The Vegas Vacation Nightmare

 Hello and good morning! Today I figured I'd write up the hugely disappointing vacation attempt I just had to Las Vegas, so here goes. I'll pass out the tissues and party hats now. Spoiler alert. It isn't about drugs, shootouts, and/or hookers 👍

The idea and concept:

About a month ago I was browsing online and saw that Battlebots was having a show in Las Vegas. I started putting thoughts together and decided it would be good for me to go. My main reason was to face my airplane demons. I was afraid of flying but I do have a longer trip planned and I wanted to conquer this issue beforehand. I decided I would reward myself with an afternoon of watching a Battlebots episode from ringside. My 'prize' after the quest.

The planning:

    I started making the necessary steps to plan the trip. I went on Travelocity and started looking up Package Deals for the week I would be there. I got the Hotel picked out. I decided on the Oasis at Gold Spike because I liked the retro atmosphere it showed. The location was good, and it wasn't a pricey franchise hotel.The billing showed an Amenities fee when I arrived. No big deal. I checked the flights. Outgoing was 3 flights. Here to Dulles airport in DC, then to Chicago, then to Las Vegas. The return was a mirror image of the outgoing, so good there. I would get plenty of 'plane' time. The package was picked out and purchased within a week of my planning. That same day I went to the Eventbrite website and purchased my Battlebots ticket for Sept 3rd ( a Semi Final day) for $82. I picked out or bought everything I would need for a 6 day adventure. I took no toiletries as they were already provided at the hotel, and it was way easier for TSA to process me through. I called my bank to make sure they would know I will be in Vegas, and to allow my card in my new location for 1 week. My bank is a regionalized bank so they deal with National transactions differently. They noted that Vegas was notorious for credit card fraud, along with other big cities, so they Red Flag them automatically. As I usually carry a variety of things in my pockets every day, I decided to leave them all home, including my wallet, and had no reason to take a check book. So my checklist of plans, objectives, and situations were all considered and dealt with. I bought a carry on size duffel bag and packed it with the things I though would be sufficient, and was already packed a week before my departure. I packed my laptop in the duffel also to have a better way of doing my internet stuff in my room. I figured $1,000 pocket money would be sufficient, as I wouldn't incur many expenses during my time there as the big ticket items were already paid for, and I could also enjoy the sights and services of Vegas.

The Actual Event went like:

 I awoke a bit early that morning from anticipation and the nervousness of flying. All of my things waiting to go. My mother was driving me to the airport so I wouldn't have to deal with long term parking. We stopped at Bob Evans for lunch. I had an omelette and some fruit along with a buttermilk biscuit. I didn't want to eat too much as I was still dealing with flight anxieties at the time. So a light lunch and coffee. Fair enough. I got to the airport and my nerves started jumping as I stood in line to get my flight tickets.  I spoke with the TSA guy there for a minute or two about my trip to watch Battlebots. He's sounded happy I was going. This small town stuff is so great! After 30 minutes talking with Mom I decided it was time for the TSA check in and wait, as my plane had just pulled in. I hugged her and told her I Loved her and was shortly on the plane. That first flight was almost overwhelming. The power of takeoff was something I hadn't anticipated. Like a rocket we shot up and immediately hard bank turned. My stomach was swirling, but I'm happy my lunch stayed down. It was a bit turbulent as we were also just getting over the tropical system Ida here when we started. We were now flying back into that system on our way to DC Dulles airport. More turbulence and frayed nerves. I was looking at my tickets while we were in flight and I did not see the Chicago transfer anywhere. I started to panic as I thought I would have to fix this when we landed. Apparently my flight plans were altered without me knowing it. My next flight was straight from Dulles to Las Vegas McCarren airport. A straight shot. I had planned to grab something to eat between layovers but there was much walking and trying to find a place where I could grab a smoke, but now it was a 5 hour flight with no in flight meals. I packed a granola bar just in case, and now it was that for dinner. Half way through the flight the skies were clear and I was able to enjoy the few sights through the cloud breaks. The views were breath taking but I was still thinking "that's a long way to plummet if something goes wrong". They also said there was WiFi on the plane, and in the back of my mind I was thinking 'If anything happens, I would still have enough time to post to my crush how much I loved her and she will forever be with me'.

 Well it turns out that there was no WiFi. It was a United Airways app with the illusion of WiFi. So I had no WiFi to listen to the music I qued up on my phone to keep me company on the long flights. I had copied music to my laptop from some CDs I already owned from my fav band, but I didn't bring headphones for my laptop; just headphones for my phone. So I just sat there patiently (I was shaking inside but nobody could see that) awaiting our arrival. I could now see Vegas out the window and my flight woes started drifting away as I began thinking about the events and sights there. I thought, 'now I can start to unwind'. I got off the plane and got a taxi to my Hotel. The driver put all the windows down on the freeway and my hair was a knotted mess when we got to the hotel. Long, knotted up and tangled in my glasses and mask. That little joy ride cost me $50. I walked into the lobby and told them of my reservation. I put in my information and it was confirmed. The kiosk then let me know there was a $113 Amenities fee not included with the booking package, along with a $100 security deposit now. So $213 on touchdown, but I was aware of that. I already cleared this with my bank. I put in my card info, and it was Declined! Tried again, same thing. The hotel manager tried, Declined. Well Son of a Bitch I thought. Fine I'll just pay cash and we'll move along. The manager stated they do not take cash. Well, that's where it started. Here's the Reader's Digest of the unfolding situation:

It was close to midnight there. My bank was closed. Customer service at my bank was closed. Their Live Chat was closed. I left them a message, but there wasn't enough time to resolve it before my reservation expired. The hotel manager informed me that if I do not make the security deposit by 3am, my entire hotel reservation would be cancelled, and listed as a 'No Show' even though I was standing right in front of her. She suggested I call my trip planner and reschedule the reservation by one day, so I could deal with the bank issue. I called the travel service and was told it was past the reservation schedule window and they could not. The hotel manager would not make any exceptions. I called the travel planner back and they wanted to talk to the manager, and asked for the Hotel phone number. I told them I would just hand the phone to the manger as I was standing in their lobby. Still no good news. I tried to just cancel the reservation through the planners, but I kept getting redirected to some outside contractor who had no information about my itinerary. It was after 2am, and I'm still sitting in the lobby waiting for a solution. I asked if my Mother could just give them her info and she could pay for the deposit. They said "Sure but she has to be here so we can see her ID". I asked about a cash payment again, and was again told 'no cash'. I explained to them that I would be there for 6 days, and I could come back into the office the next day after I resolve the bank issue and pay them the deposit. Still no. The next shift was coming in, and that shift manager was no more helpful than the last one. He suggested I go to 7 Eleven and buy a pre charged card to cover the expense. By that time there wouldn't have been enough time since you have to go through a registration process and wait for the account to be activated and the money present. I sat there stewing in my own displeasure, disappointment, and disgust, that I just decided 'Fuck it! I'm done here', and decided to cancel the remaining trip. There was absolutely no alternatives to resolve this in 30 minutes, and I didn't have the motivation to search all over Vegas for a place that accepts cash. I did a bit of quick referencing on my laptop on the hotel WiFi with no success. But I did get an email from the hotel a day prior about their new quick check-in process that they just started. I told the hotel manager, but she didn't see the irony of it.

At that point I was homeless, hungry, tired, disappointed, and betrayed by my bank. I didn't want to show up to the Battlebots show all disheveled and cranky (still carrying my luggage) so that was also a bust. I had already been awake for 20 hours and I most assuredly needed a hug. A big comforting hug, but nothing. Just the sound of Las Vegas mocking me. It wasn't a shabby location either. It was in the downtown area (on the Vegas strip). After walking another block through the winos and cockroaches, I found another cab driver to take me back to the airport. He asked me how my trip was going, and I told him briefly about it. He said it sounded like I needed a Massage and a good meal, and that would lift my spirits. It may have, but I'm already taken, so no. I declined and asked about the airport. He asked what flight I was taking and he dropped me off right in front of the ticket area. That was a nice gesture, and after another $40, I was back at the airport. It was the wee hours of the morning and the ticket counters did not open until 4am. I asked where the restaurants were, but everything was closed.... EXCEPT.... that Vending Machine I could see. That'll have to work I thought. I get to the vending machine and it only takes credit/debit cards 😑. Fine, I'll just sit until the ticket counter opens. I got up to smoke a couple times, but still having to carry my luggage everywhere I go, even into the bathroom. I was weary at this point and everything was a chore as my mind was slowly shutting down. It was tired and undernourished. I had maybe the contents of 1 cup of coffee the whole time I was traveling.

I again sat in a waiting area for 2 hours waiting for the counter to open. Shortly before it opened, there were maybe a dozen people waiting. 10 minutes before opening another 50 or 60 people show up and go crowd in line, even blocking the elderly people that were there waiting also. I was told to go to a kiosk. I asked if it could reschedule my return flights, and they said it would. I went and hit a few buttons and was told to see a flight representative. I tried telling them that before the kiosk. I finally got to a representative and told them I needed to reschedule my return flights as close to now as possible. I was starting to feel like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal. After a few questions, they were able to reschedule my flight, and the first flight out was about 2 hours away, but on the other opposite corner of the airport, and I already been awake for nearly 30 hours. Before the gates was TSA. They were snapping orders to people because they weren't being fast enough, and it wasn't even that crowded. I had one white TSA guy take special interest in me because I wasn't quick enough. He rode my ass for nearly 10 minutes about things I still had in my pockets, saying things like 'you again?', "this had better be your last trip through the detector or we're going to have issues', ' pay attention son. I'm not going to ask you again', and 'are you kidding me?'. I was trying to do 2 separate checks at the same time. I had stuff in 6 different pockets and a metal cane, along with the jewelry I was wearing. I also had to remove my laptop from the duffel bag. They all had to go in different baskets, and things that didn't go in baskets I was told to 'hold it in your hand'. So here I was standing in a crowded area showing everyone my $1,000.00 cash, my travel wallet, plane tickets, and trying to keep my pants from falling down because I had to remove my belt as well. I felt humiliated. I did not go to TSA school and take drills to see how fast I could get shit out of my pockets and into corresponding baskets. Then he made a remark like "You're killing me Smalls!". I snapped back and said "Aw, Jesus Weeping Christ yo, You're not the only one having a bad day, so chill the f--- out". I could have been flagged for a more 'intimate' search, but I lucked out. I managed to get to the gate area and had enough time to go buy a thin turkey lunch meat sandwich and a small coffee for $10. I managed to get about half of it down before boarding. I put my necklace back on, but not before admiring it. It is a black stainless steel guitar pick with her picture etched onto one side (a one-of-a-kind item). I kept it turned inward so she was closest to my heart the whole trip, but I could turn it and see her face. It really helped. 😉 Again, no in flight meal so I had a tiny bag of airplane pretzels. I was going to get a few beers on that flight, but they only took the United Air debit app, so... declined again. By that time I didn't give a shit about flying. I was exhausted and still 2,000 miles from home. After 5 hours we were back at Dulles, and I needed to get to my connecting flight, which was at another terminal on the other side of the airfield. I caught the tram and had to walk to the other end of the complex to get to my flight gate. I stopped at Starbucks and got a coffee and egg croissant for another $10. I wasn't impressed by the sandwich but it was filling enough, and could only drink about half of the coffee. I thought during my whole fiasco that one of these stops, I'm going to a sit down restaurant and have a good meal and a beer, but that opportunity never showed its' head. About 15 minutes later I was boarding my last flight home. It was pretty short and unattractive. I had already been awake for 36 hours. The same TSA guy who checked me at our local airport asked me how the Battlebot show was. I said I missed it. I didn't stop to talk to him more, but I should have. He seemed like a good guy. I was just exhausted and wanted to be home. All I was thinking about was my crush, a good meal, and my bed. Mom greeted me at the airport and we stopped at Burger King. It was nearly 7:30pm, and for me it was too late for a big meal. I wanted a chicken sandwich and a coffee. There was a boil water advisory after the rains and flooding there, so there was no coffee, so I got to choke the sandwich down dry, sitting in the car as we drove home. When we got home, I just got out of the car and got in the house. I left all my shit in the trunk. I carried that 20 pound duffel for 2 days straight and both of my shoulders are bruised and sore from the strap. My ass was so sore from sitting all that time that I thought I would need to sleep standing up. I had also worn my shoes and a face mask for 2 days solid, so I was looking forward to getting them off too. I had just washed my sheets and pillowcases before I left, so I had clean crisp bed clothing to crawl in to. That was my welcome home party. Just me and my empty bed. I spared no expense 😄

I didn't go to the gym this week as I really didn't have the spare time, but these last 2 days have me pretty worked out and sore. It cost more than my membership but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . Stairs, ramps, terminals, lifting, navigating the thin aisle with a cane and luggage, and so on. Hundreds of 'pick it up and put it back down' sets with my luggage. I lost count of how much hair got pulled out from the duffel bag shoulder strap. I tried to limit what I could as I have a ligament (MCL mostly) acting up in my right knee, so at times it was painful to walk. Weight wise, I also lost a few more pounds from the hectic nature of it all. So today was supposed to be the day I go see the Battlebots live. From the math I figured it would cost me another $100 in cab fare to get to and back from the event. I missed it, and it bums me out, but that is water under the bridge at this point. It isn't the first time that something I wanted to do, and went to great lengths to see/do, disappoints me in such an unexpected and overwhelming way. I could have spent my time looking for another hotel that took cash, but I didn't want to spend all my $$ on hotels and cab fare either. It would have easily consumed $700 of my play money. I had 'backup cash' in my account, but again, bank troubles would not allow me access to it. That will be remedied very soon. Sometimes cutting your losses and moving on is the most logical move. At times it isn't about whether you are right or determined. Nor is it about defeat or weakness. It is about your limits and outcomes of said actions or commitments. What is the reward or consequence for this action? Is it worth it for me to spend like a fool just for 1 event, knowing I still had no 'home' to return to after the show? The question does arise as to how safe you feel where you are, and cheap hotels are a bit of a gamble with your safety.  In the end I would have been barely awake and in rough shape after being up for nearly 48 hours. I could have used a shower and a change in clothes. Sure they cancelled my hotel reservations, but that money won't show up in my account for up to another week. It did me no good any way since my bank dishonored my request, even after they promised me it would be ok. It felt like it was just spending good money after bad, and I had not planned on spending my play cash entirely on another hotel. I would then be stuck in the room with no money. It would have been like re roofing a house that is partially collapsed. What is the purpose? I am good at understanding the futility of unbridled determination, versus practical reasoning. I have no ego to bruise, so that is never a factor. I may plan another such outing but I will have to dig deep into these reservations, almost to the point of being an asshole. But I guarantee this type of travesty will never happen again. My Tokyo trip will be gone over repeatedly with a fine tooth comb and a magnifying glass to cover every detail. I may get to Tokyo and never fulfill the reason I went there, but life is full of chances and gambles, and there are no promises or guarantees.... but I would be a fool not to take that chance.

I think what bothered me the most is that while I'm standing there in the lobby listening to the Trip planners and the Hotel manager, was listening to them both repeatedly apologizing to each other repeatedly about what is transpiring, and how their policies didn't work well together. And I'm feeling more and more like an object, and not a person. And since I wasn't paying the security deposit, I was an obstacle and not a human being. This is why the world is so messed up. Policies just aren't being issued for the benefit of people. It's all profits and policies. They succeeded in making me feel disposable. But I wasn't broken. At that point, I was part of the problem, and not part of the solution. Another kicker was that my Battlebots ticket is/was non-refundable. I knew what I was sacrificing and I accepted it at face value. It would have been nice, but I'll just have to watch it like everyone else on TV.

 In hindsight, If I had known it was going to be a whirlwind trip, I would have just left the bag at home. 😄  It was like carrying a glass 2.5 gallon water jug everywhere you go, and never being more than a meter away from it at all times all the way to Las Vegas and back. Remember back in school when you and a partner had to care for an egg, as a project for caring and teamwork? Yeah, kind of like that but by myself. This trip didn't break me. I've been through worse. I'm a hardened veteran of life, and an ancient soul. I've been broken before, but it will take more than a spoiled trip to do that  💪  
I think I also speed walked about 20 miles in the last 2 days and my hips are sore, so today would have been one of those "You have to be on top" days 😊. And any music that would have been inspired by this would just be random notes mixed with shouts and obscenities 😆. There's enough of that out there already, I think.

In terms of objectives, I did conquer my fear of flying. So I guess I did manage that objective. The cost is not monetary at this point. I'm stronger because of it, and in the end, I guess that is what matters most.

It's dinner time now. So I'm having a peanut butter sammich, blueberries, strawberries, and Cheezit mix, with strawberry cheesecake for desert. I'm also having green tea while watching J Carpenters Vampires. After that is probably a good horror show, then off to play guitar. Thank you for sharing in my misadventure. I'm sure it won't be the last one, but it will be an adventure nonetheless 😉

9/11/21: I have had a few people ask me why I didn't just 'get another hotel'. Well, keep in mind that it was also Labor Day weekend, so everything is double the normal rate as well as heavily booked, and the Debit Card debacle was still in play. At this point, the only real option I would have had was to get a room at one of the Hooker Hotels. But I don't think I would have had any faith in the cleanliness (or safety) of the rooms, as well as it probably being crowded with illicit activity. I would have also had to sit somewhere for up to 6 more hours waiting for the check in time. Although I did have the luxury of time, I had already been awake for far too long, and my brain was getting sluggish. And I didn't feel like lugging that 20 pound duffel any further than it had to be, so sightseeing was off the table. I was so exhausted by the time the plane took off, that I didn't even bother taking departing photos of the Vegas cityscape. It was a glorious view, but I wasn't very attentive at that point. It's been over a week now, and my hotel cancellation has not been refunded yet. I imagine they will argue that I did not cancel it, and did not show up for it. So I'm interested in which ways they will try to fleece me on that $900. I haven't spoke to my bank as of yet. They can't fix the past either, so it's just negotiations on my losses at this point.

9/22/21: Spent some time on the phone with the travel agency, and finally got some results. I got an email from the during the conversation that I am being refunded the money I paid for the hotel reservation. It should be back in my account before this weekend. So far that's been the better news this week.

3/29/22: For the last month, every Thursday, the new Battlebots has been airing. I really enjoy the engineering and capability of these machines, but it always reminds me of the disaster it evolved in to while I was in Vegas. Maybe next year I'll try it again.... with a plan A, B and C in place.