Jason Domingues Photography, Kansas City Photographer, Kansas city creative Photographer » Blog

Well, Vegas is growing on me very very slowly. I still hate the fact that it’s hard to escape the casinos, but there are some positive points that I’ve discovered.

First of all, meeting so many amazing people has definitely made this a wonderful experience. If all of them will be here for convention next year, I will definitely be here as well. The second reason I’m enjoying it a little more now is that I’ve discovered some ways to escape the noise and lights. I have spent many hours in the Miracle Mile shops, and even though there is music playing there, it doesn’t feel like you are in the casino. Of course I already mentioned the spa, which was wonderfully quiet. The spa is on the mezzanine level of the hotel, which is so much more peaceful than the casino floor. Even though it overlooks the casino, it is much quieter, not smokey, and there is so much more open space. It’s really quite fun to just go up there, find a comfy seat, and watch all the idiots down below. The people watching here is phenomenal.

Today, Jason and I ventured over to The Bellagio, which was a very nice break from the action. Our original plan was to stay there, but they only had a room available for 3 nights out of the 4 we are here. The hotel was beautiful, and even though there is, of course, a casino off the lobby, it didn’t feel like we were in Vegas. Even though we have really enjoyed Planet Hollywood, we will definitely look into staying there the next time we are here.

There are so many things that are just assumed about Vegas…..you won’t sleep while you’re here, you’ll be drunk the whole time, you’ll spend all your money gambling. I think the key is to not buy into all of that. I mean, if you want to do all those things, go right ahead. If you’re like me, however, and you’d rather be rested and leave with some money in your checking account, just ignore all the hype and do what you want. Once I decided to be the rebel and do my own thing, I have started to enjoy it a lot more.

I’m off to nap by the pool now, so ttfn. We have ANOTHER party tonight at 9 or 10, so I need to get my beauty rest now.

Allison

I’m not a casino person. I just can’t stand the non-stop lights, sounds, and smoke. Here, it’s like you can’t get away from it. From the moment you get off the plane, you are bombarded with slot machines and they’re everywhere you look. I know, for everyone else in the world (who have all been here before) this is old news. Being a Vegas Virgin, however, I’m just trying to paint a picture for the other two virgins out there.

I’m always up for a new experience, and I’m really glad I’m here, despite the non-stop sensory stimulation. Today, Jason went to scope out a location he is going to be shooting on Thursday with some other tremendously talented photographers. While he was gone, I spent the day exploring Planet Hollywood. After a little while I felt a lot better. Today’s activites were much more suitable for my taste. I shopped a lot, people watched, and went to the spa for a pedicure and some R&R. It was wonderful.

Tonight, the parties start, so I’m off to get ready. We’ve been here for a day and a half, and I haven’t had a single drink yet, and I really miss my kids. I’m getting too old.

Allison

We touched town in Sin City yesterday afternoon. It was very nice to leave the cold and snow in KC and get here and see palm trees and feel the warm sun beating down on us. We were, however, the oldest people on the plane amid all the spring breakers, but that’s ok.

We checked into our hotel (Paris), and it totally sucked. The room was not what they promised us on the phone (picture your Grandma’s house), and the whole floor (non-smoking) was smoky. We immediately checked out and went over to Planet Hollywood. Much better choice. The hotel and rooms are all modern and swanky, not to mention NOT SMOKEY, and the casino, bars, restaurants, and shopping are SO much better. I had a sexy still of Bruce Willis watching over me while I took my bubble bath in the very deep soaking tub last night. It was so nice that I didn’t have to bathe alone. We have a strip/Bellagio fountain view from our 38th floor room, and memorabilia from the movie The Jackal in our room. Very cool.

Just let me start off by saying we are here for work, people. We attend these workshops and conventions to research all the new happenings in our industry, and to advance in our career. We can’t really help it if some parties with open bars, spa visits, poker playing, night club hopping, or go go dancers slip in here and there.

We’ll bring all of our newfound photography knowledge home with us, but the rest is staying here.

Allison