It's Not A Bender, It's A Lifestyle.

Upgrading some of my take-along for XmasVegas. Having come home not broke from last Vegas, I've been investing a bit in next Vegas. I has gotten a couple warm semi-dressy tops to take along, a Brooks Brothers sweater and a more sporty hoodie by Lacoste. May end up taking 3 Lacoste tops this trip. Becoming a bit of a Lacoste whore. I like them and they make cool clothes, what can I do. Also got a new pair of Florsheim chukka boots. I have a pair of warm hikers but that's a little too casual for Vegas so these should fit the bill. The Cole Haan mesh dress shoes were great for the heat on the last trip but probably too drafty for Xmas. Classic chukka style, with a rubber sole so I won't go slipping around on the strip if it rains, which I've done in the past. Also have upgraded the travel headphones. Gone are the trusty old JBL 460NC on-ears I had for years, new Sennheiser Momentum 4's will be in the bag. The JBL's were OK for sound but were pretty terrible at ANC ...

XmasVegas will be my trip number 60, all time. It's been a ride, man. 60 trips in 15 years. Average of 4 trips a year. I've been up and down the strip and have stayed at almost every major resort that isn't an abject dump, including a few that aren't even there anymore. Riviera, Mirage, Tropicana, via con Dios. I've lost around $30K just at MGM resorts in that time, and probably another $30K total at all the other resorts. I've stayed in 300 sq. ft. closets and 1800 sq. ft. palaces. I've eaten $150 steaks and McDonald's Quarter Pounders. I've had elegant, crafted cocktails and Coors Lights. It was all (mostly) a blast. 60 trips is a milestone, but I have no intention of slowing down. I still get pretty much all my rocks off on Vegas trips, no other destination ticks all the boxes of proximity and ease of travel, great accommodations, action, drinks, food, gambles, and (very) occasional flirtation with female women persons. I still have no desire to g...

  And the great Xmas'ing begins. Only 2 days back from SeptemberVegas, but XmasVegas for this year is tentatively booked. Aria, in a *takes deep breath* Restore Deluxe King Strip View Room. All in for 6 nights is only $200. $95/$50 FP/RC, so in reality value-wise I'm getting nights at a 5-Star resort for $10 each. I've been in these rooms before, they're fine. Aria still desperately needs a reno but they maintain these well enough that they don't become too ratty.  Restore is the old "Staywell", basically it's a loud air filter. Which is nice, actually, for sleeping. Location is good, want to stay well away from the Bellagio shit show that happens for Xmas, but still central enough not to have to cab everywhere. I can cut through Cosmo to get to Aria all week which is its own benefit. Could have done a few other MGM props for less but this is starting and ending  day at a great resort with plenty of food/bev options. I am able to play the field on offe...

It's here again.  For the 59th time, it's pre-Vegas day. What should be a quick but hopefully restful 4 1/2 days in the desert is upon us. The prep is done. The bag is 80% packed, the money is out of the bank, the room is checked into, the flight will be today. I just need to spend about an hour on final bag prep tonight then can get hopefully a good night's sleep and trundle off tomorrow. This will be slightly different in that I have to work tomorrow morning, for a couple hours, before taking off for the airport, so everything will be loaded into the car in the morning. I can leave my work laptop at my site so I'll just need the carry-on and the personal backpack. Can dip out around 10:30a and head straight to the airport, park the car, grab a tram to the terminal and get things rolling with a pre-plane drink. Same loadout as usual. 7 changes worth of underwear, my dopp kit, 5 or 6 polos (no need for anything warmer than that), the iPad Mini, the UE Boom 2, my JBL wir...

MGM doesn't seem to want me to stay in a standard room. Without asking, and 3 days before arrival, I got auto-updated to an Executive King Suite at the Grand. I stayed in one once years ago before it was remodeled. It was a bit dark and dour, but the new design looks more bright and better laid out. It's almost 700 sq ft with a nice big bathroom, living area, 2 flat screens and possibly a strip view. It's always nice to have a little extra room to roam around in so definitely a worthy and appreciated upgrade from the standard remodeled King room. This has never happened to me before, at least as I can remember at MGM props. Being upgraded for free, and not having asked ahead of time, like I did for the Emerald in April. Not sure if this is a new thing MGM is just doing  now for certain guests or statuses, or if I have a shadow host in the background helping me out. Either way I'll take it. Happy for pennies from heaven however they fall, and if this is a new thing at MG...

About a week and a half to bonus 2026 Vegas. With not-shitty gambling the first two trips this year, we are able to squeeze in a 4th Vegas for the first time in a few years. Is good. With the bump from June assisting, I'll have $4K and a little walking around money in the bag going into town, with the ability if needed on the 2nd day there to hit a BMO and pull another $500 or so. Hopefully it won't be needed, it would be nice to hit something the first couple days and take the pressure off.  The only concession I made to the save was taking a couple Saturdays off from going out in the City, both of which will not be big losses due to weirdness at the bars I usually hang out at. So, the full 'Bies for #SeptemberVegas: -5 nights at MGM Grand in an Executive King Suite: $101 all in with my MGM Rewards rate, would be $2170, savings of $2069 over rack rate. -$120 Freeplay, $100 Resort Credit from booking package, value of $220 -$550 of anniversary and tier Resort Credit from R...