With parents who were hippies, artists and musicians back in their day, I was obviously exposed to lots of music growing up. Of course, The Beatles were in a staple in my household. It took me three trips to Las Vegas before I was finally able to see LOVE.

And it was totally worth the wait.

Our seats were dead center and absolutely amazing. Well, the stage was round in the intimate theater but I’m assuming based on props, we were technically in front of the stage. But really there was not a bad seat in the house. The images were projected onto screens and the speakers built into the seats just heightened the experience.

It was really more of an experience than a show. The colors, the costumes, the attention to detail and just the overall energy was radiating. I really don’t think I stopped smiling through the whole show. There was so much going on, I could barely focus. It was total sensory overload but in the best way possible.

I’ve only ever seen one Cirque show before which was a bit more acrobatic than this one. I feel LOVE was a bit more dancey. Is dancey a word? Whatever, well that’s what it was! There were still the wires and the rope climbing and the skills that must take incredible amounts of strength like in Here Comes the Sun.

(yes, the are sitting cross legged and still managing to hold on to the rope)

I can’t even imagine the planning that went into creating a show like this. It was so aesthetically beautiful and flowed perfectly with the music, costumes, make up and the sets. The audience participation was very cool and surprising.

When it comes down to it, the whole show was amazing. I would see it again and again if I had the opportunity. As soon as I walked out I sent a text to William saying, when we go back to Vegas he has to see it and that I wanted to see it again. It was fun and full of energy. Even if I wasn’t a Beatles fan, I think I would have loved it.

If you ever find yourself in Las Vegas, definitely go see LOVE. I’m so happy I finally got to experience it. It was everything I expected plus so, so much more.

This past weekend when I hosted the Chicago preBlogHer meet up, there was lots of talk about how we all got started with blogging. I don’t know if I’ve ever really talked about it much here so I figured I’d write about it. Plus, it’s very interesting to hear other people’s stories on how blogging came to be for them.

I started writing on Livejournal in 2002, way back before I even knew what a blog was. In the next couple of years, I found Dooce because someone mentioned she posted photos of her dog with spaghetti noodles around his nose and I thought it was the most hilarious thing. (Hey Heather, bring back the spaghetti and Chuck photos!)

Then that lead to other blogs, like Amalah, Joy Unexpected and Miss Zoot (who are still some of my favorites today). This was years before I knew there were 20somethings who blogged. I kept up with those blogs but stuck to Livejournal because blogs were where they big girls played and I just didn’t feel on that level just yet. I didn’t have anything important to say so I’d stick to my daily posts about my day and bands I seen in my locked LJ.

In fall of 2007, I created a blog that lived for a few short months then deleted it. I think it was once I discovered Brandy’s blog that I decided I was ready to have a grown up blog because I found someone (and a whole network) I could relate to and finally said goodbye to good old LJ. I jumped right into NaBloPoMo and into 20SB, where I was one of the first 100ish members (now there are over 6,000 of us!).

And the rest was history.

How did you get started blogging?

I’ve come home from Las Vegas to no job. And well this leaves me in quite the predicament because I’m broke. No, not because I blew all my money gambling because none of us really did any gambling. Shock! You don’t have to gamble to have fun in Vegas! I wasn’t really working many hours as it was and hey, I was a part-time nanny so it’s not like I was rolling around in a bed full of cash while sipping champagne.

I’m sure I’ll pick up the occasional hours babysitting here and there but for the most part, I won’t have steady income coming in. This leaves me 1) poor and 2) bored.

Now for possible solutions.

For the POOR part of this unfortunate equation, I obviously have been and will continue  applying to jobs. The thing I feel that is holding me back from getting hired a lot of places is my lack of degree. The only way I can go back to school is if I have a job to help me pay for it since I won’t be having help from my parents. So yeah, even though bursting at the seams with ideas, have hands on experience and most importantly, am eager to learn, a lot of people won’t take that chance on me. I’m not letting that deter me though from jobs I think I’m qualified for in other ways. I’m confident in my skills.

Or instead of a 9-5, I can try my hand at freelancing. I think this is the route I’ll be following in the meantime.

(I do know for sure, I’m tired of the big game talking and promise making people do about stuff that always falls through or dropping off the radar after getting you involved with things. I’m so not interested.)

As for the BORED part, there are a few things I’ll be doing to combat this.

• Hit that library and take advantage of the free stuff! I’m a book nerd and I love to read. I haven’t had the time to lately so it’s time to change that.
• Write more to keep my skills sharp.
• Make 20 Something Bloggers the best community out there because hey, did you know? I’m your new favorite Community Admin keeping your forums clean and being generally awesome!
• Exercise. Keep up the long walks with Edie. Shred it up. And let my personal trainer in a box kick my ass.
• Get a hobby. I have something in mind but that is a post in itself so stay tuned.

So those are my plans to help battle the unemployment beast. Any other ideas?

And if you know of any sweet jobs that could use a blogger extraordinaire, Etsy loving, mac and cheese making, puppy cuddling, social media person of awesome, let me know.

I’d even consider moving because, dude, Chicago winters suck.

Sexy, huh?

Yesterday I made a trip to my favorite cupcake spot, Swirlz Cupcakes (where Pam happened to remember me from this day) to pick up some minis. Obviously, I had to get a cupcake for myself so I chose red velvet. My frosting got a little messed up on the way home but I can assure you it tastes just as amazing. I’m a fan of cupcakes for breakfast.

If you’re coming to my pre-BlogHer meet up today, there will be a few mini cupcakes there. Hopefully the make the trip safely without tipping over or um… accidentally eaten on the way there!

I’m going to stick with yesterday’s theme what you would do with ridiculous amounts of money.

Kinda.

I always say that if I get rich, one of the things I’m going to do is buy a ton of land and build a puppy farm. No, not like a creepy puppy mill. It will basically be a dog sanctuary for homeless puppies who haven’t found their families just yet. They won’t be locked up in tiny cages, will still be safe and fed and will get tons of love. Countless foofoo dog toys and peanut butter bones to cater to their every puppy whim.

And even though I’m not a big fan of cats, there will be a kitty barn too because well, I just can’t leave them out.

That would be my giving back because everyone knows what a sucker I am for dogs. Yes, the Sarah McLaughlin commercials make me cry and I’m not ashamed to admit that I have teared up at the Pedigree Dogs Rule commercials too. I’m sure that’s no surprise to anyone here though.

Mark my words, when I figure out what I’m doing with my life and it makes me millions, there will be a puppy farm.

Your turn now.

You were just given a million dollars but had to give it away to a cause of your choice, what would it be?

(It can be an existing cause or one you want to start)

What?

I bet you never thought you would hear anyone ever say that.

But wait, hear read me out. Let’s forget about the vagina flashing, sex tapes, and general stupidity for a second.

You all know I’m one of those weird people who love their pet more than people because really, let’s face it, people suck. A lot. So when I came across this on my favorite trashy celeb super informative and credible news site, I decided Paris Hilton knows whats up.

That, my friends, is her dogs’ house.

Complete with a chandelier, air conditioner/heater, wardrobe and staircase. You can see the rest of the photos here.

It’s offical. Paris Hilton’s dogs live better than me and most people in the world.

FML

(Not gonna lie, if I were rich and famous for no reason and had tons of money, I’d buy Edie one. My pup would be living in style: Chewy Vuitton, Bark Jacobs and Chewnel. For serious.)

I don’t even really know where to begin in talking about this trip because it still doesn’t feel like it really happened. I’ll update again with some photos once I steal some from people.

Highlights:

Two Chicago girls and myself hopped on a plane to Vegas.

Add 1 lovely and stylish Canadian blogger to this room and you have the perfect roommate situation.

Walk 22 bloggers deep down to Caesar’s Palace where they are having dinner.

Tear yourself away from conversation with a Mr. 5280 about how there is no vagina at the buffet.

(What?)

Then off to see LOVE (full review soon!) followed up by a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3.

The next morning, sleep late and hit the pool. Sneak in your favorite Katelin and her fiancee, Matt (who is so awesome). 

Next up is lunch (at 5PM, obviously) in the Venetian at San Marco Enoteca. Smashed potatoes, four cheese pizza and homemade peach gelato? Do you even need me to say how good that was?

Happy hour at Zefferino with everyone. This is where I proceeded to have a lot of wine and got a bit drunk.

People love Edie.

100 high fives.

One drunk phone call later talking about “OMG there are fucking dolphins!”, the Montecito, dudes who fall off 2 story escalators and my DJ cred. (the inspiration for this title obviously)

Waking up to early the next day and hitting the pennies with the lovely E.P.

Then said goodbye to most of my new IRL friends. That was much harder than I thought it would be.

A delicious champagne brunch buffet at the Bellagio with the girls, Katelin and Matt.

Then capping off a Vegas trip later that night with dinner at Stack in the Mirage with Amanda. Truffled penne pasta, tomato soup and grilled cheese and creme brulee? Fixed price menus are awesome.

26  people who just so happen to meet on the internets take over Las Vegas and there are no serial killers, train wrecks or drama?

I’m going to call that a success. 

P.S. This was probably the most amazing weekend ever. I loved everyone I got to meet and cannot wait for us to all get together again. Because let’s face it? We will be getting together again soon. It just has to happen.

P.P.S. Vegas > Chicago.

This awesome guest post was brought to you by the lovely Maggie of Red Letter Haze!

A few days before Jamie took off to Vegas she asked me to guest post on her blog. While I’m happy that she handed over the blog reigns to me, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the least bit jealous. I was planning on joining her, but after the guilt trip I got from my mom & fiancé about spending money on a vacation when I should be saving for a wedding the closest I was getting to Vegas was seeing The Hangover in theaters this weekend (flipping hilarious by the way).

But seriously, my brain must be in Vegas or something because I cannot think of anything worth sharing.

First I was thinking writing about how awesome Jamie is, but you all already know that (but she totally is). I totally have a blog crush on her. And she’s an even better dinner date.

Then I was like, well I can list all the reasons why I’d rather be in Chicago than Vegas. Besides the Printer’s Row Lit Fest and ‘Chicago is the New Vegas’ meetup, nothing earth shattering happened. And the weather sucked. Big time. Last time I checked, it was June not March.  Plus I heard Vegas has a Serendipity, and Chicago is severely lacking in that department. So, Vegas-2 Chicago-0.

So instead I just rambled my way through this post by writing about what I wasn’t going to write about. Does that even make sense?

While part of me wishes I was partying it up with the best of them in Vegas, I know I’ll get to meet many of you in a few weeks here in Chicago.

And I can’t wait for my next dinner date with Jamie so she can fill me on all the details!

I’ll be on my way to Las Vegas with these awesome ladies.

If you need me, you can find me working on a tan and sipping on margaritas poolside at the Luxor.

Bye!

I’m taking part in the 30 Day Challenge from EA Sports Active. I will talking about my experience and progress on my review blog.

Find out more and see how you have 5 chances to win your own copy of EA Sports Active for Wii!

Make sure read how day one of the challenge went and let me know if you would ever consider using a video game as a form of exercise over here!