Hannah

 New post, new thoughts. Las Vegas? Recently, just a dilemma. What to write about this corrupt evolving city. Its a question those of us who live here. Those that blog but dont live here, you post about your hotel rooms and all the comps you receive via internet. Im happy you receive all your comps and discounts. 

Let me me tell you a story about last night and today. Her name is Hannah. She is homeless. She lives on the bench in front of our development. I noticed her a few days ago. She was in the Walgreen parking lot. She made a camp out in front of our place. Im not mad. Its cold now. She was walking back and forth to stay warm. I was making myself a grilled cheese and felt bad. I made two. Before I ate mine I put hers in a container, added yogurt, soda and some love. I walked out to go see Hannah. She was scared and kept distance. She told me her name. Said someone left her, homeless. Shes not from Las Vegas and she was ok. I know she isnt ok. I left my homemade sandwich and a nice sweatshirt(its cold). I checked on her all night and day. 

Next day. Shes still there. I was having a smoke on my balcony around 530pm and I saw a man in a nice suit walk up to her bench, she wasn't there. He left a nice box of food for her from a restaurant. He thought about her too. 

We all look out for her. Someone left her. Shes not from Vegas. 

Not everyone wants to be homeless. I feel that where I live we will help her. Everyone does care. It hurts to see her sleep on that bench. She just needs a start. Food is not always the answer but those who can offer more, please try. I struggle too. We need the city to come in and help her. Her name is Hannah.

Las Vegas help those that are left behind. She is a good young woman.

Update, went to go find her out front. Her things are there. I walked to corner mart to get a few items. Asked clerks if they had seen her? First thing out of his mouth is...Shes a drug addict! No shes not! Shes a nice girl an left. She feels safe here and she is. If God Is in my will, I wont let anything happen to her. I dont have much, but I watch out for her.

Who are you? Do you Care? Do you protect or abandon the less fortunate? Think about that.

Press on.

 So the story is written. I was shutdown in 2019 for telling the real story about Las Vegas with real names. Publisher said no real names or locations. We will get sued and cannot take on your book. It will cost too much to publish with all the unseen lawsuits? What? You think folks do not want to know the truth behind the lights of Las Vegas? If I publish without anyone helping me, it will all be exposed. Some living some not. That is what folks want to read! The real, raw behind scenes of the Las Vegas, that is now lost in history, But no one wants to accept what I have written. Yes, it was beautiful, charismatic and magical, yet there is a darkening side of the city that exists. I have those stories. My own recollection with very prominent men that ran the city. On the backside of the Strip, there were many encounters and activities. Some of you will want to read and others you will not. Isn't that what a nonfiction publication is supposed to offer?

If you're so kind please leave a comment. I would like to know your thoughts. Thank you, Scarlett. 

 Las Vegas. New Era, New City, New Laws or Mandates. Not even sure what to say, but will do my best. I arrived in Las Vegas 1987 to become a Las Vegas Showgirl at 18. Yes, I had been visiting since the early 70's and 80's. My parents were married in Las Vegas in the 60's. Ive always enjoyed the city up until there was a complete shutdown in March of 2020. I lost my desire to finish my book about my life as a Showgirl. The city completely changed. There is a lack of love and appreciation. Greed everywhere. Yes there was a greed before, but this new kind of greed is selfish, egotistical and lack of fellow neighbor. 

Because I loved the city so much, I would always live close to the strip where all the action is. During the shutdown of 2020, I was fearing for my life and kitties living 2 blocks from the heart of the city.

Moving to the burbs has not done anything to calm my living situation. South Summerlin in my opinion has been a nighmare. Now, Im the kind of girl who loves privacy and a nice quiet home. I have had no peace since moving and paying a higher rent. I have recently found out my last place is now as expensive as this new place in Summerlin.

Yes, we are feeling the price gauging everywhere, Im not political, but something is happening in the government that is not looking out for its people. So, Im thinking this is the lack of love for thy neighbor. How do we keep on going with this economy? Its all Greed based. 

Therefore, I lost interest in telling the story of a Las Vegas Showgirl. Looking for inspiration, but finding none. Maybe if I keep blogging it will come back to me? Maybe The Les Folies Bergere' reunion in March of 2022 will give me hope and inspiration to finish writing. I can only Dream, but I know Dreams do come true if you believe.

A few memories of Las Vegas

 The Luxor. Opened in 1993. I was living off of Pecos and Reno about 12miles East of the strip in 'Tennis Estates' luxury homes.

Now I live directly across from Luxor 12 miles West and can see the luscious light every night as I did in 1993. Its still spectacular! I do love the lights of Las Vegas.

Ive been here as far back as 1987 and I have never not loved the lights of Las Vegas. They are one in a million.

When I first moved to Las Vegas in 1987, I was astounded at the immense light spectacular of the strip. There is nothing like it in the world. I had been visiting way before 1987. My parents in the 70's and 80's would pack all of us into the camper and we would make a road trip to Vegas. We would camp at Circus Circus camp area on strip. They had a pool and lots of fun recreation for kids. Plus the .99 buffet that my Dad would wake us up for at 6 am! He always liked to be first in line as we all were half asleep! Thanks Dad! My Mom was never a fan. She liked her showers and glam. Not happening at the camp site at Circus Circus! But we all loved it! Dad made everything fun! He would give us all a few coins and we would go play games on 2nd floor of CC while he played down below. My poor Mother was not amused, she still isnt to this day! LOL

Just a moment to share. I love seeing the Luxor Light even though I have no interest to go to Strip at this time. I miss the strip, the lights and memories. I hope we can make new memories in Las Vegas soon. I miss all the fun chaos.

See you all soon. We will be here when you want to come visit again.

Silent City

 Its December 15th 2020. What is there to say or not to say? How can I put into words how I feel about Las Vegas? I feel a silence in my soul for the city I miss. I close my eyes and willfully wish to wake up and see the city I remember. So vibrant and full of life. I close my eyes and dream of days past. I try never to live in the past, but that is the only thing that keeps me hopeful. What else can I be thankful for when everything is taken from us? Im not being dismal. Im being realistic. This whole shit show is what it is. 

I will say that I am grateful for the beautiful kitties I rescued during these past 9 months. Living on the east side of the Las Vegas strip did offer advantages. I felt safe. I could walk everywhere and feel a part of the city. I was just a few blocks away from the strip. It was my home for so many years. I miss it dearly.

Things have changed and I moved 12 miles west of the strip. I feel less safe in Summerlin than I did on east side. Its just a feeling. I had to install an alarm system and to be more vigilant. My heart is on the east side. There is a nostalgic aspect of the 'Forever" east side. The history has me at a crossroads. For those that ask why? I have been in Las Vegas since 1987 and the east side was the place to live. Now its a lower income(in some parts). I feel like I left my soul.

In this new part of town. I do not trust anyone and I dont like walking anywhere. I can walk for miles in Summerlin, but there is a weird vibe. Hard to describe. No more walking.

I see a city in despair. I am not relating any other city to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is unique and special in its on way. 

I sit here and wonder what our city will become. Not even a question. Its just a desert city built on dreams and grandeur. 

The LV Strip or The Burbs

 I lived on the East side of the Las Vegas Strip for most of my life in Las Vegas. I have been in Las Vegas 35 years. The east was one of the best places to live for years. It has gotten run down recently. Even before the shutdown. I do love the east side. But if you are a Vegas local, you'd have much to say. I had to move from my quaint east side place recently to be closer to family. I probably would have stayed. The strip traffic never really bothered me. Because I knew where I lived. It was slow and hectic, but I rarely complained, My only issue was the bad street quality on Paradise between Flamingo and Harmon. Street is not ok, tons of pot holes. I own a classic Corvette, and the streets ruined my tires and suspension. 

The complex which is across street from Hard Rock has been infested with ghetto and low income folks. I was grateful to find a place on the west side in Summerlin. Its beautiful, big, new and has a garage.

My issue is the Nevada drivers.

Strip traffic to me is fine. I understand the way they drive. I have not seen the burbs in awhile. I love the strip!

The burbs is outrageous!  I moved to an upscale property. But, I'm not happy with the local drivers. I live on Fort Apache and Ill say its a freeway. Its 35mi an hour. All day its 55mi an hour or more. I have a classic corvette and it seems everyone expects me to race them? No. Not happening. I value my car. Who are these locals that race everyday and night on Fort Apache ?Why doesn't law enforcement stop these people? Its daily. I'm fearful to drive on this street. Why am I  fearful? I have two hip replacements and I drive a corvette. I'm not trying to race anyone.

So, Id rather be in the ghetto than the burbs. The burbs people are mean, disrespectful, rude, arrogant and selfish. 

Las Vegas living is different in all aspects. Each neighborhood has its own attitude. I prefer the east. But Im here on the west. Will see how it goes. I even have to install a security system which I never had on east. Im told there are more burglaries in upscale neighborhoods? Hmmmm. what a shock.

Until next time stay safe in Las Vegas and please drive speed limit.

Showgirl Storytime

Las Vegas was glamorous and decadent. In the 1980's it was a world that only those that experienced its glory can relate. A celebration of a time past.

The endless neon lights...Showgirls in every casino! I was grateful to be one of them!

Being a Les Folies Bergere' girl at the Tropicana Hotel in the 80's was a privilege. We were considered royalty in Las Vegas. Even though I was barely 18, I had the honor of being part of history that will forever be in the archives of Las Vegas. At the time I did not understand what being a 'Showgirl' meant to the city. Thirty Three later I see that now. The city has changed and nothing will ever have the allure of days gone by.

Even though I was under the age of 21, I was never carded or asked my age. Each dancer was given two drink tickets a night from the producer. They wanted us to mingle in between shows. So, we would get dressed up in between shows and go hang at the center bar at the Tropicana. Some girls chose not  to participate, but I was always up for a nice cocktail! We would sit and laugh about the escapades of the show, who we were dating and where we would go after the show. It was always a party! Then we would head backstage and get ready for the second show. A bit tipsy, but we all had fun.

On a particular night, one of the showgirls got a little bit drunk and had a huge spill into the orchestra pit. The stage at the Tropicana had a 'passerelle' (bridge) that extended out and into the the audience via a ramp that encircled the orchestra pit. Opening showcase of the show and of course we were always told never to look down. Because the headdresses were so heavy and awkward that one look down and you would lose your step. Well, she missed a step and stepped right down into the orchestra pit right in the middle of the dance number. She basically had to stay there for the first part of the show. We all laughed as she sat there and watched us continue on with the show. She was so miserable, but we all thought it was funny because she never had a chance to climb out until the magician had his 12 minute routine and she safely crawled out with the help of the stagehands! It was quite entertaining! Im sure the audience had a good laugh as well.

Just another night being a Folies girl at the Tropicana Hotel. There was never a dull moment.