They have a Coffee Bean in the Rio?

Feel like sending me the directions?

Yay for homeward-bound JZ!!

Oh! There is a free show with showgirls at the Rio. (I learned this the hard way on my morning Coffee Bean run.)

I am very sad I did not know this earlier! I have been to Vegas twice and have yet to eat at a buffet or see showgirls.

The Aladdin had a pretty cool shopping mall on its ground when I was there a few years ago, and MGM had a zoo exhibit with big cats.

They have a Coffee Bean in the Rio?

Oh it's super easy! Which is why I go to that one and not the 24-hour Bean at the Venetian. Directions for anyone who cares:

If you're coming from the Strip, take Flamingo west, over the 15. Take a right into the Rio, follow the signs for "Self Parking." The Masquerade Parking Garage is on your right. Go all the way to the end of the structure and make a right into the garage. Drive straight up the ramp to the roof and park.

Walk across the bridge to the casino. Go past the Chippendales store and the jewelry place. Go down the escalator. Make a left. The Coffee Bean is the 3rd or 4th storefront on your left.

ETA: It sounds long on paper but it's really quick and easy. I was usually in and out of the Bean in under 10 minutes. At most casinos, it usually takes me 10 minutes to get from my car to the building.

Any suggestions on cheapish things to do (I really don't gamble).

Daisy, we stayed at the Bellagio and it's just fun wandering around there. There's a very cool bar tucked in the back too. But definitely check out the fountain show which goes off every hour or so. You can watch it from the sidewalk, but there's a nice balcony off one of the gambling rooms that faces the lagoon. You can get a drink, and sit out there and watch the show.

Also! The Commander's Palace in Vegas is fantastic! At least as good as the one in New Orleans. And, it has a super fun Museum of the American Cocktail. It's just one small room attached to the restaurant, but it's got great exhibits in its glass case, starting in NOLA, and covering the Sazerac (vintage bottles and Absinthe spoons etc.) up through the Tiki and Martinini crazes. Free and fun. Plus, go eat at Commander's Palace.

Also, the Bellagio has a super fancy shopping area that's fun or windowshopping. Versace etc.

We poked around Paris (across from the Bellagio - as is Commander's Palace) and that was fun in a Disneyesque way.

I miss you! Glad your job is good though.

Yay for going home JZ!

I have done laundry. It is a miricle. And my house is mostly clean. I think I am getting out of the funk I was in post worst theatre semester ever followed by my cat attcking me. Almost clean enough for a home visit to get another cat, although after my last ecperience I am feeling maybe the days when I have to spend 20 hours away from my house are not good for the cat, and maybe I should wait until after this year, when I (hpefully) quit the theatre and can devote myself to said cat.

It's a tough to choose between devotion to the theater and devotion to a cat. Particularly when one abused you and the other attacked you this year.

Maybe it's time to devote yourself to a ferret and film?

JZ is safely tucked away on the couch, been fed an asparagus and corn quiche, drinking a fancy rootbeer and browsing through the big book of All American Ads - 20s. We're waiting for Lee to come by. And then Emily and Juliana, I think. And JZ's parents. Phew. I need to get limes for margaritas.

I miss margaritas. But you know, bad break-up. Wish I could be there anyway.

Goodness. I go away for the weekend and there are hospitals and elopements!

Health to those that need it.

AND HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY to The Scrappy's.

quick question. Trudeu recently has taken to useing "friend with privileges" for what I most recently heard of as "friend with benefits". (There have been all sorts of terms over the years for a friend you have occassional sex with, but are not in love with nor seeking a long term relationship with.) Anyway is "friend with privileges" a variant actually in use, or is Trudeu misremembering "friend with benefits".