Real Life Kills Vegas Trip

[Sid_Vicious]

It was back in the fall of last year that I put myself on a team with the full intent of going to LV in May, and now after the dismal outlook of the economy, the looming unknown job market, having to borrow from Peter to pay Paul while at the same time thinking that Uncle Sam will surely see a "real" fix for us average shmoes' pocketbooks...well it came to be that a trip for this guy in May is on the back burner. I hated to have to back out on those players needing me there to fill a team roster, but the nonsense of going into more credit card debt while nibbling slowly away at a savings account each month just to make ends meet with the checking account just did not seem realistically smart for my situation. I didn't even put pencil to paper and calculate the expense of going, but with air fare, hotel, eats, 1$ each game of pool, practice and competition...dang it makes me wonder how much of a recovery I'd have to see in this current economy to go to the Nationals without a guilty feeling about the debt I was building.

Congrats to everyone with the income to do this...guess I'll see y'all in another year down the road...sid

[cycopath]

I say we start a donation pot for Sid. Just click the button and give a few bucks so this man can live his dream of going to Vegas. A small donation can make a big difference in this man's life.
I'm getting a little misty eyed....




This is a joke...the button don't work.

[Rod]

Sid,
Sorry to hear that. I know the economy has hurt many people including me. Your not the only one who needs to justify spending a fair amount of money. Many people that play pool have their priorities and pool may be near the bottom.

[Deeman]

Hey, folks. It is tough out there for a lot of folks. I hope something happens and you get to go to Vegas. I have been for a few tournaments and one BCA thing back a few years ago. It is a nice experience to be around so many good players and to put the rest of the real world out of your mind for a few days. Best of luck and I hope you get to go, if not this year, then one day soon.

[Karatemom]

Hiya Sid. It seems we're in the same boat. Don't know that we'll make it out there this year either. More important things to worry about. Maybe if not Vegas this year, then the Open. That's one we've never been to so it might be a nice change.

I do hope that things turn around for you and you're able to go. If not, Vegas will always be there, maybe next year. Besides, that's a years worth of more practice, [img]/ccboard/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

Heide

[Sid_Vicious]

I've never been to LV period, except for the one other time in 2000. I rode out there that time, and did not really fully understand the finances of flying, etc. The mental picture I usually acquaint with vegas is the super package deals w/room that tout anything from $99-$199, and food as complimentary for the most part. I'll tell you something you already know...it changed somewhere down the line.

But I'm just spewing sour grapes and I'm stopping right now...sid

[Steve Lipsky]

Hey Sid. Last year, when Vegas rolled around, I was unemployed. I had been laid off around November of 2001, so at that point I was out of work for six months already. It was tough, but with my unemployment checks and my wife's income we were able to make the trip anyway. (We had to be pretty careful, though.)

I was wondering if there's any kind of deal you could strike up with the team? I don't know how good you guys are, but if you expect to cash for some decent money, maybe you could have the other guys pay at least part of your trip expenses in return for not taking a cut of the prize?

I don't know how tight you are with your team, but if they're good friends of yours, I can't see them not going for this. Especially if it means saying no will lose you outright, and saying yes will give a good buddy a much-deserved week away-from-it-all.

Just a thought, but I sure hope you can find some way to make it.

- Steve

[JPB]

<blockquote><font class="small">Quote Sid_Vicious:</font><hr> I've only been to LV period, except for the one other time in 2000. I rode out there that time, and did not really fully understand the finances of flying, etc. The mental picture I usually acquaint with vegas is the suoer package deals w/room that tout anything from $99-$199, and food as complimentary for the most part. I'll tell you something you already know...it changed somewhere down the line...sid <hr /></blockquote>

It's a lot more expensive now. And some of the most expensive meals are the comped ones. [img]/ccboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

But here's some ideas when you get there: Hotdogs at the Orleans sportsbook during the daytime hours. Top quality - Viennas from Chicago for .75. (1/4 pounders too.) T-bone or prime rib at Orleans 24 hours a day = 7.95. Other Coast properties have similar deals (Barbary, Gold, etc...) Steak and shrimp special not on the menu at Hard Rock - 5.95 I think. Graveyard coffee shop specials - everywhere and varies. There are other deals I have heard about that are cheap and decent. I don't go for the real garbage like the downtown shrimp cocktail specials or anything, but I can get by cheap if I want to in Las Vegas. (Although I admit I ate comped crab legs at the Nevada Palace in my reckless days.) Unfortunately I like Delmonico's, Nine, Bellagio's seafood buffet, etc... so I abuse the credit card when I go.

[PooPooPlatter]

Steve surely you jest.
You said that you went to Vegas last year and were being careful with your money.
A little birdy told me that you were spotted nightly at the Stardust blowing all your money on carribean stud poker.
Steve you play okay pool but enough of the porky pies.
Chris Lynch rules!

[Steve Lipsky]

Yeah, Carribean Stud is careful! You play like a hand every 10 minutes! Didn't play so much as a roll of craps!

[img]/ccboard/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

- Steve