[Elspode]

That isn't like the Oyster Bar, is it, Shel?

I'm here in the Mirage. 21st floor. My nose is bleeding. I've already planned which dive I'm going to do if there's a fire.

There cannot possibly be, outside of Bahrain, be a more incedibly, deeply, depressingly artificial place on the face of the planet. I feel creepy just being here. Must...find...Pagan...friendly...location.

No, I'm gonna have a blast. You longer-term dwellars will remember, possibly, a post I made three or so years ago, the one about reconnecting with a HS girlfriend? It is she with whom I am spending the next two days.

I'm excited beyond words, yet filled with trepidation. I'm nervous. I've already spent $50, and I've been here for an hour...airport shuttle, two beers from the minibar, and 24 hours of 'Net access for $12.99. Fucking *nothing* is free in this town.

Needless to say, I probably won't be doing a lot of posting from the room. I have better things to do. But, there will be much reporting after the fact.

The best part of the trip so far? Flying across the Rockies out of Denver. Beautiful, even from 38,000 feet.