On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 07:14:26 -0800 (PST), Ben Blaney
<benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 6:58:48 AM UTC-5, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I'd love to one day go back and spend a few weeks bumming around in the states on a
>> bike.

>Well then let's make that day soon, and I'll come with you.

<tentatively raises hand>
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

Turby wrote:
> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.

I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.

The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.

On 25/11/2021 00:37, ogden wrote:
> Turby wrote:
>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>
> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.

Stayed in LV during the Route 66 trip.
I felt the same way as you. I had the opportunity to attend a conference
there shortly after our return.
I declined.
I never (voluntarily) want to go back there.

>
> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 12:37:18 AM UTC, ogden wrote:
> Turby wrote:
> > Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
> > that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>
> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>
> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.

Very much ditto.
Had to go to CES a couple of times, what a thoroughly horrible place.
We were in a shared house just over the road from UNLV, it's only saving grace was the fact that there was an awesome Korean BBQ joint on our side of the road, an In and Out Burger opposite that, and a decent Fried Chicken place next door that did awesome brekkies.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 01:48:40 -0800 (PST), Dave Brown
<browniebrownz@googlemail.com> wrote:

>On Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 12:37:18 AM UTC, ogden wrote:
>> Turby wrote:
>> > Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>> > that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>
>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>
>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>
>Very much ditto.
>Had to go to CES a couple of times, what a thoroughly horrible place.
>We were in a shared house just over the road from UNLV, it's only saving grace was the fact that there was an awesome Korean BBQ joint on our side of the road, an In and Out Burger opposite that, and a decent Fried Chicken place next door that did awesome brekkies.

Years ago; on a road trip round the SW; me and a mate went on the piss
while staying in Barstow. That was an eye opener; can't say I enjoyed
it.
The following morning while scouting round for firewood (that night
was camping and fishing) I had the bright idea of dropping in at one
of the industrial units to ask for an old pallet.
I didn't get half way across the yard before two bg lads came out with
dogs on leashes. I stopped walking and called out what I was after
some wood for a fire.
The reply came back (with menacing stares) 'Do you see any fucking
trees round here?'

My mate was wetting himself (in the car with the engine running;
twat.)

--
Mark Roberts

On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 10:00:11 +0000, Mark Roberts
<mark@markr.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

>>> > Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>> > that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life.

>>Had to go to CES a couple of times, what a thoroughly horrible place.

>Years ago; on a road trip round the SW; me and a mate went on the piss
>while staying in Barstow.

I can't hear or read any reference to Barstow without immediately
thinking of this:

“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like "I feel a
bit lightheaded; maybe you should drive...." And suddenly there was a
terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like
huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car,
which was going about a hundred miles an hour with the top down to Las
Vegas.”
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Turby wrote:
>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>
>I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>
>The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.

Never been to LV, but I've always felt like that on the two or three
occasions I've visited[1] casinos.

Now some forms of gambling I can see that some people get pleasure out
of the playing of the game, but casino slot machines in particular,
with grey-faced zombies feeding their lives into them, just made me
feel quite nauseuous.

[1] Never gambled in them myself, once was a conference outing with a
free voucher redeemable on food (or gambling chips), once was just to
be able to smoke at the bar[2], walking across the street from
California to Nevada when on a ski trip to Kirkwood/Heavenly.
[2] Those were the days, eh?
--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

On Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 11:32:58 AM UTC, Ace wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eld...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >Turby wrote:
> >> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
> >> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
> >
> >I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
> >
> >The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
> Never been to LV, but I've always felt like that on the two or three
> occasions I've visited[1] casinos.
>
> Now some forms of gambling I can see that some people get pleasure out
> of the playing of the game, but casino slot machines in particular,
> with grey-faced zombies feeding their lives into them, just made me
> feel quite nauseuous.
>
>
> [1] Never gambled in them myself, once was a conference outing with a
> free voucher redeemable on food (or gambling chips), once was just to
> be able to smoke at the bar[2], walking across the street from
> California to Nevada when on a ski trip to Kirkwood/Heavenly.
> [2] Those were the days, eh?

+1 - I'll quite happily sit at a poker table playing for no money whatsoever, but never seen the fascination with slot machines, roulette and any other form of betting.
I'd quite happily see all these TV adverts for online gambling removed, and all those online sites that offer slot machines that you gamble away your weekly social handout on your phone outlawed.

On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Turby wrote:
>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>
>I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>
>The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren.
>Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives.
>It was just tawdry, even by my standards.

We went in '02.

I say never again, but I'm due to stay for two nights next May. It's
the halfway point on the Tour. Two nights.

I remember seeing a woman playing the slots with a blank expression,
which didn't change, even as she got four of a kind up, and received
$500 in quarters. She just kept blankly feeding them in.

As we left, via McCarrn, I put some quarters in the quartermania
machine by the departure gate.

While the announcement to commence boarding was being broadcast, I won
$125. In quarters. Talk about mixed emotions.

On 11/25/2021 4:49 AM, Salad Dodger wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Turby wrote:
>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>
>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>
>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren.
>> Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives.
>> It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>
> We went in '02.
>
> I say never again, but I'm due to stay for two nights next May. It's
> the halfway point on the Tour. Two nights.

I've been a few times, mostly just as a stopover, but I'm not a gambler
so don't lose money that way. They do have good shows with A-list
performers. One of the best I've seen anywhere was Cirque du Soleil. If
you have to stay there, it's worth seeing something.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS, ST1100 (in memoriam)

Ace wrote:

> Now some forms of gambling I can see that some people get pleasure out
> of the playing of the game, but casino slot machines in particular,
> with grey-faced zombies feeding their lives into them, just made me
> feel quite nauseuous.

The magnificent Barney Farmer on FOBT
https://twitter.com/barneyfarmer/status/899231109422215170/photo/1

--
Simon

On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 05:23:32 -0800, Turby <xsurf@xmail.com> wrote:

>On 11/25/2021 4:49 AM, Salad Dodger wrote:
>> On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Turby wrote:
>>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>>
>>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>>
>>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren.
>>> Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives.
>>> It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>>
>> We went in '02.
>>
>> I say never again, but I'm due to stay for two nights next May. It's
>> the halfway point on the Tour. Two nights.
>
>I've been a few times, mostly just as a stopover, but I'm not a gambler
>so don't lose money that way. They do have good shows with A-list
>performers. One of the best I've seen anywhere was Cirque du Soleil. If
>you have to stay there, it's worth seeing something.

If folk were supposed to stay in LV, they wouldn't have built the
Hoover Dam nearby.

There will probably be "welcome" and "farewell" parties for those
doing half the Tour.
--
Salad Dodger
1690 FLHTK;GL1800D
Previously ...
CB1300SA8;GL1800A6;GL1500SEV;CBR1100XXX;
CBR1000FL;CBX1000Z;GPz750R;Z750E1;Z650C2;
KH500A8;KH250B3;TS250c;TS185c.

On 25 Nov 2021 13:24:37 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>Ace wrote:
>
>> Now some forms of gambling I can see that some people get pleasure out
>> of the playing of the game, but casino slot machines in particular,
>> with grey-faced zombies feeding their lives into them, just made me
>> feel quite nauseuous.
>
>The magnificent Barney Farmer on FOBT
>https://twitter.com/barneyfarmer/status/899231109422215170/photo/1

I recall reading something about gambling addiction in New Scientist
some years ago, how for some people the emotional reaction to losing
was very simlar to that when winning, so the brain got a 'reward'
either way, encouiraging them to continue.

Ah yes, here it is.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14719971-600-win-or-lose-its-all-the-same-to-a-gambler/
--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

Ace wrote:
> I recall reading something about gambling addiction in New Scientist
> some years ago, how for some people the emotional reaction to losing
> was very simlar to that when winning, so the brain got a 'reward'
> either way, encouiraging them to continue.
>
> Ah yes, here it is.
> https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14719971-600-win-or-lose-its-all-the-same-to-a-gambler/

Something Lemmy knew all along.

Salad Dodger wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 05:23:32 -0800, Turby <xsurf@xmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On 11/25/2021 4:49 AM, Salad Dodger wrote:
>>> On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Turby wrote:
>>>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>>>
>>>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren.
>>>> Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives.
>>>> It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>>> We went in '02.
>>>
>>> I say never again, but I'm due to stay for two nights next May. It's
>>> the halfway point on the Tour. Two nights.
>> I've been a few times, mostly just as a stopover, but I'm not a gambler
>> so don't lose money that way. They do have good shows with A-list
>> performers. One of the best I've seen anywhere was Cirque du Soleil. If
>> you have to stay there, it's worth seeing something.
>
> If folk were supposed to stay in LV, they wouldn't have built the
> Hoover Dam nearby.

Which is worth seeing in it's own right.

On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:57:29 +0000, Sqirrel99
<secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com> wrote:

>Salad Dodger wrote:

>> If folk were supposed to stay in LV, they wouldn't have built the
>> Hoover Dam nearby.
>
>Which is worth seeing in it's own right.

That's handy, cos that's where we're off to.
Via Valley of Fire state park.
--
Salad Dodger
1690 FLHTK;GL1800D
Previously ...
CB1300SA8;GL1800A6;GL1500SEV;CBR1100XXX;
CBR1000FL;CBX1000Z;GPz750R;Z750E1;Z650C2;
KH500A8;KH250B3;TS250c;TS185c.

On Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:55:25 +0100, Ace <Ace@ch.com> wrote:

>On Sun, 21 Nov 2021 19:01:46 +0000, Salad Dodger
><salad.dodger@idnet.com> wrote:
>
>>To calm the rider's wife (at home) don't open the conversation with
>>the news that "he's in a neck brace".
>
>Hah. Apparently my wife was informed by phone call, something like "We
>have your husband, he's going to live."
>
>Brutal.

"We'll have at your leg on Monday, and see if we can fix it".
--
Salad Dodger
1690 FLHTK;GL1800D
Previously ...
CB1300SA8;GL1800A6;GL1500SEV;CBR1100XXX;
CBR1000FL;CBX1000Z;GPz750R;Z750E1;Z650C2;
KH500A8;KH250B3;TS250c;TS185c.

On 25/11/2021 11:32, Ace wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 16:37:17 -0800 (PST), ogden <eldaifo@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Turby wrote:
>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>
>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>
>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>
> Never been to LV, but I've always felt like that on the two or three
> occasions I've visited[1] casinos.
>
> Now some forms of gambling I can see that some people get pleasure out
> of the playing of the game, but casino slot machines in particular,
> with grey-faced zombies feeding their lives into them, just made me
> feel quite nauseuous.

I learnt this lesson at a very early age.
It was on a scout camp in Bridlington.
Somehow, without realising it, I suddenly realised my whole weeks pocket
money had gone into the OAB - yes all 7s 6d of it!
I have *never* used one since - nor anything similar.
Gambled with my life a few times but never money
:-)
C

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On Thursday, 25 November 2021 at 09:31:13 UTC, YTC#1 wrote:
> On 25/11/2021 00:37, ogden wrote:
> > Turby wrote:
> >> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
> >> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
> >
> > I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
> Stayed in LV during the Route 66 trip.
> I felt the same way as you. I had the opportunity to attend a conference
> there shortly after our return.
> I declined.
> I never (voluntarily) want to go back there.

I've been a couple of times for conferences and once on a 'road trip' (to show it to my kids).

I think it's something that I like to see, it's a spectacle. I've no interest in gambling (I did put a
quarter in a machine at the airport but that's it).

I wouldn't object to spending an evening there if I was in the area but it's not something I'd
plan to do. Pretty confident I won't be going to any more conferences there...

Salad Dodger <salad.dodger@idnet.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:57:29 +0000, Sqirrel99
> <secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Salad Dodger wrote:
>
>>> If folk were supposed to stay in LV, they wouldn't have built the
>>> Hoover Dam nearby.
>>
>>Which is worth seeing in it's own right.
>
> That's handy, cos that's where we're off to.
> Via Valley of Fire state park.

I like the cut of your jib, matey.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On Wednesday, 24 November 2021 at 15:14:28 UTC, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 6:58:48 AM UTC-5, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > I'd love to one day go back and spend a few weeks bumming around in the states on a
> > bike.
> Well then let's make that day soon, and I'll come with you.

I won't say I'm not tempted but suspect it isn't something I'd do in 2022.

Maybe 2023...

And then there's Mark Olson's post up above. Life's always too full of options.

On Wednesday, 24 November 2021 at 14:40:55 UTC, Mark Olson wrote:
> Stephen Packer <stephen...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I'd love to one day go back and spend a few weeks bumming around in the states on a
> > bike.
> If you're open to company, I'll join you.
>
> The Heart of the West Adventure Route that sleazy and I did in 2014
> was unique in that it showed how you can travel long distances in the
> western USA off road without seeing any cars and very few people except
> others on off road bikes and the occasional farmer/rancher/fisherman.
>
> Started in Wyoming, then Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and back
> to Wyoming. Parked our cars & trailers at the municipal airport
> in Rawlins.
>
> We met up with Tony Huegel for breakfast and he invited us over
> to change oil in our bikes at his garage where he lives in Idaho
> Falls. Great guy and the cost of the route was well worth it as he
> does a lot of first hand research to guarantee the waypoints and
> routes are workable and sane.
>
> Heart of the West Adventure Route:
> https://www.backcountrybyways.com/
>
> A photo album of the trip:
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/KR38zxP9m8udS14JA
>
> I still have the GPS track from 2014, but of course a lot may have
> happened in the last 7 years so I'd gladly pay for a new custom route
> the next time. Was planning to do it again with the missus on her
> new DR200S but work got in the way.

That looks great. Not sure it's something I'd get around to but it's certainly
worth keeping in mind.

I haven't even got to do any of the TET in Europe... was meant to be in
France in 2020 but...

On 25/11/2021 16:48, Stephen Packer wrote:
> On Thursday, 25 November 2021 at 09:31:13 UTC, YTC#1 wrote:
>> On 25/11/2021 00:37, ogden wrote:
>>> Turby wrote:
>>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>>
>>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>> Stayed in LV during the Route 66 trip.
>> I felt the same way as you. I had the opportunity to attend a conference
>> there shortly after our return.
>> I declined.
>> I never (voluntarily) want to go back there.
>
> I've been a couple of times for conferences and once on a 'road trip' (to show it to my kids).
>
> I think it's something that I like to see, it's a spectacle. I've no interest in gambling (I did put a
> quarter in a machine at the airport but that's it).

That was the reason to go, just to see (memory coming back, it was 2
nights!).

I decided to gamnle 10 dollars on the roulette. Put it on red, won.
Should have walked as 2 goes later I had nothing.

That summed up gamblig for me, so easy to get sucked in.

>
> I wouldn't object to spending an evening there if I was in the area but it's not something I'd
> plan to do. Pretty confident I won't be going to any more conferences there...
>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 25/11/2021 16:09, Salad Dodger wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:57:29 +0000, Sqirrel99
> <secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Salad Dodger wrote:
>
>>> If folk were supposed to stay in LV, they wouldn't have built the
>>> Hoover Dam nearby.
>>
>> Which is worth seeing in it's own right.
>
> That's handy, cos that's where we're off to.

Some pretty gothic statues things IIRC

> Via Valley of Fire state park.
smokin' !

>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 25/11/2021 09:48, Dave Brown wrote:
> On Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 12:37:18 AM UTC, ogden wrote:
>> Turby wrote:
>>> Las Vegas is another thing. I don't know of anywhere else in the world
>>> that shows the depths humanity will sink to.
>>
>> I've only been there once, and only spent a single night on the strip, staying at the Luxor. That put me off the place for life. Rest of the time I was staying out in the burbs near UNLV.
>>
>> The thing that will stay with me forever is the slot machines by the domestic gate at McCarren. Thirty feet off the plane and I could see people gambling away their lives. It was just tawdry, even by my standards.
>
> Very much ditto.
> Had to go to CES a couple of times, what a thoroughly horrible place.
> We were in a shared house just over the road from UNLV, it's only saving grace was the fact that there was an awesome Korean BBQ joint on our side of the road, an In and Out Burger opposite that, and a decent Fried Chicken place next door that did awesome brekkies.
>

<small voice>

I quite like it. I mean, just to visit and gawp in disbelief at stuff. I
never gambled at all and I don't think I even drunk very much either. I
think I went 3 or 4 times in total.

Handy for some amazing places (eg Grand Canyon) nearby.

--
/Simon