Suspended Thursday, October 19, 2006 | |

Suspended
Originally uploaded by zkywords.

On Saturday night of our Vegas trip, we went to see Tony & Tina's Wedding at the Rio Casino. It is an "interactive" play about the wedding and reception of a young couple from New York City where the audience plays an active role in the play. It was quite a humorous experience and you felt like you were a part of it all.

We were seated at a table on the groom's side of the reception hall and were greeted by most members of the wedding party and the wedding planner. We ate, we drank, we laughed and we danced. A couple of the men from our party were on the dance floor when YMCA started playing. They were taken to the front of the dance floor and given costume hats of members of the Village People. One was the Indian and one was the Police Officer. The Indian even removed his shirt for the occasion.

My wildest moment came when the Conga line was making it's way around the dance floor. The priest, referred to as Father Lush (or something similar), jumped in the line right in front of me. He was an older fella (60's/70's?) who was quite short (maybe 5'2") and quite "drunk". As we made our way around the dance floor, I found myself constantly trying to keep the priest upright and in line in front of me... all why knowing that he was merely acting.

Fun was had by all.

The picture posted is from one of the chandeliers in the entrance to the Rio Casino. They are glass objects hanging from beaded chains.

Into the Heart Wednesday, October 18, 2006 | |

Into the Heart
Originally uploaded by zkywords.

The Sunday of our trip to Vegas was Marty and Debbie's renewal of the vows ceremony. Their chapel of choice was The Little White Wedding Chapel, where Michael Jordan once got married as well as Joan Collins - but not to each other. It was a quaint little place, with a drive through lane for those who absolutely need to be married right then and there, in an older part of the strip between the Statosphere and downtown across the street from a stripper place.

Nothing says romance like strippers and nothng makes for a quick and easy bachelor party like the convenience of across the street, should your heart desire.

After the ceremony, we ventured outside to their gazebo for a photo shoot with the newly(re)weds. There were four or five of us that brought cameras, so while the others went around and got the traditional shots, I wandered off looking for the not so ordinary point of views. This shot is one of my favorites from the day. A nice heart on the fence railing with the couple positioned in the middle, using a technique called bokeh.

Cheers to the couple! May you have many more years of bliss!

Viva Paris Monday, October 16, 2006 | |

Paris Balloon
Originally uploaded by zkywords.

The Mrs. and I went to Vegas for a long weekend a couple of weeks ago and fun was had by all. We actually went with a group of 6 couples to celebrate the vow renewals of our good friends Marty and Debbie.

We got to town Friday afternoon and spent most of that first day walking up and down the strip, perusing the shops and checking out some of the free shows that are offered in each casino. Things like the moving statues in Caesar's Palace or the Bellagio fountains.

On our way back to our room at the New York New York Hotel and Casino, I got this shot of the balloon in front of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. This is a pretty good representation of Vegas as the city of neon lights.

I also submitted this photo to JPG Magazine in hopes that it will be included in their next print issue. If you like it, please vote for it at this link.