Henderson Hijinks Day 3

 Rockapella Road Trip

Vegas, Baby!

Friday, December 6, 2024

It doesn't matter how many times I use the shower in this hotel.  I still can't figure out how to use the hand-held shower head.  It's so annoying that I'm so lame.

Wendy and I got breakfast downstairs before calling a Lyft to go to the strip.  Wendy told me that she had never actually spent time on the Las Vegas strip before, and since we had no other plans, we went to the Bellagio.  The Bellagio is decorated quite beautifully during the holidays, which I learned during a trip a couple of years ago.  Our Lyft driver was much friendlier than the one that picked us up at the airport.  

The ceiling in the lobby is always beautiful, though.  It's like a tradition for me to take this photo.

The theme this year must have been toys or gingerbread houses.  I wished it smelled like gingerbread there, but no.  It was all really pretty, though, and I loved the huge teddy bear playing the drum!  Wendy didn't believe that the video of the train was actually from the one going around the track until I showed her.  

Santa's Sleigh

Big Toys

More Big Toys

On Donner, On Dasher!

Big Merry Go Round that
nobody was allowed to ride

Hugigant Teddy Bear!

I like the "B" on the shako.

I mean, don't they look like
they want us to ride them?

Scotcherbreadman thinks this
is his house.

As we walked around inside the hotel, we found a gelato place.  So we ordered gelato and sat outside to relax and enjoy the yumminess.  

View of the Bellagio pools 

I was on a mission to find the museum that I saw the last time I was at the Bellagio, because I wondered if it had the same art.  It turns out that the art was still there, which made me happy because I really like it.

Olympian Kurt Thomas

This reminds me of the niece

We decided to go across the street to the Paris Hotel and Casino. 

We searched for a place to eat, and there was a long line where I was thinking of eating.  So we wandered around more, and stumbled upon the opening of a new restaurant.  We had just missed the whole ceremony and cool giveaways, but they were open for lunch!  

Can Can Girl Photo Op

My Smoked Salmon Flatbread

Chef Dominique Ansel was there for photos, but I was too shy to ask to be in one with him.  Also, I didn't know if I would like his food, which is ridiculous, because it was very tasty, and look at those pastries!  Perhaps he was just too handsome for me to feel comfortable being near him.  Wendy did end up taking a photo for him and someone else.

Chef Dominique Ansel

Almond Croissants

I had a taste of this.  It was gooooood.

Beautiful Lemon Tarts

Some people were taking flowers from the display, and it turns out that they were telling people to take them.  So we each got a couple of flowers to brighten up our weird room.

I ordered an almond croissant, but Wendy didn't want to cheat on Bouchon, so she waited to buy pastries until we walked over to the Venetian.  It took a while to get there, because I didn't realize how far it was, even though the people that gave us directions told us it was quite a walk.  That's OK, because I needed to walk off that flatbread.  I guess I thought that it was close by because the last time I was there, I was in a car.  DUH.  

Passed by Caesar's Palace 

Bouchon was closed by the time we got there, and Wendy gave out a little gasp when the guy told her so.  Turns out that the restaurant was just closed for lunch for the day, but he advised us that there was a place to buy Bouchon baked goods downstairs, which is what we wanted anyway.  I got macarons and another almond croissant because I couldn't resist having yet more pastries in my arsenal.

We needed to get back to Henderson according to Florist Lady the day before, and walked over to the Ride Share area.  My phone wasn't picking up on the hotel wifi, and my data wasn't working.  Don't you think they should have wifi available in the Ride Share area?  I was irritated.  We finally got through and our driver dropped us off at a casino across the street from our hotel due to the streets being blocked off.

I dropped off my stuff and decided to try my luck since we had a little while before the parade would start.  How could I not, when I was within a block of 3 different casinos?!  

One of the casinos was attached to the hotel, and the entrance was next to the pool area.   I saw machines that I liked, but I didn't win anything.  I did see that there were people going in to the restaurant, and I might have suggested it to Wendy if we didn't already have leftovers to eat for dinner.

Then I went across the street to the Rainbow Room.   I won the most on a machine new to me. So that was nice, because I was able to just play with my winnings there and in the next casino.  Thanks, Rainbow Room!

I also tried out Emerald Isle, which was, yes, themed to Ireland.  The decor is pretty outside and inside.  I was happy when I found my unicorn game because I could sit there for a while without betting a lot.  The woman next to me kept winning, and I didn't, so I got irritated and left.

I think I ended up with, like $0.27 up when I was done, and I happily threw my change on the bed to show Wendy.  Hey, at least I won!  

We were able to watch the parade from our window, so we could stay nice and warm and eat our leftovers and pastries.  It was pretty loud downstairs because we were right across the street from the announcer's table.  We also saw our friend from the candy place.  

See the rose I got at lunch?

The parade consisted of different school marching bands, a Star Wars fan group, and some vehicles.  All of them had some kind of lighting on them.  It was pretty cool!  I mean, it's no Main Street Electrical Parade, but it was cute for what it was.  Honestly, I just wanted them to finish before Rudolph started, because I was not going to be happy with that racket outside.

Thank goodness, it all ended right before Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer started!  It was fun to watch with Wendy, as I'm usually enjoying by myself and Scotcherbreadman each year.

Scotcherbreadman and Rudolph
are Besties

The next morning, I had an earlier flight than Wendy because I needed to get home for an event.  So I left her at the hotel and got a Lyft to the airport.

I had so much fun on my adventure with Wendy!  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Yes, I'm writing this 6 months later.  It's always Christmas around here.  :)

Henderson Hijinks Day 2

 Rockapella in Henderson

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Henderson, NV

Remember how I couldn't figure out the TV in our hotel room?  I also couldn't figure out the shower.  It had all of these different things to turn and I was confused.  Somehow I got the water to come out from the showerhead, but I never could get the handheld one to work.  I felt like there was some kind of secret combination.  

Wendy had already gone downstairs to get something to drink with her now-breakfast sandwich.  I took advantage of the hotel breakfast offerings and also somehow spilled stuff which is just so elegant of me.  I didn't see any Rockapella guys at breakfast, so I went upstairs and ate breakfast with Wendy.  I told her that the 2nd floor had a community area, so we went downstairs to check it out before going to find the venue.

This would be a fun place to hang out with at least 5 other people that sing well.  Also a good hangout for the Posse.  But definitely should include those 5 other people.  

Sitting Area and Conference Room

Conference Room

We had seen that the venue was supposed to be at the next block from our hotel.  We saw the arena where the Las Vegas Knights practice, and I liked the cool decor they had with the giant pucks and hockey sticks.  

 Wendy on a Puck

I like their logo

It seemed like the area outside the arena could be used as an amphitheater, but it didn't look big enough for the guys to perform.  Not that we've not seen them on smaller stages.  But it didn't seem right.  We saw people decorating for the night's festivities, which seemed kinda last-minute.  We also saw chairs and a trailer, but didn't know what that was about.  We also saw steps leading up to City Hall, and decided to go in.  We asked the security guard, who said that he wasn't sure what all would be happening.  He said that the tree would be lit in front of City Hall, but the area in front of the steps seemed like an odd place for the guys to perform.  So we decided that he didn't really know much about anything going on that night. 

So we strolled a little more down the main street, and saw the Antique Rose Florist shop, which had a cart in front offering free hot cocoa.  We were still full from breakfast, so we went inside to check out the florist shop.  The lady talked to us for a while, and we learned that her son had died at the shooting at the outdoor concert in Vegas.  Her daughter made really nice bracelets, but I wanted a different color than what she had for sale.  She offered us free cocoa, and Wendy and I split one of the cookies, which was yummy.  Thank you, Florist Lady!  

She had told us that the evening would be a big mess, as it always is.  She advised us to make sure we would be in town a couple of hours before tomorrow's parade started because the traffic would be a nightmare due to blocking the streets for the parade.  We told her that we didn't know where the guys would be performing, and she wondered if they would be in the amphitheater, which was not the place Wendy and I thought.

So we made our way back to the square, and on the way, we saw this guy.  I hope the residents didn't care that I was standing outside their building to get in a photo with Bumble.

I need a star.  And a hat and scarf.

We arrived at the square, and saw that between City Hall and the arena was the amphitheater.  Like, with actual numbered seats and a stage and everything.  Why in the heck didn't the security guard mention it as a possibility?   Did he not know it was there?  Was he looking at us through the security camera at the moment and laughing at us?   There was a bunch of stuff on the stage, though, so we still weren't sure if Rockapella was going to perform there.  

Stalker photo of the amphitheatre

It soon came time for my friend Sapira to meet us at the hotel for lunch.  I used to work with her before she moved to Vegas to work at UNLV's art department.  Since then, she's become quite the accomplished artist and curator, working to educate new artists on obtaining grants for their work.  But to me, she's the very-talented foodie that I worked with back in the day.  She chose a place just a short walk away, called " Chinitas Tapas and Sushi".  Delicious!  

My Paradise Roll:
Inside:  Salmon, Avocado, Cucumber
Outside:  Yellowtail, Ponzu, Lemon, Yuzu Cilantro Aioli, and Furikake

Snoop Dogg was there, too.  I don't know why.

We happened to be hear a little art museum that Sapira wanted to visit to tell them about art grants, so we looked at the different art there, and I also bought a couple of Christmas coasters.  We also went to a candy store across the street from our hotel, and they had freeze-dried Jolly Ranchers!  I was really excited when I saw them, and I insisted on them trying one each after I bought some.  We also bought ice cream because it was Thrifty, and the guy had the cool Thrifty ice cream scoop!  Also, the price was really cheap, like we had gone back in time for $0.25 ice cream.  Maybe it was $0.50.  I don't remember much except that it was super cheap.  The guy there told us that he would be selling kettle corn outside during the parade, and we made note of it.  He had a LOT of bags of kettle corn in that place.  

My favorite is the Chocolate Malted Krunch,
seen at lower center of photo

Sapira needed to get back to her office, so we said our goodbyes, and Wendy and I got ready for the show.  I let Auntie Rose know that we would be there early, and that they should try to do so as well because of the traffic and the parking.  

We walked over to the square for Winterfest, and that's when we saw the stage.  It was that trailer thing!  And they had the chairs set up!  And the guys were doing sound check.  So we stood over by the side, but they saw us anyway and waved.  They were done with sound check shortly afterward, and came over to say hello and give hugs.  I introduced Wendy to Manny and Armand.  JT said that we looked like Santa's Little Helpers.  He better not have meant the Simpsons' dog.

Sound Check

Santa's Little Helpers

There were already some people sitting in the front row, and because we needed to save seats for Jenny and Auntie Rose,  we sat at the front right corner so that we would have room for Jenny's wheelchair.  I tried to get them to come early for the opening act, but it was cold, and they didn't want Jenny to get sick.  So once they did arrive, they stayed in the car for a little bit.

The opening act was the Coronado High School Madrigals.  They were quite good!  I loved seeing the guys enjoying performing on stage, and they added some humor to their show.  I mean, they sang "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas", so they might have won me over even if they weren't good.  :)

ROCKAPELLA

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The stage was a bit small, but the guys did great.  I was also kind of distracted because Auntie Rose was trying to call me, but you know I wasn't going to answer that phone.  I did text her to tell her where we were seated, though.  

CSL4 introduced himself as Wayne Newton.

The Hope We Hold

CSL4:  We're from New York City so it doesn't really feel like Chirstmas yet, not like it feels like Christmas in Henderson.

You know, it did feel Christmas-y, now that everything was decorated and kids were singing, and it was cold.

Dreidel

Manny:  You didn't like my dancing, man?

Get Happy!

Dreidel Spinning

It was around this time that Auntie Rose and Jenny arrived.  The choir kids had been sitting on the ground next to us, but they kindly moved when they saw the wheelchair.  Those kids were so nice!  I love choir kids.  Jenny sat next to me, and I think we were holding hands the entire time, we were so happy to see each other!  I mean, maybe not when we were clapping for the guys, but you know what I mean.

Silver Bells

The choir kids were getting really involved in Armand not coming in with his "Silver Bells" on time.  It was cute.  Yay, JT sleigh bells!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

They didn't really have most of the banter that I'm used to hearing between songs, I think because they wanted to make sure they did their whole set before the next item on the agenda.  I also felt like the songs were at a faster pace, but maybe that's because I just didn't want them to end the show.  I mean, I wanted to get out of the cold, yes, but I would have sat there until my nose had icicles dangling from it.  Hmmm, what an image, Sher.

Glow Worm

Manny (I think):  We call this next one "Shoo de doo wop".  

They do?

Winter Wonderland

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

CSL4 said that he tried turning on the show last Tuesday.  But it's on NBC tomorrow, you can still catch it!  

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Cal reminded Manny that he's supposed to be sad.  The T-bone!  

Don't Be Late

GIMME THAT THING!  Armand wants "Oreos and Fried Twinkies" for Christmas, because he saw the food truck that was part of the whole festival.  

Jingle Bell Rock

CSL4: That was silly.

Please Come Home for Christmas

CSL4: "Election Day was excruciating."  "You can even Venmo me...or Zelle.  I don't know what that is."  

Scott could not get someone to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.  "Well, I don't care what you want anymore."  

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

The little girl that he brought on stage was dressed all Christmas-y, and she would like Sunshine the Care Bear for Christmas.  JT wanted her stockings.  She even had bells!  Adorable.

Grinch

The choir kids loved Armand's low notes.  They've got good taste.

Angels We Have Heard on High

All I Want for Christmas is You

Afterward, we rushed to the back of the trailer so that we could talk to the guys.  I'm glad we did, because they had red-eyes that night, and needed to go.  We didn't really get to talk to CSL4 or Armand, but JT did sweetly call Calvin over to say hi to Jenny and us.  I was glad that Manny was there, and so was some of his family who were there also.  

We said goodbye to the guys, as well as Jenny and Auntie Rose.  We walked around the different booths.  We got free hot dogs because they were closing up and just wanted to finish cooking all of them, so that was cool.  Somehow I refrained from buying some cute Sanrio stuff at one of the booths.  I did want deep fried Oreos or Twinkies, but they had a long line right after the show and I didn't want to deal.  

The drone show was really neat!  They had an "orchestra" play, which should have really been called a quintet, because that's about how many people were performing.  The music they played was the soundtrack from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", so I was happy.  I had never seen a drone show before, and I quite liked it.  

It was so nice to be within walking distance of the hotel!  We made ourselves a couple of hot drinks to enjoy with our snacks before going to bed.

Next up:  Hijinks on the Strip