Theres a lot more to Las Vegas than all the glitz and glamor of great hotels, shows, and restaurants. Theres also an interesting history unique to this area. During the great depression and prohibition, president hoover ordered the building of hoover dam driving the population from around 5000 to 25,000. It was mainly men from across the country looking for work, which might have sparked the mafia crime bosses to develop the casinos and showgirl theaters. Without getting dry here...the point I'm trying to make is that it wasn't the feds that drove the mobsters out of vegas...it was Howard Hughes that did that in the 60's. Buying the casinos at inflated prices was welcomed by the mafia, and they just thought they were getting one over on old Howard. Being the brilliant business man he was, it was actually his intent on reinvesting his money as a way to avoid extra taxation from the government. You accountants and tax lawyers feel free to comment here if this practice is still used;-)
Howard Hughes

Mobster Frank Cullotta

Mobster Bugsy Seigal

Im loving the east coast right now! Last week I was in DC and saw Pharaoh Sanders at Blues Alley. Omg! I almost got thrown out for getting too loud, because he played the John Coltrane song I used to always play on the juke box at the pool hall in Seattle several years ago. I went totally crazy! I think there must be some chemical in our brains that is released when were reintroduced to something we haven't seen or heard in a while. This also happened here in New York when I saw Bullets Over Broadway. They reintroduced songs from the 30's like Yes, we have no Bananas. Of course I went wild for this show too, especially because I was in the second row and could see all the actors expressions so well!

I just got back from Philadelphia yesterday, and I must say the city of brotherly love has some of the nicest people! I stayed in an old historical hotel formarly known as the bellevue stratford, which opened its doors in 1904.

Any native Philadelphian will tell you that this is where Legionnaires' disease started in 1976. Its namesake is because they were attending an american legion convention. Of course its all cleaned up now and is a great place to stay! Here is photo of the restaurant:

Im in Washington DC and were supposed to have a big snow storm last night and today, so Ive done my best to get out and about the last few days. My first night here I went to a brilliant place: Coco Sala

The whole menu seemed to have chocolate incorporated...see the crispy coco nibs on top of the scalops? The chocolate deserts were probably some of the best Ive ever had here! 

Yesterday was fairly warm(50's?), so I went out for a walk to find the Vietnam war memorial and got an eyeful of much more than that! 

Dont ask, but I have a personal connection to this place;-) It was so beautiful out, and I enjoyed the people watching. Washington DC is supposed to be one of the fittest cities in the US, and all walks of life were jogging, biking, and just enjoying being outdoors. 

I noticed the authorities were getting ready for a big day near the white house...I should have know I was going to see some action! Ill save that for latter though, as I was still enjoying the calm and peaceful morning.

I headed past the white house and onto a beautiful tree lined trail to find the memorial I came to see and pay my tributes to those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.

I could see the huge wall from here, and already a strange feeling set over me. I stopped to my left to observe the Vietnam women's memorial, which I hadnt known was there.

I felt like I could really feel the way they felt by this sculpture...a fitting memorial indeed! Next I walked closer to the Vietnam war memorial, and was amazed by the size of it. The whole wall was filled with names of soldiers that lost their lives over there. Not to mention the ptsd, suicide, and agent orange deaths that also occured because of the war.

I found the name I was looking for, and a little old lady came up to me and asked if I wanted a rubbing( where you rub graphite on a peice of paper over the name). I thanked her and realized my hands were shaking as I tried to get the name copied. It is that emotional a place! After this I had to take a little break off to the side to put it all in perspective, but it still seemed impossible to fathom. I think it makes us stronger to know where we came from, and hopefully we will never forget this event in history. I am forever changed... 

Go Seahawks!

Im sure everyone knows superbowl sunday is coming up, and Im representing over here in Chicago with family:-) I could talk about the players, the game, and all that stuff I know nothing about, but Ill spare you and talk about something a little more up my alley. Some of you remember I used to live in New York fairly recently, so I still hear a little about whats going on over there. For one, theres this. Yes, the strip clubs are booming right now, and I may or may not own some stock in that;-) Theres also this. Yes, people are doing crazy things over there right now and Im kind of glad Im not over there anymore. I will go back and visit after all of this is over though! For now, well just have to see what happens. Hopefully the Seahawks will win!

So y'all noticed I travel a lot, right? So lets take a moment to think about different cultures within the united states. Im still trying to figure out the great northwest...they dont invite each other over for dinner and its harder to break into social circles. Its dark and gloomy for most of the winter but raely snows...definately a give and a take here people! Now go further down south and you have the souther california surfer culture. I spent some of my military days here and had a blast! People are friendly, laid back, and sometimes too laid back;-) People down here dont have to worry about harsh winters or hurricanes, but earthquakes are around, and sometimes a little scarey! Now I spent my high school years down south and they dont get scared about hurricanes...they throw parties instead! Yes, those crazy southerners sure are friendly and fun, and are always inviting each other over for some good southern cooking. It gets super hot in the summer so youve got to have air conditioning, and lots of people have pools so get out your swimsuits! Everything grows well here, and I miss having a garden. I grew up in the northeast and we all talk like new casters. There is absolutely no accent there! I think people stick together more because the winters can be very snowy and cold. Of course the seasons are all much more defined there which make for beautiful springs and falls! They also have a lot more history there, so it was a good place to grow up with great school systems. I often miss it...thankfully Ill be going back in another couple of weeks!:-)

View from my room in San Francisco!

Just got back from San Francisco! I had a nice view of the starlight room, but didnt end up there at all...