The Tropicana Hotel’s “The Mob Experience” (Review Only)

The Tropicana Hotel. They have been re-doing the entire property and added an exhibit/show. “The Mob Experience” is a very cool walk through tribute to Vegas history and the mob. That’s where we were going.

After getting to the hotel and walking down the steep stair case, we get our mob names. I was the Grim Reaper and the wife was Kid Twist. We had these badges that gave the rooms our info as we went though the first half. Unfortunately, this part was a disaster. It could’ve been awesome with a little more attention to detail. It felt like this was a temporary feature that was set up in a circus tent somewhere. The actors were disorganized and had a hard time interacting with us. The automated parts were not timed properly and started talking before we walked in the rooms. Doors that seemed like they should be closed were left open causing sound from one room to drown out the other room you were trying to listen to. Luckily, I was able to look past all of this and take in all the great info they were showing us.

The second half of the exhibit was spectacular. Like a moment frozen in time, you walk into room after room of amazing artifacts and information galore. If you are a fan of the mob, Hollywood mob movies, or history at all, this is well worth the money. Finishing the experience with a shocking end to it all, I would recommend this to fans. If they work on the first half, they may have a hit for a larger audience.

Birthday Hack

I’m coming out of my birthday weekend and the wife was determined to make it a fun one. She spent a lot of time figuring out what we are going to do. She made sure to clear my calendar for Friday night and Saturday. So on Wednesday when I started coming down with a bug I didn’t want to say anything. That night did me in though. We stayed late after our oldest son’s baseball practice so I could pitch to him while he worked on his batting stance. Thursday morning I woke up really not feeling well. I chalked it up to getting old and went on with my day. That night I found myself at the pharmacy getting sinus meds so I could sleep.

Friday morning the wife was nice enough to let me sleep in and god I needed it. I woke up around 11am or so. I can’t remember the last time that happened. On the down side I felt like a Mack truck just ran me over and then backed up for good measures. I stumbled out of the bedroom and downed my pot of coffee with a handful of meds hoping this would help before the night came. I really wanted to go out and enjoy a fun packed night.

After doing the days running around, we came home to get ready. We fed the kids and the wife took me out to sushi. Krazy Sushi has the best selection of gluten-free sushi in town. The owners have been good to us from day one of going there. After the wife wheeled me out, we started toward The Tropicana Hotel. They have been re-doing the entire property and added an exhibit/show. “The Mob Experience” is a very cool walk through tribute to Vegas history and the mob. That’s where we were going.

After getting to the hotel and walking down the steep stair case, we get our mob names. I was the Grim Reaper and the wife was Kid Twist. We had these badges that gave the rooms our info as we went though the first half. Unfortunately, this part was a disaster. It could’ve been awesome with a little more attention to detail. It felt like this was a temporary feature that was set up in a circus tent somewhere. The actors were disorganized and had a hard time interacting with us. The automated parts were not timed properly and started talking before we walked in the rooms. Doors that seemed like they should be closed were left open causing sound from one room to drown out the other room you were trying to listen to. Luckily, I was able to look past all of this and take in all the great info they were showing us.

The second half of the exhibit was spectacular. Like a moment frozen in time, you walk into room after room of amazing artifacts and information galore. If you are a fan of the mob, Hollywood mob movies, or history at all, this is well worth the money. Finishing the experience with a shocking end to it all, I would recommend this to fans. If they work on the first half, they may have a hit for a larger audience.

After The Mob Experience, we walked around the Aria before heading downtown. We jumped in the car and that was the end. I couldn’t go on. I tried, I really tried. I wanted to go down the zipline on Fremont Street so bad but knew I wouldn’t have enjoyed it the way I felt. So despite the urge to want to push forward I threw in the towel.

We were homeward bound and decided drinking at home would help everything. I poured my vodka and grapefruit and drank the sickness to the ground. I woke up Saturday feeling more human and decided it was going to be a birthday sitting in front of the TV and doing nothing else. It was the best birthday ever.

Seatbelts PLEASE

It’s Monday morning and this was a long weekend filled with ups and downs. But I’ll get into that on Wednesday. Today I’m just pulling a post from my file to make my week a little easier.

A weird thing has been taking place over the last ten years or so. The world has been embracing seat belts for our personal cars. Why do I think this is weird? Well it’s just as I said, our personal cars. When it comes to public transportation we feel better not wearing them, at least most. I know of many places that are trying to get belts on busses and trains but only a few have. Yet, towns with school busses that have belts installed have many being left unbuckled.

A lot of people say it’s the drivers duty to make sure that people are wearing them and I have to agree, for the kids. As a taxi driver in Las Vegas it is a state law that all riders wear their seat belts. We have signs posted all over the cabs and many of us even ask if you can buckle up. But I think only about 50% do. This number is up, but it’s odd when you have someone say they normally wear one but don’t feel right wearing one in a cab. People will even ask, “can I get a ticket for not wearing one?”. Which I say, “Yes you can. I won’t get it, you will.” This is the case for the adults. Kids on the other hand I will get the ticket so my cab doesn’t move until they are buckled in. I’ve even got yelled at by a mom over this. I guess they know what’s best for thier kids.

So here’s my rule on this and do with it as you please. If you’re under 18, buckle up or get out. If you’re over 18, do as you please. It’s your ticket not mine and if you don’t care about your safety so be it. This rule applies only to back seat riders. If you choose to sit up front for the love of god please listen to me when I tell you,”you can sit up here if you wear your belt”. Why do I ask this of you? Well that’s easy, it’s the DING! Yes the taxi you are riding in was made in the last 20 years and it has all kinds of wires that tell it everything.

Your butt sits down and it knows. You don’t buckle and it knows. Don’t try to trick it. Pulling the seat belt out to the length you would wear it doesn’t do it. Besides if you’re going to pull it out that far then why don’t you just click it in. You know, put the male end into the female end which is the ONLY way to make the ding stop. Don’t get in and act like you didn’t hear me ask then act shocked when the ding starts.

You: Oh is that because of me?

Me: um yeah I told you to buckle up.

You: oh, well is it ok that it’s doing that (as you grab your belt to pull it out but not buckle)

Me: No, but it’s your ticket. I’m use to people doing this.

Tweeting Vegas

I’ve been out of the social networking world for a long time. Before I started this blog I was nowhere to be found on the web. The last time I was on any type of social network was when MySpace was big and Facebook was still a baby and not very strong. I’ve fought against the trend of social media for years and enjoyed my privacy. But like all good things, that too shall come to an end. My life as HackingVegas has jumped head first into this modern-day form of communications. On September 24, 2010 I wrote my first blog entry, February 18, 2011 I launched my Facebook page, and on April 21, 2011 at 6:58pm I sent my first tweet.

I have taken a few days to Google everything I can about this tweeting thing to try and feel like I know what I’m doing (which I’m sure you’ll see I don’t). But from here on out you can fallow me @HackingVegas as well as my Blog and Facebook. I will share the highlights and low times of the day with you guys in ways that are best shared in 140 characters or less. I’ll also be giving you sneak peeks into upcoming HackingVegas blog adventures.

You can always direct message me to get info on what’s going on during the days you’ll be in Vegas. You can also submit requests for blog topics and ask travel tips about surviving your adventure in this great city we call Las Vegas. So no matter if you call it twit, twat, or tweet let’s get this show on the road.

Popping Bottles in the Club

But let me be the first to say he’s no G6.

Ok let me start from the beginning. The other morning I was taking a bouncer to work at one of our reputable gentlemen’s club sleezy strip clubs. As we were driving down stripper row we see a guy come flying across the street from an alley that leads out of one of the clubs. The bouncer starts to laugh and says that I better stop the cab or I’m going to get hit by a couple of cars. Having a good idea of what he’s talking about, I slow to a stop in time to see two cars come flying out of the same alley without regard to who or what’s around them. They turn the same way the guy ran but he’d already ducked into another alley and behind a building.

I kept driving while the bouncer filled me in on what I just saw. He said the guy on foot just either stiffed a dancer or stole something. The guys in the cars were going to go beat the shit out of him to get the stuff back or make him pay one way or another. I believed every word (because it’s not the first time I’ve heard if this happening) and asked how often this happens. He said at least once in a weekend but sometimes more.

I pulled up to his club and dropped him off. I then headed straight back to the area where I had seen the guy on foot last. As I’m pulling down the street I see the two cars going back down the alley where they had come from and assumed that they never found the guy. I made a quick right where I saw the guy run and drive around looking for him. Right before I give up, I see him. He’s peeing on a pile of pallets in one of the allies. I must have scared him because he started running while trying to put his junk away.  I pulled down the ally and tapped the horn. He finally looked back and saw that I was a cab driver.  I motioned for him to get in and he did. At first he seemed unsure as to why I picked him up and was ready to jump out in a second. He was riding with his hand on the door handle and body leaning toward the door  for the first few minutes as I drove off. I broke the ice by asking:

Me: Long night?

Him: Oh god yes, too long and not what I wanted.

Me: So whats your story? I mean, I picked you up in an alley around strip club lane.

I was baiting him to see what he would come up with. We hear all kinds of stories as to why guys are wandering around this area at night when everything else is closed.  He sat for a second and then started telling me everything. It started as a night out with some buddies from high school. They were club hopping and ended up at Treasures around midnight (it’s now 6am).

One by one his buddies all left and he had no clue what time it was until one of the girls told him it was the end of her shift. She had to go. He asked the time and freaked out. His flight was in 3 hours and he had to get back to his room to pack.  On the way out he checked his wallet and noticed that he had no money left.  He then noticed all his credit cards were gone. At that point he freaked. After going to the doorman and being told there is nothing they can do for him, that it’s his responsibility to keep track of his stuff, he got mad. He came up with a plan. He was going to sit at the main stage as a girl was up there and just before she was done he would grab all the bills and run out.  He had no clue where he was but knew that he could find a cab somewhere.  The dance was almost over and the few guys left in the club got up to leave.

He jumped on stage and grabbed as much money as he could and ran out. On the way out he did it with style. He knocked over every chair and table he could and pushed two guys over at the door who were on their way out.

I was laughing my ass off at this point so bad I could hardly see the road.  He continued down the driveway and through the alley which is where I saw him first.  I stopped him there and said, I saw you there. I was driving by when you crossed the street. You got off that street just in time. The bouncers turned on the street just after you got off it. He started laughing at that point and then asked if he could use my phone to call someone.

We pulled up to the MGM, he paid up and got out. As I pulled off the property my phone rang. It was the number the guy had called. Come to find out, the guy dropped his phone on the way out of the club and the bouncers had found it. They called the last number, who was me, and started asking questions. When they called they acted like they knew me. When I told the guy I was a cabbie, he asked where Nate was. I told him I just dropped him off at the MGM. He then asked if I had gotten paid. I found this odd. Why is this guy’s buddy asking if I got paid? I let the guy on the phone know that Nate was on his way up to pack and should make the flight without an issue. That’s when the guy on the other end of the phone revealed who he was.

Guy on Phone: Thanks for all the info. We are on our way there but we’ll have to use the cops to do our job.

Me: What? Who is this?

Guy on Phone: I work at the strip club that he just ripped off. This guys isn’t going home if we get our way. We have film and his phone, he’s a dead man.

I just wished the guy luck and hung up the phone. I was never one to hang out at strip clubs but the few I went to back in the day seemed laid back and friendly. I would have never guessed this type of shit really happens and as offten as it sounds like it does. As far as Nate goes, I hope he learns from this and I kind of hope that whatever law enforcement gets involved, gives him a break. I mean come on, it takes some massive cojones to pull off that stunt.

Why Do We Call Cops Pigs

I drive all over the Las Vegas Valley and see all kinds of things. Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed that this one Highway Patrol Officer is helping stranded motorist. At first I thought that it was cool that our officers are stepping up and working on some good PR.  Our state already offers a “Freeway Service Patrol” (FSP) that roams the main highways during the day and helps people get their cars working or off the freeway safely.

These guys are busy all day and could use the help of  others. If you are a guy on the side of the road, I hope you know what to do.

Ok not really, the FSP will get to you as they make their rounds. But I did notice that the Officer that has been helping is picking and choosing who he helps.  I noticed that every car he has stopped for has been a young woman who is standing right over him.

But the other day I saw something that really stood out to how he is picking and choosing. About 200 feet apart were two cars with flat tires. The first car had two older ladies standing there and I can assume waiting for FSP.

The second one had a young woman standing there as the officer who had to pass the other car to get to this one was changing her tire.

I know men are known as pigs in many women’s eyes and lets not forget what cops are known as. The last thing we need is this guy showing the women in our life that this is true. Come on now, think before you act guys. You’re really not helping our case.

Lines, Lines, and More Lines

This week has been a tough one. We have the National Broadcasting Association in town which brings a lot of people out here. For some reason once again the Taxi Authority approved way too many extra cabs for this event. The cab stands are long as hell and a lot of drivers are making between $100-$150 less then they do on a normal non-convention day. I have gone up and down the strip a few times this week and all I see are line, lines, and more lines. Its for this reason why I’m glad I work the north end of town a lot.

It’s now Tuesday and I stumble into work to this.

WTF

I guess the largest company in town can’t afford a computer system that doesn’t crash all the time or freeze. They are hand writing our trip sheets which is taking forever. I had enough time to write this and could’ve re-written it about 5 times. Total wait time: 30 mins. Normal wait time 30 seconds to 3 mins.

HAPPY TUESDAY

Praying To The East

There is a lot of things you can say about a hack, but in Vegas you can’t say the industry isn’t diverse. When you talk about a hack in most cities 9 out of 10 times people will think about an Arab man wearing a turban.  This is such a common thought that even Hollywood uses this as comedic relief in their movies.

Here in Vegas we have about every region of the world represented and therefor we have all types of religion as well.  One nice thing is that with this diversity most everyone gets along. Most ethnicities hang out in the same groups but are always willing to bring anyone into their circles.  I love this and wish this was the case around the world.

Even though this is the way of most, we do have a few bad apples.  The most common issue we have is against anyone who prays to the east or does any type of religious ritual while working. For some reason people still have issues about things they don’t know much about other than what they’ve seen on FOX News, or “facts” they’ve gotten from a friend. During the day if you drive around any taxi hang out, you will see people on their mats praying. Most of them try to find dark corners to do this but we do have a few who are proud and don’t hide from the public.

Over the years I have seen many of these men get yelled at and have things thrown at them. I hate this and hope the people doing this to these people trying to mind their own business get whats coming to them.  Many of these drivers who pray during work have set up their houses as a safe prayer zones and have even got a restaurant to open their doors to them in the early morning to give shelter.  I love this but at the same time wish they didn’t have to go find places for them to go. They should be able to stop anywhere and do whatever they need to do to fulfill their religions practices.

To wrap this up I’m just asking for people to stop hating and educate themselves of what they are uncomfortable with. If  8,000 hacks can do it I think anyone out there can.  If you don’t feel that you can talk to people to educate yourself then I would like to introduce the world to the Internet.  It’s amazing what you can learn. 

Who’s Parked In My Spot

What in Sam Hell is going on around here? I pulled up to my favorite little downtown staging area and our parking was taken over by this:

I pulled around to where other cabs have made their own staging area and tried to figure this out. I saw a bunch of guys walking around in all black with head sets on. This looked all too familiar. It was reminding me of the days I worked in theatre. Then a large moving truck pulled up and they started unloading road cases for a band.

I was confused. We have live music on Fremont all the time and they never block off the streets. Why this time? Why on a day I’m working?

I pull up to the make shift cab stand and grab my phone to start typing. As I’m pecking away on my phone as fast as my two thumbs can go, I hear a rumble. I look up to see a big shiny black diesel truck about two inches from my door. I guess I was so engulfed into the post I was writing I didn’t hear it sneak up on me. I look up to the driver who has now thrown it into reverse and is laughing at me as he backs into his spot. That’s when I saw it.

Who the hell is Ronnie Dunn and why the hell is he taking up my work space? I instantly open my web browser and Google him. The Wikipedia page pops up and I tapped it. I watched as a homeless looking guy appears on my screen.

So I read on. Come to find out this is the “Dunn” part of “Brooks & Dunn“. I have heard of these guys but that’s where my knowledge ends. Come to find out they are a country group and I guess they are quite popular. Dunn has decided to work on a solo album over the last year or so and this is part of the tour for it.

With this information I declared it was OK that my work space was being invaded. I mean everyone needs to make a buck. So back to work I went.

As far as all of you who have read this and are asking yourselves how can I not know these guys, I can say one thing; early on-set dementia with a butt load of not liking country music.

P.S.

After getting home I jumped on the computer to put the pics in the post (never use the WP App because while you can use it to put pics in, I have lost two posts due to crashes) and had to go back to Wikipedia to get one one of the pics and noticed that I was more out of the loop then I thought.

Come to find out, the ACM Awards are here in town this week. That’s the real reason for this concert. While he is debuting his solo record, this is not part of his tour. If you would like to check out dates for it here’s the link.

A Cab Drivers Voice

I recently wrote a post titled “F The B”  that struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about my industry and made me angry. I have my wife proof all my posts and when she finished “F That B” she asked me something I haven’t thought about in a while.

Wife: please tell me you reported this?
Me: I wish I could’ve but it goes no where.
Wife: what are you talking about, why wouldn’t it go anywhere?
Me: trust me, been here done that, I’m over it.

This conversation really made me think and it made me mad. I’m not this kind of person. I’m the kind of person that calls in every drunk driver, stops at most traffic accidents where help is not already there (I use to work in the medical field and try to help when I can), and help people in need within reason. So why have I changed my ways? Why is, “It’s a waste of time”, my first thought? I started thinking and I think I figured it out.

I remember the first time I reached out to try to help someone who was in need after I had started to drive a cab. It was about three months after I started and I had picked up a single male from the airport who was going to the Stratosphere Hotel. On the way there I started in on my normal chit chat. He was in from Kentucky and said he was wanting to find his friends while he was in town. I asked where they were staying and got an answer I never in a million years expected, “They’re dead”. A calm silence filled the car. I had no clue what to say. I’m a trained critical incident counselor and found myself speechless. So I did the one thing I could think of. I listened.

He started telling me about his plan while in Vegas and how he had even told people at home. He said they just laughed it off and told him,”you need this break so enjoy your time out there”. The details started pouring out. He came to town with a backpack that was full of every dollar to his name. He booked a room at the hotel for a week and after checking in, he was going to hit the tables. He was going to play the tables until he had nothing but $100 left. When he got down to his “goal” he planned to eat a “nice meal” and go find his friends. I asked how he planned to find his friends and he came back with a detailed explanation.

First I plan to rig a rope to the ceiling of the room. I then plan to dangle there until I see them. But if the ceiling is too low, I will find a way to fly off the tower. One way or another I will find them and life will go on.

Once again I didn’t know what to say. I started with the basics and I asked if he had thought about getting help from the VA. He said he doesn’t want their help and that he believed that they are the reason he feels this way. They took his friends so why would they want to help him. I then asked if I could take him to a place that was not a part of the military to try and get him some help. He refused.  I took the last few minutes to try to talk him down but had no response.  I was wishing that I could just take him to the hospital or somewhere for help, but as a driver it is against the law for me to take a fare anywhere other than where they want to go. I could be charged with kidnapping and much more. So I pull up to the hotel and let him out.  I then call over the bellman and let him know what he was telling me. I get blown off and move on to security with the same response.  I then call my supervisor and fill him in on what I had just been told and once again got the blow off.  Not knowing what else to do, I called the Taxi Authority and they said I need to let the hotel know and that it was all that I could do.

I was upset. Everywhere I turned I got the same response and felt helpless.  I sat there for a few minutes and finally just went back to work. I felt like shit the rest of the day. The next few days I tried to find out what happened to him and see if the hotel had any issues with guests. I got no where and finally had to just push it out of my mind.  I had a few more situations similar to this and time after time I got the same response. I have developed a mind-set over the last few years to just let things go. I am just a driver and all I have to do is get someone from point A to point B. I only help when I’m asked to.

I still have a hard time with this and I know this fare will always be in the back of my mind. I wish there was a way to make changes in the industry. Give me your thoughts and let me know what you would do.