passion...schmassion

Day 9922: The decline of human civilization... otherwise known as Adult Disneyland...

I spent the weekend in Vegas. Yes, I, too, am surprised that I would travel so long for such as short holiday. Though, truth be told, total travel time must be only slightly more than the drive to Vermont or Tremblant which I found much more satisfying. To quote the Sista... It was a good time, but it just wasn't FUN.

It never ceases to astound me the sheer scale and size of the Vegas casinos. If you've never seen them in person, believe me, they are HUGE. There's a new one being built by Steve Wynn (former owner of the Bellagio and Mirage) that will either accomodate 10,000 people or have 10,000 rooms. I forget which, but does it really matter? The fact that the Venetian canals complete with gondolas can be replicated and scale models of the Eiffel tower and the Pyramid can be build is awe inspiring...

And then you remember that all this man-made wonder is based on one of the seven deadly sins... Greed. It is greed that drives the gambling, that drives people's desire to cater to gambling and the motivates them to build those monstrous complexes. Rumour has it (and this can be totally unfounded) that Caesar's Palace is building a Colliseum replica so that it can house Gladiator games. Ick... human sport, no matter how rehearsed... Has civilization done a 360 and reverted back to the spectator bloodlust of yore?

Don't get me wrong. I actually love Vegas. I love the Strip and think that it's one of the coolest things I've ever seen - the lights, the noise, the much ado about...well... nothing. But it's Vegas, and how could you not love it. Rich people rubbing shoulders with people who really shouldn't be there. Young people, old people... it doesn't matter so long as you have enough green to last you a little while. Penny slots, five dollar slots... one hundred dollar slots... it matters not so long as you hear the ding-ding-ding as your cash-out coins drop into the little metal tray.

Yup... it's cool to visit Sin City... just wouldn't want to live there... :oP