What’s new on this site and with Dr. Schwartz.
There’s a great contest happening over at VegasTripping. Win, and you could get a very rare and obscenely valuable signed copy of Roll the Bones, plus and unsigned copy of the mostly-overlooked Rush CD, Roll the Bones. It’s a good deal, even if Alice in Chains’ Dirt is the real theme album for the book–at […]
Win RtB (and Rush) Read More »
what's newAt least that’s what they tell me. I was interviewed for an episode of THS Investigates called “Vegas Winners and Losers.” I’m not sure which one I’m supposed to represent. We did the interview in front of a blue screen, so they could put me in front of any kind of backdrop. I’m guessing that
I don’t have too much to say this week because I’ve got too much to do. Call it the conjunction of summer session B starting, me returning to work, and too many projects needing my attention. I’ve got big plans, though: one big book review, a huge update to the carpet gallery, and tons more.
There’s a site called blogged.com whose purpose is to help people find blogs they like. Through a process that’s entirely a mystery to me, they have reviewed this humble electronic notebook and concluded that it is “great:” Right now, I’m ranked #48 in the “Recreation and Games” category, right below Paintball Guns and just above
I’ve done one last thing before putting site work away for the weekend: I’ve changed the background graphic. If you don’t believe me, hit F5, and you’ll see. Originally, the background just featured elements from the Bellagio carpet, but it now features bits and pieces of at least a half-dozen. Can you guess any of
I’m still hustling through the site redesign. As you see, I’ve spiffed up the background a little. Can you guess where I got the inspiration for the new pattern? Without looking at a certain part of this site? Comment if you can. I’ve also converted the books section, so check that out, too.
If you don’t see something really different from the old look, bash the F5 key repeatedly. Or just click on the “browser refresh” icon. I haven’t tested the new look in Netscape, IE, or Safari, so if you are using one of those and see something totally goofy, drop me a line. It will be
The International Gaming Institute and Center for Gaming Research are co-sponsoring yet another author event at UNLV. This one will be held at the Stan Fulton Building, and stars Tom Breitling, the former co-owner of the Golden Nugget. For more info, check here: News – Tom Breitling – Double or Nothing I’m looking forward to
Tom Breitling at UNLV Read More »
what's newThe Center for Gaming Research is sponsoring a new series of Gaming Research Colloquia that feature lunchtime talks by gambling researchers at UNLV Special Collections. Check it out: March 21 Transforming Gambling Research into “Big History” Larry Gragg, Ph.D. Curators’ Teaching Professor History and Political Science Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri March
Gaming Research Colloquium comes to town Read More »
what's newI’ve just updated this site’s writing page, with links to all sorts of cool stuff that I’ve written, including these recent pieces: Atlantic City History Pachyderm Promoter — March 2008 Flight Path — February 2008 The Name Game — January 2008 Las Vegas Business Press Data prove that gambling industry is resilient, but hardly bulletproof
Writing page updated! Read More »
what's new…on those 3 signed copies of Roll the Bones that KNPR is auctioning. Better yet, buy it now for a mere $120. It’s rare that you get the chance to a) buy a comprehensive history of gambling and b) support public radio with one click of the mouse. In fact, this is the first time
Radio stations aren’t cheap to run, particularly public radio stations dedicated to quality programming. Nevada’s Public Radio, KNPR, is hosting an online auction that’s live right now, and among the items up for bid are three priceless signed copies of Roll the Bones. Interestingly, the book isn’t in the crowded “Books and Music” category (89
Support KNPR! Buy stuff Read More »
what's newI’m up in Reno today with very little time to post, so I’ll just continue to urge you to vote in my Gaming Hall of Fame contest. I still don’t know what the winning prize will be, but that’s why they call it gambling, isn’t it?
Bet on the Hall of Fame Read More »
what's newI’ve just finished–for now–what has become an annual rite, my making over this site. This year, with an incredible amount of stuff to do, it’s a relatively small set of changes. That, and the fact that I’m pretty happy with the way the site already looks. If you haven’t done already, hit “refresh” on your
The changes are cast Read More »
what's newOne of the best parts about teaching is grading papers. Well, if you replace “best” with “worst” or “most tedious,” that’s true. I’m celebrating Nevada Day by finishing grading the midterms from ECON 411, Social and Economic Aspects of Gaming. What, you might wonder, would be on such a test? Here are some examples: TRUE/FLASE:
Thoughts on grading Read More »
what's newWorking with lightning speed and a rare determination, I managed to totally revamp the Neon Survey exhibit in less than 24 hours–with not a minute of overtime, no less. I’ve already started reworking the Xanadu exhibit. In general, I’m making all of the exhibits conform more readily to the UNLV web standard, but I’m also
No story links today, because I’m busy remodeling the Virtual Museum over at gaming.unlv.edu. The place looked great in 2002, but it’s definitely do for a revamp. I’m generally making it look less like the place where I learned to do web design, and more like a streamlined academic resource. One casualty: the picture of
As promised, here’s information about the latest Author Event sponsored by UNLV Libraries and the Center for Gaming Research. Steve Friess, who you might know as one of the most famous Vegas podcasters around, will be speaking at UNLV November 8. From the CGR website: WHAT: Steve Friess, author of GAY VEGAS, will speak, answer
Steve Friess speaking at UNLV Read More »
life in vegas, what's newThe well-oiled media machine that is Gotham Books publicity is gearing up again, now that Roll the Bones is nearly available in paperback. Yes, all of you dedicated readers who were too cheap to spend $30 on 566 pages worth of gambling history (or you were saving your money for keno) now only have to
If you are in Reno on Monday, October 1 at 4 pm, I really urge you to stop by Schulich Lecture Hall on UNR’s campus for what promises to be a great talk by Aaron Santesso, a UNR English professor. The lecture is presented by the Core Humanities Program and is called “Dickens in the
Surveillance and Dickens Read More »
what's new