Vegas Baby

Last week I went to Vegas for my first tradeshow of the year. I hadn't been to Vegas since June when I went for two tradeshows two weeks apart. (More on my blog Domo Does Vegas x 2.) I love Vegas, but in small doses. Two times in two weeks is too much. I've also noticed that the more I come to Vegas for work versus leisure, the less fun it becomes. Long days, a lot of walking, late dinners ... and then up again to stand all day in heels at 8am! Its exhausting.

Welcome to Las Vegas

View From My Room

I got into Vegas Wednesday evening and went straight to my hotel to check-in (the Cosmopolitan) and drop off my stuff, and then walked over to Caesars where the show would be to set-up the booth. When I walked up to our booth area and the booth canisters and other things I had sent weren't there, I momentarily panicked. Where was my shipment? An hour later (and no thanks to the show manager) I found out that the items were at the business center .. which was now closed. GREAT. That meant I had to set-up the next morning. Sigh.

Passed the Bellagio Between the Cosmo and Caesars

Tragically Sad Vegas Dinner

I headed back to my hotel and picked up Panda Express on the way home. Gross. I don't think I've had Panda in years! I didn't really have many other choices. Vegas is a strange place to be alone. I eat by myself all the time when I travel. Eating alone at a Vegas restaurant seemed too weird though, and my take-out options were limited. I brought back my food, watched some crappy TV, and was in bed by 10pm.

Domo Digged the Hotel Room

Love Getting Two Beds - One to Sleep In, One to Lay Clothes On

Cool Desk and Interactive TV

Modern Bathroom

Ummm ... Viewing Panel From the Shower?

The next morning my plan was to run over to Caesars, set-up the booth, run back, shower, get ready, and then head back over. Putting the booth up is moderately difficult manual labor and I didn't want to do it in my work clothes. When I got to the business center the next morning they were so backlogged with deliveries that they told me they couldn't give me my items for another hour ... which was when the show started. AHH! I ran back to my hotel (got in a nice 2 mile run roundtrip!), showered, changed, and accepted the fact that I'd be setting up in a dress. Sigh.

Got To Do Fake Surgery with my Booth Neighbor
(The funnel pops the implant in through an incision hole)

Smart Girls Walk in Flats, Carry Their Heels

Luckily when my booth was delivered and I started to put the framework together, the men on either side of my booth helped me out. And they say chivalry is dead! Alone the booth can take 45 minutes to an hour to assemble, but with help you can get it together in 20 minutes. Right as I put the finishing touches on our display (slipped the DVD into the player), my counterpart from Sales showed up. Go figure! The first day of the show was pretty long (8am - 7pm!!), but at least they served drinks and appetizers in the final hour.

Waiters With Appetizers - Score!

The "Shot Show" Was in Town

After the show we had a group dinner over at Prime at the Bellagio. We've eaten there the last few times we've been in Vegas and its one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The food is incredible and so is the service. If you're looking for a nice steak restaurant next time you're in Vegas, check this place out!

Celebrity Arrival? Check Out That Luggage!

Cupcake Tower - Amazing!

Prime Steakhouse Seafood Platter - Incredible!

The second day of the show was shorter (8am - 5pm), and luckily it was also time for me to go home right after! I needed to get back to San Diego Friday night since I would be working the Carlsbad Marathon expo all day Saturday on behalf of the San Francisco Marathon. Two days pimping my product in Vegas followed by one day pimping my hometown marathon in Carlsbad? Tradeshow warrior!!

The Casinos Were All Decked Out for Chinese New Year

Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan

Morning Run on the Strip

When I got to the Vegas airport I was dismayed to see that there was a "weather delay" in Phoenix and the flight was delayed. Huh? Weather delay?? Turns out one runway was closed in Phoenix for repairs so all of the flights were backed up. Um, doesn't that seem like something they would have scheduled around? Anyways, I suffered through major anxiety worrying about missing my connection in Phoenix and getting into San Diego late on Saturday, but luckily all flights in and out of Phoenix were delayed so I made my connection and got home by 10pm Friday night. Whew!

Possible Weather Delay??

Snacks Waiting When You Board - Gotta Love First Class!

The trip to Vegas was quick, tiring, and a bit fun. I will need to make sure that my next trip back there is for fun instead of work!

Domo Does Vegas X2

This past month Domo went to Vegas not one, but two times! That's a lot of Vegas for Domo, or anyone! Vegas is like bacon, its great in moderation. Two 4-day trips to Vegas withing two weeks? Bleh, too much Vegas!

Las Vegas Strip at Night

Trip #1

For the first trip Domo, David, and Monika drove out to Vegas from San Diego. The drive was surprisingly fast, and took about 4 1/2 hours. Counting the time you waste at the airport before and after a flight, driving doesn't take that much longer. Domo recently read the book "Delivering Happiness" about Zappos and had signed up for a tour of the Zappos headquarters. The tour was really neat and ended with Domo feeling like royalty! (More about the book and tour on the blog: Delivering Happiness.)

Domo is Zappos Royalty!

King David & Princess Monika

Since Monika was in Vegas for a tradeshow, Domo and David had the days to themselves to party hard! Well okay, not really. But Domo and David did have time to walk around the strip and get to see Vegas during the day. Instead of staying at the host hotel/casino for the show, Domo decided to stay at a Marriott resort down the street from the show that was about the same price. Instead of staying in a smokey casino with an average sized room Domo got a HUGE suite with a full kitchen. And like all Marriotts, the place was smoke free! (Monika's review on Yelp of the Marriott Grand Chateau here.)

Domo at the Bellagio Fountain Show

After each day of the tradeshow Domo got to go out to eat in Vegas. He tried the Italian restaurant Trevi at Caesars (Yelp review here) and the churrascaria Pampas at the Miracle Mile shops. (Yelp review here)  

Monika & David at Caesars Palace

Since this trip to Vegas fell the weekend before Monika's *cough* 23rd birthday, Domo decided to take Monika to see the Beatles Love show by Cirque du Soleil! Domo has seen several of the Cirque du Soleil shows before and has really liked them, but heard that Love is totally different and a must see. It didn't disappoint!

Monika & David at Beatles Love

After three days in Vegas it was time to head back home. Domo and friends had fun, but were happy to escape the heat and head back to San Diego.

Trip #2

Two weeks after the first trip, Domo had to head back to Vegas again. Blahhh... Monika had another tradeshow but instead of driving out Domo and Monika flew out ... First Class! Whoo hoo! Domo has been doing really well on First Class upgrades this year. The airlines must know that Domo is VIP! Very Important Pocket-doll. haha

After setting up the tradeshow booth (alone!), Domo had all afternoon and evening by himself before the rest of the crew came in that night. Let Domo tell you this ... spending the afternoon in Vegas alone is BORING. Domo thought about going to the pool but realized he only brought his lap swimming suit and not his bikini. (Yeah, Domo wears a bikini! What did you think he wore?) 

Room View of the Bellagio Pools

Domo walked the strip, window shopped, and finally ended up at the Petrossian piano bar near registration where he hung out for an hour or so until his coworker arrived. 

Shrimp Cocktail at Petrossian (3 pieces? Really?)

For dinner Domo had sushi at Yellowtail in the Bellagio. Dinner was very yummy and one of the things Domo had to eat was a sushi roll that had Pop Rocks on it! Mmmm! Domo loves sushi. And Pop Rocks!

Domo Having Cappuccino at Yellowtail

The next day the tradeshow started and Monika spent the next three days pimping her product. Domo thinks that standing in a booth talking about wrinkles for three days sounds boring, but Monika seems to really like her job. Domo is glad he's a Domo of leisure and doesn't need to work.

Domo Having Breakfast in His Room

(BTW this is what $29 buys you... omg)

Domo went to two group dinners while he was in Vegas for the second time that were pretty fancy. One was at Olives and the other was at Prime. Both restaurants were in the Bellagio which was great for Domo. Domo's poor little feet hurt on this trip! No crazy dishes of note were ordered at Olives, but Domo's socks were knocked off twice at Prime when he first saw the seafood platter, and then when he saw the tomahawk steak for two. 

Seafood Platter at Prime Steakhouse

Tomahawk Steak at Prime Steakhouse

 (Domo didn't eat this. He had a petite fillet)

Good thing Domo always works on his fitness when he travels! Domo ate a lot on this trip! Domo and Monika went running each morning in Vegas even though it was about 90F out by 7am. 

Running the Strip by the Bellagio

Running the Strip by Circus Circus

Running the Strip Approaching Paris

Domo ended up leaving Vegas a day before the show ended because Monika needed to be back in San Diego early since she had a triathlon on Sunday. Domo had fun while he was in Vegas but has probably had enough Vegas for the year now. Next up? San Francisco! Domo and friends are heading to San Francisco this weekend to see the NKOTB/BSB concert! YES REALLY! Domo is so excited! More on that next week.

Domo Does Boston

Have you missed Domo? Domo has missed you! Domo hasn't had a chance to blog since January when Domo went to Arizona. (More on Domo's blog "Domo Does the Desert") Domo has been dying to write about his travels! You know you miss Domo's writing. Monika only blogs about running. Blah, blah, blah. Domo blogs about FUN!

This past week Domo flew out to Boston for a tradeshow. Considering Domo hasn't flown since February, Domo was really surprised that he was upgraded on 3 out of 5 flights for the trip. Usually Domo's upgrade rate is around 40%. While 60% may not seem like a huge increase, it really is! I mean its 50% more than 40% ... but Domo won't bore you with the math. On the flight out Domo flew from San Diego to Phoenix, Phoenix to Boston. Boston to Philly, and Philly to Denver to San Diego. Domo was in a lot of airports.

Boston Trip

Domo was in Boston from Saturday through Tuesday. Just like most of the other times Domo has been to Boston, Domo only saw the airport, his hotel, the convention center, other hotels, and restaurants on his trip. Domo isn't complaining - he likes the free trips, but wishes that one of these days he can visit Boston for fun. On Domo's first night in Boston he got in late in the day, set-up his tradeshow booth, had dinner solo in the hotel lobby bar, and then went to bed by 10pm EST. Yes, Domo went to bed at 7pm on his timezone. Hey, don't judge - Domo wanted to get up early to run!

 Chips & Onion Dip in the Hotel Lobby

Domo Likes Sleeping

The next morning Domo enjoyed some room service, hit the gym for a few miles on the treadmill, and then spent the day (9am - 8pm ..... seriously??) at the tradeshow before going out to dinner with some coworkers.

Domo Loves Marriott Room Service Breakfast

Domo and friends ended up at the Barking Crab restaurant which was a few minutes away from the convention center. The place looked pretty casual but had a great menu of fresh seafood. Hey, when in Boston, Domo eats nothing but seafood!

Overcast Day in Boston by the Convention Center

 

Inside the Convention - All About Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The next day Domo got up early again and this time headed to the pool instead of the treadmill. The Renaissance Boston Waterfront where Domo was staying had a really weird but cool pool. Single lane lap pool that's only three feet deep? Perfect for Domo's lap swimming!

Domo's Solo Lap Pool

After Domo swam some laps he spent another day at the tradeshow and went out for a group dinner at Villa Francesca with his coworkers and some other people from his industry.

Being Silly with the Compression Wear Mannequins

The next day at the tradeshow wasn't much else of note (aside from scoring on some great skincare items!), and before Domo knew it he was leaving Boston and headed to Philly.

Domo Loves His Job (And Free Skincare!)

 Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream from NeoCutis
NeoCleanse Cleanser from NeoCutis
Pressed Mineral Foundation from Colorscience

Philly for the Day

Domo had plans to spend the day with the MidAtlantic rep on Wednesday before finally heading back to San Diego. After leaving the tradeshow Tuesday night Domo hoped on a plane to Philly and dragged his tired body and sore feet to his hotel room. Domo was staying at the PHL airport Residence Inn (one of SIX hotel choices in the Marriott brand family) and was pleased but alarmed when he was upgraded to a two bedroom suite. This hotel room (suite) was bigger than Domo's apartment! Domo was instantly unnerved and had to check the bathroom shower stall and closets in both bedrooms for murderers. Yes, Domo is a crazy paranoid person.

Domo and a Philly Pretzel

Upon checking in Domo was pleased when the girl at  the front desk said with excitement "As an Elite member we have a special gift for you!" Domo got so excited wondering what would be pulled out of the special drawer! "Here's a Philadelphia pretzel for you!" .. huh? What's a Philadelphia pretzel? It looked like a small soft pretzel ... wrapped cutely in plastic with ribbons. Hey, Domo will take it. Thanks Residence Inn!

Domo Loves Residence Inn Breakfast!
(Okay, looks gross -  but scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and ham is perfect!)

Domo spent the next day out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with the local rep visiting customers and prospects. The day flew by and before Domo knew it he was ready to head to the airport to fly back to San Diego. Before taking Domo to the airport the rep stopped for gas in NJ. Domo forgot that it was mandatory full service in New Jersey ... and then Domo almost experienced cardiac arrest when he saw how much gas was .....$3.89?!?!?! Do you know how much Domo has been paying to get gas in San Diego? $4.23! And Domo has to pump hit himself! ARGH!

New Jersey Gas

Heading Home

Domo was flying home from Philly through Denver to San Diego. Domo usually tries to avoid connecting in Denver due to all of the turbulence in that area, but this was the best flight option Domo had going home. Domo was pretty tired from his long trip and was hoping to sleep most of the way from Philly to Denver and Denver to Philly.  Domo wasn't able to sleep much on the first plane and stared out the window during the whole descent. Domo was confused by the thick white clouds that they descending through for a long time ... until suddenly they landed! Whoah, was that snow? It looked like there was a blizzard in Denver! Wasn't it just 70F in Philly?

Blizzard in May?

Thanks to the snow in Denver (in unison - "Thanks Denver ... ") Domo's flight was delayed about two hours. Instead of getting home at 11pm PST (um, 1am EST), Domo ended up getting home around 1:30am PST. Sigh ... Domo was hanging out at the gate in Denver when what do you know, Domo bumped into a former coworker from his current job. This person had just left recently and Domo was surprised that he was not only on Domo's flight, but seated next to him! Small world!  A few miserable hours later and Domo was finally home, in his own bed, and dreaming away into the night. Domo decided to set his alarm for 7:30am to let him sleep in. Guess what? Domo woke up at 5:30am before his alarm. ARGH. 3 1/2 hours of sleep? Sigh.

Thursday was a REALLY long day (no sleep, rushed day, long meeting, coaching Girls on the Run, etc), but Domo was glad to be home and ready for the weekend. Domo is super excited that his next trip is  not for work but is for vacation! Guess where Domo is headed? Paris!! For details of Domo's trip to Paris last year, check out Domo's blog "5 Days of Family Fun in France".