Into the desert we went to Laughlin where we would be having our getaway time. I wish there were cue cards for life because I am anxious about sharing my condition with those that I love. I have long since made my peace with it and it causes me some grief when I have to recount or explain myself to others. People know right away that I am not "myself".
Our Host greeted us inn the Executive Check In room at the Aquarius. I wasn't comfortable with telling our Host what was up with me and instead shrugged it off as being too over zealous at the previous night's Duran Duran concert. There was no way I was going to spoil her infectious mood unnecessarily and have her worry while we were here visiting. I will mention it at a later date in full once I feel the time is right. We were presented with two aprons and a Deli Pro knife as part of our gift bag. There were a few hours to kill before the Celebrity Chef dinner so we grabbed a few zzz's.
Leann Rimes is playing next door at the Edgewater Casino. Her tour bus is out back.
At 5pm the doors opened and the both of us were amazed at the participation level. For whatever reason, I had envisioned a group of 30 people or so. Not the case at all. Easily there were 250-300 attendees. As usual, we were by far the youngest guests there. The GM directed us to the front of the room where we were to see our Host for seating arrangements. As we stood near the front table full of RESERVED signs, a rather rude woman piped up that the seats that we were standing in front of were "taken". I looked at James appalled by her lack of cooth and class.
In no time at all we were given a great table facing the stage. Another younger couple joined us but they were not all that social. To our right sat a husband, wife and sister (the W's) and they were very nice to introduce themselves and start up conversation. It was apparent that I would have to explain myself to MRS at some point and I did so with much reserve. Her eyes filled up with tears as I leaned in to tell her "my story" and bring some answers to the questions which I knew she was too polite to ask. My hand gently sat on her arm as I looked her in the eyes and urged her not to be sad for me. I was quick to tell her that I had been blessed with a very full and enriched life for someone my age and that I found my ailment to be a blessing because it would serve as a daily reminder to not waste my life. As this couple was in their early 80's, it seemed right away that we found common ground where on the surface, there seemed like none. MRS said to me that it is how they live their life too at the age that they are and it is something that they have no choice but to think about.
The meal was as follows:
Black Olive Tapenade over French Crostini
Sundried Cranberry Waldorf Salad with Vina Walnuts and Citric Cream dressing
Braisede Filet with Wild Mushrooms, Gorgonzola Cheese and Tawny Port glace de Viand
Chicken Breast Vesuvio with Match Stick Potatoes, White Wine and Pea Beurblanc
Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Duchess Potato
Fresh Vegetable Medley
Cherry Vanilla Cream Tartlet with Brandied Cherry Mascarpone Cheese
While we finished up the amazing dessert, one of the chefs carved an ice sculpture of a fish.
The W's departed but not before Mrs, who struggled to get up, reached over and hugged me while whispering in my ear that she will include me in her prayers and she expressed a "May God Bless You". I hugged her back and gave her a peck on the cheek. Both of us were enriched by the exchange of the evening and the ability to share a moment and each others lives beyond normal conversation.
We stopped to say thank you to our Host on the way out before spending a few hours playing VP. At 10:30pm we called it an evening and once again I did fine with $100 in and $200 out to offset James' daily loss. I got on a great machine that provided me with lots of quads, full houses and three sets of 4OAK aces and Bonus threes.
