What happens in Vegas… is completely foreign to the rest of the world. What a weird, messed up place. A spectacle for sure, but a crazy, tragic spectacle in my opinion. Every time I’m here, there’s a moment where I think it’s fun and exciting or whatever, then I walk out onto ‘The Strip’ and remember why I can’t really handle much of this place. And what’s crazy about it, is that it’s not just the obvious sex, drugs and unhealthy gambling that weirds me out, but the complete jacked up balance of wealth and poverty. Last night walking back from getting some food it hit me that this entire place was built on the bad decisions of other people. Millions and millions of dollars are blown here in an attempt to be ‘fulfilled’. That blows me away.

I talked to a guy last night who came here for a job at a printing company and then was laid off because the company closed. Now he walks up and down the street playing harmonica for people for tips. Sure he was probably a little crazy, and probably has made some bad choices but a sweet, older guy and he could rock some Richard Marx on the harmonica. Then across the street is some massive mall filled with stores I’ve only heard Oprah talk about surrounded by ice sculptures. Impressive sure, but I’m thinking the harmonica guy could have used a burger.

Now, I don’t mean for this to come across as all ‘preachy’ or whatever, but it’s a pretty sobering feeling when you’re in a place like this and can separate from the lights just enough to realize how sad of a place this really is.

Anyone been to Vegas? Thoughts? Am I way off?