It's not easy being me, but it sure doesn't suck, either

I'm always looking for ways to get Mike's kids away from the video games, so last night I got us tickets to see Recycled Percussion at the Tropicana.   I mean well; I really do.  And I should have known better.  But it wasn't until we walked in and they handed everyone a drumstick and a metal pot to bang on that it hit me:  This is not going to be a show for a Highly Sensitive Person like me.

I don't even care if I sound like an old bat--I cannot stand a lot of noise.  Or commotion.  That's why I'll never go to another Cirque de Soleil show (see post Mark My Words: Bastard Husband Will Never Be a Cirque de Soleil Production); I can't take all that jumping around.  I just want to tell everyone to sit still, will ya?  I'm a nightmare to see a movie with (see "Pet Peeve #437: LOUD Talkers at the Movies") and even the sound of someone chewing popcorn--or merely breathing too loudly--can make me mental. 

Anything can set me off--the sound of an air conditioner, people who talk too much, somebody sniffing, any kind of music I don't like, the sound of the crowd at a football game on TV, the sound I can hear even when the person is wearing ear buds, video games... I could go on and on.  The bottom line is, I'm in a perpetual state of annoyance.  It's safe to say that at any given moment, I'm secretly plotting the death of someone who's driving me nuts. 

Anyway, the Recycled Percussion show was loud as hell and at one point I thought I might cry from all the noise, but the kids loved it and that's all that mattered.  Afterward, we stopped at Ben & Jerry's in the District at Green Valley Ranch so I could get my Coffee, Coffee, Buzz Buzz Buzz fix (I swear, I should be in a 12-step program for that deliciousness) and then when we got home, I sequestered myself in the master suite...

My heaven

 ... which conveniently has a balcony with a small fridge stocked with Young's Chocolate Stout. 

Thank you, Thomas Edison, for inventing electricity

Whatever it takes, people.

Anyway, I've been on the Strip twice in two days.  Tuesday night, I met my dear friend Kri Monster for happy hour at Harrah's to see "Big Elvis."  I've been meaning to catch this guy (Pete Vallee) for years now.  Whatever you do, be sure to click on this article, "Big Elvis:  The Greatest Weight Loss Story Ever Told" for a fascinating look at how he lost 500 POUNDS.  So you can see why I was curious, right?

Well, if you live here or are ever visiting, be sure to catch Big Elvis.  I'm not a crazy Elvis fan (even though I've been to both Graceland and his birthplace), but man, Big Elvis has an incredible voice and it's a kick to take in the audience.  Plus, it's a free show.

iPhone cameras suck indoors

So there you go.  Does anyone have any questions?