So. You’re sitting at a blackjack table at The D Hotel in
downtown Las Vegas and the guy beside you orders four Rum and Cokes in the span of an hour. Do you cut the guy off? Do you say “Hey Buddy, maybe you’ve had
enough”?

Twenty-one years ago, I cradled my new-born baby
boy in my arms for the very first time, beheld his tiny nascent face (which was
my face), looked into his intensely expressive eyes (which were my eyes), and
promised him that for his twenty-first birthday… I would take him to Vegas. He
reacted with, what I thought at the time, was a knowing smile. Turns out he was
just farting, but whatever…

Last weekend, I fulfilled that 21 year-old promise.

Parents, if you’ve got a kid who needs corrupting, I highly
recommend it.

We gambled, we ate some great meals, lounged by the decadent
pool, saw shows on The Strip, shot Glocks and AK-47’s in the desert, got propositioned on Fremont Street, worked out in the fancy gym, took a
whirlpool and a schvitz in the splashy spa, drank Washington Apple shots with the CEO’s of a cannabis start-up, lost a few hands, won a few hands…

And we
talked. A lot. Not necessarily about important things. There were no lectures
about life’s pitfalls, staying out of the slammer, or the hardships of lethargy.
We talked about movies, sports, life, our Fantasy Baseball League. It was
grade-A father-son time. And I loved every minute of it. Even when we were
getting murdalized at the blackjack table.

Highlights:

Dinner at Lagos overlooking the iconic Bellagio fountains in
the very best table in the house. The Cirque show “O”, The MGV half-day outdoor
shooting range (the owner Bebe is one outrageous broad – her words), Absinthe, downtown
on Fremont Street, Crazy Four Poker, The Forum Shops at Caesars.

Low-lights:

Terry Fator. Jesus, talk about a shitshow. Even by ventriloquist
standards, that’s some low-grade humor. You should see the reviews for Terry
Fator on Tripadvisor. “Five Stars’ “Best show in Vegas” “Don’t miss this show” “Never
laughed so hard in my life”. Ummm, What? I love Tripadvisor, but I’m thinking
they need to put some qualifiers on the contributors. Joey and I together
aren’t old enough, white enough, or Republican enough for this crowd. Plus, he
moves his lips!

Five minutes into the show, we thought about escaping, but I
was worried about the octogenarians we’d have to climb over having a coronary
or breaking a hip. Five minutes after that, I was willing to risk it. I looked
over at Joe, who gave me the nod and we made tracks. That’s one
show that happens in Vegas and should definitely stay in Vegas.

But all in all, I wouldn’t trade my time in Las Vegas with
Joey for a WSOP bracelet. It was debauched and wonderful.

In 2022 it’ll be Hank and I taking this trip. I cannot wait.

Ruth and I have raised two awesome boys, and we just couldn’t
be prouder of them. They’re good kids, with big hearts, and bright futures. We
love them so much.