(Bye bye Mini Cooper and Old Blue Truck!)

Jen and I are sitting in an empty house with nothing but a folding chair, folding table, a 13″ TV, some food, and our computers.  At least we still have internet and DirecTV for a few days!  Actually, we have our bed until Sunday, but then the people we sold it to pick up.  So, we borrowed an air mattress from Robin for Sunday night.  I think we are going to go to my grandparents from Monday to Tuesday, so we will be fine.  In the interim, we are car-less and stranded here.  I am waiting for a call back from the rental car agency, so hopefully I can have a car later this afternoon.

I have to say…  This has been an incredible experience.  The goodbyes that I have had in the past week have been a bit sad, but that’s life I guess.  In the immortal words of John Fisher, I prefer to say “Ciao” instead of “Goodbye”.  I have been blessed with being surrounded by some amazing people in my life – from family, to friends, and colleagues.  I will miss them all as I begin my next chapter in life, but this is the path that needs to be taken.  And I am looking forward to turning the page.

To be continued…

What I like about Las Vegas:

• Weather – Hot in the summer, warm in the spring and fall, mild in the winter. I like the dry weather, but just because it’s dry does not make the summer heat any less intense.
• Nature – I love the mountains, the National Parks, the desert, Lake Mead, the Colorado River, etc… There’s something about the west that is captivating
• Food – Las Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world.
• Entertainment – I can see a show or concert and not have to make an entire day out of it. There are lots of things to do beyond “the strip”. There are lots of community activities and events. I am looking forward to having all of this in my backyard without having to make it an all day event, like I would have to do now.
• City benefits without being in the “city” – Las Vegas is unique in its composition. Our house is in a very nice neighborhood, surrounded by nice neighborhoods. It is not like the suburbs of New York or Philadelphia at all. If you came to our house in Las Vegas and were not told that you were in Las Vegas, you’d think you were in a regular town in the west.
• New Opportunities – There is a world of new opportunities for me.  It’s all new…  Going from a small town to a big city opens up a world of new things for anyone.

What I will miss about the Northeast:

• Rain – I love rain, especially at night in the summer. I love falling asleep to the rain.
• Family – I’ve had them all close for all of my life, so this will be a change.
• Friends – I will certainly miss them as well.
• Fall – I love the changing of the leaves in the Fall, especially in the mountains. (But I won’t miss it that much)
• Animals – My backyard is like a zoo.  Deer, squirrels, turkeys, chipmunks, groundhogs, birds and foxes.

What I will NOT miss about the Northeast:

• Snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain – Need I say more? I am all done. If I desire snow, I’ll go skiing or sledding at Mt. Charleston, about 30 minutes away. No more snow plows or shoveling. No more driving in icy or snowy road conditions.
• Lawns – I do not have a green thumb. I’m tired of cutting the lawn, mulching, weeding, etc… Bring on the desert landscape!
• Bugs – Bees, hornets, mosquitoes, gnats.
• Taxes – State Income Tax and Local Tax. When my PA house finally sells, I will add Property Tax and School tax to this list.

It’s all true folks.  We figured it’s a great time to build a new house in Las Vegas.  It’s a great time to buy, and since one day we are going to move there, we might as well secure 2009 prices.  We surely go to Vegas a lot though.  Last year, I think we were there for more than 30 days total.  This year I estimate that it will be about the same, maybe a little more.  At least we will use it.

Anyway…  The house has 3-stories plus a rooftop deck looking out at the mountains.  It will be done at the end of October!  We are really excited…  Maybe a little bit nervous, but excited.

The house is located in Mountain’s Edge, about 10 miles from the Strip.  We got everything that we ever wanted in this baby.  It will have a beautiful kitchen with all granite counters and back splashes, stainless steel appliances, extra tall cabinets with crown molding.  My favorite part is the rooftop deck.  Our lot borders US Government land, so our view of the mountains will never be obstructed.

Where to stay (and how to book it)

Many people want to stay on the “strip” their first time in Vegas and for that I can’t blame them. While I’m not going to provide a review on each hotel, here is some advice for you:

• Any of the top, newer, or high-end casinos are your best bet for amenities and service, but it may cost you: Caesars, Venetian, Bellagio, Wynn, Palazzo, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo
• If you are more value-conscious but still want the strip, check out Treasure Island, New York New York, MGM Grand or Paris
• I wouldn’t bother with the following for your first time in Vegas: Flamingo, Sahara, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, Bally’s, Stratosphere.  Even though the price of the rooms may be tempting, for a few dollars more you can stay at a place that will be a better first experience.
• There is more to Las Vegas than the strip.  Only two city blocks away are the Palms and the Rio.  If you are under 75, you will at least want to check out the Palms on a Friday or Saturday night.  Red Rock Casino is a few miles away, but it is a high end place and worth at least a visit to.
• Book your hotel rooms directly through the hotel. Don’t buy a package through your airline or through a reseller like expedia or travelocity.  You will not always get the best deal this way.  The days of airline/hotel packages are over.  Then, periodically, recheck the rates online – they frequently drop.  Just call and rebook or cancel and rebook.  I have saved 50% from my original reservation by doing this.
• Never pre-pay for a hotel room unless you must stay there.  Some hotels like the Golden Nugget require this, but not most.  Again, rates change.  Pre-pay rates are sometimes non-refundable and have restrictions.
• You won’t spend that much time in your room, so keep that in mind when choosing how much to spend.
• Some hotels have Movie Theatres: The Palms, The Orleans, Red Rock, MGM Grand, South Point
• Others have Bowling Alleys: The Orleans, South Point and Red Rock
• Some have Kids Quest childcare onsite so parents can also enjoy adult activities on their own: The Palms, Red Rock, Sunset Station, and some other Station Casinos.  The Orleans has Kids Tyme, which is pretty much the same thing.
• Bring your kids’ vaccination records if you are going to bring them to Kids Quest or Kids Tyme

Getting Around

• Taxis are very expensive, especially if you want to see the sights.  It could cost you $15 each way.  It really adds up.
• If you take a taxi, beware of cabbies offering you “free” or “cheap” nightclub/stripclub passes.  Some are bogus or expired.  Don’t buy from cabbies.
• Taxi lines on weekends can be long and will waste your time.  It’s not as bad now with the bad economy, but it still gets busy.
• My advice is to rent a car through Thrifty.com – the cheapest and best in Vegas.  (When you select a vehicle, you will usually get one upgrade, so keep that in mind)  I pay about $14 per day through Thrifty.
• If renting a car, be sure to take your time and carefully check your car for scratches and dings before you leave the rental car garage.  If is dark in the garage and you may not notice a crack in the windshield or a scratch until later.  Unless you note it on the inspection report, you may be held responsible.  I’ve found plenty of window cracks, dings and missing car parts after the fact.  So far, I’m lucky, but now I take extra time to inspect.  I once drove a car out of the garage that had the paint “keyed” out without noticing it in the garage.  Only days later did I realize.
• All parking garages at the strip casinos are free.  All others are free too, with the exception of the Old Vegas/Fremont Street casinos.  If you get your parking ticket validated at the casino cage, it’s free.
• Valet parking rules.  For just the price of a $2 or $3 tip (when you pick the car up), it is worth it.  Don’t bother at the Palms since all parking is close, and the Venetian valet is a joke so don’t bother.
• Navigation in Las Vegas is EASY – don’t be discouraged.  Just do not drive on the strip if you want to get to your destination on time.  Use the I-15 or a parallel road such as Industrial Blvd.  Just pack your GPS in your suitcase.
• On the strip, you can use the Las Vegas monorail to casino hop.
• There is a trolley that goes up and down the strip for about $2.50 per passenger.  Just like the monorail, you have to pay and you may have to wait, but this is a good choice for the budget-conscious.  http://www.striptrolley.com
• There is a free monorail between Treasure Island and the Mirage
• There is another free monorail between Luxor, Excalibur and Mandalay Bay

Show Tickets

• You can get showtickets for a big discount at Tix4Tonight.  These shows are for the same evening.  Several top shows are frequently available, as well as many of the second tier shows.  You have to show up to see the tickets available.  They open at 10am.
• Exhibits like the Shark Reef, Titanic and Bodies can be bought at Tix4Tonight everyday for as much as 50% off.  Also, Cirque Du Soleil shows (Ka, Mystere, Zumanity, etc) are frequently on sale.  You can also save 50% on buffet dinners and other restaurants.
• If the line is long at the main Tix4Tonight window outside the Fashion Show Mall, go upstairs to the Food Court.  There is a lesser-known Tix4Tonight cashier there.

Nightclubs and Ultralounges

• Club tickets are given out for free about 30-45 minutes outside near the casino floor for many clubs.  Of course, you need to look good and ready to party.  Girls help.  Don’t be afraid to ask for some extra tickets for “some of your girlfriends“.  If you are with girls (of any age), have them frenzy around and search these guys out.  You will see them with a stack of business-card like passes.  Young dudes, early 20s.  I’ve seen them outside all of the major clubs and have received a dozen free passes myself, just by asking for more.  Remember, there are always more “girls” than guys when asking for more tickets.
• Drinks are expensive.  A little low-stakes gambling before going to any clubs will lessen the damage.  Plus there are many liquor stores near the strip.  Buy some and come back to the hotel.  If you get wine, don’t forget the corkscrew.
• Palms – 3 clubs for the price of one: Playboy Club, Moon and Ghostbar.
• Don’t pay to get on the “VIP” list for nightclubs.  The clubs open at 10pm, but things don’t really get going until at least 11.  Grab a drink and wait, or just come back at 11 or after.
• Most clubs and ultralounges have “metered” drinks.  A computer controls the amount of liquor that goes into your drink.  Tipping the bartender or barmaid extra will not result in more alcohol.
• Leave your Air Jordans and ripped jeans at the hotel.  In the day, you can look like a tourist with ripped jeans and a concert tshirt and go into any bar or lounge, no problem.  At night, you will be turned away.  Some sneakers, like dark sketchers are OK for men, but you’re better off with nice shoes.
• Watch your credit card at busy places.  Some places will take your credit card before you place your order and will keep it until you settle.  When it gets really busy, this can be a problem.  If there are shift changes, you’re asking for trouble.  A few times, I thought I would never see my credit card again after the waitress would disappear for 45 minutes at a time.  Pay with cash (small bills) if you can when it is busy.  Save the credit card for restaurants and ultralounges.

Gambling

• If you plan on gambling, try to keep it to the hotel you are staying at.  First, sign up for a free Players Club card.  Then use it whenever you gamble.
• If you casino-hop and you must gamble, try to at least restrict it to casino’s from the same company (Caesars, Rio, Harrahs, Bally’s, Paris, etc… are all part of Harrah’s.  MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, etc… are part of MGM Mirage).  You will maximize your comps this way.
• If you gamble enough, you may be able to get your room and/or dinner comped.  If you play for a long period of time (5-6 hours a pop) for a week, speak to the pit boss before you leave your last game.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for something, especially when you are winning!  I love to eat at the N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms for free or mostly free.
• 4-6 hours of decent gaming at a table may buy dinner at one of the mid-level restaurants.  Higher stakes or longer time will get you in the higher end restaurants.
• Don’t ask for free nightclub tickets from a pit boss.  This is not the way to get them.
• If you are going to use the ATM in Las Vegas, call your bank ahead of time to have them notate your account.  Although an ATM usually will dispense up to $500 per day, your account may be flagged for fraudulant activity and funds frozen until you contact your bank.  If this happens after hours, you’re stuck.  This has happened to me before.  It’s a good idea to keep reserve cash on hand, especially for Sundays.

Food

• There are lots of great places to eat just off the strip.  Many are cheaper.  Dinner on the strip is no longer cheap and there are no deals for the high-end restaurants.
• Don’t forget about 2-for-1 vouchers and discount dinner tickets at Tix4Tonight.  One of the high-end restaurants with a 50% off voucher that they offer is for Les Artistes Steakhouse in Paris.
• Many buffets offer discounts if you are a member of one of their “Players Clubs”.  Sign up and get a free card.

Booking Tours

• Tourism is big business in Las Vegas.  Shop around for the best deal, but buyer beware.  Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a tour reseller and the actual provider of the tour.  Resellers usually charge a fee and it costs more.  Always try to book direct if you can.
• If you purchase a tour through a reseller, try to compare the price against going to the tour company directly
• Some tours are worth it.  I highly recommend the helicopter scenic night flight over Las Vegas by Papillon.  It’s only about a 10 minute flight, but it is worth it and affordable.  (Helicopter is owned by Papillon).  I’ve used them several times.
• If you want to see the Grand Canyon, forget driving or a bus tour.  It is simply to far – about 2.5 to 5 hours each way (depending on where in the canyon you are going and traffic returning to Las Vegas).  Use Grand Canyon Airlines.  They have an affordable plane flight to the canyon.  Then you hop on a tour bus and have the ability to do your own thing for a while.  The flight alone to/From Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon is worth it alone.
• If you have a car, just drive to the Hoover Dam.  Not only is it cheaper, but you will be able to go at your own pace.  30-35 minute drive.  You can eat lunch in Boulder City, where the Dam is located.
• Search the internet for coupons and discounts before you leave so that you can print them out.  Once in a hotel room, you won’t have easy access to a printer.
• Do not pay for coupons online.  When you are in Vegas, you can get free coupon books all over – taxis, concierge desk, shops, etc… But when you look for one, you won’t be able to find them anywhere.

Las Vegas / McCarran Airport

• Wifi is free, so bring your laptop
• Don’t gamble at the slot machines at the airport.  They are the absolute worst odds.
• When leaving, the airport security line can be long.  Leave your hotel no later than 1.5 hours before your flight.
• If you rented a car, leave at least 2 hours before your flight, since you will need to board a shuttle bus.

Other Stuff

• You can get an “out of state” discount at Macy’s at the Fashion Show Mall.  I think it’s 17% off anything.  You will need to go to customer service and ask for this.
• Don’t pay for multiple ride tickets for the roller coaster at New York New York or rides at the Stratosphere.  After you ride, you have the choice of purchasing a “ride again” ticket for cheaper than you would pay in advance.  I don’t remember if they have this on Speed The Ride at the Sahara, but I bet you they do.

Also see:

Things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble
The Playboy Club – Las Vegas
The World’s Worst Valet
Ghostbar at the Palms

So, one month later, I am back in Las Vegas, this time with my family.  We were headed to the Fashion Show Mall and on our way we had to use the pedestrian bridge – this is where I saw this man last time.  As we crossed the bridge, the homeless man was not there.  I was a little bummed, but what else did I expect?  It’s a large city with millions of people.  So, we proceeded to the mall and did our thing.  On our way back, only about 30 minutes later we rode the escalator to the top of the pedestrian bridge and there he was.

I kneeled down and started talking to him.  With my wife and daughter standing next to me, I spent a few minutes talking to him.  I asked what his name was.  I asked where his family was.  We talked about his living conditions.  We talked about his son, who has no idea that his father is homeless.  He said that he didn’t raise his children to grow up and take care of their father.  I was really sad.  Of course, I don’t know this guy’s entire story, but for his son not to even know the existence of his father is awful. 

Then I asked him if he wanted to go to lunch, but he said he didn’t walk to well.  I suppose I understand.  So I told him that I would go and get him something to eat.  He looked at my family then looked over at me and said “You have a family to take care of, don’t worry about me.”  I told him that they were fine and I had the means to give him a meal.  So I said that I’d be back in a few minutes.

We returned with a nice hot meal.  I kneeled down, opened the bag and took out the box of food.  I opened it and there was a hot chicken meal with veggies and rice.  Then I opened the other bag with a bottle of apple juice and bottled water.  The guy looked up at me with tears in both eyes.  So I sat down next to him.

Within seconds, there was a security guard screaming at me from the other side of the bridge.  Screaming that “you can’t do that”.  Don seemed to know the routine, so he slowly got up.  We helped him gather his food and walked him to the elevator.  I asked him if he wanted a place to stay for a few days.  I told him I would get him a hotel room and he could sleep in a bed and relax.  He said he was OK and said he was going to go to the bus stop.  Don seemed to be emotional about all of this.  I just let him walk away.  As he walked down the street, both of his legs were bowed, like his bones were bent.  I was sad.

In the end, I feel better than I did last month.  But it’s not about how I feel, because I helped someone that could not help himself.  Even if it was just a little bit, I made someone else’s day just a little better.  With my 9 year old daughter looking on, all of the talk of charity and doing-well to others, conversation that Jen and I have with her frequently, well, maybe it all seems to make sense to her now.  We all talked about Don, and Arianna became all choked up.  I think she gets it.  I think we all do.

I wound up at the Fashion Show Mall and figured that I would look for some discount show tickets for that afternoon.  There was nothing that really appealed to me, so I decided to make my way over to Treasure Island.  On my way across the pedestrian bridge, there was an old homeless man sitting with a small sign that said he was a Korean War Vet, and he was holding a styrofoam cup.  This man was probably around 70 years old or so.  Anyway, I walked past him and continued on my way to Treasure Island.

As I continued to walk, I couldn’t get this old man out of my mind.  I’ve never really been one to give money to beggars, but for some reason, this one man struck me.  So I made a simple decision that on my way back, I would give him some money.  As I approached him on the pedestrian bridge, I stopped and opened up my wallet.  I looked in his styrofoam cup and there was nothing but pennies and nickles.  So I put $3 in his cup.

As I did this, I heard people behind me laughing and mumbling about what I did.  Then this old man looked up and me and said “Sir, you have a GREAT day!” with a big smile.  And I told him to have a great day too.  With my words it hit me.  How can he have a great day?  I almost couldn’t believe that I said that.  This poor guy is at rock bottom.

I couldn’t help wonder how he got there.  Did he have family?  How about kids?  Where does he sleep?  What terrible thing happened in his life for this to happen?  Surely this was not a choice.  Yet he told ME to have a great day.

What upsets me is I felt that I could have done more that day.  I had no place to be, nowhere to go.  When I opened up my wallet, I had about $6 in singles and four $100 bills.  I gave him $3.  Maybe what I should have done instead is asked what his name was.  Maybe then I could have asked him if he was hungry and I could have taken 15 minutes out of my “busy” day and take him to the food court.  Maybe I could have bought this guy a coat – it gets really cold in Las Vegas at night in the winter.

And the thing is…  I think I’ve seen this man before.  I cannot be positive, but I think I have.  Maybe he will be there next month when I return.  Maybe this time, I can do more, or at least try, because I have the means to do so.  I would hope that someone would ask me what my name was and if I was hungry if I was in that situation.

We’ve built a great life here in PA.  We’ve got great friends and both of our families are just a short drive away.  But it’s time for our new adventure.  We have never lived more than an hour from where we grew up, so before we regret not trying anything new, we’re going to do this.  We’re both scared and excited.  This should all be interesting.

Fortunately, we still have our families rooted in northern NJ, so we will be coming back here several times per year.  So I have no doubt that our friends and kids’ friends will see each other as well.

Using Technology to Bridge the Physical Divide
All you people need to do is get a webcam set up and a free AOL Instant Messenger account set up and we can do real time video conferencing.  (There are plenty of Geeks around to assist if needed) I would really like to set the kids up with this as well.  Wouldn’t it be cool if Maddie and Arianna could play WebKinz and talk and see each other at the same time on the computer?  Could be a blast with the adults too.

I think with my iChat software i can video conference with 3 other people.  So on Windows, grab a free copy of AOL Instant Messenger and sign up for a free account.  Mac users, you already have iChat.  All you need now is a free AOL Instant Messenger account.

[UPDATE 10/2008]

We have decided not to move at all.  We are staying put!

The last name Perroots should be synonymous with “rockstar“.  In fact, for a period of time, this website changed from Perroots.com to RockstarFamily.com – in part to celebrate this family’s attitude towards life.

We just came back from another trip to Las Vegas.  I know, I know… You don’t want to hear about it.  It must be rough for us, right?  Four trips to Las Vegas so far this year, and probably two more remaining for 2008.  Why in the world would anyone want to keep going back to Las Vegas so much?  To keep the Rockstar Family image, of course!  It’s what we do.  We work hard, we want to play hard.  

Actually, many times when we go to Las Vegas, it’s pretty relaxing.  Every night is not a party.  I hardly even gamble anymore.  In fact, I only gambled one night in 2 weeks of Las Vegas!  We all love Las Vegas, so that’s why we keep going back.  Of course, it helps to own a condo there.  We figure since we have to pay a mortgage payment every month, we may as well get there as much as possible.

It really has become a second home.  I know the city very well.  We’ve done almost every possible tourist thing over the past 7 years.  It’s very different than this part of the world, but to us, it’s almost everything we want in life.  Let me count them:

• Hot weather.  Nothing superficial about this.  
• Great dining.  Las Vegas has some of the world’s best restaurants.  
• Great nightlife.  We get to go out to the various clubs and ultralounges.  Well, at least the ones in Palms and Red Rock Casino since they have a Kids Quest for Arianna.
• Shows.  With the constant influx of new entertainment, there is always something new.
• Gambling.  Although I do it less, I do enjoy it occasionally.
• An escape.  That’s exactly what Vegas is to us.  It is a reality for us, but it’s an alternate reality.

I’ve been taking lessons at West Air Aviation at the North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT), Nevada’s second busiest airport.  As I take off runway 12R, I can see the Las Vegas Strip and downtown.  Then I exit the pattern and head towards the “practice area“.  Flying with the heat and mountains is very different from the poconos.  The mountain wind is a little unpredictable, and the heat updrafts makes it bumpy in some areas.  What is strange is that once you know where these updrafts are, you can expect them each time you pass the point.

Did I mention that it is hot?  Very very hot!  In fact, it gets so hot that once the density altitude reaches 6000ft, all flights are canceled.  Cessnas are not really designed to fly in such conditions.  The flight controls are a bit slushy in the morning when it is 100 degrees and it gets worse as the day goes on.

Next to the practice area is a Restricted Area for Nellis Air Force Base.  There is a “town” (see below picture) with houses, a neighborhood, etc…  The only thing is that it isn’t a real town.  It’s a fake town with fake houses that the military uses for bombing practice.  No, I am not kidding!  Just like in the movies with the fake neighborhoods used for nuclear testing.  Yes folks, this exists.

I also had the chance to fly a brand new Cessna 172SP G1000 glass cockpit.  This is the most modern general aviation airplane today!  This $300,000 airplane is beautiful, but can certainly spoil you.  With the built in autopilot, collision avoidance system, visual GPS, terrain maps, weather and avionics, it’s like flying a commuter jet (so I’m told).  Just set your heading, altitude and rate of climb and the plane flies on its own.  Add a little right rudder when needed, and that’s it.  Adjust your heading as needed, and it’s smooth sailing.  Other than the fact that this newer plane had a little more power than the other planes that I flew, it handled exactly the same.  A 2006 C172 flies exactly like a 1979 C172.

I’ve decided to do some intensive training while out here.  I’m flying almost every day that I’m out here.  I’ll be doing at least one cross-country with my instructor while I’m here, and I expect to get some experience with speaking to the tower.  I want to be able to get back to Pennsylvania and be close to my solo. I am becoming so comfortable with flying now, I can’t believe it.