Saturday, January 21, 2006

My first time cooking for company

went rather well :) This was a pleasant surprise, though, because I've not cooked much before, except maybe stirring a pot, over-boiling potstickers to meat balls and gruel, and making the world's most unusual "saltines." Fortunately, the results this time are much more of this world.


A cluttered counterop

Have you ever seen a salad look this good?


Potatos, eggs, rice, and noodles


A toast to my guests

Monday, January 09, 2006

Las Vegas

is a strange and interesting city. Gambling is available everywhere-- in the airport, hotel room, and restaurant. My family basically stayed on the Strip. We started at the South end of the Strip, at Mandalay Bay, and made our way North, towards the Stratosphere. It doesn't seem very large on a map, but the entire length is ~6 miles! Caesar's Palace was the best party spot. Bellagio was the best hotel. Stratosphere gave the best view.



Check out the ceiling decor at Mandalay Bay


Wrap-around tunnel in the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay


Fish eat veggies too


Glowing jellyfish


Moray eels in a pot

Center Strip overlooking MGM Grand


Chocolate Fountain at the Bellagio


The Buffet at the Bellagio-- magnifico


The slots at Bellagio


Happy 2006!

O at the Bellagio, pre-show on New Year's Eve


O Clown serenading me with a spritz bottle


O Theatre: Starting the New Year's celebration with confetti :)


O Theatre: New Year's Eve shower of balloons


New Year's Eve center Strip

1988 Jaguar Silk Cut Race Car: Test drive, anyone?


1942 Lincoln armored limosine used by Presidents FDR, then Harry S. Truman


1929 Duesenberg owned by Howard Hughes, the most expensive car on display, has an asking price of $5.5 million USD



Forum Shops sprialing staircase


Discussing Longchamps bags

Before Celine Dion Show at Caesar's Palace


Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip)


Traffic jam in front of the Venetian


Rollercoaster at the top of the Stratosphere, >1km high


Vegas and Mt Charleston from the top of the Stratosphere

Aerial view of the Strip


Sunlit clouds at 10,000 ft


Mountain caps in Colorado: I see a heart in the snowy relief.


Flight from LAS to MDW: Flying from day to night


The drive home (using night capture): It looks like a speeding car, no?