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Post by Chris on May 19, 2009 12:46:15 GMT -5
Went to Vegas this weekend.
What a dismal place this has become. The economy has hit Vegas hard, and I'd heard talks over the weekend that some of the hotels have experienced periods recently of 80% drops in occupancy.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on May 19, 2009 12:49:43 GMT -5
Yeah, no doubt of that. Aside from tourists wary to spend money cause their jobs still may go poof, all those companies that used to send employees to Vegas on incentive trips on their dime have pulled those shindigs off the table.
Ive been following this sad tale practically daily in the USA TODAY Money Section. Its so bad that Vegas' Tourism Industry has taken to putting in full-page ads in papers like this, begging people to come out and get some money flowing again.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on May 19, 2009 12:51:38 GMT -5
The governor of Nevada is actually pissed at Obama for making a crack about how people shouldn't be going to Vegas when getting bailout money. While I don't necessarily disagree with Obama here, at the same time, he did hurt the economy of Vegas by singling that city out.
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Post by Chris on May 19, 2009 12:52:26 GMT -5
The Mayor was on Vegas talk radio yesterday claiming occupancy is only down 6%.
What a crock that is, but I understand he needs to put a positive spin on things.
The startling thing is how much the casinos have tuned down the slots to pay out less.
When you walk in to a casino in Vegas now, you don't hear all of the bells and whistles and cha-chings that we all know.
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Post by Lindsey on May 19, 2009 15:48:50 GMT -5
I wanna go back to Vegas. Maybe towards the end of the summer.
I got my big midwest baseball run coming up at the end of the month! (wooooo)
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on May 19, 2009 15:51:36 GMT -5
Vegas rules.
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Post by Chris on May 19, 2009 16:13:05 GMT -5
Ehhh, maybe because it's close to me...a few hour drive...but for me Vegas is really starting to move into the law of diminishing returns territory. I go probably 3 to 4 times per year.
I'm 39 years old so titty bars aren't my thing...I have a wife and I've spent much of my youth in them buying into the illusion that I was gonna pull one of those skanks out of there...so nudie clubs aren't my thing at all.
I'm 5 years sober - drinking is out, but even if it were IN, I can drink at home.
I've seen a few shows there...and OK, they're cool, but they only kill an hour and a half of my time there.
The pool scene is OK, but I live in Huntington Beach man.....Surf City USA that Jan and Dean sang about. No pool scene in Vegas can rival what you get at a day on the beach in HB.
Not much of a gambler anymore....not because it isn't fun and not because I don't enjoy the rush...but because I like my money and for the most part people who gamble in Vegas lose....you may win here and there, but in the end it's a wash.
Maybe it was the dismal state of Vegas due to the economy, but I left Vegas this weekend highly unimpressed.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on May 22, 2009 7:52:09 GMT -5
Ok, heres the deal. I had to put in for 7 weeks vacation between now and the end of December to get down to 80 hours to carry over into 2010. So I did that, as amusing and baffling as it sounds.
So I go in for my monthly one-on-one yesterday, and my manager says, "need to talk to you about taking some more time off." And Im like, "well, I already put in for the 7 weeks." And she grins, and says, "NOT ENOUGH."
Need to take one more. Mind you this year I have already taken 2. After these 8, I will be off 10 weeks this year.
So right now here is my vacation schedule for the rest of the year....
2 weeks straight in June 2 weeks straight in July 2 weeks straight in late Aug - early Sep 1 week in Oct. 1 week in Nov
This is not necessarily 100% a happy ending story - I was convinced its simply a way to get the time down to lay everyone off. I have since been told this is not necessarily the case...there are legit reasons for this, which are too boring for me to explain here. Most companies wont allow people to carry over 300 hours year to year anyhow, we are just getting into line here.
So yeah, sucks to be me!
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Post by Lindsey on May 22, 2009 8:57:23 GMT -5
ugh. i am so tired. when i scrolled past this thread, for some reason i thought it said 'here comes vagina!' i was like 'dang thats a new one!' too bad.
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Post by Chris on May 22, 2009 11:49:42 GMT -5
You sound like a UPS driver Tom.
Those guys can roll over vacation time indefinitely.
When I worked there, there were older drivers who had accumulated three and four months worth.
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Post by Chris on Jun 4, 2009 16:13:01 GMT -5
More like there GOES vacation.
Just got back from a week in Maui.
Awesome...just awesome. Rarely do I go on vacation and wish I lived where I'm vacation, but I could EASILY live in Maui. I'm a beach guy, and Maui's slow laid back lifestyle is right up my alley.
Cool stuff I did in Maui: lots of standup paddling, snorkeling, smoking lots of cigars, and I jumped off a cliff into the ocean.
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Post by Chris on Jun 4, 2009 17:12:18 GMT -5
THE SHIT!!!!!
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Post by elliejay21 on Jun 4, 2009 17:37:08 GMT -5
I won't get to take a vacation for another 5 months
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Post by 9 on Jun 5, 2009 10:47:16 GMT -5
That standup paddling looks like a lot of fun. My balance blows, but so what? I'll end up in the warm, clean Pacific? What a shame!
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Post by Chris on Jun 5, 2009 14:50:15 GMT -5
The cool thing about S.U.P. is that no waves are required. From what I've heard, apparently it's very big in Lake Tahoe. So I imagine this could easily be done on the east coast as well. I'm pricing boards now. I'll likely be going with this sweet Hulakai 12 footer
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jun 9, 2009 8:17:01 GMT -5
Ok, you will be seeing me in here a LOT the next few months. Over 8 weeks worth of off-days through the end of the year.
Tomorrow I had taken a PTO day a while back for little Emmas kindergarten shindig. Getting set to graduate, with a fine little show. Basically, after today, I will be going to work 2 of the next 19 days (including weekends in the string)
I am going to try to be around the board here and there, but it certainly wont be all-day access like now. You folks will need to step it up, reach for the brass ring, go for the gusto.
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Post by 9 on Jun 9, 2009 8:41:42 GMT -5
There are Teamsters who work more than Tom.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jun 22, 2009 0:04:28 GMT -5
Well, one week down, one week to go. Until next month, when I get my next 2 weeks. You guys will need to keep the fires burning on here, as I am obviously not on as much when I am not trying to kill time at work.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jun 29, 2009 8:59:12 GMT -5
Sigh. Back at work. At least there will be more action on the board, with my yappy self.
Im sure you'll all be happy to not see mid-day, weekday messages from me outside drinking beer or having fun. Well, until my next vacation starts on July 22nd. 2 more weeks!
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Jun 29, 2009 9:15:12 GMT -5
Bum.
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Post by heartybooooo on Jun 30, 2009 15:54:16 GMT -5
On Thursday morning, Lindsay and I leave for Florida where we will leave the kids with her parents and then continue on to Tortola where we will spend the week sans kids. I am looking forward to quiet relaxation, deep sea fishing, drinking by the pool and at the beach, a day sale, the full moon party, and nights of sipping cocktails and listening to music. If I win Mega Millions tonight, we may just stay there forever.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 20, 2009 9:00:04 GMT -5
Well, back on vacation again. 2 more weeks, wont be back in the office till August. I guess the board will continue to be in slumber mode - I think me being off from work so much is really chopping in to the fun around here.
Ill be stopping in daily, on and off through the day - but someone else needs to do something on here to keep conversation going so I feel like doing that.
Not much drastic planned, as Dana is working 8 of the 10 weekdays I am off. That sucks for all of us, but who gets as much vacation time as me? Ill be walking with a scootering Emma to the pool, some diner breakfasts, some KFC lunches. A little ball in the yard, Ill set up the slip n slide for her too.
My main project during this time off will be loading up my brand new 160 GB Zune.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Jul 20, 2009 9:18:32 GMT -5
Tom are you coming to any games while on vacation???
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 20, 2009 9:49:13 GMT -5
That would be a no. Where were you Friday?
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Post by thecaptain15 on Jul 20, 2009 10:14:22 GMT -5
I had my son this weekend so I couldn't make it....
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 3, 2009 8:29:03 GMT -5
Well, I am back from my latest batch of vacation time. Feeling surprisingly good today. This is just a spurt of 3 weeks until my next two weeks off commence on August 24th.
Ill be pretty active on the board the next few days, so lets jump right back into things.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 23, 2009 22:26:18 GMT -5
Two more weeks, starting today (Monday, the 24th)
Ill be around when I can, but carry on, folks!
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 27, 2009 7:13:24 GMT -5
Heading to Splish Splash Water Park. Balls, get the fantasy numbers up in the mornings, huh? Why pick NOW to slow down, when the season is coming towards a wrap?
Im glad temps are back into the 70s, and we dont need to deal with a furnace today, water park or no.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Aug 31, 2009 1:03:00 GMT -5
One more week kicking off today, then back to work until mid-October, when I nab another week. Hang in there!
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Post by elliejay21 on Aug 31, 2009 18:45:09 GMT -5
You mean after this week, you actually have to work 5 weeks in a row?!?!? That's crazy talk!
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