Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

I only wanted to go to this so I could see the dolphins. That was it. Lions...yeah, they're cool. I like the kitties, love them even. But I wanted to see dolphins.

The habitat is located at The Mirage and cost a mere $15 per person to get in. We were just looking to kill some time during the day. I didn't want to spend a lot of money gambling but we didn't just want to sit around waiting for our evening show. This was fairly inexpensive and you get to see dolphins...cool.

As soon as you walk through the gates at Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden you come upon the dolphin pool. A man-made salt water habitat for our squeaky friends.

There is no show, no schedule or anything. If you happen to be there during training or feeding times then you'll see them doing tricks.

We sat and waited for about 10 minutes. Just watched the dolphins circle the pool and occasionally surface. The trainers were in the water near the other end of the pool but they weren't doing anything. It was kind of boring and I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see more.

There is an area down below where there are huge windows you can view the dolphins under water. So we went down there in hopes of seeing them. They weren't doing much. Occasionally one would come up to the glass...teasing us...show off a little, then dart away.

Then we continued to walk through the lion habitat. There were white tigers, lions, leopards...and alpaca. Alpaca? Yep, alpaca. I'm sure there was a reason, probably on one of those little sign thingies that you're supposed to read while walking through.

There was a trainer in the cage with the two lion cubs (they were huge!) in the first two pictures.  She was trying to get them to play.  They weren't having it though.  The one would get up for a minute, bat the ball around or chew on something for a split second then just flop over on the ground or hop back up on the tree.

It took all of ten minutes to walk through the area with the lions. I was a little bummed that I'd spent $15 for a ten minute walk...pissed that I'd paid to see dolphins and they didn't do anything. Pissed that those lions just lolled around and were lazy. Pissed that probably the most interesting thing we got to see were the alpaca...and that was simply because I was boggled as to why they were even there.

As you exit the lion area you come out near the dolphin pool again. The trainers were now out walking around. And the dolphins were definitely paying attention to them. Following them around. The trainers had buckets (treats!) with them and they knew it. So we decided to wait a few minutes and see what happened. And this is what we got to see...

The trainers played with the dolphins for about ten minutes or so. They'd talk to the dolphins and they'd "talk" back. They'd dance and do tricks and flips. The way the dolphin pool is set up you really are close enough that you could reach down and touch them. Of course you're not supposed to and I wouldn't...but that's how close you are to them.

After this little ten minute show they did for us I felt better about spending $30 for the two of us to walk through. If I hadn't been able to see the dolphins in action like that I'd have been pissed off about the whole experience. And I'm sure many do go through and don't get to see the dolphins like that. Like I mentioned above, there isn't any kind of schedule or show time or anything. So you might catch them, you might not. We got lucky and did manage to be there at the right time.

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I Wanna Rock - Review

Rather than write up one huge long blog post about our Vegas trip I figured I'd break it down a bit. We did A LOT of things in the three days we were there. We bought tickets for several shows before we even left home. We planned at least one show for each evening we were there (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and managed to squeeze in a few more things along with walking miles and miles.

Friday night we seen a show at the Las Vegas Hilton called I Wanna Rock. We just happened to be in town the weekend of this show. They only did this show this weekend...it's over, can't buy tickets for it now.

I Wanna Rock is a rock and roll show with actual rock and roll stars. No impersonators in this show.

Starring Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Lita Ford, Jeff Keith (Tesla) and Mark Slaughter (Slaughter).  They played with a stage band and one of the guitar players was ex-Aerosmith guitarist, Jimmy Crespo.

So we get to our seats...and we're literally sitting ON the stage.  Front row, on the right side of the stage.  I think seats out in the audience would have been better but it was still pretty cool to actually be on the stage.  And the stars kept coming over to our side of the stage to shake hands and what not (Lita and Dee shook hands/touched us).

The show opened with Dee Snider and Lita Ford singing the Van Halen hit "There's Only One Way To Rock".
 

From there they introduced Mark Slaughter to the stage.  Mark opened his three song set with Spend My Life, then sang Fly To The Angels (which he dedicated to our troops) and finished his set with Up All Night.

I got a minute or two of video from when he was singing Fly To The Angels.  He walked over to our side of the stage.  You can see how close we were!

(adjust your volume for all videos in this post, they're a little loud and fuzzy sounding)

He came over at the end of the show and the lady sitting next to us was able to get an autograph.

Next up was Jeff Keith from the band Tesla. I've seen Tesla twice in concert before and they are so good. Jeff Keith definitely had the best performance out of the four. He really worked the crowd and you could tell he was having a lot of fun up on stage. He opened his three song set with Modern Day Cowboy, second on the list was What You Give (my favorite!) and closed it with Love Song.

Next up was Lita Ford. I've loved her since I was a kid. Now when I hear her I'm very much reminded of my Dad. She opened her set with Hungry, went in to Gotta Let Go and closed it out with Kiss Me Deadly.

Up next was Dee Snider. Frontman of the band Twisted Sister. Best known for the crazy rock anthems, big hair and make-up. Dee came on the stage on a motorcycle and opened his set with Leader Of The Pack. Next up was We're Not Gonna Take It, which got the crowd all riled up.  Then he closed his solo set with I Wanna Rock.

After Dee finished his set he called Lita back out to the stage and together they sang the Lita Ford/Ozzy Osbourne hit Close My Eyes Forever.

Then they brought Jeff and Mark back out on to the stage and they all closed the show with Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin.

It was a waaaaaay fun show. My only complaint is my seats...I'd have rather been out front where I could see them performing and not just a side view. If you're a fan of 80's music...hair bands...you'd have loved this show. Too bad it's not a regular show in Vegas.

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Monday Mayhem 3/29

This is my first time participating in this meme (*gasp!* a virgin!)

In case you haven't noticed...I like memes. And I've been meaning to do this one every week but that whole procrastination thing...well, yeah...it happens.

Today's Meme is the Annoying meme

What annoys you about people that you spend time with outside your home (coworkers etc)?

I can't bitch about coworkers on my blog.  What if they read it?  Then I'm that bitchy girl at work who blogs about everyone.  And really...I don't know anyone well enough at my job to bitch about them.  Yet.

What annoys you about people in your home?

I hate when my kids friends come over...trash my kids rooms and play with every toy we own...then they leave without helping clean up.

What annoys you about talking on the phone?

I talk on the phone for 40 hours a week.  Does that answer your question?

What annoys you about the over-used terms that people use?

Um...the fact that they're over-used?

What annoys you about restaurant foods?

Every restaurant puts onions in everything.  And just what is that "special sauce" that they won't disclose the ingredients?  I'll pass, thanks.

What annoys you about restaurant servers?

I really hate the ones that stop by your table every 12 seconds to ask you if everything is tasting all right.  I haven't even swallowed the bite from the last time you asked.  Go away.

What annoys you about reading other blogs?

The ones that post every point of their day.  It's a blog, not Facebook.  Oh...and crazy colored fonts.  Just don't do it.  

What annoys you about memes?

There are some pretty stupid questions on some memes...but for the most part I like them.  It gives me something to talk about.  Even if it is pointless.

What annoys you about commenting on blogs?

Those systems that make you sign in like DISQUS.  I tried that system for all of 12 hours and hated it.  I won't even bother to comment if I have to sign in.

What annoys you about people who chew gum?

If you chomp it and snap it and make gross noises while doing so.

What annoys you about driving on the highway?

People who drive ginormous trucks who think they own the road just because they have a miniature penis and feel the need to have a huge truck to compensate for what they lack in their pants.  Oh...and your truck looks stupid too.  Oops...did I just say that out loud?

What annoys you about shopping at Walmart?

The cashiers.  The parking lot.  I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart.

What annoys you about kids?

Snot.  I seriously cannot stand to see kids running around with snotty noses.

What annoys you about your gender?

Having to wear a bra.  Seriously...men should have to wear them. 

What annoys you about the opposite sex?

If I'm sick I still make dinner, do housework and go to work when I can.  If he's sick...it's surely the death of him.  He must lay in bed or on the couch and be catered to and waited upon.  Oh...and my husband is the most DRAMATIC PUKER ever.  He makes incredibly loud gagging and retching sounds when yakking his guts up.

And they don't have to worry about wearing bras.  Or visible panty lines.  Or periods and tampons and pads.  And pregnancy or lactation....I'll stop now.

What annoys you about shoes?

The fact that I love shoes, love shopping for them.  Hate wearing them.

What annoys you about shopping for clothes?

That clothing stores cannot agree upon one size for every store.  A large at Store A is a medium at Store B and an extra large at Store C.  Can't we all just agree and have a universal S, M, L, XL, etc?

What annoys you about music?

Owl City.  They should just go the fuck away.

Oh and American Idol.  I'm so irritated with that shit this year.

What annoys you about drinking alcohol?

The fact that I can't drink more than two beers without having a hangover the next day.  And forget hard alcohol.  I feel so old.

What annoys you about pizza?

Dood...I tried anchovies on pizza a few weeks ago.  Now, I worked at Pizza Hut for two years back in high school and never even once thought about trying those smelly, hairy, oily canned fishy things.  Finally gave in and tried some a few weeks back because Dennis ordered a pie with them on it...just to try.

FUCKING HORRIBLE. 

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Bitch & Moan 3/26...+4 days

I totally forgot to do this before I left Friday morning. Oooopsie.

So yeah...let's bitch. Let's moan. Let's tell all the shitheads that cross our paths to piss off.

I only had to work three days this last week but let me tell you...EVERY DAMN IDIOT ON THE PLANET called in to our center and every last one of them were on my phone. In that short three day week I was told that I was belligerant.  I was told that I had attitude and that maybe my supervisor should have a talk with me. I was told that I would surely lose my job because this person was going to report me to the President and CEO of my company. I was called a bitch. I was asked if my job was legal.  I was told I'd be better off having a job with the IRS (whatever that means) and I was called a C yoU Next Tuesday (just read the capital letters...I won't type that word out on here.  I'll drop an F bomb any day, any time....the C-word...not so much.)  (thinking about this last one...it may have happened the week before....regardless, it happened)

Yes, this was all in my short little three day work week. 

What's funny...is people think they're getting their point across by being an asshole to me.  Fact is...decision has been made before I ever even got on the phone with you.  I can't change anything and even if I could, well, you calling me every name in the book and trying to insult me every which way would make me not do it for you anyway.  Which in turn makes me a bigger asshole...and I don't care.  I get paid to do what I do...fuck you very much.

I love my job. *lies*

And other than that...which really wasn't that bad, that was it.
I found these things more comical than anything.

So what pissed you off this week?

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Saturday 9 - ....the Tuesday Edition

Saturday 9: You're My Best Friend

1. Outside of your romantic life, do you currently have a best friend?

Yes, I do.  Her name is Megan and she is crazy.  You can read about her here.

 

2. Regarding your future, what is the best thing you could hope for?

That my children are happy.  No matter what they decide to do with their lives, as long as they are happy that is what is really important.

3. Have you ever helped out a friend with basic needs, like rent or food? If yes. what did you do?

No, but I would.  And I've had friends do this (and more!) for me.  I'd gladly do the same for them if needed.

4. If they re-instituted the draft (for both genders and your were of age) would you go, or would find some way out of it?

There isn't any way out of it, is there?  I mean legally?  

I'd go.  I'd do it.  I know I'd hate it and I'd bitch about it.  But I'd do it. 

5. Tell us one thing you wish you hadn't let yourself do.

I don't have any serious regrets in life.

6. Tell us about the last time you bragged.

I spent the weekend in Las Vegas!  Neener!  Neener!  Neener!

7. What area are you wisest in?

Procrastinating.

8. Tell us about something that happened that at the time made you "full of yourself".

Um...whenever I get drunk and there is a karaoke machine nearby I tend to think I am the next American Idol.  Is that what you mean?

9. Has there ever been a time that you wanted to try something in the bedroom, but were afraid to ask?

You mean there are extracurricular bedroom activities?  I only sleep in my bedroom.

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Sunday Stealing 3/28...so what if it's Tuesday

I'm doing all the memes backwards this week. You get all the memes on Tuesday because I was gone all weekend.

Sunday Stealing: The 35 Questions X 2 Meme: Part One

1. How far away is the last person you kissed?

On the other side of the couch.  

2. Has someone ever told you they would be with you forever?

In those words exactly?  No, I don't think so....

3. Last person you were in a car with?

Dennis.

Six. Long. Hours. 

Luckily, I enjoy his company.

4. Any plans for tomorrow?

Nope.  I go back to work on Wednesday. 

5. How long does it take for you to take a shower?

Usually 15 minutes, maybe 20.  

6. Best friend or close friends?

One bestie.

7. Is tomorrow going to be a good day?

I won't be at work, so that's good enough for me. 

8. Did you kiss anyone friday?

Yep...Dennis.  Surprising, eh?

9. Ever thrown up in public?

Is the side of the road considered "public"?

10. What's on your mind RIGHT NOW?

Trust me, you don't want to know.  I promise you it has nothing to do with sex so get your mind outta the gutter you dirty birdie.

11. Who was the last person you talked to?

On the phone?  Autumn

In person?  Dennis, Autumn, Hunter or Ethan

12. What is the WORST subject they teach at school?

Math.  I fucking hate math.  I can't do simple math...unless it's cards.  But even then I can only add up to 21.  

13. Have you seen anyone lately that you don't get along with?

No.  Thankfully. 

14. What is your favourite colour top to wear?

My FAVORITE COLOR shirt to wear...this is kind of a dumb question...I'm just gonna go with red.

15. Have you ever been in a car accident?

Not a major one.  I was rear-ended on the freeway about 10 years ago.  Hit and run.  I had whiplash in my lower back and hardly any damage to my car.  Weird.

16. What's the closest thing to you that's green?

The couch that my ass is planted upon.

17. Where would you like to be right now?

In my bed.  I'm totally Vegas'd out.  I'm tiiiiiiired.

18. Write down some lyrics to the song you're listening to?

Not listening to it at the moment...but I think about this song a lot (lately, anyway)

Silverchair - Tomorrow

You say that money, isn't everything
But I'd like to see you live without it
You think you can keep on going living like a king
Oohh well I strongly doubt it

 

19. How many dogs do you have?

Two at the moment.  One isn't mine...but I have a feeling he's going to be here for a while.

20. Is anything bugging you right now?

Yep.  

21. Is life going right for you now?

You know, I really don't have any complaints.  If there is any drama in my life it's not because of anything I've done. 

22. Is there someone you care about more than yourself?

Yes...three someones.  

23. What made you laugh today?

My kids.  It was good to see them.  I missed them. 

24. What was the last movie you watched?

Um...I fell asleep watching Titanic in the hotel room last night.

25. Whats the last conversation you had about?

It smelled like poop.  We couldn't figure out if it was the dog(s), Ethan...or both.  (It was Ethan)

26. What were you doing at 7:00 this morning?

Sleeping!

27. Do you like your hair long or short?

Long.  I should have never cut it.  Damn it. 

28. Do you want to see somebody right now?

Maybe my parents...or Megan.  

29. Do you like the rain?

Nah.  It makes mud.  

30. Did you have a valentine this year?

Bah humbug.

31. The last person you kissed needs you at 3 am, would you go?

Of course.   Unless he needs me to aim while he pees or wipe his ass or something like that...he'd better not ever wake me up to do that. 

32. Would you honestly say you'd risk your life for someone else?

For my kids I would.

33. Honestly, if you could go back 1 month and change something would you?

Nope.  

34. How do you feel about boys smoking?

About boys in general?  I don't give a shit.  This is a stupid question.

35. Could you see yourself with someone forever?

He ain't gettin' rid of me...so yeah.

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Monday Moments - Week 3 - Giveaway - CLOSED

So, I spent six hours in the car today.

That was my "me" time. A six hour long drive from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. It wasn't too bad of a drive. I read a lot, took a short nap. Dennis was nice enough to drive the entire way home.

The entire weekend was a blast. I didn't take my laptop, just the Blackberry. I only answered a few emails...didn't blog for a couple days before I left on Friday (no time!). I'll have stories and pics later.

So in reality I had a "me" weekend. A much needed me weekend.

Tell me about your Monday Moments and be entered to win a $10 Starbucks gift card and a four pack of Starbucks Frappuccino Lights.

One entry per person per week. Winner will be drawn from COMBINED entries for all four weeks.

Winner will be drawn on April 12, 2010.

Giveaway open to US residents, 18+

Much thanks to YouCastCorp for this fun review and giveaway opportunity.

The "I don't like fancy lingo" disclaimer:

I received a free item(s) in exchange for a review. These reviews are my opinion(s) and any compensation received did not sway me to say nice things about the product/company. What you read is what I think.

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She's Out Of My League - Movie Review

Kirk and Molly meet when she leaves her phone at security in the aiport and he finds it (he works for TSA). They agree to meet the following day so he can return the phone to her and from there it turns in to several dates, meeting each one another's family's with plenty of hilarity in between.

Their friends all keep telling them that there's no way it will ever work out between them. 

Why? Because Kirk is just average...a 5...and Molly is beautiful and successful...a 10.

The movie has American Pie-esque humor. Some of it is crude but it's incredibly funny. And Kirk's friends...well I'm pretty sure this must be how most guys are when there isn't a female around.

There is a scene that involves shaving...shaving "down there"...that is just hilarious. There's a Hall & Oates cover band scene...and you'll also learn why it's a bad idea to wear the same color jacket as the waiter's at the restaurant you're eating at.

Best line from the movie: Go shit in your hand!

(I fully intend to use this line)

It wasn't the best movie I've seen. But it was thoroughly entertaining. The ending kind of left me wanting more, which I don't really know why as it ends how you'd expect it to.

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American Idol - Crystal Rocks

I'm so disappointed in Idol this year. I haven't even watched all of the episodes for the last few weeks. Is it bad that I skip to the end of each episode on my DVR and just watch the recap at the end of the show. That determines if I'll go back and watch the whole episode.

So yeah...kinda bummed about Idol this year. With the exception of Crystal Bowersox. I think she is AMAZING.

I read online that she sang Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin on last night's episode and I had to see it. I love that song and I've been a Crystal fan since the Idol auditions.

Everyone else in the competition is just ho-hum.  I went back and watched from the beginning of the show last night...and then stopped after she had performed.  That was it, show was over.

Seriously, can we just end the season now and let this girl release an album already?

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