When you live here-nothing surprises you.

Seriously!
So here in Las Vegas we have video poker everywhere--I mean everywhere! Gas station, grocery store, dollar store, car wash. We also have smoke shops on every corner. You can smoke just about everywhere and these places also sell illegal smoking utensils (wink, wink). The bars are open 24hrs and advertise 24hr gaming available. Most of the hole in the wall bars do not serve food, but you are able to bring food in. So, if at 5am you are dying for a smoke and a bloody mary-you are not alone and can go grab an egg McMuffin and cruise into a bar and make friends. This unfortunately is not good for me because I am always looking to make a friend over some cocktails.

Yesterday I went to another job fair and then Adam and I hit downtown Vegas. My brother who lives in FL had a friend in town for one of the conventions and he was downtown so we went and met him for some drinks. He was in town for the furniture convention. Serioulsy there is a convention for everything in this town. The lumber show just left and the furniture show finished up this week. There are three large warehouses that have nothing but furniture in them constantly. They are show rooms for furniture buyers and retail chains. This is right next to the Las Vegas outlets (which we have about 3 outlet malls). This outlet is higher end (Gucci, David Yurman, etc). So we left Henderson (south of the strip) around 3:15pm and headed to North Las Vegas. Downtown Las Vegas is old Vegas, this is where it all happened. This is where Vegas started. Before the Bellagio, Wynn and MGM there was the Plaza, Golden Nugget and Binyons (original world series of poker location). I really like downtown-it feels like Vegas and it is cheesy, cheap and lots of entertainment-from the guy on stilts to the wasted chicks walking the street. I am sure you all know how much Adam and I hate traffic and that was a plus to getting out of NOVA. Well, we hit the highway at around 3:20 and did not make it downtown (11miles) until well after 4pm. We were not happy.
So we met with Jerry, walked through the Fremont experience and headed to Hennessy's for food and drinks. Afterward our poor asses went to play Keno--that is the cheap way to gamble. You know Adam and I do not need to be in casinos. I got yelled at for using my phone in the sports book and Adam walked through the pits-LOL. We had a good time-unlimited drinks just chillin playing the numbers.
So today has been a bit low key. Adam went and took his drug test (he starts work on Monday). He said that when he went to go take the test they were administering breathalizer tests. He was like, "who comes in to take their drug test drunk?" Only in Vegas. I asked if they had video poker. So we went and grabbed some dinner at the Asia Buffet. 12.95 for all you can eat Mongolian BBQ, sushi, chinese food, crab legs, thai, etc. So we are fat and happy.

Oh--Asia Buffet does not have video poker!
My St. Patty's day ladies--we will be hitting up downtown for St.Pats. It will be a good time and low tables for gambling!

Another day

Today we are getting hurricane force winds. Right now the winds are 26mph but have gotten to 70 in some areas of NV. The temp is low 50's but with the wind it feels like 35.

I hired a head hunter today so hopefully I will get some feedback.

Okay, so do any of you watch CSI (Vegas one?). I just got asked today if I was Sarah from the show. You know the one with the huge gap between her two front teeth? I have gotten this before from co-workers but never a stranger. Seriously, wonder if they need a double for her role. I watch it and the last I saw she left the show so I am guessing that role is not available.
I think she is butt ugly so that did not help the self esteem.

By the way Heidi Fleiss is in the process of opening her stud ranch 20 miles outside of Vegas. Cracks me up--it is for ladies and they can pick and choose the man of their dreams.

http://heidifleiss.com/index.htm

Another weekend in Nevada

Adam and Cheryl and I hung out all weekend. Friday we did Macaroni Grill and hit up our neighborhood bar for a few and then movies at home. I pronounce you Chuck and Larry was awful. Cheryl fell asleep and Adam and I lasted for 40 minutes. I jacked my shoulder up at the gym so I have been so much fun this weekend--muscle relaxers and wine -I have been cracking myself up. I need some partners in crime to come visit-I am losing it!

Saturday, we went over to see Cheryl's friend Trevor (he is in real estate) we went to his model home which is selling for 2.2 million and it was sick! A 6,000 dollar toilet, heated pool, fire pit, jacuzzi and a large porch on the top of the house with full view of the strip and that is only a few of the amenities. Then we hit up VOX a wine lounge right by our pad. This place is really cool-they are trying to bring more of the strip to Henderson so people don't have to stray far from home. It has an extensive wine list and it is a tapas menu. It is a perfect place for a night out with the girls.

Sunday is dreary and raining so we are going to catch a movie.

Later people



http://www.voxwinelounge.com/

VEGAS IS BURNING

I am sure you have seen on CNN about the Monte Carlo fire. I had a call back from Mandalay Bay today for an interview, but there was no way I was going near the strip today. It burned quite a bit of the hotel down. I wonder how hard it was to evacuate. Especially if people were on a winning streak at the tables.

I am applying for manager positions at Mandalay Bay so wish me luck. Adam took the job offer so he starts in a week.

Anyone see Juno? I want to see it--give me feedback.

I need a job

You know you need a job when you have watched everything on DVR, getting up early is 8am and you keep putting the gym off, because you have all day. I have applied for about 17 positions and am waiting to hear call backs.
Adam is still getting paid from his job in VA, and I fortunately saved money in case this lag in employment took place. Cheryl is trying to hook me up with a job where I sell golf packages. Not sure who I would be selling to, but it sounds like fun. The guy she spoke to asked if I was aggressive and could handle being hit on by guys. I laughed out loud and then said, "well define hitting on because that may lead to more aggression than anyone really wants to see." My mind goes back to a small bar in San Diego where I threw a small man across the bar (Lorie and Lonie remember).
I am giving it one more week and then I am headed to the bars and restaurants. Might as well put the bar hat back on and make some money. I am a little rusty, so I will probably have to wait tables. Oh, well-cash is cash.

By the way: if I have not been returning calls..it is because my cell phone bills for Dec and Jan combined were over 400.00. With the time difference, I realize that I am always going to need to talk within my billing hrs. If you have Verizon-call on your cell. If not-I will hit you up on the weekend. With no job, the last thing I need to be doing is paying outrageous cell phone bills.

Wish me luck!

Plugging along

I went for two interviews on Monday-Mandalay Bay which was an initial screening and they will call me in 7-10 biz days and if they are interested I will go in for the drug screening. Which is hair, urine, etc test. They are pretty hardcore out here with drug testing in the casinos (wow, wonder why?). The second interview went well and they offered me the job, but I cannot take it because it is a consultant position (4 months, no benefits, etc). I have no experience in being a self employed consultant and I would have to go through a whole tax mess and I would not be salaried. At this point, I cannot take a position like that. So, I continue to apply, apply, apply.

Hopefully something will come up.
The bar business is calling me back...

I FOUND A HOMEY

Well-
I was going through my phone last night to check out numbers that I have. I came across Claire-Claire used to work for Keller Williams and bartended at Sam's and Fatty's she moved to Vegas over a year ago. So, I text her and ask if she is still here. Her response-"who is this?" I eventually talked to her and she remembered Justine and Emily and remembered riding in the purple limo when it broke down after the girlie party. Then she goes, "crazy Jodi?" Not sure how to respond, I said "yes"

Claire is still in Vegas-she is working for Keller Williams-she sold one of the city center condos for 800,000-so she is doing well. She is also playing poker to pay her bills. I will be meeting her for a drink--it is good to have someone from home!

Adam got a job offer-so some income will be coming into the household-Praise the lord!!
Oh, and Adam's new boss is Hawaiian--what are the chances that his wife can make poki!!!!

WOW-GO GIANTS!

I was very impressed by the Giants this evening and I will root for them in the Super Bowl! Good job Gooch--your team pulled it out. There are numerous Giant and Raider fans out here!

It truly is about who you know.

I joined Gold's gym here in Henderson due to the fact that I am having problems putting my jeans on and I feel sluggish and pretty much like a piece of poo. There are two Gold's here -a brand new one that is beautiful and an older one. I went to the older one on Friday and I am thinking that from now on I will be hitting up the newer one. All the benches were being repaired so there was limited benches to work out on. If any of you know me-I am a free weight girl and that drove me CRAZY.
I know some of you are Gold's members and maybe the class changes have been since the new year, but they have some cool classes. Body pump express (45 min instead of 60), Sports conditioning and boot camp to name a few.
Meghean and Paul told Adam and I to check out Rescue me (FX). So, we have been burning the seasons to DVDs and having mini Rescue Me marathons (we are just so busy). I have also been doing all the BS stuff that you never do because you have a full time job. Organizing bills, shredding bills and documents from last year-I know, I know but supposedly this place is known for identity theft and it usually starts from the trash. They also break into the (locked) community mailbox and steal mail. So, better to be safe than have numerous people jacking up my credit and stealing my identity (it is hard to be me).

....It is truly about who you know and today it was really good to know Cheryl Melendrez. Cheryl works with this guy who is one of the chefs at Bouchon in the Venetian. Bouchon is a little restaurant that is well known for brunches and pastries. Cheryl told her friend that she was going to bring Adam and I there for brunch on Saturday and he said that he would "take care of us." Seriously-take care of us is an understatement. It started with mimosas and home made pastries and then moved to french toast, crab hash (which is the greatest thing I have ever tasted in my life), then to sausage, eggs, omelettes, bacon, ham and cheese sandwich, croissants, apple truffle with fresh apples and cinnamon. Then it went to sorbet, chocolate and coffee mousse, tarts WITH beverages to go with all of it. This was a 6 course meal with wine/beer/cocktails. ALL COMPED!! Yes--about 200.00 worth of food comped. Then we were given a tour of the kitchen. We swapped numbers with the chef and told him we would definitely be back to see him. I have NEVER been treated so well and I left fat and with quite a buzz. We went and checked out the Palazzo (new Venetian tower) home of JayZ's new nightclub. The opening is tonight so I am sure the place will be loaded with celebs.
My friend Tony (who used to be my trainer at Bodyworks downtown) was in town and he was playing craps over at the Casino Royale so Adam and I swung by to say hi and hang out for a little bit.
I am now waiting for the buzz to wear off so I can get my a$$ to the gym. Funny-I started a lifestyle cleanse today. I guess I should have waited. Although I would not have passed up that food for anything. It was amazing.

Miss you all...I believe my first crew of visitors will be here for St Patty's day!


Check it out-this is the newest thing being built on the strip (next to Bellagio). City Center is being designed so you never have to leave this area. There will be everything you need to live..condos, hotel, casino, gym, grocery, shopping, etc. They are throwing a boat load of money into it and it is supposed to be the "future of Las Vegas." I will be happy when it is done-construction is a nightmare. It is going to be ridiculous. I can only imagine the cost to live there. They will have EVERYTHING.
CityCenter is expected to open phase one in November of 2009 and is currently the single most expensive privately funded project in the western hemisphere.
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/citycenter.htm

SNOW BACK EAST AND SUNSHINE OUT WEST

First off thank you for the camera pics of the snow that I am missing back in the Burg. I cannot say that I miss it. It is really pretty here today and should be in the 50's. Yesterday was 35 degrees in the am. Adam said that when he went on his interview yesterday the guy said they were super busy. The Nevadains do not like the cold. I think it is funny because before you know it-it is going to be like 114.



Adam is on another interview today so he is making some real job headway. I put my resume on Monster so I am getting all the hits from the insurance companies as usual. Wanting me to sell insurance which means no salary-working for commission and I just cannot survive on that. Cheryl (our friend out here) has been my little recruiter. She has so much faith in me and she is out selling me everywhere. She has been a great help. If I had to rely on the internet alone-I would find myself back in the bar business. She is talking to the CFO for the Fountainbleu. The Fountainbleu will be here in Vegas in 09. Google it--they have a conference center and plenty of meeting space. It is going to be a really cool hotel/casino.



So--the job search is STILL on...all of you back home: STAY WARM!

JOBING

So--the job search continues. Adam had an awesome interview today they want him to come back to discuss money. He has had three additional companies ask for him to contact them. The one he went to today is just starting residential work so of course he is a perfect fit since that is his expertise. There were some things he did not like, but they were about the equipment they sell, install and a bunch of other stuff I don't really understand. He is doing well.

I have an interview on Monday with MGM Grand in their convention services division. I also applied for the position of Meeting services manager at the Venetian. They are to contact me-we will see about that.

I am trying desperately not to get discouraged. My apt is really clean.

JOB SEARCH

I attended a job fair yesterday and it was really interesting. It was in North Las Vegas so I had to go to "Old Vegas" on Filmore street--which is by far a cool part of the strip. It has that old 50's vibe to it and the architecture is pretty cool. Plus it is blocked off to cars in certain areas so you do not have all the traffic. North Las Vegas is the most heavily populated area of Vegas with Henderson (where we live) coming in a close second. I am so happy we settled on Henderson-it is cleaner and less run down businesses.
So, the job fair info said to dress in business professional wear. I am telling you-there were about 50+ people there and I was one of three women in a suit. I was not aware that the terry cloth/velour sweat suit was professional wear. Nor did I know that the hot red spandex dress was professional wear. It was pretty funny! So, the job fair was a bit of a bust. I do not want to be a border patrol agent, sell AVON, go into the army or make collection calls. The majority of the businesses were looking for people to make collection calls-no thank you. I did speak to one company-Harrington & Reed and the lady told me that I had major compeition-there are 4,000 people moving to Vegas monthly so that made me feel super. I went to talk to the Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, Luxor and MGM Grand (all the same company) and the guy never once looked me in the eye-he looked all around the entire time.
But-on a brighter note. Adam has an interview on Wednesday so that is promising.

In case you all have not been here in awhile: there is a new Planet Hollywood casino on the strip. The Venetian just built the Palazzo and the grand opening is on the 19th of January. This is home to the only Barney's besides the one in NYC and the 40/40 club that is owned by Jay-Z. Rumor has it over 4,000 people showed up for the bartending job alone. My mom loves the show Jersey Boys that has only been in NYC up until now. The Jersey Boys will be shown at the Palazzo as well. Bellagio built another tower as well--so there has been some serious construction on the strip. So much to see when you come visit.

Also-they do these things called "casting calls" where you show up in whatever outfit they ask you to and that is how you are hired for cocktail waitress gigs, bartending, etc. One casting call asked you to show up in a bikini--this whole Vegas thing blows my mind.

Well, wish me luck this job thing is getting hard

Settling IN

So, we did DMV and we got the painting done so we have settled in to the nest egg. Adam cannot sleep without a fan and they are not being sold in any of the stores due to fans being a "seasonal item." So, he had to order one online. The fan arrived this week and it is an industrial fan--yes it will blow your freakin face off. I begged Adam to let me take a picture of him in model pose with his hair blowing in the wind--it did not work. He assured me that when you place it on the lowest speed it would be fine. So, I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the potty and look over and he has all the covers up to his chin like he is sleeping in a sleeping bag outside and the fan was on the lowest speed. I will probably have a cold within a week.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I spoke to some of you yesterday. I went to lunch with this guy who worked in the trade show business for years and made a connection-hopefully I will be getting some calls next week for a new joby job. Unfortunately, I am probably going to take a significant pay cut. So all in all a good birthday-lunch, pedicure some dinner and hit up our local bar. We have a little dive right around the corner-SCARY! Adam and I met some of the locals and we had a good time.
Vegas is very transient but EVERYONE speaks English. After being in NOVA for years and never understanding what anyone says-this is a relief. From the 7'11 to the dry cleaners--perfect English. Everybody is also super nice. This area's income is pretty much centered around tourism and customer service and it shows. I am telling you--DMV people were super nice. I am sure that I am speaking too soon. I will probably meet an A hole today at Target:)


XXOO
I put some more pics of the apt and the beautiful flowers my sweetie gave me PLUS the lovely orange dresser (don't hate).

The first post

Hello!
Since my "we made it" email I received tons of feedback so I decided I would put a blog together so that everyone knew what was going on in the desert. Seriously, it will not be that interesting since we are both jobless.

So--here we are in Henderson, NV. We found the post office yesterday-that is always good. One thing about this place: I have seen more moms who are skinnier than their kids and wear some seriously slutty clothes. Also, what is up with the Angelina Jolie lips? If your lips look like something stung you and you need ice-that is not good (just a little tip).
We have been getting our apartment ready and that has been a challenge. Not that all of you have been in my bedroom (shut up now). I have had the same furniture that I had since I lived in FL (1999). It has been moved quite often so it is a little banged up. Adam hates it. It is white wash (hello--FLORIDA). So, we have decided to paint it. We go to Home Depot to get paint and we pick this color: chai spice. So, we get to painting a bed side table and a dresser. I want all of you to know that Adam and I are now UT fans because my freaking bedroom in Tennessee ORANGE! It is awful! Absolutely awful! Adam likes it (no comment).
We have a two bedroom apt and the living room is pretty small so we have decided to make the second bedroom an office (AKA Adam's room). The desk, computer, bookcase and THE SECOND TV are in that room. Yes, you got it--SECOND TV that I will need to carry into all the motels on the next move. Adam wanted another LCD so Circuit City here we come!
As with any new apt. we are figuring out where to hang stuff, store stuff. In short-we have too much stuff!

Oh! we bought two new plants. I think my plant is going to make it. Adam's died, but his TV survived.

We are hitting DMV today. Saying goodbye to the VA drivers licenses (BOO). Although, locals get into da clubs for free! You all know how much Adam loves da clubs.

In short: the CES (Consumer Electronics show is in town) and the Adult Entertainment Expo. I keep telling Adam he can go and meet his idols in person.

It is 53 degrees today and sunny! Miss you all and GO UT!