"BIG ELVIS"

Elvis may be gone, but in Las Vegas, the king is very alive.  From Viva Elvis by Cirque du Solei to Legends in Concert, to the numerous Elvis impersonators around the Strip and all the Elvis weddings, Las Vegas will keep Elvis alive forever. 

Many reasons for that. 

Elvis was the king of rock’n’roll.  During his “Vegas years” he was the show in town.  Everybody wanted to see Elvis.  All his performances were sold out.  He got married to Priscilla in Las Vegas.  Elvis loved Las Vegas and Las Vegas loved him and will continue to love him forever.

I have seen Elvis impersonators in all sizes and races.  Last year I participated in a Flashmob at a convention where the managers suddenly awoke the attendees with a flashmob simulating an Elvis wedding.   We were asked to dress professionally to blend in with the people attending the convention.  The Elvis impersonator was very thin.  

Here with me skinny Elvis.

 And since I like variety, today I saw the performance of “Big Elvis” at the Harrah’s Hotel.  Big Elvis weighs in between 300-500 pounds depending on his latest diet.  Pete Vallee, his real name, has been performing on the strip for 10 years.  He has the most amazing, strong, right-on-tone Elvis voice. 

Here with me "Big Elvis"

And, of course, I had to perform with Elvis, especially if I was given a maraca.  He sang the best, Viva Las Vegas, with a bunch of ladies from the audience.   And I was given a certificate, which at the end of the show he gracefully autographed.

Today I noticed that Elvis impersonators stick together and support each other.  That's so cool. I spotted at the bar another Elvis impersonator, which I was not expecting at this show.  It was another camera moment.  

Elvis is a living legend and Las Vegas will continue celebrating Elvis spirit and providing tribute to the king of rock’n’roll f o r e v e r.

“Big Elvis” performs at Harrah’s on the strip, Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Friday at 2, 3:30 and 5 pm. 

Did I mention that the show is free?

“Thank you. Thank you very much.”

VIVA "BIG ELVIS"

In remembrance of the king of rock'n'roll.  Turn volume up and watch on full screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Evr6p_SeBE&feature=related

A L O H A! Luau in Las Vegas

There is no need to go to Hawaii to enjoy a luau. I have been to a traditional luau in Hawaii and have been to many luaus in Southern California.  Today I attended my first luau in Las Vegas.  It was a fundraising event sponsored by the Grace In the Desert Episcopal Church.


We first enjoyed appetizers and a time of Hawaiian libations. Before dinner, we were entertained by Hawaiian dancers and I was picked to dance a little hula.


The food was fantastic and I enjoyed it among friends all caught into the aloha spirit.


Mahalo to my friend Barbara who worked so hard and did a wonderful job organizing this event.

Hawiian - punch!

My plate.  Delma, por favor, portion control!

ALOOOHA!

  

I Got My Nexus 7 -- Woohoo!

Hurray!  My first tablet.

We should never say never – when am I going to learn that? 

When tablets came out, I repeatedly stated that I was not going to get one because I had no need for one.  Having a laptop and a netbook that I barely use, and having an iPhone that I use for many purposes and not much as a phone, I had no interest in buying a tablet.  I love electronics and technology, but I’m not one of those people that sleep overnight outside an electronic store to get a new gadget.  In fact, I’m always a little behind.   Call me old fashioned, but I still love my PC and my cordless landphone.

All that until I learned about the Nexus 7. 

Oddly to say, it all started with my need to buy a new GPS.  My GPS is 5 years old (“a little behind”) and I have never updated the maps.  Since updating the maps costs almost as much as buying a new GPS, I started shopping online for the best GPS on the market.  This is the gadget that I cannot live without.  This is my best co-pilot.  Can not drive without it.

In the process of researching online for my next GPS, my eyes drifted to advertising of the Nexus 7.  The advertisement prompted me to read reviews and reviews and more reviews about this wonderful tablet.  Result?  I fell in love with it and  wanted to buy one “yesterday.”  

Some may be asking, what is a Nexus 7, what’s the big deal about it?  Ok, I’m not the expert and I am not here to provide an elaborate lecture, but I will briefly explain what it is and what my experience has been with it so far.

The Nexus 7 is Google’s first tablet on the market.  This precious device is only 7 inches and, the best, it only costs $199.  Well, let me clarify:  $199 for the 8 GB and $250 for the 16 GB.  Excellent price for quality tablets.   I bought the 8 GB because that is all I need.

Some of the features of the Nexus 7 are:  GPS, games, videos, some TV programs, reading books, it has a camera, you can do skype, etc.  And, of course, it can be loaded with your favorite applications.

What I like most about the Nexus 7 is its size.  It’s smaller than an iPad and bigger than a smartphone.  A dream come true for me because it’s wonderful to be able to carry a light weight tablet that fits in my purse.

There may be many 7 inch tablets on the market.  But nothing that compares to The Nexus 7 in price and quality.   Nexus 7 is far superior to the Kindle Fire, which also costs $199. 

Warn you:  this is until Apple launches a mini tablet to compete with Nexus 7.  Knowing Apple, it will probably be better than the Nexus 7, but until that happens, I intend to enjoy my Nexus 7.   

In the process, I had a problem.  When the Nexus 7 came out, it immediately sold out!  People interested in buying the Nexus 7 had to order it online and seat and wait for its arrival.  I had no other choice but to order it online and wait without a clue of when I would receive it. 

So I anxiously waited for a few weeks to receive my Nexus 7.  I love shopping online, but the waiting kills me.  Especially when you’re expecting to receive a new “toy,” the waiting seems eternal.   Every day I checked my inbox to see if it had been shipped.

When my Nexus 7 finally arrived, my girlfriend from California was visiting Las Vegas.  During those days, I got home so tired that I had no desire to set up my Nexus 7.  By the way, I ordered it from the Google Play store.

I haven’t used it much yet, but I love it.  It’s just what I needed.   Now I need to buy a case to protect my “baby.”  I already found one online for $10.99.  You know I’m cheap.

I recommend it.  A quality tablet for $200?  Can not beat that.  But do not take my word for granted.  Those on the market for a tablet, should research online.   We all have different needs and expectations according to what we need it for.  What is good for me, may not be good for you.  What are your needs for a tablet, if any?  Are you “ok” using your smartphone?  Do not buy one if you do not need it.  But for $200?  I say, get one. 

For once, I am one of the first people to have a new gadget.   Some people are still waiting to receive their Nexus 7.  I am progressing. 

  

Google should give me a commission for this post.  Don’t you think?......  Nah.  Well, at least the case.  Ha!

Traveling Through Food: Cuba

♪Guantalamera, guajira Guantalamera♪ ♫


I like Cuban food and Havana Grill is one of my favorite places for Cuban food in Las Vegas. 

The geographical proximity between Cuba and Puerto Rico makes our culture, cuisine and music very similar.  Notice that I said similar.  Not quite the same as many think.  Not only the food is similar, but puertoricans are very familiar with Cuban cuisine because of the abundance of Cuban restaurants in San Juan. 

Last year I went to Havana Grill for the first time.  It was for happy hour and I had a blast.  Today I went for dinner.  Last year, I ordered a sample platter of different Cuban food.  I loved it.  So this evening I ordered the same.  Yum! 

Salsa music is a common denominator between Puerto Rico and Cuba.  The restaurant had background salsa music and my feet were already going.  I was looking forward to dancing salsa, but the DJ music didn't start until 10 pm, so it was too much time to wait.

In spite of not being able to dance, I had a great time just by being with my friends in a Caribbean environment with food and background music that I love.

Ironically, I’ve never been to Cuba.  Shame, shame, Delma.  Cuba is so close to Puerto Rico.  Well, I shouldn’t bang my head on the wall because for many years, when I was living in Puerto Rico, no one could go to Cuba and years later you could, but it was a difficult process.  As years passed, it was more a procrastination act, which now I regret. 

The food was absolutamente d e l i c i o s o! 

This has been a week of excessive food.  All great food, but now I’m afraid to get on the scale.  Next week, I don’t want to go out.  I’m tired of having so much fun and eating so much.  I want to stay home eating salads, soup and sandwiches combined with daily workouts at the gym.  I also need some rest and I need to put my life back in order.  

Below are some pictures from my visit to Havana Grill last year and some from this evening.  

Opus Too for Lunch

As if I hadn’t had enough food with my girlfriend from California these past days, today I had a lunch pre-scheduled engagement that I wish I didn’t have. This morning when I woke up, my immediate thought was “and I have to go out and EAT again?” It’s been way too much food this week!!!
But today’s lunch plans were a little special. I had plans to go to Opus Too, which had been on my “To Go” list for quite a while. Opus Too is a student-run restaurant at The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Las Vegas in Henderson. It’s supposed to be upscale international cuisine. I had read and heard excellent reviews about this place.  
This is the final passage of senior students prior to graduation. The restaurant is very small, cozy and elegant . Meals include choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert for just $10.95, plus tax and gratuity, $15. Excellent deal.
Me and my lunch buddies had a great time. Everybody was satisfied with what they ordered and "picky eater" (moi) enjoyed everything. Small portions, quality food, the way I like to eat and should eat, but normally don’t. As an appetizer, I ordered grilled salmon with “something,” sea bass with “something” main entrée and banana éclair with “something” for dessert. Sorry, but I don’t remember what the “somethings” were. The sea bass and banana eclair were so good that I ate them without taking a picture first.
My observation about this place is that, the students, whom are supposed to be close to graduation, are not well prepared. The cooks did great, but the waiters and waitresses seemed very insecure and made many mistakes. Perhaps they are trained to cook and not to service the tables. I really don’t know how that works, but in their defense, I will say, that they really tried and were very cute and friendly. The supervising chef was very nice with us too.
Good camaraderie, good laughs and good food. A very lovely lunch. Too bad it’s in Henderson, which is kind of far for me.