[andrzejpw]

Well, I'm back from my western vacation. Did anyone miss me?

This was my first time EVER in the western part of the US, and who knows, maybe someone cares!

We landed in Las Vegas. First thing that greets us? Slots in the terminal!

Vegas is truly awe-inspiring. The hotels, the lights, everything. Its even more incredible when you realize without gambling, there would be nothing. Me, being under 21, there wasn't too much for me to do . . .

until I found DDR! Now, I'm a big fan of Dance Dance Revelution, and I have it at home. We don't have any arcade machines here in Pittsburgh, so I've only played in an arcade a few times. When I found DDR, I was in heaven.

After spending 2 days in Vegas, we drove to Albuquerque(spelling, sorry). We spent 4 days there. Sorry guys. We arrived on sunday, and honestly, we noticed about 20 people in downtown. Where are the other 399,980 hiding! I swear, when we arrived at our hotel, 4 bell hops leaped at us!

Santa Fe, otoh, was a very pleasant surprise. A very beautiful town, in my opinion.

After New Mexico, we drove to the North Rim of the grand canyon. Good lord. We spent 2 days hiking there. Gotta say though, I would NEVER take one of those donkey tours. We had to share the trail with them. Let's just say bring things to cover your nose! Pictures of the grand canyon do not do justice to it. Its incredible. You just can't begin to describe the enormity of it.

After the grand canyon, we spent a day at Bryce Canyon national park.

After, we spent 2 days at Zion Canyon national park, which I now believe to be the most under rated national park in the US. It is awe-inspiring. Seriously.

Then, we headed back to Vegas for another 2 days.

Now, before closing, I have to say: Vegas was HOT. Think of stepping in front of an oven. Then think of being in that constantly. I mean, Vegas is perfect for casinos! Who wants to be outside in the hot weather when they can be inside losing money!

I'll post a few pics when I get them scanned.

Sorry if this may seem a bit off-track. . .

 

[jlo mein]

Remember you left the day before America's Army: Operations was released? Remember that you only played the rifle training and didnt get to play on the servers? YOUR LUCKY...

That week was hell for AA:O. Way more popular then they expected. In order to play other maps, you need to play and pass MOUT McKenna first. So everyone is flocking to servers that play this map....BUT THEY DIDNT WORK FOR A WEEK!

youre lucky...everything works NOW that the patch was released...

there was a question that i wanted to ask u while u were away

: what kinda cable is that Outlaw PCA .5m?

oh btw: just like u i am starting to get into jazz....so i had Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, and John Coltrane - A Love Supreme. Because u recommended it i got Dave Brubeck - Time Out. WOW

. thanks for recommending that...

 

[andrzejpw]

lol, yeah, I downloaded the army game at 12 midnight eastern the day it came out. The registration wasn't open yet, and I had to leave before it was open. I heard things were pretty hectic.

heck, registration didn't work for me at first! The confirmation just didn't come! I switched to another e-mail, and the next second, everything is fine.

The outlaw cable is an RCA pair.

Funny you mentioned brubeck. Listening to it now.

 

[jlo mein]

ya that brubeck one is really awesome....do u have any other jazz stuff that i dont have?

 

[erix]

I was born in LV and lived there for 35 years until California invaded.

Vegas in the early eighties was a great place to be a teenager.

Tons of old jazz musicians live in Vegas and you could go to the musician's union hall on any given night and here some great blowing. You'll have 10 guys on stage all waiting their turn to solo over all the standards you know - that's Vegas music - not the Wayner (Newton, that is..) It's the best-kept secret in town! Next time you're there check it out - it's right next to the Trop.

Alan Grant used to do his "Monday Night Jazz" show at the Four Queens downtown for over 25 years. I wish I could go back in time to re-live some of those shows.

The local university has a radio station with the deepest jazz collection I've ever seen (I got to see it!). Most were donations from all the old jazzers. When in town tune to 91.5 KUNV!

ok,
erix