Monday, May 16, 2011

Atlantic City, the land of the creepy...

While I very much enjoyed my time with my friends in the historic Atlantic City, and its old and new resorts this past weekend, frankly I still find that the place is the epitome of creepiness.

Where do I start?

You know that you enter into a casino, any casino, old or new, from the millisecond of the time that the slot machine sounds take over your eardrums. Creepiness #1: somehow, unconsciously learning to tune out this sound during your entire time in the casino. You still manage to order drinks, chat with friends, or curse the slot machine as you lose another set of $20.

Moving along, as you sit down at a Black Jack table, you are greeted with a tray and a smile. The waitresses, again any casino, old or new, are ancient! Creepiness #2: Why do all the casino waitresses need to wear their underwear for the whole casino to see? Seriously, do those uniforms really make or break the extra buck that she might earn? For the record, why are they all female?!

How drunk do you want to get? If you’re ordering from the bar, and actually pay for the drink, then you might just get your typical buzz. Creepiness #3: If you order from the waitress, she might as well bring you orange/brownish looking water.

What time is it? The casino world may never know. Creepiness #4: Not only are there no clocks in the casino, but the lighting and general lack of windows, with good distance from any entrances makes it impossible to tell what time of day it is. I’m surprised no one confiscates watches or cell phones at the door. God forbid the patrons knew that they’ve spent a whole 5 hours at the table.

Where do they find these people? Creepiness #5: The patrons. They speak for themselves. It is the most eclectic mix of people, age, nationality and gross income. So at any given time you may be sitting between one of the cast members of the Golden Girls, a lady of the night on her midday shift, or a future Pulitzer Prize winner. Randomness is key to any casino marketing campaign.

What's your casino creepy moment?

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Lovely weather we're having...

Lovely indeed. Zero sarcasm. I swear.

Remember the days of 35F degree weather with freezing driplets attacking your face as you're trying to make it into the safe haven of a local Starbucks, or finally the lobby of the office building? Me neither!

It's May! Finally. I have been waiting for you for so long. The warm droplets of water from the sky do not phase me, as the temperature is still above 60F. I even purposefully forgot my umbrella and was left to fend for myself in my new raincoat (Purchased just for this exact occasion).

Sometimes I wish I lived in Northern California where it is Spring year- round. But then I remember that it is only a flight and a few hundred dollars away. I am truly an all four seasons person. Most of all, unsurprisingly, I adore Spring.

How can you not? Look at all the greens and pinks, yellows and purples all around you. Even the shoes, the shirts, the outfits and the umbrellas start to reflect some color.

A black silhouette, the unmistakable New York uniform, caves in. Perhaps it gets its inspiration from the lonely (from the winter cold) gray benches now sprinkled with pink hues of cherry blossom. The dampness of the rain makes the contrast even more vibrant.

Welcome May! New York City needs you; and I have truly missed you.