The crowds were pretty impressive this entire week. Cheap rooms are working to some extent. I don’t know how much gaming revenue they are raking in, but the month so far has seen a perceptible uptick in visitors.

One of my regular cab drivers (there is a “secret” cab dispatch service for frequent riders) told me that his revenue from fares are off 50% from last year, and about a month ago another of my regular drivers told me that his were off by 30%.

There are a number of factors that could be affecting rider numbers, but some of the crowds seem to be returning (and vehicle traffic too). This is still nothing like August 2005, but it certainly seems better than June 2008. It will be interesting to see what happens after Labor Day.

I recorded part of a trip we took to The Sahara this weekend. It was recorded with my tiny camera with lessor quality video, but it is what it is.

In the latter half of the video you get decent views of the “paused” Echelon, the “paused” Plaza, and the still-in-progress Fountain Blue. I have officially resigned from looking up the spelling of the latter place every time I refer to it. I’m a stupid, lazy American, and I’ll be damned if I take the time to learn French to refer to one property. It’s a goofy euro-trash name and I hereby insist they choose a new moniker for the property … or I’ll do it for them. It’s up there in pretense with using the term “porte’ cochere” for “driveway cover”. I’m just not going to do it. It’s “port crotch” and “Fountain Blue” from now on until they give the place a better name … such as “Hookerville” or something equally as catchy.

I was happy to meet up with Karen from Tennessee and “Lub” this weekend (members of the site). “Lub” has a real name, but “Lub” is easier to remember.

After trying to procure Vicodin from the bartender at The Palms (he failed so no tip), I almost managed to get Karen some hot lesbo action. Karen seemed up for it, but she got all shy when it came time to seal the deal.

Prude.

She and Lub were talking about some backdoor action when I left them. Being the helpful sort that I am, I got the conversation started (you’re welcome!) … but I have no idea whether the hershey highway was traveled or not.

It’s probably best not to know. I still say that it’s a one way street, but I’ll be damned if anyone listens to me.

Aside from that, it was warm, sunny, slightly crowded, and good pool weather.

I’m glad it’s been a mild summer, but I am still eagerly awaiting October when we suddenly shift from oppressive heat to daily wind storms and bouts of bitter cold.

Goddamn desert. Who’s bright idea was it to build a city here?

I still say the mob had enough firepower to carve out a few miles of coastline to build casinos on … so I shall curse them until my dying breath for building the Entertainment Capital of The World next to Death Frigging Valley.

Mobsters never were that bright. Except for that Cullotta guy. (I’m just saying that because he still lives here and he’s still alive.)

P.S.  Karen just hit a big ass jackpot.