Viva Loss Vegas

I went to Vegas this last weekend; drove down there with a couple friends of mine.

Here are a few notes:

• First morning at 4 am we had $4 steaks at a diner a few blocks away from our downtown hotel, The Plaza.


• This was my first Vegas trip without drinking, and to my minor surprise, it didn't hurt my enjoyment.


• Also, apparently, not drinking in Las Vegas mitigates any Fear and/or Loathing that one might normally encounter there.


• I played 5-10 hands of blackjack, a few spins of the roulette wheel, one Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, and a few other assorted games. Ended the weekend up $15.


• My friend got an 80 ounce daiquiri in a plastic guitar that he wore all night (it came with a strap) and drank from all night (post-daiquiri he poured beers in it.)


• Drinking 2-3 guitars full of alcohol may cause severe headaches and blood-vessel-in-face bursting vomiting.


• For one hour Saturday night, most of the neon signs in Vegas were turned off in honor of Earth Hour. During that hour, there was a guy on Fremont Street with a microphone that played over all the speakers on the street talking about Earth Hour. In a moment of spontaneity, I commandeered his microphone and sang a heartfelt, a capella version of the classic Righteous Brothers song: "You've Lost That Loving Feeling".


• I ate well all weekend.


• I walked 3-4 miles Friday, and another 4-5 Saturday.


• I haven't weighed myself recently, as I've been not exercising at all prior to a couple block-long walks I went on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. However, after all the Vegas walking I could tell by Sunday (from my face, and the way I was feeling) that I must have lost 15-20 pounds.

Great trip.

Good times.

Note to Self: Writing Helps

Not feeling very reflective.

But, one thing. Let me say that though I've been struggling, I've been getting more and more in touch with the reality that I create each decision. That feels empowering.

I will post more another time, I just wanted to finally break down the mental wall and get back to this blog, if only for a moment, to help remind me of what I want, and what helps me in achieving it.

For now, I'm just trying to keep it simple.

Even the longer periods of slipping, falling, failing, etc, don't change this fact: Picking myself up and getting back on track isn't any different then a kid who crashed into bushes the last time he rode his bike. The next time he wants to ride it, he doesn't dwell on the crash, he just does what works. Pick up bike, climb on, hit the pedals, steer clear of dangers, enjoy the ride.

Tomorrow, I think I'll focus on remembering the following:

"Some people use failure as an excuse to give up - to become bitter, or cynical. Other people look at failure as an opportunity to revisit past decisions and to devise new strategies." -Catherine Pulsifer

Or, more succinctly:

"A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in the experience." - Elbert Hubbard