What Would Elvis Do?

When I was a kid the family would take trips to Las Vegas, the timing would be such that we'd arrive about dusk and drive down this street greeted by a large neon cowboy. While my grandparents gambled I would take in a show or hang out at one of those places you checked your kids in like baggage. These were nice places and the activities many. You would see many Elvises, hmm let's try Elvi instead.

I've yet to see one Elvis. However, I did by accident run across that old cowboy sign and most of the Vegas I knew as a kid. The sign looking much smaller than I remembered nevertheless had not been eaten by a radiated giant as recollected. Fremont street while interesting is in the bad part of town.

Speaking of radiated a friend introduced me to a person that lived on Oppenheimer Blvd. I found it interesting that a housing development in an area called Blue Diamond would contain many streets relating to the people of the Manhattan Project. I remarked how cool it would be to live at 232 Oppenheimer Blvd. Sadly my friend reported that in the two years he'd been in Vegas I was the first person he met that knew who Oppenheimer was. Frankly, I blame Harry Reid.

I found out why what goes on in Vegas, stays here. Turns out the place has a very high crime rate and the tourists are the locals prey. Crime is up 32% in Vegas over last year and when compared to the national average of 1% you can see why they are closed mouthed in this town. However, it turns out the crime rate is localized to certain parts of town which makes my move to not live near the strip as once desired a good one. I did meet an LA gang member who told me that both the Crips and Bloods vacation in Vegas and most likely account for a seasonal crime increase. Between that and the rampant meth trade by illegals in California's Central Valley it makes the Bronx look like a town Martha Stewart would trademark for selling her wares.

So it seems that Elvis is indeed dead, however I expect both he and the ancient mountains that surround this city are laughing at the folly of men and its quest for easy money. That said I really enjoy the low taxes out here plus the fine restaurants and shows. I do gamble a small bit but restrict this to my Scottrade account.