Micahpalooza: The Aftermath

A Micahpalooza (my 30th birthday celebration with friends old and new) Vegas recap, in an easy to absorb Larry King-esque form:

• THEhotel is one helluva fine place to stay.
  
• My favorite quote that I can remember: After seeing people clap at the conclusion of the fountain show at the Bellagio, Dubin says, "It's water - you don't have to applaud...you do have to tip, though." Classic.
  
• Continuous source of amusement: "Mama Mia!"
  
• As much as I tell myself that I'll "quit when I'm ahead" when gambling, I never do.
  
• I had one of the oddest conversations that I've ever had with a stripper. She is getting her doctorate in Holocaust Studies at UNLV, spent two weeks researching at the private library at the National Holocaust Museum, and interned in Auschwitz last year. Then we talked about watching the Prime Minister's Q&A on C-SPAN. Not exactly "sexy talk," but very interesting. I'm still not sure if she was legit or had just read a book.
  
• Vegas is the only town that will have Rob Zombie play a show one night and the next night Rev. Al Green will be singing at the same venue.
  
• Penn & Teller put on a very entertaining show.
  
• It's no secret that this town has an extremely high concentration of silicone (not that I'm complaining; I'm not one of those shallow guys that prefers natural to fake. I'm happy as long as they're big). Surely all these women don't live in Vegas. So, why are they all attracted to this city? I'm now accepting grants to conduct a hands-on study of this phenomenon.
  
• I think that I was the only one in our group that got acclimated to the time zone change.
  
• Among the presents showered on me: a "Bad Motherfucker" wallet (perfect for walking the Earth), an "I Got Wood" t-shirt (because Shaun of the Dead is my Citizen Kane), a set of bulldog cufflinks, and a gift certificate to Brooks Brothers so I can be the best dressed legal document-scanning wage slave temp ever.
  
• Pure at Caesar's Palace won't allow you in if you are wearing casual footwear. You've been warned.
  
• Paul Sorvino and Furio from "The Sopranos" were eating at our hotel's restaurant.
  
• Something better than an endless supply of crab legs? I think not.
  
• I finally found a good food that I can't finish in one sitting: the mocha muffin at THEhotel's coffee bar.
  
• The food at the House of Blues is shit. Never take a dining suggestion from a stripper.
  
• Based on a newsmagazine story that we watched, I don't think I'll ever feel compelled to visit Louisville, KY.
  
• I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching Swingers.
  
• Special thanks to "Julie" at the Spearmint Rhino for helping me pass some time before my flight home.
  
• I shared a cab to the airport with two strangers - one from Orange County, the other from San Francisco. I was extremely jealous of their short travel times.
  
• Could USAirways pick two less appealing in-flight movies than Monster-in-Law and A Lot Like Love?
  

So, that's about it (or at least what I can remember). Much love to everyone that flew out there. I had the best time.