Sucked In...Again

Here it is, 5am on a Friday morning, and I'm sitting in my room watching Pirates of the Caribbean for at least the 50th time. Not only do I own the DVD, but since Starz replays it just about every day, I find myself watching it over and over again. Of course it's a damn good movie, so I can't escape it. Once it comes on, I have to watch it till the end. There are several other movies that suck me into the vortex, and anytime they come on cable, I can't help but watch 'em. Just a few off the top of my head--


Shawshank Redemption
Pulp Fiction
Forrest Gump
That Thing You Do
A Bronx Tale
Casino
Master & Commander
Caddyshack
The Italian Job
Confidence

What's even more pathetic is that I already own most of those movies on DVD, too. As many movies as I see on cable, there's also plenty of comedy out there to be had...Anyone ever sit through an episode Cathouse--The Series on HBO? That's gotta be the sickest thing on TV! The ladies at the Bunny Ranch are some of the foulest I've ever seen. Why would somebody drive all the way out to Pahrumph--60 miles away--and spend $500 to a Grand to 'party' with one of those skanks, when all you have to do is sit down and play video poker at the Baccarat Bar at The Mirage after midnight, and a parade of much more attractive working girls will saunter by and offer their services for a much more reasonable price.

I'm not one to fritter away my limited disposable income on that kind of diversion when there's so much more available for free in this town, (and I must be getting old, because honestly I'd rather use the money to play craps...), but since I've been coming to Vegas for several years, and having moved here in February, I've been propositioned all over this town--Walking thru New York New York, riding in an elevator at the LV Club, sitting at a stoplight on East Fremont, having a drink at the Island bar at Mandalay Bay, rolling the dice at Binions Horseshoe, the list goes on and on...

One time I actually had a talk with one of these gals. She propositioned me, I turned her down, but bought her a drink if she'd let me ask her a few questions. This was at one of the bars at the Imperial Palace, some time ago, but I was amazed at the experience. Turns out this gal, who by the way was extremely hot, was a substitute teacher in Southern California, and would come up to Vegas on weekends to subsidize her income and maintain the lifestyle to which she'd become accustomed. Had I had a better night at the dice table, I might've bought more than just a drink--she was that hot. But it was a fascinating conversation. How many substitute teachers do you know that drive a new Mercedes?

Much too soon the drinks were empty, the story ended, and she had to get back to work. But the next morning, I had that damn Van Halen song stuck in my head all day.

I don't feel tardy...

Mikey