las Vegas was, one could say, a "Market Correction."
Stories of failed poker tournaments are vastly uninteresting and difficult to follow even when you know all the players and terms used. I bought in for the $60 Harrah's tournament at 10 am about forty minutes before it started. That time was meant for me to grow $140 to $200 in craps to fund the tournament. Instead I ended up walking out of Harrah's short $200. The next tournament I wanted to play was the 3 pm at Caesar's and had zero intention of gambling at all before that. Which I was amazingly able to do. I think I might've hit a wall on Friday night; I was also rather hurting from the celebration post Xavier win.
Caesars, similar to Wynn, was running a poker tournament series that canceled most of their usual daily tournaments - but kept the buy-ins somewhat reasonable. They had correctly geared it towards the basketball fan population calling it, "Hoops & Hold'em." I chose the series' event: Saturday's 4:00 PM $130 double stack with 20 minute "turbo" levels. The time before it was killed by watching Richmond and Wisconsin make it to the Sweet 16. Watching the end of games in the Caesars Sports Book is always a spectacle.
I haven't had much success in tournaments at Caesars, but have always had a great time because of the cast of characters that show up to play:
A headphoned man who had seen my late night IP poker celebration/meltdown the night before
An attractive nurse from North Carolina, but moved to Vegas a few months ago with her professional poker playing boyfriend.
A quietly charming fellow born in Florida, lived in Austin, and now from San Francisco who was second strongest conversationalist behind your truly
A man from Sweden that was wearing a Sturgis Motorcycle Rally T-Shirt
That T-Shirt: It was not a shirt from the Rally, just an Urban Outfitters type of tight graphic tee referencing the annual event in Montana. I'm the farthest thing from a motorcycle enthusiast, but I know that Sturgis is a big deal. Someone else at our table was from Montana, and he made a mention of it to the Swede in the Shirt. Now I understand the Swede was not communicating to us in his first language, but he had no idea of any large bike rally. He was wearing the shirt because it "looked cool" to the anger of the man from Montana. I tried to cut him some slack, mentioning that I like a few bands from Sweden. He wanted to know which ones - so I told him Peter Bjorn and John along with Miike Snow. I didn't expect him to have heard of Miike Snow, but how can you not know of PB&J? The man was an impostor.
Meanwhile, Mr. Charming wondered aloud what music was playing in the headphones at the end of the table. This is when I went into one of my most repeated jokes: "Probably Yanni." That line almost always gets a shock chuckle, even if they don't want to laugh. And sticking to the playbook I followed it up with the, "It makes sense, very calming music to settle your heart rate during cards... Personally, I prefer John Tesh."
And that's when Mr. Charming made the mistake of asking a follow up question because he's too young to really know who John Tesh is... Let me tell you all, sports fans, that I have an incredible amount of knowledge on John Tesh built only for conversations such as these. I don't own any of his music, but do appreciate at least one of his songs (The NBA on NBC theme song).
By this time the entire table had correctly assumed I was insane, going off on a monologue that lasted two hands about the career path of John Tesh. It's taken me over 5 years to decide what kind of image I wanted to reflect at a poker table. I used to wear headphones, sunglasses, act like I know what I'm doing... Now I want people to think I'm just a crazy guy there to have fun, which is why I quickly ordered a Strawberry Julius.
I knew it was an option, but I asked the server anyways. TQ: Last time I was here, there was an incredibly girly drink that had strawberries and whip cream and the whole she'bang? Server: A Strawberry Julius? You know it's a virgin drink, right? TQ: Of course I know it is!
Server: Do you want extra whip cream? TQ: Please yes. Server (now walking away): Oh, and a cherry to top too? TQ: THANK YOU YES!
I was short stacked when I made this order, and jokingly refused to play a hand to make sure I was still at the table by the time the drink arrived. When the drink arrived I made my moves, and won the next 5 pots I entered (including two all-ins) that grew me to above the chip average... Sadly, I made one mistake, which is all it takes in these things - and busted out on that sixth hand I played post Julius.
Express at Caesars Forum Shops
Not mentioned in the post, until now, is that the day started with a few sports bets placed in the IP Sports Book, of which none won. Therefore, for those keeping score (and I was) every gamble I attempted on Saturday ended up being a losing one. However, I was still up for the trip. Being the responsible gambler that I am, I was done gambling for the day. In a favorite Vegas Story of my past, this "quitting gambling" led to an infamous trip to Express. Thankfully, I had other plans in mind, but wanted to take a picture of the storefront for instant FB publishing to the delight of a few of my friends.
The night ended with Mexican food with some friends who had spent the day in Old Vegas (a.k.a. Downtown / Freemont Street) before that gang set out to find a Beer Pong game. I'm not a fan of Beer Pong (a.k.a. Dirty Balls in Beer), but was okay to drink from the sidelines and talk to more strangers - or so I thought... The Beer Pong Enthusiasts set their pitchers down in the battledome that is the back of O'Shea's Casino. I became quickly disinterested in that scene and set out to see two casinos that have been completed since my last time in Vegas: The Cosmopolitan & Aria.
Quick reviews of the two: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: A high concept club that happens to be an extremely expensive casino. Beautiful on the eyes, both in clientele and architecture - but not an option at all for thousandairs such as myself to gamble. True, I was done gambling - but I was hoping to get into a blackjack table just for a chance to change out with a $1 chip souvenir.
Aria at CityCenter: Very impressive non-claustrophobic layout that I sincerely hope will be a future option for me to stay at in the future (if the price is not too much of a stretch). The Poker Room looked beautiful - playing in a tournament there will be on my list of priorities for my next visit. The gambling there was expensive, but not too crazy. After all, it was a Saturday Night on the Strip - $25 minimum bet blackjack is to be expected. The only drawback is that it takes a crazy long time to walk to it's front door. They need to get some moving sidewalks like The Venetian and Caesars.
And that's really all I did on Saturday. Yeah, rather lame when looking back on it. I kept my eye on the prize - I was there to watch basketball, and the following day would bring a great gift: Marquette vs. Syracuse! I needed to rest up, recharge, and pack up for my last day in Vegas.
Leading up to my Vegas trip I knew the most important day for me would be Friday: Marquette game day.
Every Sports Book I saw the previous day on the Strip was packed, which made a friend's suggestion to take a cab over to The Palms a worthwhile concept. I made securing a good watching spot my first and only priority for Friday.
When it was first suggested to me that I wear my baby blue Marquette uniform shorts to the Sports Book, I laughed. Then, as Marquette started wearing the baby blues in the Big East Tournament I started to consider it as a viable option. Last Friday, I wore the shorts (topped with a 1977 National Champions T-Shirt & my MU visor). Mozart - Carmina Burana by angel000596
The best thing about the Palms Sports Book, besides it's low early attendance which found me one of the first 5 people there at 8:30 AM, was it's nearby food court. It sounds stupid to nearly everybody else, but I get a special craving every Lent for the McDonald's Fillet O'Fish. I'm not saying it's my most favorite fast food item, but if I was ever to enter a competitive eating contest - I think my best shot at winning would be in the Fillet O'Fish Category. The Palms' McDonald's, located mere steps from the Sports Book, started serving up FO'Fs at 10 AM! I instantly bought 3 at its earliest availability. (I also had another one a few hours later before MU's tipoff)
Throughout the early games I was growing visibly nervous for the upcoming game versus Xavier. People were asking me about MU's chances (wanting information to help them place a bet), and with every opportunity I steered people away from Marquette. One questioned if I was working a reverse psychology angle. but I honestly didn't want people coming up to me asking why Marquette lost them money after a loss. On the super secret level, I wanted people betting on Xavier for the line to get pushed more in their favor. However, by the time the game tipped off, the line moved from Marquette +2 to a PICK! (Vegas thought each team had an equal chance of winning, and too many people were betting MU to give them any points)
Like I said, the NCAA Marquette game was my #1 priority. I didn't play any blackjack at Palms. I didn't even look at what the minimum bets were for their Craps tables... But... I did do something I hadn't done in Vegas since 2002: Roulette.
I was just too jittery sitting in that Sports Book and I had to go stretch my legs and walk a little. My seat was secured for my return, so there was no fear of losing it... And I decided to get $100 worth of Roulette chips and start placing chips on Marquette Jersey numbers. The idea was to walk away if one of the numbers hit. On the second spin the little white ball settled in slot 1, which is the jersey number for Marquette's starting shooting guard. This made me incredibly happy, and made me think it could be a great omen. I cashed out and returned to the Sports book with a $60 profit.
I'm pretty insane during Marquette Basketball games. To call me passionate would be too nice. And for sure I probably made enemies during that game. People probably wanted Marquette to lose based solely on my antics... However, there was one other guy in the Sports Book wearing Marquette gear - and at every time out I made it a superstition to run over to him for a quick fist bump of solidarity and support. I was happy, but still nervous, when Marquette pushed out to an 11 point halftime lead. The worst was feared when Xavier cut it to 8 and had the ball, but that was the closest they ever came and when I heard the final buzzer it was total joy.
Victory Tweet
I sent out a quick text to another I knew was in Vegas: Where's the victory party at?
At this point I should probably mention that the Palms had a $1 Miller Lite special. Many people were buying me these. I was buying many of these for others.
That's one of the reasons why I took a cab to the Rio from Palms. It was easily the shortest cab ride I've ever taken, but I wasn't messing around. I had money on Marquette's victory, and was up for the trip as a whole - an expense such as a quick cab was well worth it. I probably didn't get the whole value out of that Seafood Buffet dinner either - but it was a fun meal with fun people. Thankfully the team they rooted for also won earlier in the night, so my victory celebrations were met with good cheer.
The rest of the night was kind of a blur. I got back to IP late that night and wanted to play hold'em, but there was a wait. One of the "Dealertainers" at IP (a man impersonating Garth Brooks to be exact) dealt me the hottest blackjack cards you can ever believe. I bought $200 in chips and walked away with $500!
I went up to my hotel room and considered calling it a night... Instead I changed out of my baby blue shorts in favor of jeans and went down to try to get into the poker game again... Some may blame my over excited, over served, state for why I lost $200 in less than an hour of hold'em - but I know it was because I changed out of those shorts.
The time is 7 PM. The day is March 17, which is St. Patrick's Day. The location is Las Vegas.
Leopold is a 25 year old man of slightly below average height but of average weight. He is wearing a black Celtic FC jacket along with a Chicago Cubs cap (except for where it is usually a blue cap with a red "C" it is a Kelly Green hat with a white "C"). He is also wearing sunglasses, inside.
Ulysses is an 32 year old man of slightly above average height and slightly above average weight. He is wearing a Kelly Green Republic of Ireland soccer jersey that has his name on the back along with the number 17.
Ulyssees has just given $100 to a Bally's Poker Room chip runner, but has not yet taken his seat to play in a $1 - $2 No Limit Texas Hold'em Cash Game. As soon as he sits down he hears the opening words from Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing." The words are shouted in a cadence dissimilar to the recording, but the voice is instantly recognizable as Leopold's
The Bally's chip runner places a stack of twenty $5 chips in front of Ulysses' seat.
U:I'm sorry, but I have to go now, I'm sorry
L: (said between punches to Ulysses' right shoulder) What's (punch) up (punch) U! (punch)
Ulysses is attempting to scoop up all the newly placed chips off the poker table's felt, but the force from a shoulder punch causes some to jump out of his hands and onto the floor. Ulysses quickly picks up any dropped chips and steps towards the Poker Room's cashier. When Ulysses arrives at the cashier he looks over his shoulder to see Leopold still looking around Ulysses' vacated seat for more chips. Ulysses & Leopold leave the Bally's Poker Room, and begin walking through the field of Bally slot machines.
L: VEGAS! (the punching continues) Man, do you believe we're all in Vegas? (Ulysses beings to walk quicker) Hey-hey-hey (Ulysses slows down and turns around to face Leopold) C'mon now (Leopold stretches arms wide. Ulysses and Leopold hug it out on the floor of Ballys) YEAH VEGAS LAAA-LAAAA-LA-LA-WAIT-TIL-I-GET-MY-MO-NEY-RIGHT! Where we goin' U!?
U:To get something to eat, I'm starving.
L: Yeah, me too.
Ulysses is walking quickly, although without any direction, down various paths which lead to casino dead ends. Leopold struggles to keep pace. The walk's pace is more of motivation to stay outside of Leopold's punch-reach than a desire for sustenance. L: Where we goin' U!?
U: I've got an idea. (Ulysses leads Leopold to a counter style take out food stop named Nash located just beyond the slot machines inside the casino at Bally's) How'bout here?
L: Nah, what am I supposed to eat at the same place I'm staying like a scumbag? I ain't eating here - hey, let's go to Freemont! U:I don't want to go downtown, I want to eat now. L:Let's just go out on the Strip and find something else. U: Okay.
Ulysses leads Leopold out of the first exit he finds, which is an exit to the cab line, not to Las Vegas Boulevard. It takes an awkward zig zag path across cab traffic to finally get to the Strip. Ulysses decides to walk South.
L:LAAA-LAAAA-LA-LA-WAIT-TIL-I-GET-MY-MO-NEY-RIGHT!
Along The Strip, people are handing out trading cards that feature nude models along with a phone number for "private hotel parties." Leopold, at every opportunity, takes a card when handed to him. In alternating fashion he instantly throws it straight up in the air like a graduation cap at commencement or down like a basketball being dunked through a hoop.
L: (punching Ulysses again, this time in his left kidney) Vegas! (punch) Vegas! (punch) Ve- U: (screamed at the top of his lungs): Stop hitting me!
A group of young girls walking ahead of Leopold & Ulysses turn around to witness the domestic abuse.
L:Where we goin' U!?
Leopold continues to take prostitute cards, but now has begun to hold the taken cards around his groin to allow himself to "hump" the cards instantly upon receipt.
U: We're crossing here
Leopold discards the humped cards this time by throwing them into the face of the man handing them out.
After crossing the Strip, Leopold and Ulysses head into The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. A nightclub scene of loud club music and scantily clad women.
L: Let's try one of these bars - whatcha drinkin' I'm buyin'
A bartender at the first bar Ulysses& Leopold enter at The Cosmopolitan tells them any bar that has smoking doesn't serve food. The bartender at the second bar tell the two that the kitchen closed at an hour ago. Leopold orders a beer and Ulysses orders a mixed drink. Meanwhile, while Ulysses lusts at a now moot menu a young man in his early twenties wedges his way in between the two at the bar. Ulysses gives the interloper an odd look.
Stranger:Oh, sorry - don't mind me.
The Stranger doesn't order a drink, only stands there momentarily before backing away Stranger:Sorry, we're cool right? U: whatever, fine. L: (yelling) what's going on here? U: (calmly) nothing. Stranger: This guy (points to Ulysses) is being a prick! L: (at Stranger) Fuck off. U: (slightly less calm) It's fine, it's fine. Stranger: (to Ulysses) Oh, you're fine now? U: (to Stranger) Yes! (in a high voice squeal) Everything is fine. L: Oh, so we're okay? U: Yeah, don't worry about it. L: Hey, it's Vegas, right? (offers his hand high for a High 5 - The stranger and him connect palms) S:Yeah, Vegas! (to Leopold) You're cool. I guess (nods to Ulysses) is cool too - he just started off all standoffish and shit. L:Hey, (to Stranger) fuck you! You wanna go? U: (to Leopold) Stop it, this is nothing... We gotta get out of here now. L:Yeah, okay (Ulysees and Leopold walk out of the bar) Fuck this place! Who do you guys (talking in the general direction of the bartenders) think you are! (then to Ulysses) Wait, did I already give them a credit card? (Leopold checks his wallet) U:No, our drinks never came. L:God, this place sucks - let's get out of here.
Ulysses & Leopold walk out of the bar, through the casino, and out the door to another valet/cab exit - with the strip nowhere in sight L: Did you like how I had your back, U!? God, where the hell are we?
The scene looks like an underground lair for limos. A mutual friend of the two, Aaron, calls Ulysses. The phone conversation is quick - the only information relayed is that the two have yet to eat. After more zig zagingly fast but directionless walking Ulysses and Leopold escape from the The Cosmopolitan's property to walk into the CityCenter mall. U: Maybe there's a food court in here? Let's see.
CityCenter Mall
Immediately upon entering the mall both notice a large art instillation that consists of columns of ice floating on an infinity pool. Ulysses attempts to reach to touch the ice, but realizes the ice is too far set in the infinity pool to reach. Ulysses withdraws his arm and moves on into the mall. Leopold, also failing at reaching the ice then takes a step into the infinity pool. His entire right shoe becomes submerged in water and is able to withdraw it quickly without losing his balance.
L: Whoooah, the water doesn't look that deep! U:What were you trying to do? L: I wanted to walk on the edge - thought I could ride the wave
A large suited man, with a visible earpiece walks up to Ulysees and Leopold. He is well over six feet tall - much taller than Ulysses with the build of a professional boxer.
Large Man (raises both if his hands above his head, as he begins talking his two index fingers point at both Leopold and Ulysses): I need you two to turn around (now makes a small circle motion with both index fingers, which are now pointing to an area behind Ulysses & Leopold) and walk out right now.
U: (instantly, with both hands up as if he was in the middle of being robbed at a bank) ok (Ulysses pivots around his left foot, and passes Leopold on his way out the door. Leopold is right behind him). L:Man, my entire foot is SOAKED. U:I'm just happy we didn't get thrown into casino jail. L:Where we goin' U!? U:I don't know, let's try Aria?
The walk to Aria is long, and the two discuss the condo market of Las Vegas, specifically the price of the for sale condos in CityCenter. By the time the two reach the front of Aria, Aaron has sent Ulysses a text message offering up In-N-Out Burger as a food option. Thankfully Ulysses and Leopold are at this time at the Cab Line in front of Aria. They decide to not enter Aria, but get in a cab headed to In-N-Out Burger.
A large chested girl, who Ulysses hoped for his conscience was twenty-one, walks into In-N-Out and passes by Leopold. She pauses near Leopold while staring at the menu board. L: (while looking dead straight at the young girl's visible cleavage, standing less than four feet away) OH MY GOD! (The reaction by the girl: a smile)
Leopold and Ulysses eat their burgers outside on the picnic tables. They both hear the large chested young girl and her friends tell a cab driver to take them to Rio. L: Wanna go to Rio, U? U:I have a better idea.
Ulysses leads Leopold on a quick 300 yard walk across a parking lot to Wild Wild West Gaming Hall. The inside of the "local" casino is without any of the usual Casino distractions: The slots are quiet, the music is low to not present, and there is more smoke than than a Camel Joe fantasy. The defining game of Wild West Gaming Hall is something Ulysses calls "Bumper Pool Craps" that features a craps table nearly half the size you will see in a larger casino. The small size is to allow one person to work as both stickman and dealer. The minimum bet is $3.
Ulysses & Leopold are the only players playing craps. The only players at the specific table and the only players shooting dice in the entire Gaming Hall. By the time the first seven is rolled both players are up - Leopold up more than Ulysses. Leopold starts making field bets. Leopold continues winning.
L:GET HOT STAY HOT!
Leopold makes another point.
L:GET HOT STAY HOT!
Later, after a few more points by Leopold, he finally craps out and Ulysses is up to throw the dice again.
L: I'm thinking about a field bet, U - you gonna roll a winner? U:yeah, sure.
Ulysses rolls a hard 12. Leopold's field bet pays double. L: (directed at two spectators now watching, for Leopold is the loudest voice in the entire Gaming Hall) We got a heater boys, you wanna get in? U: (in a soft, but oddly serious tone, to the couple spectators) You need to get in. You need to get in now. L:What about now U? Field bet? U:No.
A 5 is rolled by Ulysses, which would've lost a field bet if Leopold had placed one. L: GOOD CALL U!
Ulysses continues to roll without any 7s. More points are made.
L:GET HOT STAY HOT!
About four or five rolls later, as Ulysses is about to shoot again, Leopold takes a large stack of red $5 chips and plops it on the Field. The amount was never counted, but was well over $100. Ulysses pauses - then shoots... It's a 3, it's a winner.
L:WHOOO! GET HOT STAY HOT! GET HOT STAY HOT! GET HOT STAY HOT!
The pit boss walks over to Leopold. Pitt Boss:You know, when I win, I don't celebrate. L:Well nobody likes you! U: (Turns to the two players who took the advice and have been playing) Aren't you glad you started playing when we told you to? (They both quickly nod in approval)
As more points were made Ulysses and Leopold eventually rolled 7s. When given the opportunity to throw dice, the two newcomers instantly declined to allow Ulysses and Leopold to roll again. And more points were made.
Ulysses after again seeing the spectators decline to shoot the dice in favor of Leopold and himself, glances down at an over $100 profit. He notices nearly double that in front of Leopold.
U: (to Leopold) Hey, wanna get out of here? Quit now? When we're this ahead? L: (pauses) Sure. (longer pause) Let's bounce.
Ulysses and Leopold triumphantly strut back across the parking lot to In-N-Out. Both consider going for round two of burgers but ultimately don't. Ulysses had been texting Aaron during the craps run, urging him to stop everything to join the two. Instead Aaron informs Ulysses that he's on his way to In-N-Out himself for a burger.
Aaron shows pop out of the cab with his friend Demetri. Both hear Leopold and Ulysses before they are seen. Leopold and Ulysses have reclaimed their outside picnic table and have been loudly rehashing their Wild Wild West run.
Leopold meets Aaron in a similar "rabbit punching" fashion that he earlier greeted Ulysses.
After Aaron and Demetri are done at In-N-Out the four of them share a cab back to the Strip. Leopold requests that the cab driver change the radio to rap music. Leopold requests that the cab driver turns up the volume.
It's gridlock traffic on The Strip as the cab inches along Las Vegas Boulevard. Leopold, anxious to exit, rolls down the cab's window and sticks his head out. He begins to shout at random walkers by. L: GO CATS! L:BOILER UP! (said to someone wearing head-to-toe Michigan State gear)
Ulysses and Leopold exit the cab with Aaron and Demetri, but the two groups head in separate directions. Ulysses and Leopold head towards the St. Patrick's Day block party outside O'Sheas Casino.
Leopold buys Ulysses a green beer. The party features a performer named "DJ IRISH." Many people are dancing - including Leopold, but not including Ulysses. Leopold begins calling other people he knows in town, recruiting them to join the party. Ulysses finished his beer and respectfully told Leopold of his departure.
L: Where you goin' U!? U:I'm going to play cards at IP - if you want me you can find me there.
Less than an hour later Ulysses had won $100 playing poker and had texted Leopold announcing he was calling it a night. The text is immediately returned with a phone call.
U: Leopold? L: U! Towerz and I just got here, at IP, where are you? U:I'm in my room, but I'm on my way back down - hold on.
Ulysses wanted to meet Towerz, a childhood friend of Leopold who's reputation had preceeded him. Towers is a shade under 5'6" with enough hair product to fuel a junior high cheerleading squad. He is wearing a black tank top exposing tattoos on both arms. He has a large plastic novelty drinking vessel lanyard around his neck and propped up with both hands. The drinking vessel is approximately 5 feet in height.
Standing next to Towers is Leopold, who now has a plastic guitar strapped around his body featuring a large straw extending up to his mouth. The guitar is filled with margarita.
After a brief introduction the three decide to head back to The Strip. As Leopold is about to exit the doors a young woman wearing red walks in- L: (at woman in red) ROLL TIDE! Woman in red:ROLL TIDE, YEAH!
Towerz and Leopold openly debate their next destination. Less than 15 minutes into the walk Leopold announces an intention to get a cab to Stratosphere. Upon hearing this, Ulysses instantly removes himself from the group - wishing them both the best of luck.
The time is 2:30 AM
According to follow up reports:
Leopold attempted to get a tattoo, but was rejected by the parlor for being too drunk
Towers ended up getting a black eye
Leopold was later seen in downtown Las Vegas using his margarita-guitar to air guitar along with a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band
Ulysses was awake at 8 am the following morning, as was Leopold.
