Vegas baby sister!

i hate vegas, but my first nights away from the nugget were this past weekend, and it was vegas. not my city of choice, but the people were choice, the siblings.
my three siblings all work for the same merchandising company in the northwest. their boss plans the annual sales meetings in vegas and throws in a company party. since my little sister is getting married next month, and happens to be wedding a man who also works for said merchandising company (i know, sometimes i feel a little left out of the cult), the office buddies figured it would be a perfect time for a bachelorette party. when i heard the news i got a little fired up about surprising her (and actually making it to one of her wedding celebrations). at the last minute things worked out and i arrived just 10 minutes after the party started.
it was the kind of parties i had heard about, but certainly the first of this kind i have actually participated in. the friend that planned the party had some serious connections (i am sure it helped that the company was occupying 400 rooms and rented the Palm's club, Rain, for its party), because it was VIP passes all night long.
part one: a lush buffet dinner, specific to the taste buds of women; build your own salad (with good stuff like marinated peppers, olives, and figs), crackers and a variety of cheeses, fruit, a perfect pesto pasta salad with prosciutto and mozzarella. nitters was completely surprised when i showed up, hugging her from behind. she never had a clue.
part two: the entire perimeter of the balcony of the bar on the 50th floor of the Rio, overlooking the entire city and as far as you could see in the evening light. warm, like 90 degrees warm, breeze maintaining a perfect temperature. i danced for a bit with the ladies, sipped on water and pineapple juice, then really enjoyed the comfy cushions in which i nearly feel asleep (remember i was way past my pregnant mama bedtime) but i had to stay awake for...
part three: the Rain, apparently the newest hot club in vegas. i wouldn't know that, but i sure wouldn't have waited in the 3-hour (!!really??!!) line that our VIP passes took us right by, thank you very much. i don't frequent clubs, but i was very curious to see what made this one so special. it was pretty incredible - for man made majesty. it seriously looked like a scene out of some movie. low light, loud music, beautiful people, modern decoration. we had a private party room with a balcony looking over the dance floor, an island surrounded by a moat. an octopus of metal beams rotated over the dance floor, shining spotlights, spraying "rain", and occasionally spewing fireballs into the club (and rising the temperature, as if we were asking to turn up the heat). it was crazy! the babe in the womb was certainly awake, hopefully not too scarred by the ultra loud stimulus. i lasted about 30 minutes before i just had to go to bed.
part four: sharing a room with the siblings. the room was luxurious, a hotel bed that was actually comfortable - and i got to crash for free since their generous boss was footing the bill. the only thing missing was a fan. i have become accustomed to a little white noise, and believe me, vegas at night sure isn't quiet. but i did manage to sleep quite well and woke just when i felt like it.
i was able to lure myself out of blissful comfort at the thought of food. nitters actually beat me to the poolside, while sugie and da met up with us later and we seriously basked ALL DAY! since the heat was powerful (around 110!!) we spent most of the time pruning in the pool. this was no ordinary pool, but many pools in varying depths surrounded by private cabanas, poolside two-story suites, and actually comfortable pool furniture for the rest of us. most of the office was there in the pool (was that weird to be vacationing with your co-workers?) as well as a birthday party for some professional skier. what a place.
that night we went to old vegas - where it really was about the lights. now they have a really OTT light show on an enormous dome that covers the main street, a crazy stunt with four motorcyclists inside a big sphere, and vendors selling knick knacks everywhere.
my cabbie summed up how i really feel about vegas. everyone thinks they are special, unique - and they are to their family and friends. but in vegas you become one of a few types of people. the gambler, the clubber, the party animal, the over eater,....the music is too loud and the visuals to stimulating to actually be yourself. it is too distracting to have a real conversation. you just become part of the vegas show. vegas used to be about gambling. but now gambling is way down the list, and more people come for designer shopping, top-of-the-line spas, gourmet restaurants, or the hottest club. vegas offers "the best of whatever it is you want". quench a desire and then "whatever happens in vegas stays in vegas"!!?? i think my hubby said it better, "remember that whatever happens in vegas comes home with you."
i came home with some really fun memories with the siblings, a nice tan, and to a little one who did just fine hanging out for the weekend with dada. "mama in las VEgas" he would say.