And many happy returns...
My birthday was Friday, February 1. I spent a relaxing weekend in Las Vegas, recreating to my heart's content. Culinary highlight: dinner at Strip Steak, the nouveau-posh eatery in Mandalay Bay. Duck-fat fries were perfect; I got the foie gras simply seared instead of the featured plating. Sumptuous!
Didn't try any of the beef: I'm particular about my steak experience, and I just wasn't in the mood for trendy. Of the limited menu, a quarter of it was given over to "Kobe" (both American-raised and Japanese) and other select cuts. I prefer a more serious approach; "superhip bistro" is not, I feel, the properly reverent atmosphere for a superbly aged, exceptionally textured cut of prime meat (although they did have blue cheese-stuffed olives for my martini). Maybe next time.
Went to see "Spamalot", the Monty Python-come-to-Broadway show. Fantastic! The Vegas location was given frequent nods in song material and set design, and a good number of the musical pieces were original to the show: not just a retread of movie bits. Did I mention that the female lead was stacked and packing serious pipes?! Oh my goodness, my view was excellent, and she must have had an extra set of lungs in those luscious endowments! Much to laugh and clap about, and the theater, housed in the Wynn casino, was gorgeous.
I love Vegas every time I go there, but the best part about leaving L.A. is coming back. I never feel so appreciative of where I live as when I'm coming back. (There's something vaguely poetic there, but I'll leave that to the folk singers in the crowd.) Besides culture, Los Angeles can host a significant BDSM scene. Not so for other cities in the United States (Boston, I love you too, but I'm looking in your direction).
Speaking of, I'll be heading back east this spring. Baltimore in late February, though this will be strictly a personal visit. Family member in ill health and all. Boston and New York in March, this time to play! I still consider myself an East Coast girl at heart, and it's been too long since I've paid a visit. I am already relishing the naughty fun I expect to get up to; no doubt I'll have plenty to write about!
