Viva

Viva Las Vegas.
It's not at all as horribly tacky as I envisioned. And everyone who said it's full of old people was just lying. There are actually people of all ages here in sunny, mild, Vegas. And they're not all fat either! Amazing!

The shopping is in-credible. There's a store called Anthropologie -apparently a chain in the States- with the most beautiful dresses and blouses and houseware. It's heartbreaking how beautiful everything in that store is. And I can't buy it. Note: if I could put EVERY SINGLE THING on this post in capitals I would, that's how enthusiastic I am being about Vegas.

Fan-tabulous!

My hotel suite, which I share with Mini-Maude, is bigger than my new two-and-half (note to non-Montrealers: i.e. apartment) although it DOESN'T have a balcony like my place does, so phooey. Nothing is really free in Vegas. The whole world seems to revolve around money, but in an oddly casual way that doesn't bother me at all. I was worried about gaudiness and money money money in your face sort of thing, but I haven't seen it.

I'm in a hotel "resort casino" called The Venetian, which has an indoor Venice with shops (what else) and a canal and gondola rides! With singing gondoleers! Are you kidding? I'm not! hahaha.

I guess this is what always happens to me. As soon as I think "this is never going to happen" (i.e. "I'm never going to be a journalist" "I'm never going to be a writer" "I'm never going to like a place like Vegas"), it does. Never say never is my Life Lesson for this month.

Oh, if you could see Vegas... you would love it too.

I have not seen a single wedding chapel. I have not gambled a cent. I have not seen Elvis or any Elvis impersonator(s). Paris Hilton might be in town, but I wouldn't know it.

* * *

My new apartment is ready for me to move in as of January 28. It's a cute 2.5, which means it has no closed rooms. You walk in a hall which doubles as a kitchen. Minimal. Bathroom off that hall. Cute. Small. Past this short hall is a double room which is my entire apartment. So I'll have my "bedroom" in one half and a sort of "living room" in the other half. There's also a balcony and all of this looks over the sunny side of Montreal, which is key when you live in winter for half the year. Honestly, people go nuts here come February -I've seen it happen- so I do what I must to keep apparently sane.

Unbeatable location, less than a 15 walk from work. Close to friends, close to the nightlife. But not *too* close.

I get to save money and therefore can start doing the smart thing and invest in my RRSP, which is the Canadian pension plan, I guess. Smart girl I am.

Coming up: I turn 30. Everyone pays attention.