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Misc Stuff
Not everything fits neatly
into the different categories.
Shows, TV shows, casino news.
I needed somewhere to put it...

Sudoku
Sue-Doe-Koo
(12/07/05)

What is it?
Sudoku is a Japanese numbers version of a crossword puzzle
that everybody seems to be playing nowadays.

The Rules:
Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces.
Every row and column must contain one of each digit.
Also, every 3x3 square must contain one of each digit.
One important rule:
There is no guessing!
You must use logic to place each number.

The Obsession:
Everybody in my family is playing this game.
I look around the book store and there are sudoku books
everywhere and if you open the newspaper, you will
find daily sudoku puzzles.  Is it the Daily Breeze that has
easy puzzles on Monday & Tuesday, medium puzzles on Wed
& Thursday, hard on Friday & Saturday, and impossible Sunday
puzzles.  I tried doing one last week and haven't gone a day
without trying to do at least one.

Why is it in the Las Vegas section?
I don't know... I needed to put it somewhere and rather than
put it on the clip holders page where nobody would see it,
I figured I would put it here...  I suppose you could gamble
on it with your friends.

Where can I try one?
Don't go to a website and buy anything.
Go get free ones at http://www.websudoku.com.
You can pick a difficulty and then you can play it
right there on your computer screen or you can
print it out and do it at your leisure.
Also, many newspapers have them now.

My (brief) experience
I was able to finish a medium one, so I moved on
to the hard ones.  Most of the time I get to the end
and it doesn't work!  Very aggravating as it is hard
to retrace your steps.  You're better off starting over.
I tried an Evil difficulty puzzle and got stuck after just
two numbers!
"Su-D'oh-ku"

only $6.50 each

Lucky Bracelets
pick your lucky charm and attach it
to your flashy new bracelet
Look at it this way, if you don't win,
at least you'll look good trying!

See all our sparkling colors
on the swarovski crystal stretch bracelet page.

G2E 2005
aka Global Gaming Expo
(click on pictures to enlarge them)
(09/21/05)

Aristocrat, Ballys, & Konami
These three companies continue to improve their
slots and video slots.  Their licenses include games like
Slotto, Saturday Night Live, Playboy, Hee Haw, etc... 
Not exactly known machines, but their variety continues
to expand.  Their graphics, video, and sound just don't seem
to compare to that of IGT or Williams.  Maybe we're all just
brainwashed by marketing blitz put on by the two big guys.


Williams/WMS Gaming
You know their trademark games... Monopoly, Men in Black,
and Hollywood Squares.  Not sure how Men in Black became so
big, but a third version is on its way!  Two new Clint Eastwood
games were shown, but the original one never pays for me,
so I wasn't too excited hearing that news.  They continue with
their sleek arched machines and actually hid their newest games
in a private room... Could it be that they didn't want somebody
from posting pictures and reviewing them before they hit the
casino floors?... Hmmm, who would do that?  I have some
pictures, but I will keep them to myself as to avoid any legal
repercussions.  Their machines didn't have any of the bonus
game features turned on, so you had to spin over and over
until you hit a bonus game to play it.  Oh well, they lost out
on a few extra reviews on this site... 


IGT/International Game Technology
When you visit a casino and play any
slot/keno/video slot/video poker machine, odds are that you are
playing an IGT machine.  Where do I begin with their franchises?
Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Jeannie, Marilyn Monroe,
Beverly Hillbillies, Addams Family, Double Double Bonus Poker,
Megabucks, The Price is Right, etc...  There strategy seemed
to be to continue with their current licenses and branding.
Basically new versions of all your current favorites from
Star Wars to the Terminator to Catch a Wave.
They continue with their excellent graphics, artwork, video,
bonus games, and sound.  Their newest concept is a bonus
game progressive that has four levels that pops up randomly
after a spin.  You don't have to line up anything or even win
a penny to have it trigger.  While the bonus games are fun
as you try to go from level to level to hopefully reach the top
progressive, it feels weird that you didn't have to do anything
to get to the bonus game.  You miss out on that great feeling
when you finally line up the bonus symbols to trigger the game.
For the video poker fans, their isn't a lot of new games to report.
And for regular three reel slot players, the machines looked the
same as those in the casino now with their spin the wheel bonus
game or their 'take this offer?' bonus games.  Some new video
slots include Morgan Fairchild Megabucks, Soul Train, World
Poker Tour, and Bonus King.

(There were about 25 different companies showing slot machines...
Sorry, but I couldn't get to most of them!)

ring, ring...
sounds like a winner to me...

Lucky Charms
How about on your cell phone?
I always forget my casino cards,
but my cell phone is always
by my side...

cellphone charms page.

Las Vegas (any trip) Checklist
"I can't believe I forgot that" list
(04/20/05)
I think everyone can relate to forgetting to pack things
on a trip, whether it be for vacation or business.
Here are some essential things you need to remember
to take with you on your way to Las Vegas/Reno/etc...
Learn from my mistakes...

and one last thing...
Don't forget to bring these things back home with you...
In some cases (like money) as much as possible.
I've forgotten clothes, cell phone rechargers, hats, etc...

(How much would you like to bet that I forget to pack something
on my next trip, especially after writing this...?)

We Will Rock You™
A Rock-stravaganza
(12/01/04)

What is it?
A comedic musical based on all the classic songs
of the legendary rock group, Queen.

The Good:
If you are a big Queen fan or know some of their more
popular songs, you will probably love this show.  Songs
from "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Killer Queen" to the
immortal "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions" and
"Bohemian Rhapsody" are done brilliantly.  Excellent performers
with large entertaining sets.  I believe the theatre holds only
800 people, so there really isn't a bad seat in the joint.

The Bad:
If you are looking for a show with a good story, don't even
bother looking at this show.  The story is a reach and
never comes to a true ending.  The comedy is very
hit and miss.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it just
seems like they're trying too hard.  (like this website)
If you look up reviews of this show, you will see
that they all aren't very flattering.  (Entertainment Weekly - D+)
I suppose the cost of the show is a downer, if your wallet
looks as empty as mine... (see prices below)

Price:
Three price ranges exist:
Bohemian section =  $113.50
(first 5 rows center, first 2 rows on each side)
Killer Queen section = $97.00
Radio Gaga section =  $80.50
Sunday 2pm show special =  $57.50
(not sure about the above price or showtime)

Hours:
Mon. and Fri. at 9:00 PM
Tue. and Wed. at 7:00 PM
Sat. at 7:00 and 10:30 PM
Sun. at 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM
(or it's Sun at 2:00 PM and 8:30 PM)
Thursdays:  Dark

Location:
Paris Las Vegas
Le Théâtre Des Arts
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Call For Reservations:
(702) 992-7970
(866) 80-SHOWS

Lucky Frog Mini Color Pendant
$4.00 each

See more mini color pendants on cell phone charms, bracelets, key chains, necklaces, and zipper pulls on the color pendants page.

Food Poisoning/Norwalk Virus at the Cal
(03/16/04)
I'm sure (I hope) you've heard something about this...
The initial number was 103, then 284, but has exploded
to over 1000 people getting sick with food poisoning symptoms
after their trip to Las Vegas.  The investigation is ongoing.
1,174 people (not just from Hawaii) have reported being sick
(with the Norwalk virus) since December 3rd, 2003.
The Norwalk Virus can be spread through eating
contaminated food and by touching a contaminated surface,
like a hand rail or a poker machine, and then putting
your hand in your mouth.  It is the same virus that had infected
some of the cruise ships.  The Cal has cleaned their casino,
bathrooms, kitchens, rooms, etc. in an effort to wipe out the virus.
The best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands
frequently.

For more info look into these articles:
New Articles (3/19/04)
The Maui News
KTVU News with video
USA Today Article
Honolulu Advertiser
"More Returning from Vegas with Norwalk Virus"
"Vegas virus sickened 49 this month"
"Number of Vegas virus cases climbs to 1,174"
WebMD
"Viral Gastroenteritis"

Why haven't I heard anything?  Why wasn't I warned?
I'm sure the casino didn't want this to get out while they
were investigating the source of the problems.
Many people are angry because this has been an ongoing
problem (since December) that the customers and hotel guests
were not made aware of.  Now, there are warnings in the room,
and all of the employees are wearing gloves. 
So, be warned and let others know...

If you went to Vegas and had a stomach flulike illness:
You should report it to the Clark County Health District:
(702) 383-1378  epidemiology section.

Lucky Magnets
You might get arrested if you
attach these to your slot
machine...

See all our lucky magnets
on the magnet page.

Makino Restaurant
Finding Nemo Sushi
This is a hoax!
Even though it is a hoax, it's still a cool picture.

Makino's II:
There will be a new Makino Restaurant built in the new
Outlet Center in Las Vegas, close to Downtown.  The new
outlets are now open, but the restaurant will be opened
later this year.  Will it be as good as the original?
We'll have to give it a try and see...
(The outlets are located right off of the Charleston West
exit on the 15 North.)

Makino's Location:
3965 South Decatur in the Renaissance West Shopping Plaza
The plaza is located on the NW corner of Flamingo & Decatur.

Price:
More complicated than you would think...
(drinks not included)
Monday - Thursday = Lunch $13.95, Dinner $21.95
Friday - Sunday = Lunch $14.95, Dinner $22.95
Babies who can't stand = Free
Children 3 feet or shorter = Free
Children between 3 feet & 4 feet = Lunch $4.95, Dinner $5.95
Children between 4 feet & 5 feet = Lunch $6.95, Dinner $10.95
Seniors 65 and over = 20% off
(Don't worry, they don't ambush you with a measuring stick
when you enter the restaurant.)

Hours:
Lunch, Monday - Thursday = 11:30am - 2:30pm
Lunch, Friday - Sunday = 11:30am - 3:00pm
Dinner, Everyday = 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Phone: (702) 889 - 4477
They take reservations.

Where can we play video slots for free/fun?
A question that I am asked alot...

The Good:
Some games are available for your computer to play
at home.  I don't know of any that you can play over the
internet for free.  The problem is that there isn't a wide
variety of games available for your PC.

The Bad:
As for actually purchasing an actual machine, you can almost forget
forget about it.  Only residents in certain non-gambling states may
actually purchase a machine without an actual gaming license.
Try looking up video poker machines on eBay and read
their terms of purchase...

Your choices include:
Click on the pictures or game title to view more info on the software.

Features:
The author's first hand experience
in the 2000 World Series of Poker.
He was supposed to write about it, but
ended up putting his whole advance
for the book on the line and made his
way into the tournament!
Amazon.com Price: $10.20

I've heard nothing but good things about this
book and have a copy in my book queue.
Hundreds of reviews on Amazon seem to
enjoy it...  behind the scenes at the WSOP.

Features:
The now infamous story of the MIT
students who tried to take down Vegas.
They played blackjack in teams,
became high rollers, but eventually
Vegas caught up with them and
brought them down.
Amazon.com Price: $10.50

Over 250 reviews at Amazon on this book.
It is a fascinating story that has been shown
on TV over and over.  This book is a must
read for the casino enthusiast.

Lucky Winners

Lucky you...

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click here to see them...