Oh don't get me started on Vegas. They didn't even wait for Covid to start being assholes, even though their Covid response was like a bunch of monkeys fucking a football, but that's for another day.

I flew to Vegas the day I turned 21 years old, the very morning of my birthday, that was 22 years go now holy shit. I always got free rooms, free steaks, money to gamble, free shit everywhere. It was nice, I'm not big time, I'm not small time, but it felt good to get something back for getting your dick knocked in at the tables, or for taking their money so they wanted it back.

I've been there 22 times. And I've vowed to never go back on my own dime. And I never will. I'm lucky enough to go there on an expense account for work, they always have a trade show I have to participate in at least once a year. So that's my Vegas trip now. They will never see another dime of my money.

I remember going right before Covid happened, the buffets started weekend pricing on Thursday and ended Tuesday. They started charging for parking. I mean, really, you're gonna charge me to park so I can walk in here and lose money. No way. I know valet guys there that used to make 80 grand a year in tips, no shit, and now they barely make anything because the consumer was charged to park, sorry Johnny, ask for a raise, I already paid. I still tip because that's just me, but most everyone does not, and I understand it. Last time I was there I gave a cabbie a couple bucks for lifting all the bags, he nearly hugged me, for something that used to be commonplace.

Ultimately, in the end, they do it because it works. They've built that city for Conventions and expense accounts. And the only thing that will stop it is the committee for these large national associations removing their support and going elsewhere. The Indianapolis convention center, as an example, is huge and could handle any show Vegas can, and it would cost the companies that participate half the money.

Orlando was packed, Vegas was packed when I was there last August, as long as we line up with our loot in hand, nothing changes.

I for one am done completely with it. Staycations and inexpensive cabins on a lake with my pontoon is all you're getting out of me anymore, and if you're price gouging, I'll skip it. No matter what. My kids are old enough now. I'm done.