This is another dispatch from the completely random observation department.

I was on the phone for about 15 minutes, and was just staring out the window watching the commercial airliners fly past the Mandalay Bay while feigning interest in what the person on the other end of the line was saying.

I then turned toward the center Strip, and realized that I couldn’t find the Eiffel Tower.

I scoured the horizon, and of course did find it, but the thing used to pop out at me like a giant middle finger from the French. (much like a can of Right Guard pops out at them like a middle finger from us)

Now, the Eiffel Tower looks downright toy-like.

The Planet Hollywood and City Center buildings are making it look puny.

When all is said and done, nobody is going to be able to pick the poor thing out from the skyline.

I also looked over at the Excalibur, and the thing looks minuscule as well. It looks like a low-rise office building.

I don’t know why, but it’s all a bit depressing to me.

These things used to be larger than life and awe-inspiring to me. The tower, the huge castle … they were enormous sources of wonder.

They all had ridiculous themes, which I loved.

Now, they are “the small, old places”.

I took the photos on this page 5 minutes ago, so they are current.

All of the new stuff looks like it was designed by a Manhattan architect. I lived in NYC, and I’m not digging the new projects. There is nothing at all “Vegas” about the new joints. There is no theme, and they are completely uninspired. Just a bunch of big, Hong Kong shit.

The Strip that I moved here for is literally disappearing before my very eyes. Each day I look out the window, The Strip of the post-Mirage “Vegas Boom” era is slipping more and more into visual obscurity as the construction projects grow higher and higher.

It really is the death of an era taking place right in front of me.

Dammit, I am too old for change.

Dear MGM, Planet Hollywood, Trump, Boyd Gaming, and everyone else: Please put everything back the way it was, and let’s just forget this whole thing happened.

In return, I will give you all slightly-used (but washed) VegasRex T-shirts.

I think the offer is more than fair.

Thank you for your assistance.