Randomly interesting, often unusual, pieces of news and opinion that can’t otherwise be categorized.
…rather than the opposite, as this incident–unfortunately caught live on camera–from CES shows: Reporter Dan Simmons from the BBCs technology show Click managed to break a mobile phone marketed as “unbreakable”, during a demonstration at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. via BBC News – Reporter breaks an unbreakable mobile phone at CES. Click […]
Why it pays to under-promise and over-deliver Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegasTaking a minute from the grind of analyzing the April Nevada gaming revenues, I figured I’d post this story, which surprisingly hasn’t really been picked up by the Vegas blogosphere. From KLAS: The Raelian Movement is announcing plans to build a UFOland in Las Vegas where visitors can attend a Happiness Academy and see a
If a red flag is flying, brazen bold against the blue… Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegas, news about gamblingIn 1969, Florida-based fast-food chain Lum’s bought Caesars Palace. Lum’s was best known for their hot dogs and beer, but the company owned a slew of businesses, including the Abner’s family fast food chain (which didn’t serve beer), Dirr’s processed meats, and Eagle Army-Navy stores. One of the top items on Lum’s menu was the
I guess this is what’s going to become of the Cosmopolitan. from the LV Sun: Hilton Hotels Corp. of Beverly Hills, Calif., said Tuesday its creating an eclectic brand called Denizen Hotels and is working to bring that brand to Las Vegas and other major destinations. "Denizen Hotels, a lifestyle brand that will attract business
Mission statement inn Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegasTrying to ship some things, I found an interesting disclaimer: UPS, UPS brandmark, and the Color Brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. UPS Rates and Services. If a company really can trademark a color, Wynn Las Vegas is due to get with a HUGE trademark infringement lawsuit any
As more people have less cash, many of them are turning to bartering goods and services. It’s a bold leap back to the Iron Age for America’s formerly fastest-growing metropolis. From the LVRJ: According to a craigslist spokeswoman, the site has seen a "significant growth in our bartering section as craigslist users get creative to
It’s apparently official: Devine Racing will be out of the Las Vegas Marathon after this Sunday’s run. From the LV Sun: Devine will not manage the race after this year. A company that operates successful marathons across the country is taking over. San Diego-based Competitor Group Inc. thinks it can eventually draw as many as
Las Vegas Marathon news Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegasSome folks down in Cape May, NJ (home of the Winter Getaway) thought it would be a good idea to relocate a colony of feral cats. Now, they are beset by skunks. From the AC Press: McGlade has run the oceanfront eatery next to Cape May Convention Hall for 28 years, and never before had
Why you should leave cats alone Read More »
atlantic city, haphazard worldWhile I might actually be, I hope that’s not true. I wanted to examine and deconstruct this Chronicle of Higher Education piece on stupidity in American culture (particularly among the youth), but I’m way too busy. And next week is looking even worse, so don’t expect much here. Hopefully by the end of the week
Too stupid to post Read More »
haphazard worldReading this article by Virginia Postrel, I started thinking about how “inconspicuous consumption” might translate on the Las Vegas Strip. Then I got back to work. But then I figured I should share some thoughts with the rest of you. Here’s just the most relevant part of the article, which you should read in its
Inconspicuous luxury? Read More »
haphazard worldWhen I worked casino security, I used to enjoy seeing all sorts of strange items turn up in the lost and found. But I never got anyone arrested, like these folks did. From foxnews: A man has been charged in Kitsap County for possession of a controlled substance after he made the mistake of attempting
Lost & found & arrested Read More »
haphazard world, news about gamblingThese days, I consider myself lucky if I have time to sleep. So I was a bit taken aback to learn, through some completely serendipitous web browsing, that some people, calling themselves lotologists, have invented a new hobby. From Word Spy: lotologist (law.TAWL.uh.jist) n. A person who collects new and used lottery tickets. Word Spy
Too much spare time Read More »
haphazard worldPollsters have known for a long time that you can often elicit a different answer based on how you phrase a question. For instance, most voters would say yes to a questions about whether they support government doing more to help educate children about gambling, but would answer no if asked whether taxes should be
It’s all in the name Read More »
haphazard world…or the Nevada budget situation is far more dire than we’ve been led to believe. From KLAS: Buckley said one of those areas needs to be prisons. The finance committee went ahead with plans to close the Jean prison, saving the state $11 dollars. It had been closed and reopened twice before. Las Vegas Now
Either that’s a typo… Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegasYou know your career’s heading downhill when you used to playing parliaments and congresses, but now you’re being booked into bingo halls and casinos. And not even Strip casinos: Hard Rock Live – Event – Mikhail Gorbachev At first I thought this was some kind of mistake, or my sleep-deprived brain was playing tricks on
From Red Square to Hard Rock Read More »
gambling & culture, haphazard worldMore parallel universe reporting from the LV Sun: Some of the students who failed a new math test shouldn’t have been in the class in the first place, longtime educator Bill Hanlon told the Clark County School Board on Thursday. Up until a few years ago, the only students who took algebra in high school
Who needs algebra? Read More »
haphazard world, life in vegasLooking for something completely different, I found this gem, courtesy of MSNBC: Near-misses often turn into hits, especially in a place where trouble is likely to find you. For example, you shouldn’t be surprised when you travel to a third-world country with an atrocious air safety record, and your plane overshoots the runway, bursting into
There’s a proposal floating around–at the state level–to drug test candidates for public office. I say, this is long overdue. From WLTX (South Carolina): People filing for public office would also have to submit to drug testing under a proposal pitched by a state senator. Senate Republican Leader Harvey Peeler filed his bill a day
Drug testing for candidates Read More »
haphazard worldThis story didn’t happen in Las Vegas, but it could have. From the LVRJ: A 6-foot-3, 265-pound man says a restaurant overcharged him for his trips to the buffet line, then banned him and a relative because they’re hearty eaters. A spokesman for the restaurant denies the claim. Ricky Labit, a disabled offshore worker, said
Banned at the buffet Read More »
haphazard world