…but I am going to Las Vegas. One of my youngest brother’s sons is getting married in June and, odd as it seems to me, he is having a bachelor party in America’s city of fun and debauchery. One of the reasons for this choice of venue is, no doubt, the popularity of the movie, The Hangover. If you are looking for intellectual stimulation, I would not recommend it. But it really is damned funny and it has apparently inspired a generation of late-twenties, men to spend excessive amounts of money and make even greater fools of themselves by mimicking the movie’s heroes. The plot walks a group of young men through a one night bachelor party in Las Vegas which involves copious consumption of alcohol and drugs, hallucinations of casual sex, car chases, high stakes gambling, the marriage of one of the group to an exotic dancer, the loss of the bridegroom, a self inflicted tooth extraction, and the theft of Mike Tyson’s pet tiger. My suspicion is that this movie has set a standard of expectation that hundreds, if not thousands of bachelor parties are striving to equal or perhaps top.
I, of course, know the bridegroom and several of the participants in the party that I will join this weekend. They are great kids and I expect no permanent damage will be done. They are in fact not kids. They are responsible, gainfully employed, considerate, and contributing members of society. Still, they are of a different generation and their interests and passions are different than mine. The truth is, I will be the only person in the party who is directly connected to rural American and my brothers and I are thirty years older than the oldest of the core group.
You may be thinking that the old fogies should stay home and maybe you are right. But last November, when my mother died, we three brothers – all in our sixties – vowed that we would take every opportunity to continue to get together. For our entire lives, Mom had served as the focal point of our dispersed and busy family. She lived in the small Ohio town in which we were raised and was the magnet that drew us all back for holidays, birthdays, and refuge. At her funeral the three of us admitted that, now that she was gone, we would seldom, if ever, return to our hometown. If we wanted to continue to have the close, brotherly relationship that we have always enjoyed, we would have to seize every opportunity to get together. The impending bachelor party is the first test of our resolve.
My brothers are more urban than I am and so they will likely feel at least slightly more at home in Las Vegas. They will be there for three days while I have planned just twenty-four hours. Already, I regret spending those hours in crowded, concrete maize when I could be quiet and thoughtful on our ranch. I will be the only person in our group to be an animal person. I’ll be thinking about the buffalo grazing our pastures and the birds that, no doubt, will be sailing over Las Vegas on their way to nesting sites farther north. But the three of us will enjoy our time together. We’ll share meals and laugh and drink a few whiskeys. We will talk about Mom, and old times. We will chuckle at the antics of the younger generation and my brothers will likely loose a little money in the slot machines. I don’t gamble and have not seen the dark side of midnight for years. I’ll go to bed early and probably not sleep that well. My thoughts will be with the animals that, generations ago vacated the desert that is now Las Vegas. I won’t be participating in any copious consumption of alcohol or drugs. No strip clubs, car chases, or extravagant gambling. I will not witness the marriage of one of the group to an exotic dancer. I’ll make sure that the bridegroom does not get lost, and that no one looses any teeth. And, I sincerely hope that I will not be tempted by a chance to steal Mike Tyson’s pet tiger.
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I really enjoyed that hangover movie as well, but I wouldn’t watch it again.
Vegas is without a doubt decadent, so while you are there you might as well have some fun. You need to check out the fountain by the Belagio would be my recommendation.
Glorious decadence in Vegas is at least better than the glorification of assassination…..talk about sick.
Nothing wrong with a bit of fun especially just before you are about to get “hitched”. So, the it is good that you are there to keep an eye on the bridegroom!
Peace,
Ken
Dan, Bravo! for your commitment to family and understanding a younger generation’s fascination with all things Vegas. I will wait for your impressions in an other newsletter. Enjoy (if possible) – a Native Nevadan
Haven’t seen the movie (probably won’t) but can see a room full of 20 somethings having a lap-slapping good time enjoying it! I like you, would prefer the quieter side of living and find myself with similar feelings when encased by steel and concrete. I’d love to have your buffalo herd to mesmerize about, but I can still enjoy my salvia, coreopsis, Turk’s Cap, and Texas yellow bells in bloom right now!
Dan: Sounds great! Remember the Vegas scene is really only another kind of wilderness- different but still a wilderness that can be enjoyed if you allow yourself to relax and get into it. Cheers!
I’m glad you are going.My brother, sister and I were together
this past October, not in Las Vegas, but Gainesville, FL which is city enough for me. The celebration was my sister’s 85th birthday. We had a great time and of course her “kids” were there too. Carpe Diem!
Dan, I just returned from Vegas and agree with Ken that you need to check out the Bellagio. One of the best meals I’ve ever had was at Le Cirque at the Bellagio. Also, my cousin Jack’s son, Joe, works at the Tropicana. Gladys Knight (and one Pip) is performing there and has a wonderful show. I think of your Mom often, particularly when I return to Findlay. Have a great time. Pam
You all have a great time in Vegas. Just wanted to let you know I still follow your work there on the ranch as well as your books as they are published. What a wonderful time I’ve had visiting your ranch and getting to know some of the great work in which you are involved. Thank you for everything. Lynn
Will one of those meals with your brothers be a bison steak? I haven’t been there in years but I have to admit, I’ve been tempted a few times. And make that whiskey, Tennessee whiskey!
Las Vegas warning: while walking out and about
do not be tempted by the automatic walkway that
takes you in to Ceasar’s Palace: it only goes IN; you won’t be able to find your way out!!!!!! (I have 1st hand knowledge….) Cheers to you & your family
O.K., Little booze no gambling, 24 hours lets see. After dark lurch to Fremont St. (North of the strip, take a cab) and catch at least one Fremont street experience on the hour, free. You’ll wonder if there is any sanity in the area. On the strip catch the Treasure Island battle from the front porch of the casino, free. Visit the horticultural exhibit off the lobby of the Bellagio, free. And for 10 bucks, slip quietly into Springs Preserve, well off the strip, (the original spring Vegas was founded around) for 180 acres of natural beauty. 333 South Valley View Blvd. Cab again. available 10 to 6 pm. Wave as you go by, I’ll be busy gambling.
Get Tix to Cirque d Soliel(anything, but my fav is KA…amazing and totally transporting, even tho very Asian, it transcends culture,,,,luv always finds a way….anyhow, get out in the desert and if you can get to the Halilupi reservation part of Gran Canyon its worth the $$ and the time to see another side of life so “close yet so far” as a friend of the indegene folks I think you will know what I mean…so silent, cept for the wind and the changing light….oh and the shopping and dining are great, I go every fall for professional convention and dont spend a cent in the casinos, be sure to check out some of the new venues, great oppulent decor etc, its a great walking town, early morning, evenings…..just sayin