Subject: dlv99 Special mailing ...
From: Annie (annie )
Date: Tue Mar 02 1999 - 20:36:19 CST
Only 71 days left, gang!
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This is a special mid-week mailing. Since Sunday, there has been quite
a bit of activity, so I'm sending this out mid-week.
*hugs*
annie :)
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Mailbag:
>I thought I might add my two cents worth to the dressing and going out
>saga in Las Vegas.
>As far as I can remember I have been to the following hotels without
>any problem either in the casino area, attractions or the restrooms:
>Excalibur (Stayed there for five days)
>Luxor
>MGM Grand
>Bellagio
>Mirage
>Treasure Island
>Ceasars Palace
>Flamingo Hilton
>Las Vegas Hilton
>New York, New York
>With a copy of exceptions the waitresses and other hotel staff have
>been courteous and polite and haven't made any (noticeable) reaction to
>serving a CDer. The trouble with most of the interaction with hotel
>staff is that its the voice not the appearance that gives you away
>(IMHO and experience). If you don't need to talk then you're usually
>OK.
Thanks. This is what most everybody reports.
>I was in Las Vegas last November for COMDEX week and spent the entire
>seven days dressed including attending five keynote addresses, walking
>the exhibit floor and about a dozen of the education seminars.
>I also went to Valley of Fire and Death Valley dressed, by myself
>without any problems, although I don't think I would have been happy
>stopping in some of those little towns along the way to Death Valley!!
Death Valley is gorgeous, and well worth the trip, although it may be
a bit much for the DLV weekend. The only real town I remember between
LV and DV is Pahrump (Obtrivia: what is the leading industry in
Pahrump?) but there is a small Mom&Pop bar/cafe and an old visitor
center right by the south entrance to the park.
As you've probably read, there is an interest in taking a trip to the
deserted town of Rhyolite, which is up in the same general direction.
>No one seemed to notice or, if they did, cared. My view about Las Vegas
>is that as long as you're not naked and / or carrying a gun then no one
>cares what you're wearing!!!
Again, I tend to agree. The "locals" parts of town can be quite
conservative, however, and I would advise against going into any bar or
club in those areas unless it is known to be t-friendly. All the places
that we will steer the group to are known to welcome the t-business.
>As for restrooms they are no different from anywhere else. Go in, do
>what you have to do and get out. Its the lurking around that causes the
>problems (IMHO) not going in and out.
Very good point. They say (the ubiquitous "they") that passing is
90% attitude, and with the attitude that "Hey, I belong here, and I'm
just going to take care of business like anybody else", nothing is
likely to happen.
>Also for those looking for reasonable quality accommodation at a
>reasonable price try the Jockey Club Timeshare resort. They rent rooms
>like any hotel to use up their spare or unused capacity. Although its
>showing its age (it was built in the 1970's) all the rooms are suites
>with a double bed and a foldout in the lounge and a mini kitchen. The
>rate I got during COMDEX was $65 a night (compared with over $200-250
>for most reasonable quality hotels). Its central (right next door to
>Bellagio) and has parking very close to the hotel entrance, especially
>compared to some of the hotels where you have to walk miles. You may
>need to ring and talk directly with their reservation people. Anything
>else seems to get no response!!!
>I would echo the comments regarding the security people. As long as
>you've got a valid room key you won't have a problem. The guards aren't
>necessarily on all the time either only during busy periods it seems.
>Not all hotels have guards either. Some of the older ones don't.
>I'm looking forward to getting to Diva Las Vegas this year. Last year I
>was in Las Vegas for N+I but couldn't stay the extra few days. I had my
>Dad with me (who doesn't know his son dresses as a women!) and I needed
>to be on a flight to London on the Saturday anyway.
>If anyone is going to N+I let me know and maybe we can meet up. I'll be
>in Las Vegas from Sunday the 9th through Tuesday the 17th.
Actually, I'm planning to attend as well. I'll give my pager number to
you in advance. I know there will be a few others in early as well.
>Hugs
>Michelle
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Mailbag:
>About the Sunday evening Frank Marino Show, may I suggest the 9:30
>showing. This is for a couple of reasons...
>The show is about ninety minutes long, after the show it would be about
>11:00 or later (the last show of the evening sometimes runs longer) and
>just about the right time to go to Keys or Goodtimes, then Keys. We
>could have dinner as a group in the late afternoon or early evening
>prior to "La Cage". Remember timing is important. If we see the 7:30
>showing, we'll be out about 9:00 and that may be too early for the real
>night life to begin. Some of the friendly places open about 10ish.
I tend to agree. Time really flies, and the 7:30 show is probably just
a bit too early.
>Another reason is I'm coming up from Laughlin after work and I usually
>get off at about 5:00. This gives me about two hours to drive up and
>check-in. Then get dressed (about another hour or so, and that is if I
>get off on time.
>It's OK with me whatever the group wants. I'll be happy just the same.
Comments, gang?
We ran into a time crunch on Sunday last year, and we don't want to
repeat that.
I envision that during the weekend afternoons, various people will want
to do different things (there are many options), but will want to get
together as a group in the evenings.
We're also going to have a larger group than last year, so we are
probably going to have to have more of a planned schedule than we had
the past two years. (And everybody will have to do their part in
keeping to the schedule.)
I know this sounds like a bit much, but we want to allow about four
hours slack time before any major event. The time it takes to get
ready, pick others up or walk to where you will be picked up, drive to
the event, park, walk to the showroom, etc. really adds up.
>Hugs,
>Julie
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Mailbag:
>>>2). The Gypsy club near the Hard Rock is a fun place.
>>I've heard that, though I've never been. Somebody (Andrea?) went there
>>last year. There are a couple others right in that area, plus a
>>t-friendly restaurant and a GLBT bookstore.
>Why don't you just set aside some night, like Monday, when I'll still
>be there, and tour all the bars and clubs like that. I know you guys
>love The Keys, but I'd like to get out and go to all those other
>places I keep hearing about, like Gypsy and Angels/Lace.
Sounds like a plan to me. :)
Let's pencil that in for Monday evening, perhaps following one of the
non-FI shows that some want to see.
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Mailbag:
>Hi Annie
>I was talking to a police officer concerning the restroom use. I was
>told that there is not a NRS against it.
This is what my attorney seems to be finding out.
>However depending on the moral and ethical (sic) views of the
>establishment, and on the attitude of the individuals involved, there
>could be anything from a warning to an arrest.
As we've said before. Be ladylike, get in, do your business, mind your
own business, get out, and don't try to push the envelope.
>One exact quote is "Though there is no statute against it, there will
>be a statute cited." These could range from tresspass to whatever it
>takes to make an arrest. One advice was "If you don't pass, don't go
>there!" I was later told that there are very few incidence of the law
>being called for this.
Again, all my attorney seems to be finding are references to such
things as tresspassing and disorderly conduct. Conclusion, don't
use the ladies room if the management objects (tresspass), and if
confronted, be ladylike and get out. (disorderly conduct).
I have a feeling that there may have been such a law on the books at
one time but it may have been thrown out for any of several reasons.
>Hugs
> Renee
> Las Vegas NV
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Mailbag:
>I would love to attend the event this year. Could you please let me
>know where the girls are planning to stay, so I can make arrangements
>to stay there as well.
You have several choices. :)
So far it looks like we have people staying at Riviera, Stardust,
Westward Ho, Imperial Palace, Ramada Vacation Resort, and Blair House.
I've been told that Riviera is now sold out for Tuesday the 18th.,
since they have a large group coming in that day.
Riviera, Stardust, Westward Ho, and Blair House are all in the north
Strip vicinity, near the LV Convention Center within walking distance
of each other. Imperial Palace and Ramada are in the "four corners"
area (center Strip), near the intersection of Flamingo and Las Vegas
Blvd.
I would highly suggest that those who want to stay at the Stardust book
their rooms NOW. Stardust is sold out almost every weekend, even in the
off-season.
A discussion of some of these appears in the mailing list archive at:
http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/dlv99list/hotels.txt
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Mailbag:
>Just read the information regarding place's to stay. My wife and I
>travel to Vegas for fun in the sun and some controlled gambling quite a
>few times per year. Of all the places we have stayed at I believe the
>best value is the Rio. A little off the strip but by far the best,
>largest and cleanest suite's you'll find for average folk.
Rio is reputed to be T-friendly, although I've never stayed there.
Some of the local LV girls had a good time there a year or so ago ...
>I have never dressed at the RIO however their theme is Madi Gra which
>is about as close to Cd'ing as any of the themes. My wife and I however
>attend to stay at the Stardust though. The reason's for this is simple.
>1. They have 5 large 2 story units located directly behind the main
>Motel/|Casio
>2. Parking may be directly in front of or your room. (Little travel).
>3. Security drives around on golf carts and are seldom visible.
>4. Taxi's may pick you up near the rear exit and sometimes directly
>from the room, (Not supposed to however they have numerous times for
>us).
>5. Dimly lite by Vegas Standards.
>6. If your on a budget the room prices are very low.
>7. The rooms are smaller then most but they have a mirror,(Must for
>Cd'ing)
>8. No one will stop you to check your Hotel card on the way to your
>room.
I'll most likely be staying at the Stardust this year (guess I better
make reservations, huh). I stayed there last year for DLV, but was at
the Riviera (across the street and slightly north) at DLV 1997.
If you look in the back, you will find that only four of the motel
buildings remain. The fifth was removed a couple years ago and is now
the parking lot behind the west tower, even though some maps of the
property still show all five. Plans for the next 3-5 years call for
them to demolish the remaining motel buidings and add a third hotel
tower. Actually, I like staying in those older buildings. Clean,
quiet, and very convenient to the car, except for backing out of
the parking. :)
>Hope you share this with the others, I have never dressed in LV but my
>life isn't getting any shorter. This is my POA, (old Jaycee term) Plan
>of Action when I go enfem that weekend in May. For many of us
>so-called first timers this may be the most secure and at-ease place to
>stay directly on the strip..
>See ya in May.
>And thanks for giving many of us this opportunity!
Yer very welcome. :) Actually, you have the opportunity anytime you
want. All I really do is enough cheerleading to get everybody in more
or less the same place at more or less the same time ...
>Say Hi to Debbie for me!
Well, since she reads this list, you already did. :)
>Smiles
>Cara Shannon - IA
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Mailbag:
>Dear Friends,
>I am planning to go to Las Vegas and I may say something: I always
>travel as a woman in Canada, in United States ans in Mexico and I have
>never had a problem with a male even if, from time to time, there is
>always one person who is laughing.
>If you act like a woman and if you are dressed properly, you will never
>encounter a problem.
>Just be the woman that you iwsh to be.
>For your information, I send to you the text of my last trip in Mexico
>and for those who are interedted, I may also send to you the texts of
>my trips in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, California, Washington, New
>York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and so on
>and you will see that this is really easy to have without problem.
>Hoping to read you.
>Love
>Micheline :-)8-<
>Micheline in Mexico for Christmas 1998
>Thursday, December 24, 1998. It is the beginning of an happy day, the
>beginning of a new trip for Micheline and her friend Sylvia. Just the
>time to dress myself with a red dress and I am ready to go to the
>airport to take a non-stop flight to Acapulco. a friend pick me up and
>Sylvia at my home around 8:15 and we arrive at the airport around 8:30.
>The temperature is around -25=95F and the sky is blue. After entering
>inside the airport but before checking in at the counter of Air
>Transat, I remove my winter boots and my coat and I give them to my
>friend because I do not wish to have them with me in Mexico. My flight
>is scheduled for 10:00 on and it takes off on time. We arrive on time
>in Acapulco around 15:20. It is a long flight, 6 hours and 20 minutes
>because the winds are too strong over Texas and the pilot decide to
>change the course of the flight. So, instead of flying right through
>central United States, the pilot fly over the Atlantic Ocean down to
>Florida and over Florida he turns South West to fly over the Caraibes
>Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
>At the airport of Acapulco, it is funny to see how the custom's
>officers decide to search or not your suitcases; you have to press a
>button and a light will turn on: a green or a red light. If the green
>light turns on, you continue your way but if a red light turns on, your
>suitcases will be searched by a custom's officer. Sylvia press the
>button and we have a green light. The guy behind us press the button
>and he has a red light. The custom's officer was ready to search his
>suitcases but his supervisor told him that it is not necessary to
>search the suitcases of this man. So, even if you have a red light, it
>is possible that your suitcases will not be searched. However, even if
>you have a green light, your suitcases may be searched. It happens to a
>woman behind us. She has had a green light but the custom's officer has
>decided to search her suitcases even if she has protested. So, the
>system of the green and red light is not really useful.
>Also, it is interesting to note that nobody has checked our passport,
>our birth certificate, our driver's license or any identification
>document. We just pass through without any control. After exiting the
>custom's area, a guide, Delfina, is waiting for us and she drive us
>down directly to our hotel, the Playa Caleta located at the end of the
>peninsula that surround the Bay of Acapulco but on the outside of the
>peninsula. So the water in front of us is not the water of the Bay of
>Acapulco but the water of the Pacific Ocean. It takes one hour to drive
>down from the Airport to the hotel. The temperature is around 100=95F
>and it is a big difference with Quebec city.
>We enter in the hotel and after checking in and visiting our room, we
>decide to change of room because the room is too small, the bed is
>small, there is a kind of opening in the wall that let all the fresh
>air from the air conditioning unit going out of the room, the room is
>on the side of a noisy street and there is no balcony. So, for
>15=80US=24 more per day, we have now the suite that is a very large
>room with a huge balcony, a king size bed and a sight directly on the
>Ocean. I think that we have now the best room in the hotel.
>You must know that, since few months, I am probably one of the most
>well-known women in the Province of Quebec because I have sued the
>government and I have given many interviews to all French Canadian
>television and radio networks; my picture was also in all French
>newspapers of the Province of Quebec. Furthermore, I have participated
>to many talk shows on television. So, when I have decided to go to
>Acapulco, I though that I will be anonymous there. Forget about that.
>Five minutes after my arrival at the hotel, many people knew that
>Micheline was in town and come to see me and to congratulate me for my
>fight against the government. All of these people are French speaking
>people and many English speaking people come to ask them who is this
>tall blonde girl that every one who speaks French knows. So, in few
>hours, every body knows about me and the manager of the hotel was very
>kind with me.
>This is Christmas Eve and we will have a nice Christmas dinner later.
>So, we decide to go walking a little bit around to see the place and to
>see if we may buy something. We take some pictures and many guys
>whistle at Micheline but I am not bothered by that. Finally, we have a
>nice Christmas buffet with Chicken and chocolate cake. The meal looks
>like a Christmas meal but forget about the snow. Even if it is
>Christmas, for us that was not Christmas because a Christmas without
>snow is not really a Christmas. There were some Christmas lights around
>but it does not look like Christmas. We are lucky because we have a
>little orchestra, Mexican mariachis, to entertain us during the meal.
>Friday, December 25. It is a quiet day. We spend our day swimming
>between the meals or eating between the time in the swimming pool. To
>be honest, there are just three thing to do in Acapulco : having a sun
>bath, dancing during the night in a disco or eating and drinking.
>Otherwise, there is nothing to do, nothing to visit. I will add that if
>you look for a sunny place to take a sun bath, Acapulco is probably one
>of the best places for that. During all the week that we were there,
>the sky was always blue and the temperature was always between 95=95F
>and 105=95F. So, it is the place for short dresses, bathing suit and
>sun glasses.
>Each evening, we stay, first in the restaurant of the hotel and later
>around the swimming pool, to chat with people. As you know, the drinks
>are usually free and some guys and gals drink too much. Some of them do
>not hesitate to order three triple rum and coke or three beers at the
>same time and drink them at the speed of a lightening. When it is free,
>some people drink a little bit too much.
>During this week, we have met many friendly people. At every meal,
>there are always few persons who wish to sit with us to chat about
>every thing and about Micheline. It is a very quiet week.
>Saturday, December 26. It is a so quiet day that I decide to walk to
>downtown. After 45 minutes of a fast walk, I arrive at the beginning of
>the downtown of Acapulco but I am completely wet. I am lucky to have
>decided to wear a short dress because it would have been impossible to
>walk wearing a pant. I meet the three different categories of policemen
>that they have in Acapulco : the ones that are dressed all in white are
>there for helping tourists; the ones that are dressed all in blue and
>with a whistle are there for doing the traffic and the ones that are
>dressed all in blue with a gun of caliber 12 in their hands are the
>real policemen. These policemen may walk on the street or may be inside
>a car or may stand at the back of a pick-up and they are in charge of
>maintain the order. I do not think that there many violent crimes on
>the main streets because there are too much policemen. However, they
>are not very tall and I may tell you that they have always looked at
>Micheline but no one of them has talked to me or has checked my
>passport. I feel very secure in Acapulco and you may go there without
>any fear. Every body has been very kind with me and I think that when
>you do not bother them, they do no bother you. So, feel free to visit
>Acapulco. After looking around during one hour, I decide do go back to
>the hotel.
>Meanwhile, Sylvia is staying in the swimming pool. I go also to the
>swimming pool and I decide also to go swimming in the ocean because the
>water is a little bit cooler. The waves are a little bit strong but
>they do not bother me. During the evening, I decide to go to dance
>downtown with an other girl and four boys. We take a cabs and we reach
>the downtown of Acapulco in ten minutes even if there is a huge traffic
>around midnight.
>In the majority of the discos, you have to pay a fee for entering in
>the disco because the beverages are free. Usually, it cost between 10
>and 40 =24 for a woman and between 20 and 60 =24 for a man. it is less
>expensive for a woman because we usually do not drink a lot because we
>dance. On the contrary, men usually drink and do not dance. In fact,
>we, the two girls, are on the dancing floor and the four guys stay sat
>in drinking and looking at us dancing. I must tell you that I have
>waited 30 minutes before having my first drink because there were more
>than 1 000 people inside the disco and just four barmaids. So, we have
>to wait a long time before drinking. In the disco, a girl come to see
>me and tell me that I am Micheline. Obviously, I say yes and she tells
>me that she is a real estates broker in Montreal and that she has seen
>me on television. So, even at 2:00, there is always someone who knows
>Micheline.
>Sunday, December 27. It is a quiet day and we spend the morning in the
>swimming pool. During the afternoon, we take the bus to go shopping to
>Wal-Mart because, believe it or not, there is Wal-Mart in Acapulco and
>it is located at the end of the bus circuit. In fact, it is written
>Wal-Mart on the sign of the bus to let you know that the bus is going
>up to Wal-Mart. I am sure that the average age of a bus is around 30
>years. I do not know where they find them but I am sure that there are
>no more buses like them in Canada or United States. Also, I think that
>these buses are owned and operated by the drivers themselves because
>each bus is decorated inside with the personal touch of the driver and
>I am sure that he is the only one who drives his bus. Furthermore,
>there is no control for the money that people pay for using the bus.
>Big surprise in Wal-Mart. Every thing is very expensive, more than
>the price that you will pay for the same price in Canada or in United
>States. The price is lower if it is made in Mexico. For example, a
>color television that you will buy for 300 US=24 in United States will
>cost you 400 US=24 if you buy it in Mexico. The pressed powder made by
>Cover Girl for which you will pay 4 US=24 will cost you 6 US=24 if you
>buy it in Mexico. However, if you buy a Mexican brand of pressed
>powder, you will pay around 1 US=24. At each cashier, there are always
>two or three young boys or girls between 10 and 12 years old who are
>there for packing what you have bought. They have looked at Micheline
>with big eyes. I have bought a video tape in Spanish =ABThe little
>mermaid=BB to see if I will be able to understand Spanish easily. I
>have also bought a bottle of Mexican Brandy for just 80US.
>Monday, December 28. It is a quiet day and we spend the day in the
>swimming pool and in the ocean. During the evening, we chat, as usual,
>with the other people who stay at the hotel.
>Tuesday, December 29. It is a quiet day and we spend the morning in the
>swimming pool and in the ocean. During the afternoon, we go shopping to
>downtown Acapulco to see if we may find something interesting to bring
>back to Canada. We shop a lot but nothing interesting to bring back in
>Canada, just few cheap things for tourists; nothing special. There are
>some beggars in town but they do not bother us a lot. They are there
>and that is all.
>Wednesday, December 30. During the morning, we spend our time in the
>swimming pool and in the ocean. During the afternoon, we go downtown
>for a three hours cruise on a catamaran, the Aca Tiki, in the bay of
>Acapulco. Surprise, there is a Christmas tree on board. We see all the
>bay of Acapulco and the guide tell us where is the house of Frank
>Sinatra, the house of Madonna, the house of John Travolta and so on. We
>also see the cliff's divers. It is a good way to break the monotony of
>a vacation in Acapulco. I recommend this cruise. When we are back to
>the hotel for the dinner, we are lucky because there is a little show
>to entertain us during the meal, a show of Hawaiian dancers. Do not ask
>me why they are Hawaiian dancers and not Mexican dancers, I do not
>know. The dancers are good and the show too.
>Thursday, December 31. It is now the time for us to go home by airplane
>on Air Transat. My plane is supposed to take off from Acapulco to
>Quebec city at 18:30 but there is a mechanical breakdown on my aircraft
>in Quebec city. So, the airplane arrive a little bit later and we take
>off at 20:00. For traveling, I just wear a short purple dress because
>it is too hot. The hostess is unable to serve us some tea and coffee
>because the pipes are frozen. The temperature was too cold in Quebec
>city and all the hot lines of water are frozen. During the flight, the
>weather is perfect and we fly directly to Qu=E9bec city across United
>States. It is a short flight, 4 hours and 15 minutes because there is
>strong wind from the West coming from the Rockies and this wind push
>our plane. We arrive in Quebec city at 01:15.
>When I show my passport to the custom's officer, this last tell me that
>he has seen me on television and there is certainly no problem with me.
>So, I just cross the custom's desk and I exit in the airport. My friend
>is waiting for me with my boots and my coat. Outside, it is very cold,
>around -35=95F. I arrive in my home around at 2:00.
>This is the end of this marvelous trip of Micheline in Acapulco,
>Mexico, for Christmas 1998.
>The End
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Administrivia:
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Keep those cards and letters coming, gang. :)
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2a23 : Sun Sep 26 1999 - 13:59:40 CST