Mara the Drug Mule Goes to Las Vegas

Yes, that's right. Mara liked Hawaii so much, she thought she'd take another trip, but to Vegas this time. She forgot that lipgloss is a gel, and failed to put it in a quart sized ziplock. Mara sucks at not getting pulled aside by security. Mara did eventually board a very, very small plane and wobble across the sky on her way to LA where she spent an hour and a half staring at the odd mish-mash of people headed to Vegas. There was a large tour group of Japanese boy teenagers. Field trip? A couple got to the airport 15 minutes late, but our plane waited, so we got into Vegas at midnight, took the tram to the baggage carousel, where we waited an additional 20 minutes for out luggae. I admired a boy with a mohawk and Ramones T-shirt for Stephanie and another boy for myself. I caught a cab, did not get mugged checked into the Excalibur, and then watched TV until 2:00 am.

Getting up was rough, but there were adventures in dressage to be had, world class riders to criticize, saddle pads to buy...So off we all went and had a nice day. I managed to get a ticket to se KA, one of the Cirque de Soleil shows, and quite enjoyed myself even though I had to go alone. I gambled on the Wheel of Fortune slots, my version of crack, and did actualy win some money off an on, but don't worry, Mara made me give it back to the casinos before we left.

Friday everyone got pissy and I regretted having to spend time with them, but fortunately, Allison, who is the most cheerful person ever, distracted me AND bought me a drink, so I recovered from my own crankiness in time to enjoy nerve-wrackng show jumping. Go Shutterfly! Germany won, of course. They win at everything equine, but that's OK because they do it all so well that it's a joy to watch. Ended the night drinking until 2:00 am and chatting about the S.C. justices.

7:00 am Saturday cme waaaay to soon, and Allison heade back home. ANother nice breakfast with only minimal crankiness on everyone's part. I won some more and gambled for days on the little penny slots. Did another hit of Wheel of Fortune crack. Took a nap, and then attended the finale of the Dressage World Cup FInal. Isabelle Werth mopped up the floor with her competitors, but Netherlands and US came in 2nd and 3rd respectively, so really, all was right with the world, and the three always end up in the top spots. I am inspired to ride more, and to do it well. But first I have to gamble, pack, clean up, and then struggle to get my 5 hours of sleep.

I survived another cab ride and the guy got there fast enough that I saved five bucks. Then Mara struck back. They failed to give me a boarding pass at the check in counter, but the people at the gate didn't really want to give me one either. About five minutes before the flight boarded I went and asked and she was like, "of course you can have one." Bitch. She said she'd call me. Oh, and she stuck me in the absolute last seat on the plane, back row, window. I could recline. I was sooooo tired. Thanks. Thanks a lot. The adventure continued at LAX where they gave me a better seat, but then gave anoter copy of my boarding pass to someone else who boarded before me. Unalarmed by the fact that someone was given a boarding pass with my name on it despite the fact that they are supposed to show an ID, they had me take another seat. I'm surprised the plane didn't blow up. I do not feel secure. The seat they gave me was a bulkhead seat, and the recline feature was broken, so I sat there and semi-slept until we landed in good ol' Sac., and I was actally greatful to make it home.

I am terribly behind. but ask me and I'll tell you a funny drunk story, not mine. It was definitiely one for film had they thought to capture the moment. Boy that kid's gonna be embarassed.