Life. Oh, and Vegas.

A little over 3 months out from Vegas trip #4, VegasXmasalidocious.

The hangover (literally and figuratively) from the last trip has more or less worn off. I still have a lingering sense of wariness about the way forward when it comes to my trips (i.e. am I going to continue to exclusively vacation in Vegas), but I'm getting jazzed for the Xmas trip, which is always my fave of the year. I've said it many times, I love the vibe and atmosphere in town over the holiday. I'm also jazzed to be staying at Caesars, which is a pretty amazing place to explore.

Going to try to work in a show or two this time possibly, need to have more of plan for this trip but DAMN seeing a show in Vegas is expensive. At least $75+ for any decent show, and that's in the nosebleeds. Could do the myVegas redemption thing but that's only for two shows I've already seen. Maybe the "vary up the routine" will be more geographical rather than entertainment oriented. Maybe this is the trip I finally go downtown for a night, or back out to Double Down, or...I don't know. I have time to figure it out.

No theme yet for the Vegas playlist. Also have plenty of time to get that figured out. The last one is going to be tough to beat. It was a lot of fun doing the retro 80's thing. Have the requisite Xmas and winter themed songs in there and will go from there.

I have one more check to enjoy monetary freedom here in the City before the savings regime kicks in again in October. 3 solid months of deprivation starting up again. I'm not going to complain about that now as I'm sure there will be plenty of it in future posts.

Have had some life changes. The positive: I used $700 of my residual Vegas cash from the last trip and $700 on the CC to buy a new desktop computer. A Lenovo all-in-one with a big 27" QHD screen, an i7 and a GTX 1070. It's pretty flash. The old one was just getting a little tired. I'm paying off the $700 on the card over the last check and the upcoming one so no hit to the actual pocketbook. Will still be able to cover all the resort fee and room hold BS coming up on the Xmas trip. Selling my old laptop too which should net me back $400 or so.

The possibly negative: I had my review at work, and it did not go well. The review itself was fine, nothing unexpected and was fair, but the raise...on a scale of 0-7% they gave me 3%. I, of course, took that as an insult and made a big stink about it, as I do. I have a meeting with the owners this week, the results of which may mean I am talked down from the ledge or I start to look for another job. I have my resume on Indeed and Career Builder so I'm passively out there now but if that meeting goes badly I may go aggressive and start applying. It's weird to be doing so after 5 1/2 years, the longest I've been in any job but I'm starting to think it may be time, for various reasons that would bore you to hear about.

It may be a good time anyway. The job market is strong for seekers and I've gained some marketable skills over the last years. May be a good time to test the waters and see if I'm worth more than I'm getting where I am, which, frankly, isn't that great in this market. I get by fine because I have low obligations but another few grand a year would make the saving for Vegas a lot easier. And it's not like I'm OUT of a job, I'm (probably) safe until I'm hired elsewhere. Just have to be careful and selective - I'm getting to the point where my age is going to be a liability and I probably don't have too many more job changes left in me.

This obviously could affect the Vegas though. If that owner meeting goes badly, who knows, maybe I'm on the job market in a hurry. I doubt that though, I imagine I'll keep a passive eye on the job market until after the holidays (and the Xmas Vegas trip) then make a decision on how aggressive to be. It definitely means no booking anything for the traditional March trip - no way am I spending money on rooms (no longer comped) and flights that I may have to cancel. I was more than likely playing that trip by ear anyway with a possible eye on a different destination so no harm no foul.

So, some possible change on the horizon, in my life and in my Vegas life. Both may be changing up in the new year. We shall see...