That sounds wonderful Hec, except for the first night. I love the commander's palace there-- I've been to the jazz brunch, and eaten dinner there a couple of times.

Hec, the majority of the trip sounds like it was fantastic!

It really was good. There was a fair amount of downtime since neither Jacqueline or I gambled and we only went to one show. In retrospect I would've liked to see one of the innumerable Cirque shows, but we were originally going to see the Blue Man Group with Phil on Satuday but that didn't pan it. And, yes, Ple, I was thinking about Tobias the whole time.

The poolside of Bellagio is just profoundly swank. There are so many different pools of different sizes and shapes and uses (some with huge fountains in them, others tiny jacuzzis, others swim sized), and it has trees and bowers and you flip up the little flag on the back of your incredibly comfortable chaise when you want service.

Also they have The World's Biggest Chocolate Fountain in the Bellagio patisserie.

It was really fun hanging out with Phil and Jennifer. Just seeing them babble on about their fabulous lives. They travel constantly, but they never go to just vege. They're always kind of working vacations. They get appearance fees, or it's a big tournament or high stakes game, or they were doing the voiceovers in LV for some video game, or she's going on a shoot in Lousiana (they were headed to New Orleans next). She had fun inside gossip, but she wears her fame lightly. It's just a fact of her life and she wasn't about to pull a "Don't you know who I AM!?" at Commander's Palace. But was very proud of Phil for his bribery.

He'd just won a huge high stakes game earlier in the week (quarter-mil!), but he was backed so he didn't get to keep all his winnings. But it was cool to really understand how poker players serve as their own sort of Savings and Loan. Phil basically called up a bunch of high rollers and they had a piece of him for this game.

Also, they're both sort of madly hot for each other still. She's really his first girlfriend and she confided to JZ on the way back from the girl's room that he's the best boyfriend she's ever had.

Also, it was great just to hook up with ND and Kristin in Vegas.

That sounds like fun!

it really does. I'm glad you had a good time.

That sounds like fun!

I recommend it. It's pleasantly weird being in the penumbra of celebrity. You can see how entourages work.

I kept thinking, "Shit, just about everybody staying at the Bellagio is really wealthy, but Fame gets you so much more that money can't buy."

JZ and I could barely eat when we went out with ND and Kristin, though. We were so overwhelmed with rich food we just wanted to eat strips of loofah sponge to clear everything out.

Aww!!! That warms my heart cockles.

[link]

None of the pictures of her on her Actual Birthday are up yet, but plenty of birthday party and some Easter shots.

That does sound like an amazing time, Hec, and I'm glad you two got to have it.

I have too many shoes. I mean, I really have a problem. Why in hell would I buy these? They fit pretty well, btw. I only meant to buy these (which will have to be returned for a bigger size).

Hrrmph.

Hec, the weekend sounds like exactly what you and JZ have been needing.

ION, can't sleep; clown will eat me.

Seriously, mang -- what is WITH this insomnia?!? I get in bed and feel like I have an electric wire running through my central nervous system, burning neon and making me all jittery. Feh.

Am watching soap opera network's rerun of some soap I've never seen, but it's some tearful reunion between a dude and his wife(?) who apparently has been long dead. Maybe it'll put me to sleep.

ita, those links go to the same pair of sexy shoes.

Those are the same shoes.

eta: Poor Steph.

I also have too many shoes. I've determined I have to go get another shoe rack. I'm not sure if I should go to Target, or risk a trip to the Container store this weekend.

Whoops. Meant to link to these.