Standing Into Danger: March 2024

Friday, March 29, 2024

When I'm in Vegas, I Always ...

I was riding up the elevator at the D on Fremont Street Tuesday morning

when an employee asked me, "How are you this morning?"

"I'm waking up," I said, saluting her with my hot cup of coffee.

"What would we do without coffee?" she responded. "I hope you have a great day."

"When I'm in Vegas, I always have a great day!" I said.

"Here I have nothing to worry about!"

My friend Janeth and I

We had last seen each other about five weeks ago in Waikiki.

(She's from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Whiskey Licker Up, Fremont Street

Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA March 25, 2024

And it's true. I've been coming here since August 1973,

and I've never not had a good time in Las Vegas.

The world disappears, and I live in the moment.

I don't have to worry about working, taking care of the house,

or the routine busyness of life. I can do whatever I want.

And I sleep like a baby!

Watching My Favorite Fremont Street Band ~ Stays in Vegas

Featuring Lead Singer and Frontman Jeff St. Germain

Whiskey Licker Up, Fremont Street

Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA March 25, 2024

I hope you're not imaging a wild, crazy, and out of control Louise.

I'm quiet and low key. I like to slip around anonymously.

That way I can observe and take photographs without drawing attention to myself.

When I win at video poker, anything, I rarely make a sound.

I don't want anyone to notice. If Terry remarks on my win,

I get mad at him and say, "Don't grump on me!

I don't want to attract the attention of the Universe."

A Previous Big Win ~ A Royal Flush

Laughlin, Nevada, USA November 24, 2016

So what am I doing in Las Vegas this week? I'm here for two reasons.

Terry treated me to a very special event on Tuesday evening,

and Janeth and I completed a bucket list item for both of us on Wednesday.

For those of you who may think I experienced more than my share

of tropical sunshine on O'ahu recently, the Universe noticed.

Early Sunday morning the National Weather Service issued

a blizzard warning for Aurora and the Front Range that night.

I couldn't believe it!

Terry is taking me to Teddy Swims' concert in Vegas,

and there is a blizzard coming the night before we leave!

Terry booked Sunday night at the Hyatt Place by Denver International Airport,

and we caught a Lyft there just as the bad weather moved in.

This is so not Terry, but he knew I was freaked out at the thought of missing Teddy Swims.

Terry's the best!

Driving to the Airport (DIA) Monday Morning

Aurora, Colorado, USA March 25, 2024

Deicing the Plane Before We Take Off

Aurora, Colorado, USA March 25, 2024

Hello Beautiful Waterpocket Fold and Capitol Reef National Park!

I look for this spectacular monocline every time I fly to Vegas.

Southern Utah, USA March 25, 2024

Pulling into the Gate in Las Vegas!

Aurora, Colorado, USA March 25, 2024

Teddy Swims appeared with his band Freak Freely on Tuesday evening

in the Chelsea Theater at the Cosmopolitan on the Strip.

I discovered Teddy and his band on YouTube over a year ago,

and I fell in love with his voice and his ability to make you feel the emotion of a song.

Me (Louise) Waiting for the Concert to Begin

The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA March 26, 2024

Teddy got his start by uploading covers to YouTube in 2019 and 2020.

When his first upload, a cover of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" went viral,

he asked his friends to commit to helping him with his music for six months.

The rest is history.

With a lot of hard work, Teddy accumulated millions of views,

and scored a record deal with Warner Records in 1919.

One of my favorites of those early YouTube covers

is Teddy's version of Lewis Capaldi's "Someone You Loved."

It features Teddy and his longtime friends Jesse Hampton and Addy Maxwell.

Freak Freely with Addy Maxwell (left), Teddy Swims (center), and Jesse Hampton (right)

The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA March 26, 2024

When we were waiting in line to enter the Chelsea, a door opened right beside me.

Out stepped Addy Maxwell! I was so startled I blurted out, "Addy! Hi!"

He smiled at me and said, "Hi! How's it going?"

I had watched him and listened to his guitar and piano playing so often on YouTube

that I felt like I knew him. I was so excited he said "Hi" to me ~ lol!

Guitarist Addy Maxwell (front left)

(As photographed from the Nosebleed Upper Left Gallery)

The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA March 26, 2024

Teddy and Freak Freely did not disappoint.

They delivered a setlist that included so many of my favorite songs.

And, of course, Teddy sang his international hit

and Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, "Lose Control" (list dated March 30, 2024).

I loved every song, and the enthusiasm of the concert goers was unmistakable.

And Teddy and Freak Freely are coming to Denver!!!

A Short Clip of "Lose Control" Featuring Addy Playing the Guitar

by ME! ~ YouTube

On Wednesday evening my friend Janeth and I took the plunge literally!

We flew out of the top of the world's largest slot machine SlotZilla!

I've been wanting to fly down Fremont Street under its canopy since I first saw it.

The zip line is an exhilarating 11 stories high when you fly out, and it is 5 blocks long.

No one would do it with me until Janeth said she'd come to Vegas and fly with me.

Now that's a true friend!

Janeth and Me ~ Geared Up and Waiting to Fly

SlotZilla, Downtown Las Vegas, USA March 27, 2024