An Open Letter to Vegas

Dear Vegas,

Last night my heart was a little heavy but I had a friend in town, visiting from Utah, who is guaranteed good time so I put on my boots, swept on some blush and added some gloss to my lips and hit the town on a Tuesday night. And you know who else is a guaranteed good time? YOU.

When I'm feeling blue, I should remember that all it takes is a little booty-shaking music in the car and a walk-through your love child, The Hard Rock Hotel, to make me feel alive again. Especially when MAGIC is in town, it's as if all the cool kids gather in our little city for a week!

I love that it is perfectly acceptable for me to be seen walking around OUTSIDE with a margarita at ten til noon on a Sunday. Have I mentioned that I love your no-last-call policy? How about when Bookie and I used to sit at penny slots and order shots of Patron? You, Vegas, didn't judge us, in fact, you appreciated that we knew how to work the system. And your FREE CHAMPAGNE, oh how I love your free champagne. And while we are on this subject, I love that because of you I can say that I have been to Rehab, multiple times.

Friday and Saturday nights are totally overrated. If you know you, Vegas, you know that your best nights are celebrated Sunday - Thursday.

Even as a picky eater, I can appreciate your World-Class dining and try to take advantage as often as possible (especially if it involves a little place called Joe's Stone Crab). And how about your CityCenter?? SPECTACULAR. Just walking around there two weeks ago made me feel like a million bucks.

Speaking of a million bucks, thank you, Vegas, for giving me access to MILLION DOLLAR PARTIES and million dollar dance floors. And thanks to you and a little help from the BMuff and Bookie, you taught me how to dance and I've danced all over you and promise to continue to for the rest of my life.

I love that a little part of me, known as Club Monster Katie, will live forever in you. I also appreciate that CMK got to dance one last time to DJ AM before he tragically passed thanks to his residency at The Palms.

300 days out of the year, I do not mind taking Sir Gordon for a walk in the park because your weather is remarkable. In fact, today, Kristin and I are going to enjoy a picnic to soak up some Vitamin B. In the middle of February. On our lunch hour.

Your fabulous pools and your superb spas. The top-notch salon (love you, Globe) where I get my hair done that makes me feel like I'm in the middle of Soho.

I love your breathtaking views...from those of The Strip to your sunsets. I love that I can take a 20 minute drive (or 40 minutes at 25 MPH) up to Red Rock and see your view from the outside looking in. Or how about your Mount Charleston?? Some of my favorite days ever were spent on that mountain, SNOWBOARDING, IN VEGAS.

And even though sometimes I hate it, I do appreciate that you really are a small town.

You are a hop, skip and a jump away from the beach and a short plane ride away to the Rockies.

I love that you bring Pop Culture to life for me.

Your $1 beer nights at 51's games hold a special place in my heart. And how about those First Fridays? Talk about all the cool kids coming out to play! Who says you don't have culture?

I love that everyone loves you.

So, Vegas, when I eventually leave you (a girl has got to spread her wings), please know that you will forever be in my heart and will forever be the place that I am proud to call home.

Yours Truly,

Katie K.