by the numbers

1. Just arrived back in LA after a long weekend in Vegas. Well, technically we’ve been back for a day or two now.

2. This trip to Vegas was a bit different than most others we’ve taken together or separately.

3. We planned loads of things to do/see. The aim for this trip was to have a different type of weekend in Vegas. Less getting wild with friends and shedding inhibitions as one tends to do in Vegas and more luxury and things that were planned out in advance. (e.g. shows, dinners, etc.)

4. One of those things was seeing LOVE, the Cirque Du Soleil show at the Mirage that is set to all Beatles music.

5. It was brilliant. Which is an understatement. Not even sure which adjective would properly describe it.

6. I knew I’d like it, but I LOVED it. So did E.

7. I’ve seen a few Cirque shows. One, “O”, the show that incorporates loads of water that plays at the Bellagio in Vegas, was staggeringly beautiful/mesmerizing.

8. The other Cirque shows I’ve seen not as much so. I think I’ve been to two here in LA. Both very lovely and definitely interesting. People in crazy, twisty, rope maneuvering, swinging, dancing, contortionist sort of beauty and fun. However, bhth of those particular shows I’d not go see again, though. Wonderful in that one viewing, but no desire for a second.

9. However, “O” has always been something I wanted to see again (last time I saw it was maybe 7 years ago, i think), in that way you want to take someone with you to see a fantastic movie or play to ‘show’ them, and in turn, get to experience it again and love it even a bit more since you get the vicarious ‘brand new feeling’ by showing it to the person you’ve brought.

10. And now, LOVE is that, too. Even more so. Except I’m not sure I’d even need to bring another person (ostensibly to “show” it to them). I could go see it again with E or perhaps alone. It was that good.

11. I was never a huge Beatles fan either. A fan, indeed, but not one of those types that have practically memorized their whole catalog and has a definitive favorite – usually John being better than Paul, or the other way round. I know probably a hundred Beatles songs, perhaps less as that sounds a bit much, but sometimes I’m hard pressed to put a title to the correct song. I can sing along properly with “Eleanor Rigby”, say, but probably wouldn’t have been able to tell you that the song I was singing was actually called “Elanor Rigby”. I could never properly put every correct song to the correct title, unless it was patently obvious.

12. My brother was a huge, huge fan. And I took a good number of my musical cues from him. He went through the whole Classic Rock phase in his Senior Year of HS and at his University. Which saw me being into the same bands and music when I was a Freshman and Sophomore, maybe Junior, in HS. That was one thing my brother and I had in common to the point of it being a special “thing” for us. Music. We’d always talk music. Dissecting it, recommending it to the other, trying to outdo the other with something else ‘cool’ that was obscure and the other had not found yet. (we did that with films and books too. In fact, that’s one of the hugest things I miss most about him not being here anymore. Discovering new bands I’m obsessed with. Or books. Or movies. And not being able to share.) Anyway, he was much more into the Beatles than I was. Long winded way of saying that.

13. However, I knew all the songs pretty well, save one or two, played in the show.

14. And this show was unlike any other Cirque show. It was produced/music directed by Sir George Martin who produced nearly all of the Beatles records. And in tweaking the show, the remaining Beatles along with the widows of the others were consulted. Never before heard bits, such as them talking to each other, different versions of songs.

15. And the stage show was just unreal. People everywhere. A cacophony of people and colors and costumes and dances/movements. Projections onto lowered and raised screens and all sorts of stuff.

16. By far, a million times better than I expected.

17. We arrived early to the show. We’d gotten in that morning. The show was at 10pm at The Mirage. I wandered through the gift shop and wanted a tee shirt, as I do. And Eric said “Really? A LOVE tee shirt?” a bit skeptic. I thought ‘he’s right. Don’t really want so much to advertise that I was at The Show, per se, but maybe a cool Beatles shirt. Something a bit subtle or plain-ish but a cool rock tee shirt, you know?’ couldn’t find what I was looking for so settled on a refrigerator pin for us, since we tend to collect them from various places we visit (though not all are on actual refrigerator. If they were the refrigerator would look like a ridiculous mess).

18. Sunday, Eric wished he’d bought the soundtrack. And I wished I’d bought a LOVE tee shirt. Both of which I’m sure we can get online. But still. We contemplated heading back over to The Mirage, but decided against it since there was so much else we had left to do.

19. Wow. 19 numbers for one event. Not even Vegas, but one show! I meant for this entry to be a brief outline of Things I’ve Done/Seen since last updating, which was over a month ago. Seems it’s a bit more detailed than that. And that there might be a loads more numbers following. And that I will probably stop at a certain number and have to come back in another entry.

20. Regardless, on to the next!

21. So, we’d been wanting to do another Vegas getaway ever since we had such a brilliant weekend when we got married and had thirty of our friends and family there and a ridiculously huge suite at Paris. It’s a bit hard to top that weekend, really.

22. However, April of last year, a friend had a birthday celebration in Vegas and we went with. It turned out to be one of the least fun trips to Vegas either of us had ever been on. For various reasons.

23. June 10th (shoot. 11th?) was our two year anniversary of being married and we’d had an idea to plan a Vegas weekend around that, especially since that was where the marriage occurred. (Didn’t think we’d actually make it? Well, that’s 5 years together and two of them married! Sometimes we weren’t sure if we’d make it! But that hasn’t been for a long, long time now.)

24. When the actual date approached it wasn’t a good fit for a time to go. Mothers in hospitals and other such things. (the Mother is just fine now, thank goodness)

25. Anyway, Coldplay released (sort of) two songs from their upcoming album, “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” in the meantime. After hearing “viva la vida”, the song, I was smitten all over again. I’ve always loved Coldplay, no matter how un-cool it is to like them. Don’t care. I love them and I especially love Chris Martin. If anyone has seen him on “Extras” or in the interview with Ricky Gervais, I dare you not to like him. I can understand why people are a bit off on the whole Coldplay as a band thing and their music. It’s not for everyone and is certainly one of the most commercial and ‘popular’ bands out there. And I’m all for naming obscure-ish bands and even movies as my favorites (if they actually are, of course.) in the name of Being Cool. But there’s also things that are patently un-cool that I admit to adoring without shame whatsoever. Coldpaly and Chris Martin being one of those things.

26. When E and I first started dating, they played the Staples Center here in LA. And a day or two later, Eric mentioned he’d half heartedly tried to get tickets for us. He’s not that big of a fan, but figured I was. I’m not much for going to loads of concerts or any old live music with some exceptions, of course. Actually, I’m a bit more now, but for a while, just wasn’t into seeing music live.

27. But when I’d heard I’d almost gotten to see them, I was a bit heartbroken, even though I didn’t realize I wanted to go that much in the first place.

28. So “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” comes along. I get the two songs that were pre-released (“viva la vida” and “violet hill”) and a few others (“lost” – both versions: acoustic one and the loud interesting drums, more electric one, “lovers in japan” and a b-side called “a spell a rebel yell”)pilfered illegally and was in love love love with each and every song that I now had. seriously. played them over and over.

29. Coldplay announces their tour dates. Maybe two months ago. Something like that. Los Angeles is not on the list. Eric points out that it will be. They’ll add more shows. But I suggest “let’s do the Vegas one! And go as a 2nd anniversary belated weekend!”. Eric likes the idea tremendously. The plan is set.

30. Around this time I see the movie “21”. I like it. I notice that in a few scenes they feature the new Planet Hollywood hotel and casino prominently. It looks ridiculously cool aesthetically and quite fun, as well. A bit Hard Rock-ish but more Big Hotel instead of the Boutique-y feel to the Hard Rock. It used to be the Aladdin. The Aladdin sort of sucked. The new Planet Hollywood looked much, much more fun. I suggested we try it. So we did.

31. We booked a 850 sq. foot suite. Not the very top of the line best, best suite, but the suite right underneath it, price and size-wise. Since we wanted a different, nicer weekend and since we planned on going for 3 days and 3 nights.

32. Now, that doesn’t sound like a lot of time. But it’s relative. 3 days and 3 nights in New York? What’s the point? 3 days and 3 nights in Hawaii? Again, what’s the point? But in Vegas, many, many things conspire against you if you stay too long. Especially if you don’t have a big plan for being there.

33. Anyone who’s been there would probably agree that downtime in Vegas can be expensive and exhausting. SO much to do. Which is fine and can be so, so great. It’s VEGAS. But it also can be tiring and too much sometimes. But for that reason, and for the fact that one is inclined to gamble profusely if one finds oneself with time to kill, one tends to lose loads of money.

34. So 3 days and 3 nights it is. And having a lovely, big suite is certainly the way to go if you do that. In that, you actually enjoy spending time in the room. It’s not just a box with a bed where you’re all over each other and getting irritated. Which, of course, adds to the fun of the weekend.

35. Upon checking in, I asked the person who was doing so “Can we have a super nice room please?” very nicely and as a bit of an afterthought (though it really wasn’t. I’d just read in some magazine that when looking to upgrade – plane tickets, hotels, etc. one of the best ways to do so is to look nice and put together and ask nicely and be very straightforward. The worst that can happen is being told no upgrade is available.) I wanted to try it and just see if we could get the nicest room in the range of suites we’d booked. Perhaps a strip view – no, wait. I think our suite was called The Strip Suite. In which case, a Strip view would clearly be part of the suite. Regardless, I just thought it couldn’t hurt to ask for the best suite they had in that category. Again -worst case? He says no.

36. Luck happened to be on our side though and he upgraded us to the top top top category of suites called the Panorama Suite.

37. Which was just ridiculous. 1,255 sq. feet. Curved, sort of around the corner of the hotel so that you couldn’t see the other end if standing at the opposite end. (not to mention the fact that if I was in the bedroom and Eric out in the main area, he couldn’t hear me unless I yelled. Which is sort of awesome.) Two gigantic big screen HD TVs. A lounge, den-ish area. An area with a full bar with stools to sit upon when being served. An area with a round table and chairs which reminded me of a place you’d sit to play poker. A second bathroom. Our own double-door foyer. Huge bedroom with sitting area and another gigantic TV. Ridiculous bathroom (huge tub, a vanity, two sink areas, the works and rooooomy). Office area. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but it was all quite ridiculous. And we were tres happy. It was all modern furniture, which I don’t care for generally, but had no issues with it as I was beyond satisfied with the huge suite.

38. Needless to say, we were quite pleased with our accommodations and enjoyed staying in our room almost as much as being out and about.

39. So at this point, or rather, before getting to Vegas, a few things fall into place quite nicely. One of them being that I find out that one of my closest and longest friends, Whitney, who I don’t see as often anymore here in LA- as friends do as they get older and into relationships or more invested in careers or live in different parts of the city, or life just gets in the way- is going to be in Vegas that weekend too.

40. Her boyfriend has a house there and businesses and splits his time between Vegas and their place in LA (Venice Beach, actually, which is one contributing factor as to why we don’t see each other as often. Though technically maybe 15 miles from me, with traffic and freeways, about 45 minute drive). And Whit will be there Thurs-Sat.

41. This delights me as it’s summer, and over a hundred degrees in Vegas, and one thing I’ve always loved doing when going to Vegas in the summer is laying out by the pool all day, getting tan, sipping on drinks brought to you by the cocktail waitress, taking dips in the pool, listening to the DJ and hanging out with friends.

42. Problem is: my husband is allergic to sunlight.

43. Ok, he’s not REALLY allergic. He just generally doesn’t see the appeal of laying in the sun all day. He’s of the pale-ish German, Blonde/Blue variety. The sort that doesn’t tan easily, but burns. Which is fine, I understand. But I don’t like laying out alone. It can be fun for a bit, if you have a book or whatever. But I get bored fast.

44. Whit and I make plans that she’ll come to our hotel to see me Friday morning and we’ll spend all day in the sun and then some time in the suite and get ready for dinner later at which her boyfriend will join us.

45. We’d chosen to make reservations at this place that is ridiculous (the bad sort) here in LA. The paparazzi camps out in front of the establishment as so many celebrities eat there. So it’s not a place where we’d choose to eat here at home. The hassle isn’t worth it and there are plenty of other great restaurants in our city. But in Vegas, why not?

46. This, amongst other things that were falling into place, made me very happy.

47. Before leaving, tickets for Coldplay (great seats) and tickets for LOVE (greater seats) arepurchased. Plans are made for dinner at the swank eatery for the double date with Whit and her boyfriend for Friday night, the only night that isn’t taken up by a show.

48. Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night. All accounted for. With v. fun things to do. happy, happy.

49. And, now, looking back, thankfully, nearly all our plans, plus a few things we hadn’t planned for turned out to be either as good as we’d hoped or even better. Barely anything was bad, per se. Maybe a long taxi line outside when it was sweltering. And some money gambled away. Can’t think of other things. But Coldplay was just The Best Time Ever. LOVE too. And a million other little things and moments with E that were just ridiculously enjoyable.

50. Also, hanging out all day in the sun, by the pool, but mostly IN the pool – since it was way too fucking hot (108 I think)- with Whitney and just talking and having loads of laughs about nothing very important for all of friday day.

51. Especially after the Bikini Debacle right before we left. I could not find a bikini top that fit me – anywhere AT ALL, no stores, and the one i ordered online was a sad excuse for a bikini. I had given up on getting a swimsuit and resigned myself to no suntime but was saved at the last moment and found a bikini top at this store in Santa Monica that I’m just mad about. And it’s basically a triangle top– And I’ve never been able to wear a bikini top without underwire!!! (since I have a large bust and most tops that fit me up front don’t come in triangle form. Well, one did once. But I looked like a fucking porn star hooker and was just gross.) But this one was essentially a triangle top, just with more fabric in front to cover properly. But no underwire, part ‘string’, and adjustable. Am just mad about it, I tell you.

52. Goodness, this wasn’t meant to be all about Vegas. Seriously. Again, was going to try to just toss in bits I’d done since last updating. Which is more than just Vegas. Oh well.

53. But I’ll stop here. With the Vegas bits. I’ll stop here and continue later. With pictures.

54. Some other things that have occurred recently shall now be mentioned.

55. Had tickets to see Ricky Gervais perform his standup here in LA at the Kodak Theater (where the Oscars are held) for months and months. That finally happened last weekend. And it was a great fucking night. Mr. Gervais was hilarious. Love love love love love him.

56. Had a great time after, having drinks with our friends who came with us. Had loads of laughs, the kind of night you don’t expect to be that good, but turns out brilliant. That type. Everyone is in good spirits and a bit carefree and funny and attentive, which all mixed together to become the perfect combination of Great Night Out.

57. A few small things occurred that evening that are worth mentioning (or maybe just remembering, rather) such as a near hugely embarrassing run-in with a soap star thanks to one person’s extra loud faux pas. Although that actually provided us with loads of laughter and therefore was awesome, actually. Also, a birthday party for our neighbor and good friend Kate that turned into a fucking circus.

58. Now that I’m thinking about it, these things might not be amusing to anyone but those that were there that night.

59. What else?

60. Oh, had been growing my hair, or leaving it super long, after growing out for about 2 years now. This can be seen in last picture entry. And a few weeks ago chopped off 9 inches of hair.

61. Surprisingly, hair is still sort of long-ish? Maybe? It comes to a few inches below shoulders. Bangs are now all choppy and more pushed to side. I, of course, had to document this occasion and new length/ hairstyle copiously and took many a picture. I shall post some. I am vain. Of course I will.

62. What else? Loads of other small-ish things. Suppose those can be saved for next entry as well.

63. Ok, bit more Vegas. Best vacation in the last few years. Brilliant entertainment that we had planned. And very much enjoyed all the time spent with Eric.

64. It was our first Vegas time together with only us. I was surprised how much fun just being in our hotel room together, doing nothing, was. I mean, we’ve lived together for three years. Didn’t know if that would dampen the vacation-y fun-ness at all since we’re so used to each other and it was to be, for the most part, only us together. And not on some grand vacation, where going away alone together would be par for the course and exactly what i’d want and clearly would be fun. But this was Vegas. A place where you’re used to doing the group of friends thing, generally. But this trip was just as great as the others.

64 1/2. We’d intended to make this trip more of an adult type of pampered sort of thing. More massages and tickets to shows that weren’t cheap and swank dinners instead of huge clubs you stand in line for, the hedonistic sort of behavior of drinking, partying, crazy sort of Vegas with abandon tossed away kind of weekend. Which is, on it’s own, tremendous fun. However, I really enjoyed this sort of trip. As much as the “typical” Vegas getaway. It had an air of romance and luxury that was very decadent and was very very awesome.

65. I’ll stop now. Been meaning to write about all this stuff or just anything and have made stops and starts but then get bored or convinced all I’ve written is rubbish and no one would want to read but I’ve gone long enough that I can fill an entry or two with at least somewhat interesting things.

66. Pictures to come. Of hair. Of friends. Of nights out. Of shows. Of Vegas. etc.

67. That is all for now. Shall return later to finish.

68. I’m sure I’ve repeated some things. but don’t feel much like going back to check. I actually wrote most of this yesterday. And I’ve noticed if anything takes too long to write, or check, or take time putting in pics, etc. i grow bored or irritated and abandon it. so if there’s repeats or mistakes, please to be ignoring.

69. Wait. A few pictures real quick:

stole this little pic off of Planet Hollywood’s website. it’s the Panarama Suite. but this is only, probably, one third of it. it’s hard to see the whole thing. it’s curved. (we have more pics, but have not uploaded them yet. i think.)

again, stolen from the website. just the logo for LOVE.

a LOVE pic, from during the show. stolen from some website.

another LOVE pic.

Best Bikini Top EVER. (i wore different bottoms. i hate match-y match-y) (oh, and i’d like to have the model’s body too. that’d be nice. wish i could purchase one of those, to go along with the bikini.)

a pick of Chris Martin in “Viva” gear. (i didn’t take this. not our show. i still have to upload my pics)

one of the funniest men in the Entire World, Mr. Ricky Gervais. (i took a few pics during the show. this is not one of them. CLEARLY.)

However, this IS a pic from our show. This was right at the beginning. He came out all sort of Grand-like with a crown and cape and the huge letters all lit up. Overdoing it, humorously. Shortly after he took off the costume and did his show in simple black pants and tee shirt, but the letters remained. Loved them.

The Kodak Theater at which Mr. Gervias performed. But this is a stolen web image. And obviously what it looks like on Oscar day. Mr. Gervais didn’t warrant such red carpet treatment, unfortunately.

new haircut and color. i have loads more. even before and afters. but this one was already uploaded, so it was convenient. more to come later, probably.