Just go with it

So I just got back from a long weekend in Vegas, which is why this post is delayed. Now I didn’t want to write until my trip was over, because I just knew I’d have some fabulous tidbits for you when I got back. Well I’m back, so fasten your seat belts.

This was my second time to Vegas. I first learned of its awesomeness two years ago when I was 21. I instantly fell in love and could not wait to go back this time. Las Vegas is simply Disneyland for adults. I’ve met people who really don’t like Vegas—this is a fundamental difference between me and those people. This difference cannot be resolved because people who hate Vegas are people who hate fun. Sure, it’s a bit tacky. Sure, people are belligerent. But it’s also just a place where you can smile, let loose and just go with the flow.

My first day began by the pool of the MGM Grand. My sister and I floated along the lazy river; aka water pathway of dehydrated and over-intoxicated tourists buzzed with the excitement of Bachelor Party and weekend getaway festiveness. As we swam, this one guy asked every female who passed for a chest bump. My sister looked horrified. I, however, jumped out of the water and obliged. Hell yeah chest bump. Because why not? Just go with the flow. No harm, just fun. The pure silliness of it made me laugh. I felt like I was on vacation.

I went to Vegas with my family, since my dad has a business convention there this time of year. But on Saturday night, I really wanted to go out to the clubs and dance. The fam and I were walking around the Wynn hotel, I was going to hop in line by myself for XS—one of their nightclubs that I’d heard good things about. Then I saw a group of young guys just standing around. So I waltzed up to them and asked which way to XS. They pointed the way, but said they were going to Marquee at The Cosmopolitan (another club, another hotel) and would I like to come with. Why the heck not? So I kissed the fam goodbye and hopped in a cab to Marquee.

Well, we got there and the table these guys had reserved was not reserved. Yeah right for getting in without a reservation. I met these other two girls while waiting around who suggested we go back to XS. I didn’t want to leave the guys behind; I just felt bad. But after some debate they agreed to come with. We were all leaving, when some random guys sitting at the hotel bar waved at us. My new girl friend Randall stopped to say hello and the guys we were with…did not. They blew right by us and left us behind. WHAT?! Yes. That happened. But whatever, because we went with it and met nicer, cooler guys. These guys had a friend with a table at Tao.

So after some drinks and getting to know you, we walked out to get a cab. The line was just too long. The cab caller told us we were in for a half hour wait and we needed to split into TWO cabs because there were seven of us. Or…we could take a stretch limo for $60. Done and done. We piled into the limo and headed for the Venetian hotel, host of Tao night club. The driver turned up the music and we were in party heaven. When in Vegas….

We got into Tao just after 2am and hit the dance floor right away. I was SO happy. As if I needed more reason to love Vegas and Tao, LMFAO was partying at the club with us. YUP! I was dancing just a velvet rope away from Redfoo, SkyBlu and the Party Rock Crew. The music was pumping, the glow sticks were waving, and a good time was had by all. And to think it all started because I asked some random guys for directions.

Saturday night and my brush with LMFAO did not even prepare me for Sunday. The MGM Grand (the hotel I actually stayed at) hosted the Billboard Music Awards live from Las Vegas. My parents had been debating about buying tickets for us. Was it worth it? Would the arena be too huge to see anyone on the stage? Would we rather see the celebs walk the red carpet than actually watch the show?

All questions were answered when my mother discovered the art of seatfilling. For every live television broadcast, the networks hire a seatfilling service so that there is not an empty seat on the floor of a venue during the televised show. Empty seats don’t look good on camera. Turns out, they need A LOT of seatfillers. Even though you have to sign up a few months in advance, the Billboards still needed standby seatfillers. Guess who obliged? My mother, brother, sister and I stood in line from 1pm decked out in full-on nightclub attire—including fashion tape, red lipstick and five-inch heels—so that we could fill free floor seats to the Music Awards.

After staying out until 7am the previous night, I was cranky and my body hurt. But when we were sitting backstage waiting for the broadcast to start and LMFAO walked by and smiled at us, it was worth it. When Brandy stopped to say hello, “Oh girl you got all dressed up and nice for the Billboard Awards!” it was worth it. When my sister sat second row next to The Wanted it was worth it. When I saw co-host Ty Burrell one foot away, it was worth it. Not to mention, I got to witness live performances by Chris Brown, Usher, LMFAO, Katy Perry and the Stevie Wonder all from twelfth row center!!!! FREE!!! Unbelievable.

Afterwards, I felt like I was going to collapse. Despite my exhaustion, I was in Vegas so I had to just go with it.

Las Vegas is like a time warp. The rules do not apply in Vegas. The mentality of the entire city is “do what you want because here you can.” It is a city of pure enjoyment and entertainment. Now I’m not suggesting that we all just start living our lives Vegas style going wild and crazy and begin day-drinking Monday through Friday. But I will say that there is something to be said for the open-mindedness that pervades Vegas. I talked to a lot of random people by the pool—met folks everywhere from Wisconsin to Germany.  I personally felt open to experiences and people I would normally ignore in my New York reality. A dash of openness and the willingness to go with the flow, might be just enough Vegas for each of us to take wherever we go.