I'm on my way to Las Vegas to speak at the Plein Air Painting Convention...

New Zealand slips back over the horizon on my way to Australia -> LA-> Las Vegas.

Moonrise over the Pacifc Ocean from 30 thousand feet.

Here's what I wrote to the family last night after I arrived in Vegas:

MADE it!!! What a mission that was! That 13 hours from Brisbane to LA was a killer and then I got misdirected by staff in LA, stood for an hour in the wrong #%**&^!!! queue in the wrong terminal just to find out I'd missed my plane to Vegas because of that, but luckily they have flights every hour to Vegas so it was no biggy, except that my baggage was not on the same plane as me, so more trouble there, and THEN oh my GOSH I found my way to the rental car place in Vegas and would you believe they all drive on the wrong side of the car AND the wrong side of the road here? Gave me the freakin hebeegeebies trying navigate around the city without a map, because yes I was very clever and printed out a googlemap route from the airport to my hotel, but I wasn't IN the airport when I started driving - I was about 5km away, so that and the left hand drive threw me right off and I decided to just follow my nose which actually sent me south east when I wanted to be going north west. Found a friendly guy raking his lawn in the distant suburbs though and he put me on track so then I had to navigate the freeway system which was a whole nutha physical challenge all it's own. I should have listened to Morpheus. Made it to the hotel about 1 hour ago anyway, found out how to use valet parking and forced myself to go have a corona and spaghetti & meatballs in the restaurant on the edge of the casino and back to my room for a shower (really nice room) and am just about to go into a coma but thought I should wring out my last few drops of consciousness before I sleep so as to try and reset my clock.
Met lots of friendly people on the way which was nice, but most of the trip I've just been trying to sleep sitting up in chairs designed for hobbits. It really makes me wonder if the extra 100 grand you have to pay for business class isn't worth it after all. Vegas really is crazy - miles and miles of nothing and then skidoosh! Vegas. Crazy. Nearly as insane as all the zombies downstairs pouring their grandkids christmas present savings into the millions of pokey machines there, and everywhere. They have them as soon as you get off the plane at the airport! I'm surprised there's not one at the foot of the bed which makes coffee too. I'm in bed now, very soon to be part of the bed.

So dont worry about me goodly family, I'm safe and sound in the centre of sin city. Might go and catch a Celine Dion concert or go and see the Monet exhibition when I regain consciousness, but I could just settle for an old school mugging - not sure yet. The idea of driving anywhere is a bit hairy and I'm sort of regretting spending the 5 g's on renting the F1 McClaren now, but there's only one way to get better I suppose and that is to start using third gear.

Onward and upward! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... etc.
Love to ya'll from me and Elvis.
xo.

The view from my room this morning at 6:30am.

Looking um, south east I think, from my room.


So, it's the morning now and I will, very soon, get out of this bed and brave the freeways again to find a painting location in them thar hills so's I can remember how to paint before I have to demonstrate it in a few days when the convention starts. Wish me luck.


Views: 371

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of The Complete Artist to add comments!

Join The Complete Artist

Comment by diane boucher on April 10, 2012 at 21:20

Wow hope your hands are steady enough to pick up a paint brush after that eventful trip. At least the coffee in LV as I remember it is never going to be strong enough to keep you from your sleep:)

Comment by Ann Turner on April 10, 2012 at 17:50

Welcome to the western US. I visited Vegas last week with my family on business. I couldn't make the Red Rock painting but my good hubby took me out to the paint site and to Hoover dam. Its just a short drive and well worth it. I'm back in San Jose now, its an 8 hour drive from LV. Happy painting !

Comment by Merewyn Heath on April 10, 2012 at 13:46

Welcome to the States Richard! So glad you made it safely. I hope the rest of your stay is fun and easy. Can't promise that the driving adjustment will get any easier, but certainly hope you have a chance to do a bit of sightseeing too.

Comment by Dorian Aronson on April 10, 2012 at 4:10

Trying to figure out how to open and close my plein air easle and getting packed.  Nervous as a cat!

Glad I am taking a cab and not driving with you.........: ))

About

The Complete Artist is a friendly social network for all artists wanting to improve their painting.

Get my FREE Painting Lessons here!

Groups

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Events

© 2024   Created by Richard Robinson.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service