Viva La Domo!

This past week Domo got to go to Vegas for the first time! Domo loves Monika’s job and how often he gets the chance to travel. Guess where Domo and Monika got to stay in Vegas? At the Bellagio! Another five diamond resort! Cue the music and water show Oceans Eleven style.

Domo was shocked by how inexpensive the rooms were at the Bellagio. He could have sworn that years ago resorts like the Bellagio and the Venetian were close to $500 or $600/night. The regular room rate during this trip was only $209/night, and because Domo was attending a tradeshow in the hotel, the group rate was only $129! Domo could not believe it! If you are looking for a fun place to travel to, come to Vegas!

Bellagio Room w/View of the Rio

 Where's Domo? (In the world's most stocked mini-bar!)

 A String of Trips

Domo and Monika had plans of three trips back to back, and during that time Monika’s friend Diane was kind enough to watch her dogs. We call this “Mika and Kona going to camp”. Domo and Monika drove out to Diane’s house in Phoenix with the dogs and flew out to Vegas the next morning.

California/Mexican Fence - View from the 8 Freeway

Upon arriving in Vegas Domo checked into his room and then called down to see if his tradeshow booth was ready to pick-up yet. Unfortunately even though it had been delivered at 11:30am, the shipments were still being processed and could not be picked up for a couple hours. That’s okay, Domo had lunch with his coworkers and then two of them moved out to the pool to continue their meeting. Don’t think Domo is a slacker! Domo really did get work done out there!

 Bellagio Pool - One of Several

Tradeshow Time

In the middle of enjoying some poolside work, Domo received a call that his booth was ready to be delivered to the tradeshow floor. Of course the call came right as Domo dipped his furry brown self into the cool water of the pool. Darnit. Domo then had to run back across the hotel half wet to go set-up. Domo is very proud to say that he set-up the booth all by himself in about 10 minutes flat. Domo ROCKS. That’s about 5 minutes better than his last attempt in Colorado.

Glass Ceiling Art in the Lobby

Domo only got to hang outside by the water for about an hour or so before it was time to shower and get ready to exhibit during the evening welcome reception. Domo was so excited to see that it would be a wine and cheese reception ... even though Domo hates cheese. Yep, just like Monika.

Bellagio Gardens

That night Domo and his coworkers and some doctors went out to dinner at the Prime steak restaurant in the hotel. Dinner started at 8:30pm and didn’t end until midnight. Midnight!! We were the last table to leave. Wow we must make enthralling conversationalists! Domo usually goes to bed around 10pm and was barely alert by the time the dinner ended. Domo personally did not contribute to the conversation much in the last hour. Too tired.

Seafood Platter

Domo got up early the next morning to go workout at the hotel gym. Domo had to pay $25 to workout! Ridiculous! Domo thought that the gym was really nice, but $25? Highway robbery! This next tradeshow day was a full day, 9am – 6pm. There were several quiet times in the day and during those times Domo was able to get a lot of work done. Domo is so efficient! (Actually Domo is just nervous about wrapping all of his work up before leaving for vacation. You might call Domo a stress case.)

Perks of the Job

One of the great things about going to tradeshows is getting free goodies! I mean – meeting new doctors and talking to them about our product. ;o) When Domo went to dental shows he used to get free toothbrushes, discounted power toothbrushes, and lots of free teeth bleach. As you can see, Domo has a big smile and needs shiny white teeth! In the aesthetics industry, Domo is getting even better free goodies! He got another sample of Replenix retinal face cream from Topix, and also got a free HydraFacial from the booth next door!

 HydraFacial Booth Neighbor

Domo was so excited! His face is smoother and more even brown-toned and furry than ever before! The HydraFacial is a facial machine that exfoliates your skin, hydrates it, and infuses it with various solutions. Treatment costs range from $150-250, and the reps told Domo that in the Bellagio Spa they were doing these facial treatments for $350! Holy batmobile!

Vegas Nightlife

The second night that Domo was in Vegas he ended up back at the Prime restaurant for another dinner with doctors. This time dinner started at 6:30pm … and ended at 11:30pm. Was this restaurant a time warp or something? Sheesh! Domo gets tired!! Domo wanted to go straight to bed again but was talked into hitting the nightclub in the Bellagio called “The Bank”. Domo was out hitting the club! Since Domo is so suave and cool, he ended up getting a table in the club! Oh wait, that wasn’t Domo’s work, that was his coworkers. Whatever. Haha.

 "The Bank" Nightclub at the Bellagio

Domo was pretty tired but tried to be social. He usually likes going out and shaking his furry brown bonbon, but was just too tired. When one of his coworkers wanted to leave about an hour later Domo was so relieved for the opportunity slip out. Whew! Domo was tired.

Leaving Las Vegas

The next two days at the tradeshow were full 9am – 6pm days, but Domo would be missing them because on Friday he had to work from his room to get a report done before flying back to Phoenix, and then on Saturday he would be heading off on his next trip. As Domo checked out of his hotel room he realized that he hadn’t left the hotel in two days since he got there, and aside from his initial pool time, he hadn’t been outside at all! Domo almost fainted when he walked outside for the first time. It was probably 105F. Domo does not like the heat.

 Domo at the Phoenix Airport

When Domo arrived back in Phoenix he went over to his friend Jenna’s new house in Gilbert to see the house and meet her new baby. Guess how hot Domo’s car said it was on his drive over? 114F!! Did Domo accidentally land on the face of the sun?!

 Jenna & Paul

Jenna and her husband Paul were great hosts and cooked a yummy dinner consisting of a raspberry salad, egg rolls, and a California Pizza Kitchen pizza. (Domo peeled the cheese off his pizza of course.) Domo didn’t get a chance to take a picture with baby Conner, so I guess you’ll just have to see one of Monika.

Another Trio of Partial Swedes

Paris Bound

Right now Domo is en route to Paris via Charlotte. The plane he is on is a fancy new Airbus plane with Gogo Inflight Wireless. Cool! Internet on the plane! $12.95 to access the internet? Not cool!

Domo will do without internet and will post his blog once he gets to Paris, even though he feels like the gogo website was talking to him with its “Blog after you board” ad.

Domo is very excited to go to Paris and visit his mom – err Monika’s mom! Domo has never been to Paris before and can’t wait to take pictures all over the city! You know, while the Parisians all give Monika a funny look and mumble “silly American!” under their breath.

Viva La France! 

Stay tuned, next trip report will be about Paris! (To read about last year’s trip, check out the blog “A Week in Paris – Silver flats 7 ways in 7 days”.)