Joho the Blog
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March 08, 2007
Q: What is the opposite of Venice? This is a hotel so large that I got agoraphobia when I walked in to it. I arrived late last night to keynote the New Communications Forum this morning, and headed straight for the gambling area. Cocktail waitresses stroll the casino hangar in outfits that seem to have been designed forty years ago by horny thirteen year old boys. Lose I did. I started on the quarter video poker, but the betting algorithm is too mechanical — hold onto the Jacks and higher, discard the rest — so I switched to a slot machine to eliminate any pretense of skill and get the whole thing over with. Six minutes later, I'd lost my entire bankroll. There's ten dollars I'll never see again. I haven't yet seen the Venetian's mock canal (mockanal? nah, that doesn't come out right), which I'm looking forward to because of how smug it will make me feel. The truth is that I sort of like Vegas because it is what it is and nothing more, although I'm not crazy about what it is. And, yes, I do know how lucky I am that I get to go places. Truly. Now, on to the conference, which promises to be interesting, although I can only stay for the morning. [Tags: travel vegas gambling venice new_communications_forum] Posted
by D. Weinberger at March 8, 2007 10:23 AM
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Comments
David,
Great beme!
Sorry I missed your address--know what you mean about the hotel...
Posted by: Ari | March 8, 2007 10:56 AM
David,
Great presentation. You are obviously very passionate about the social networks. I hope I can see you give another one soon.
Posted by: Jeff K. | March 8, 2007 12:46 PM
The Venetian actually has a nice pool and spa area, e.g., you go there and feel like the place you're in is less gargantuan and noisy. Compared with outside, it's downright calm and quiet.
Also, the resturant in the spa is all health-oriented, with a number of veggie options, IIRC.
Posted by: Jay Fienberg | March 8, 2007 02:16 PM
Mock canal, or Macchanale?
Posted by: AKMA | March 8, 2007 10:05 PM
David - I heard your keynote this morning...you were the highlight of the day. -Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Bouani | March 9, 2007 02:11 AM
Vegas is so bizarre....I thought I'd hate it, but it's growing on me like a fun-to-pick scab. I actually kind of like it! It was really good meeting you today, and I think it would be great to see if you could come talk to us at Intel. Oh and kind of curious...how many languages do you speak?
Posted by: Sandra | March 9, 2007 04:41 AM
Thanks for signing my copies of 'Small Pieces' and 'Cluetrain.' I didn't get to attend the conference, but sent the books along with a co-worker who did. She sent me photographic proof of your signature yesterday. Now I need to check eBay to make sure she hasn't put those books on the market. I'm sure they'd fetch a handsome fee.
Posted by: Andrew Careaga | March 9, 2007 09:00 AM
David - missed out on a good conference I hear - hope you are well. Would love to hear/see your speech if possible...
Posted by: Sanford | March 10, 2007 02:10 AM